Note to Ann Downing

Originally published in December of 2022. Watching the Gaither Channel nonstop while taking care of 2nd wife Mary afflicted with Alzheimer's. Memories of you, Ann, and your husband Paul coming to our concert in Colorado Springs early 70s with Dave Royer and my late wife Lynne. Later we met Sue Dodge and Harold Lane at Southern California Nazarene District Camp then saw Gaither Trio at Long Beach along with ELVIS??? My first wife was saved at a Billy Graham film. What an adventure!! Thank you and thank you God. #maddogandqueenmary #amazinggrace

Men vs Women

Another busy morning. Mary was soaked, so I pulled off a layer of bedding, then worked with Mary to change her wet clothes. To keep the lioness from lashing out, I thank her profusely for being patient with me and keep my head down to avoid the appearance of being bossy.

There is a built in conflict between men and women, an intentional design by the Creator so that we have to depend on Him for strength. It's part of the curse. Look it up in Genesis.

Even Jesus got a little frosty with His mother when she gently nudged her Son into helping out at the wedding. "My time is not yet." This was not part of plan A. She wisely did not get bossy, but turned to the servants and gave this epic advice: Whatever He tells you to do, do it!

The servants trusted Mary enough to obey her advice and voila! A miracle happened! What an awesome woman! And what an awesome Savior! 

Lesson? God's plan B is better than Satan's plan A. His strength is perfected in our weakness. #maddog #AwesomeGod

Mary vs Jesus by Mike Dittmer

Mary's Eating Better

Am I nudging Mary into eating better? It works much better if I sit with her and share the meal. Otherwise she wanders off. Today she ate voraciously. Is this gentle training? This is a new experience for me. I lack words to describe what I am doing, always my short coming, even in music. I also feel God is gently nudging me in this process.

I will say it helps to have no fear. Thanks, Mom. And Dad, for training me to be a fearless driver. And Jesus Christ, for taking away my fear of Death and rejection. And the Holy Spirit, who whispers in my ear.

It also helps immensely to have faithful friends and fearless family, whom I know have my back and pitch in when I need help.

Death and disease are bullies. But the Heavenly Father and His Son the living and written Word have my back.

#alzheimers #maddog #md48

Have you been bragging about me again, God?

 In the Book of Job, Job's friends secretly think that Job must have done something wrong to deserve all the calamities that fell on him so spectacularly and dramatically. They were unaware of the big picture.

Our calamities happen, I think, because our Creator brags on us. Mostly. There is also our stupidity. And arrogance.

In THE beginning, even before Genesis, God created a menagerie of Eternal, Invincible Beings. Angels.

We can guess that God gave them the basics. Who He was, is and will be. Infinite. All powerful. All knowing. Alpha and Omega. That means He knows the ending because... He's already there!

They were to be witnesses to what God was going to do. And they were going to assist Him in His greatest project... us!

God spoke, "Let there be light!" And light exploded into existence. Spectacular!! Yada, yada all the way to the Garden of Eden. Then He made us.

Wait a minute! Sir, do you realize how weak these creatures are? Here, I'll show you. And Lucifer went down to Eden, started a whispering campaign against God (Hath God said?) and just as he thought, Adam and Eve fell. Hard. And the calamities began!

So, why did God do this? To show a better way.

If you would be great in God's Kingdom, learn to be servant of all.

There is great beauty in weakness, such as a baby. Or a sunset.

When trials come, God says "My grace is sufficient for you."

I suspect God has been bragging about me. Satan appears to be after me.

My name is William Michael Dittmer Jr. My father had polio. William Michael Dittmer the 3rd died in infancy. William Michael Daly also died an infant.

My youngest daughter Wendelyn (my late wife wisely intervened when I wanted to name her Willimina Michelle) had a tragic car accident. She should have died. Her mother's prayers intervened.

My first helpmate and strong right arm died of cancer too young. My second wife has early onset severe Alzheimer's. I am caring for her, with an immense amount of help and Hospice, even though I am now disabled.

And yet I am smiling, partly because I suspect God is using me to help others.

God, are you bragging about me again? Thank you for using me to upset your opponent and reveal how powerful your grace is.

God's most powerful moment was when His Son Jesus was at His weakest, dying on the cross.