THE EPISCOPAL PARISH OF SAINT BARNABAS ON THE DESERT

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

May 17, 2009

Enjoy! Enjoy!

You have now heard everything I have to say this morning.  But there is so much more to say because this is at the very heart of my Biblical faith and what I believe it means to be a Christian...

Author Harry Golden grew up on the Lower East Side of New York City in the early part of the last century.  In one of his essays he speaks of his Mother’s faith in God. His Father was an intellectual who spent a lot of his time discussing God. Golden writes: “My mother, of course thought all those discussions were nonsense.  She cooked and sewed and cleaned for the family and the neighbors. Even if a dish turned out well she would not take credit. The credit went to God. My mother talked with God all the time, actual conversations.”

Out of this faith came one of the few English words she knew—Enjoy! Golden writes, “When my Mother served our meals and placed before us a dish that may have turned out particularly well, she would always say, ‘Enjoy, enjoy’. The word covered hundreds of other situations. When the school had an outing and we all went off with our teachers, the last thing we heard going out the door was, ‘Enjoy, enjoy’.”

For nearly fifty years, Harry Golden’s mother’s faith and admonition  have given illustration to a basic tenet of my Biblical faith—Enjoy!

One sentence in the Gospel this morning is one of a dozen passages of Scripture that provide the framework of my faith.

In the midst of a long conversation with his disciples, Jesus put it this way: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

Out of her deep faith, Mrs. Golden put it this way:  Enjoy! Enjoy!

I put it this way:  God wants us to enjoy this life—and the next. In Jesus he has given us the way. Walk the path with me for a few moments.

Jesus said, “I have said these things…”  What things?

Be at one with God. “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Be at one with yourself and your neighbor.  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

It all comes together in Matthew’s gospel at a time the enemies of Jesus are trying to trap him into saying something for which he could be arrested. One asked, “…which commandment in the law is the greatest?’” and he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 23:36-39)

Be at one with God. Be at one with yourself and your neighbor. But there is yet one more thing he said that is of critical importance. As you read a little beyond our lesson today Jesus reminds his disciples that “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own.” (John 15:18-19)  Don’t abandon the world. Just don’t be owned by it.

If we are at one with God and at one with ourselves and our neighbors, it is not possible for the world to own us. Conversely, it the world owns us it is not possible to be at one with God and at one with ourselves and our neighbors. We cannot enjoy the world if the world owns us. It is that simple.

Jesus said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”  What is the joy that these things bring?

First let me say, the joy promised is not the mad dash for happiness we see in the proliferation of books on the subject nor the ever expanding market for better living through chemistry nor the preachers promising financial success.

I have followed the current financial crisis economically and sociologically. From a theological point of view, I am convinced that at the bottom of it all is the thought that we have a right to happiness.

In a recent column, David Brooks comments on a study of 268 prominent young men who entered Harvard College in the late 1930’s. These were young men who had everything the world had to offer and yet over the years many of them made a mess of their lives. Brooks writes: “There is a complexity to human affairs before which science and analysis simply stands mute.” I believe that it is in that complexity we find the promised joy. 

Of course, the promised joy is happiness, but it is also sadness. It is deeper than both. It is a mystery that keeps opening to us as we walk life’s way. And it is a gift. It was demonstrated on the cross and made real in the empty tomb.  

Between the pursuit of happiness and the gift of joy is a very fine, perhaps mystical, border where we come face to face with God—where “science and analysis simply stand mute”.

There is so much I want to say about this joy because it is so central to my Biblical faith—to my understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Let me put it as starkly as I can:  I enjoy both the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains and the glitz of the Las Vegas strip—recognizing each for what they are. I believe that is Biblical joy.

The movie Angels and Demons premiered Friday. The critics and panned it and the religious folks have dammed it. It’s just a story. It’s curious to me that we have so much trouble having fun with our religion—poking fun at it a bit.  

Someone said, “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting ‘Wow, what a ride!’” I believe that is Biblical joy.

In my life I have experienced the normal highs and low, successes and failures but I have never experienced anything catastrophic. If I do, it is my prayer that I will have the faith to experience the joy of those terminally sick persons who decide to spend their days living rather than dying.  It has been said, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”  I believe that is Biblical joy.

I believe God wants us to enjoy this life—and the next.

Be at one with God. Be at one with yourself and your neighbor. Don’t let the world own you.

The travel writer, William Least Half-Moon, shares the complaint of a woman he met. “I got a livin’ room, but in my life I got no room to live and that means I’m doin’ some wrong livin’”.

Jesus said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

Out of her life of faith, Harry Golden’s mother said it all.  Enjoy! Enjoy!   Amen.

Philip Lawrence Carlson+

Short Sales challenge us to be kind. There are many people involved in a short sale all of whom have must to loose and or gain in the transaction. The business ethic of win'-win becomes an issue of selfishness or kindness.

My current thoughts as a listing agent of short sales is to see that the property is improved over the months of a short sale process. If a home has two loans on it from two different banks or lending institutions you can expect a long negotiation period. -- 45-90 days. During that time I have on two occasions had 2 offers go in and out of escrow on to close on a third offer.

The critical pieces are to talk with the loss mitigators and work out the agreed settlement amount from the 2nd and the 1st. Continue to market the home and lower the price regularly so that you always have a good or better backup offer if your primary disappears.

Remember to not submit an incomplete short sale package. It must be complete and easy to understand. The hardship letter must be compelling.

A short sale is much better than a foreclosure on your credit and can be less painful if done with a CDPE.

Tish - Tom Tischer, Associate Broker, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) 480-231-0782

Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree are full of really good deals in every price range. The Bank owned properties (REO) close quickly and for good price however they always need considerable work to be functional. Often these properties need new appliances, and evrything from flooring to roofing.

Short Sale -- still owned by the person in it! That Owner must sign the Purchase contract -- BUT -- The Bank that holds the Note and the Title must approve the sale as they take the loss between what is owed and what the Purchase contract indicates.

2nd Notes on the same property complicate the process even more. -- If the second note holder does not accept what the First note holder offers the @nd then the property goes to foreclosure and from there it either goes to auction by the Bank and/or the Bank lists the Property as an REO -- REO means owned by the Bank and stands for Real Estate Owned (REO) by the Bank or Mortgage holder or 3rd party.

Use a CDPE  for any of this transactions. They know what to do and can save you money and time as well as give you a much better chance of closing a deal on a good property.  CDPE is a Certified Distressed Property Expert.!

Got Questions?  Give me a call 480-231-0782!

If you have a destressed property issue talk to Tom Tischer, Certified Distressed Property Expert in Scottsdale, Arizona. There are alternatives that will optimize your situation and keep you from either losing your home and or wipe out your retirement. Short Sale is a practical solution to some situations which can be done efficiently and completed in a timely manner when done through the CDPE method. Whether you are Buying or Selling Short Sale properties advantages are many. 

For the Buyer of CDPE listed property, you will most likely get a quicker answer on your offer and close escrow in an average of 6 weeks and often as quickly as 4 weeks. The property is often in much better condition that a foreclosed property.(not always)  Pride of ownership often comes with short sale.

For the Seller,and the buyer a short sale does not show up on title as a foreclosure does.

If you would like more information from CDPE Tish Tischer, email TishTischer@hotmail.com  Phone is 480-231-0782.

This last week I completed the best most regorous education on Distressed Properties. This 16 hour Designation Course, CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert, has given me the tools to finally be able to help all those people that do not want a foreclosure on their credit and are willing to do the work necessary to work through this most difficult time.

It is a whole new world of real estate now. With CDPE I now have the answers to help people buy and sell homes and know that I have been a great service to both sides. Knowledge is key to overcoming the fear of the unknown and coupled with faith and hard work You can help you and your loved ones deal with an economy that offers a great deal of opportunity in this time of trial.

Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree,  and Maricopa County need the services of Tom Tischer, CDPE, Remax Excalibur, 480-231-0782 to reduce the fear, educate on the many options available and in most cases avoid foreclosure.

Future blogs will be on the vehicles for a new life - next - Short Sales are Good - when done the CDPE way. - Expect a Close of Escrow in as short as 5 weeks and an average of 6 weeks.

In the 1970's Charles Townley, MD  from Michigan designed a one compartment knee replacement which was not constrained and allowed for good range of motion. The implant did particularly well when properly aligned and failed quickly if positioned incorrectly. Townley used a blum line and his thumb to line up his cuts and his implant.

Today, we are implanting uni-knees arthroscopically using a 1/4 inch incision. -- more challenging seeing the space but much less tramatic to the patient. 2 to 4 incisions and often a much quicker recovery with much less rehab. --

Who are candidates for a uniknee replacement?  Patients with Chondral defects of the femur and tibial plateau contained lesions, usually caused by injury. Patients should have little or no active osteo-arthritis. Contra indicated for RA as a total knee is often necessary.

Oxford UniKnee has been on the market longer than any commercially available uniknee. A new design will be available for selected surgeons for arthroscopic implantation from a new Company - Want more information, give me a call. 480-231-0782,

Want to get some ideas -- chew on this information from :

10th October 2008

This week's Nature Biotechnology features a special focus on DNA sequencing, and the challenges of developing future technologies that will substantially increase the power and utility of sequencing.  

A special feature on nanopore sequencing is authored by the world's leading nanopore researchers, many of whom collaborate with Oxford Nanopore Technologies.  The feature includes an outline of the system under development at the company, combining a protein nanopore with a processive enzyme to produce a sequencing system that can be arrayed on a silicon chip.

In an article in the same edition, Jeffery Schloss discusses the NHGRI's Sequencing Technology programme and outlines "How to get genomes at one ten-thousandth the cost".  He highlights that nanopore projects dominate the $1,000 genome grants, noting that "For nanopore sequencing, challenges include reliable and reproducible pore fabrication, sensor and electronics integration, control of the motion and orientation of DNA as it traverses the sensor, and the key challenge of concepts and methods to distinguish between the bases."   Oxford Nanopore continues to make substantial progress in all of these areas.

To read the Nature Biotechnology nanopore review abstract, click here , and for the Jeffery Schloss article click here (subscription required for full text).  

Please visit the website at www.nanoporetech.com or contact us on news@nanoporetech.com for further information.

 My opinion is we need to begin exchange between the science community and the surgeon/radiologic, and manufacturing communities to focus on the easiest to commercialize solutions to fund the more difficult solutions. Commercialization can drive the engine of research.

What a fantastic place to live! Great weather, Great People, Great Community,absolutely everything anyone could ever want in a community. We are so very lucky to live in America, Arizona, and Scottsdale!  The smart money continues to buy in Scottsdale but now at 2003 prices. The only more expensive are the new ones! And they are at 2004 prices.

Do you think about the emails you send out?  Matt Silverman wrote a great article in the Phoenix Business Journal on October 3rd --

His list of most often mistakes:  1. Too much Emotion. 2. The dreaded cc and the reply all functions. 3.Poor Quality writing. 4.poor decission to sent in the first place. 5. Don't Hide behind email! 6. Don't rush the email.

His primary example was a HR person sending out a mass email to all employees telegraphing a layoff of key executives and all the details.  --- Sounds like that person has a short career -- at least with that employer.

If you have good credit -- and a bad mortgage, it may be time to refinance. If your adjustable rate mortgage is going up soon or has gone up  and you are over 7% and you have 20 or more percent equity in your home, there are long term fixed mortgages in the 6-7 percent range with the major banks.  If you want help give me a call -480-231-0782.

2 New Homes in Candlewood Estates at Troon North available - 895K and 1.205 million. -- built in 2007 and 2003. Call to see- 480-231-0782.

Troon North - Candlewood Estates has begun to recover from the price declines. One of the most desireable communities in Troon has no short sales or bank owned property and yet prices are now just under $300 a square foot.

Contemporary Homes hold value when in short supply and now is the time in Candlewood to Buy. If you would like a tour of great classic design  homes in the Troon Area from $1-10 Million dollars, give me a call at 480-231-0782 or email tishtischer@hotmail.com.

Have a home to sell and want to move up or down -- lets work on a 3 way trade. We make them happen and we arrange the financing too.

Buyers Market is strong and great homes are available at 2001 prices!  Good time to buy rentals too!  You don't need Bank Owned Property to get Great DEALS! -- Check out ExcaliburRealEstate.com or Remax.com for great values and all in one place.

Counter to the Crowd is where the profits are made.  To make money in real estate -- it is all about Buying at the right Price -- at the right TIME.

Tish Tischer Blog -  September #1 -08

Figures are in for August - sales in 2007 - 5,947, sales in 2008 for August 4,346. Average sales price Scottsdale and Paradise Valley  was $680,385 and the median Days on Market was 121. ( Half sold in less than 121 and half sold in more than 121 days.

The most frequent question I am asked is, "What is a Short Sale". A listed property becomes a short sale when the price of the home is less than the money owed for the home.  The home owner may list the home for sale but the mortgage holder has the right and will have the power to approve or disapprove of the sale.

Short Sales often sell for more than asking price and often are sold by the listing Agency however there is no advantage for the Buyer to go through the listing agent as the Seller's agent has a fiduciary responsibility to the sellers.

A purchase contract written on a Short Sale often will sit for weeks with no answer. Opportunities are often missed while waiting on a short sale only to find that you offer was trumped by another offer.

REO Property -- Real Estate Owned Property -- or Foreclosed property -- or Bank Owned property --after a property has not been sold as a SHORT SALE, it goes to auction, if not sold at auction on the steps of the court house, the property transfers back to the Bank -- Foreclosure is complete. At this point the Bank hires a real estate Broker and the property is now listed on the multiple listing service by the brokerage as an REO or real Estate Owned or Bank Owned Property. Often banks list these properties low in order to get them off their books as soon as possible as the banks can not make money on money tied up in real estate.

Have questions: Give me a call: 480-231-0782 Tish