Roland's Ramblings

Scorpions - Send Me An Angel

2010-09-02T12:15:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the music says it all.

Polarization

2010-08-18T08:33:00.002-05:00

For most folks, no news is good news;
for the press, good news is not news.
- Gloria Borger

Better understanding of why our world has such a negative view of things.
We are less and less trying to find common ground, instead trying to find what is wrong with everyone else.
Not that there aren't things wrong, but does it always have to be everything?

Would be nice to see a news story about some guy mowing his neighbor's lawn. :)

Belief

2010-08-14T22:13:00.003-05:00

I saw someone's belief on marriage that had them saying that the ideas on it have fluctuated all throughout the Bible.
They pointed out how there was polygamy, and monogamy, and most marriages were arranged, and several other interesting points.
They use this as something to base their ideas of marriage upon.
It's odd how we notice the ways we get marriage (or anything, really) to match up with what we want, and find ways to make it work for the way we believe.

I just keep wondering, when God told people about this in Genesis, was He serious about a man leaving his parents and cleaving to his wife?
Or was He saying this is a starting point, and ignore some things that will come out later that He was going to tell us were not meant to be part of the plan?

I know some will come on here and argue.
Fine.
I would be interested to see them answer questions, though.
But we all need to work through things. Myself included.

I was also wondering one other thing.
If people believe so strongly in evolution, and the survival of the fittest concept that goes with it, why they support or oppose certain ideas of what marriage should be?
(i.e. same-sex marriage is good, even though it would cause that part of the race to die out without some other means of reproduction)

So many thoughts, and I have some ideas on the why's, but not an absolutely clear understanding on why the lines are drawn where they are for some.
Ah, well. Life goes on.

Prop 8 is gone

2010-08-08T07:44:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but...
I had a discussion with several people who are glad same sex unions will be permissible.
They believe that the freedom of choice is up to the individuals.
Very noble sentiments. And not necessarily wrong, either.

When I end up asking about unions about any two consenting adults they say "yes."
Until I use points like, two adults siblings who want to get married, or an adult father and daughter who want to.

The reason they say those aren't good is because they are frowned upon by everyone.
Well, wasn't that true with the same sex thing?

Just wondering where does it stop?
Will it stop?
Is there a limit to freedoms?

Quote

2010-07-30T20:36:00.001-05:00

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
- Dr. Seuss

Quote

2010-07-01T13:44:00.003-05:00

"There have been men before now who got so interested in proving the existence of God that they came to care nothing for God Himself... as if the good Lord had nothing to do but exist!
"There have been some who were so occupied in spreading Christianity that they never gave a thought to Christ. Man!
"Ye see it in smaller matters.
"Did ye never know a lover of books that with all his first editions and signed copies had lost the power to read them?
"Or an organizer of charities that has lost all love for the poor?
"It is the subtlest of all snares."
- C.S. Lewis from The Great Divorce

BP Spills Coffee

2010-06-19T11:48:00.000-05:00

Burning the midnight oil

2010-06-11T10:26:00.003-05:00

The article this guy wrote is very insightful.
And it seems interesting to me that "W" was very stringently taken to task for things he had no control over, and "O", though taking flack, is getting far less.

Although I can look at it several ways, I will try to take the positive tack, and hope against hope that the media isn't biased, but is maybe realizing that there is only so much you can do about something like this when you are the President.
Then again, maybe the media found someone (BP) to take the blame.
Unlike Katrina, there is definite culpability there on BP's part, and they miffed it.
The media should point out BP's screw up. They did that.
They should help us realize there is better ways to fix these things. The are doing that too.
They also tell us what is being done right now. Good again.

I just wonder if we couldn't direct more of our energies to the problem (at least for now) and work on tearing BP a new one later.

Sadly, I think they are doing all they can, and it still isn't enough.
Sometimes, tipsy captains don't seem SO bad after all.

Its nice to reminisce (part 2)

2010-06-01T18:08:00.002-05:00

Lord Anderson's driving skills at the reins of the coach were so gentle that they almost rocked me to sleep in the many seconds, nay, the few minutes it took to arrive at the place where the doctor was. I managed to stay awake through all the pain, but with an effort.

He drove the carriage up to the door, and an assistant of the doctor gave me a strange wheeled chariot to ride in on. I was ushered to a small room that was well lit, and 3 other assistants came in to help. THREE! Imagine how great a doctor this man must be!

They gave me some medicine which lessened my anxiety over all the proceedings of the evening thus far, and then asked me the oddest question:
"Sir, do you mind if we cut these pants?"
I must admit, that seemed like an odd question, but it must be some sort of ritual to ward off bad luck, so I just replied with, "Go ahead, I can get more at Target for $15"
I must have been delirious from the medicine, for I know not what I was saying, but it seemed to make them happy and they cut the pants half way up the right leg to expose my broken ankle.

It is odd. I was holding my leg in such a way that my toes should have been pointing straight up at the ceiling, but alas, my toes were pointing off to the right wall. 90 degrees off.
It passed through my mind to try to fix it, but then I thought, "Hey, let the doctor do it. He will probably have a better idea how to do it anyway."
Shortly thereafter, yet another assistant came by and told the assistant that was with me now, that he thought he was supposed to be working in that room. I am truly amazed at the amount of people this doctor had working for him. And I began to wonder, "How many rooms and people are in this place?"
Well, the first assistant stayed, and they sent me to another room with TWO more assistants. I almost think the people were playing dress up and moving around, but it was 2 different people!
I digress....

They took pictures of my leg in that room. Odd that they kept having me pose my leg, but I was not really caring too much. (I got more of this demarol medicine, and I felt goooooood) :)
I was returned to my original room and waited.

Shortly thereafter, I met the doctor. His name was Florin. I think he was the sworn enemy of someone named Gildor, and asked him, "Have you seen the Princess Bride?"
I can only assume my delirium and pain must have addled my wits to ask such a question. He proceeded to look at my leg and told me he had not seen her.
Well, without warning, he pulled on my leg. Gently, but I should have seen it coming.
I heard a couple popping noises and then felt a "thunk!" and my leg looked straight!
I was about to thank the doctor for this miraculous cure, when he started to wrap it in this magical white cloth that hardened within minutes and kept my leg immobile.
He then told me, that I needed to see another doctor to get my leg more straightened out.
I was still a bit uncomfortable, but just agreed.

Lord Anderson later told me I turned white when they 'set' my leg, as I learned that is what they called it. But I just remember closing my eyes and thought I had fallen again.
Anyway Lord Anderson helped to get me back in the carriage and we started the long trek for home...

Obama is for prayer

2010-05-06T11:22:00.001-05:00

Washington (CNN) -- Some 58 years after President Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer, Thursday's observance may be one of the last to be officially recognized by Washington.

A federal judge declared the law unconstitutional last month, but the Justice Department is appealing the case on behalf of the White House.

U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb in Wisconsin ruled on April 15 that the 1952 law creating the National Day of Prayer violates the ban on government-backed religion.

"[I]ts sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function," Crabb wrote in the ruling. "In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience."

The injunction against the National Day of Prayer will not take effect until the defendants in the case, President Obama and White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, exhaust their appeals, according to the decision.

The lawsuit against the Obama administration was brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group based in Madison, Wisconsin.

The president issued his proclamation for this year's observance less than three weeks after the judge's ruling, but he has not announced any plans to take part in any events.

"I call upon the citizens of our nation to pray, or otherwise give thanks, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, for our many freedoms and blessings, and I invite all people of faith to join me in asking for God's continued guidance, grace, and protection as we meet the challenges before us," Obama said in his official proclamation.

Its nice to reminisce...

2010-04-30T09:46:00.002-05:00

I was scrolling back through some of my older posts.
I haven't changed a TON, but I have changed.
And I still like humor.

I will now regale everyone with the story of my broken ankle.

Part 1:
So there I was...
Out in the near freezing weather...
The thaw of the day had refrozen and treacherous ice slicks dotted the landscape.
I left my friends place, and trekked out into the vast emptiness, heading toward my carriage. (a 2000 Chrylser Town and Country, champagne pearl with leather seats, we got a very good deal on it... )
But I digress... ;)
I had crossed half the distance to my transportation, almost 15 yards, when...
... it happened. I came upon a vast ice pack. Using my superior arctic skills I attempted to cross the dangerous area. But...
Even my skills were no match for the slick ice shelf...
I fell. My companion heard me cry out. He called from the many yards distant, that he was. I pulled out my box of deleted expletives and used as many as I could find, but to no avail, my ankle was broken as far as I could tell.
He managed to get over to me with more luck than I had, and paused several seconds before telling me,
"Okay. Don't let your leg touch the ground. I will go get the guys. Oh yeah, and don't look."
I was pretty sure it was broken before, but that made me sure.
I could freeze out in those cold temperatures before he returned, but I managed to hold on until help arrived. I was sure hypothermia had been setting in, in the seconds before all my friends arrived to help, but I persevered.
My friends reached into their packs and managed to create a makeshift splint and loosely applied it, to keep my ankle from shifting for the 3000 yard trek to the closest doctor. It was touch and go in the carriage, but Lord Anderson's skills as a driver of coaches made my journey more pleasant than it could have been.

to be continued... :)

His favorite Christmas story

2009-12-25T09:02:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas! <---click to hear a nice song

She was wearing red lipstick
to match her pretty dress.
December 24 at a quarter till 11's
when he finally gained the courage
to ask her to dance.

It was the night before Christmas.
It was love at first sight.
The carolers sang as they danced through the night.
She was a small town girl.
He was a traveling guy.
He never caught her name before they said their goodbyes.

A couple years later
he was out on the road,
having Christmas dinner in a diner alone.
When he saw a young waiteress with a gleam in her eye.
Her favorite day of the year.
She showed her spirits were high.

She said, "Sir, can you shed a little holiday cheer?"
A simple Christmas story's all she wanted to hear.
He looked prepared with a smile as he started to say,
"Here's my favorite Christmas story 'bout a girl with no name."

He said, "I met her up in Delaware
in 1937.
She was wearing red lipstick
to match her pretty dress.
December 24 at a quarter till 11's
when I finally gained the courage
to ask her to dance."

Every holiday season as he traveled he'd tell
'bout his Christmas dance partner that he never knew well.
He shared his favorite story with the locals he met.
He was called the Christmas Story-Telling Traveling Man.

By age 53 he had done settled down.
All the neighborhood kids liked to gather around
just to listen to the stories 'bout his life on the road.
All he had now were these children he told.

And every Christmas Eve they showed up before dark.
He'd tell them all the story but they knew it by heart.
They could quote it word-for-word.
He always told it the same.
It was his favorite Christmas story called "The Girl With No Name."

He said, "I met her up in Delaware
in 1937.
She was wearing red lipstick
to match her pretty dress.
December 24 at a quarter till 11's
when I finally gained the courage
to ask her to dance."

Ohh, Ohh, Ohhh...

20 years later as he took his last breath,
saw a cold Christmas morning in a hospital bed.
The children had grown.
He had nobody left,
except the little old nurse who was holding his hand.

He said, "Ma'am, could you share a little holiday cheer?"
A simple Christmas story's all he wanted to hear,
but his eyes filled with tears at the words she spoke,
because his favorite Christmas story was the one that she told.

She said, "I met him up in Delaware in 1937,
though I never caught his name.
He was a traveling man.
December 24 at a quarter till 11.
I'm so glad he got the courage to ask me to dance."

Terminators and Salvation

2009-12-11T23:37:00.001-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFrufPxjwX0

New

2009-11-10T19:42:00.002-06:00

There is nothing new under the sun.

Making it work

2009-08-26T01:32:00.003-05:00

The real secret to making relationships work, isn't trying your hardest, or doing your best.
Those might be good things, but it isn't what makes those things work.
The real secret is to be able to forgive, and be forgiven, for the shortcomings you both have in that relationship.

Quote

2009-01-04T13:56:00.000-06:00

Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.
- Isaac Newton

Life is still good... :)

2008-11-25T09:56:00.002-06:00

Life is good.
Even when sometimes we think it isn't.

Don't just run from problems.
They will only be dealt with, if you deal with them. :)
Otherwise they continue to stalk you until there are so many, you are gang tackled. :)

Eat some desserts.
Drink some alcohol.
Even the Bible talks about wine being something that makes hearts glad. :)

Encouraging a complete stranger is a great thing.
One day you might be on the receiving end. :)

I still like playing games too much. :)

But I needed to post something.

Mostly because a superhero, who shall remain nameless, (ahem-WonderWoman :) )
caused me to remember to not forget. :)

Quote

2008-09-08T07:39:00.001-05:00

You can't live a perfect day
without doing something for someone
who will never be able to repay you.

-John Wooden, sports coach (b. 1910)

Give me your eyes

2008-08-31T08:45:00.002-05:00

Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work, He's buying time

Chorus
I’ve been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you’ve seen the people all along

Chorus

Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes
From the album What If We

What if we started looking at other people as ones who need forgiveness? Just like we do.
What if we saw them as needing affection and love? Just like we do.
What if we treated everyone else like God treats us?
Isn't that what we're supposed to do?
Love and forgive?
Truth and justice are good, but without love...

IF you claim to be a Christian and still want people to "Buck up" and do better, and aren't willing to help and forgive like God does for you, then you will get what you give. He has repeated this to us over and over and we continue to forget.
Makes me sad.

But there are some out there, some who encourage and uplift, love and forgive, and these are the ones who reflect what God is, far better than those who know these things and demand obedience to what they see is the right thing to do.
Love and justice are not at odds with each other.
But in the end, love never fails.
I have to believe this.
Even if it makes me a dreamer.

Love.

Inspiration

2008-08-25T09:11:00.002-05:00

This is the Olympic story we never heard.

It’s about a girl whose Beijing moment lasted a mere 32 seconds – the slowest 200-meter dash time out of the 46 women who competed in the event. Thirty-two seconds that almost nobody saw but that she carries home with her, swelled with joy and wonderment. Back to a decades-long civil war that has flattened much of her city. Back to an Olympic program with few Olympians and no facilities. Back to meals of flat bread, wheat porridge and tap water.
...
When the gun went off in Samia’s 200-meter heat, seven women blasted from their starting blocks, registering as little as 16 one-hundredths of a second of reaction time. Samia’s start was slow enough that the computer didn’t read it, leaving her reaction time blank on the heat’s statistical printout.
Within seconds, seven competitors were thundering around the curve in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest, struggling to separate themselves from one another. Samia was just entering the curve when her opponents were nearing the finish line. A local television feed had lost her entirely by the time Veronica Campbell-Brown crossed the finish line in a trotting 23.04 seconds.
As the athletes came to a halt and knelt, stretching and sucking deep breaths, a camera moved to ground level. In the background of the picture, a white dot wearing a headband could be seen coming down the stretch.
...
As Samia came down the stretch in her 200-meter heat, she realized that the Somalian Olympic federation had chosen to place her in the wrong event. The 200 wasn’t nearly the best event for a middle distance runner. But the federation believed the dash would serve as a “good experience” for her. Now she was coming down the stretch alone, pumping her arms and tilting her head to the side with a look of despair.
Suddenly, the half-empty stadium realized there was still a runner on the track, still pushing to get across the finish line almost eight seconds behind the seven women who had already completed the race. In the last 50 meters, much of the stadium rose to its feet, flooding the track below with cheers of encouragement. A few competitors who had left Samia behind turned and watched it unfold.
As Samia crossed the line in 32.16 seconds, the crowd roared in applause.

I'm just taking a long sabblogical

2008-08-24T08:48:00.003-05:00

Been playing this for a while.
Sometimes, you just do things for fun.
I have been needing that lately.

As a side note, has anyone thought about how amazing people are?
I keep forgetting it.
Sometimes just playing games helps me to remember things.

My posts will be very infrequent.
When I do get back into this more frequently, I will stop by and say hello.
Until then, may you be blessed beyond measure.
Heck, you already are.

A word and a quote

2008-07-22T11:06:00.002-05:00

catachresis

PRONUNCIATION:
(kat-uh-KREE-sis)

MEANING:
noun: The misuse of words.

USAGE:
"Our neighbors to the north aren't spared the disease of catachresis, either. A Canadian politician displayed this manifestation of the illness:
'If this thing starts to snowball, it will catch fire right across the country.'"
Jaime O'Neill;
A Verbal Ship Lost in a Sea of Words;
San Francisco Chronicle; Sep 25, 2005.

Flaming snowballs.
Who knew?

Quote

2008-07-01T07:22:00.000-05:00

The liberties of a people never were,
nor ever will be, secure
when the transactions of their rulers
may be concealed from them.

-Patrick Henry, revolutionary (1736-1799)

He's looking for you

2008-06-18T08:21:00.003-05:00

Paul Alan - To Bring You Back
From the album Drive It Home

Are you thirsty
Standing in the rain?
Not sure where you are
Or how you lost your way?
Are you drowning
In some bar outside of town?
Searching for something given not found?
A crowd of people
But totally alone?
At the front door
But worlds away from home?

Light up the nights last regret and
Burn your only safety net
Step to the edge
It's such a long way down

Chorus:
I left the ninety-nine to find the one
And you're the one
I walked a thousand miles
In this desert sun
Only to bring you back
Only to bring you back

Are you tired Of chasing the wind under water?
Do you aspire to breath again?
Are you dying?
Is that the best that you can do?
Cause you can't find your place
In a world that wasn't meant for you?

Chorus:

Hello it's Me
I couldn't sleep
I was just counting sheep
And I'm missing you,
Hello it's Me
I couldn't sleep
I was just counting sheep.

Chorus:

---------------------------

Not being able to sleep because He is counting sheep and one is missing.
And that one is you.
Pretty encouraging.
It's good to feel wanted.

Killing the Lord of Darkness

2008-05-27T21:23:00.003-05:00

Have been playing Diablo II quite a bit recently.
When I have thrashed him and his 2 evil brothers, I may post something again.
Then again, its summer and there are a lot of things to do around the house and yard.

Word for the day:
callipygian - having a well formed behind

:)

Quote

2008-05-23T07:45:00.000-05:00

The living are soft and yielding;
the dead are rigid and stiff.
Living plants are flexible and tender;
the dead are brittle and dry.

-Lao Tzu, philosopher (6th century BC)

Rampant Racism in Republican Ranks

2008-05-21T09:22:00.002-05:00

50% of the voters in the Kentucky primary would not vote for Obama if he were the nominee.
Of those, 2/3 would vote for the old white guy, McCain.
Surely a sign of racism in the ranks.

If these same numbers came up for Republicans, my post title would be headlined everywhere.
But since its the Democrats, it must be okay?

And if Obama does win the presidency, does this mean we in America will be an Obama-nation?

Quote

2008-05-17T10:20:00.002-05:00

The truth is
that our finest moments are most likely to occur
when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable,
unhappy, or unfulfilled.
For it is only in such moments,
propelled by our discomfort,
that we are likely to step out of our ruts
and start searching for different ways
or truer answers.

-M. Scott Peck,
psychiatrist and author (1936-2005)

61

2008-05-14T15:14:00.006-05:00

Morris is turning 61 tomorrow.
Stop by and say "Happy Birthday!"
Why do I know this?
He lives halfway around the world in Australia.
I've never personally met him.
I actually remember his birthday because
I am exactly 20 years younger than he is.
Cool or what?

Also, I went to see a movie again.
Whole family liked it.

Break time

2008-05-07T08:40:00.004-05:00

Taking a little break.
Two friends just had babies. Good!
Two others are getting divorced. Not so good.
All that aside, go watch this:

My son and I really enjoyed this!

Quote

2008-05-05T08:16:00.001-05:00

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature
that the three things we crave most in life
-- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind --
are always attained by giving them to someone else.

-General Peyton C. March (1864-1955)

Goofy humor

2008-05-03T04:27:00.002-05:00

Made my kids laugh.

Mistakes

2008-04-30T10:17:00.002-05:00

Dad goofs, buys Mike's Hard Lemonade for son

Wow.
Kinda makes me want to hunker down in a bunker and hide.
The state takes your kids away if you make a mistake in parenting.
Hmmm....
I wonder if the compound (neighborhood) where he lives was also raided.

Quote +

2008-04-29T07:16:00.002-05:00

Be not too hasty
to trust or admire the teachers of morality;
they discourse like angels
but they live like men.

-Samuel Johnson, lexicographer
(1709-1784)

Unfortunately that is true of all of us.
Yet listening to moral leaders can help.
That is why we are supposed to test the spirits.
Talk about what they say and see if its true.
Wise as foxes and harmless as doves are we to be.

7 things about me

2008-04-27T08:45:00.004-05:00

Anne Droid was nice enough to tag me.

Here are the rules if you decide to play along:
1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

(I like this pic)

1) This is the first time anyone has tagged me before.

2) I love peanut butter. Give me a jar and a spoon and I could live happily for some time. After I think this, I wonder what manna tasted like. Hmmm....

3) One of my favorite movie lines is, "There is no spoon." Watch the Matrix. It's said twice. The second time is when Neo is starting to believe in what that means. As I live this life, I try to remember, "There is no spoon." This life isn't all there is. I'm waiting to see what's beyond all this.

4) I've ridden an elephant.

5) When I was 16, a friend a grade younger than me died. His mom gave me and some other friends some of his stuff. I will always treasure the book, "Sword of Shannara" because of that.

6) Spiderman is my favorite superhero. Mostly because of his witty, sarcastic comments. It shows a way of coping with the world sometimes.

7) I'm a better housekeeper than my wife. She'll kill me for writing it. ;) She has trouble keeping things picked up. I like the idea that there is a place for everything and everything has its place idea with my stuff. It is frustrating to try find something, when you are tripping over everything lying around the house, and then getting to where it's supposed to be, and finding it's not there.

I will tag seven people. As they come to mind.

Geppy, Jeff G, Mike W, Nator, Wayne, another Jeff G, and Morris.

Literal understanding

2008-04-25T11:57:00.002-05:00

It seems that the post I put up about being literal is being taken out of context to some extent.
I attend the Church of the Open Door.
The messages from the 20th about lust or the 13th about anger might help you understand what I'm trying to say.
I make condensed versions of things here when I post.
Why?
To help me remember and learn.
If you want to understand what I'm saying better and not just wanting to think I'm wrong, thanks.
And take a listen if you want.
If you still think we're wrong, that's okay.
It may not be the place you are at.
But it is where I am.

Kobe Bryant jumps

2008-04-25T08:25:00.002-05:00

This is just downright funny to me.
It shows the ability to point out silliness without being so serious.
And in the end, they are all still friends.
Now that is cool.

Poll position

2008-04-24T11:46:00.005-05:00

I am using this spot for discussing the new polls on the side.
I am genuinely curious about the why's and wherefore's of the reasons people think the way they do on these issues.
(You can choose multiple answers)
Please try to be nice in your comments.
Thanks.

Update: I redid the 'hate' poll. If you already voted on it, you'll need to revote.

Business Time

2008-04-24T10:56:00.003-05:00

Literal interpretation

2008-04-23T09:34:00.003-05:00

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’
But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
So if your eye—even your good eye[l]—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
And if your hand—even your stronger hand[m]—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
- Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:27-30)

There are plenty of people who constantly tell us to take the Bible literally.
They even tell us that they take the Bible literally.
And even if they do slip up, they take have a better understanding than you do.

How come they don't take this part literally?
I mean, Jesus said it, so it is a command, right?

Sunday, I was reminded of this with this little phrase our pastor said,

If you take the Bible literally, you might be missing the point, literally.

Ninja Claus

2008-04-19T22:09:00.005-05:00

Verses

2008-04-15T10:53:00.003-05:00

John 12:32 "And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” - NLT
John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." - NASB

I think Jesus is trying to tell us something. I haven't always looked as closely at who He was drawing to Himself.

Colossians 1:19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. - NASB
Colossians 1: 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself.

Yup. Definitely a lofty and grand goal. But everything? All?
Definitely something to think about.
To be honest, I can see the arguments and disagreements already.
That's good. If we don't work it out, we won't really understand God quite as well, will we?

Have a great week.
I am hoping to as well.

Video posting

2008-04-12T10:11:00.004-05:00

Since the question came up.
If you go to a page on youtube, on the right hand side there is a small area that says, "embed"
Click on it and select all the text.
When your on your page to make a post, paste in the text on the "edit html" tab.
Then write your post.

The truth about Bosnia

2008-04-10T08:48:00.000-05:00

New evidence that Hillary wasn't lying:

Quote

2008-04-09T11:34:00.002-05:00

This quote from CS Lewis about Jesus
is one of my absolute favorites.
-----------------------------------------------

I am trying here
to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing
that people often say about Him:

“I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher,
but I don’t accept His claim to be God.”

That is the one thing we must not say.
A man who is merely a man
and said the sort of things Jesus said
would not be a great moral teacher.
He would either be a lunatic
- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -
or else he would be the Devil of Hell.
You must make your choice.
Either this man was, and is, the Son of God:
or else a madman or something worse.
You can shut Him up for a fool,
you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon;
or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.
But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense
about His being a great human teacher.
He has not left that open to us.
He did not intend to."
C.S.Lewis (Mere Christianity) 1898-1963

Favorite lesser holiday

2008-04-08T09:30:00.003-05:00

Okay, whether or not you took part in the poll, tell me your reason for liking a holiday listed on the side.
I'll give you mine, first.
One, I got out of jail on that day and haven't seen my shadow since. :)
(Learned something new about me, didn't you...)
Two, I met my wife on that day and haven't gone back into hiding since. :)

Now which day did you pick, and why?

Herpex

2008-04-05T10:18:00.001-05:00

The post I just put up below this one is for encouragement.
This one is just for fun. I can't resist sharing.
Enjoy.

Dive right on in

2008-04-05T10:06:00.002-05:00

Great song by Steven Curtis Chapman.

And it so fits with my Goblin friends.

Make your own kind of music

2008-04-04T16:30:00.003-05:00

Don't forget that you are a special person.
There are some who disagree.
They would say that God didn't make you special.
Don't worry about what they say.
Just make your own kind of music.

Ever hear of

2008-04-03T08:06:00.001-05:00

Don the Astronaut?

Its a 12 page pdf cartoon.
Check it out.

Quote

2008-04-03T07:45:00.003-05:00

Faith which does not doubt is dead faith.

-Miguel de Unamuno, philosopher and writer (1864-1936)

I need someone to protect me
from all the measures they take
in order to protect me.

-Banksy, street artist (b. 1974)

Do you wish to rise?
Begin by descending.
You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first the foundation of humility.

-St. Augustine (354-430)

I've been on vacation too!

2008-04-01T22:10:00.002-05:00

After seeing others people's vacation pictures, I have been inspired to put up one of my own.

Its from last year, so please don't tease me. ;)

Quotes

2008-04-01T14:46:00.000-05:00

"Everyone thinks their opinion is the right one.
If they didn't, they'd get a new one."

"You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."

- Anne Lamott, writer (b. 1954)

Believe God or...

2008-03-31T23:08:00.004-05:00

Brian Culver. Brian has been removed from my links. Not for calling me a troll, but twisting things to fit how he wishes them to be in complete disregard for God's words. I don't think he really understands some things and perverts things to please himself.
This is going to be a long rant.
It isn't to diss Brian, as much as a warning for us to be examining ourselves.
(Hey Brian, I never said the Bible was inerrant, I said it about you)

Brian thought this was innappropriate for this post he had:

After reading all of this, I am quite sure that I am not nearly so righteous as all of you are.

And for this thing, I give thanks.

I understand that Doorman Priest is a real genuine human being. If someone questioned my salvation it would bother me too. At least a little.
But you wouldn't need to worry.
Your salvation is secure.
A beacon set on a hill cannot be hidden.
I just wonder why I feel like I'm unable to see much light as I look here.

Ah, I know. I must not be a Christian. So be it. I will follow Christ. With or without the label.
And I know he constantly ridiculed others for not following Him exactly and perfectly. Or not...
There was a fellow casting out demons. The young brash immature followers of Jesus couldn't stand it. Reminds me of something... ;)
And Jesus fully agreed with them and verbally accosted the man. Or not...

I don't expect you to understand what I've written. I expect you to reassure yourselves that you are well and good and right.
I do it quite often myself.
But then again, I'm human.
Saved? Yes.
Pompous? Sometimes.
Able to admit my faults? Sure.
Willing to be so absolutely correct in my judgments? More often than I'm willing to admit.
Sure that this post isn't what Jesus ever intended of His followers? Absolutely.

Rock rock ROCK

(Stuff to use when you want to respond to my comment)

The next comment I left was also deleted:

“Oh yeah, one last thing.
Look at my blog and realize that I can talk to many about Christ. And though we may not all agree, we are at least interested in spreading the word.
You are insulated and unable to properly and ably defend your position and hence fall back on "No more comments"
Good luck.
I think you're going to need it.
Prayer and study don't seem to be working as much as they should for you.
I think there are some verses about studying to show yourself approved.
Sounds like a great post idea.
What do you think? ;)”

I know I should turn the other cheek.
And there is so much more I can say.
But I will stop now.
He won't accept my comments.
And when he does, he distorts or chops pieces of import out.

I just needed to vent.
My apologies to all who are offended by my being human.
But to be honest, Jesus treated those who think they are 'all that' far worse.
Pray for Brian?
Yes. Absolutely I will.
Trust him?
As far as I can throw him.

Quote

2008-03-31T09:06:00.001-05:00

All living souls welcome whatever they are ready to cope with;
all else they ignore,
or pronounce to be monstrous and wrong,
or deny to be possible.

-George Santayana, philosopher (1863-1952)

Nuisance

2008-03-30T08:34:00.002-05:00

So here we are in the same old spot
Know that something needs to happen
But our mouths are locked
Tongue tied, closed tight, sewed shut, yup
I tried hard, but it just wouldn't come up

It's on the tip of my tongue
It's in the front of my mind
But the words were still so hard to find
Finally the reality of the things to come
Pushed me to the edgeI jumped off the cliff into the abyss as I said,

I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it

The conversation lingered on and on and
Before I knew it night had turned to dawn and
We'll be searching for the truth in all of it, ha
Are we debating just to win the argument?

'Cause none of us want to hear about when we go wrong
This song could easily be from me to you or me to John
'Cause I have to potential to be the guiltiest
My greatest strength is also my greatest weakness

I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it
(repeat)

Let's think about this path that we're taking
Let's think about this future we're creating
Let's think about this life that is fading
Think about it, come on
Think about it, now

Let's think about the time that we're spending
Investing in monetary things that are ending
Let's think about it and let's think together and
Let's think about what we can do to make it better

I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two centsYou can,
you can take it or leave it

We can and we will do better than this

More forgiveness

2008-03-29T08:42:00.002-05:00

A concise post on forgiveness.

by Jeff

Listening to reason

2008-03-27T10:57:00.003-05:00

Sometimes we listen to reason.
Sometimes what we are told, is the right thing to do.
Sometimes not.
I told you before that I play RPG (role-playing games)
Here is a comic about the 'monsters' - goblins to be exact.
Goblins
Except in this one, the 'monsters' are the good guys.
They have a friend who is being tortured and about to be put to death.
And the one who knows with his heart the right thing to do (Big Ears), listens to reason.
It is sound advice.
He gives into the sound, reasonable advice.
Though his heart doesn't want to do it.
His friend (Complains) doesn't listen well.
I'm so glad when I have friends who don't listen sometimes.
It helps me do the right thing.
Sometimes.

Quote

2008-03-27T08:32:00.005-05:00

I come from a people who gave the Ten Commandments to the world.
Time has come to strengthen them by three additional ones,
which we ought to adopt and commit ourselves to:
thou shall not be a perpetrator;
thou shall not be a victim;
and thou shall never, but never, be a bystander.

-Yehuda Bauer, professor (b. 1926)

Love

2008-03-25T21:07:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I really get my back up about how others can view their fellow human beings.
I try not to.
But, last I checked, I'm still human.

I realized today, that I get most bothered by what some people think of love.
Although it can be loving to help someone out of a pit they fell into out of carelessness, it doesn't seem very loving when you continually point out how they messed up.
(a little secret: often times they already know)

Anyway, I was listening to an old cassette tape of mine (hey! its not an 8 track), and realized that the great 'evangelists' REO Speedwagon, sang very well about what was bothering me. God bless them. It just goes to show that you can find God everywhere, if you're really paying attention.

Hit it boys:

Now go out and share love with someone. Real love. And watch the world grow just a little brighter.

Sick

2008-03-25T10:21:00.004-05:00

I'm not feeling well today.
I think I ate something that disagreed with me.

My extended family is actually going through some tough times.
Any prayers you give would be appreciate.

Update: I'm feeling much better but won't visit a Taco place that rhymes with hell for a while. :)
Also, pray especially for my brother.
Thanks.

Up again

2008-03-23T08:35:00.005-05:00

I wonder if the chorus to this song is along the lines Jesus thought on Easter morning so long ago.

Happy Easter!

To forgive is...

2008-03-21T10:46:00.002-05:00

We can easily talk about being able to forgive others.
Someone apologizes and we tell them not to worry about it.
It's pretty easy.
For example, if someone hurts your children and later apologizes for it, its no big deal, cause you forgive them.
Or someone tortures you, and years later, they say that they are sorry. So its okay.
Because we can forgive so easily.
And if we mistreat someone and insult them, they forgive us so readily when we apologize.

I'm being completely satirical.
We suck at it. We can't even forgive people for being wrong about anything.
Some people don't believe that Jesus is God and we say, "Well, sorry, but they are going to hell."
Maybe.

But that isn't my point.
We just really don't understand forgiveness.
God forgives us as we forgive others.
If we don't forgive, you can find verses about how God will forgive you.
(part of the journey is discovering the path, go look)

And if you think some are not worth forgiving.
Think about how tough it is to forgive someone who picks on the innocent.
Jesus was pretty doggone innocent.
And yet people tortured Him.
And people hurt His children.
And when you do something to the least of people, you do it to Him.
At least that is what He says.

And remember, when people tortured the most innocent person I know of, He forgave them.
As He was hanging on a cross and bleeding out His life, He didn't rail on them or condemn them.
He didn't jump down from the cross and fight for His life.
(the scary part is that I believe He still could have)
Instead, He looked down on those who mistreated Him and all His creation, and looked on them with pity.
He knew they weren't following the Way.
They might have been followers of Moloch, and killed their own children.
And He looked out at those people, and He asked God to forgive them.
Why?
Because they didn't know what they were doing.

Some of us get upset with others because they are misguided and think they are unforgivable.
Jesus didn't forgive them because they asked.
Jesus didn't forgive them because they would necessarily receive it.
He forgave them in the hopes that they would receive it.

Forgiveness is something we should do.
Even when others don't deserve it or want it.
Jesus did it.
Can you?

Quotes

2008-03-20T08:40:00.001-05:00

When the oak is felled the whole forest echoes with its fall, but a hundred acorns are sown in silence by an unnoticed breeze.
-Thomas Carlyle, historian and essayist (1795-1881)

The fire which enlightens is the same fire which consumes.
-Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and writer (1821-1881)

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
-Desmond Tutu, clergyman (b. 1931)

To hurry pain is to leave a classroom still in session. To prolong pain is to remain seated in a vacated classroom and miss the next lesson. -Yahia Lababidi, writer (b. 1973)

Understanding

2008-03-18T10:20:00.002-05:00

We all have things we believe.
Other people go through life the same way.
This seems to address some of the things that this blog has covered recently.
(can't embed the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeXxkbgCVE

Sometimes we need to get a new perspective.
It changes everything.
Thanks to Wonder Woman for posting a link to this a few months back.
You might act silly, but you are a sweet genuine person.

Sharing your food

2008-03-15T07:45:00.003-05:00

If someone stopped at your house unannounced and it was near mealtime, would you feed them?
Before you just say, "Yes," do you like having uninvited guests over?
Do you like the chance to make everything look nice first?
My guess is, you would probably like to have your house cleaned up first.

In the previous post, Craig mentioned something about abstaining from those who don't have the truth.
It's in the scriptures. But what does it mean.
Avoid people who don't know the truth?
Or if you end up in pointless disputations, it might be better to move on?
I'll go with the second one.

Talking to someone of a different faith allows us to understand each other better.
Now I can see people's little red flags going up. Understand them?! What for?!
Before you accept Jesus, does He understand you?
Most assuredly.
Does He agree with you?
Well, that is a different answer.

MikeT had a good point that I was trying to convey.
If something that someone is talking about it truth, it is truth.
There will be error in with it, to be sure.
But we ALL have that problem.
In the process of talking to another you will be in communication,
which allows you to share the truth you know.
Unless...

You go with JRazz's option:
"Jesus said He is the way the truth and the light, no one comes to the Father except through Him.
"And Muhammed is the holder of all truth revealed to man and to find your way to God you should look to him and his writings."
"Those two things cannot be both true as they are contradictory in nature and that is not a characteristic of truth."

Since the second statement contains error, JRazz has thrown out the baby with the bath.
I propose that if someone really studied the writings of Mohammed, they would be able to "find their way to God" as in the quote.
Why?
Because if there is truth, and there is some in there, and someone reads it, they will also notice some things that aren't right.
Why?
The Holy Spirit isn't just hovering around Bibles.
God's Spirit is everywhere.
God wants everyone to be saved and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
God will guide them to the truth.
I have more faith in that than in me going to Iran and being able to share it.
The truth is already there.
Some parts just aren't as clearly visible.

Which brings me to this.
We have freedom in our world and are able to share the truth we know.
Often times, with the power and freedom others do not have.
Those of you who are adamant on your sharing techniques (and those who aren't), I would ask a question.
If you were in the middle of Iran, and you were taught all the things they are taught, how would you view the self-righteousness you see coming from over here?
Really think about it.
To be honest, they would act just like some of us do.
They might listen politely, but would have the ulterior motive of getting their point across.

Each person thinks they are right.
That includes them and you and me.
I know for sure that God is right.
And going by the views I see here, God will either condemn you for not living perfectly by His standards,
or not.
I'm going with the 'not'.
Why?
Grace is not fair.
Grace is one of the most unfair things I know of.
Yet I will live in it.
It is where God has placed me.
And I am so very glad.

I've got a messy house today.
But hopefully some Mormons or Witnesses will stop by today.
And instead of trying to be right, I can listen to them, try to understand their pain, and help them to really understand what the grace of God is all about.
And maybe they will be able to help me understand the same thing.
Why?
Because I haven't cornered the market on truth.
When you have, you are done learning.
You have arrived.
I know I still have a long way to go.

P.S. WW, my mini-vacation was VERY good. Thanks for the blessing.

P.P.S. I thought this was appropopriate

Can they be a little right?

2008-03-13T08:28:00.003-05:00

Wayne made this comment in the last post:
I would let a Buddhist talk to me about why I should share his faith....I would let him talk without getting mad or interupting....but...when he was done I would show him the error of his religion and show him that his transgressing the Law of God has put him in the direct path of the God of justice.

It made me realize something.
Our desire to be right.
We all think we're right.
We come out with,
"This is right, that is wrong."
And defend it vehemently.

Why is it though, that when we find a certain truth, everyone else has no truth?
I'm right and you're wrong.
Maybe you are.
But has the thought ever come up that the other guy might have a little truth?
Why is it that we can't reasonably discuss something with someone and try to see where someone is right as well?

I'm not even saying I'm immune to this.
I'm not.
I have to fight down glee when people are shown to be hypocritical.
Use NY Gov. Spitzer as an example.
It is hard to wish well for someone who showed others no compassion, and was sooo right.
It is hard, but not impossible.
I try to picture what it would be like to be in his shoes.
I try to understand.
Not condone, just understand.

So when someone is sooo right, and others aren't as right as that person, we all have this knee-jerk reaction.
And rightly so.
It could be God's way of getting their attention.
It could be His way of getting our attention.

Next time instead of being so confrontational, try to see what things you have in common with the other guy.
Try to be his/her friend.
Jesus did that all the time.
He hung out with sinners.
They let him hang out with them.
They wouldn't do that if he was always pointing out their sin.
He cared for them and listened to them.
Pointing out sin came for those who thought they had none.
And he was very pointed about it.

Those are just my thoughts.
But I want to leave you with a quote:

"Whoever fights monsters
should see to it
that in the process
he doesn't become a monster."

Frederick Nietzsche
German philospher 1844 - 1900

Sharing

2008-03-11T08:00:00.003-05:00

I have engaged a few people on blogs and in my life that have an interesting approach when talking to others.
One friend of mine in particular, always wants to tell people about Jesus.
He gets very excited about it.
And he knows that if you don't believe in Jesus, you'll go to hell.
He tells people that all the time.
I can cite the 'Way of the Master' as one of the approaches he finds that appeals to him.

People who follow that approach always liken it to telling someone they are driving toward a cliff they can't see.
They are just trying to warn and help them.
And I can understand that point.
Yet I keep thinking of a line from 'Princess Bride',
"Do you always start conversations this way?"

When Jesus was around talking to people about God, he did warn people about hell.
I won't deny it.
But that isn't how he started his conversations.
He talked to people, but even more, he listened to them.
He was actually interested in people.
Not just keeping them from the hellfires of damnation.
He actually was concerned about who people were.
And what they did.
Read about Zaccheus in the Bible and you'll see what I mean.
Or you could read about Nicodemus.

It isn't necessary to read those, but notice what happened.
The people he talked to, were looking for him.
They sought him out and he listened and talked with them.
He didn't run up to them scaring the hell out of them.
It isn't HIS way.

I could be way off base.
I'm sure some will tell me I am.
But to be honest, I am having trouble figuring out how to have a good relationship with someone, if you are the one doing all the talking and pointing out how wrong the other guy/gal is.
I used to be much more like that.
One guy I know compared me to Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh.
That guy was right.
Sadly, nobody really likes Rabbit.
Not even if he's right.

People do like you, if you help them with a problem, and they ask for help.
They don't, if you think you are going to fix them, and they didn't want your help.
It's true.
Pay attention and watch people sometime.
It will amaze you.

Anyway, I have a poll on the side.
Take time to answer it.
Or not.
And thanks for listening to me.
You have no idea how encouraging it is.
Then again...,
maybe you do.
Thanks again.

Thoughts

2008-03-09T17:50:00.002-05:00

I finally figured out how to get recent comment on the side bar.
This is what helped me.
Sometimes, I can be smart.
:)

I believe

2008-03-08T08:08:00.001-06:00

Quote

2008-03-06T10:55:00.000-06:00

I would rather try to persuade a man to go along,
because once I have persuaded him, he will stick.
If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared,
and then he is gone.

-Dwight D. Eisenhower,
U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969)

The play is the thing

2008-03-05T09:42:00.004-06:00

Gary Gygax founded a game called Dungeons and Dragons back in the 1970's.
Just for information to those who read here, "I am a geek."
I played that game as a kid.
I still play it now on occasion.
Of course then, it was Dr. Pepper and junk food.
Now it's beer and beef jerky. (It takes two weeks for the smells to disappear) :)

I remember in my teens I saw him on 60 minutes.
They were asking him why there wasn't a warning label on his game, due to the fact that some people got too into it and lost hold of reality.
I remember his response.
He looked at a chair and pointed out how it could be used to hit someone.
He asked why we didn't have warning labels on those.
I chuckled.
It made me realize that anything can be misused.
Anything can be used as a scapegoat.

Some might think he was turning kids into dorks.
(couldn't do that, I already was one) ;p
Or idol worshippers.
(I wonder if anyone watches any idol shows in america?) ;)
But the truth is, I can see him as someone who had wisdom.
After all, God made Gary Gygax.
And God can take away, as well.
Rest in peace.

Gary Gygax (1938-2008)

For the geeks who know what I'm talking about.

A Song of Hope

2008-03-03T15:14:00.003-06:00

A Song of Hope

All things bright and beautiful, You are
All things wise and wonderful, You are
In my darkest night You brighten up the skies
A song will rise

Chorus:
I will sing a song of hope, sing along
God of heaven come down, heaven come down
Just to know that You are near is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down

All things new, I can start again
Creator, God calling me Your friend
Sing praise my soul to the Maker of the skies
A song will rise

Chorus:

Halleluiah, sing

Chorus:

Robbie Seay Band

------------------
Music lifts the soul.
It isn't something that can be quantified and measured.
And those who are always interested in trying to find the 'exact' value of something, are often distressed by it.

I remember reading a piece in which a man, named Todd Friel, complained about some music.
It seemed to bother him because he couldn't tell if they were singing to God or 'some chick'.
I look at one of my recent posts about God being our lover.
The lover of our souls.
And I start to wonder why Mr. Friel can't understand the love that some are singing about.
Has he ever experienced it?
Does he even know that is how God thinks of him?
And in my cynical nature, I wonder how upset he would be over these questions?

I could provide links, but those who know of the Way of the Master ministries know about this man.
I just hope that one day he will see people not as souls needing to be won, but people.
People in genuine need of the love of God.
Not that they don't need help.
All people do.
But that the relationship with God and people would become so much more alive to him.

I know there are some who will complain about this.
That's okay.
Discussion and dialogue help us to GROW.
Those who cannot discuss opinions, aren't able to grow much.
I also think that those who will not tolerate others opinions tend to think that they have 'arrived' at the right conclusions. Period.
And in the scriptures, Paul said something about people who think they have arrived.
He reminded us that none of us have.

So enjoy the journey.
And don't forget to smell the flowers.
It doesn't always make sense.
But it is enjoyable.

A Muslim man

2008-02-29T08:30:00.004-06:00

Brian brought up something at his website that gets me thinking about why I dislike certain kinds of evangelism. Doorman-Priest and Waynedawg made comments about it and it got me to thinking even more. So...

There was this guy who was traveling. While in a big city, he was taking a shortcut through an alley. Whereupon he was mugged. The guy was beaten when he tried to resist and left for dead.
A little while later, a fundamental evangelist was passing through the same alley. He saw the man lying there. And noticing he was still conscious, tried to tell him about Jesus. The man didn't seem to be listening well (and probably got what he deserved anyway), so he left with every intention to find help, except he was late for a meeting and forgot.
Another man passed through the same alley. He was a Muslim. This man saw the guy laying there. He knew that the man was in bad shape. So he picked him up and carried him to the street, found out where the nearest hospital was and brought him in. He even offered to pay for as much of the care as he could afford if they wouldn't provide it.

Now, we all know this story. And we always think the other person is the one in need of help. And though that is true, we need it just as badly. So the next time you see someone doing a good deed, don't just start saying, "Well, he's just trying to earn his way into heaven." Instead, realize he is telling people about a savior. And by his actions, shows that he know The Savior, far better than some of us do.

Telling people about Jesus is good. Pointing out how they fail is an okay start. But never leaving that point and forgetting that GOD created people, every single person, and that He loves them, leaves you in a cold and dark place.
Your light will not be very bright.

So instead of focusing on what they do wrong. Try instead to do right yourself. After you have shown love, then they might listen to you about Jesus. If you try to tell them without becoming involved in their story, you are most likely wasting your breath.

Traveling light

2008-02-27T23:41:00.002-06:00

You can either continue to hang onto sin, and point out how others have it. (who doesn't have it?)
Or you can lay your burdens down. And travel light.
Funny how we never want to travel as we're intended to.

He's definitely got charisma

2008-02-27T20:23:00.003-06:00

US magazine - So, boxers or briefs? Bill Clinton said he wore boxers in a 1992 interview with MTV.
Obama - I don't answer those humiliating questions. But whichever one it is, I look good in 'em!

You have to admit, whether you like him or not, the man is a charmer.

And why is it that both parties close ranks and support each other as we get our candidates narrowed down, but when the President is elected, we don't do that as a country and just continue to snipe at each other?
(rhetorical question, but you can answer it if you want)

The response of fear

2008-02-26T09:09:00.003-06:00

My last post garnered this anonymous response (as well as many other good ones):

Since God is love He must hate that which is evil,
and since He is all holy and just He must punish evil.
All humans are born evil sinners.
But being rich in mercy, God sent His only Son,
Jesus,
to die on the cross for sinners
and He rose from the dead on the third day.
Repent (turn from sin) and trust in Jesus Christ alone
and God will grant you eternal life.
If not God in His wrath will punish you forever in hell.

I notice that this person has stated from his/her comment that we are born evil. I know we are born sinners (separated from God). But I am having trouble with that part about evil. I have great sorrow for anyone who has gotten boxed into that kind of thinking. I know that God created everything. And everything He creates is good. If there is a failure to be good, it does fall on me. But that isn't the point.

How sad it is to focus only upon the things of evil and dread. Phillipians 4:8 tells us to do something. And if anon comes back, I would ask if there is any good thing, why do you disobey scriptures and not focus on those.
Instead of finding faults, remove the plank from your eye and help out those who are in trouble.
Of course you could insist on doing just what you are doing and never think about whether or not God might be forced to judge you as you judge others.
That is scary.

I try so hard not to be judging and condemning.
Why?
Because, I would deserve exactly the same thing.
And I still would if I continued to walk down that path.

A plea to Anonymous:
Repent now, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, yea verily, right at the door.
Jesus is here to forgive you for all the things you've done.
And if you have accepted Him,
you are free, and a saint, and worth enough to die for, and clean, and...(the list goes on and on)
And you don't have to do anything for this.
Just accept it.
And if you do that, your heart will overflow and you will share it with others because you will not be able to contain it inside.

God bless you all.
Actually, He already does.

Jesus is my lover

2008-02-25T10:23:00.003-06:00

Pretty steamy post title, eh?

The message I heard at church yesterday really resonated with me.
I have always heard that Jesus is my Savior.
There were times when I really hung onto the fact that Jesus is my Master.
And I even grab onto the fact that Jesus is my friend.
But lover of my soul...

Yet we are called his bride. We can have a relationship with him that is so deep that our closest example of it is marriage. It's kind of intimidating, in a way. I often end up finding things that distract me from Him. Yet He still beckons me back. Some might think He sends out the city watch to haul you back, but that isn't really how He operates. Missed perception on their part.

Like lovers, we have our spats and arguments. We disagree (me being right, of course), and have times apart (at least to my view). But He is ever so patient and kind. Whenever I look away from Him, He is still right there and focused on me. I try to be that way for my wife, and can't. He is always right, whenever I disagree, but He doesn't cram it down my throat. He usually just waits patiently until I realize my error.

I've seen others (including myself at times), who want to be right. So badly do they want this that they forget what Jesus told them about themselves. So I will try to sum up some things that Jesus thinks about you.

You are a friend.
You are loved.
You are worthy of that love.
. (He must think so, He died for you)
You are all these things and so much more.

Don't forget them. Otherwise you will forget what we are to be. Lovers.
So share that love with others as He so freely shares it with you.

Everyone is loved by Him. Everyone.
Enjoy the fact that you are loved and lovable.
And for those of you who read this and disagree,
don't look at me, you are disagreeing with God.
Take it up with Him.

Its a sign

2008-02-20T21:37:00.003-06:00

Just to show Geppy I can make up signs about other denominations as well.

Disagreements

2008-02-19T08:23:00.002-06:00

Ever wonder why you can't talk with some people?
Maybe they think along these lines.

Follow your heart

2008-02-18T08:03:00.002-06:00

Everyone seems to notice that we struggle within our own hearts.
We get angry, yet know we should show love.
When we hear someone say, "Follow your heart" we rebel against it.
We know that we can be very selfish in our intents.

There was this man, who cheated on his wife.
He didn't always follow and listen to wisdom and tried to do it his own way.
He killed thousands of people.
He was sometimes very prideful and selfish.

In comparison, when we are given a choice, we can often be selfish and do things our own way.
Hate people (which Jesus equates with murder).
And think we are soooo right.

Following your heart will sometimes get us to do the wrong things.
Because we are selfish. But not always.
If we have children, we give up a lot for them.
That's not selfish.
If we have ever done anything nice for anyone at all with no thought to reward, we have done unselfish things as well.
Makes you wonder, why did you do those things.
Maybe your heart can be in the right place.

One last thought,
the man I listed above, who did all those terrible things, wasn't so bad.
For God said of that man,
"Now here is a man after my own heart."

Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
What is it your treasure?
What do you value?

You already know what God said about that man.
Isn't it at least a little bit possible He could be saying the same thing about you?

Being right

2008-02-14T08:13:00.004-06:00

A friend and myself were talking about some spiritual things the other day.
He tends to be far more Calvinistic than I do.
So we each bring up our points and try to convince each other of their merits.

I thought about our conversation, later.
During the talk we talked about how the heart is desperately wicked.
We talked about whether or not he was more right, or whether I was.
Which led me to believe that we each follow our hearts.
We disagree, but we have a heart in the matter that we follow.

So I ask the question,
"If the heart is SO desperately wicked, why do you follow yours?"

I don't want to end this on such a cruddy note, so I will post some lyrics from this song by the David Crowder band.

Everything Glorious:
The day is brighter here with You
The night is lighter than its hue
Would lead me to believe
Which leads me to believe
Chorus:
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours
What does that make me?

So, that brings another question.
"If you believe God made you and your heart, what does that make you? What does that make your heart?"

Quote

2008-02-12T09:10:00.000-06:00

Evil is like a shadow -
it has no real substance of its own,
it is simply a lack of light.
You cannot cause a shadow to disappear
by trying to fight it,
stamp on it,
by railing against it,
or any other form of emotional or physical resistance.
In order to cause a shadow to disappear,
you must shine light on it.

-Shakti Gawain, teacher and author (b. 1948)

You are so much more...

2008-02-08T02:58:00.000-06:00

Everyday Sunday – Let’s Go Back
From the album – Wake Up! Wake Up!

I know that you, you are busy living your own life
I can't make you, make you give me all of your time
But I just wish it could be like it was yesterday
I think it stinks that these stupid problems got in the way

Chorus:
So tell me what you are and
I'll tell you, you're so much more than
Anything you thought that you could be
(So tell me now, tell me anything)

So let's go back now to the times that were fun
I'm so sick of the lies that someone else's mind has won
I don't care what they think, I don't care who all cares
I just don't want you to leave

So get your car, I'll meet you sometime tonight
I don't care what we do, we can get in a fight
I'm so tired of living in this small enclosed can
So let me out, we'll have some fun, I'll let you let me make the plans

Why are we waiting on someone else to tell us
How it should be, I've already found it
And God didn't tell me to waste these dreams

I see you trying so hard to run the race to the finish line
But all this stuff keeps getting in the way

Label: worshiptogether.com

Listening

2008-02-08T02:39:00.001-06:00

A bunch of things got me thinking about sharing my faith.
How do I share?
There are a whole bunch of things I could list.
But then I thought about how God reached me.
Reached me.

Do I do that?
Not tell them about God and Jesus, although that is part of what I want to share. But do I reach others how God reached me?
Do I show interest in others?
Do I care for others?
Do I listen to their problems and needs?

I realized today,God does exactly that with me.
He really is interested in me.
He isn't interested in just showing me the 'right way'. Notice I said, 'just.' He wants me to know the right way, but first listens to me.
He is concerned about me.
And as such, I should go and do likewise.

If the above ramble makes no sense to you, don't worry about it.
I wrote it for me. I need it for me.
If it does make some sort of sense to you, then its good for me to know that I'm not alone.
Thanks for listening.
It should remind you of someone.
If it doesn't, go back to the top and read it again.
And then realize, you are more like someone I just mentioned than you might realize.
Continued peace and blessings on you.

Quote

2008-02-06T07:15:00.000-06:00

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed -- and hence clamorous to be led to safety -- by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
-H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)

One big reason why our country is so polarized.

Presentation

2008-02-02T07:20:00.000-06:00

I saw Guilliani the day before he dropped out. He was very gracious and instead of ripping everyone to shreds, proved he was serious about stopping his campaign by commending all the other candidates. That's a whole topic in itself, but not what made me think.

Rudy commended Ron Paul specifically about how Paul had won all the polls about who won the debates. Which made me wonder why doesn't Paul get more votes. Which led me to Jesus.

Now you're thinking, "Ron Paul makes you think of Jesus?!?" Sort of.

I was thinking that at least as far as the truth goes, Paul does seem to have a good piece of it. If he is winning all these polls about who was most right in the debates, he must know what the right answers are. So why isn't RP getting more votes? He seems to know what he's talking about.

And it started me thinking about other groups who speak the truth. And yet, like Paul, people agree, but don't attend that particular church or group. Again, why? They are speaking the truth, right?

How one speaks truth will determine how effective you might be in swaying others to believe as you do. If you are the best debater and win all the arguments, but have not love, it is meaningless. If you can point out how badly others sin, but have not love, it is as a clanging gong. It will grate on peoples nerves. It will irritate them.

I don't know why Ron Paul isn't getting votes. Maybe there is some of that love that isn't showing through.

I don't know why some churches get less attenders and their congregation changes faces every few years. Maybe there isn't love showing through there.

Speaking the truth is a great thing. But not doing it in love, is like having salt that has no flavor. Might as well pitch it. It isn't doing its job.

So on this Groundhog's day, don't be afraid of the shadows. Hold fast to the truth, but don't forget why your doing it. Love your enemies. Love as God loves. He loved us while we were yet enemies. And when he shares his truth, try to figure out why he's doing it.
Think twice about they guy in the suit telling you about how rotten you are and try to see why he might be doing it.
After all, some people are voting for Paul, so there must be something there.

If the person really cares about you, they will treat you like an equal. Whether you deserve it or not. If they don't, you might want to ponder. And when you ponder, think about the love they haven't yet received. Sometimes the ones who speak the truth, forget the point of why they are supposed to be doing it.

Until all things are brought together in Him...,

Love.

Freedom (part 3)

2008-01-26T11:49:00.000-06:00

Got this from a comment Lonnie made at Mrs. D's.
It ties in nicely with what I've been thinking and says it better than I would have.

"When we fear people coming in and taking away our place we have man centered, empty religion. We miss the truth and withhold from ourselves and others the freedom which comes in relating to Jesus as we walk with Him."

Freedom (part2)

2008-01-23T21:41:00.000-06:00

Newsboys

- I Am Free
- From the album Go

Through you the blind will see
Through you the mute will sing
Through you the dead will rise
Through you our hearts will praise
Through you the darkness flees
Through you my heart screams
I am free
I am free

Chorus: (2x’s)
I am free to run(I am free to run)
I am free to dance(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you(I am free to live for you)
I am free(I am free)Yes, I am free(I am free)

Through you the blind will see
Through you the mute will sing
Through you the dead will rise
Through you our hearts will praise
Through you the darkness flees
Through you my heart screams
I am free
I am free
Are you free?
I am free

Chorus: (2x’s)

(Peter’s Prayer)

Chorus: (2x’s)

Label: worshiptogether.com

Freedom (part 1)

2008-01-21T11:00:00.000-06:00

...is just another word for nothing left to lose.

Freedom is something that we all seem to want. And yet, a lot of people want to restrict that right in others.
Whether its the freedom to dance, worship, listen to music, talk about something, or just rest. Someone has an opinion on how you should use your freedom.
The people that are most upset with freedom that people have are those who are afraid of losing something. Losing power. Whether that power is over a group of people or over just oneself.
There was this guy I heard about, who gave up everything. He still had power, but he freely gave it away to those in need. Even when they didn't deserve it.

There are those who really abuse power. That which is freely given to them.
If you have ever been told that your inability to give your freedom to another is sinful or selfish, you might just understand what I'm trying to convey.
Those with real power, power they will give to you, are hard to find. They understand power given freely away is a gift. No strings attached.
Jesus did that a lot. Gave away everything. Didn't have a house. Didn't own "Sabbath church clothes" that were 'better' than his regular garb. Healed others. And though he might have given advice on occasion, he didn't force the matter. He was free. And he offers this freedom to everyone who wants to live and grow in this way.

When someone in authority beats down your rights, because you question their motives, they just don't understand what it is to be free. Pray for them. They need it. Give them freedom to do as they wish with their power, and use your freedom to do what you need to do.
If you are in a church where your freedom is being taken away, and you are told you are disobedient when you question something, you might want to find a different place to be. That isn't saying 'throw out all the rules'. Rules are guidelines to help us ensure that everyone has freedom. But when we use guidelines to do something they weren't intended to do (which is guide) and instead use them like a stick or club to force someone to 'do what is right', we have turned down the wrong fork in the road and need to turn around.

Take a minute when you get time and look to see what Jesus did. You don't have to. It's just a suggestion. You are free to do it if you wish.

Jesus came to set us free. And if he has set you free...
You are free. Free indeed.

Star Trek stuff

2008-01-18T18:24:00.000-06:00

Human

2008-01-18T10:20:00.000-06:00

The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.

-Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)

Saving grace

2008-01-17T09:00:00.000-06:00

Salvation. The meaning is pretty clear:
1.
. a. Preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil.
. b. A source, means, or cause of such preservation or deliverance.
2. Christianity
. a. Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption.
. b. The agent or means that brings about such deliverance.

There is a finality aspect to salvation. When God does something it is done. Yet...

We sometimes tend to look only at the completed transaction. We think, "It is finished." And when we do it isn't bad.
Yet, do you not need God to save you every day? I know I do. I am tempted every day. I am tried every day.
And when I think I don't need to be saved anymore, I find out I still do need to be saved.
Every day.
You could look at this as sanctification. And it is, but even sanctification, doesn't describe what happens completely. (sanctify -1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.)

One day, God will be foremost in our thoughts, doing right to others and ourselves will be foremost in our thoughts.
We will see everything through the eyes of Love and Goodness and Charity.
I don't know what that will really be like.
Will we still need to be saved and sanctified?
Oddly enough, I think so.
None of us are ever truly going to be God.
So we are always going to need Him.
To help us.
To love us.
And to save us.

Quote

2008-01-16T08:32:00.000-06:00

If your morals make you dreary, depend on it, they are wrong.
-Robert Louis Stevenson, novelist, essayist, and poet (1850-1894)

Hiding

2008-01-14T09:34:00.000-06:00

I went to a church where it was said that the Holy Spirit was so 'holy' He would flee far from you if you sinned. It always caused me to wonder.
Isn't God everywhere?
Can I really make God 'run away'?

And then I saw something that again reminded me of what God is about.

God's love is unconditional.
Sin does not change God's love.
Sin changes our perception of ourselves
- not God's ability to hang out with us.
Let me illustrate.
God hung out with Adam in the Garden, although Adam was naked.
Now Adam disobeys God's one command.
Adam *knows* he is naked now, so he hides from God.
God still comes to hang out with Adam, despite Adam's SIN.
Yes, God sends Adam from the Garden.
This is not a punishment, but rather God's mercy to prevent the possiblity that Adam could live eternally in his state of feeling guilty.
Notice, God follows Adam out of the Garden.
God does not leave Adam because of his sin.
God is obviously in a one-on-one relationship with Adam's sons, Cain and Abel.
God has not turned from mankind because of their sin.
God still is in relationship with them.
Psalm 139:7-8 says if I make my bed in hell, God is there.
Your sin will not turn God away from you.
It will, however, make you, like Adam, attempt to hide from God

Thanks to D on Xanga

Way too long a post (for me)

2008-01-12T13:02:00.000-06:00

Triton makes a good argument for women wearing head coverings with this passage:

1Co:11:3: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4: Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5: But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6: For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7: For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8: For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9: Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10: For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

First, at least to me, it would appear that this passage applies to praying and prophesying. But I hate being nitpicky, so I'll give it a paradox instead.

Acts 15: 19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.”

In case we get stupid and forget it:
Acts 15: 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: 29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. 31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

Third time is the charm.
Acts 21: 25 “As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

As long as it doesn't get to this:

Acts 21: 26 So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them.
27 The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, 28 yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.” 29 (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)
30 The whole city was rocked by these accusations, and a great riot followed. Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the Temple, and immediately the gates were closed behind him. 31 As they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander of the Roman regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He immediately called out his soldiers and officers and ran down among the crowd. When the mob saw the commander and the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.

...everything will be fine. ;)

I hate making long posts. But even more, I hate misinformation and people not reasoning things through. This is my attempt at it. My conclusion does NOT need to be yours. Make a decision, but always allow for some information that you don't know to change your way of thinking.
God is truth.
So if we find truth, if must be...

When you surf the internet...

2008-01-09T22:38:00.000-06:00

caption reads: What's your idol?

You can sometimes catch some interesting waves.

Rules

2008-01-08T12:21:00.000-06:00

I was rereading the book of Galatians.
Chapter 5, verse 1, stood out to me as it so often does.
"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." (NLT)
The part about getting tied up again in the law has been catching my attention recently.
A footnote in my Bible echoes my thinking and that of the passage as well.

"We must stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ."

Recently I have seen people say that we need to dress a certain way, but not actually give specifics. I saw one comment that did give specifics. I wonder why not everyone agrees with the 'cut-and-dried' method he laid out? (just kidding)
It's not that the Bible isn't helpful. It is.
It is that the Bible isn't what we worship and praise and love and adore.
The Bible points us to Him. (John 5:39)
Why does everyone get so caught up in 'the right thing', just to miss the real thing?

Yup

2008-01-06T23:00:00.000-06:00

Your Personality is Very Rare (INTP)

Your personality type is goofy, imaginative, relaxed, and brilliant.

Only about 4% of all people have your personality, including 2% of all women and 6% of all men
You are Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Thanks Rachel

Forgiven

2008-01-03T10:03:00.000-06:00

Relient K - Forgiven
From the album Five Score and Seven Years Ago

Oh yes, I know this tension that you speak of
We're in the palm of a hand making a fist
It'd be best for one of us to speak up
But we prefer to pretend it does not exist

And you can't see past the blood on my hands
To see that you've been aptly damned
To fail and fail again

Chorus:
Cause we're all guilty of the same things
We think the thoughts whether or not we see them through
And I know that I have been forgiven
And I just hope you can forgive me too

So don't you dare blame me for
Prying open the door
That's unleashed the bitterness
That's here in the midst of this
Sometimes we live for no one but ourselves

And what we've been striving for
Has turned into nothing more
Than bodies limp on the floor
Victims of falling short
We kiss goodbye the cheek of our true love

And you can't see past the blood on my hands
To see that you've been aptly damned to fail and fail again

Chorus:

And you can't see past the blood on my hands
To see that you've been aptly damned
To fail and fail again

Chorus: