There have been volumes written about this subject. That I should think I could explain it all in any detail or accuracy in a short blog post is probably the height of presumption and arrogance, but I am going to try to give you a birds eye view of what I have come up with. This will not be a scholarly treatise. It will be my thoughts on the matter and that is all. You may walk away saying that Ghog is a heretic. So be it. I am a work in progress. So please bear with me.
When the Lord God created us, we were to be something new; living beings that were at once material and spiritual. We were to sense both of these worlds at the same time, enjoying the physical and appreciating the spiritual all at once. We are indeed unique among all the living things that God has made.
You see our Creator wanted us to be like Him in many ways. He wanted us to be able to choose and to create and to love. Mostly though I think He wanted us to be able to love and to serve Him of our own free will.
Free will was a new thing too in the spiritual realm. Until God created the physical universe, all things were attuned to His will alone. Nothing was capable of making a choice outside of His will. God was indeed sovereign over everything and in total control.
If there was to be free will in this new physical universe, this would mean that God would have to surrender some control. It's my belief that He did this. He did it for us and He did it for Himself. He wanted His new creations to serve Him out of choice and not due to their programming or His control.
He had to know from the beginning how it was all going to play out. After all He is God. Romans 8:28-30 tells us,
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those that are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren.; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
The Lord gave up a bit of control to us, so that we could choose and enjoy free will. What He did not give up was His foreknowledge of who we would be. He knew these things before we were ever born. And it is based on His foreknowledge of our choices, actions and decisions that He predestines us either to eternal glory or eternal death.
We make the decision to either serve Him our serve ourselves. He works with our decisions to create His desired out come. He knows those that are His before they are ever born. We do not. We do not enjoy His foreknowledge. It is a genuine journey for us to the destination of our choosing.
What more would you want from your Creator? To be able to choose freely is the greatest gift that He gave humanity. When He gave us free will, He gave up a part of Himself, His control, His sovereignty to us to do as we pleased. He wanted us to use it to make decisions within His will, all the while knowing that we would not always do that consistently. He also knew some of us would never do that. Still, He created them too. The only way they would ever know they made the wrong choices in life would be to go out and actually make them. He knows the end of the game. We do not.
He knows those that will come to Him in faith and He knows those that will not. He knows what our choices will be and how we will exercise our free will. He does not interfere with it, but He does try to influence it with His Word. If His Word is consistently ignored, consequences will be forthcoming. The final say is always ours. If we have faith in Him, a glorious future awaits.
God Loved Us so much, they He gave some of His sovereignty to us. We have to be careful how we use it.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Saturday, September 12, 2015
What Would Jesus Do?
WWJD? Is it just a bumper sticker that Christians put on their cars? Does the fact that we have the T-shirt mean that we know what it means?
If you want to know what Jesus would do, you have to read the gospels in the New Testament. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John tell us very specifically what Jesus would do; what He did. I think sometimes we read the written record of Jesus' life and we really miss the point of what it means to be Christlike.
Yes, I know He is the Son of God with powers, knowledge and determination that I will never have. I know that He is perfect, but still, He lived as He did when He was here to set us, and His people at the time, an example.
I, and my Sunday school class, have embarked on a study of the book of Matthew. It is something that is rapidly turning into a study of the life and teaching of Jesus. I have not been able to teach Matthew without also going to the other gospels for details of the same events. The whole thing is growing into a monster study and I love it. The class seems to be enjoying to. There has been much discussion and questions explored. We are moving at a snail's pace, but I think this is a good thing. We are using no lesson book and the Bible is our only guide. I am willing for them to go down into every nook and cranny of scripture to find correct meaning. I believe it is genuine Bible study. The class members are a wise bunch. I have no fear of heresy spreading.
That being said, I think we are genuinely discovering what it is that Jesus would (did) do. And it has been surprising for some. After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus immediately began doing some amazing and remarkable things that the Jewish religious leaders of His time would never have done.
He allowed a leper to approach him for healing. Lepers were unclean according to the law of Moses and so was anyone that touched them. Jesus touched him and healed him.
Jesus worked with a Gentile Centurion to heal his servant. Jews steered clear of Gentiles as much as possible to avoid spiritual contamination.
Jesus cast out demons that tormented many. He had no fear of evil spiritual influences. Rather, He did what He could to ease the suffering of those tormented by Satan and his servants.
Jesus allowed women to approach him and speak with him. One such woman was experiencing constant bleeding for a number of years. No doctor could help her. Jesus did. Jews were to avoid contact with blood and Jewish men were to avoid contact with any woman that was not a part of their immediate family. Jesus did not seem to care about this. He was more interested in helping. He did not rely on every nuance of the law to relieve Him of responsibility.
Jesus was not above touching the dead either, though forbidden by Jewish law. Jairus' daughter comes to mind in this regard. Of course, she was not dead for very long. It's amazing what being touched by Jesus can do for someone.
Then there's Matthew himself. He was a Jewish boy, but he did not have a good reputation. He was a tax collector, viewed by his people as an agent of Rome and a sinner and traitor. Jesus invited this sinner to join his group and He even ate at Matthew's house with his friends who were also 'publicans and sinners'.
All of this got Jesus much criticism, but when he claimed to have authority to forgive sin, that was kind of the last straw for his critics.
So that's what Jesus would do. Are you doing stuff like that? I know you can't heal or raise the dead, but are you helping? Are you loving? Are you showing mercy and compassion toward those in need?
Or are you like Jesus' critics, avoiding publicans and sinners and certain races or nationalities or those among your own that have been weakened by sin or poor health or evil circumstance?
Brothers and Sister! We cannot behave that way. We have to look to do what Jesus would do and try to emulate His behavior. We can even forgive when someone sins against us if we are willing to get over ourselves and off our high horses.
So the next time you are vexed wondering what Jesus would do, read a few chapters out of one of the gospels and then go do something about whatever it is. You will ultimately be blessed for it and Jesus will be smiling down on you as you go out among 'them' like He did.
Hang in there Christian. It's only going to get better and if it doesn't, it will. :^)))
I love y'all. Se ya in Church!
If you want to know what Jesus would do, you have to read the gospels in the New Testament. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John tell us very specifically what Jesus would do; what He did. I think sometimes we read the written record of Jesus' life and we really miss the point of what it means to be Christlike.
Yes, I know He is the Son of God with powers, knowledge and determination that I will never have. I know that He is perfect, but still, He lived as He did when He was here to set us, and His people at the time, an example.
I, and my Sunday school class, have embarked on a study of the book of Matthew. It is something that is rapidly turning into a study of the life and teaching of Jesus. I have not been able to teach Matthew without also going to the other gospels for details of the same events. The whole thing is growing into a monster study and I love it. The class seems to be enjoying to. There has been much discussion and questions explored. We are moving at a snail's pace, but I think this is a good thing. We are using no lesson book and the Bible is our only guide. I am willing for them to go down into every nook and cranny of scripture to find correct meaning. I believe it is genuine Bible study. The class members are a wise bunch. I have no fear of heresy spreading.
That being said, I think we are genuinely discovering what it is that Jesus would (did) do. And it has been surprising for some. After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus immediately began doing some amazing and remarkable things that the Jewish religious leaders of His time would never have done.
He allowed a leper to approach him for healing. Lepers were unclean according to the law of Moses and so was anyone that touched them. Jesus touched him and healed him.
Jesus worked with a Gentile Centurion to heal his servant. Jews steered clear of Gentiles as much as possible to avoid spiritual contamination.
Jesus cast out demons that tormented many. He had no fear of evil spiritual influences. Rather, He did what He could to ease the suffering of those tormented by Satan and his servants.
Jesus allowed women to approach him and speak with him. One such woman was experiencing constant bleeding for a number of years. No doctor could help her. Jesus did. Jews were to avoid contact with blood and Jewish men were to avoid contact with any woman that was not a part of their immediate family. Jesus did not seem to care about this. He was more interested in helping. He did not rely on every nuance of the law to relieve Him of responsibility.
Jesus was not above touching the dead either, though forbidden by Jewish law. Jairus' daughter comes to mind in this regard. Of course, she was not dead for very long. It's amazing what being touched by Jesus can do for someone.
Then there's Matthew himself. He was a Jewish boy, but he did not have a good reputation. He was a tax collector, viewed by his people as an agent of Rome and a sinner and traitor. Jesus invited this sinner to join his group and He even ate at Matthew's house with his friends who were also 'publicans and sinners'.
All of this got Jesus much criticism, but when he claimed to have authority to forgive sin, that was kind of the last straw for his critics.
So that's what Jesus would do. Are you doing stuff like that? I know you can't heal or raise the dead, but are you helping? Are you loving? Are you showing mercy and compassion toward those in need?
Or are you like Jesus' critics, avoiding publicans and sinners and certain races or nationalities or those among your own that have been weakened by sin or poor health or evil circumstance?
Brothers and Sister! We cannot behave that way. We have to look to do what Jesus would do and try to emulate His behavior. We can even forgive when someone sins against us if we are willing to get over ourselves and off our high horses.
So the next time you are vexed wondering what Jesus would do, read a few chapters out of one of the gospels and then go do something about whatever it is. You will ultimately be blessed for it and Jesus will be smiling down on you as you go out among 'them' like He did.
Hang in there Christian. It's only going to get better and if it doesn't, it will. :^)))
I love y'all. Se ya in Church!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice
Speaking through the prophet, Hosea, God said this to His people.
Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
There was a serious problem among God's people at the time Hosea recorded those words. They were observing all the ceremonial aspects of the law of Moses, but they paid little heed to God's commands to love Him and their neighbors. They would sell their brethren into slavery for a pair of sandals if they needed to without mercy or any thought of kindness. They used the poor among them and stole from them without pain of conscience.
Such was the moral fiber of these people. They were doing as they pleased from a moral standpoint, but they thought they were forgiven for their bad behavior simply because they continued to offer the prescribed sacrifices. They were, after all, God's chosen people. He would not discard them.
They were wrong.
God has always preferred obedience and mercy and forgiveness over sin and sacrifice. He has always preferred relationship over superstitious kowtowing. His people were not having it and so He judged them and sent them into captivity.
None of this was happening in Hosea's time. His people eventually paid for their failure to live in relationship and obedience to their God. Mercy and acknowledgement of God was not forthcoming from these people.
Many years later, after the captivity when God's people had returned to the land of their forefathers, God sent them Jesus. Jesus tried to teach them and especially their spiritual leadership many things. Jesus quoted this passage to the pharisees when they accused him of hanging around with tax collectors and sinners. Here is an excerpt.
Matthew 9:10-12
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This is what God means when He says He desires Mercy over sacrifice. He wants to show us His mercy and His grace and He wants to be in relationship with us and heal us. All we have to do is love Him and love our neighbors. He wants the best for all of us, but He cannot help with that if we have our own sense of righteousness that does not derive from Him.
I think we in the Church are many times guilty of behaving like ancient Israel. We may not sell our brethren for a pair of sandals, but how often do we turn our backs on the unsaved because they are not 'moral enough' to hang around with us righteous folks?
We are all sinners my friend. We all need forgiveness and grace from the One True Source. It's the only way we will ever be anything even approaching righteous. So Christian, next time you are riding the high righteous horse and thinking you are carrying the sword of the Lord, have some mercy and grace instead. Your heavenly Father will remember it and bless you in eternity. Love as Jesus loved. Give as He would give. Never forget what it took to save you and then you will know why God prefers mercy to sacrifice.
Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
There was a serious problem among God's people at the time Hosea recorded those words. They were observing all the ceremonial aspects of the law of Moses, but they paid little heed to God's commands to love Him and their neighbors. They would sell their brethren into slavery for a pair of sandals if they needed to without mercy or any thought of kindness. They used the poor among them and stole from them without pain of conscience.
Such was the moral fiber of these people. They were doing as they pleased from a moral standpoint, but they thought they were forgiven for their bad behavior simply because they continued to offer the prescribed sacrifices. They were, after all, God's chosen people. He would not discard them.
They were wrong.
God has always preferred obedience and mercy and forgiveness over sin and sacrifice. He has always preferred relationship over superstitious kowtowing. His people were not having it and so He judged them and sent them into captivity.
None of this was happening in Hosea's time. His people eventually paid for their failure to live in relationship and obedience to their God. Mercy and acknowledgement of God was not forthcoming from these people.
Many years later, after the captivity when God's people had returned to the land of their forefathers, God sent them Jesus. Jesus tried to teach them and especially their spiritual leadership many things. Jesus quoted this passage to the pharisees when they accused him of hanging around with tax collectors and sinners. Here is an excerpt.
Matthew 9:10-12
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This is what God means when He says He desires Mercy over sacrifice. He wants to show us His mercy and His grace and He wants to be in relationship with us and heal us. All we have to do is love Him and love our neighbors. He wants the best for all of us, but He cannot help with that if we have our own sense of righteousness that does not derive from Him.
I think we in the Church are many times guilty of behaving like ancient Israel. We may not sell our brethren for a pair of sandals, but how often do we turn our backs on the unsaved because they are not 'moral enough' to hang around with us righteous folks?
We are all sinners my friend. We all need forgiveness and grace from the One True Source. It's the only way we will ever be anything even approaching righteous. So Christian, next time you are riding the high righteous horse and thinking you are carrying the sword of the Lord, have some mercy and grace instead. Your heavenly Father will remember it and bless you in eternity. Love as Jesus loved. Give as He would give. Never forget what it took to save you and then you will know why God prefers mercy to sacrifice.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Blu Emu
Yes, this is a product endorsement and no, I am not looking for freebies, but I would let them advertise on the blog.
Blu Emu is a 'miracle working' substance. It is almost 14.00 USD for a jar of the stuff, but it is worth every penny and a jar will last a long time. I first experimented with it on my nearly 80 year old father. He was having some joint pain in his right knee. He rubbed it on. He liked it immediately and he does not like anything, including me, so that should tell you something.
Then, one morning last week I woke up with some lower back pain and neck pain. I also had a headache. The headache comes from the narrowing of the space between my neck vertebrae due to compression of the discs in between them. The wrong position of my head during sleep will cause a bone against bone type situation and the pain will go right up my neck and into the back of my head. My spine was probably out of alignment too, and this does not help matters.
Whatever the cause of my distress, I was in severe pain. I can usually depend on aspirin for relief, but it barely touched the situation, so I decided that I would try the Blu Emu.
It worked. I felt the relief coming almost immediately and it lasted all day. When my headache began to subside, I knew I had found a miracle balm.
I highly recommend this product. I have since heard it advertised and I will say all the claims are true - for me. It is safe, effective, non-greasy and absorbed immediately through the skin, And yes, it does not make you stink. There is no camphor or menthol odor. There is barely any odor at all. It is the perfect salve.
I am not sure what makes it work. Blu Emu does contain emu oil, but I do not know if that is the ingredient that makes it work so well or if it is something else. The emu oil might merely be the delivery system that takes the active ingredients to the deep muscle tissue and joints. Whatever it is, I like it.
I am not sure how they extract emu oil from emus. This worried me a bit. Do they have to kill them first or can it be milked out of them? Who knows? Emus are a domesticated farm animal now much like the ostrich and their meat and feathers are sold for use as consumer products. I think there is a market for their eggs too. I have heard they are a nasty bird, but at least now they serve a purpose.
So try some Blu Emu after a hard day of burrowing or right after you get out of bed in the morning. You will not regret it. Us ground hogs love it! It's also available in a spray. Blu Emu! Try it.
Why Me?
I like to check the blog stats from time. I think it's interesting to see who is watching. I have about 11 core readers, but I get page views from all over the world. I would guess that the search words they use in their search engine match up with something in a blog post title and they end up here. I do not know if they stay or read much, but they are coming here. Sometimes the visitors are from strange places. Today I perused some of the 'referring site' statistics and here is some of what came up below.
Do you see anything weird or sort of out of place? I swear that I have never been in prison or even a gang member let alone a prison gang member. I would not join any club that would have me as a member. I think I need to be more careful with the blog post titles.
Click on the link. They are an interesting bunch.
Do you see anything weird or sort of out of place? I swear that I have never been in prison or even a gang member let alone a prison gang member. I would not join any club that would have me as a member. I think I need to be more careful with the blog post titles.
Click on the link. They are an interesting bunch.
Referring Sites
| Entry | Pageviews | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2
| ||||||||||
1
| ||||||||||
1
| ||||||||||
Now I'm scared :^(
|
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Are We Ready?
I was talking with a friend last night about the future of the Church in America and how we will be doing church in the coming decades. It was obvious to both of us that the time would be coming when Bible believing churches would not be able to gather under one roof to worship and share. I think we concluded that many churches would after a time have to break up into house churches. The immediate reasons for this should be obvious. Culturally, in the US, we have moved to an 'anything goes' lifestyle where if you disagree with something someone else is doing or refuse to play along, you get censured.
The most glaring example is the same sex marriage issue. Evangelical churches are not going to bend the knee to the Supreme Court and marry same sex people if they show up with a license. We just are not going to do that. We disagree with the marital union of a man and a man or a woman and a woman. It is not what God intended and yes, it is sinful whether inside or outside of wedlock.
More to the point, I am not here to debate that question. You have your opinion. I have mine. I'm sorry that you feel the need to force everyone to agree with you, but it is what it is.
What I am getting at here is that, since we are not going to do these things, it will probably mean that our churches will lose their tax exempt status.
Fine. I can deal with that. Maybe we should have been paying taxes all along. Jesus said to render unto to Caesar what is his and to God what is His. I am right on board with the whole concept. The problem is that the middle class church in America has built these modern day temples to meet in that they can barely afford. The added burden of taxes could well end that practice and I do mean quickly.
Think about it Christian. In a world eager to punish us for our politically incorrect free speech practices, there may also be a desire to punish through taxation. It will not be called that of course, but that might well be the purpose of any such legal action.
Are we ready for that? Is there a plan B?
I am thinking not.
We need to be prepared to move and do so quickly. We can not wait around. Changes like this can happen very quickly. even overnight. Ask any Jew that lived in Germany in the late 1930's - if you can find one.
This is how Fascists and Socialists work.
We need a plan. We need to be prepared to break up into small groups, to meet in homes and to come together in public places. Nothing beats the fellowship of a small group and meeting in a public place just might just annoy the hell out of the authorities if you know what I am saying.
And consider this. The money we stop spending on suburban temples can be used in the fight against our spiritual enemy. The Church in American might actually enjoy a growth spurt the likes of which have not been seen since the Great Awakening.
If you are in the leadership of a church, please give my words some consideration. We need to be ready. Our brethren in Asia are already doing this. They have to. We have time to plan for it.
The most glaring example is the same sex marriage issue. Evangelical churches are not going to bend the knee to the Supreme Court and marry same sex people if they show up with a license. We just are not going to do that. We disagree with the marital union of a man and a man or a woman and a woman. It is not what God intended and yes, it is sinful whether inside or outside of wedlock.
More to the point, I am not here to debate that question. You have your opinion. I have mine. I'm sorry that you feel the need to force everyone to agree with you, but it is what it is.
What I am getting at here is that, since we are not going to do these things, it will probably mean that our churches will lose their tax exempt status.
Fine. I can deal with that. Maybe we should have been paying taxes all along. Jesus said to render unto to Caesar what is his and to God what is His. I am right on board with the whole concept. The problem is that the middle class church in America has built these modern day temples to meet in that they can barely afford. The added burden of taxes could well end that practice and I do mean quickly.
Think about it Christian. In a world eager to punish us for our politically incorrect free speech practices, there may also be a desire to punish through taxation. It will not be called that of course, but that might well be the purpose of any such legal action.
Are we ready for that? Is there a plan B?
I am thinking not.
We need to be prepared to move and do so quickly. We can not wait around. Changes like this can happen very quickly. even overnight. Ask any Jew that lived in Germany in the late 1930's - if you can find one.
This is how Fascists and Socialists work.
We need a plan. We need to be prepared to break up into small groups, to meet in homes and to come together in public places. Nothing beats the fellowship of a small group and meeting in a public place just might just annoy the hell out of the authorities if you know what I am saying.
And consider this. The money we stop spending on suburban temples can be used in the fight against our spiritual enemy. The Church in American might actually enjoy a growth spurt the likes of which have not been seen since the Great Awakening.
If you are in the leadership of a church, please give my words some consideration. We need to be ready. Our brethren in Asia are already doing this. They have to. We have time to plan for it.
Friday, September 4, 2015
A Future
I was sitting in the McDonald's across from Adventureland this morning enjoying an Egg McMuffin and reading the news on my tablet when an 'old lady' walked over with her tray and a very large bag and sat down at the counter in front of the fish tanks. (Yes, they have fish tanks at the Adventureland Mc Donald's.) I was situated behind her and I could see what she was doing. She sat her tray down first and then she proceeded to unload her bag. She pulled out a book stand, an old style spiral bound writing tablet and a pen and then she reached into the bag and pulled out a very large black book and put it on the book stand. It was a Bible. As she alternately took sips of her coffee and orange juice, she would flip through the Bible and make notes in the writing tablet. She obviously knew her way around her Bible. She had an edition that offered no commentary and did not seem to have any cross referencing or even a concordance. That's when it became obvious to me that she was preparing some sort of lesson and she was totally absorbed in the task as if she were all alone in the restaurant studying. I was impressed. She was obviously searching the scriptures for the truths that were there so she could be ready to share.
I do not know how old she was, but by her appearance, I would put her at 80+ years.
I remember thinking to myself, if I live to be 80, will I be doing something like that?
Ya know, I hope so.
We should all be prepared to give an answer to those that want to know about our faith. We should all be able to flip through God's Word and be able to connect it's consistent truths as seamlessly as possible. Beyond all that though, I would still like to be teaching and sharing and generating discussion among Christians of like mind when I am very old. I would like to die on a Sunday afternoon after giving the best lesson of my life. That would be perfect.
Lord, if I can choose, that's the way I want it to go down. OK?
Ya, I know. You don't get to choose. It would be nice to have a good finish though.
"So did you talk to the old lady Ghog?", you ask.
Well no, and I regret not doing so. She might have been a whole bundle of wisdom. I might have asked if she understood what she was reading and then a lengthy and scholarly discussion might have ensued.
It also occurs to me now that she might have been totally bonkers with dementia and her note pad might have been full of nonsense.
Ghog: "Old Lady, do you understand what you are reading?"
Old Lady: "Yes, for it is written,"Blessed are the Cheesemakers of Ephesus for the divine Paraclete of Zion will shine on them with the fury of 7 suns and the ass will lay down with the behemoth and they will be for naught for the Holy One of Israel will curse them with a thousand locust infestations.""
This is not what I want to be like when I am 80.
Lord, I know you can prevent that. Please make it so. I would like to be sharp as a tack on my last day and have my wits about me when I go home. I know that Mick Jagger says, "You can't always get what You Want' and they will probably play that at my funeral (or maybe "Can't get no Satisfaction"), but it would be nice not to be totally bonkers on my death bed. I'm sure it would be entertaining for some and friends would have a good laugh at my expense while wondering when I will be dead. I just want to be able to snap back with something snotty and sarcastic. You gave me that gift and I would like to be able to use it effectively to the end. So if you would, give it some thought. Be creative. I know I will be. The future is full of possibilities.
I do not know how old she was, but by her appearance, I would put her at 80+ years.
I remember thinking to myself, if I live to be 80, will I be doing something like that?
Ya know, I hope so.
We should all be prepared to give an answer to those that want to know about our faith. We should all be able to flip through God's Word and be able to connect it's consistent truths as seamlessly as possible. Beyond all that though, I would still like to be teaching and sharing and generating discussion among Christians of like mind when I am very old. I would like to die on a Sunday afternoon after giving the best lesson of my life. That would be perfect.
Lord, if I can choose, that's the way I want it to go down. OK?
Ya, I know. You don't get to choose. It would be nice to have a good finish though.
"So did you talk to the old lady Ghog?", you ask.
Well no, and I regret not doing so. She might have been a whole bundle of wisdom. I might have asked if she understood what she was reading and then a lengthy and scholarly discussion might have ensued.
It also occurs to me now that she might have been totally bonkers with dementia and her note pad might have been full of nonsense.
Ghog: "Old Lady, do you understand what you are reading?"
Old Lady: "Yes, for it is written,"Blessed are the Cheesemakers of Ephesus for the divine Paraclete of Zion will shine on them with the fury of 7 suns and the ass will lay down with the behemoth and they will be for naught for the Holy One of Israel will curse them with a thousand locust infestations.""
This is not what I want to be like when I am 80.
Lord, I know you can prevent that. Please make it so. I would like to be sharp as a tack on my last day and have my wits about me when I go home. I know that Mick Jagger says, "You can't always get what You Want' and they will probably play that at my funeral (or maybe "Can't get no Satisfaction"), but it would be nice not to be totally bonkers on my death bed. I'm sure it would be entertaining for some and friends would have a good laugh at my expense while wondering when I will be dead. I just want to be able to snap back with something snotty and sarcastic. You gave me that gift and I would like to be able to use it effectively to the end. So if you would, give it some thought. Be creative. I know I will be. The future is full of possibilities.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Christian Civil Disobedience - The Right Way - The Wrong Way
I think the time has come for us all who call ourselves Christian to begin standing up for our faith in ways that violate current law and government regulation. We need to advise the courts, congress, local legislative bodies and even county and city officials that we will disobey when ordered to curb our public profession and practice of our faith. We too have freedom to speak and to practice our religion. If you do not want to look at it or be a part of it, that is fine, but do not stand in my way. I do not make trouble at gay pride parades that occur on public property or women's rights seminars held in public schools and universities. Please do not make official trouble for me when I am in the public venue practicing and sharing what I believe.
As with everything, there is a right way and a wrong way to do this. And aren't you lucky? I happen to have an example of each.
The wrong way as illustrated by Rowan County Clerk, Kim Davis, and reported by US News and World Report .
"The Kentucky county clerk facing potentially stiff penalties for
refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses has been married four
times, raising questions of hypocrisy and selective application of the
Bible to her life.
The marriages are documented in court records obtained by U.S. News, which show that Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis divorced three times, first in 1994, then 2006 and again in 2008.
She gave birth to twins five months after divorcing her first husband. They were fathered by her third husband but adopted by her second. Davis worked at the clerk's office at the time of each divorce and has since remarried.
Davis has described her desire to strictly adhere to the Bible in stark terms and thus far has shown no sign of bending to court orders on same-sex marriage. She said Tuesday she fears going to hell for violating "a central teaching" of the Bible if she complies with the orders."
Kim, if you believe that marriage is for one man and one woman for life, then why did you make it four men and one woman (and a mix of children of questionable heritage)? How can you hold anyone's feet to the fire on any moral issue? You are a hypocrite of the worst order. Do you not know that God hates divorce! What would you have done if a county official had refused to grant you a divorce on religious grounds? I wish they had! You are the kind of Christian that creates hate toward God's church because your own behavior is so contradictory. If you want to lodge a protest about the gay mariage issue, simply resign. You are not a martyr. You are an idiot.
VILLA RICA, Ga. -- A Georgia school district is investigating after video of a mass baptism was posted on YouTube.
The video, posted by First Baptist Villa Rica, was shot on school grounds just before football practice. "We had the privilege of baptizing a bunch of football players and a coach on the field of Villa Rica High School! We did this right before practice! Take a look and see how God is STILL in our schools!" the caption with the video reads." By Tuesday evening, the video had been removed from YouTube."
This one is going to cause much pain for the social justice warriors in far away places like New York and Washington DC and Los Angeles. But the rejoicing in Villa Rica, Georgia will be heard in all those place. This is what needs to happen everywhere in every place. Get 'em baptized and into the kingdom. Do it in public at high schools, college campuses, city squares and anywhere the Lord can take them in. And when they come after you stand firm! Do not obey them. There is no option but to speak the Name that we were given and share the joy of salvation. Anyone that objects can simply go home. You do not have to listen to it. The public square is ours too and you will share it or face our willful disobedience. Do you want to be seen arresting Christians for peacefully practicing their religion? Then bring it on. I need another star in my crown.
As with everything, there is a right way and a wrong way to do this. And aren't you lucky? I happen to have an example of each.
The wrong way as illustrated by Rowan County Clerk, Kim Davis, and reported by US News and World Report .
Kim is the one in blue.
The marriages are documented in court records obtained by U.S. News, which show that Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis divorced three times, first in 1994, then 2006 and again in 2008.
She gave birth to twins five months after divorcing her first husband. They were fathered by her third husband but adopted by her second. Davis worked at the clerk's office at the time of each divorce and has since remarried.
Davis has described her desire to strictly adhere to the Bible in stark terms and thus far has shown no sign of bending to court orders on same-sex marriage. She said Tuesday she fears going to hell for violating "a central teaching" of the Bible if she complies with the orders."
Kim, if you believe that marriage is for one man and one woman for life, then why did you make it four men and one woman (and a mix of children of questionable heritage)? How can you hold anyone's feet to the fire on any moral issue? You are a hypocrite of the worst order. Do you not know that God hates divorce! What would you have done if a county official had refused to grant you a divorce on religious grounds? I wish they had! You are the kind of Christian that creates hate toward God's church because your own behavior is so contradictory. If you want to lodge a protest about the gay mariage issue, simply resign. You are not a martyr. You are an idiot.
And now the right way as reported by Matthew Pearl and Julie Wolfe on WXIA, channel 11 in Atlanta.
VILLA RICA, Ga. -- A Georgia school district is investigating after video of a mass baptism was posted on YouTube.
The video, posted by First Baptist Villa Rica, was shot on school grounds just before football practice. "We had the privilege of baptizing a bunch of football players and a coach on the field of Villa Rica High School! We did this right before practice! Take a look and see how God is STILL in our schools!" the caption with the video reads." By Tuesday evening, the video had been removed from YouTube."
This one is going to cause much pain for the social justice warriors in far away places like New York and Washington DC and Los Angeles. But the rejoicing in Villa Rica, Georgia will be heard in all those place. This is what needs to happen everywhere in every place. Get 'em baptized and into the kingdom. Do it in public at high schools, college campuses, city squares and anywhere the Lord can take them in. And when they come after you stand firm! Do not obey them. There is no option but to speak the Name that we were given and share the joy of salvation. Anyone that objects can simply go home. You do not have to listen to it. The public square is ours too and you will share it or face our willful disobedience. Do you want to be seen arresting Christians for peacefully practicing their religion? Then bring it on. I need another star in my crown.
They know how to do it in Villa Rica.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Nearly Hacked Again
Google is telling me that someone in Colorado Springs tried to hack my account today using my passwords. I hate changing my passwords, but I had to. It's strange because when I tracked the IP it was just northwest of Wichita, KS, so who knows what the real deal is.
Is this going on all over the world or is someone messing with me. This is like the third time. Maybe it's Google that's messing with me. Who knows?
Whoever or whatever it is, please know that I have nothing you could possibly want besides some strange opinions about things that you may or may not agree with or even care about.
I think I am just going to have to get one of those industrial strength passwords that contain symbols, punctuation marks and more upper case letters.
My employer makes me change my passwords every 30 days. Maybe I should start doing that.
I'm getting too old for this crap.
Is this going on all over the world or is someone messing with me. This is like the third time. Maybe it's Google that's messing with me. Who knows?
Whoever or whatever it is, please know that I have nothing you could possibly want besides some strange opinions about things that you may or may not agree with or even care about.
I think I am just going to have to get one of those industrial strength passwords that contain symbols, punctuation marks and more upper case letters.
My employer makes me change my passwords every 30 days. Maybe I should start doing that.
I'm getting too old for this crap.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Lip Reading The Lives Around You
Here's a challenge, or maybe not. Have you ever turned the sound completely down on your television and then tried to figure out what is going on with the characters in whatever show you are watching? It's an interesting experiment (and it will not work if you use the closed caption feature).
Sometimes you can read their lips. Sometimes their actions betray the plot. Sometimes facial expressions can give it all away. There are only so many plot scenarios and I think they deliberately dumb them down for television. The networks have vast audiences and they need to cover the largest demographic to keep their advertisers and so they keep it simple. My point is that it's pretty easy to figure out what going on in a TV show without the sound.
In life though, if you are not directly involved in it's drama, it's not always so easy to figure out what's going on with people. As an outsider and observer of humanity, I try to do this all the time. Sometimes I am successful and sometimes I am not. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I can still slice the tomato when necessary.
There is someone in my Sunday school class that seems to have an issue right now. I would like to approach her about it, but she is my elder by several years and frankly, it may just be none of my business. The expression on her face reveals much. I can see it. I want to comfort, but I do not want to make her uncomfortable. She is one of the Lord's saints and has been in the family of God for decades. Still, I sense a disturbance in the force if you know what I mean. Her husband is all smiles and loving life so I wonder if he might be the source of her pain. It might also be another family member or it could be her. Whatever it is, I am sensing that I need to ask her if everything is OK. It's probably a stupid question to ask someone that's hurting, still, I feel compelled to ask. Getting involved can be good or bad, but you do not know until you inquire right?
If I pay attention to the events and people outside my own consciousness, the apparent confusion and pain of life comes pouring in. It is overwhelming sometimes. I think this is why I try so hard to disengage. If you know me, you know I have my own issues and I cannot not solve mine and attend to someone else's too. But is this not what I am called to do? Love my neighbor?
What would happen if we all opened up and laid out who we really are to each other?
That is scary. Why is that scary? There are probably things that we really do not need to know about each other. It would change relationships; how we view each other. People might back away from those they were formerly close to. This is odd, but human, behavior. After all they are the same person they were before they told you whatever it was. You just have more information about them.
I have tried sharing myself with specific individuals in an effort to get to know them better and it has not always worked out. People talk. People blab. And the next thing you know, people you barely know are backing away from you like leprosy has been detected. I would go so far as to say that I regret coming in from the outside and sharing who I am with others, because the result has not always been good.
I would rather be alone than be accepted on someone else's terms. It's OK to be lonely as long as you are free, so I will stay on the outside looking in.
This is me. Others are not like this. Most others are not like this. They have always been fully engaged in life and with the people in their environments. So I think I probably need to talk to this person and see how "things" are going. Someone needs to. It's odd that I notice these things and no one else does. I will talk to her soon.
Sometimes you can read their lips. Sometimes their actions betray the plot. Sometimes facial expressions can give it all away. There are only so many plot scenarios and I think they deliberately dumb them down for television. The networks have vast audiences and they need to cover the largest demographic to keep their advertisers and so they keep it simple. My point is that it's pretty easy to figure out what going on in a TV show without the sound.
In life though, if you are not directly involved in it's drama, it's not always so easy to figure out what's going on with people. As an outsider and observer of humanity, I try to do this all the time. Sometimes I am successful and sometimes I am not. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I can still slice the tomato when necessary.
There is someone in my Sunday school class that seems to have an issue right now. I would like to approach her about it, but she is my elder by several years and frankly, it may just be none of my business. The expression on her face reveals much. I can see it. I want to comfort, but I do not want to make her uncomfortable. She is one of the Lord's saints and has been in the family of God for decades. Still, I sense a disturbance in the force if you know what I mean. Her husband is all smiles and loving life so I wonder if he might be the source of her pain. It might also be another family member or it could be her. Whatever it is, I am sensing that I need to ask her if everything is OK. It's probably a stupid question to ask someone that's hurting, still, I feel compelled to ask. Getting involved can be good or bad, but you do not know until you inquire right?
If I pay attention to the events and people outside my own consciousness, the apparent confusion and pain of life comes pouring in. It is overwhelming sometimes. I think this is why I try so hard to disengage. If you know me, you know I have my own issues and I cannot not solve mine and attend to someone else's too. But is this not what I am called to do? Love my neighbor?
What would happen if we all opened up and laid out who we really are to each other?
That is scary. Why is that scary? There are probably things that we really do not need to know about each other. It would change relationships; how we view each other. People might back away from those they were formerly close to. This is odd, but human, behavior. After all they are the same person they were before they told you whatever it was. You just have more information about them.
I have tried sharing myself with specific individuals in an effort to get to know them better and it has not always worked out. People talk. People blab. And the next thing you know, people you barely know are backing away from you like leprosy has been detected. I would go so far as to say that I regret coming in from the outside and sharing who I am with others, because the result has not always been good.
I would rather be alone than be accepted on someone else's terms. It's OK to be lonely as long as you are free, so I will stay on the outside looking in.
This is me. Others are not like this. Most others are not like this. They have always been fully engaged in life and with the people in their environments. So I think I probably need to talk to this person and see how "things" are going. Someone needs to. It's odd that I notice these things and no one else does. I will talk to her soon.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Sunday
Well, it's about over so I guess I can talk about it now. Sunday was as it always is; tiring at first and then restful. Got up at 4 AM. Had some coffee, shaved brushed my teeth, showered and dressed and then started the process all over again with Dad. That's an experience. I got out his clean underwear, a fresh pair of compression socks and his Sunday sweat suit (blue sweatshirt, gray pants) and white sneakers.
I peeled off his current compression socks and got him out of his Saturday sweat suit that he slept in and herded him to the shower. The shower is a challenge for him because no setting on the shower head or shower knob is good enough. It's either too hot, too cold or too much water pressure or too little. Such are the concerns of the elderly in the 21st century. Once he was scrubbed and dried and in his clean underwear, he combed his hair, shaved and brushed his teeth. Then he moves to his chair.
We were now ready for reapplication of the compression socks. This is always a chore. His lower legs and feet get greased with this lotion for dry skin. We also applied Blue Emu to his sore knee. Next I trim any toenails that are out of control. He has typical old man toenails. It's like trimming a horse hoof, but I digress. Next the socks go on. I get them on his feet and get the tops in reach of his hands so he can pull them up. They are tight. They are supposed to be tight. They are supposed to squeeze the water out of his lower extremities to make it easier for his heart to pump it out of them. He has a-fibrillation in his heart and so he needs the assist of the compression socks. This actually works fairly well.
Once the socks are on, I get his clean sweat pants started - both legs in the right openings with the string in front. He then stands up from his chair and pulls them to his waist. While he is still standing, we put on his blue sweatshirt. Then he sits down again for application of the white sneakers. He is pretty good at putting these on himself and only occasionally needs my help. As long as he does not get the orthotic inserts in the wrong shoes we are usually good to go. Only the shoe horn is needed. After this, he goes to comb his hair again and I get his coffee ready.
I then go back to the shower to police the devastation. I pick up all the towels and his dirty underwear and put every thing in the washer. The underwear get a special application of Spray and Wash. He's been wearing them for three days. I return from the laundry room to see him in his chair enjoying his coffee and a thyroid tablet. I then sit down at the dining room table to review the lesson and jokes I will share in Sunday school at 0800.
By now it's 0545 and Dad is debating out loud if it's too early to go to church. I explain there is no one there yet and he goes on about how he helps the lady that opens the church. I managed to get him to leave at 0630 today. Normally he goes at 0600 and waits for her.
After I review the lesson and get the jokes together, I iron a shirt, get my lesson bag and leave. I go to the Caribou drive thru in Pleasant Hill and get a large Cappucino with an extra shot of espresso (total of 5 shots). I then drive over to church and sit in the parking lot, finish my cries of help to the Lord and listen to Rich Mullins remind me why I am doing all this...it's love dontcha know!
About 0730 I am ready to go in. Iris and Ruth greet me. Dad is sitting in the foyer snoozing and waiting for his friends Pete and Norm to arrive. I go to my classroom and read all the pertinent scripture again for the lesson. It is quiet for awhile. I love it. People start arriving around 0750. Steve brings some coffee in a large carafe and serves as people come in. I start the jokes while we wait for the stragglers and then I start the lesson. If key members are present, normally the discussion is good, but if they are missing, class can be short. Regardless, the fellowship is usually good and that is the more important part I think.
At about 0855, I wrap it up and we all go downstairs for church. By this time I am ready for a nap, but the other worshipers are just getting wound up.
Sometimes I am into the song service and sometimes I am not. The choice or worship tunes effects my attitude. That's probably not an optimal approach to worship, but it is what it is. Dad has trouble comprehending what is going on, but he is trying. I wonder what a song service is like when you have Alzheimer's. I wonder what it's like to try to follow a lesson or sermon when both your understanding and hearing is impaired. I wonder what it's like when everyday is a struggle to manage simple tasks and you have all the input of the modern world to process in your debilitated brain. I cannot imagine it.
It's at this point that I realize why I do this. Suddenly I am worshipful, grateful and humbled because I know that Jesus has done much more for me. This is the emotional part of my faith that is normally stiff, intellectual and logical. But now I feel. It's usually an incredible mix of love, compassion and fear and awe. The right song can just crack me like a nut and the tears will roll. I think that Jesus just absorbs it all. I am vulnerable. If you wanted to hug me, this would be the time...just kidding...really you probably shouldn't. :^)
I regain my composure for the sermon - the last half of Romans 8. Dave did a good job with it. It's all up hill from here man. It just gets better and better.
It was a productive morning. Two transfers and a baptism. If you've never seen Steve baptize someone, it's a treat. He tries to drown them. I saw it. He held the poor guy under water. I guess he wanted him to know he was dying to sin. That's one way to get the message across. It was fun.
Dad went home after church. Instead of taking in another Sunday school class (I have been skipping) I go do my favorite thing right now. I find a grocery store parking lot and I sit and think. I crave down time and alone time. I have to take it while I can get it. After about an hour, I go home and fix lunch, eat, fill the dish washer, read and then take a nap.
After my nap I did something impulsive. It was about 6:30 pm and I got dressed and went fishing for a couple of hours. I caught three bass. The biggest one I hooked got away with my lure - the line broke. He was jumping and shaking his head trying to get it out of his mouth. I don't know if he ever did. I will have to go back and try to catch him again. Since he got away, I will say he weighed 4 lb. There is nothing wrong with exaggeration for illustration purposes.
On my return home Dad wanted to know where I went. I had left somewhat abruptly. I told him I went fishing and then I fixed myself an ice cream. About ten minutes later Dad asked me how work went today and if we were very busy. I said it was Sunday night, that we had both gone to church, had lunch and a nap.
It was all news to him.
Time to go to bed now. A new week awaits. A new set of challenges or the same ones in a different wrapper.
I peeled off his current compression socks and got him out of his Saturday sweat suit that he slept in and herded him to the shower. The shower is a challenge for him because no setting on the shower head or shower knob is good enough. It's either too hot, too cold or too much water pressure or too little. Such are the concerns of the elderly in the 21st century. Once he was scrubbed and dried and in his clean underwear, he combed his hair, shaved and brushed his teeth. Then he moves to his chair.
We were now ready for reapplication of the compression socks. This is always a chore. His lower legs and feet get greased with this lotion for dry skin. We also applied Blue Emu to his sore knee. Next I trim any toenails that are out of control. He has typical old man toenails. It's like trimming a horse hoof, but I digress. Next the socks go on. I get them on his feet and get the tops in reach of his hands so he can pull them up. They are tight. They are supposed to be tight. They are supposed to squeeze the water out of his lower extremities to make it easier for his heart to pump it out of them. He has a-fibrillation in his heart and so he needs the assist of the compression socks. This actually works fairly well.
Once the socks are on, I get his clean sweat pants started - both legs in the right openings with the string in front. He then stands up from his chair and pulls them to his waist. While he is still standing, we put on his blue sweatshirt. Then he sits down again for application of the white sneakers. He is pretty good at putting these on himself and only occasionally needs my help. As long as he does not get the orthotic inserts in the wrong shoes we are usually good to go. Only the shoe horn is needed. After this, he goes to comb his hair again and I get his coffee ready.
I then go back to the shower to police the devastation. I pick up all the towels and his dirty underwear and put every thing in the washer. The underwear get a special application of Spray and Wash. He's been wearing them for three days. I return from the laundry room to see him in his chair enjoying his coffee and a thyroid tablet. I then sit down at the dining room table to review the lesson and jokes I will share in Sunday school at 0800.
By now it's 0545 and Dad is debating out loud if it's too early to go to church. I explain there is no one there yet and he goes on about how he helps the lady that opens the church. I managed to get him to leave at 0630 today. Normally he goes at 0600 and waits for her.
After I review the lesson and get the jokes together, I iron a shirt, get my lesson bag and leave. I go to the Caribou drive thru in Pleasant Hill and get a large Cappucino with an extra shot of espresso (total of 5 shots). I then drive over to church and sit in the parking lot, finish my cries of help to the Lord and listen to Rich Mullins remind me why I am doing all this...it's love dontcha know!
About 0730 I am ready to go in. Iris and Ruth greet me. Dad is sitting in the foyer snoozing and waiting for his friends Pete and Norm to arrive. I go to my classroom and read all the pertinent scripture again for the lesson. It is quiet for awhile. I love it. People start arriving around 0750. Steve brings some coffee in a large carafe and serves as people come in. I start the jokes while we wait for the stragglers and then I start the lesson. If key members are present, normally the discussion is good, but if they are missing, class can be short. Regardless, the fellowship is usually good and that is the more important part I think.
At about 0855, I wrap it up and we all go downstairs for church. By this time I am ready for a nap, but the other worshipers are just getting wound up.
Sometimes I am into the song service and sometimes I am not. The choice or worship tunes effects my attitude. That's probably not an optimal approach to worship, but it is what it is. Dad has trouble comprehending what is going on, but he is trying. I wonder what a song service is like when you have Alzheimer's. I wonder what it's like to try to follow a lesson or sermon when both your understanding and hearing is impaired. I wonder what it's like when everyday is a struggle to manage simple tasks and you have all the input of the modern world to process in your debilitated brain. I cannot imagine it.
It's at this point that I realize why I do this. Suddenly I am worshipful, grateful and humbled because I know that Jesus has done much more for me. This is the emotional part of my faith that is normally stiff, intellectual and logical. But now I feel. It's usually an incredible mix of love, compassion and fear and awe. The right song can just crack me like a nut and the tears will roll. I think that Jesus just absorbs it all. I am vulnerable. If you wanted to hug me, this would be the time...just kidding...really you probably shouldn't. :^)
I regain my composure for the sermon - the last half of Romans 8. Dave did a good job with it. It's all up hill from here man. It just gets better and better.
It was a productive morning. Two transfers and a baptism. If you've never seen Steve baptize someone, it's a treat. He tries to drown them. I saw it. He held the poor guy under water. I guess he wanted him to know he was dying to sin. That's one way to get the message across. It was fun.
Dad went home after church. Instead of taking in another Sunday school class (I have been skipping) I go do my favorite thing right now. I find a grocery store parking lot and I sit and think. I crave down time and alone time. I have to take it while I can get it. After about an hour, I go home and fix lunch, eat, fill the dish washer, read and then take a nap.
After my nap I did something impulsive. It was about 6:30 pm and I got dressed and went fishing for a couple of hours. I caught three bass. The biggest one I hooked got away with my lure - the line broke. He was jumping and shaking his head trying to get it out of his mouth. I don't know if he ever did. I will have to go back and try to catch him again. Since he got away, I will say he weighed 4 lb. There is nothing wrong with exaggeration for illustration purposes.
On my return home Dad wanted to know where I went. I had left somewhat abruptly. I told him I went fishing and then I fixed myself an ice cream. About ten minutes later Dad asked me how work went today and if we were very busy. I said it was Sunday night, that we had both gone to church, had lunch and a nap.
It was all news to him.
Time to go to bed now. A new week awaits. A new set of challenges or the same ones in a different wrapper.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Corruption In The US Political Process? Say It Ain't So Ma!
In the category of "Everything Is Fixed And You Can't Change It", Hillary Clinton is claiming victory in the Democrat nominating process for president before a single caucus or primary vote has been cast or counted. Bloomberg is reporting,
"As Hillary Clinton's campaign seeks to project dominance in a field that could soon include Vice President Joe Biden, her top advisers are touting a decisive edge on a little-discussed metric: superdelegate commitments.
At the Democratic National Committee meeting in Minneapolis, where Clinton spoke on Friday, senior Clinton campaign officials are claiming that she has already secured one-fifth of the pledges needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination. They come from current and former elected officials, committee officeholders, and other party dignitaries.
The campaign says that Clinton currently has about 130 superdelegates publicly backing her, but a person familiar with recent conversations in Minneapolis said that officials are telling supporters and the undecided in the last few days that private commitments increase that number to more than 440—about 20 percent of the number of delegates she would need to secure the nomination."
So Joe Biden, Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders might as well stay home. The inevitability of Hillary is a fact and there is nothing that can be done to stop her.
What a load of codswallop. This is Clintonesque chicanery at its finest. I hope everyone involved realizes this.
How, in a representative republic, can anything like this happen? Surely these delegates can change their minds? I suppose if they did, they might find themselves Arkancided and replaced. This is a dangerous bunch.
So what if Iowa, Vermont and South Carolina all go for Bernie or one of the other boys? Does that not obligate delegate votes? If it does not, then why vote? The question has to be asked. Are we all disenfranchised?
This is the number one reason this woman has to be stopped. She has no regard for voters. Her only interest is in convention delegates and ultimately power. She is, after all, the Whore of Babylon.
In light of Ms Clinton's little announcement of disregard for the voters, I think these pledged super delegates need to reconsider their pledges.
It may not matter. Hillary may be under indictment by the time the actual election rolls around anyway.
Ya know, if the election were held today, she would lose to Trump anyway. This is what we have come to.
I've often wondered what would happen if everybody stayed home on election day. What would they do? Would they make voting compulsory? I bet they would. What they need to do is allow us to vote for 'none of the above' and also require the winner to have at least 65% of the vote. I'm a dreamer I know. The whole thing is a racket anyway. The nation needs an enema. We need to purge. We need to let the political waste go swirling down the lew. It's time. Are you with me people?
Ground Hog in 2016 anyone? I am accepting Super delegate pledges right now. Let's make it happen. Let's put all those other rodents in their place. After the election I will send them all to Guantanamo as a terrorist threat.
"As Hillary Clinton's campaign seeks to project dominance in a field that could soon include Vice President Joe Biden, her top advisers are touting a decisive edge on a little-discussed metric: superdelegate commitments.
At the Democratic National Committee meeting in Minneapolis, where Clinton spoke on Friday, senior Clinton campaign officials are claiming that she has already secured one-fifth of the pledges needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination. They come from current and former elected officials, committee officeholders, and other party dignitaries.
The campaign says that Clinton currently has about 130 superdelegates publicly backing her, but a person familiar with recent conversations in Minneapolis said that officials are telling supporters and the undecided in the last few days that private commitments increase that number to more than 440—about 20 percent of the number of delegates she would need to secure the nomination."
So Joe Biden, Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders might as well stay home. The inevitability of Hillary is a fact and there is nothing that can be done to stop her.
What a load of codswallop. This is Clintonesque chicanery at its finest. I hope everyone involved realizes this.
How, in a representative republic, can anything like this happen? Surely these delegates can change their minds? I suppose if they did, they might find themselves Arkancided and replaced. This is a dangerous bunch.
So what if Iowa, Vermont and South Carolina all go for Bernie or one of the other boys? Does that not obligate delegate votes? If it does not, then why vote? The question has to be asked. Are we all disenfranchised?
This is the number one reason this woman has to be stopped. She has no regard for voters. Her only interest is in convention delegates and ultimately power. She is, after all, the Whore of Babylon.
In light of Ms Clinton's little announcement of disregard for the voters, I think these pledged super delegates need to reconsider their pledges.
It may not matter. Hillary may be under indictment by the time the actual election rolls around anyway.
Ya know, if the election were held today, she would lose to Trump anyway. This is what we have come to.
I've often wondered what would happen if everybody stayed home on election day. What would they do? Would they make voting compulsory? I bet they would. What they need to do is allow us to vote for 'none of the above' and also require the winner to have at least 65% of the vote. I'm a dreamer I know. The whole thing is a racket anyway. The nation needs an enema. We need to purge. We need to let the political waste go swirling down the lew. It's time. Are you with me people?
Ground Hog in 2016 anyone? I am accepting Super delegate pledges right now. Let's make it happen. Let's put all those other rodents in their place. After the election I will send them all to Guantanamo as a terrorist threat.
Immigration
Invasion. I think there is no other name for it. It's happening in Europe. It's happening in North America and it is purposeful, intentional and by our own hand. It is our own government that has caused this and it is by their support that it continues and will continue into the future. It is a political and financial weapon being wielded by the one percent that control 99 per cent of the wealth. It is a war crime of unprecedented magnitude against the Caucasian race in North America and Europe.
For Europe, it is US foreign policy in the middle east and North Africa that has been the cause of the problem. Particular to the problem are the private wars of Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Barack Obama in Libya and Syria. This has driven tens of thousands of people from their homelands in search of safety, work and survival to Europe in search of a social safety net that can help them in their time of need. It is difficult to blame the immigrants for this. It can only be put at the feet of foreign politicians and their ceaseless meddling in the affairs of other formerly sovereign nations.
In North American, the situation is somewhat different, but it is still the result of political chicanery in Washington. Millions of immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America are currently pouring across our borders to the south. Most are undocumented, meaning that the government does not know they are officially here, yet they take jobs, use our public schools and public services as if they are citizens of the United States. Again it's hard to blame the immigrants for wanting to improve their lives, but why do they come here to do it? The answer to that seems to be, because they can.
The US government does not enforce current immigration laws. They do not repatriate those that are here illegally. Where there is no fear of the law and its penalties, there is no obedience. Our immigration laws are currently toothless. There is a reason for this. American businesses want a cheap source of labor. White people are too expensive to put it bluntly. If the cost of labor can be driven down by immigrants, then so be it. American business also drives the Washington politicians to pay lip service to the problem, while at the same time doing nothing about it. There is no motivation in Washington to fix this.
The Democrats in Washington see votes. It is believed these immigrants will become voting Democrats (even though it is not legal for non citizens to vote). The Republicans see labor costs going down and they also see future Republican voters as the immigrants begin to prosper and become wealthy. It's just a win win for everybody except white middle class people that pay the taxes but now apparently have no representation.
A similar event is happening in Europe with the middle eastern immigrants. There is currently a shift in power taking place there though that may force repatriation of these invading foreigners. The right and far right nationalist parties are gaining in numbers. It is a trend that I hope will eventually translate to North America. We will see.
There is currently only one presidential candidate that is willing to talk frankly on this issue and that is Donald Trump. He may well be all bluster and blunder on the problem, but he is talking about it. One has to wonder how many undocumented workers he has making beds and sweeping floors in those hotels he owns. I'm sure it will all come out in the end.
My point here is that if western immigration is allowed to continue at its present pace, western culture, history and the European races will gradually disappear from the planet. The world we built will be given to others. Caucasian birth rates have plummeted all over the planet.
We will at first become a minority in our own lands. We will then be forced to accept the same terms of labor as the immigrants and we will then be persecuted for standing up for our own humanity when we object. Genocide will not be far behind.
The odd thing is that the people at the top will still be white, mostly European and mostly Jewish. I would venture to say that this is what is desired. These are the one percent. They are at the top of the pyramid. We are the worker bees.
The step after this is general population reduction across the board. The goal is 2 billion people or less on the planet. In the coming, fully automated world (of singularity where man and machine merge), they will probably not need this many slaves, but it remains to be seen.
I would like to say that this should and could be stopped, but at 58 years of age, I find I do not care. I am not leaving any progeny so, I do not care. But you....what about the futures of your children and grandchildren? Do they have one? What will it be like? You might still be able to do something. What? Not sure, but it's something to think about.
I have often wondered why terrorists target civilians. It would seem to me that the source of their pain is not the people, who ever they may be. It is the one percent in the banks, the corporations and governments of the world. This leads me to believe that maybe the terrorists of the day are not what they seem to be. Yes, I am suggesting that they are in fact creations of governments designed to strike fear in the hearts of the people that pay the bills.
So maybe our long term answer is to direct our vitriol at the one percent. Bring them down. Think about it. Make a plan. They are your problem.
For Europe, it is US foreign policy in the middle east and North Africa that has been the cause of the problem. Particular to the problem are the private wars of Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Barack Obama in Libya and Syria. This has driven tens of thousands of people from their homelands in search of safety, work and survival to Europe in search of a social safety net that can help them in their time of need. It is difficult to blame the immigrants for this. It can only be put at the feet of foreign politicians and their ceaseless meddling in the affairs of other formerly sovereign nations.
In North American, the situation is somewhat different, but it is still the result of political chicanery in Washington. Millions of immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America are currently pouring across our borders to the south. Most are undocumented, meaning that the government does not know they are officially here, yet they take jobs, use our public schools and public services as if they are citizens of the United States. Again it's hard to blame the immigrants for wanting to improve their lives, but why do they come here to do it? The answer to that seems to be, because they can.
The US government does not enforce current immigration laws. They do not repatriate those that are here illegally. Where there is no fear of the law and its penalties, there is no obedience. Our immigration laws are currently toothless. There is a reason for this. American businesses want a cheap source of labor. White people are too expensive to put it bluntly. If the cost of labor can be driven down by immigrants, then so be it. American business also drives the Washington politicians to pay lip service to the problem, while at the same time doing nothing about it. There is no motivation in Washington to fix this.
The Democrats in Washington see votes. It is believed these immigrants will become voting Democrats (even though it is not legal for non citizens to vote). The Republicans see labor costs going down and they also see future Republican voters as the immigrants begin to prosper and become wealthy. It's just a win win for everybody except white middle class people that pay the taxes but now apparently have no representation.
A similar event is happening in Europe with the middle eastern immigrants. There is currently a shift in power taking place there though that may force repatriation of these invading foreigners. The right and far right nationalist parties are gaining in numbers. It is a trend that I hope will eventually translate to North America. We will see.
There is currently only one presidential candidate that is willing to talk frankly on this issue and that is Donald Trump. He may well be all bluster and blunder on the problem, but he is talking about it. One has to wonder how many undocumented workers he has making beds and sweeping floors in those hotels he owns. I'm sure it will all come out in the end.
My point here is that if western immigration is allowed to continue at its present pace, western culture, history and the European races will gradually disappear from the planet. The world we built will be given to others. Caucasian birth rates have plummeted all over the planet.
We will at first become a minority in our own lands. We will then be forced to accept the same terms of labor as the immigrants and we will then be persecuted for standing up for our own humanity when we object. Genocide will not be far behind.
The odd thing is that the people at the top will still be white, mostly European and mostly Jewish. I would venture to say that this is what is desired. These are the one percent. They are at the top of the pyramid. We are the worker bees.
The step after this is general population reduction across the board. The goal is 2 billion people or less on the planet. In the coming, fully automated world (of singularity where man and machine merge), they will probably not need this many slaves, but it remains to be seen.
I would like to say that this should and could be stopped, but at 58 years of age, I find I do not care. I am not leaving any progeny so, I do not care. But you....what about the futures of your children and grandchildren? Do they have one? What will it be like? You might still be able to do something. What? Not sure, but it's something to think about.
I have often wondered why terrorists target civilians. It would seem to me that the source of their pain is not the people, who ever they may be. It is the one percent in the banks, the corporations and governments of the world. This leads me to believe that maybe the terrorists of the day are not what they seem to be. Yes, I am suggesting that they are in fact creations of governments designed to strike fear in the hearts of the people that pay the bills.
So maybe our long term answer is to direct our vitriol at the one percent. Bring them down. Think about it. Make a plan. They are your problem.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Liang Xiuzhen is Having Her Horn Removed
Liang Xiuzhen, the 87-year-old is a resident of Guiyan village in Ziyang City, in south-west China’s Sichuan Province is finally having her horn removed. Yes, that's right. She has a horn. It started out small, then her daughter knocked that one off and then it grew back with a vengeance. I wonder if other humans have experienced this horn phenomenon? Doctors think it's the result of a skin tumor gone haywire. Read the whole article at the Mirror.
You know, when Michelangelo depicted Moses in marble, he carved out horns for him. I've always wondered why. Perhaps Moses had the same issue.
From what I am finding, I would say this is not all that uncommon. People with horns seem to be ubiquitous.
So is it possible that the dark lord of the abyss merely has skin tumors and they are not horns at all?
And why is it that he is sometimes depicted as a goat? One has to wonder. It might go back to the Knights Templar I suppose. They worshiped a goat's head image called the Baphomet.
It's all a mystery to me, but I think if I had a horn or horns growing on my head or anywhere else for that matter, I would have them removed. You would think they would get in the way of everything. I'm glad to see Liang is having hers excised. Satan should have his done too. He will never trick anybody in person with those monsters. I guess the devil is in the details though. He probably doesn't really have horns. Who knows what he looks like? It probably all goes back to serpent worship, which is the oldest religion in the world. Some day we will discuss that.
You know, when Michelangelo depicted Moses in marble, he carved out horns for him. I've always wondered why. Perhaps Moses had the same issue.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Bad Brain Chemistry II - The Addiction
Something that I failed to share yesterday was that bad brain chemistry can be addictive. What do I mean by that? As someone who has experienced this, what I found was that my brain, my mind would go into this psychical loop where I dwelt on my personal misery or pain or sense of worthlessness. As time passes, this becomes addictive behavior. I learned that when I was alone, I would fall into this pattern. If I was at work or at church, this would not happen. It's important to keep the brain preoccupied with things other than self. Work, doing things for others or taking part in some recreational activity seems to break the cycle or interrupt the loop. New brain chemicals, hormones and neurotransmitters produced by this then become part of your overall brain chemistry and a kind of new balance is achieved.
This is probably what I need right now. Overall, I would say that my brain chemistry is good - at least much better than it was say 10 years ago. Events in my life have made this a challenge, but over the long haul, things seem to be steady. I have bad days and even months, but I feel much better than I did. I would credit this to my faith, to my friends and my own desire to be "normal" whatever that is :^)). Realistically, that is probably not going to happen, but I might get close.
I am not so much depressed right now as I am just kind of numb and unmotivated. I do not know where this comes from. I do not take any prescribed medications that would cause this, so I can only assume it's - forgive me - bad brain chemistry. I know my friends in the faith would look for other reasons - spiritual causes. I don't think that's the case, but I will listen. If I seem to be smiling quietly to myself, it will mean 'thanks, but no, I disagree'.
So the challenge here is to wake up my mind from it's current lethargic, aimless, unmotivated and even procrastinating state. I am apathetic I guess. I just don't care right now. Actually, the only thing that I seem to really care about is typing my thoughts into this blog. I suppose this could be a new addictive behavior. Whatever it is, I always seem to feel a bit better after doing it - ready to go to work.
I was thinking about a long vacation or even relocation last night while I was posting comments on a friend's blog. In my mind it sounded wonderful. I was considering New Zealand or British Columbia or New Mexico or Colorado. This may be the ultimate answer, but then again, when you feel trapped, going across town can be liberating. Trapped? Yes, I said trapped. I get this way every 10 to 15 years and it is made worse by my current situation. Whether in a room or in life itself, I am always looking for a means of escape to somewhere else in case the present situation becomes untenable. How would you diagnose that?
I might just need a good cry and a hug, but that comes with its own problems. (That made me laugh.) Someone at work suggested that I needed to get laid. I am almost nonfunctional there and I really don't seem to care about that either. In my mind, you really need to be married before you do that anyway and who would put up with me with that kind of commitment on the line. I'm not all that interesting.
So I've rambled on for awhile now and I'm feeling like I want to go to work. Thanks for reading if you did and if you gave up in the middle, who can blame you. My brain chemistry is as good as it's going to get today so I'm off to the airfreight races. Later
This is probably what I need right now. Overall, I would say that my brain chemistry is good - at least much better than it was say 10 years ago. Events in my life have made this a challenge, but over the long haul, things seem to be steady. I have bad days and even months, but I feel much better than I did. I would credit this to my faith, to my friends and my own desire to be "normal" whatever that is :^)). Realistically, that is probably not going to happen, but I might get close.
I am not so much depressed right now as I am just kind of numb and unmotivated. I do not know where this comes from. I do not take any prescribed medications that would cause this, so I can only assume it's - forgive me - bad brain chemistry. I know my friends in the faith would look for other reasons - spiritual causes. I don't think that's the case, but I will listen. If I seem to be smiling quietly to myself, it will mean 'thanks, but no, I disagree'.
So the challenge here is to wake up my mind from it's current lethargic, aimless, unmotivated and even procrastinating state. I am apathetic I guess. I just don't care right now. Actually, the only thing that I seem to really care about is typing my thoughts into this blog. I suppose this could be a new addictive behavior. Whatever it is, I always seem to feel a bit better after doing it - ready to go to work.
I was thinking about a long vacation or even relocation last night while I was posting comments on a friend's blog. In my mind it sounded wonderful. I was considering New Zealand or British Columbia or New Mexico or Colorado. This may be the ultimate answer, but then again, when you feel trapped, going across town can be liberating. Trapped? Yes, I said trapped. I get this way every 10 to 15 years and it is made worse by my current situation. Whether in a room or in life itself, I am always looking for a means of escape to somewhere else in case the present situation becomes untenable. How would you diagnose that?
I might just need a good cry and a hug, but that comes with its own problems. (That made me laugh.) Someone at work suggested that I needed to get laid. I am almost nonfunctional there and I really don't seem to care about that either. In my mind, you really need to be married before you do that anyway and who would put up with me with that kind of commitment on the line. I'm not all that interesting.
So I've rambled on for awhile now and I'm feeling like I want to go to work. Thanks for reading if you did and if you gave up in the middle, who can blame you. My brain chemistry is as good as it's going to get today so I'm off to the airfreight races. Later
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Bad Brain Chemistry
Maybe I should not say "bad brain chemistry". Perhaps it's malfunctioning brain chemistry. What ever it is, it can be in the driver's seat of our lives if we allow it to rule. Notice that I said allow. That would imply some measure of control over the chemistry of our brains.
I should back up here a bit and explain. There are many shades of the human personality. The extremes tend to be those of us that live by our feelings and emotions and those of us that live through knowledge and intellect; as logically as possible. If you know Star Trek, it's the difference between a Klingon and a Vulcan; a human being would fall somewhere in between. I would suggest that humans have that full range of these types of personalities.
So where does that come from? Is it genetic? Is it environmental? Or is it something else that might actually be related to the other two? I think, as many others do, that it comes down to brain chemistry. There is much evidence to support this. It's the reason why there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants, ADHD drugs and tranquilizer type medicines being produced by the pharmaceutical companies. Brain chemistry can be manipulated. Some have called it personality in a bottle. If you are shy, take a pill. If you are too aggressive, the doctor has just the thing. If you are depressed, take these. If you can't concentrate, take these. That is the world we live in. We can fix our moods with the doctor's approval and prescription. I think, in some respects, this has been a good thing. Lives have been saved. Life paths have been changed. In other instances, it has not been so good. I will not elaborate except to say lives have been lost due to pills that were supposed to make you feel better. Treating the human brain for disease or malfunction is still not an exact science. It's like hacking a computer; you may get the result you are seeking, but other things may cease to work or work properly.
As humans, we have our own wills and we can take control of our lives and our environments. However, if our brains are malfunctioning due to improper chemistry, can we really make appropriate decisions with our free will? Is our will actually free if it is encumbered with low serotonin or dopamine levels?
What is serotonin and dopamine you ask? These are neurotransmitters produced in your brain and they regulate mood and emotion and motion. Things like impulsiveness, clarity, physical movement, concentration, happiness and sadness, even depression and suicidal thoughts are effected by the levels of these neurotransmitters in you body. Procrastination is directly linked to these two chemicals. Physically, we are just a bunch of chemical reactions. Taking control of those reactions can be hard and it's even harder when the brain chemistry muddles the thought process. This is evidenced by my rambling here :^)).
So how do you manipulate the levels of these neurotransmitters in your brain to optimize who you are? Well, pharmaceuticals is one way. It is possible to go natural though. In his blog, The Utopian Life, Thai Nguyen elaborates.
He talks about the effects that four neurotransmitters have on our personalities and on our lives and he also offers advice on creating them through natural processes rather than medication. Besides Serotonin and dopamine, he discusses oxytocin and endorphines as mood enhancers.
He calls oxytocin the 'cuddle hormone'. I obviously have none of this. I am repelled by the notion of being in close enough proximity to another human to actually cuddle for any amount of time or even waste time doing it. This is where I lose my will to bad brain chemistry. Cuddling is a very human, natural and normal thing...or so I am told. So what do I do? Thai quotes Dr Paul Zak:
" Dr. Paul Zak explains that inter-personal touch not only raises oxytocin, but reduces cardiovascular stress and improves the immune system. Rather than just a hand-shake, go in for the hug. Dr. Zak recommends eight hugs each day."
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have trouble getting through one hug. It's intimacy on a level that I was not cut out for....or is it just bad brain chemistry? What if it is? The prescription is too much. Maybe I should go for the pills on this one. If I start hugging people, they will think something is wrong with me. It is not who I am. Do I want to change their perception of that? I have this fear of becoming awash in emotion and not being able to think because of it. And that scares me...probably a cure for that too.
Go read the article. I am still mulling it over and I may write more. I still can't get my mind wrapped around 8 hugs a day. Sort of cheapens a hug doesn't it? Takes the meaning out of it. I can't imagine getting used to that.
I should back up here a bit and explain. There are many shades of the human personality. The extremes tend to be those of us that live by our feelings and emotions and those of us that live through knowledge and intellect; as logically as possible. If you know Star Trek, it's the difference between a Klingon and a Vulcan; a human being would fall somewhere in between. I would suggest that humans have that full range of these types of personalities.
So where does that come from? Is it genetic? Is it environmental? Or is it something else that might actually be related to the other two? I think, as many others do, that it comes down to brain chemistry. There is much evidence to support this. It's the reason why there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants, ADHD drugs and tranquilizer type medicines being produced by the pharmaceutical companies. Brain chemistry can be manipulated. Some have called it personality in a bottle. If you are shy, take a pill. If you are too aggressive, the doctor has just the thing. If you are depressed, take these. If you can't concentrate, take these. That is the world we live in. We can fix our moods with the doctor's approval and prescription. I think, in some respects, this has been a good thing. Lives have been saved. Life paths have been changed. In other instances, it has not been so good. I will not elaborate except to say lives have been lost due to pills that were supposed to make you feel better. Treating the human brain for disease or malfunction is still not an exact science. It's like hacking a computer; you may get the result you are seeking, but other things may cease to work or work properly.
As humans, we have our own wills and we can take control of our lives and our environments. However, if our brains are malfunctioning due to improper chemistry, can we really make appropriate decisions with our free will? Is our will actually free if it is encumbered with low serotonin or dopamine levels?
What is serotonin and dopamine you ask? These are neurotransmitters produced in your brain and they regulate mood and emotion and motion. Things like impulsiveness, clarity, physical movement, concentration, happiness and sadness, even depression and suicidal thoughts are effected by the levels of these neurotransmitters in you body. Procrastination is directly linked to these two chemicals. Physically, we are just a bunch of chemical reactions. Taking control of those reactions can be hard and it's even harder when the brain chemistry muddles the thought process. This is evidenced by my rambling here :^)).
So how do you manipulate the levels of these neurotransmitters in your brain to optimize who you are? Well, pharmaceuticals is one way. It is possible to go natural though. In his blog, The Utopian Life, Thai Nguyen elaborates.
He talks about the effects that four neurotransmitters have on our personalities and on our lives and he also offers advice on creating them through natural processes rather than medication. Besides Serotonin and dopamine, he discusses oxytocin and endorphines as mood enhancers.
He calls oxytocin the 'cuddle hormone'. I obviously have none of this. I am repelled by the notion of being in close enough proximity to another human to actually cuddle for any amount of time or even waste time doing it. This is where I lose my will to bad brain chemistry. Cuddling is a very human, natural and normal thing...or so I am told. So what do I do? Thai quotes Dr Paul Zak:
" Dr. Paul Zak explains that inter-personal touch not only raises oxytocin, but reduces cardiovascular stress and improves the immune system. Rather than just a hand-shake, go in for the hug. Dr. Zak recommends eight hugs each day."
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have trouble getting through one hug. It's intimacy on a level that I was not cut out for....or is it just bad brain chemistry? What if it is? The prescription is too much. Maybe I should go for the pills on this one. If I start hugging people, they will think something is wrong with me. It is not who I am. Do I want to change their perception of that? I have this fear of becoming awash in emotion and not being able to think because of it. And that scares me...probably a cure for that too.
Go read the article. I am still mulling it over and I may write more. I still can't get my mind wrapped around 8 hugs a day. Sort of cheapens a hug doesn't it? Takes the meaning out of it. I can't imagine getting used to that.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Floaters
I had a room mate in my freshman year that was fond of buying a half gallon of chocolate milk and then drinking it straight from the plastic bottle. I did not figure out that it was a hang over cure until later in life, but he was always kind enough to offer me a quaff from the jug. I always told him 'thanks, but no thanks'. When he would offer to pour it into a cup, I would also decline his kind offer. I would explain that it was not germs that were my concern as much as floaters. You see, he was always enjoying some kind of food with his half gallon jug of United Dairy Farm's finest and the detritus of whatever it was would invariably backwash to the container and be visibly floating in the jug. One time he was eating nacho Doritos with his chocolate milk. To my mind, this was more than just a mismatch. It should be prohibited by law, but I digress.
Ken, if you are out there and still alive, I hope you have refined your tastes. The best cure for a hangover is steak and eggs and a bloody Mary. I'm sorry I did not know that at the time. Fortunately, I have given up alcohol abuse and even alcohol all together, so this is no longer an issue for me. Nevertheless, if you find yourself in need, try that.
There are a lot of floaters in our chocolate milk this morning. Despite the fact that it is a beautiful September like day in August, the world economic outlook is one of gloom and doom. The US and Chinese stock markets continued their downward slide this morning. 401K's, IRA's and other retirement type funds are taking a considerable hit. This is of particular concern to me as one hoping to retire, but it is what it is.
I think this could be a major correction. It may make 2008 look like a sleigh ride. Bonds are the ticket I think, provided that the Fed decides NOT to raise interest rates. Physical gold will hold it's value over the long haul, but no one will want it if this is indeed the beginning of the big crash that has been predicted. If this is the big one, invest in bottled water and Campbell's soup.
The financial powers that be may just be letting the air out of the stock market bubble in a controlled fashion. That would be fine as long as it stays controlled. This could also be a cry by investors to the world's central banks not to raise interest rates. I do not know what it is, but I am sure that, whatever it is, it will enrich the 1 % to the expense of everyone else. It always seems to work that way.
Sunday school was good yesterday. No floaters there. It was very enjoyable and enlightening. I have some very bright people in my class. Church was just OK. I get to feeling cramped in the auditorium though. For some reason, crowds are freaking me out of late. Probably just more bad brain chemistry. It occurs to me that I may be depressed and not be aware of the fact. I think you build a tolerance to it and you don't notice it until you find yourself crying and can't figure out why. Moods are like roller coasters. You just have to throw your hands in the air and enjoy the free fall because it is going to bottom out soon enough. So be it. It is the way I am.
Work should be interesting this week. Founder's Day is coming up. I'm hoping someone else will take care of the details. I don't really give a rats you know what about Jim Casey. If you don't know what I'm talking about, that's fine. You are not missing anything. Let's just say that I never became fully integrated into my current corporate environment. Seems like I am outside of most everything I am involved in and yes it's possible to do that when you are an introvert. It's an art form.
I myself am a floater in other people's chocolate milk. For some reason, I think that's incredibly funny. No one ever knows what to do with me. I kind of like it.
Dad seemed happy and carefree when I left the house this morning. He had already been out to start the mower. It would not start. He thinks it's the battery. I think he forgot one of the three steps to starting it. I am glad that Alzheimer's is not currently floating in my chocolate milk. I wish it was not floating in his. People at church were talking directly to him yesterday. That always makes me happy. I don't know if it does anything for him, but it's good to know that others still see him as a viable and useful human being. I hope that when that ceases to be the case, the Lord will take him home quickly. I do not want him to have to endure years in a nursing home flat on his back and crazy as a loon. Alzheimer's takes decades sometimes to reach full bloom. There are many other things that can kill you, and quickly, while you wait out the Alzheimer's process. More often than not though, in our age of advanced medical procedures, this does not happen. An unproductive life of indignity proceeds and what was once a vital and useful person becomes something to be tended like the philodendron on the kitchen counter. This is sad and it hurts when it is someone you love; when you know how intelligent and capable this person once was. It makes me question the purpose of things. I think maybe the Inuit peoples of the north have the answer. Yes, I am talking about the final adventure on the ice floe of life; becoming another floater among the debris of the planet, slowly dissolving in the chocolate milk of the sea to become an offering to the cycles of the earth.
Woe. That was some pretty crappy prose. Time to give it up. Here's to dodging the floaters in your life!
Ken, if you are out there and still alive, I hope you have refined your tastes. The best cure for a hangover is steak and eggs and a bloody Mary. I'm sorry I did not know that at the time. Fortunately, I have given up alcohol abuse and even alcohol all together, so this is no longer an issue for me. Nevertheless, if you find yourself in need, try that.
There are a lot of floaters in our chocolate milk this morning. Despite the fact that it is a beautiful September like day in August, the world economic outlook is one of gloom and doom. The US and Chinese stock markets continued their downward slide this morning. 401K's, IRA's and other retirement type funds are taking a considerable hit. This is of particular concern to me as one hoping to retire, but it is what it is.
I think this could be a major correction. It may make 2008 look like a sleigh ride. Bonds are the ticket I think, provided that the Fed decides NOT to raise interest rates. Physical gold will hold it's value over the long haul, but no one will want it if this is indeed the beginning of the big crash that has been predicted. If this is the big one, invest in bottled water and Campbell's soup.
The financial powers that be may just be letting the air out of the stock market bubble in a controlled fashion. That would be fine as long as it stays controlled. This could also be a cry by investors to the world's central banks not to raise interest rates. I do not know what it is, but I am sure that, whatever it is, it will enrich the 1 % to the expense of everyone else. It always seems to work that way.
Sunday school was good yesterday. No floaters there. It was very enjoyable and enlightening. I have some very bright people in my class. Church was just OK. I get to feeling cramped in the auditorium though. For some reason, crowds are freaking me out of late. Probably just more bad brain chemistry. It occurs to me that I may be depressed and not be aware of the fact. I think you build a tolerance to it and you don't notice it until you find yourself crying and can't figure out why. Moods are like roller coasters. You just have to throw your hands in the air and enjoy the free fall because it is going to bottom out soon enough. So be it. It is the way I am.
Work should be interesting this week. Founder's Day is coming up. I'm hoping someone else will take care of the details. I don't really give a rats you know what about Jim Casey. If you don't know what I'm talking about, that's fine. You are not missing anything. Let's just say that I never became fully integrated into my current corporate environment. Seems like I am outside of most everything I am involved in and yes it's possible to do that when you are an introvert. It's an art form.
I myself am a floater in other people's chocolate milk. For some reason, I think that's incredibly funny. No one ever knows what to do with me. I kind of like it.
Dad seemed happy and carefree when I left the house this morning. He had already been out to start the mower. It would not start. He thinks it's the battery. I think he forgot one of the three steps to starting it. I am glad that Alzheimer's is not currently floating in my chocolate milk. I wish it was not floating in his. People at church were talking directly to him yesterday. That always makes me happy. I don't know if it does anything for him, but it's good to know that others still see him as a viable and useful human being. I hope that when that ceases to be the case, the Lord will take him home quickly. I do not want him to have to endure years in a nursing home flat on his back and crazy as a loon. Alzheimer's takes decades sometimes to reach full bloom. There are many other things that can kill you, and quickly, while you wait out the Alzheimer's process. More often than not though, in our age of advanced medical procedures, this does not happen. An unproductive life of indignity proceeds and what was once a vital and useful person becomes something to be tended like the philodendron on the kitchen counter. This is sad and it hurts when it is someone you love; when you know how intelligent and capable this person once was. It makes me question the purpose of things. I think maybe the Inuit peoples of the north have the answer. Yes, I am talking about the final adventure on the ice floe of life; becoming another floater among the debris of the planet, slowly dissolving in the chocolate milk of the sea to become an offering to the cycles of the earth.
Woe. That was some pretty crappy prose. Time to give it up. Here's to dodging the floaters in your life!
Friday, August 21, 2015
"Everything Is Fixed and You Can't Change It"
It's not in scripture, but those were the words of Jesus to Pilate in the musical, "Jesus Christ Superstar". The point that was being made in song was that events were happening in the Roman province of Judea that neither Rome, nor Pilate, nor any man on earth could stop. Jesus would be offered as the perfect sacrifice for Humanity's sins. It was inevitable. It was predestined. It was going to happen. God Himself was in control of that moment in history and no one could stop the sequence of events as they unfolded.
This will dismay many when I say it, but God is not the only spiritual being that has power in our universe. There is another and even God's Church will hand him the keys from time to time. His original name was Lucifer. His heavenly name was unpronounceable, but if you care to try, you will find it in the book of Enoch, an extra-biblical writing that is quoted in the New Testament. He was originally the highest ranking angel in the heavenly court. He was the 'one who covers'. The story is that he hovered above the Lord's throne covering the radiance of the eternal I AM. He also acted as the one who funneled all the information gathered by the other spirits to God. He was the original Metron.
Today, in his fallen state, we know him as the accuser - Satan. He and his demons have worked for two thousand years now to try and undo the work of Jesus on earth.
I am going way out on a limb here but, I think they are about ready to bring everything together. The world stage is ripening. I believe it is about ready for a one world government. It could be triggered by a world financial collapse or an electro magnetic pulse that wipes out the grid and internet or even a faked alien invasion. It will be something that will cause world chaos on a level never before seen. After the initial dust clouds settle from whatever it is, governments will realign, currencies and national militaries will merge and one power will dominate. Order will slowly be restored and a new leader will emerge from the rubble. He will be Jewish. He will claim to be the Messiah and he will try to destroy the one true faith and God's Church on earth from within its very walls.
Go ahead and say I'm nuts if you like and that this is pure fantasy, but the seed for these events is already in place.
You want a time frame? It will happen within the next 100 years.
I have more prognostications about how it will play out, but I will leave you with this. The last remnant of the Church will be here for the entire event. Don't look for a rapture, because there will not be one. After the initial shock of these events when they think they have finally achieved their dream, He will return. And He will be unstoppable. He will lay waste to all things, saving those that belong to Him and chapter one of humanity will be finished. Chapter two will begin and it will last forever because the accuser and his demons will be gone along with all those that followed him. The lake of fire awaits them.
Tick-tock people. Are you ready?
This will dismay many when I say it, but God is not the only spiritual being that has power in our universe. There is another and even God's Church will hand him the keys from time to time. His original name was Lucifer. His heavenly name was unpronounceable, but if you care to try, you will find it in the book of Enoch, an extra-biblical writing that is quoted in the New Testament. He was originally the highest ranking angel in the heavenly court. He was the 'one who covers'. The story is that he hovered above the Lord's throne covering the radiance of the eternal I AM. He also acted as the one who funneled all the information gathered by the other spirits to God. He was the original Metron.
Today, in his fallen state, we know him as the accuser - Satan. He and his demons have worked for two thousand years now to try and undo the work of Jesus on earth.
I am going way out on a limb here but, I think they are about ready to bring everything together. The world stage is ripening. I believe it is about ready for a one world government. It could be triggered by a world financial collapse or an electro magnetic pulse that wipes out the grid and internet or even a faked alien invasion. It will be something that will cause world chaos on a level never before seen. After the initial dust clouds settle from whatever it is, governments will realign, currencies and national militaries will merge and one power will dominate. Order will slowly be restored and a new leader will emerge from the rubble. He will be Jewish. He will claim to be the Messiah and he will try to destroy the one true faith and God's Church on earth from within its very walls.
Go ahead and say I'm nuts if you like and that this is pure fantasy, but the seed for these events is already in place.
You want a time frame? It will happen within the next 100 years.
I have more prognostications about how it will play out, but I will leave you with this. The last remnant of the Church will be here for the entire event. Don't look for a rapture, because there will not be one. After the initial shock of these events when they think they have finally achieved their dream, He will return. And He will be unstoppable. He will lay waste to all things, saving those that belong to Him and chapter one of humanity will be finished. Chapter two will begin and it will last forever because the accuser and his demons will be gone along with all those that followed him. The lake of fire awaits them.
Tick-tock people. Are you ready?
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