Knowledge is a weird thing. It's supposed to enlighten us, to make us more able, to help us clarify the decision making process.
However, when we receive new knowledge about the people in our lives, sometimes it does not always go well. They tell us something new about themselves; something we did not know about them or their past or about an on going issue in their personal life. Suddenly our opinions about this person change because of the new knowledge. Even though they continue to be the same person they were five minutes before telling us about whatever it is, we see them in a new light. Sometimes the way we treat them changes. It doesn't mean we don't like them anymore, but maybe we back off because we thought we knew them, but we didn't know "that"...whatever "that" is.
What we forget, especially in the Church, is that Christ knew them before they were born. He knew what they would be. He knew what struggles they would go through...and you know what? He still loves them and He treats them exactly the same as He always did. There is no new knowledge for Jesus.
This is an advantage that we, as non-divine human beings do not enjoy. New knowledge startles us all the time. It's part of the reason that I read as little news as possible. I cannot process it all, let alone adjust to it.
Even so, when it comes to these matters in the Church, we need to cut that person some slack. Maybe get to know them better. Find out who they really are in Christ right now with a view toward serving them. I have been very blessed in this way. I have been loved and served by my church in ways that I would never have expected when I came back to the faith.
This is an advantage that Jesus gives all believers. We can let the past go. We can live life anew. We can get our baggage down to manageable size and He and our brothers and sisters in the church can help carry that baggage and we can help them.
But this won't work if we do not trust each other and love each other. We need to do that regardless of what new knowledge we receive about a friend or relative or brother or sister in Christ. We have to move forward in love. There may be complications with this, but whatever it is, we have to move forward in love. Fear and distrust destroys. Love overcomes. (1 Cor 13 if you need a reference).
I am not an expert at being courageous, trusting and loving. I have spent much of my life in the other camp; it's filled with distrust, fear and even anger.
I cannot live that way anymore. This means I will have to take my heart out and let people see it, see who I am and share my struggles and victories. It's the hardest thing I have ever considered doing.I don't know if I can do it. But I am going to try.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Justin Lee Speaking at New Heart Community Church
This is Justin Lee. He is the director of the Gay Christian Network (GCN). He is the most reasonable voice in the current Gay Christian (not an oxymoron) debate. Justin would not even use the word "debate" at this point in his life. I appreciate his testimony. My disagreement with him comes on the finer points of the issue.
In his discourses, he maintains that there are two major sides on this issue which the Church faces. There are those like Justin himself that believe it is both moral and scriptural for same sex people to marry, as long as they maintain a life long committed, monogamous relationship. And there are others that think that if you wish to remain within the will of Christ, same sex attracted people must remain celibate. He refers to these POV's as Side A and Side B.
I would find myself on Side B. I would also say that there are probably more than two options here, but he only explores these two.
Whatever else you might think of him, Justin's testimony is amazing. He may well be doing God's work in bringing some sense of peace on this issue to the groups he addresses.
This is a long video. It's over a year old and some things have changed. Even so, I would urge you to block out some time to watch it. I would like to know what you think about what he says. If you don't want to share on line, drop me an email at groundhog001@gmail.com .
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Acceptance and Tolerance
All of my life, I have sought acceptance within various venues and with various people. There have been groups that I wanted to be a part of and there have been people whose friendship I sought. About 80% of the time I was successful. I am not usually a group type person, but there were places like church and work and school where I wanted to belong, and in all these places I have found acceptance and even on my own terms for the most part. There have been people I have pursued as friends. Many wanted to know me better. Some did not. Some found me tolerable, but not acceptable to confide in very deeply. I am much the same way. It takes me awhile to trust as I have mentioned before.
There are others that I have found that did not want to accept me. In most cases, I was not upset with this. I shook the dust from my feet and I moved on. I will be the first to tell you that I am not everyone's cup of tea. It's OK. If you don't like me or approve of me for whatever the reason, that is fine. But you need to tolerate me, my opinions, my personality and who I am.
I do not expect that people be required by law to accept me, love me or even like me. In fact, please feel free to dislike me, hate my point of view and take me to task whenever you feel like it. However, please be tolerant of my continuing existence. I am a work in progress. You may never come to appreciate me as others do, but that's OK. Be tolerant.
That's where I was with tolerance and acceptance yesterday before the SCOTUS decision on Same sex marriage. I can tolerate it's existence. I am one that believes the state should not be involved in anyone's marriage or marriage in general. I do not believe the state should even be involved in licensing marriage.
What is galling, what is irritating, what is hateful is when the State tells me that mere tolerance is no longer enough. I must accept by force of law that same sex people can marry.
I will not. I will not abide by such capricious governmental overreach.
This is not to say that I hate those of the same sex who seek marriage. Fine. Get married. Just do not knock on the door of my church to do it. If you are seeking Jesus, come on in. If you are seeking salvation come on in.
But if you are seeking approval for your sinful behavior, my church is not the place to do that. There are places you can go. There are places you will receive acceptance as a gay couple. Please go there. Go with my best wishes. Know that I tolerate your right to do as you please in this regard, but you must cut me the same tolerance. I have a position too. You must make room for that position.
I have read much and studied much in regard to what the church's position should be on same sex marriage and sexual activity. I am still not convinced that this can be tolerated inside a Bible believing church. I have read many arguments from scripture right down to the original Greek. I still cannot get past the fact that our freedom from sin does not give us license to behave as we please; even when that behavior seems natural to those experiencing the desire. It is not. The flesh is bent. It must be controlled. It may seem like a big burden, but if you are a Christian, you know you have to give it up for the Man that really cares about you.
A couple of books that discuss the issue with a view toward acceptance are "Torn" by Justin Lee and "Bible, Gender and Sexuality" by James Brownson.
Justin Lee is a very likable guy. He does a good job of presenting both sides of the same sex marriage issue in an evangelical church context. He is southern baptist. His father is a pastor. Justin has several videos on You Tube that are entertaining and informative. He also operates GCN - The Gay Christian Network. He is always fair and tolerant of other points of view. I just happen to think he is wrong. God will be our judge.
James Brownson is a professor of New Testament at the Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He has a Reformed Church background and also a gay son. He works from the original New Testament language (Greek) to tell us that Paul did not mean what we all think he meant in Romans and the Corinthian letters. He still leaves me unconvinced. Again, God will be the judge of that.
Bottom line...please feel free to live as you like. Please know that I wish you the best, but do not expect me to condone or accept what you are doing. You do not need my acceptance anyway right? I do not need yours either. But we can try to tolerate each other while we share the planet. God will sort it all out one way or the other. If I am wrong, you will have my profound apologies. If you are wrong....well, God will take your situation into account.
There are others that I have found that did not want to accept me. In most cases, I was not upset with this. I shook the dust from my feet and I moved on. I will be the first to tell you that I am not everyone's cup of tea. It's OK. If you don't like me or approve of me for whatever the reason, that is fine. But you need to tolerate me, my opinions, my personality and who I am.
I do not expect that people be required by law to accept me, love me or even like me. In fact, please feel free to dislike me, hate my point of view and take me to task whenever you feel like it. However, please be tolerant of my continuing existence. I am a work in progress. You may never come to appreciate me as others do, but that's OK. Be tolerant.
That's where I was with tolerance and acceptance yesterday before the SCOTUS decision on Same sex marriage. I can tolerate it's existence. I am one that believes the state should not be involved in anyone's marriage or marriage in general. I do not believe the state should even be involved in licensing marriage.
What is galling, what is irritating, what is hateful is when the State tells me that mere tolerance is no longer enough. I must accept by force of law that same sex people can marry.
I will not. I will not abide by such capricious governmental overreach.
This is not to say that I hate those of the same sex who seek marriage. Fine. Get married. Just do not knock on the door of my church to do it. If you are seeking Jesus, come on in. If you are seeking salvation come on in.
But if you are seeking approval for your sinful behavior, my church is not the place to do that. There are places you can go. There are places you will receive acceptance as a gay couple. Please go there. Go with my best wishes. Know that I tolerate your right to do as you please in this regard, but you must cut me the same tolerance. I have a position too. You must make room for that position.
I have read much and studied much in regard to what the church's position should be on same sex marriage and sexual activity. I am still not convinced that this can be tolerated inside a Bible believing church. I have read many arguments from scripture right down to the original Greek. I still cannot get past the fact that our freedom from sin does not give us license to behave as we please; even when that behavior seems natural to those experiencing the desire. It is not. The flesh is bent. It must be controlled. It may seem like a big burden, but if you are a Christian, you know you have to give it up for the Man that really cares about you.
A couple of books that discuss the issue with a view toward acceptance are "Torn" by Justin Lee and "Bible, Gender and Sexuality" by James Brownson.
Justin Lee is a very likable guy. He does a good job of presenting both sides of the same sex marriage issue in an evangelical church context. He is southern baptist. His father is a pastor. Justin has several videos on You Tube that are entertaining and informative. He also operates GCN - The Gay Christian Network. He is always fair and tolerant of other points of view. I just happen to think he is wrong. God will be our judge.
James Brownson is a professor of New Testament at the Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He has a Reformed Church background and also a gay son. He works from the original New Testament language (Greek) to tell us that Paul did not mean what we all think he meant in Romans and the Corinthian letters. He still leaves me unconvinced. Again, God will be the judge of that.
Bottom line...please feel free to live as you like. Please know that I wish you the best, but do not expect me to condone or accept what you are doing. You do not need my acceptance anyway right? I do not need yours either. But we can try to tolerate each other while we share the planet. God will sort it all out one way or the other. If I am wrong, you will have my profound apologies. If you are wrong....well, God will take your situation into account.
Friday, June 26, 2015
And So It Begins....
From the Office of the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott
“The Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an impartial judicial arbiter and has become an unelected nine-member legislature. Five Justices on the Supreme Court have imposed on the entire country their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Court’s previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.
“Despite the Supreme Court’s rulings, Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Court’s decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.
“The Texas Constitution guarantees that ‘[n]o human authority ought, in any case whatsoever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion.’ The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion; and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, combined with the newly enacted Pastor Protection Act, provide robust legal protections to Texans whose faith commands them to adhere to the traditional understanding of marriage.
“As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texans—including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman. Later today, I will be issuing a directive to state agencies instructing them to prioritize the protection of Texans’ religious liberties.”
This is what happens when government inserts its cold dead hand into an issue it has no business being involved in.
Let me say it again for the record. The State, be they the Feds or the local yokels, should not be involved in deciding who will marry whom. The State should not license marriage. There should be no tax penalties or deductions for married people or their children.
Marriage is none of the State's business.
Furthermore, what came down today from SCOTUS is appalling. I was expecting a 6 to 3, but Roberts tricked me on this one. Even so, the narrow vote and the commentary by the minority on the court makes it clear that deep division on this issue which should be a non-issue, will continue.
The reliance by the majority on the 14th amendment was pathetic. The history and intent of the 14th amendment does not support the issue of marriage in any context. It's as if the constitution was a manipulable Word document on their tablets. There is also many questions about whether the 14th amendment was ever properly ratified since it was forced on the southern states during reconstruction after the civil war.
Freedom of association people! That's what it should be about. If you do not wish to associate with someone on the basis of ANYTHING you should not have to! It's real easy. But no...
So now here we are. Texas is pulling out the stops. I have no doubt that more states will follow. The ugliness is not over. It's only beginning. And it's all because the State thinks they have to be in everyone's business.
This is not going to end well. Mark my words.
UPDATE: I would also like to add that since SCOTUS has legislated from the bench on issues that it should not be concerned with, I must support the actions of Governor Abbott in Texas. We must not have rule by minority in this country and we must not override freedoms of association, speech and religion simply to resolve what should be a cultural issue.
And from a Christian perspective, I can tell you that if there is an attempt by any state to force local churches to tolerate same sex marriage, there will be more than just protests. There will be rebellion.
As I said. This is not going to end well.
“The Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an impartial judicial arbiter and has become an unelected nine-member legislature. Five Justices on the Supreme Court have imposed on the entire country their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Court’s previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.
“Despite the Supreme Court’s rulings, Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Court’s decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.
“The Texas Constitution guarantees that ‘[n]o human authority ought, in any case whatsoever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion.’ The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion; and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, combined with the newly enacted Pastor Protection Act, provide robust legal protections to Texans whose faith commands them to adhere to the traditional understanding of marriage.
“As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texans—including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman. Later today, I will be issuing a directive to state agencies instructing them to prioritize the protection of Texans’ religious liberties.”
This is what happens when government inserts its cold dead hand into an issue it has no business being involved in.
Let me say it again for the record. The State, be they the Feds or the local yokels, should not be involved in deciding who will marry whom. The State should not license marriage. There should be no tax penalties or deductions for married people or their children.
Marriage is none of the State's business.
Furthermore, what came down today from SCOTUS is appalling. I was expecting a 6 to 3, but Roberts tricked me on this one. Even so, the narrow vote and the commentary by the minority on the court makes it clear that deep division on this issue which should be a non-issue, will continue.
The reliance by the majority on the 14th amendment was pathetic. The history and intent of the 14th amendment does not support the issue of marriage in any context. It's as if the constitution was a manipulable Word document on their tablets. There is also many questions about whether the 14th amendment was ever properly ratified since it was forced on the southern states during reconstruction after the civil war.
Freedom of association people! That's what it should be about. If you do not wish to associate with someone on the basis of ANYTHING you should not have to! It's real easy. But no...
So now here we are. Texas is pulling out the stops. I have no doubt that more states will follow. The ugliness is not over. It's only beginning. And it's all because the State thinks they have to be in everyone's business.
This is not going to end well. Mark my words.
UPDATE: I would also like to add that since SCOTUS has legislated from the bench on issues that it should not be concerned with, I must support the actions of Governor Abbott in Texas. We must not have rule by minority in this country and we must not override freedoms of association, speech and religion simply to resolve what should be a cultural issue.
And from a Christian perspective, I can tell you that if there is an attempt by any state to force local churches to tolerate same sex marriage, there will be more than just protests. There will be rebellion.
As I said. This is not going to end well.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Please Be Upstanding for The Stars and Bars
In light of all the kerfuffle over the Confederate Flag, I thought I would take a moment to reproduce it here on the internet forever.
The Confederate flag did not cause the Charleston church shootings ok people? Got that? Guns did not cause the shooting either. Are you following me?
It was a young man abusing his prescription of anti depressants. Every major lone gunman of the last few years has had a prescription. Look it up if you don't believe me. Here's a list.
I know these meds help many people, but it has the exact opposite effect for a handful of folks, mostly young men, that drives them to harm others and themselves. The pharmaceutical companies need to figure out why.
Now Please Be Upstanding for The Stars and Bars.
The Confederate flag did not cause the Charleston church shootings ok people? Got that? Guns did not cause the shooting either. Are you following me?
It was a young man abusing his prescription of anti depressants. Every major lone gunman of the last few years has had a prescription. Look it up if you don't believe me. Here's a list.
I know these meds help many people, but it has the exact opposite effect for a handful of folks, mostly young men, that drives them to harm others and themselves. The pharmaceutical companies need to figure out why.
Now Please Be Upstanding for The Stars and Bars.
A Bad Person
Kind of in line with the previous post comes this one. It is an example of what I was talking about in regard to avoiding people to avoid getting hurt. This has happened within the last two years. I can not remember exactly when it started, but in some respects, it is still going on in my mind.
There is someone at church. He is in his early 20's. He does various things around church. Very active and involved. Seems to be a fine Christian. He tried to strike up a conversation with me one day and I walked away. This happened more than once. Each time I reacted negatively.
I get what I consider to be a bad vibe from him. Something is not right. It worries me. I will not be more specific than that.
I based my entire approach to his offer of friendship on a gut feeling. This is unfair, judgmental, and cruel. I have no way of knowing who he is because I did not try to get to know him. Again, I find myself ashamed of my behavior and embarrassed. It is not right.
Being the gutless wonder that I am, I sent him an email back in December trying to apologize. It was a poor attempt. I pointed out that while I was sorry, I did not think we would become friends.
What is wrong with me? What am I so damned afraid of? People want to be nice to me, to be my friend and I turn away because I have a bad feeling. Ghog needs to get over his bad self.
Is it too late for me to fix this?
I hate doing my laundry in public, but the washer is broke. What do you think?.
There is someone at church. He is in his early 20's. He does various things around church. Very active and involved. Seems to be a fine Christian. He tried to strike up a conversation with me one day and I walked away. This happened more than once. Each time I reacted negatively.
I get what I consider to be a bad vibe from him. Something is not right. It worries me. I will not be more specific than that.
I based my entire approach to his offer of friendship on a gut feeling. This is unfair, judgmental, and cruel. I have no way of knowing who he is because I did not try to get to know him. Again, I find myself ashamed of my behavior and embarrassed. It is not right.
Being the gutless wonder that I am, I sent him an email back in December trying to apologize. It was a poor attempt. I pointed out that while I was sorry, I did not think we would become friends.
What is wrong with me? What am I so damned afraid of? People want to be nice to me, to be my friend and I turn away because I have a bad feeling. Ghog needs to get over his bad self.
Is it too late for me to fix this?
I hate doing my laundry in public, but the washer is broke. What do you think?.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Trust II - The Reckoning
On May 7th, 2015 I wrote this...
"Trust is the ticket to a happy Christian existence in Christ's church, so why do I feel that I cannot be completely honest with my brethren about who I am in Christ? Why do I fear the self righteous, unremitting hand of condemnation from people that are supposed to love me as God loves us? That hand is probably not even there. It may only be the fear. Fear destroys trust.
This should not be. So what do we do to develop trust?
I think we have to be willing to risk hurt feelings and bruised egos and step out in trust when others will not. We need to be honest with others in the church about where we are at in the faith and push to get the same from them. We have to let the fear die and let Christ live through us in our dealings with others, both inside and outside the Church. Trust will not develop if we are not willing to step out and take risks to our personal well being and feel the pain of someone else or even endure our own.
Trust will cost you something if you do it right; even possibly betrayal. Jesus could tell you about that. So let's take a leaf from His page. Let our love extend to trust - for Him and for each other."
I must today confess my hypocrisy.
I obviously do not believe this or I would practice it.
I apologize to all my friends that I have treated with a lack of trust. I am ashamed. I really do want to believe what I wrote. I want it to be the way things are. I am going to do my best to practice this from this point forward. I do not know that it will make me any less annoying, but I will try to be more trustful and also more trustworthy.
I had an email conversation with a friend about the whole issue. I said that the basis of trust for me was the ability for the other party to keep confidentiality. He suggested that it was longevity of the relationship over time. He also passed on what his father said. "It takes a lifetime to build trust and second to lose it." I believe all three of these things are very true and correct.
When it comes down to it though, the reason I fail to trust is because I do not want to get hurt. I am sure it has been at the center of all the relationship problems I have ever had and it has also been the thing that prevented me from making friends with others. I have probably missed many valuable relationships because I do not practice what I preach.
The friendships that have lasted in my life have been with people that are tolerant of my eccentricities. I would like to thank all of you for that. You are kind as well as trustworthy.
I am a hard man to love. Y'all deserve some kind of an award.
More to the point, I believe my lack of trust has interfered with the relationship I have with Jesus. I am sorry to say it because if there is a Rock in my life, it has been Him. Lord, I am sorry.
I am going to try to do better. No promises here, but I am going to try.
"Trust is the ticket to a happy Christian existence in Christ's church, so why do I feel that I cannot be completely honest with my brethren about who I am in Christ? Why do I fear the self righteous, unremitting hand of condemnation from people that are supposed to love me as God loves us? That hand is probably not even there. It may only be the fear. Fear destroys trust.
This should not be. So what do we do to develop trust?
I think we have to be willing to risk hurt feelings and bruised egos and step out in trust when others will not. We need to be honest with others in the church about where we are at in the faith and push to get the same from them. We have to let the fear die and let Christ live through us in our dealings with others, both inside and outside the Church. Trust will not develop if we are not willing to step out and take risks to our personal well being and feel the pain of someone else or even endure our own.
Trust will cost you something if you do it right; even possibly betrayal. Jesus could tell you about that. So let's take a leaf from His page. Let our love extend to trust - for Him and for each other."
I must today confess my hypocrisy.
I obviously do not believe this or I would practice it.
I apologize to all my friends that I have treated with a lack of trust. I am ashamed. I really do want to believe what I wrote. I want it to be the way things are. I am going to do my best to practice this from this point forward. I do not know that it will make me any less annoying, but I will try to be more trustful and also more trustworthy.
I had an email conversation with a friend about the whole issue. I said that the basis of trust for me was the ability for the other party to keep confidentiality. He suggested that it was longevity of the relationship over time. He also passed on what his father said. "It takes a lifetime to build trust and second to lose it." I believe all three of these things are very true and correct.
When it comes down to it though, the reason I fail to trust is because I do not want to get hurt. I am sure it has been at the center of all the relationship problems I have ever had and it has also been the thing that prevented me from making friends with others. I have probably missed many valuable relationships because I do not practice what I preach.
The friendships that have lasted in my life have been with people that are tolerant of my eccentricities. I would like to thank all of you for that. You are kind as well as trustworthy.
I am a hard man to love. Y'all deserve some kind of an award.
More to the point, I believe my lack of trust has interfered with the relationship I have with Jesus. I am sorry to say it because if there is a Rock in my life, it has been Him. Lord, I am sorry.
I am going to try to do better. No promises here, but I am going to try.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Joel is Down With The Bros From Islam
Lakewood Church in Houston, Tx is the largest church in America. The pastor, Joel Osteen, was recently interviewed by Robin Young and Jeremy Hobson of NPR's "Here and Now".
In the Interview they asked Joel about the church's relationship with Muslims. He said,
“I have Muslims that attend our church and my books sell a lot in Muslim countries as well. You know, I don’t know, I don’t get too deep in those kinds of things, but our ministry is about reaching out to everybody, and so I do and I do have those conversations. I had a whole group of probably about 50 Muslims here at the service about two weeks ago, sitting right on the front row. They came, and we have good, good relations. And I think it’s again, part of our ministry is, you know, our main theme is Jesus says love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself. And I don’t try to put people in a box – OK, they’re Jewish or they’re Catholic, they’re this or they’re that. I just say, ‘you know what, they’re somebody that God’s put in our path for us to love,’ and that’s our philosophy.”
Joel, I think that's great, but don't you worry just a bit about security? I mean, do you have metal detectors at the doors? I know that most members of Islam that live in the US are moderate, but they would not be likely to darken a church door either. I just have this picture in my head of ISIS types casing your building for a couple of weeks and then puttin it to the congregation during the altar call. You are brave.
I guess that means that I do put people in a box. I'm sorry. I am all for getting the message out to our Islamic friends across the world, but if some of them walked into my church, I would have a concern. Perhaps I just watch too much news.
Question. Did any convert? Just wondering. Ye shall know them by their fruit. Just sayin.
“I have Muslims that attend our church and my books sell a lot in Muslim countries as well. You know, I don’t know, I don’t get too deep in those kinds of things, but our ministry is about reaching out to everybody, and so I do and I do have those conversations. I had a whole group of probably about 50 Muslims here at the service about two weeks ago, sitting right on the front row. They came, and we have good, good relations. And I think it’s again, part of our ministry is, you know, our main theme is Jesus says love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself. And I don’t try to put people in a box – OK, they’re Jewish or they’re Catholic, they’re this or they’re that. I just say, ‘you know what, they’re somebody that God’s put in our path for us to love,’ and that’s our philosophy.”
Joel, I think that's great, but don't you worry just a bit about security? I mean, do you have metal detectors at the doors? I know that most members of Islam that live in the US are moderate, but they would not be likely to darken a church door either. I just have this picture in my head of ISIS types casing your building for a couple of weeks and then puttin it to the congregation during the altar call. You are brave.
I guess that means that I do put people in a box. I'm sorry. I am all for getting the message out to our Islamic friends across the world, but if some of them walked into my church, I would have a concern. Perhaps I just watch too much news.
Question. Did any convert? Just wondering. Ye shall know them by their fruit. Just sayin.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Body Modification, Glorification, Gorification and Mutilation and The Coming Singularity
Humans have engaged in body modification for centuries. The very acts of choosing to gain or lose weight is an act of body modification. People in the public eye regularly have plastic surgery to maintain their public image. Hair transplants and changes of hair color have been common place for decades. Ear piercing has been common practice. Many tribal peoples also alter their bodies if the photographers of National Geographic are to be taken seriously.
The western, post Christian mind set seems to be taking body modification to new levels of absurdity however. Civilized people are deliberately choosing to tattoo themselves or have body parts surgically altered with piercings or implants.
Then you have the whole transgender phenomenon where physical appearance is altered through hormones, surgery and implants of another variety.
People are not happy with what God or nature provided them and so they seek to modify or manipulate or mutilate their bodies to find something more satisfying. I wonder if it's working?
Whatever is happening, this should make the movement toward trans-humanism easier. If we all become accustomed to people regularly changing their bodies - upgrading them if you will - how big a leap is a brain implant or a bionic heart? Is a 'Darth Vader' like existence really then out of the question?
Here are some pics from the recent tattoo and body modification convention in Venezuela.
If this is OK....and
And this is acceptable, then what can possibly be wrong or unacceptable about.....
What could possibly be wrong or immoral about enhancing your body in ways that make is more useful, more intelligent or more sentient?
I suspect an agenda in all this. We are always prepared for change gradually by the powers that be. I would suggest they are preparing us to merge with technology in ways that have never been possible before. The day of the Borg is at hand and we are going to be them...
”We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.”
The western, post Christian mind set seems to be taking body modification to new levels of absurdity however. Civilized people are deliberately choosing to tattoo themselves or have body parts surgically altered with piercings or implants.
Then you have the whole transgender phenomenon where physical appearance is altered through hormones, surgery and implants of another variety.
People are not happy with what God or nature provided them and so they seek to modify or manipulate or mutilate their bodies to find something more satisfying. I wonder if it's working?
Whatever is happening, this should make the movement toward trans-humanism easier. If we all become accustomed to people regularly changing their bodies - upgrading them if you will - how big a leap is a brain implant or a bionic heart? Is a 'Darth Vader' like existence really then out of the question?
Here are some pics from the recent tattoo and body modification convention in Venezuela.
If this is OK....and
What could possibly be wrong or immoral about enhancing your body in ways that make is more useful, more intelligent or more sentient?
I suspect an agenda in all this. We are always prepared for change gradually by the powers that be. I would suggest they are preparing us to merge with technology in ways that have never been possible before. The day of the Borg is at hand and we are going to be them...
”We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.”
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Keith Green - Easter Song
I know it's not Easter, but this song is great. Listen to the Words. It has a sort of "classical" sound.
Baby Ghog and Family + Friends
When you watch this, be kind. The little red headed one is me. I want my
innocence back. Someone has stolen it and I want it back. I also want
back the joy and the love and the not caring what other people think.
My costars are family and friends. If you are new to my life, there are many here you will not recognize. If you are wondering, this is a compilation that was done by my uncle from 8 mm film taken by my Mom and Dad...mostly dad. The years here are probably 1959 to 1961. It's makin me cry a lot!
My costars are family and friends. If you are new to my life, there are many here you will not recognize. If you are wondering, this is a compilation that was done by my uncle from 8 mm film taken by my Mom and Dad...mostly dad. The years here are probably 1959 to 1961. It's makin me cry a lot!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Would You Like to Kiss my Bass?
I saw this old codger catch a bass before going back to the nursing home today. He had a kindly bearlike companion with him that took pity on him and helped him back to the home. I think it was a large brown bear with glasses dressed in fishing gear. Not tall enough to be a Griz.
The poor old man seems to be getting man boobs. Hard to believe those were once pectorals. I guess bone structure isn't everything. What do you think? B cup? He's no Kaitlyn Jenner, but maybe a shot of hormones could get him to a C cup. Poor guy.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
It Must Be Like Riding a Bicycle
After more than four years of not doing so, I went fishing today. It was a practice session. Tomorrow I'm going with my friend Steve, the preacher creature. I hope it's as good tomorrow as it was today. I got 5 bass that were all between 2 and 3 lb each. That almost never happens to me.
Lord it was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the bass. I hope you have some ready for tomorrow, otherwise Steve and I will probably kill each other. I will leave the filet knife at home. Who eats bass anyway right? It was fun. I feel recycled. Thanks again Lord.
Lord it was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the bass. I hope you have some ready for tomorrow, otherwise Steve and I will probably kill each other. I will leave the filet knife at home. Who eats bass anyway right? It was fun. I feel recycled. Thanks again Lord.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Flotsam and Jetsam
I went outside and and began my 2nd weeding cycle today in the gardens. The temperature was just right, but the sun was way too bright. By heritage, I am a Celt and the sun can be quite tough on the white skin. Right now I'm a nice red color and I'm kind of warm. It kind of bleached out my hair too. It's gone from reddish-gray to white. Hope it doesn't stay that way.
While I was out in the yard, the serial hugger drove by. I think we are going to get things worked out. I hope so. He's in my Sunday school class and we are going to be stuck in heaven together for eternity so I better make something happen.
My post about Mrs. Holton's son seems to have rattled a few trees. Blog traffic was way up today. Funny how people like reading about weird stuff like that.
Dad was upstairs watching the Spanish language channel earlier. Have you ever watched "Everybody Loves Raymond" in Spanish? It's a hoot. Funnier than in English.
I think I need a nap now. Good Night.
While I was out in the yard, the serial hugger drove by. I think we are going to get things worked out. I hope so. He's in my Sunday school class and we are going to be stuck in heaven together for eternity so I better make something happen.
My post about Mrs. Holton's son seems to have rattled a few trees. Blog traffic was way up today. Funny how people like reading about weird stuff like that.
Dad was upstairs watching the Spanish language channel earlier. Have you ever watched "Everybody Loves Raymond" in Spanish? It's a hoot. Funnier than in English.
I think I need a nap now. Good Night.
62.210.181.15:3130
That's right. I am talking to you 62.210.181.15:3130. I know that this IP is used with a TOR browser to mask your identity. You seem to hit a number of blogs. I don't know what you are fishing for, but would it be possible to be a bit more transparent? I believe you are in France and that your name may be Delacour, but I cannot figure out what your game is. Care to share? There's an email address in the previous post. Thanks and thanks for stopping by.
My Audience
People from all over the western world have been tuning in to watch Ghog shed his skin. That fine, but I would really like to know who you are...especially you in Belarus. You've been here before. I suppose you could be an American using a server in Belarus, but I'm not sure why you would do that unless your ISP is located there. I don't care really. I would just like any of you to contact me if you want. Here is an email address: groundhog001@gmail,com .
United States
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18
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Belarus
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3
|
Ukraine
|
3
|
Netherlands
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1
|
Russia
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1
|
Monday, June 15, 2015
Mrs Holton's Son
Mrs Holton lived next door to the west. She was old. I don't remember her first name. She was nice, but not conversational. I would visit her when I got bored, but she was not nearly as much fun as Susie. She gave yes and no answers to inquiries. I'm sure it was a great thrill for her to be cross examined by her seven year old neighbor that was really scouting the neighborhood for free cookies.
When she did speak at any length, there was this thing that happened with her dentures. They would kind of clank. It was like the upper plate would drop down on the lower. It was kind of spooky. She would also wear a sweater in July.
There was her daughter that would drop by occasionally with the grandson who would not play with me. He was ten and was far too sophisticated for any seven year old foolishness.
Then there was Mrs. Holton's son, Don. He was not married and was older than his sister. He had been in the service and smoked like a chimney sitting in a lawn chair in his Mom's back yard watching me play in the sand pile from his side of the fence. He was always smiling at me...watching me...making me feel creepy. He finally came to live with Mrs Holton. She may have needed his help. He did mow her lawn.
Don drove a 1958 Pontiac. I do not recall the model, but I think the hood ornament was an Indian head. On the center of the dashboard there was a small statue of a woman. My Mom said that meant they were Catholics. I never really got an adequate explanation of what Catholics were until my Grandpa explained it in some very self righteous terms.
It was not until much later, when I got some perspective on the situation, that I came to realize Don was not right. I came to believe that it was him that had tried to kill me in my sleep. I was never sure though. It took me years to add it all up.
Not long after Don had moved in with his mother, I began to have sleep disturbances. They tell me I was sleep walking and that's how it must have happened. I slept upstairs. Mom and Dad slept downstairs. My room had a large window above a section of roof that sloped down toward the back yard. The bottom edge of that roof was probably 10 feet from the ground and directly over the back door to the house.
The room was small, but it had all my stuff in it including bunk beds which I was always hoping to share with a sibling. Never happened. There was an endless parade of cousins, but no brothers.
Anyway, I would go to sleep up there at night reading Peanuts comic books and I would sleep hard. It would be like I was dead. That was when the weird stuff started to happen. I would wake up in the middle of the night on a cot in the room across the hall at the top of the stairs. This was where the TV was and my rocking chair and all of Mom's sewing stuff. I would be sore. Sometimes I would have bruises. Other nights I would go to sleep in my room and wake up in the rocking chair in front of the TV. The TV would be on. Back in the mid sixties, there was no TV at 2 AM. What was on the screen was what we called "snow". On another occasion, I woke up on my back at the bottom of the stairs. I had no serious injuries, but again there was the bruises. I had apparently fallen down the stairs.
Finally, there was the night of the blood. It was like a bad horror movie. I had apparently been crying in my sleep. Mom had come upstairs to find me in my bed this time, lying on a blood soaked pillow and sheets. My window had been open too. It was a hot night in July or August and in those days there was no central air.
I had a fairly large gash on the left front of my head at the hairline. I was bleeding pretty good, so Mom and Dad took me to the ER in the middle of the night. It took six stitches to sew me up.
Years later, after some counseling and hypnosis, I kind of pieced it all together. I have no evidence, but I believed it was Mrs Holton's son that did this to me. Had there been blood elsewhere in the house or my room, I might be able to believe that the head injury was the result of a sleep walking mishap. Such was not the case. The only place my blood was found was in my bed. How does a seven year old get blunt force trauma to the head while sound asleep? He doesn't. There had to be someone else in the room. The only thing needed would be a ladder to reach the roof that led to my window.
I also found myself wondering what else he could have done to me - if it was in fact him. I do not remember seeing him next door much after that, but I always knew when he was there, sitting in the back yard smiling and smoking in the almost dark.
We found out later, when I was about 13 years old, that I had some brain damage from the night in question. It manifested itself in temporal lobe epilepsy (at that time called psychomotor epilepsy) that I had to endure all through junior high and high school. I was on some powerful anti-convulsants during that time to minimize the seizures. The seizures finally stopped when I was 17. I don't know why they stopped and the neurologist had no explanation. My EEG was still a mess, but I was seizure free. I still have the occasional deja vu, but my head remains clear. It would be interesting to see what my brain waves look like today.
We eventually moved from that place. I kind of hated that house. There was other weird stuff that went on there, but I will have to save it for another time. I need to go to sleep. I will try to stay in bed when I do it.
When she did speak at any length, there was this thing that happened with her dentures. They would kind of clank. It was like the upper plate would drop down on the lower. It was kind of spooky. She would also wear a sweater in July.
There was her daughter that would drop by occasionally with the grandson who would not play with me. He was ten and was far too sophisticated for any seven year old foolishness.
Then there was Mrs. Holton's son, Don. He was not married and was older than his sister. He had been in the service and smoked like a chimney sitting in a lawn chair in his Mom's back yard watching me play in the sand pile from his side of the fence. He was always smiling at me...watching me...making me feel creepy. He finally came to live with Mrs Holton. She may have needed his help. He did mow her lawn.
Don drove a 1958 Pontiac. I do not recall the model, but I think the hood ornament was an Indian head. On the center of the dashboard there was a small statue of a woman. My Mom said that meant they were Catholics. I never really got an adequate explanation of what Catholics were until my Grandpa explained it in some very self righteous terms.
It was not until much later, when I got some perspective on the situation, that I came to realize Don was not right. I came to believe that it was him that had tried to kill me in my sleep. I was never sure though. It took me years to add it all up.
Not long after Don had moved in with his mother, I began to have sleep disturbances. They tell me I was sleep walking and that's how it must have happened. I slept upstairs. Mom and Dad slept downstairs. My room had a large window above a section of roof that sloped down toward the back yard. The bottom edge of that roof was probably 10 feet from the ground and directly over the back door to the house.
The room was small, but it had all my stuff in it including bunk beds which I was always hoping to share with a sibling. Never happened. There was an endless parade of cousins, but no brothers.
Anyway, I would go to sleep up there at night reading Peanuts comic books and I would sleep hard. It would be like I was dead. That was when the weird stuff started to happen. I would wake up in the middle of the night on a cot in the room across the hall at the top of the stairs. This was where the TV was and my rocking chair and all of Mom's sewing stuff. I would be sore. Sometimes I would have bruises. Other nights I would go to sleep in my room and wake up in the rocking chair in front of the TV. The TV would be on. Back in the mid sixties, there was no TV at 2 AM. What was on the screen was what we called "snow". On another occasion, I woke up on my back at the bottom of the stairs. I had no serious injuries, but again there was the bruises. I had apparently fallen down the stairs.
Finally, there was the night of the blood. It was like a bad horror movie. I had apparently been crying in my sleep. Mom had come upstairs to find me in my bed this time, lying on a blood soaked pillow and sheets. My window had been open too. It was a hot night in July or August and in those days there was no central air.
I had a fairly large gash on the left front of my head at the hairline. I was bleeding pretty good, so Mom and Dad took me to the ER in the middle of the night. It took six stitches to sew me up.
Years later, after some counseling and hypnosis, I kind of pieced it all together. I have no evidence, but I believed it was Mrs Holton's son that did this to me. Had there been blood elsewhere in the house or my room, I might be able to believe that the head injury was the result of a sleep walking mishap. Such was not the case. The only place my blood was found was in my bed. How does a seven year old get blunt force trauma to the head while sound asleep? He doesn't. There had to be someone else in the room. The only thing needed would be a ladder to reach the roof that led to my window.
I also found myself wondering what else he could have done to me - if it was in fact him. I do not remember seeing him next door much after that, but I always knew when he was there, sitting in the back yard smiling and smoking in the almost dark.
We found out later, when I was about 13 years old, that I had some brain damage from the night in question. It manifested itself in temporal lobe epilepsy (at that time called psychomotor epilepsy) that I had to endure all through junior high and high school. I was on some powerful anti-convulsants during that time to minimize the seizures. The seizures finally stopped when I was 17. I don't know why they stopped and the neurologist had no explanation. My EEG was still a mess, but I was seizure free. I still have the occasional deja vu, but my head remains clear. It would be interesting to see what my brain waves look like today.
We eventually moved from that place. I kind of hated that house. There was other weird stuff that went on there, but I will have to save it for another time. I need to go to sleep. I will try to stay in bed when I do it.
Memories
The middle years have passed and I have started the rapid plunge toward that final destiny that awaits all of us. Even so, after nearly 58 years, I am amazed at what I can remember of it. To me, it does not seem all that long ago, but you know what? In human terms and for many people, it was a lifetime.
I am told that I should not be able to remember these things since I was two years old at the time, but I swear that I do. My earliest memory is a tonsillectomy at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. I do not remember the actual surgical procedure, but I do remember the check in. Back in those days, the nuns at the hospital still wore the penguin outfits and they were, to my recollection, quite mean. I was only two, but it took three of them to strip me, put me in hospital wear and get me ready for surgery. I vaguely recollect kicking one of them while I still had a shoe on. I think that earned me a smack. I also remember the administration of the ether which is what passed for anesthetic in those ancient times. Beyond that, I remember waking up in the middle of the night unable to talk and not knowing where my mommy and daddy were. I was in a ward with other children and I recall a little girl in the next bed getting up to get me a drink of water. A kindness by a stranger to another stranger. Odd how those things stick in the mind.
I also remember committing a B&E at the age of three with my close friend and or arch nemesis (depending on what time of day it was), Kelly Dean Jones. Kelly was my age and one day it occurred to us to break into the Disciples of Christ church that was up the street. Bondurant is where we lived at the time. It was a very laid back and quiet community outside of Des Moines.
Anyhow, this is not normally something that three year olds would consider on their own. As it happens, David Sprague, last in a long line of juvenile delinquent brothers, was there to encourage us in our efforts. David was eight. Kelly and I were convinced that since he was eight, he must know everything and so we hung on his every word. Earlier, Kelly and I had been zooming up and down the sidewalk on our tricycles gathering walnuts and then throwing them in his yard...sometimes at each other. On one of our nut gathering rides, we pulled up in front of the church. We were throwing walnuts at each other and one of them hit the glass door of the church. David Sprague had been watching us. He walked up and told us there was a room full of toys in there to play with. All we had to do was go in. We tried to open the door but it was locked and so David suggested that we utilize our walnut collection to break the glass door window and climb in. After repeated assaults with the walnuts, the glass was proving impenetrable to our three year old throwing arms and there were no rocks to do the job that we could find. So...ever the good friend, David kicked in the lower pane of glass on the door and we went in. Strangely, David disappeared shortly after.
At some point, Kelly and I were found inside the church. We had taken off our coats and were playing in one of the children's Sunday school rooms. I think we had coloring books and crayons when our mothers showed up accompanied by the church pastor. I do not recall the punishment. I think it is probably blanked out of my mind with the other traumas of my youth. I do know that when my mother would tell the story years later, my grandfather responded that, "it was just a Disciples church." Laughter would ensue.
Not long after, we moved to Des Moines. I only saw Kelly Dean once after that briefly. We were not so impressed with each other. Life had moved on and we were older.
Today, since I've been on vacation, I drove passed the house we moved to in Des Moines. I barely recognized it because the two maple trees in front had been cut. The garage that Dad built was still in back though and seemed to be in much better shape than the house. The whole neighborhood has fallen into disrepair though. The only consistent, unchanged thing was the street. It is still made out of paving bricks. This is both cool and sad to me. Only the street itself withstood the test of time.
The house where Terry Stump and her sisters lived was still there. The place where Othal and Susie Snyder lived next door was also there with many changes. Mrs Holton's house and the Brewer house are still standing too, but all had changed with lack of care or too much repair.
The Snyders were quite elderly in 1962. They had never had children of their own and so I proved quite a challenge to live next door to. Othal kept a perfect yard, a perfect garden and a perfect car. He drove a 1949 blue De Soto that was always spotless. When they went somewhere, Susie always rode in the back seat. The thing that always fascinated me about that car was the curb feelers. It had these little chrome springy things on the edge of the front and rear fenders that would make a noise when they scraped the curb. I think this was to prevent the curb from scraping the frame.
Susie became my very good friend. She taught me how to play checkers and took me out to Othal's garden to pick flowers for Mom. She also gave me apple butter from their orchard in Adel.
Othal hated me. He sprayed me with the garden hose on several occasions for violating his lawn perimeters with my bicycle tires. To him, I was a trespasser. Even so, I had the last word. I went to Othal's funeral.
The memories just poured in as I drove through the old neighborhood today. I saw the place where I beat up Roger Ghee for making fun of me. I saw the corner where I slugged Mark Burdock for plotting against me at the cub scout meeting. I drove past the house of Cindy Veach and Tim Terrell and Mark Jackson. Mark's step brother used to expose himself to the girl's at recess. I'm sure that would land him in counseling and maybe a care facility today, but back then, all you got was a spanking. Simpler times, but more effective methods.
I also had some very strange experiences in that house we lived in, but I think I will save that for another time. Just let me say, they were of a paranormal nature. It did not help that I was a sleep walker.
I am told that I should not be able to remember these things since I was two years old at the time, but I swear that I do. My earliest memory is a tonsillectomy at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. I do not remember the actual surgical procedure, but I do remember the check in. Back in those days, the nuns at the hospital still wore the penguin outfits and they were, to my recollection, quite mean. I was only two, but it took three of them to strip me, put me in hospital wear and get me ready for surgery. I vaguely recollect kicking one of them while I still had a shoe on. I think that earned me a smack. I also remember the administration of the ether which is what passed for anesthetic in those ancient times. Beyond that, I remember waking up in the middle of the night unable to talk and not knowing where my mommy and daddy were. I was in a ward with other children and I recall a little girl in the next bed getting up to get me a drink of water. A kindness by a stranger to another stranger. Odd how those things stick in the mind.
I also remember committing a B&E at the age of three with my close friend and or arch nemesis (depending on what time of day it was), Kelly Dean Jones. Kelly was my age and one day it occurred to us to break into the Disciples of Christ church that was up the street. Bondurant is where we lived at the time. It was a very laid back and quiet community outside of Des Moines.
Anyhow, this is not normally something that three year olds would consider on their own. As it happens, David Sprague, last in a long line of juvenile delinquent brothers, was there to encourage us in our efforts. David was eight. Kelly and I were convinced that since he was eight, he must know everything and so we hung on his every word. Earlier, Kelly and I had been zooming up and down the sidewalk on our tricycles gathering walnuts and then throwing them in his yard...sometimes at each other. On one of our nut gathering rides, we pulled up in front of the church. We were throwing walnuts at each other and one of them hit the glass door of the church. David Sprague had been watching us. He walked up and told us there was a room full of toys in there to play with. All we had to do was go in. We tried to open the door but it was locked and so David suggested that we utilize our walnut collection to break the glass door window and climb in. After repeated assaults with the walnuts, the glass was proving impenetrable to our three year old throwing arms and there were no rocks to do the job that we could find. So...ever the good friend, David kicked in the lower pane of glass on the door and we went in. Strangely, David disappeared shortly after.
At some point, Kelly and I were found inside the church. We had taken off our coats and were playing in one of the children's Sunday school rooms. I think we had coloring books and crayons when our mothers showed up accompanied by the church pastor. I do not recall the punishment. I think it is probably blanked out of my mind with the other traumas of my youth. I do know that when my mother would tell the story years later, my grandfather responded that, "it was just a Disciples church." Laughter would ensue.
Not long after, we moved to Des Moines. I only saw Kelly Dean once after that briefly. We were not so impressed with each other. Life had moved on and we were older.
Today, since I've been on vacation, I drove passed the house we moved to in Des Moines. I barely recognized it because the two maple trees in front had been cut. The garage that Dad built was still in back though and seemed to be in much better shape than the house. The whole neighborhood has fallen into disrepair though. The only consistent, unchanged thing was the street. It is still made out of paving bricks. This is both cool and sad to me. Only the street itself withstood the test of time.
The house where Terry Stump and her sisters lived was still there. The place where Othal and Susie Snyder lived next door was also there with many changes. Mrs Holton's house and the Brewer house are still standing too, but all had changed with lack of care or too much repair.
The Snyders were quite elderly in 1962. They had never had children of their own and so I proved quite a challenge to live next door to. Othal kept a perfect yard, a perfect garden and a perfect car. He drove a 1949 blue De Soto that was always spotless. When they went somewhere, Susie always rode in the back seat. The thing that always fascinated me about that car was the curb feelers. It had these little chrome springy things on the edge of the front and rear fenders that would make a noise when they scraped the curb. I think this was to prevent the curb from scraping the frame.
Susie became my very good friend. She taught me how to play checkers and took me out to Othal's garden to pick flowers for Mom. She also gave me apple butter from their orchard in Adel.
Othal hated me. He sprayed me with the garden hose on several occasions for violating his lawn perimeters with my bicycle tires. To him, I was a trespasser. Even so, I had the last word. I went to Othal's funeral.
The memories just poured in as I drove through the old neighborhood today. I saw the place where I beat up Roger Ghee for making fun of me. I saw the corner where I slugged Mark Burdock for plotting against me at the cub scout meeting. I drove past the house of Cindy Veach and Tim Terrell and Mark Jackson. Mark's step brother used to expose himself to the girl's at recess. I'm sure that would land him in counseling and maybe a care facility today, but back then, all you got was a spanking. Simpler times, but more effective methods.
I also had some very strange experiences in that house we lived in, but I think I will save that for another time. Just let me say, they were of a paranormal nature. It did not help that I was a sleep walker.
The Magna Carta - 800 Years Old Today
In the history of western freedom from the tyranny of the State, the Magna Carta of England - The Great Charter - stands alone as the beginning of what loosely could be called self government. The tyrant, King John, was forced by his Barons to bend the knee to the rights of his subjects. Today, exactly 800 years later, the world celebrates this first movement toward freedom and away from tyranny.
The idea that a people can govern themselves should strike fear in the heart of every king, president, dictator, parliament or congress throughout the world. Do not trifle with our rights. They do not emanate from the behest of government officials or royal families. We are persons in our own right; the children of the ONE True God and it is He that gave us choice over our destiny. You are merely His servants Therefore, tread lightly as you rule or face His judgement.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Unhuggable
All right...I have a problem. It's not so much a problem. Actually I feel fine. Maybe it's my definition of "fine" that needs work. Whatever.
I really don't like to be touched. Not sure I need to go into the "why" of it, but I just don't like it. You would think people would respect that, especially non family members, but alas no, this is not to be. There is someone at church that does not seem to get the subliminal messages that I send out. Most can see the flashing neon sign above my head. It says "Warning: Absolutely No Hugging". Most everyone senses it except him...or maybe he sees my invisible barrier and chooses to ignore it.
I do not need to be hugged...OK? There is a no hugging zone around me. Please don't violate it. We will both be fine without it. Your physical expressions are fine for others. I'm sure they enjoy it. You and I do not need that. We will do well without it.
I feel better now...and no, I do not need a hug.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Thync
"A newly-released headset hopes to wake people up or calm them down by manipulating the electricity in their brain.
Thync costs $299 and has just been released to the public. It provides “calm or energy on demand”, the company says, by using “neurosignalling” to activate nerves and change people’s state of mind.
The Thync looks like a small, white plastic triangle that is placed on the forehead. Its then fed with “Vibes” — specially-formulated zaps that either wake people up or calm them down.
The whole thing is controlled by phones. The zapping lasts an hour but the effects can go on for long after that, the company claims.
A number of different reviewers have tried the zapping, claiming that it really does wake up or put to sleep its users."
I think I will make everyone at work get one of these and have it set to the app on my cell phone. Then everyone will get along and work smarter, not harder. If this is transhumanism, I think I will like it. I might install one on Dad too and maybe the dog.
Does this make me a control freak?
All I want is a little peace....maybe I should get one for just myself and then all the crap swirling around me will stop...at least in my mind. I wonder if they have one that will fit my enormous head. More study will be required.
They are only 299.00. Better than a I-watch.
WrongSkin
I am wondering if this will be the next frontier in human migration beyond our genetic and hormonal capacities. That's right. I am talking about the oppression of the WrongSkinned. I do not see how this can be allowed to continue. Someone has to do something. We need laws to protect these people from the bigots that would persecute them. I mean, if a man or a women born with white skin feels in their hearts and minds that they are really Black or Latino or Chinese, who are we to say otherwise? If it feels right, it must be right. We cannot deny them their mental racial heritage can we, simply because of the way their body is? That would be cisracial. We can have none of that in our egalitarian society. And look at it this way. At least we will not have to change the signs on the restrooms again. This should be a no brainer. Race is just a social construct anyway right?
Geez. I wonder what this will do to affirmative action? It should open doors for a lot more people. This will be a good thing.
Not Sure What It is, but...
One might ask, "what are you babbling about now Ghog?"
Back in the early 1930's, a form of government was purposed that was supposed to bring paradise and ease to everyone on our planet. Utopia. They called it technocracy. Essentially technocracy is rule by the best and the brightest in the sciences, in technology, in philosophy; a scientific dictatorship of those best equipped to rule in terms of human intelligence.
Let me suggest that this is still the plan. It just got interrupted by World War II. Since the end of that war, technocracy has been slowly building worldwide and most especially here in the United States. More and more, it's the bureaucrats that write our laws and the rules and regulations of government. To be sure, Congress and the President still rubber stamp these rules and regulations, but they no longer understand them or write them and most especially NOT in full view of the people.
This is because the social scientists and hard science folks that run the various departments in our federal, state and local governments are really the ones that are in control of our elected leadership. It's the reason that no one could read the Affordable Health Care Act prior to a congressional vote. It's the reason that no one can read Obamatrade prior to a congressional vote. There are groups of people inside and outside of government that know what is best for us and they know that we are waaaaay too stupid to be making decisions or influencing policy about world trade or our own health.
The media is in charge of manipulating this ballet of bureaucracy so that it is acceptable and even palatable to us out here in the cheap seats. They bombard us with distractions like Katelyn Jenner so that we do not realize that we are being sold into permanent slavery by our own government.
The media helps to stack the deck of political candidates too, so that the ones that rise to the top are controlled by those that own everything, including the media. This is how we end up with the most corrupt leadership possible at every election.
There is no free press anymore.
The internet was giving hope for awhile that things would change, but as governments worldwide place more and more controls on the internet and as companies like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft manipulate search parameters, internet freedom is being destroyed. Mark my words. The day will come when you will only be able to find approved versions of whatever you are looking for in an internet search. They want us all spouting the same approved line together with no dissenting voices.
The future is not bright and this...this is why I should avoid looking at the news in the morning.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Christian Baptism - The Water and the Spirit
I grew up in the churches of the Campbell-Stone movement. Since the 19th century, this movement has split at least three ways with various smaller splinter groups rising to the surface from time to time. Older, more staid denominations like to refer to us as a cult, but we have become more mainline, particularly in the 20th and 21st century. We are The Churches of Christ and Independent Christian churches (my group), The Churches of Christ (A Capella), and the Disciples of Christ. The most conservative among us is the middle group, they hold fast to non-instrumental worship music during the song service. The most liberal are the Disciples of Christ. Depending on where you go, you might get a very conservative pastor or you might get one that does not even believe in God. They are an interesting mix. Then you have my group which is the first in my list above. We are conservative, we have set doctrine, we believe in the inspiration of the scriptures, the virgin birth of Christ - the whole faith scheme of most modern evangelical protestant churches in the world. There is one exception to this however.
Unlike most protestant, evangelical churches, we believe that baptism in water is for the remission of sin; something we hold in common with the Catholics. Our baptism however is complete immersion in water as opposed to sprinkling that is practiced by the Catholics. We advise people when they want to become Christians that baptism is part and parcel of the conversion process. If there is true faith and repentance, then baptism must follow to complete the conversion.
Jesus said we had to be born of the water and the Spirit. Christian baptism is the place where we believe this happens. When the repentant believer is baptized in water several things happen at the same time. We are buried with Christ in His death. We die to our sins, we are forgiven of our sins and our propensity toward sin. We receive the Holy Spirit. We are baptized by that Spirit. The Holy Spirit then regenerates our spirits. We become enabled to resist sin to a greater degree than ever before. We are then justified by our faith and our sanctification commences. Baptism is our one stop shop. It all happens in the water. Paul, in is letter to Titus explains the entire process.
Titus 3:3-7
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
So I ask you....is there something magic in the water? Is the water merely symbolic of burial while the Spirit does His all important work of regeneration? Is the water really necessary to ensure salvation? Or is it possible that Spirit baptism can take place without complete immersion in water?
There is much evidence on all sides of this discussion that has gone on for centuries. I will say this. If you look at the New Testament, you will see the following facts.
1) Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in water. It fulfilled all righteousness, it pleased His Father and it brought the Holy Spirit into the act.
2) Jesus commanded His apostles to baptize.
3) Water baptism follows most all of the conversions recorded in the book of Acts.
So, you could say that water baptism is more than just a good idea. It was practiced at Christ's command by the earliest adherents to the faith.
But does this mean that water baptism is absolutely necessary for complete conversion to the faith? Does it bring salvation? (I Peter 3:21)
My answer is this. I will always recommend it and give my reasons why I believe it is important and necessary to the salvation process. What I will not do is exclude people from fellowship on the basis of water baptism. I think there is room for discussion about the meaning of Christian baptism. I will leave it to God to sort out what really matters.
I will also add this for discussion sake. If water baptism (full immersion) is absolutely necessary for complete conversion to the faith and for salvation according to the New Testament, then does this mean that any believers who have not done this are going to Hell; going to Hell in spite of strong faith and accompanying good works and apparent spiritual growth? If so, does this not relegate water baptism to a work in itself? From whence then is God's grace?
You see what I am saying? There is room for argument. Understanding of these things is diverse in the Christian world. God will be the arbiter of what obedience really is in this regard. The fact is that none of it would happen without faith.
Paul said, " 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
He also said, "12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:12, 13)
My advice is this. If you call yourself Christian and you have not been baptized in water - do it. Jesus did it. He commanded it. The apostles practiced it. New Testament believers did it. Let your reasons for doing it be your own. Let God interpret those reasons. Your faith, intention and personal sincerity will be His guide.
Just get yourself baptized if you have not done so. It's a good thing.
True Detective (Season One): A Review
I've been on vacation this week and I got bored with pulling weeds in the garden. I do not do well in the heat in my advanced years and I wilted as quickly as the weeds I was pulling. I have come a long way from the days when I would run 10 miles in the 90 degree summer Iowa days, but again I digress.
Anyhow, in my boredom, I pulled up up Amazon Instant Videos on my tablet and perused the most recent offerings and found season one of True Detective. The synopsis looked good. The plot had possibilities. I was not excited about the cast, but it turns out they were good choices too. I was pulled in very tightly by the first episode and ended up renting all eight shows.
True Detective is a HBO offering of very high quality. The writing is excellent. The characters are well done and the plot is deeply mysterious and evil in that it speaks of a family cabal that combines the pursuit of political and religious power with the practice of the occult, human sacrifice and outright murder. The pace of the show seldom drags and managed to maintain my interest despite my easily distracted nature.
It's about two detectives with the Louisiana State Police that begin working together on a murder that has all the hallmarks of a cult killing and it proceeds from there. The story is told from the perspective of interviews involving the two detectives years after with the same State Police department. The way the story develops is fascinating. The police officers involved are very interesting characters that at first do not seem to belong together and one of them seems always to be on the border of lunacy himself.
Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey play the State Police detectives that work these related crimes in the Louisiana Byou and McConaughey is the loose shingle of the two. Harrelson is the more traditional career type cop which tends to create a personality clash that ultimately works to the advantage of the series and the ultimate resolution to the crimes.
The show is not for the faint of heart. If you do not like salty language, gruesome crime scenes or occasional expressions of sexuality, this show may not be for you. If however, you enjoy realistic, well written, "it could really happen like this" television, then by all means, I would urge you to rent it. You will find yourself pulled in by the first episode and you will not be able to stop watching.
There has been criticism of the show concerning alleged female stereotypes - "whores and put upon cop wives", but I think if you want reality, you have to cast aside feminist political correctness and see the under world and the life that homicide cops live in their true light.
True Detective does this. It will be interesting to see if season two lives up to season one. I understand that the cast is completely different and so is the director. There is hope though, since the writer remains the same.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
I don't go around repeating gossip, so you better get it right the first time!
What do you do with someone that accepts gossip as truth and proceeds to defame you personally on the basis of rumor from unreliable sources? What if later, the defamer discovers just how unreliable the source was and changes their behavior toward you based on the new information?
Does that person owe you an apology? Maybe a public apology?
Sometimes, in the process of getting to know people, there is a learning curve. What seems to be the truth about someone on the surface does not always stand up under closer scrutiny. Instead of lapsing into immediate judgement because of a dramatic story you have heard, an investigation might be required. Perhaps even something direct and one on one. You want to learn the truth of a situation? Ask for it. Bring the situation to a head. Generally one of the parties will break and all the facts will become known. Manipulation should never be a part of that investigation and neither should lying to someone to learn the truth be part of that process.
The best process is to allow things to work out over time if you have time. It's my experience that the truth always comes out. Never allow yourself to be mislead by someone that does not know the party in question - especially if you do not know either one very well to begin with.
It might also be a time to broker a peace treaty between the individuals, especially if the injured party knows about the gossip. Or maybe there is bad blood on both sides of the issue. Perhaps they do not like each other - a personality clash if you will. A workable peace might be possible, but only if someone is willing not to side with either party until the truth is discovered.
I am sorry to say - and I do apologize for this - that I have been on all sides of these situations.
I have repeated gossip as truth. I have been angry when some one did the same to me. I have retaliated. I have accepted gossip as truth and taken sides without proper investigation. And I have judged on the basis of appearance, voice and mannerisms.
I am here to say that none of that was right. I hate the use of circumstantial evidence in the legal system and I should also detest it in personal relationships.
The bottom line is that we should not make judgements about others when we have no solid evidence that an accusation is true. If we follow Jesus' instruction to treat others as we would like to be treated, this should remedy that situation.
I'm done now. Dismounting the high horse. Thanks for listening.
Does that person owe you an apology? Maybe a public apology?
Sometimes, in the process of getting to know people, there is a learning curve. What seems to be the truth about someone on the surface does not always stand up under closer scrutiny. Instead of lapsing into immediate judgement because of a dramatic story you have heard, an investigation might be required. Perhaps even something direct and one on one. You want to learn the truth of a situation? Ask for it. Bring the situation to a head. Generally one of the parties will break and all the facts will become known. Manipulation should never be a part of that investigation and neither should lying to someone to learn the truth be part of that process.
The best process is to allow things to work out over time if you have time. It's my experience that the truth always comes out. Never allow yourself to be mislead by someone that does not know the party in question - especially if you do not know either one very well to begin with.
It might also be a time to broker a peace treaty between the individuals, especially if the injured party knows about the gossip. Or maybe there is bad blood on both sides of the issue. Perhaps they do not like each other - a personality clash if you will. A workable peace might be possible, but only if someone is willing not to side with either party until the truth is discovered.
I am sorry to say - and I do apologize for this - that I have been on all sides of these situations.
I have repeated gossip as truth. I have been angry when some one did the same to me. I have retaliated. I have accepted gossip as truth and taken sides without proper investigation. And I have judged on the basis of appearance, voice and mannerisms.
I am here to say that none of that was right. I hate the use of circumstantial evidence in the legal system and I should also detest it in personal relationships.
The bottom line is that we should not make judgements about others when we have no solid evidence that an accusation is true. If we follow Jesus' instruction to treat others as we would like to be treated, this should remedy that situation.
I'm done now. Dismounting the high horse. Thanks for listening.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Keith Green - Rushing Wind
I have have been a Keith Green fan for a while now, but this song really explains why. Keith sings what I want most out of my faith; some very lofty, but spiritual goals. Listen to the words and enjoy the music. It brings me to tears every time I hear it. He and Rich Mullins were the best of the best. I miss them both.
A Prayer
Lord, I sense your presence today. I know you are always here, but for some reason, I am noticing it today. I was thinking about the immensity of the universe You created yesterday during outdoor worship. The size of it is incredible and even with all the "outer space", there is still no place I could hide from You, not that I would like to.
There is no god like You.
I also find myself wondering why you care about us. We are insignificant dots of DNA and spirit spread across a small blue ball that orbits a minor yellow star in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy in a universe full of galaxies. And yet you see to our needs here and tend to all those other places at the same time. Who are You that You should be mindful of me?
One might think that I would know You much better now than I did all those years ago when I came to be, but I still feel we are just getting started with each other. You also have the upper hand (as always). You knew me before I was born. You know how I will end here and what my eternal life will be like. I know You from scripture. I "feel" I know You from my personal spiritual experiences, but there is still something missing. It's probably what Your servant, Paul meant by seeing dimly and then knowing face to face. That will be the Day huh Lord?!? Then I will know You as never before.
Your purpose intrigues me mostly because it is beyond me. Even so, I am glad to be in this relationship.
Thanks so much for the love and the grace. Thanks for providing a way to You that makes the trip easier. Thank You Jesus for doing the work to make that possible. I'm sensing the time is close. We will be meeting each other before long and it will be glorious for me to know you both face to face. Please just allow me to finish my sojourn here completely. There are still things for me to do I think. I have to get Dad home to You and that will require that I stay awhile. If You have other plans, then so be it, but please find another to help Dad home if that is to be the case. His mind is afflicted with a terrible disease. I cannot bear that he should have to endure it alone.
Please reach out your hand to my friend Nina this week. Guide her medical care. Bring her healing from her cancer and raise her up to finish her work here with Phil, her children and her grandchildren. Help her to sense your presence Lord and to know You are there, that You are God.
Lord please also bless my church,Your Church at Rising Sun, Iowa. I believe we also have work remaining. You have preserved us for over 150 years. I cannot help but think You have some purpose in that beyond just another light in our community. Please place Your hand on our leadership and staff and show them where you want to take us. Bend our will if necessary. Fan our faith to fire. Invigorate the saints with your Spirit and show us your power. Teach us to use that power as you intended.
As always, please watch over my Dad today. I do not always have a bead on his activities. Please keep him upright. Please heal his knee. And thanks for helping me with him. He is turning my gray hair white. I guess he is returning the favor.
I am not at work Lord, but please watch over them in my absence. Keep the peace for me if you will. They can yell at me when I get back. I probably need to retire.
Lord, I love you. Please show us all the way home.
In Jesus' name...
There is no god like You.
I also find myself wondering why you care about us. We are insignificant dots of DNA and spirit spread across a small blue ball that orbits a minor yellow star in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy in a universe full of galaxies. And yet you see to our needs here and tend to all those other places at the same time. Who are You that You should be mindful of me?
One might think that I would know You much better now than I did all those years ago when I came to be, but I still feel we are just getting started with each other. You also have the upper hand (as always). You knew me before I was born. You know how I will end here and what my eternal life will be like. I know You from scripture. I "feel" I know You from my personal spiritual experiences, but there is still something missing. It's probably what Your servant, Paul meant by seeing dimly and then knowing face to face. That will be the Day huh Lord?!? Then I will know You as never before.
Your purpose intrigues me mostly because it is beyond me. Even so, I am glad to be in this relationship.
Thanks so much for the love and the grace. Thanks for providing a way to You that makes the trip easier. Thank You Jesus for doing the work to make that possible. I'm sensing the time is close. We will be meeting each other before long and it will be glorious for me to know you both face to face. Please just allow me to finish my sojourn here completely. There are still things for me to do I think. I have to get Dad home to You and that will require that I stay awhile. If You have other plans, then so be it, but please find another to help Dad home if that is to be the case. His mind is afflicted with a terrible disease. I cannot bear that he should have to endure it alone.
Please reach out your hand to my friend Nina this week. Guide her medical care. Bring her healing from her cancer and raise her up to finish her work here with Phil, her children and her grandchildren. Help her to sense your presence Lord and to know You are there, that You are God.
Lord please also bless my church,Your Church at Rising Sun, Iowa. I believe we also have work remaining. You have preserved us for over 150 years. I cannot help but think You have some purpose in that beyond just another light in our community. Please place Your hand on our leadership and staff and show them where you want to take us. Bend our will if necessary. Fan our faith to fire. Invigorate the saints with your Spirit and show us your power. Teach us to use that power as you intended.
As always, please watch over my Dad today. I do not always have a bead on his activities. Please keep him upright. Please heal his knee. And thanks for helping me with him. He is turning my gray hair white. I guess he is returning the favor.
I am not at work Lord, but please watch over them in my absence. Keep the peace for me if you will. They can yell at me when I get back. I probably need to retire.
Lord, I love you. Please show us all the way home.
In Jesus' name...
The Debris of A Cluttered Mind
I am groggy this morning.
My friend Ninasusan wondered in an email if I had forgotten how to blog. In answer, I would say thanks for the nudge, but there are many that wonder if I ever knew how in the first place. Nevertheless, I will try to crank something out here here.
Nina, I suppose you are on the way IMH. I will be sending up a few prayers again today as I have everyday since your diagnosis. I have a very strong and positive sense that this is going to go well for you. I am predicting that you are going to be very uncomfortable after your procedure, but I am also predicting you will be well . The Lord is not done with you here yet. You have things to do. If I figure out where you are, I will try to visit. Ghog loves you! He disagrees with you much of the time, but then he disagrees with most everyone. Its his nature.
Odd. I stepped out of my persona there for a minute.
Yesterday was interesting. We had church outside....as in outdoors. It was a bit breezy and humid, but it was a good experience. They pulled up a flatbed trailer on the north lawn by the edge of the west parking lot. The worship team set up on the flat bed and they led us all in praise. We sang one of my favorite oldies - "I'll Fly Away". The membership was in lawn chairs on the lawn and in the parking lot. There were sun shelters set up for those of us that cannot bare the sun on our preternatural, vampire like flesh. Despite my ground hog persona, I am the whitest white man you will probably ever meet. A true Celt. I burn easily. Melanin is a stranger to me.
Worshiping outside can be a distraction. There is stuff going on in nature that you find yourself staring at. There was a kestrel hawk that took a field mouse in the cornfield to the north. There was also a red tail hawk under attack by several small birds for hunting in their nesting areas. The cooperation of the different species of small birds (sparrows, grackles and red wing black birds) was amazing. The red tail evaded the attack, but only barely, by maneuvering close to the tree tops. For a large predator, he was very good at evasion, but I think he went away hungry. I immediately thought of the Church and Satan. Satan was having a very bad day. The church stepped out from it's walls and showed itself yesterday. Whether we constituted a threat remains to be seen, but we shall see. I think we need to recapture that sense of being dangerous to our chief predator. We need to send him back to where he came from and claim this territory for our Creator. We need to draw a line in the sand. Yesterday could have been a very good start.
I am sure all of Rising Sun and parts of Pleasant Hill could hear us. I am told we had to buy a noise permit. I was trying to imagine the early church worshiping outside. I am sure they did so from time to time. I bet they never had to get a noise permit. It was a good time though.
I am giving the sermon a B+. Steve, you told some good and very relevant stories from your personal spiritual experiences as well as examples from scripture, but the fire is still sputtering to take hold I think. It may require an accelerant. I do not usually advise throwing gas on the fire. You do not want to put out the glowing embers already present and you do not want an explosion either. Still, I think something else will be required. We have time. You have only been with us a year. We have time. Do not give up. Steve is pictured below. He is a bit bear like in appearance, but he is more like a lone wolf on the hunt - kind of scary to a ground hog :^)))
The cat in the picture is also noted for stealthy predation and a healthy, "do it my way" mentality. I am wondering what they all had for lunch. Hope it wasn't a ground hog.
Speaking of Steve, we will be taking a day soon to go fishing. Going fishing with a preacher can be an eye opener. The last preacher I fished with became a much needed friend. though he's gone and I miss him, he is still my friend and probably reading this. Hey man...how ya doing?
After the services yesterday, the church had a cookout and spent the afternoon together outside. I did not stay for the festivities. I had responsibilities elsewhere. Dad wanted to go home and I had to fix his lunch. I guess I could have gone back, but I got lazy and took a nap. The washing machine had to be fixed too. Not sure what I did, but it works now.
Dad has been weird. I've been having trouble getting him to church. It's odd since this was the man that used to tell me, "if you live in this house, you go to church." His right knee as been bothering him too, so I think we are going to see about an x-ray and maybe a cortisone shot. There is a lot of walking at church and that may be part of the problem. I believe a cane could help him, but he is too proud to use one. I have seen him use an umbrella like a cane, but it requires the excuse of rain which was absent yesterday.
Well, I have to do something even if it isn't right. Don't let the bears, wolves and kitty cats take you down. (oh, that was funny) Try to have a decent day.
My friend Ninasusan wondered in an email if I had forgotten how to blog. In answer, I would say thanks for the nudge, but there are many that wonder if I ever knew how in the first place. Nevertheless, I will try to crank something out here here.
Nina, I suppose you are on the way IMH. I will be sending up a few prayers again today as I have everyday since your diagnosis. I have a very strong and positive sense that this is going to go well for you. I am predicting that you are going to be very uncomfortable after your procedure, but I am also predicting you will be well . The Lord is not done with you here yet. You have things to do. If I figure out where you are, I will try to visit. Ghog loves you! He disagrees with you much of the time, but then he disagrees with most everyone. Its his nature.
Odd. I stepped out of my persona there for a minute.
Yesterday was interesting. We had church outside....as in outdoors. It was a bit breezy and humid, but it was a good experience. They pulled up a flatbed trailer on the north lawn by the edge of the west parking lot. The worship team set up on the flat bed and they led us all in praise. We sang one of my favorite oldies - "I'll Fly Away". The membership was in lawn chairs on the lawn and in the parking lot. There were sun shelters set up for those of us that cannot bare the sun on our preternatural, vampire like flesh. Despite my ground hog persona, I am the whitest white man you will probably ever meet. A true Celt. I burn easily. Melanin is a stranger to me.
Worshiping outside can be a distraction. There is stuff going on in nature that you find yourself staring at. There was a kestrel hawk that took a field mouse in the cornfield to the north. There was also a red tail hawk under attack by several small birds for hunting in their nesting areas. The cooperation of the different species of small birds (sparrows, grackles and red wing black birds) was amazing. The red tail evaded the attack, but only barely, by maneuvering close to the tree tops. For a large predator, he was very good at evasion, but I think he went away hungry. I immediately thought of the Church and Satan. Satan was having a very bad day. The church stepped out from it's walls and showed itself yesterday. Whether we constituted a threat remains to be seen, but we shall see. I think we need to recapture that sense of being dangerous to our chief predator. We need to send him back to where he came from and claim this territory for our Creator. We need to draw a line in the sand. Yesterday could have been a very good start.
I am sure all of Rising Sun and parts of Pleasant Hill could hear us. I am told we had to buy a noise permit. I was trying to imagine the early church worshiping outside. I am sure they did so from time to time. I bet they never had to get a noise permit. It was a good time though.
I am giving the sermon a B+. Steve, you told some good and very relevant stories from your personal spiritual experiences as well as examples from scripture, but the fire is still sputtering to take hold I think. It may require an accelerant. I do not usually advise throwing gas on the fire. You do not want to put out the glowing embers already present and you do not want an explosion either. Still, I think something else will be required. We have time. You have only been with us a year. We have time. Do not give up. Steve is pictured below. He is a bit bear like in appearance, but he is more like a lone wolf on the hunt - kind of scary to a ground hog :^)))
Speaking of Steve, we will be taking a day soon to go fishing. Going fishing with a preacher can be an eye opener. The last preacher I fished with became a much needed friend. though he's gone and I miss him, he is still my friend and probably reading this. Hey man...how ya doing?
After the services yesterday, the church had a cookout and spent the afternoon together outside. I did not stay for the festivities. I had responsibilities elsewhere. Dad wanted to go home and I had to fix his lunch. I guess I could have gone back, but I got lazy and took a nap. The washing machine had to be fixed too. Not sure what I did, but it works now.
Dad has been weird. I've been having trouble getting him to church. It's odd since this was the man that used to tell me, "if you live in this house, you go to church." His right knee as been bothering him too, so I think we are going to see about an x-ray and maybe a cortisone shot. There is a lot of walking at church and that may be part of the problem. I believe a cane could help him, but he is too proud to use one. I have seen him use an umbrella like a cane, but it requires the excuse of rain which was absent yesterday.
Well, I have to do something even if it isn't right. Don't let the bears, wolves and kitty cats take you down. (oh, that was funny) Try to have a decent day.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
God
Orthodox Christian theology tells us that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. That is to say, He is all powerful, all knowing and everywhere all the time. Nothing is beyond Him as David points out in Psalm 139. There are in fact many scriptures that point to the all knowing, all powerful nature and character of the Lord God. I mean, what kind of God would He be if He were not these things? A lesser God maybe?
But if He is all these things, and I do believe He is, can He also choose not to know something or not to be somewhere or not to do something simply because He is God? Or maybe because it suits His long term purposes? I am thinking He does sometimes stand aloof and does not act even though He knows for reasons that we will never comprehend in this life, but I also believe there are other issues at work here.
We Christians like to believe God is in control here on our planet and throughout the universe all the time. Given what I just said above, I am going to suggest that He is in fact not in total control here and that it is by His choice and more directly the choices of the human race that history plays itself out. If you stop and think about it, when He gave us choice way back in the day of creation, He surrendered a certain amount of control to us. In the end, that choice cost Him and it ultimately plays itself out on Calvary, but He did give us power over our destiny. We, in turn, gave it to the evil spiritual powers and we have been following that lead ever since.
God Does have a plan. Giving up His control over our environment is part of that plan. What the end game is will be interesting. We know from Revelation that God's people win and we know that it is only through God's foreknowledge that this will happen. We just have to wait out the game.
Someone who I read frequently compares God to a game designer and I believe that to be an apt description. God set it up. It's His software. He will be able to update it when it's time. We just have to do what He already knows we will do.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Busy
I am now working 3/4 of the time instead of 2/3. I will be back. Vacationing most of next we and the week after.
Clover! It's what's for breakfast. Then back to the work burrow for some quality time with the air freight business. Later!
Clover! It's what's for breakfast. Then back to the work burrow for some quality time with the air freight business. Later!
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