Happy Birthday to me 05/15

[Billy Britt]

As is our custom on the occasion of my birthday I wanted to extend an offering, a gift of sorts.Perhaps not one that will be enjoyed by all or even one that is worthy of any but it is all I have to give for now.From time to time I have heard various people say that they have lived their lives with no regrets. This notion has always boggled my mind and left me wondering if it were really possible to live this way.There are days when I can’t even make it out of bed without having a twinge of regret.So, I can’t fathom an entire life without remorse, at least not for me.To me it would seem an impossible challenge to look down the corridor of remembrance without seeing the mistakes, heartaches and carnality that has been a part of my life.Do I see grace and mercy? Yes, surely and it is in that soil that I plant the root of my life, but it would be foolish to believe that my earthly being has not also been lived among the thorn and thistle.And so for me my regrets are the lesions of learning that while healed by God’s grace and mercy are reminders of my own imperfection.No, I do not beat myself or like Dominicus Loricatus who once repeated the entire Psalter twenty times in one week, accompanying each psalm with a hundred lash-strokes to his back, punish myself with anything more than acknowledgment and awareness of the weakness of my flesh.Naturally, mistakes are a part of everyone’s life, for me I would rather live mine making them than doing nothing at all.So, it is that when I am defeated by my errors I try to use them as an opportunity to grow and possibly change.It is said that every time you look at the night sky, you travel back in time. This is perhaps true in the sense that when you look at a star which is 100 000 light-years away, you see it as it was 100 000 years ago and not as it is today.Sometimes in life we look back and see what could have been; I think that these are orographic clouds that should after a moment be blown away by a gentle focus on the goodness that is.Some scientist think that all the theoretical mechanics for travel back in time are available. If so where would you go?I have regrets but with all my regrets I would say that I would do it all again, mistakes and all, because this is life, it is the rough gift I have been given and I will take credit and blame for all it was, is and will be.When my mother was going into one of her many heart surgeries that ultimately led to her death, she held my hand and said, “It is easy to criticize, it is easy to find fault in others, and easier still to lay blame, but great people look for the good in others and themselves. Look for answers and solutions, seek to be better and wiser not because it is easier but because it is right. Be great, son.”I am trying.Also let me say thank you to all of you here that I call friend, it is more than I deserve.

[Chuck LaMattina]

Dear Billy, I just read your blog that you posted on your birthday. I was stirred by your thoughts into thinking about my own life. Thank you for stirring my heart. And I must also comment that I took to heart the words of your mother. I to like to write - used to write a weekly article for a weekly paper in central Illinois years ago when I was the central area coordinator for The Way back in the early eighties. I always thought what a great job it would be to get paid to write down my thoughts. I was 11th Corps and currently pastor a church called Grace Ministry International (www.graceministryinternational.org). Where can I look on line to read more of your writings?

[Michael Prahm]

Dear Billy;

Greatest greetings, in that name above all names. the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Had that domidick fellar had stopped to consider the words of the writer of them psalms, maybe he would have realized that Christ was our stunt double. And when you do the ciphering on the spread of the stars, Those mechanics who work on the theoretical,(is that the new Korean auto, that gets great gas mileage), if Christ is limited to a miles per light year gas mileage, he is still traveling towards that seat at the right hand. Must be alot of stations and rest stops.

I have stumbled at the stumbling stone, thinking I could add to the atone.
I have added righteousness of mine without the merits of his own.
tis the hard lesson to learn,
They took away his standing, and yet my standing is sure.
His pain, my cure
His death, my life.
Think about the twelve legions of angels he could have had. it was his right.
He did not exercise that right, so I could have life.
Do I have regrets? just one
When I have stumbled at the stumbling stone

Garace and love

Mike Prahm

[Michelle Hershey Poccia]

Happy Belated Birthday, Billy! Enjoyed the blog entry.Thanks for sharing on your birthday. Did you send me a present too? I will wait for it to arrive. Or just bring it on board the ship for the big reunion adventure. One year from now we will all have a "gathering"...and I think we need to start chatting it up. Since I know you have so many followers on your blog...I may abuse our friendship/your blog with responses filled with cheap plugs for this adventure that Hope and John are working on for all of us.
You have seen the ad for the event posted on the home page? And the link that you can click to see what the Reunion 2010 is all about...the ship..the costs...the folks who have already signed up.
There are 1316 people on this site and 42 have committed to being on board...we have some work to do!
Of course, if it turns out that only those 42 show...we are guaranteed a splendid time...I saw the list...and it will be a lot of fun!
It is late...time to go and read some psalms and flog myself to sleep!
Much love and truly Happy Birthday...next year we will have a big Birthday Bash for you on the cruise! Hope can jump out of a cake and sing for you!
XO Shell

[Kevin Nye]

Happy birthday Billy, and thank you for what you shared. Your sentiments match my own, only, you have put them so very nicely to words. And, now I know about that poor miserable soul Dominicus Loricatus...

[Pat Malone]

Happy Belated Birthday my old friend, and thank you for the gift of your words. As always, I find your perspective filled with wisdom both learned and original. As always, I feel enriched by your sharing.
Everything is beautiful
Pat

[John and Janet Ruiz]

Happy Birthday. Have you seen the movie "Million Dollar Baby"? We have the DVD and I finally watched it on cable a week ago. Funny. Anyway, the Catholic priest tells Eastwood's character the following -

"Frankie, I've seen you at Mass almost every day for 23 years. The only person comes to church that much is the kind who can't forgive himself for something."

Sooner or later a person has to either stop saying they're sorry or just accept being guilty. I'm somewhere inbetween, so my only advice is to enjoy this birthday! Hope you have many more.

[Billy Britt]

Thank you, Mike.

George. you are a caring and thoughtful soul. Thank you for your kind words. We so look forward to meeting you and your bride soon.
Best,
B

[Billy Britt]

Hope,
Nothing could make me happier than knowing you or to be considered family, you have always been the sister I wanted and needed. .
I have become quite sentimental over the years also.
Now, I need to go back and watch, “When Peggy Sue Got Married.”
I remember that it was a good movie and poignant in its message.
Like “Ground Hog Day,” it explores some of life”s heaver themes with humor and love. Maybe those are great angles in which to look at life, eh?
Look forward to speaking soon and seeing you.
As always yours,
B

[George M. Hendrix]

Billy,
Your honesty and humility towards God and others is noteworthy as well as wonderful. Your mother must have been a most beautiful person and very wise.

I too have some regrets, but when I look at where God has brought me, in spite of my ignorance, stupidity, and the weakness of my flesh, I quickly become thankful beyond measure. I especially realize how much much worse things could have been without His grace and mercy. Besides that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Him.

Thanks for bearing your heart man. You have a wonderful heart Billy and I am proud to call you brother.

Happy Birthday!!!


Love and blessings!
George

[Mike and Lisa Tracy]

A wonderful blog post - and Happy Birthday!