The Smartest Man I Know...Arthur Rogers

So this picture is a bit like those you see in the obituaries where you think it is a young person who had died until you see their age. But it was the best one I have of my brother Arthur, obviously he has been a bit camera shy around me.

People who are told they have a high IQ are seen as having a lot of knowledge and/or a great ability to learn and use their brains better than the average person. My brother Arthur is 66 today and has acquired a lot of knowledge in his lifetime. He knows how to do anything and everything. Nothing can get by him. He is the Rogers' Macgyver. I suspect that if he was tested his score would be over 140 which is considered a genius.

There is another type of intelligence called "Social Intelligence" which I think describes my brother's best characteristic. It is the ability to understand people and to act wisely in human relations. To have both types of intelligence is rare, but Arthur has been blessed by both.

I have a lot of fond memories of Arthur from the early days when he and Brenda were first married and my little brother and I crawled up in bed with them when they lived with us for a short time to times when he rolled and fixed my hair. But my fondest memories are of the times he cared for our mom, taking her to see her eye doctor, fixing things around her home and making major home renovations that improved her life. Never once have I ever heard him speak unkindly of our mother. And he never allowed anyone else to either. He honored her until the day she died and continues to honor her through the things he did for her while she was alive. He has truly lived the 2nd Commandment of our Heavenly Father to "Honor your father and your mother."

My prayer for you on this your 66th birthday is that your children and grandchildren will honor you in much the same way that you have set the example with your life.

Happy Birthday Big Brother

Have you ever needed help, but didn't know it? There was a time in my life, not that long ago, that I these words fit my life. Thankfully, my oldest brother Carl knew and came to my aid. I remember when he and his wife Jenny came to our home to help; the sense of weight being lifted off my shoulders was unbelievable. I remember the strength they gave me just knowing they were there to share in one of the most difficult times of my families life. It seems like it was just yesterday, but it has actually been over 3 years ago. It's something I will always remember and be grateful for.

Being an engineer, you might think that he would analyze the situation, develop an action plan and fix it like he does most of the time. But instead he was just there to lean on. I saw a side of him that I think few see.

God has a plan when he allows us to go through difficult times. Each person comes through it with a different outlook on life, a change of heart, finds what is really important in life and never sees things the same. I think God wanted me to see Carl in a way I had never seen him. While I have always loved him, I love him differently now a type of love that says I want to be there for him when he goes through dark days. My heart was soften toward my brother who I use to think was untouchable.

Happy 70th birthday brother! You don't look your age or act your age. Not too many people can say at 70 they still do everything they have always done, well maybe your a little slower. No you are just taking your time these days. May God give you many more years.

"Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to those who have lived many years." Job 12:12

Influences can never be measured

I will eternally be grateful for the years that my brother Buck spent with my daughter as she was growing up, as well as for me when I was growing up.

He was the grandfather she never had. Picking her up from school and taking her to dance. He even took her to school with him in the summer months, making her feel important as his assistant principal. She loved school because of his influence on her. Even when he was going to fill in his swimming pool, he knew she loved to swim and waiting several years later to fill it in. As she was near her high school graduation and we were in transition of moving to another town, he created a safe experience for her to live on her own for the first time in his garage apartment.

When I was growing up, I spent many wonderful times with him, his wife Diana and their son. I have lots of great memories of going on wagon trains, sleigh riding and water skiing. But most of all, I appreciate the time he took to pick up my younger brother and myself and take us to church each week. I am not sure where I would be in my spiritual walk if he had not done this.

So while he was there for my daughter when my job was very demanding. He was there for me once again.

Buck now has his own grandchild Brady and is a wonderful grandfather to him--sharing many wonderful moments and creating many beautiful memories as he did with us.

Someone once said, “We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.” I think all of us, although different ages, reflect a little of Buck Rogers in each of our lives.

We are called to be servants

Galatians 5:13 talks about using the freedom God has given us to serve each other in love. The next 5 blogs will reflect the servanthood that I have seen from each of my brothers who have served others in love.

I tear up as I think of my brother Richard as he faithfully cared for his wife Yvonne for over 20 years after she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. From the morning that she started having trouble writing to the day she died, he cared for her every need. He was insistent upon being seen this same day, sitting in the waiting room for hours, not giving in for a later appointment-- the diagnosis and surgery all happened in less than a week. Nonetheless, her prognosis was grim, the maximum amount of radiation would be given over the next month.

Initially, she did well, but what most people don't realize is that radiation continues to work after treatment. She gradually had the mentality of a young child and then a baby and Richard took care of her every need just as we do our children. Through seizures, multiple falls which caused major injuries to herself, bedridden and infections, Richard stayed by her side. While he was working, he provided care through two ladies who cared for Yvonne like their own.

None of us know except for Richard all of the times that they struggled. Little by little he has shared with me things that happened during those years. Both laughing and crying over her wheelchair getting away from him as he took her outside and then struggling to pull her up the stairs to get back in--sitting down and lifting her under her arms one by one to the top.

He never complained and looks at those times as very precious. In the last several years before her death, she was unable to do much more than communicate with her eyes. He knew her so well, that he knew what she was saying. There was no need for words. He always put her first, taking no time to take care of his own health problems, but waiting until after her death to have surgery himself.

Christ came not to be served, but to serve. (Mark 10:45) He is our teacher our mentor. To love like Richard loved Yvonne is to love like God intends us to love--serving one another.

Open the Eyes of My Heart

I had another "ah-ha" moment this week because it revealed how God is working in our lives. It is just too bad that I am just now getting it.

Last week my sister-in-law Jenny was at Mayo Clinic in FL with her sister Brenda who has been really sick and getting worse. I just happened to mention to her that I knew a neurologist there and he was a great Christian. A week later Jenny called in a panic. The doctor they had been seeing had left town for a month. They had been going through testing for 2 weeks and now seemed to be left hanging.

I contacted Dr. Cheshire and asked if he could see her since her doctor was now out of town. To be honest, with all the hoops we seem to have to jump through just to get to see a doctor and since she already was being seen by one at Mayo, I didn't have a lot of hope that he could see her. But I thought no harm in asking. The wheels started turning from that point and long story short, he was "amazing" and they felt God's hand in everything from that point on. She called me with tears of joy several times to keep me informed. He had called Brenda himself more than once, ordered a couple of additional tests and followed up with her primary care doctor. Her doctor was also impressed with him.


The revelation was that God brings people into our lives for a purpose. It had been 4 years ago since Dr. Cheshire and his son stayed with us for a couple of days. We have communicated and back and forth from time to time and I prayed for him and his family during some difficult days. I would have never imagined that one day I would ask for his help. I would have never imagined that someone I knew would be in need of his particular specialty and would be at his hospital in the future.

So now I am wondering how God can use me to serve those who have come in contact with me. Or how many opportunities I have missed where God was opening the doors and I never went through. It makes me sing "Open the eyes of my heart."

20 East, Line 67 - Priorities

I don't have time to visit a friend who is sick, but I have time to go to the movies. I don't have time to write a letter to an old friend, but I have time to take a walk. I don't have time to volunteer at the dental clinic, but I have time to shop.

Maybe it's more like we make time to do what we what to do. Yeah, I knew that already, but guess I didn't really want to admit it. It really hit close to my heart yesterday. So maybe it is more like--I don't make time to visit a friend who is sick or I don't make time to write a letter to an old friend or I don't make time to volunteer at the dental clinic.

Yesterday I took time (leaving work for a couple of hours) to go to the opening ceremonies in Johnson City of the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. I am so glad I did. It was a beautiful ceremony honoring those who fought and died to free Vietnam of Communism. 58,228 Americans killed, 153,452 wounded and 1740 still missing. I had been to the Memorial in DC and realized it would be a very sobering time, but I wasn't prepared to see the veterans who attended to honor their commrades. The Vietnam war wasn't one that we can be especially proud of; but one of the speakers said, "I did what my country asked me to do." This wall is appropriated called "The Wall That Heals."

I didn't have time to go and felt guilty leaving a desk full of work to attend; but there was something that drew me to the ceremony. As I laid the newspaper clipping of my brothers death at the wall in front of his name 20 East, line 67, I prayed for healing for those of us who have lost family and friends to war and for the healing for our nation. Our priorities can and do make a difference in the lives of others and in our own.

Forty-One Years of Great Memories

Recently I saw the new Star Trek XI movie and as I was watching it I couldn't help thinking of my sister Mary. She was the one who got me interested in Star Trek which evolved into my love for science fiction. She would have really loved this movie as it went back to the times when Kirk and Spock were cadets in Star Fleet Academy.

When someone we love dies, things often unexpectedly jog our memory of them like this movie did for me. And of course one thought leads to another and before we realize it, we realize the legacy that the person has left behind. Other wonderful memories of her include the times she gave my toddler daughter chocolate because it made her "crazy." She thought it was really funny until the night she ended up keeping her all night for us and she had fed her Reese Peanut Butter Cups. I never had to worry if my hairstyle was up to date, she was the best hair dresser (designer) ever. She cooked all day on Sundays so that her family would have food to eat when she worked late. Her macaroni salad was better than a 5-star restaurants. She hated to lose when we played games and would cheat if she had to in order to win, passing cards under the table to me with her toes. She gave me my first and only pedicure when I was 9 months pregnant, supposedly I couldn't touch my toes. I remember 2 elderly ladies who were blind that were her customers. She would pick them up from their homes and bring back to her beauty shop to fix their hair. It was an all day outing for them. She became involved in the Cancer Center's program "Look Good, Feel Better" in it's early days and before volunteering became posh. She was great at everything she did including being a sister, a friend, a daughter, a wife and a mother.

So what kind of legacy memories are we leaving for others to remember us by? I hope the ones I leave behind are as memorable, interesting and funny as Mary left for us.

Have you really forgiven others?

Have you ever been harmed by someone and wanted revenge? Maybe that you wouldn't actually do something to get revenge, but that you just hoped that they would "get theirs."


Forgiveness is powerful; forgiveness is freeing. It doesn't come easy for us to forgive someone, it is challenging for most.


Something that is so hard to give away is valuable to us and to give it away is giving of ourselves. So maybe that is why it is so hard to give away, we are giving of ourselves and we are pretty much a selfish society. Give, but don't give until it hurts.


Recently I heard Rob Bell talk about this subject in a video "Called Luggage" which made be stop to think if I had actually forgiven those who have hurt me. As I watched this short video I realized I had given people "lip service;" but not actual forgiveness. I really thought I had forgiven them. But he said, "Until you can wish that person well, you haven't really forgiven them." It was shocking to me that I actually had to wish them well, wasn't saying I forgive you enough? This isn't fair, they harmed me! But those words have haunted me since hearing them. And I am now coming to the place that I can say "I wish you well." Talk about FREEDOM! Maybe we can even be friends again.


How did I get to this point and why was it so important to me to be able to say, "I wish you well?" Because I also realized that I haven't just been hurt, but I have hurt others too. We all do, intentionally or unintentionally.


There are lots of books on forgiveness and great quotes on forgiveness, but the one that Christians and I think even non-Christians recall is from Jesus as he hung on the cross asking our Father in heaven to "forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:24)Intentional at the time and unintentionally each time we sin, we put Jesus on the cross. And did Jesus say to us, "I wish you well?" He not only said, "I wish you well, but I will save you through my death." (Matt: 26: 28 ) He not only said, "I wish you well, but I will prepare a wonderful place for you in heaven." (John 14:2)


As I grow older, I realize how much I want to be more like Jesus. How much I really need to be more like Him. If He can do that for me, then I can wish those who have caused me pain to prosper and to be free of any guilt they may carry for what they have done to me. And that is real freedom for both of us.



Watch a preview of this video on YouTube at this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAnO7hu6RJc&feature=PlayList&p=83B58AFB2161B399&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6


I recommend buying it! It's in various places on the web. Here is just one link to purchase it. http://www.thebiblesource.com/product.php?p=6534

Economics and Sin

Everyone I know is concerned about the U.S. economy and most are also worried about the World economic situation.

What I don't understand is why our politicians are allowing our tax dollars to pay for things outside of the U.S. that many find deplorable. For example: $545 million in the Omnibus bill will aggressively promote, lobby, litigate and perform abortion on demand in developing countries. $50 million will go to support or participate in the management of forced sterilizations and forced abortion programs. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) will receive much of this money. In case you don't know much about this "worthy" organization. They are China’s population control program trainer, facilitator and funder. China’s one-child-per-couple policy needs our money to force abortions and sterilizations. What????

It's the Planned Parenthood's verbicide of the words family planning. So U.S. tax dollars are spent for so-called international "family planning".

While we are worried about losing our jobs, putting food on the table, paying for healthcare and keeping the heat on. Our tax dollars are used for countries funding programs that we find offensive and cruel. Don't get me wrong, I support humanitarian aid, but there isn't anything compassionate about this. I have no intention of making my blog political, but we voted for "change" and this is what we got!

Do we really think we can make friends with Muslim countries when we are offering to kill their unborn children? Look out for more war of a different kind.

When they refused to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting,deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving. They are fully aware of God's death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:28-32.

The Cost of Freedom

Lately I have been thinking about our freedom and how easily it is to forget the sacrificial price that has been paid for it. Recently I interviewed several tourists in front of the White House. Most were from the U.S. and reflected that freedom was what America was all about. And yet, the majority of people didn't want to talk "on camera" about the possibility that some people groups freedom were in jeopardy. It made me realize that as long as it doesn't affect "me" then "I" am OK with the idea that to take away someone else's freedom was OK. I walked away quite disillusioned about who America is in 2009. We seem to be a WIIFM nation, a nation of people who are self-centered, who only care about our own needs.

At the young age of 25 my brother Allen T. Rogers gave his life for the freedoms we enjoy. Considering that he was in the CIA, he could have avoided the draft call. But I recall him saying that "it was his duty, that our father fought for this country and so could he." Since then and before then, thousands of men and women have given their lives to protect the United States and to open the door of freedom for other countries. Freedom is bought with a price that cannot even be described.

Two thousand years ago our freedom was purchased with the price of the blood of Jesus Christ. And we forget how precious that freedom is also. As I sit here disillusioned and concerned with where our nation is headed, I have to think that our Father in Heaven has had similar thoughts since we are made in His image.

When Paul spoke to the Galatian church he said, " My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. "

Are we using our freedom as we have been called to do? How much longer will we be able to say, "let freedom ring?"

Self Sufficiency

From an early age my mother taught me to be self-sufficient. "Don't count on anyone, but yourself." She lived her life much that same way, not counting on anyone, possibly because she lived through the depression. She came from a large family and then having eight children of her own, she lived much of her life struggling. So I understand why she taught me her "golden rule" of life.


So I became a do-it-yourselfer. But one of the differences in my mom and me besides the "great depression" is that early on I looked to God for help. Maybe because of what my mom lived through, I never saw her look to God for help. A good friend and minister of mine told me that people in her generation didn't express their faith as we do today. So maybe she did, but in her own way or behind closed doors.

But in her last few months, I saw that change. The most memorable time of my life with my mother was when in tears, she asked me to pray as we sat at the table, just the two of us ready to eat dinner. She was near the end of her life and she was reaching out to God. She had just barely made it through major heart surgery at 89 years old. She wasn't asking God for continued healing, but to help her understand why she had so much discontent with others who were in her life and to help her as she came in contact with them. I don't think she liked the person she had become through many years of self-sufficiency. There was a flaw that had been created through "self-sufficiency."

There are many things in our life that make us who we are or as we like to say "builds character." For many people who don't believe in God or even those who believe there is a God, but He doesn't get involved in our lives; they are in the self-sufficiency mode of life. When faced with "this is it" they won't like what they see in themselves. Self-sufficiency isn't all that it is cut out to be.

Many Christians and myself included sometimes fall into the self-sufficiency mode thinking we don't need anyone else; we can go it alone. God has taught me a great lesson working at Christian Medical & Dental Associations in a job that is challenging and often overwhelming, lean on Him always.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

I work for a great boss!

Doesn't everyone want to work for a great boss? Well, I do and you can too! And there are lots of openings.

My supervisor, Dr. David Stevens is great too.

My boss is always there for me. He always has time for me; his door is always open. He listens to my concerns about work, even my personal and family concerns. And he doesn't just listen, I know he hears me. He makes sure that I have all that I need and more. I find great comfort in his presence. I can bring anything to him. I know better than to hide anything from him, he knows EVERYTHING. I have a great relationship with him. It doesn't really matter what your skills are, he has a place for you.

It's easy to apply, no long form to fill out, he doesn't even need your Social Security number. It's as easy as asking him to come into your life, believing in him as your Lord and Savior God's only son. He will go with you where ever you go. Make Jesus the boss of your life, there's no better place to be.