Thursday, January 14, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Oil Prices Are Bringing Down Stock Prices
This is just my guess, but I believe the collapsing world stock markets are directly related to dropping oil prices. Saudi Arabia has been pumping oil like crazy. There is a glut on the world market. They are doing this for two reasons. First, they want to break the Russian bank. It costs Russia much more to pump and process a barrel of crude than it does Saudi Arabia and Russia is much more dependent on that oil money. Further to the point, the Saudis can afford to sell at a loss. These things are intended to induce economic collapse in Russia and get them out of Syria. Syria is a Saudi enemy religiously and geopolitically. The Syrians are Shiites and the Saudis are Sunnis. The Saudis also want to run a petrol pipeline through Syria to Turkey and on to Europe. The cost of this petrol will be cheaper in Europe than the current cost of buying from the Russians. The whole thing is really a plot by the Saudi allies, Europe and the US, to bring down the Russians.
The second reason the Saudis are doing this is to shut down American oil production for a time. Like the Russians, it costs us much more to produce a barrel of crude than it does the Saudis. Places like the Bakken and Alaska will probably cease production soon. I believe this will be temporary. Once the Russian collapse takes place BRICS will collapse and the US will be firmly in control again.
Yes, I know...a conspiracy. It's a good one.
So how do oil prices effect stock prices. The US dollar is heavily dependent on the value of the petrodollar. The value of the petrodollar is plummeting right now and it is effecting the value of our currency. People are selling stocks that were overvalued to begin with for liquidity.
Once the current oil glut subsides and prices come back up again, so will the world stock markets. The pretenders to the US empire are being pummeled right now. A financial war is being waged. Let's hope it does not turn into a real and hot war.
My blog. My opinion. If you're an economist, tell me what's wrong with my theory.
The second reason the Saudis are doing this is to shut down American oil production for a time. Like the Russians, it costs us much more to produce a barrel of crude than it does the Saudis. Places like the Bakken and Alaska will probably cease production soon. I believe this will be temporary. Once the Russian collapse takes place BRICS will collapse and the US will be firmly in control again.
Yes, I know...a conspiracy. It's a good one.
So how do oil prices effect stock prices. The US dollar is heavily dependent on the value of the petrodollar. The value of the petrodollar is plummeting right now and it is effecting the value of our currency. People are selling stocks that were overvalued to begin with for liquidity.
Once the current oil glut subsides and prices come back up again, so will the world stock markets. The pretenders to the US empire are being pummeled right now. A financial war is being waged. Let's hope it does not turn into a real and hot war.
My blog. My opinion. If you're an economist, tell me what's wrong with my theory.
The Powerball
I am not a gambler. I have been to a casino once in my life. I did walk out with more than I left behind (USD 120.00 more), but I have not been back. I always considered multi state lottery tickets to be a waste of cash; a voluntary tax. The odds of winning are astronomical unless you're some toothless hillbilly in Dry Ridge, Kentucky with a major appliance on your front porch and at least one car up on blocks in the front yard of your double wide trailer with a still in the back.
However....for the last two Powerball drawings, a member of management (not me) in my office has been running a ticket pool among the employees in an attempt to increase the odds of a win. I was asked to join. I thought long and hard about it and then I chucked in three bucks the first time and six yesterday.
I will not be the last man standing. If I had not paid my lottery tax, they would win and leave me holding the broom and everything else in the building. If that happened, I would die before I had a chance to retire. I refuse to let that happen, so I made a bad investment.
We will not win though. The odds are still against us. It is an impossibility. Some people believe in luck. I do not. Something either happens or it doesn't and it has nothing to do with some mystical ability to win or succeed or or or. I do not understand the forces that drive contests such as these, but I do believe that someone somewhere already knows what state and city and store the winning ticket(s) will be sold. This would mean that they had already derived the correct numbers through some calculus of gambling, the science of which few understand well. I do not think the algorithm favors Norwalk, Iowa where our tickets were purchased. It's a racket plain and simple. It's something only state governments can get away with. There is a lot of misery that comes out of state sponsored gambling, but at least in my office, no child will be left behind. I see it as insurance that will never get used.
I can rationalize anything. I should have been a lawyer.
However....for the last two Powerball drawings, a member of management (not me) in my office has been running a ticket pool among the employees in an attempt to increase the odds of a win. I was asked to join. I thought long and hard about it and then I chucked in three bucks the first time and six yesterday.
I will not be the last man standing. If I had not paid my lottery tax, they would win and leave me holding the broom and everything else in the building. If that happened, I would die before I had a chance to retire. I refuse to let that happen, so I made a bad investment.
We will not win though. The odds are still against us. It is an impossibility. Some people believe in luck. I do not. Something either happens or it doesn't and it has nothing to do with some mystical ability to win or succeed or or or. I do not understand the forces that drive contests such as these, but I do believe that someone somewhere already knows what state and city and store the winning ticket(s) will be sold. This would mean that they had already derived the correct numbers through some calculus of gambling, the science of which few understand well. I do not think the algorithm favors Norwalk, Iowa where our tickets were purchased. It's a racket plain and simple. It's something only state governments can get away with. There is a lot of misery that comes out of state sponsored gambling, but at least in my office, no child will be left behind. I see it as insurance that will never get used.
I can rationalize anything. I should have been a lawyer.
Teaching Messy Grace
I am in the midst of deciding whether and what I want to teach in the next Sunday school quarter. For me, decision making is usually a process of me initially deciding not to do something based on reasons that negate the need for whatever it is. From there, I try to get help - input from others to justify my immediate and visceral desire to back away from a proposal. Sometimes that help is immediately agreeable to my resistance. Other times I get a backwash of "what? are you stupid? how can you not do this". This time however, I am getting mixed input. Tomorrow may be decision day.
I had initially thought I wanted to teach from "Messy Grace" by Caleb Kaltenbach. I enjoyed the book for many self centered reasons and it was my thought to inflict it on others and I have already been trying to do this by giving away the books. It's been tough giving them away. I am met with skepticism and time issues. I understand both of those and I sympathize. There is also the lack of teaching materials other than the book. In the fall, those materials will be available, but if I do this now, it will be up to me to create the lessons. I am fairly good at that process, but it is time consuming. I also had the thought that maybe no one at my church cares about this stuff - the subject matter of the book. Then there are the usual questions about offending people. I am an opinionated man. I am very conservative in some respects. I am not graceless, but I am finding I am not nearly as graceful as I should be in regard to the issues approached in the book.
Maybe this last statement is the single best reason for doing it. Maybe I need the book's challenge and the challenge of others to push me towards a more graceful approach to my faith. In conversations with some of my brethren, I have found that some of them are more graceful than I am and perhaps I could learn from them. That has been one of the major benefits I have enjoyed as a teacher over the last 17 years. I have learned much and it has effected me in very positive ways. I am thankful I am allowed to teach for this reason. I will think some more on this and decide whether to move forward here shortly.
I told someone last night that maybe I just need to set down and see if I can prepare two or three lessons from the book and see what they look like and sound like. I could use my present class as crash test dummies. They always seem more than willing to put up with my eccentricities. I do love them. We will see what happens.
See you in class.
I had initially thought I wanted to teach from "Messy Grace" by Caleb Kaltenbach. I enjoyed the book for many self centered reasons and it was my thought to inflict it on others and I have already been trying to do this by giving away the books. It's been tough giving them away. I am met with skepticism and time issues. I understand both of those and I sympathize. There is also the lack of teaching materials other than the book. In the fall, those materials will be available, but if I do this now, it will be up to me to create the lessons. I am fairly good at that process, but it is time consuming. I also had the thought that maybe no one at my church cares about this stuff - the subject matter of the book. Then there are the usual questions about offending people. I am an opinionated man. I am very conservative in some respects. I am not graceless, but I am finding I am not nearly as graceful as I should be in regard to the issues approached in the book.
Maybe this last statement is the single best reason for doing it. Maybe I need the book's challenge and the challenge of others to push me towards a more graceful approach to my faith. In conversations with some of my brethren, I have found that some of them are more graceful than I am and perhaps I could learn from them. That has been one of the major benefits I have enjoyed as a teacher over the last 17 years. I have learned much and it has effected me in very positive ways. I am thankful I am allowed to teach for this reason. I will think some more on this and decide whether to move forward here shortly.
I told someone last night that maybe I just need to set down and see if I can prepare two or three lessons from the book and see what they look like and sound like. I could use my present class as crash test dummies. They always seem more than willing to put up with my eccentricities. I do love them. We will see what happens.
See you in class.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
What Did God Intend?
On Sundays in my class we have been going through the gospel of Matthew. Last Sunday we did Matthew 19. In this chapter, Jesus is approached by a group of Pharisees that are intent on testing Him. This is not unusual. They were always testing rabbis that did not adhere to their traditions and their approach to the interpretation of God's law. "They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”"
The question in itself says much about who these men were and where their hearts were in regard to their families and in relationship to their God. In ancient times and particularly among the Jews, women and children were regarded as property, sometimes to the exclusion of any notion of love for family. There were two schools of thought among these men - rabbinical traditions handed down from rabbinical schools by men long dead in Christ's time. Rabbi Hillel and his school would have said, in answer to the question, that you could divorce your wife for anything you did not like about her...her cooking, her mother, her housekeeping skills. One of Hillel's disciples went so far as to say that if you found a better looking woman, you could write your present wife a certificate of divorce and marry the other one. It was awful.
The other rabbinical school, founded by Rabbi Shimmai, had a gentler, kinder approach. The only reason you could divorce your wife was over some kind of sexual infidelity. Jesus, in His day would have approved this as a reason for divorce, but he would not have commanded it. You see, the Pharisees and their rabbinical schools before them, haggled over the meaning of a Torah passage from Deuteronomy 24. They did not take into account other Torah passages when they considered the issue of divorce.
Jesus in His reasoning, went back to Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. In the first passage, Moses makes clear that God created men and women for each other and in the second, he makes it clear that God intended men and women to marry - to leave their families, commit to each other and become one flesh, one mind, one soul; more than mere room mates or even partners. "Leave and cleave". Commitment and oneness. The two pillars of successful marriage. This was so far away from where the Pharisee were, that you have to wonder, were they stupid or what? Why would they not consider 'original intent' when debating this issue? There are things people do not want to hear when they consider how they should live their lives. The notion of marriage as a covenant or even a partnership would have upset their apple cart of control, therefore they could not even entertain the idea that Jesus was promoting.
God intended men and women to marry, have families and live lives committed to each other and to Him. He did not intend that you should be able to trade up if your present situation was not working out as you had hoped. Jesus gives us one valid reason for divorce in the gospels. That reason is sexual infidelity. Paul gives us another reason in I Corinthians 7 (verse 15 I think); that is if an unbelieving partner leaves the relationship. There is compelling spiritual logic behind both of these reasons for divorce. They destroy the two pillars of marriage; oneness in regard to the first and commitment in regard to the second. Does this mean divorce has to happen? No, but these would be justifiable reasons for it.
So having said all this, I wonder how many Christians see their marriages in this light? I wonder how many have divorced because they wanted to trade up like the Pharisees? Buyer's remorse notwithstanding, this cannot be your attitude. It is not what God intended.
At this point, if you know me, you are probably thinking, "who is he to lecture us about marriage?".
It's true that I cannot speak from experience, but you know, I have heard any number of you complain about your situations. It is tiresome, but it is what it is. Work to change the freakin situation so that you do not violate there terms of your covenant with you wife or husband. Oneness and commitment should be your goal.
This was God's intent from the beginning. His Word says as much. I do not need to be married to know this. It is not a Christian thing of a Jewish/Hebrew thing. It is an ordinance from God handed down to ALL humanity from the beginning of time. If you are married or making plans to marry, you need to remember how God views this institution and take it very seriously.
If you are like me, you might want to consider staying that way. As Paul would say,
"But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this."
One more thing. If you are like Paul and me....not married...you must remember your covenant with God and the fact that He is living in your body. You must remain chaste in terms of sexuality. If you cannot do that, then find a suitable opposite sex partner and marry.
Is chastity and celibacy a gift? Well maybe, but it's also a requirement if you are single. Do not forget that. It's what God intended.
The question in itself says much about who these men were and where their hearts were in regard to their families and in relationship to their God. In ancient times and particularly among the Jews, women and children were regarded as property, sometimes to the exclusion of any notion of love for family. There were two schools of thought among these men - rabbinical traditions handed down from rabbinical schools by men long dead in Christ's time. Rabbi Hillel and his school would have said, in answer to the question, that you could divorce your wife for anything you did not like about her...her cooking, her mother, her housekeeping skills. One of Hillel's disciples went so far as to say that if you found a better looking woman, you could write your present wife a certificate of divorce and marry the other one. It was awful.
The other rabbinical school, founded by Rabbi Shimmai, had a gentler, kinder approach. The only reason you could divorce your wife was over some kind of sexual infidelity. Jesus, in His day would have approved this as a reason for divorce, but he would not have commanded it. You see, the Pharisees and their rabbinical schools before them, haggled over the meaning of a Torah passage from Deuteronomy 24. They did not take into account other Torah passages when they considered the issue of divorce.
Jesus in His reasoning, went back to Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. In the first passage, Moses makes clear that God created men and women for each other and in the second, he makes it clear that God intended men and women to marry - to leave their families, commit to each other and become one flesh, one mind, one soul; more than mere room mates or even partners. "Leave and cleave". Commitment and oneness. The two pillars of successful marriage. This was so far away from where the Pharisee were, that you have to wonder, were they stupid or what? Why would they not consider 'original intent' when debating this issue? There are things people do not want to hear when they consider how they should live their lives. The notion of marriage as a covenant or even a partnership would have upset their apple cart of control, therefore they could not even entertain the idea that Jesus was promoting.
God intended men and women to marry, have families and live lives committed to each other and to Him. He did not intend that you should be able to trade up if your present situation was not working out as you had hoped. Jesus gives us one valid reason for divorce in the gospels. That reason is sexual infidelity. Paul gives us another reason in I Corinthians 7 (verse 15 I think); that is if an unbelieving partner leaves the relationship. There is compelling spiritual logic behind both of these reasons for divorce. They destroy the two pillars of marriage; oneness in regard to the first and commitment in regard to the second. Does this mean divorce has to happen? No, but these would be justifiable reasons for it.
So having said all this, I wonder how many Christians see their marriages in this light? I wonder how many have divorced because they wanted to trade up like the Pharisees? Buyer's remorse notwithstanding, this cannot be your attitude. It is not what God intended.
At this point, if you know me, you are probably thinking, "who is he to lecture us about marriage?".
It's true that I cannot speak from experience, but you know, I have heard any number of you complain about your situations. It is tiresome, but it is what it is. Work to change the freakin situation so that you do not violate there terms of your covenant with you wife or husband. Oneness and commitment should be your goal.
This was God's intent from the beginning. His Word says as much. I do not need to be married to know this. It is not a Christian thing of a Jewish/Hebrew thing. It is an ordinance from God handed down to ALL humanity from the beginning of time. If you are married or making plans to marry, you need to remember how God views this institution and take it very seriously.
If you are like me, you might want to consider staying that way. As Paul would say,
"But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this."
One more thing. If you are like Paul and me....not married...you must remember your covenant with God and the fact that He is living in your body. You must remain chaste in terms of sexuality. If you cannot do that, then find a suitable opposite sex partner and marry.
Is chastity and celibacy a gift? Well maybe, but it's also a requirement if you are single. Do not forget that. It's what God intended.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Taking Dad To The Doctor and What I Did Sunday Afternoon
Every morning I wake up around 4 AM. I usually take a leak (wash my hands) and get Dad's meds for the day together. He is usually up and around and making some coffee by 4. This is the way old guys and farmers are about mornings. Dad is an old guy, pushing 80 and he used to be a farmer in his youth. His sleep cycles are all messed up because of the Alzheimer's, but he still manages to be awake at 4 AM.
This morning I gave him his pill container and reminded him that we were going to see the cardiologist at about 1000 today. He has afib and they like to check it out every six months. After that, I had intended to go back to bed for awhile. It was a long time until 1000 AM.
But alas, this was not to be. Once Dad knew that he was going to the doctor, he had to get ready immediately, even though he would be all dressed up with no where to go until 1000. It's easier to surrender to this than to fight it. Had I gone back to bed, he would have been visiting me every 15 minutes asking about when he should get ready and when we were going to leave, so I got him herded into the shower, rinsed off, dried off with his compression socks on and then helped him put on the sweat suit du jour.
Now I have all this time on my hands before the appointment and he is still asking me when we are going to leave. So here I am doing something productive...ya right. I complain a lot on this blog don't I?
Really, I think that's what it's for. I vent. Strangely, it always, and almost without exception, makes me feel better. It's probably got something to do with putting it all down in words. It's my way of talking it out. Whatever.
Yesterday was relaxing. I skipped Sunday school after church and visited the grocer and then went home to prepare lunch. Dad seems to like those Hy Vee take and bake pizzas. I usually buy a medium with the hot Graziano's Italian Sausage and then add a couple of things like a box of fresh, sliced mushrooms and some green peppers for Dad's portion. After that, I took an accidental nap.
When I was younger, I could not fall asleep sitting up in a chair. Now it all seems kind of natural. I think this is a talent that is acquired as one approaches senior status. Anyhow, after that, I cranked out a few emails and posted some videos to my YouTube channel. I really had not done much with it since I started it 5 years ago, but it's looking a little better now. While I was on YouTube, I looked up some people from church and work to see if any of them were there. Yep, sure enough. Creativity blossoms outside the sanctuary and cubicle.
It seems like everyone has some kind of internet presence. I suppose some people might think it borders on creepy when they find out they have been Googled, especially if they do not know you all that well. And if you leave your footprints in the form of a comment, that could be freaky too, but you know what? The internet is not a private place. If you plaster your name all over it, others will find you and is that not the idea to begin with? I think it has as much to do with who you want to communicate with and what your original vision was when you set up your internet presence. Managing expectations is hard to do in a public place. There are people that come to this blog from all over the world. In most cases I imagine they were not even looking for TDGH, but they got here anyway through some word search on a search engine that landed them in the middle of a related subject that I wrote about. My thought is, "come on down". I can sort you out and ban your ass if you get troublesome. I suppose something of that nature is what happened to me yesterday. Sorry if you felt like I was on your turf. It's the internet man! Oh well.
Small talk was never my strong suit anyway. I wish you the best.
That's funny. I can ramble on here, talking through my fingers with very little to say, but doing it in person is a whole other enchilada...probably chicken with some Monterrey Jack, but I digress. I think what I need to do is type out all my proposed conversations a day in advance. Then I can turn them over to the conversation victims for them to answer in kind. They can answer in person or in a typed format of their choosing, but I will only respond on paper or other electronic media and only when necessary.
That is just crazy talk (or typing as the case may be). But what did you expect from The Daily Ground Hog?
This morning I gave him his pill container and reminded him that we were going to see the cardiologist at about 1000 today. He has afib and they like to check it out every six months. After that, I had intended to go back to bed for awhile. It was a long time until 1000 AM.
But alas, this was not to be. Once Dad knew that he was going to the doctor, he had to get ready immediately, even though he would be all dressed up with no where to go until 1000. It's easier to surrender to this than to fight it. Had I gone back to bed, he would have been visiting me every 15 minutes asking about when he should get ready and when we were going to leave, so I got him herded into the shower, rinsed off, dried off with his compression socks on and then helped him put on the sweat suit du jour.
Now I have all this time on my hands before the appointment and he is still asking me when we are going to leave. So here I am doing something productive...ya right. I complain a lot on this blog don't I?
Really, I think that's what it's for. I vent. Strangely, it always, and almost without exception, makes me feel better. It's probably got something to do with putting it all down in words. It's my way of talking it out. Whatever.
Yesterday was relaxing. I skipped Sunday school after church and visited the grocer and then went home to prepare lunch. Dad seems to like those Hy Vee take and bake pizzas. I usually buy a medium with the hot Graziano's Italian Sausage and then add a couple of things like a box of fresh, sliced mushrooms and some green peppers for Dad's portion. After that, I took an accidental nap.
When I was younger, I could not fall asleep sitting up in a chair. Now it all seems kind of natural. I think this is a talent that is acquired as one approaches senior status. Anyhow, after that, I cranked out a few emails and posted some videos to my YouTube channel. I really had not done much with it since I started it 5 years ago, but it's looking a little better now. While I was on YouTube, I looked up some people from church and work to see if any of them were there. Yep, sure enough. Creativity blossoms outside the sanctuary and cubicle.
It seems like everyone has some kind of internet presence. I suppose some people might think it borders on creepy when they find out they have been Googled, especially if they do not know you all that well. And if you leave your footprints in the form of a comment, that could be freaky too, but you know what? The internet is not a private place. If you plaster your name all over it, others will find you and is that not the idea to begin with? I think it has as much to do with who you want to communicate with and what your original vision was when you set up your internet presence. Managing expectations is hard to do in a public place. There are people that come to this blog from all over the world. In most cases I imagine they were not even looking for TDGH, but they got here anyway through some word search on a search engine that landed them in the middle of a related subject that I wrote about. My thought is, "come on down". I can sort you out and ban your ass if you get troublesome. I suppose something of that nature is what happened to me yesterday. Sorry if you felt like I was on your turf. It's the internet man! Oh well.
Small talk was never my strong suit anyway. I wish you the best.
That's funny. I can ramble on here, talking through my fingers with very little to say, but doing it in person is a whole other enchilada...probably chicken with some Monterrey Jack, but I digress. I think what I need to do is type out all my proposed conversations a day in advance. Then I can turn them over to the conversation victims for them to answer in kind. They can answer in person or in a typed format of their choosing, but I will only respond on paper or other electronic media and only when necessary.
That is just crazy talk (or typing as the case may be). But what did you expect from The Daily Ground Hog?
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Friday, January 8, 2016
Tell Me What This Is About..
I've been sitting at Caribou Coffee in Pleasant Hill by the fireplace while eaves dropping on a conversation between two apparently Christian women. One of them seems to be in the place of the counselor, advising the other and guiding the conversation.
The other is a woman that seems to have a glancing acquaintance with the faith and is at a difficult place in her life and marriage. She seems frustrated by the fact that she has nothing to do since the kids are in school and her husband is at work. She wants to get a job but no one will hire her; she wants to home school her kids but her husband does not like the idea. She wants to be a motivational speaker and increase the family income despite the fact that she stutters and her voice tone is akin to fingernails on a blackboard. She complains because they have a combined income of less than 2000.00 a month and she also informs all within earshot that she and her husband have not practiced their conjugal rights more than three times in the last six months.
The counseling friend should be a diplomat. Without being offensive, she manages to inform the woman that she has to be willing to take jobs that may not be high paying or glorious to gain job experience and move up in the working world. She also advises frugality in financial matters and to set goals that are at once within capabilities and reachable. There is also an implication that both she and her husband need to support the efforts and dreams of each and do what they can, working together for the good of their family.
They share phone photos and humorous family stories and then they depart separately and amicably.
My thought is that the counselor left to do something productive and that her days are filled with activities like this and that the other went home to watch Jerry Springer reruns.
I think there are people in this world that have no idea what their capabilities are and lack the motivation to do anything other than what they dream about or what they heard about on the latest infomercial. The fact is that many of us are not fit for anything but the most menial jobs. Despite our delusions of grandeur, our capabilities limit us. Going for your dream is one thing, having the necessary IQ points and natural gifts to make it happen is quite another. Despite the politics of the time, we are not all created equal. We are all different and at differing levels mentally, spiritually and physically. I could not play for an NBA team. I do not think I would ever be able to do brain surgery no matter how much education I received. I will probably never be a diplomat either.
When we become adults, we get ourselves in to life situations that we sometimes regret after a few years. I believe this woman is reconsidering her options to explore the dreams she had prior to her marriage. This is unfortunate. She needs to find a job, even if it's at Walmart, and help to support her family and she and her husband need to support each other in these efforts to move forward. I think that this is what the counselor friend was trying to get across to her, but she seems deluded by her dreams.
A grasp on personal reality is the essence of 'other' centered life I think.
What would I know about any of this? I am not married. I have had unrealized dreams, mostly because I lack the capability or there were many others far better suited for whatever it is than I am. I just think it's interesting that there are so many of us that live a completely different life in our heads than we do in the world.
The other is a woman that seems to have a glancing acquaintance with the faith and is at a difficult place in her life and marriage. She seems frustrated by the fact that she has nothing to do since the kids are in school and her husband is at work. She wants to get a job but no one will hire her; she wants to home school her kids but her husband does not like the idea. She wants to be a motivational speaker and increase the family income despite the fact that she stutters and her voice tone is akin to fingernails on a blackboard. She complains because they have a combined income of less than 2000.00 a month and she also informs all within earshot that she and her husband have not practiced their conjugal rights more than three times in the last six months.
The counseling friend should be a diplomat. Without being offensive, she manages to inform the woman that she has to be willing to take jobs that may not be high paying or glorious to gain job experience and move up in the working world. She also advises frugality in financial matters and to set goals that are at once within capabilities and reachable. There is also an implication that both she and her husband need to support the efforts and dreams of each and do what they can, working together for the good of their family.
They share phone photos and humorous family stories and then they depart separately and amicably.
My thought is that the counselor left to do something productive and that her days are filled with activities like this and that the other went home to watch Jerry Springer reruns.
I think there are people in this world that have no idea what their capabilities are and lack the motivation to do anything other than what they dream about or what they heard about on the latest infomercial. The fact is that many of us are not fit for anything but the most menial jobs. Despite our delusions of grandeur, our capabilities limit us. Going for your dream is one thing, having the necessary IQ points and natural gifts to make it happen is quite another. Despite the politics of the time, we are not all created equal. We are all different and at differing levels mentally, spiritually and physically. I could not play for an NBA team. I do not think I would ever be able to do brain surgery no matter how much education I received. I will probably never be a diplomat either.
When we become adults, we get ourselves in to life situations that we sometimes regret after a few years. I believe this woman is reconsidering her options to explore the dreams she had prior to her marriage. This is unfortunate. She needs to find a job, even if it's at Walmart, and help to support her family and she and her husband need to support each other in these efforts to move forward. I think that this is what the counselor friend was trying to get across to her, but she seems deluded by her dreams.
A grasp on personal reality is the essence of 'other' centered life I think.
What would I know about any of this? I am not married. I have had unrealized dreams, mostly because I lack the capability or there were many others far better suited for whatever it is than I am. I just think it's interesting that there are so many of us that live a completely different life in our heads than we do in the world.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
The Quality of My Mercy is Strained
You know how some former tobacco users become anti tobacco nazis?
My current situation is similar. In just a few short weeks, I have gone from being the most severe closet case to believing that everyone I know that is in the closet should come out.
Is this unfair? Ya, probably, but in that short time, I have come to believe that the "closet" effects everything else in one's life. It colors it in very negative ways. It can turn you into a liar, a manipulator, a hypocrite to the things you believe and it functions as an involuntary lens through which you are forced to view all of your life. If you are looking at life through the keyhole of the closet door, it is bound to give you a bent world view and if you are a Christian, I KNOW it gives you a bent faith view.
If you are out there and in a closet that you have built, I urge you to leave it. I do not care if you have been faking it with a family, wearing a wife like a beard or dating like mad to appear straight. Get it out. You will feel better in the end. If you have a family, they will appreciate the honesty and understand you better than they once did. They will most likely still love you too. The best part is, you will be able to change all those things you had to keep in place because of the closet door. You can let them go. You will not have to manipulate conversations to draw attention away from yourself and toward others. No more pretending.
At the very least, let me advise that you find someone to confide in that you trust so that you have some accountability. This should not be a fellow traveler. It needs to be a straight person. You need perspective.
Ya, I think I know everything now. But how is that different from before? Get yourself where I am at and we will talk.
My current situation is similar. In just a few short weeks, I have gone from being the most severe closet case to believing that everyone I know that is in the closet should come out.
Is this unfair? Ya, probably, but in that short time, I have come to believe that the "closet" effects everything else in one's life. It colors it in very negative ways. It can turn you into a liar, a manipulator, a hypocrite to the things you believe and it functions as an involuntary lens through which you are forced to view all of your life. If you are looking at life through the keyhole of the closet door, it is bound to give you a bent world view and if you are a Christian, I KNOW it gives you a bent faith view.
If you are out there and in a closet that you have built, I urge you to leave it. I do not care if you have been faking it with a family, wearing a wife like a beard or dating like mad to appear straight. Get it out. You will feel better in the end. If you have a family, they will appreciate the honesty and understand you better than they once did. They will most likely still love you too. The best part is, you will be able to change all those things you had to keep in place because of the closet door. You can let them go. You will not have to manipulate conversations to draw attention away from yourself and toward others. No more pretending.
At the very least, let me advise that you find someone to confide in that you trust so that you have some accountability. This should not be a fellow traveler. It needs to be a straight person. You need perspective.
Ya, I think I know everything now. But how is that different from before? Get yourself where I am at and we will talk.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
The Unmerciful Servant
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells His disciples a story about a servant that owes his king a great deal of money. The story has an interesting twist in that the servant has a friend that owes him money. Before Jesus begins the story, He has a short conversation with Simon Peter about forgiveness. The story illustrates the principle. Here's is how it plays out.
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[g]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
So it would seem that the servant owed his king a great deal of money. Chances are good that this servant was not a food and wine taster or butler. He was more likely a court official or maybe even a governor of a province in the king's kingdom. I say this because of what was owed. This man owed his king millions of dollars by our measure. A king would not loan this kind of money to his body servant. This particular servant probably had some juice of his own; he had power, but none over the king.
Whoever this servant was, the king was ready to call in his loan. His servant did not have the cash. The king was not happy and ordered that his servant, family and possessions to be sold to pay the debt. The servant sued for mercy and the mercy was received. The king was magnanimous to the point of full forgiveness of the debt. This kind of grace was uncommon in the ancient world.
So the servant was freed from his debt; released from his responsibility. He must have felt good. He must have felt free. He was probably happy, peaceful and content. You would think so right?
But such was not the case. After leaving the king's presence, this servant sought out another servant that owed him a mere 100 silver coins to force him to pay. The contrast is astounding. The first servant had owed 10000 bags of gold. His fellow servant owed him 100 silver coins; a mere pittance by comparison. Yet the servant that had been forgiven so much, was not merciful to his colleague. He demanded payment. When it was not forthcoming, the servant did to his colleague what the king saved him from. He had him thrown into debtor's prison.
The story did not end well. Word got to the king of what this wicked servant had done after being forgiven so much and so the king brought justice to bear. The man was thrown into prison to be tortured and to suffer until he paid the original debt. As you might be aware, you do not make money in prison; at least not enough to pay off a debt like his. So the wicked servant was probably imprisoned until he died.
Jesus concludes the story by saying that this is how God will deal with us if we do not forgive each other.
-------------------------
I have been this unmerciful servant. I do not want to be like him Lord. I am sorry for my failure to forgive. I repent of it. Please take my anger and wash it clean. Purify me so that I can serve again. I have unclean hands. Teach me to love and take responsibility for my brethren as they care for and are merciful to me. Please give me back my clean hands and pure heart and help me to turn away from the fear. It is evil. Help me Lord to do what is right...even if it kills me. In your name I pray these things..Amen
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[g]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
So it would seem that the servant owed his king a great deal of money. Chances are good that this servant was not a food and wine taster or butler. He was more likely a court official or maybe even a governor of a province in the king's kingdom. I say this because of what was owed. This man owed his king millions of dollars by our measure. A king would not loan this kind of money to his body servant. This particular servant probably had some juice of his own; he had power, but none over the king.
Whoever this servant was, the king was ready to call in his loan. His servant did not have the cash. The king was not happy and ordered that his servant, family and possessions to be sold to pay the debt. The servant sued for mercy and the mercy was received. The king was magnanimous to the point of full forgiveness of the debt. This kind of grace was uncommon in the ancient world.
So the servant was freed from his debt; released from his responsibility. He must have felt good. He must have felt free. He was probably happy, peaceful and content. You would think so right?
But such was not the case. After leaving the king's presence, this servant sought out another servant that owed him a mere 100 silver coins to force him to pay. The contrast is astounding. The first servant had owed 10000 bags of gold. His fellow servant owed him 100 silver coins; a mere pittance by comparison. Yet the servant that had been forgiven so much, was not merciful to his colleague. He demanded payment. When it was not forthcoming, the servant did to his colleague what the king saved him from. He had him thrown into debtor's prison.
The story did not end well. Word got to the king of what this wicked servant had done after being forgiven so much and so the king brought justice to bear. The man was thrown into prison to be tortured and to suffer until he paid the original debt. As you might be aware, you do not make money in prison; at least not enough to pay off a debt like his. So the wicked servant was probably imprisoned until he died.
Jesus concludes the story by saying that this is how God will deal with us if we do not forgive each other.
-------------------------
I have been this unmerciful servant. I do not want to be like him Lord. I am sorry for my failure to forgive. I repent of it. Please take my anger and wash it clean. Purify me so that I can serve again. I have unclean hands. Teach me to love and take responsibility for my brethren as they care for and are merciful to me. Please give me back my clean hands and pure heart and help me to turn away from the fear. It is evil. Help me Lord to do what is right...even if it kills me. In your name I pray these things..Amen
Monday, January 4, 2016
The Dark Side
I can't seem to shake it. It's going to dog me until I'm dead. I really hate that. There seems to be several levels of ME at war this morning. No one is winning. I need some divine intervention. I am, at this moment, indignant, angry and hateful. I think I need something to eat.
What I said yesterday in this blog is part of that war. I will not tell you to ignore it. It has been said.
I have already deleted two blog posts this morning because of the battle going on inside me.
There was some regret after I wrote them and clicked 'publish' so maybe there is some hope for resolution here.
I am going to need some time to work this out. I am angry at someone. I don't often feel that way. I have to stop writing or I am going to have to delete this one too.
If you want to put me on your prayer list, that would be good.
What I said yesterday in this blog is part of that war. I will not tell you to ignore it. It has been said.
I have already deleted two blog posts this morning because of the battle going on inside me.
There was some regret after I wrote them and clicked 'publish' so maybe there is some hope for resolution here.
I am going to need some time to work this out. I am angry at someone. I don't often feel that way. I have to stop writing or I am going to have to delete this one too.
If you want to put me on your prayer list, that would be good.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Egoism and Self-Centeredness
Last week, in the Sunday school class that I teach, we were Matthew 18. the chapter opens with Jesus' disciples discussing which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The disciples get busted for this a few times in the gospels. Jesus always has to tell them that if they want to be great in the kingdom, they will have to serve each other and others and to become like little children - the least of all on the earth.
In preparing for this lesson, I came across an interesting entry in a commentary on Matthew that I have been using as I teach. The commentary is "The Chronological Life of Christ", by Mark Moore. He is one of those guys that writes like he talks, so he is easy to understand. In his commentary while writing about this passage he says,
"Egoism is natural to most people. It drives us to the front of the line, to the best seat in the house, and to the biggest piece of cake. It is seen as innocuous and natural in ourselves, but somewhat irritating in others. In fact, it is even encouraged by parents and teachers. Jesus sees beyond this facade. This egoism is the cause of arrogance, selfishness, war, greed, corporate takeovers, jealousy, rape, etc. It is even the cause of low self esteem. The problem with a low self esteem is not that a person thinks too lowly of himself, but that he thinks to much of himself. When our eyes are outward, serving others, it is impossible to be plagued with self pity or self abasement."
I think this is so right that I put it in my blog. I know from experience that this is true and I also know from watching others. When we live too much in our heads, thinking about the things we want, where we will go or what we will do or how sad it is that we are not this or that; that is precisely when we fall into patterns of egoism.
I have often thought that we become addicted to the emotions we experience and that we find ways to "enjoy" them again and again. Whether it be love, joy, happiness and contentment or self pity, self abasement, anger or malice; we find ways we can experience them again and again, even if it's on the subconscious level. I would even go so far as to say that sometimes depression is self induced. For myself, all it takes is one little thing to start a self examination that any prosecutor would envy. It can put me in a depressive tail spin that can last for days.
I have had to learn not to live so much in my head, but out there where others are, putting myself in their place or in some way helping them, and in so doing, helping me to overcome this tendency. It is a hard cycle to break. I still have bad days where my attitude totally crashes. It's usually because I have spent too much time alone.
Getting out among 'em is the answer.
Hope to see you tomorrow at church. Later my friends.
In preparing for this lesson, I came across an interesting entry in a commentary on Matthew that I have been using as I teach. The commentary is "The Chronological Life of Christ", by Mark Moore. He is one of those guys that writes like he talks, so he is easy to understand. In his commentary while writing about this passage he says,
"Egoism is natural to most people. It drives us to the front of the line, to the best seat in the house, and to the biggest piece of cake. It is seen as innocuous and natural in ourselves, but somewhat irritating in others. In fact, it is even encouraged by parents and teachers. Jesus sees beyond this facade. This egoism is the cause of arrogance, selfishness, war, greed, corporate takeovers, jealousy, rape, etc. It is even the cause of low self esteem. The problem with a low self esteem is not that a person thinks too lowly of himself, but that he thinks to much of himself. When our eyes are outward, serving others, it is impossible to be plagued with self pity or self abasement."
I think this is so right that I put it in my blog. I know from experience that this is true and I also know from watching others. When we live too much in our heads, thinking about the things we want, where we will go or what we will do or how sad it is that we are not this or that; that is precisely when we fall into patterns of egoism.
I have often thought that we become addicted to the emotions we experience and that we find ways to "enjoy" them again and again. Whether it be love, joy, happiness and contentment or self pity, self abasement, anger or malice; we find ways we can experience them again and again, even if it's on the subconscious level. I would even go so far as to say that sometimes depression is self induced. For myself, all it takes is one little thing to start a self examination that any prosecutor would envy. It can put me in a depressive tail spin that can last for days.
I have had to learn not to live so much in my head, but out there where others are, putting myself in their place or in some way helping them, and in so doing, helping me to overcome this tendency. It is a hard cycle to break. I still have bad days where my attitude totally crashes. It's usually because I have spent too much time alone.
Getting out among 'em is the answer.
Hope to see you tomorrow at church. Later my friends.
Friday, January 1, 2016
I'm Taller Don't Ya Know
Well I went to bed at 8:37 PM last night and I woke up 11 hours later only to discover that my calendar had expired. Then when I logged on to GOOGLE this morning, the egg which was 2016 on their logo yesterday had hatched. At first it was a mallard duck, then it changed to a crocodile and then a stack of turtles. I suppose that somehow this is significant in that even GOOGLE does not know what lies ahead in the new year.
I bet they have a better idea than I do, but that might sound conspiratorial and I'm trying to cut down on that stuff. That probably won't happen though. I sense conspiracy everywhere, the original planner being our adversary that roams the earth seeking whom he can devour. He is always hungry. He makes shit happen...if you'll excuse the expression.
It's was a tough work week. I did some 12 and 14 hour days because I'm a nice guy and gave everyone the week off (and I needed to cut some hours as business slows way down the week after Christmas - it was my personal conspiracy). Long work days are not as easy as they used to be. I am not a young man anymore. Four hours of sleep a day no longer works so well, so last night's rest was much needed. What I find is, that if I don't get enough sleep, I get depressed and cranky. No one wants that. I can be a bit snippy when that happens. I feel pretty good this morning though. I just lack motivation. Getting the first cup of coffee down will help. I have a BOGO coupon for Caribou. I may go over and complete my caffeine buzz there.
I was thinking about where I was at last year at this time in terms of spiritual and mental growth. I was blogging like a mad man in 2015 and someone told me to cool it in a blog comment. I think I responded that I could not stop and that it was all going come out this year if it killed me. That was a rough paraphrase.
I think I achieved my purpose. I did not die, but it was close. Y'all know way more about me now than you ever wanted to know and I apologize for that, but it just had to come out. I could not conceal the truth anymore. For some of you, I know that's been a problem, but you will get over it. I did. Trust me please. It's better this way.
I feel completely different. I feel free. I feel more saved than I have ever felt before. It's the way I should have felt back in 1974 after I was baptized in a little church in Joplin, Missouri. My growth has been stunted for a very long time, but not anymore. There were no less than 4 people that asked me if I had gotten taller at the family Christmas celebration. These were people that had not seen me since last year. I am 58 years old. It's doubtful I will be growing any direction other than sideways at 58. Nonetheless I am exuding the impression that I am taller. How does this happen?
It's my soul. If It gets much taller, it's not going to fit in my body anymore. That's OK. My body is worn out anyway.
So here's to a new year. More growth. Longer pants cuz I'm so dang tall. And a better vision of where Jesus wants me to go.
I bet they have a better idea than I do, but that might sound conspiratorial and I'm trying to cut down on that stuff. That probably won't happen though. I sense conspiracy everywhere, the original planner being our adversary that roams the earth seeking whom he can devour. He is always hungry. He makes shit happen...if you'll excuse the expression.
It's was a tough work week. I did some 12 and 14 hour days because I'm a nice guy and gave everyone the week off (and I needed to cut some hours as business slows way down the week after Christmas - it was my personal conspiracy). Long work days are not as easy as they used to be. I am not a young man anymore. Four hours of sleep a day no longer works so well, so last night's rest was much needed. What I find is, that if I don't get enough sleep, I get depressed and cranky. No one wants that. I can be a bit snippy when that happens. I feel pretty good this morning though. I just lack motivation. Getting the first cup of coffee down will help. I have a BOGO coupon for Caribou. I may go over and complete my caffeine buzz there.
I was thinking about where I was at last year at this time in terms of spiritual and mental growth. I was blogging like a mad man in 2015 and someone told me to cool it in a blog comment. I think I responded that I could not stop and that it was all going come out this year if it killed me. That was a rough paraphrase.
I think I achieved my purpose. I did not die, but it was close. Y'all know way more about me now than you ever wanted to know and I apologize for that, but it just had to come out. I could not conceal the truth anymore. For some of you, I know that's been a problem, but you will get over it. I did. Trust me please. It's better this way.
I feel completely different. I feel free. I feel more saved than I have ever felt before. It's the way I should have felt back in 1974 after I was baptized in a little church in Joplin, Missouri. My growth has been stunted for a very long time, but not anymore. There were no less than 4 people that asked me if I had gotten taller at the family Christmas celebration. These were people that had not seen me since last year. I am 58 years old. It's doubtful I will be growing any direction other than sideways at 58. Nonetheless I am exuding the impression that I am taller. How does this happen?
It's my soul. If It gets much taller, it's not going to fit in my body anymore. That's OK. My body is worn out anyway.
So here's to a new year. More growth. Longer pants cuz I'm so dang tall. And a better vision of where Jesus wants me to go.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Reflections On a Snowstorm, Ditch Babies and Things That Will Kill You
We had a snowstorm today. It was snowing when I left for work this morning at 05:30 and it was still snowing when I left for home at 1800. I'm not sure how much we got but some of it was grainy ice pellets, fine as beach sand. It was hitting the metal roof at work and it sounded like a sandstorm. The nasty weather was good for one thing though. Customers either stayed home or closed early today. The result was that I got home earlier than anticipated. I suppose I will pay for it tomorrow.
The mayhem on the bypass was minimal. I only saw 6 ditch babies tonight as opposed to 16 during the last snow blitz prior to Thanksgiving. That must have been training day. If you are unfamiliar with the term "ditch baby", I am not talking about a Flemish pastry. That would be a "dutch baby". What I am talking about are those who do not know how to drive properly in winter weather conditions and put their vehicles into the medians and ditches of highways and roads and then cry about it. For a better pictorial explanation, please see below. This was a particularly talented ditch baby.
When I got home, the driveway was clogged with fresh ice snow. I was imagining it freezing solid over night and becoming impossible to move, so I broke out the snow blower and shifted the snow. I have a long driveway and a small snow blower so it took me about an hour and 20 minutes to giterdun. I briefly toyed with the idea of waiting for my cousin Joe to come and plow me out in the morning, but I kept picturing Dad wandering out into the driveway in the middle of the night in pursuit of the people on television and then falling down in the snow on the driveway. That thought and the thought of staying inside and listening to him while he watches the cleft palate kids infomercial was enough to propel me out into the cold to blow snow in the dark. Such is my life.
Once the driveway was blown, I came back in and fixed dinner. Dad had Stouffer's Mac and Cheese and I had Hot Links. Johnston's All Beef Hot Links are one of my favorite foods. I think they will probably kill me, but what a way to go. I prepare 4 of them in the microwave. They cook for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. I lay out 4 low carb Aztec tortilla on a paper towel. I lay a thin slice of Kraft habenero pepper cheese on each tortilla. Then I roll up a hot link in each one. Spicy, juicy, chewy, delicious. What else can I say? I love them. It's no wonder I have cholesterol poisoning. Then I chase it with some rainbow sherbet. Stop laughing Eric. I love rainbow sherbet.
I think I need to go to bed now. Back to work at 0600 again tomorrow. Could be an interesting day.
The mayhem on the bypass was minimal. I only saw 6 ditch babies tonight as opposed to 16 during the last snow blitz prior to Thanksgiving. That must have been training day. If you are unfamiliar with the term "ditch baby", I am not talking about a Flemish pastry. That would be a "dutch baby". What I am talking about are those who do not know how to drive properly in winter weather conditions and put their vehicles into the medians and ditches of highways and roads and then cry about it. For a better pictorial explanation, please see below. This was a particularly talented ditch baby.
Once the driveway was blown, I came back in and fixed dinner. Dad had Stouffer's Mac and Cheese and I had Hot Links. Johnston's All Beef Hot Links are one of my favorite foods. I think they will probably kill me, but what a way to go. I prepare 4 of them in the microwave. They cook for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. I lay out 4 low carb Aztec tortilla on a paper towel. I lay a thin slice of Kraft habenero pepper cheese on each tortilla. Then I roll up a hot link in each one. Spicy, juicy, chewy, delicious. What else can I say? I love them. It's no wonder I have cholesterol poisoning. Then I chase it with some rainbow sherbet. Stop laughing Eric. I love rainbow sherbet.
I think I need to go to bed now. Back to work at 0600 again tomorrow. Could be an interesting day.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
The Last Week of the Year
After that, in the New Year I will be available again for morning coffee at Caribou in Pleasant Hill or any alternate destination. Shoot me a text if you're interested in talking or call me and we will set something up. I will talk about anything and listen to what you have to say. I am humble and lovable and cuddly. Never mind the sharp teeth and claws.
You get extra points if we do not know each other well. Come on down and lay it on me. You might get a free book out of the deal. Don't be scared. It's just me,
Did I say that?
Single-Mindedness
Sunday school was good today. Dave brought a lesson about single-mindedness. That's not the same as narrow-mindedness or close-mindedness.
Single-mindedness is focusing on one thing so that it can permeate and season everything else in your life. That one thing would be dedication to a life in Christ. The idea is that by focusing on Him, it will change and improve everything else we do. It will make our lives unfold and happen in a way pleasing to Him and in our best interest as well.
Here is what Jesus said at the end of my favorite part of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 6:31-34
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Devotion to God and everything that goes with that should be our single-minded pursuit as believers.
If we do this, He will take care of our needs. It probably will not be a six bedroom house, 3 cars and a boat, but if we pursue Him single-mindedly, He will see to our needs.
What I have found in my life is that even when I was not pursing Him, He pursued me. Praise His Name; I have always had a job, a roof over my head, food to eat and transportation. I was not always happy or content in those days, but He was taking care of me, even when I was not paying attention. In recent years, my lack of contentment and peace drove me back to Him in ways that I had not expected. It has been a difficult learning process, but the contentment is taking shape and form and my concern about the essentials is waning. It may just be that I am at that time of life where one takes inventory and gets ready to meet Him. Whatever. I am reliant on Him. I cannot live without Him.
Peace and hope are major gifts in this life. He has given me both.
Do you want some of that? He is waiting to hear from you.
Single-mindedness is focusing on one thing so that it can permeate and season everything else in your life. That one thing would be dedication to a life in Christ. The idea is that by focusing on Him, it will change and improve everything else we do. It will make our lives unfold and happen in a way pleasing to Him and in our best interest as well.
Here is what Jesus said at the end of my favorite part of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 6:31-34
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Devotion to God and everything that goes with that should be our single-minded pursuit as believers.
If we do this, He will take care of our needs. It probably will not be a six bedroom house, 3 cars and a boat, but if we pursue Him single-mindedly, He will see to our needs.
What I have found in my life is that even when I was not pursing Him, He pursued me. Praise His Name; I have always had a job, a roof over my head, food to eat and transportation. I was not always happy or content in those days, but He was taking care of me, even when I was not paying attention. In recent years, my lack of contentment and peace drove me back to Him in ways that I had not expected. It has been a difficult learning process, but the contentment is taking shape and form and my concern about the essentials is waning. It may just be that I am at that time of life where one takes inventory and gets ready to meet Him. Whatever. I am reliant on Him. I cannot live without Him.
Peace and hope are major gifts in this life. He has given me both.
Do you want some of that? He is waiting to hear from you.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Blog Traffic Is Heavy Today
I'm not sure what's going on, but there seems to be excessive traffic on the blog today. The Russians are particularly active. I cannot help but wonder if the various intelligence services are doing security sweeps of the internet. Here's what it looks like.This is a very unusual pattern for TDGH.
| Entry | Pageviews |
|---|---|
United States
|
65
|
Russia
|
31
|
France
|
8
|
Germany
|
2
|
A Christmas Report
Well, it was good to see Dad's side of the family on Friday. All seemed to be well, or at the very least, much better than it was in November for them. We went to Alison and Hal's, which was a change, for the usual Spaghetti dinner. Aunt Mel had hip surgery. She seems to be recovering in good fashion and she was glad to see me. Maybe it was the pain meds, but when people are glad to see me, I will take it, drug induced or otherwise. :^) All kidding aside, she seems to be recovering well. Her progress is encouraging. Praise the Lord for that!
Uncle Dick made the spaghetti sauce. It was excellent. There was a choice of regular and spicy. I had some of both. They were of excellent quality. Two plates full for me and many others. The meat balls and Italian sausage were excellent too. Special thanks to Hal for helping to boil the pasta. It was as it is supposed to be - aldente! And thanks Alison for the bread and salad.
Many cousins and 2nd cousins were present. Scott and Kim and Alison and Hal have certainly learned their multiplication tables. They have more than made up for my lack of offspring. The gene pool is safe in their hands or wherever it is.
Kinsey and Stephen (hope I spelled correctly) were back from the UK. I should say that Kinsey was back. Stephen was visiting. His home is in the Mother Country. They both seem terminally happy. It must be a magical land. I will have to go over and visit some day. Maybe I can take a ferry over after I visit the Emerald Isle. Not to put too fine a point on it, but we all know there would be no England or western Europe without the Celts. If it were not for the interruption of those Vikings, all the world would be Irish by now. But I digress.
To Jeremy and Leanne and Kim and Neal, I bid you a delayed Merry Christmas. I know how much Kim must be missing me by now. We have not seen each other in years. She probably thinks I'm dead or in a nursing home. All things in good time.
Anyway, now that I know the world is in the safe hands of my younger cousins and second cousins,
I guess I can die. I keep thinking there is something else I have to do before I can be excused. That remains to be seen, but thanks family for a good time and good food yesterday. Glad you got to see me!
I am so funny.
Uncle Dick made the spaghetti sauce. It was excellent. There was a choice of regular and spicy. I had some of both. They were of excellent quality. Two plates full for me and many others. The meat balls and Italian sausage were excellent too. Special thanks to Hal for helping to boil the pasta. It was as it is supposed to be - aldente! And thanks Alison for the bread and salad.
Many cousins and 2nd cousins were present. Scott and Kim and Alison and Hal have certainly learned their multiplication tables. They have more than made up for my lack of offspring. The gene pool is safe in their hands or wherever it is.
Kinsey and Stephen (hope I spelled correctly) were back from the UK. I should say that Kinsey was back. Stephen was visiting. His home is in the Mother Country. They both seem terminally happy. It must be a magical land. I will have to go over and visit some day. Maybe I can take a ferry over after I visit the Emerald Isle. Not to put too fine a point on it, but we all know there would be no England or western Europe without the Celts. If it were not for the interruption of those Vikings, all the world would be Irish by now. But I digress.
To Jeremy and Leanne and Kim and Neal, I bid you a delayed Merry Christmas. I know how much Kim must be missing me by now. We have not seen each other in years. She probably thinks I'm dead or in a nursing home. All things in good time.
Anyway, now that I know the world is in the safe hands of my younger cousins and second cousins,
I guess I can die. I keep thinking there is something else I have to do before I can be excused. That remains to be seen, but thanks family for a good time and good food yesterday. Glad you got to see me!
I am so funny.
Friday, December 25, 2015
"When Man Forgets His Creator, He Forgets How To Create"
In his review of the most recent chapter in the celluloid operas of Star Wars, John C Wright offers some wise words. I would encourage you to read the whole thing at his blog. Be warned. If you have not seen the film, there are some apparent spoilers. For the record, I have not seen it and I will not see it. The Star Wars franchise has become a tool of the elite, one worlders. I will not go into that now.
Anyhow, in the midst of his review, Mr. Wright says this:
"Why can’t the modern Leftist tell a decent story? Even when he is copying a good and healthy-minded original scene by scene in a paint-by-numbers fashion, it turns out sick-minded.
The answer is ultimately where all ultimate answers reside, in the deep places of the soul.
When we forget God, we forget how to tell tales. I submit that when a man forgets his Creator, he forgets how to create. Anyone raised in the Church is raised with compelling and impressive stories from childhood, from the tragedy of Eden to the epic of Exodus to the divine comedy of the Resurrection to the awesome high-tech special effects extravaganza of the Apocalypse.
We conservative Christians live inside a story, and we are curious about pagan stories, seeing even there glimpses of the universal light. Pagans are never curious about any Christian story, but repelled, for darkness hates the light. Political Correctness is not a story but a political manifesto, a complaint, a call for political change, a boring sermon we’ve all heard endlessly.
Our modern story tellers live in this arid and airless and lunar landscape of lifeless policy statements. Their characters are wooden puppets, merely stand-ins for whatever current political figures are they wish to mock or applaud. Their plots are borrowed without understanding what it is they borrow."
Mr. Wright is right. Maybe you have not noticed, but prior to the early 1960's Americans were the most prolific creators and inventors on the planet. Now all we seem to be able to do is drag out what was once old and try to remake it and we do not even do a good job at that.
Look at the arts, movies, music and entertainment. Everything is a rehash of the original. Modern paintings look like they belong on Mom's refrigerator and not in a museum. Popular Music has changed very little with only occasional aberrations. Movies are remakes. TV is a vast waste land. No one writes books that will one day be classics.
Our left brains are dying. It's that place where our souls reside. We have abandoned it for a mess of technical and politically correct pottage that strangles creativity and stifles the natural urge to seek God.
Western culture needs an enema. I think God will be giving it one shortly.
Anyhow, in the midst of his review, Mr. Wright says this:
"Why can’t the modern Leftist tell a decent story? Even when he is copying a good and healthy-minded original scene by scene in a paint-by-numbers fashion, it turns out sick-minded.
The answer is ultimately where all ultimate answers reside, in the deep places of the soul.
When we forget God, we forget how to tell tales. I submit that when a man forgets his Creator, he forgets how to create. Anyone raised in the Church is raised with compelling and impressive stories from childhood, from the tragedy of Eden to the epic of Exodus to the divine comedy of the Resurrection to the awesome high-tech special effects extravaganza of the Apocalypse.
We conservative Christians live inside a story, and we are curious about pagan stories, seeing even there glimpses of the universal light. Pagans are never curious about any Christian story, but repelled, for darkness hates the light. Political Correctness is not a story but a political manifesto, a complaint, a call for political change, a boring sermon we’ve all heard endlessly.
Our modern story tellers live in this arid and airless and lunar landscape of lifeless policy statements. Their characters are wooden puppets, merely stand-ins for whatever current political figures are they wish to mock or applaud. Their plots are borrowed without understanding what it is they borrow."
Mr. Wright is right. Maybe you have not noticed, but prior to the early 1960's Americans were the most prolific creators and inventors on the planet. Now all we seem to be able to do is drag out what was once old and try to remake it and we do not even do a good job at that.
Look at the arts, movies, music and entertainment. Everything is a rehash of the original. Modern paintings look like they belong on Mom's refrigerator and not in a museum. Popular Music has changed very little with only occasional aberrations. Movies are remakes. TV is a vast waste land. No one writes books that will one day be classics.
Our left brains are dying. It's that place where our souls reside. We have abandoned it for a mess of technical and politically correct pottage that strangles creativity and stifles the natural urge to seek God.
Western culture needs an enema. I think God will be giving it one shortly.
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