I was listening to "Focus on the Family" on KWRD radio in Dallas today when I heard there is a law that is being pushed that will keep ministers from preaching against homosexuality, essentially making it a hate crime if they do. If so, I want Bill Maher arrested (from HBO's website):
"New Rule: Jesus is not a candle. A company in South Dakota is selling candles with the scent of Jesus. You light one and your friends say, "Christ, what's that smell?!" It's true. The formula comes straight out of the Bible. It's from the little-known letter of Paul to the Aromatherapists. But if Jesus had smelled so great, how come everybody was always offering to wash his feet? "
Why is it that telling of the sin of homosexuality is a hate crime and you can willfully insult my Lord and my beliefs and it is "comedy"?
I am very upset at this. People love to mock our faith. People wonder why I get so upset...this is the work of our Enemy. You are allowing this to happen by watching it. You encourage it when you pay for the ticket to see entertainers who spew this trash.
I was told the other day to calm down, that I was going to give myself a heart attack. "Don't worry, El Gee, they do not mean anything by it. The heck they don't! All they are wanting to do is undermine the Christian way of life. We cannot have prayer in school, but you can teach why Billy has two daddies. Disgusting. I cannot say the pledge of allegiance, but I can be forced to listen to someone tell me to use a condom instead of practicing purity.
The liberal minded people of this country will be the death of us. It has invaded our workplace by being called "diversity". We allow it in our homes, because it is "funny". We should be ashamed of ourselves.
And if you think it is just the Christian community that has stumbled, think again. The Muslims living in this country have found a new god...money. Muslims are selling adult content to people via prepaid porn cards. I am waiting to see how bad this gets.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Invasion of the Monster Insects
Yesterday was a pretty good day in most aspects. All the chores we wanted to do were completed. The day before I fasted and prayed in honor of the National Day of Prayer designated by President Bush, so I was rather hungry and thirsty most of the day.
I put a few items up in the Freecycle page for our town and part of the items were picked up quickly. I was very thankful for that. I had 3 items (a lamp, a radio, and some house plants) offered and the houseplants were picked up within a few hours. Freecycle is way cool.
Later on in the evening, my wife started to trim/groom the dogs on the patio, since it was tolerable. She set out all of her equipment and began. I was in the office typing up a budget for our son so he will have something he can go by when he decided to move out on his own. He is almost 18 and has expressed a desire to be on his own. I cautioned him, but hey, he is 18...he knows it all :-).
When I completed it, I wanted to show my wife, but she was at a delicate point in the dog grooming, so I waited until she release Maggie, the biggest dog. I stepped out any my wife told me, "El Gee, there is a HUGE bug in the crack between the patio and the wall. It is weird looking with a black head and a brown body. It looks like something you would see on the Sci Fi Channel."
I was planning on spraying some of the FIRE ant mounds that have popped up over the past few weeks, so I figured spraying for some alien bug would be no problem. Before I sprayed for it, my wife and I heard a noise similar to a cricket. My wife said, "THAT'S IT. That is the sound it makes before it comes out. I cracked jokes about my wife's description of the insect for a while and when she was done grooming I sprayed the crack with a heavy dose of bug killer. Die, insect, die.
Then I put away the spray and went inside to wash up. I started to head back outside and a HUGE cricket started stumbling around on the patio. He had just came out of the crack. My wife said, "That's the bug!"
"Honey, that is a cricket."
"Oh...it did not look like one when I saw it...but I guess you are right."
Monster Insect. Please. :-)
Before I sprayed for the killer alien insect, I sprayed the FIRE ant mounds. I was not fast enough and one bit me. I have a rather extreme reaction to fire ant bites. The bite swells up, it burns like fire for hours, then itches. It will stay swollen for a week, at least.
I hate Fire ants.
I put a few items up in the Freecycle page for our town and part of the items were picked up quickly. I was very thankful for that. I had 3 items (a lamp, a radio, and some house plants) offered and the houseplants were picked up within a few hours. Freecycle is way cool.
Later on in the evening, my wife started to trim/groom the dogs on the patio, since it was tolerable. She set out all of her equipment and began. I was in the office typing up a budget for our son so he will have something he can go by when he decided to move out on his own. He is almost 18 and has expressed a desire to be on his own. I cautioned him, but hey, he is 18...he knows it all :-).
When I completed it, I wanted to show my wife, but she was at a delicate point in the dog grooming, so I waited until she release Maggie, the biggest dog. I stepped out any my wife told me, "El Gee, there is a HUGE bug in the crack between the patio and the wall. It is weird looking with a black head and a brown body. It looks like something you would see on the Sci Fi Channel."
I was planning on spraying some of the FIRE ant mounds that have popped up over the past few weeks, so I figured spraying for some alien bug would be no problem. Before I sprayed for it, my wife and I heard a noise similar to a cricket. My wife said, "THAT'S IT. That is the sound it makes before it comes out. I cracked jokes about my wife's description of the insect for a while and when she was done grooming I sprayed the crack with a heavy dose of bug killer. Die, insect, die.
Then I put away the spray and went inside to wash up. I started to head back outside and a HUGE cricket started stumbling around on the patio. He had just came out of the crack. My wife said, "That's the bug!"
"Honey, that is a cricket."
"Oh...it did not look like one when I saw it...but I guess you are right."
Monster Insect. Please. :-)
Before I sprayed for the killer alien insect, I sprayed the FIRE ant mounds. I was not fast enough and one bit me. I have a rather extreme reaction to fire ant bites. The bite swells up, it burns like fire for hours, then itches. It will stay swollen for a week, at least.
I hate Fire ants.
Friday, September 16, 2005
NBC Goes After the Church Crowd
It looks like NBC is going after the church going crowd with its latest reality show. "Three Wishes" is the name of the latest offering in the reality show arena. Amy Grant is a host who travels to a different town each week helping needy rural people fulfill wishes. I guess it is better than some of the other programming, but it is still reality TV.
I like this idea to a degree, but I see problems with ANY reality show. As I tell my wife, I get enough reality in real life. Why watch it on TV?
It is good that the Christian faction will be getting some positive face time in prime time, however exploitation is going to be a factor. Offer the poor something for free and they will be quick to snap it up like a dying man in the desert after water.
TV has been losing ground with many people. While we have cable, we have the entry level programming that has about 30 channels for $15. We only keep it to keep the broadband connection and as soon as I can find a high speed alternative (we do not have a home phone so DSL is out) we will be dumping the cable company for good. Cable programming is horrid. Our society is reduced to watching "Desperate Housewives" and "Sex in the City". Many find it entertaining, while people like myself do not. I admit I enjoy some programming (Firefly, Law and Order, and 24 just to name a few) but I do not enjoy much of it.
I like this idea to a degree, but I see problems with ANY reality show. As I tell my wife, I get enough reality in real life. Why watch it on TV?
It is good that the Christian faction will be getting some positive face time in prime time, however exploitation is going to be a factor. Offer the poor something for free and they will be quick to snap it up like a dying man in the desert after water.
TV has been losing ground with many people. While we have cable, we have the entry level programming that has about 30 channels for $15. We only keep it to keep the broadband connection and as soon as I can find a high speed alternative (we do not have a home phone so DSL is out) we will be dumping the cable company for good. Cable programming is horrid. Our society is reduced to watching "Desperate Housewives" and "Sex in the City". Many find it entertaining, while people like myself do not. I admit I enjoy some programming (Firefly, Law and Order, and 24 just to name a few) but I do not enjoy much of it.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
More Liberal Fun
This blog (which is usually ***NSFW*** for language) is not on my regular read list, but I go back every now and then to see what she is venting about. She used to work with me (I was her supervisor at a help desk we worked on in NC). and we always had very interesting discussions. She is very bright, inquisitive, and hard working. I d not agree with her on many things but she has the ability to make me think (not too mention she told me about Kitty Litter Cake), which is not something I can say about many liberals.
In case you do not want to go to the post, I can summarize her thoughts: The liberals have turned into a bunch of whiny teenagers looking for a mole hill to make a mountain out of.
Davien Quote :
"Stop using everything that happens as an excuse to p*ss and moan about the Bush administration. Use some of that b*tchy energy to DO something about it. Educate. Lobby. Run for office. Volunteer."
* Asterisks mine :-)
Even the liberals are getting tired of the Liberals.
In case you do not want to go to the post, I can summarize her thoughts: The liberals have turned into a bunch of whiny teenagers looking for a mole hill to make a mountain out of.
Davien Quote :
"Stop using everything that happens as an excuse to p*ss and moan about the Bush administration. Use some of that b*tchy energy to DO something about it. Educate. Lobby. Run for office. Volunteer."
* Asterisks mine :-)
Even the liberals are getting tired of the Liberals.
News Worthy?
Why would a persons need to visit the toilet become news worthy? Well, if you are President Bush, then ANYTHING you do is news worthy.
In a IM message this morning, "Finn" said, "Now, I don't like much of anything the administration has done, but it's getting kind of ridiculous."
Even liberals agree. Liberal reporting in the news is "ridiculous". :-)
Lessee, Matt Drudge, The New York Post and Yahoo are all reporting this. I am not reporting the article as much as how silly it is to make it news worthy.
Update: The Times and The Times Online both covered this. Updates also show that the picture was altered (a common practice in the journalism world). Photo District News reports:
"The white parts of the picture were overexposed, so a Reuters processor used Photoshop to burn down the note. This is a standard practice for news photos, Hershorn says, and the picture was not manipulated in any other way."
Sad. Heaven help the man if he gets hungry and wants a snack.
In a IM message this morning, "Finn" said, "Now, I don't like much of anything the administration has done, but it's getting kind of ridiculous."
Even liberals agree. Liberal reporting in the news is "ridiculous". :-)
Lessee, Matt Drudge, The New York Post and Yahoo are all reporting this. I am not reporting the article as much as how silly it is to make it news worthy.
Update: The Times and The Times Online both covered this. Updates also show that the picture was altered (a common practice in the journalism world). Photo District News reports:
"The white parts of the picture were overexposed, so a Reuters processor used Photoshop to burn down the note. This is a standard practice for news photos, Hershorn says, and the picture was not manipulated in any other way."
Sad. Heaven help the man if he gets hungry and wants a snack.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Update, Shotgun Style
This is going to be a "shotgun" post covering a range of updates.
If you listen to the voice of God, you will be led to do things that you many not *want* to do, but in your heart you know you need to do. God has spoken to me a few times over the past couple of days and I must obey what he is pressing upon me.
First, I am not going to play volleyball at the old church for a while...a long while most likely. None of the other Christians who used to play are showing up anymore and I really fell alone. While we have had a pretty good turn out, these are secular people, who swear (in a church gymnasium no less), are at times rude, and really have no sense of brotherly love as most Christians would see it. If the old crew comes back, then I most likely will as well. It is not my church that we play in, so I do not feel that I should chaperone the attendees.
Secondly, I am not going back to the "CoG" web board anytime soon. I just do not belong there. I am very out of place in that group and even with the support of the few Christians who post there, it still is not very healthy. I am too passionate with my views to just "ignore" the comments like a few of the CoGer's would want me to. BtW, since "Flute" has read my blog in the past, I am sure she will find this news comforting. I noticed that she also went back to her old avatar, the little dancing magician. It is cute (old 8 bit graphics) and I think it suits her better. She only used the fish to mock me and my beliefs. While I do not agree with the way she acts, that is none of my business and I mean her no ill will. I am not the judge, God is.
On a side note, I received an IM from "Dakota" yesterday. He asked me if I was IMing "OutofBalance" (another "CoG" regular). I told "Dakota" no, that I did not even have OoB's IM nick. I received a PM (private message from the CoG board) from OoB asking me the same question. I wondered why I was being asked this. It seems that my AIM nick was hijacked or spoofed and OoB got an IM from me. I was rather concerned about this so I promptly changed my passwords on many accounts. "Finn" (another CoG'er) said he had a strange occurrence with IM as well on his work PC. I cannot remember the details.
"Finn" and I chat via IM quite a bit. We are VERY different, but I do respect his opinion. He is rather intelligent and a bit of a cynic (aren't we all?). We tend to clash on religion (he is a pagan) and social issues (he is much more liberal than I am) but the nice thing is that we can see each other's views. I take no offense in his opinions, and I hope he takes nothing I say personally. We chatted yesterday about some Mormans who were coming door to door in his neighborhood. His apartment building has a locking gate / door and somehow 2 Mormons made their way into his building. Finn stated that his neighbor (not born in the US and speaks very little English) was frightened of them and missed her doctors appointment because they were roaming the halls. If this is true, that is unacceptable behavior. Of course I am not pleased with the Latter Day Saints for other reasons, but do not go where you are not invited. That is a very good way to make all religious people look bad and also get arrested.
On the home front, my wife and I are almost finished with "Love Talk"by Les and Leslie Parrott. The book has been very good (I have spotted a few errors) although some of it is quite basic. It still amazes me how the basics of communication can escape us.
Our military son has been busy on recruiting missions all week, not getting home until after we are in bed (we go to bed early when we can). That has caused him to slip in his chores a bit. I am sure he will get caught up, though. He is rather resourceful.
I will be taking Friday off, to comp for having to work Labor Day. That will give me a three day weekend this weekend and since I do not have any grass to cut, I will have most of it open to take care of other tasks. Go me!
Work has not been very fulfilling over the past year+. I am still doing a good deal of support for a product that is not very difficult to support, but is very laborious. I also have to support people who speak 4 languages (only one of which I speak) and while the corporate language is my native tongue, the local clients prefer to speak French, Spanish, or Portuguese. Sometime s the language barrier frustrates me so much I want to scream (not at my customers, it is not their fault). I pride myself (which may be why I am frustrated by this) in being able to communicate clearly. With those customers that I cannot understand nor can they understand me, this is very frustrating.
The good news about all of this is that I may not have to do this support in a few months. I was sent an e-mail from a project person in Sweden who says that they have made strides to get this support regionally supported (each local region -- there are six --will support their own, instead of the three regional support teams support the 6 regions) and that made me very happy. Lord, if it is in your will, I am ready!
I have been kicking around the idea of going back to school. I am not sure if it is the right thing to do or not. I am 40, have a few credits (maybe a 1/3) of what I need to get my associates degree and a full schedule. Can I afford the investment in time and money? Can I afford NOT TO? Am I just out of practice of being a student? I have never tested well. Tests intimidate me :) .
There has not been too many things in the news worth blogging about that you will not find in other blogs, so I have not been motivated to write about them.
Just a note on health and nutrition. If you drink energy drinks (like Red Bull, Sobe, Full Throttle, etc) read the label closely. Depending on your body type and health, certain drinks may not provide the level of energy you desire. I have been drinking "Monster" brand energy drinks for a few weeks and think they taste the best as well as give you a great physical boost. I tried Red Jak last night and did not like it at all. It only had about 2/3's the energy blend but it was very tart and not very "drinkable". I have a couple of Monster varieties at the house (Regular, low carb, and Khaos) that I need to try. The low carb should be ok, the Kaos has 70% juice (which is a bonus) and all the energy blend.
BtW, the energy blend Monster uses is made up of Vitamin B6, B12, Guarana, Gensing, Caffeine, L-Carnitine, Taruine, and Inostitol.
If you listen to the voice of God, you will be led to do things that you many not *want* to do, but in your heart you know you need to do. God has spoken to me a few times over the past couple of days and I must obey what he is pressing upon me.
First, I am not going to play volleyball at the old church for a while...a long while most likely. None of the other Christians who used to play are showing up anymore and I really fell alone. While we have had a pretty good turn out, these are secular people, who swear (in a church gymnasium no less), are at times rude, and really have no sense of brotherly love as most Christians would see it. If the old crew comes back, then I most likely will as well. It is not my church that we play in, so I do not feel that I should chaperone the attendees.
Secondly, I am not going back to the "CoG" web board anytime soon. I just do not belong there. I am very out of place in that group and even with the support of the few Christians who post there, it still is not very healthy. I am too passionate with my views to just "ignore" the comments like a few of the CoGer's would want me to. BtW, since "Flute" has read my blog in the past, I am sure she will find this news comforting. I noticed that she also went back to her old avatar, the little dancing magician. It is cute (old 8 bit graphics) and I think it suits her better. She only used the fish to mock me and my beliefs. While I do not agree with the way she acts, that is none of my business and I mean her no ill will. I am not the judge, God is.
On a side note, I received an IM from "Dakota" yesterday. He asked me if I was IMing "OutofBalance" (another "CoG" regular). I told "Dakota" no, that I did not even have OoB's IM nick. I received a PM (private message from the CoG board) from OoB asking me the same question. I wondered why I was being asked this. It seems that my AIM nick was hijacked or spoofed and OoB got an IM from me. I was rather concerned about this so I promptly changed my passwords on many accounts. "Finn" (another CoG'er) said he had a strange occurrence with IM as well on his work PC. I cannot remember the details.
"Finn" and I chat via IM quite a bit. We are VERY different, but I do respect his opinion. He is rather intelligent and a bit of a cynic (aren't we all?). We tend to clash on religion (he is a pagan) and social issues (he is much more liberal than I am) but the nice thing is that we can see each other's views. I take no offense in his opinions, and I hope he takes nothing I say personally. We chatted yesterday about some Mormans who were coming door to door in his neighborhood. His apartment building has a locking gate / door and somehow 2 Mormons made their way into his building. Finn stated that his neighbor (not born in the US and speaks very little English) was frightened of them and missed her doctors appointment because they were roaming the halls. If this is true, that is unacceptable behavior. Of course I am not pleased with the Latter Day Saints for other reasons, but do not go where you are not invited. That is a very good way to make all religious people look bad and also get arrested.
On the home front, my wife and I are almost finished with "Love Talk"by Les and Leslie Parrott. The book has been very good (I have spotted a few errors) although some of it is quite basic. It still amazes me how the basics of communication can escape us.
Our military son has been busy on recruiting missions all week, not getting home until after we are in bed (we go to bed early when we can). That has caused him to slip in his chores a bit. I am sure he will get caught up, though. He is rather resourceful.
I will be taking Friday off, to comp for having to work Labor Day. That will give me a three day weekend this weekend and since I do not have any grass to cut, I will have most of it open to take care of other tasks. Go me!
Work has not been very fulfilling over the past year+. I am still doing a good deal of support for a product that is not very difficult to support, but is very laborious. I also have to support people who speak 4 languages (only one of which I speak) and while the corporate language is my native tongue, the local clients prefer to speak French, Spanish, or Portuguese. Sometime s the language barrier frustrates me so much I want to scream (not at my customers, it is not their fault). I pride myself (which may be why I am frustrated by this) in being able to communicate clearly. With those customers that I cannot understand nor can they understand me, this is very frustrating.
The good news about all of this is that I may not have to do this support in a few months. I was sent an e-mail from a project person in Sweden who says that they have made strides to get this support regionally supported (each local region -- there are six --will support their own, instead of the three regional support teams support the 6 regions) and that made me very happy. Lord, if it is in your will, I am ready!
I have been kicking around the idea of going back to school. I am not sure if it is the right thing to do or not. I am 40, have a few credits (maybe a 1/3) of what I need to get my associates degree and a full schedule. Can I afford the investment in time and money? Can I afford NOT TO? Am I just out of practice of being a student? I have never tested well. Tests intimidate me :) .
There has not been too many things in the news worth blogging about that you will not find in other blogs, so I have not been motivated to write about them.
Just a note on health and nutrition. If you drink energy drinks (like Red Bull, Sobe, Full Throttle, etc) read the label closely. Depending on your body type and health, certain drinks may not provide the level of energy you desire. I have been drinking "Monster" brand energy drinks for a few weeks and think they taste the best as well as give you a great physical boost. I tried Red Jak last night and did not like it at all. It only had about 2/3's the energy blend but it was very tart and not very "drinkable". I have a couple of Monster varieties at the house (Regular, low carb, and Khaos) that I need to try. The low carb should be ok, the Kaos has 70% juice (which is a bonus) and all the energy blend.
BtW, the energy blend Monster uses is made up of Vitamin B6, B12, Guarana, Gensing, Caffeine, L-Carnitine, Taruine, and Inostitol.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Sometimes, I Really Like Texas
And today was one of those times. Actually September is a very good month in Texas. In the heat of summer, you get up to some humidity and the temps are not really very comfortable. In the autumn, you can wake up to low humidity and cooler temperatures, and enjoy coffee, tea, breakfast, etc outside. I do that some times. The days are still somewhat hot (90's) but the mornings are very cool and comfortable. Perfect for coffee on the patio.
I also enjoy the autumn because that is when the hot air balloonists from Dallas, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Parker, Lucas, Richardson, Fairview, etc launch their colorful creations for all of us (who happen to get up early enough) can see. Wake up any Saturday or Sunday morning in the autumn and look in a southerly direction and chances are you will see at least one.
Also, just be warned I had to turn on some anti-spam protection to keep spammers from posting on my blog. I suggest you turn it on as well.
I also enjoy the autumn because that is when the hot air balloonists from Dallas, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Parker, Lucas, Richardson, Fairview, etc launch their colorful creations for all of us (who happen to get up early enough) can see. Wake up any Saturday or Sunday morning in the autumn and look in a southerly direction and chances are you will see at least one.
Also, just be warned I had to turn on some anti-spam protection to keep spammers from posting on my blog. I suggest you turn it on as well.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Sticking Together
I e-mailed a fellow Christian today who is aware of my feelings regarding the anti-Christian bias I have witnessed in the past few weeks. This friends had some comforting words of scripture and told me that while it can be painful, God is the final judge and the offenders will reap what they sow.
Thanx Sunny for lifting my spirits.
BtW, never mess with Sunny. Either he hubby Sig9 will kill you or she will. Both are great shots!
Thanx Sunny for lifting my spirits.
BtW, never mess with Sunny. Either he hubby Sig9 will kill you or she will. Both are great shots!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Can a Homosexual Be A Christian?
Before you answer yes or no, I would like you to think about something. I will not attempt to change your mind, but I would like to offer you something to think about.
Homosexuality is a sin, I think that most Christians agree on that. While is is not in the Ten Commandments, we have some scripture that says it is not something God approves of:
Leviticus 18:22 - Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
I Corinthians 6:9 - Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.
Romans 1:26-27 - Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. (27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Both the old testament and new testaments speak against it. Ok, it is a sin. Are they going to Hell? Do not answer that. Read on.
It has been stated that abominable in God's eyes. Greed, sloth, gluttony, murder, adultery, etc are all sins. All equal in God's eyes.
Sins are forgiven if we repent, if we ask for forgiveness. Christians sin all the time. Not always purposely, but we do.wello are wel all going to Hell?
Is homosexuality "just another sin"? Now before people start talking (and that would be the sin of gossip) I am not making any sort of statement about me, my family or anyone I know. I am curious. We have gay ministers and gay parishioners, are they condemned to Hell?
Personally, I am not 100% sure. I know we are called to love every sinner. If we do not love the homosexual sinner, are we ignoring Christ's charge to us? If we condemn them, are we being hypocrites?
I do not have the answers. I have considered both sides of this. I have considered that, as humans, we tend to place sin on a sliding scale. Lying is not as bad as adultery which is not as bad as homosexual behavior or what ever sliding scale you THINK works. It boggles the mind. I do not know what is right, I only know how I feel. I do not believe that homosexual behavior is natural. I realize this is bigoted but I am not going to lie about the way I feel.
Homosexuality is a sin, I think that most Christians agree on that. While is is not in the Ten Commandments, we have some scripture that says it is not something God approves of:
Leviticus 18:22 - Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
I Corinthians 6:9 - Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.
Romans 1:26-27 - Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. (27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Both the old testament and new testaments speak against it. Ok, it is a sin. Are they going to Hell? Do not answer that. Read on.
It has been stated that abominable in God's eyes. Greed, sloth, gluttony, murder, adultery, etc are all sins. All equal in God's eyes.
Sins are forgiven if we repent, if we ask for forgiveness. Christians sin all the time. Not always purposely, but we do.wello are wel all going to Hell?
Is homosexuality "just another sin"? Now before people start talking (and that would be the sin of gossip) I am not making any sort of statement about me, my family or anyone I know. I am curious. We have gay ministers and gay parishioners, are they condemned to Hell?
Personally, I am not 100% sure. I know we are called to love every sinner. If we do not love the homosexual sinner, are we ignoring Christ's charge to us? If we condemn them, are we being hypocrites?
I do not have the answers. I have considered both sides of this. I have considered that, as humans, we tend to place sin on a sliding scale. Lying is not as bad as adultery which is not as bad as homosexual behavior or what ever sliding scale you THINK works. It boggles the mind. I do not know what is right, I only know how I feel. I do not believe that homosexual behavior is natural. I realize this is bigoted but I am not going to lie about the way I feel.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Something to Chuckle At...
Last night my wife and I got ready to settle down for the night. Our son was at work and would not be home until after midnight. The dogs had been walked and we sleeping on the floor of our bedroom. It had been good day. All the chores we wanted to do had been completed (including the reloading of an old laptop I have decided to give to my wife to learn on) and we even had time to fellowship with 2 couples from church (dinner and 3 episodes of "Firefly" on DVD, which oddly enough my wife LIKES).
The night was winding down. As I slid in to bed, my wife looks over at me, with a smile on her face and says, "Hey honey, you wanna do a little "love talk"? I said, "OK!!", thinking that the night was about to get just a bit more interesting when she says, "No, not THAT, the book. Let's do a few more pages in the book."
We have been reading "Love Talk" a few pages a night as well as completing the optional workbooks we purchased, in hopes that we could enrich and improve our communication with each other. "Love Talk" has been very helpful in many areas and if you read it you will understand why my wife and I had this little misunderstanding. The nice thing about it was as soon as she realized what I THOUGHT she meant, she had a good laugh (actually we both did). I even told her I would blog about it and she had no problems. She is a trooper. I think I will keep her.
The night was winding down. As I slid in to bed, my wife looks over at me, with a smile on her face and says, "Hey honey, you wanna do a little "love talk"? I said, "OK!!", thinking that the night was about to get just a bit more interesting when she says, "No, not THAT, the book. Let's do a few more pages in the book."
We have been reading "Love Talk" a few pages a night as well as completing the optional workbooks we purchased, in hopes that we could enrich and improve our communication with each other. "Love Talk" has been very helpful in many areas and if you read it you will understand why my wife and I had this little misunderstanding. The nice thing about it was as soon as she realized what I THOUGHT she meant, she had a good laugh (actually we both did). I even told her I would blog about it and she had no problems. She is a trooper. I think I will keep her.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Defending Your Faith
If you would have known me 3-4 years ago, you probably would have be surprised at what you saw. While professing to be a Christian, I wore my faith like a patch...I could removed it at will. This behavior caught up to me and allowed me to FINALLY understand why secular people think Christians are hypocrites. Most of us are. I did not say all of us, I said most of us. We have the word of God in our lives only when we want it, not all the time the way God wants it. I was not letting the people I interacted with OUTSIDE of church know what I had professed. I am not 100% sure why I did that at first. Maybe I felt I would not be accepted. Maybe I was somewhat embarrassed. I do not know. What I do know that God convicted me of this behavior and I have not returned. I now defend my faith instead of ignoring the jabs at it. It has been tough at times since I am a people pleaser a big part of the time.
People in the real/physical and Internet world have distanced themselves from me. I am often ignored/ridiculed in secular chat rooms, often to have specific comments made to taunt me into verbal attacks. My web page (which was very popular for some time) has see a 50% drop in traffic in the past 2 years. Work has been different, mostly because we have a few closet Christians who will talk with me now that I have openly professed my faith. However the online world is very harsh at times.
I visit, on a frequent basis, a web board frequented by computer savvy geeks, gamers, and those who have to deal with "users" of pc's, ISP's, and like tech products. I am a very big participant on that board. I enjoy reading many of the posts there and share many of the thoughts the others have. Some of the people there are quite intelligent, however the larger percentage of them are not Christian. As a matter of fact, many are down right hostile to anything Christian. In some ways, I can see their anger. They see the actions of a few overzealous Christians and assume all Christians are the same way. Many times I get involved defending my faith, but more often that not, it turns into a gang up on the one person who has decided to speak up, namely me. I do get a defensive post in my favor every now and then, and I do appreciate it. There are even a few neutrals who jump in and pull some of the radicals off my back. I guess it says a lot when a neutral party has to calm down the scene.
One subtle sign of bias I have noticed is from my old friend, "Flute". Most of us on the board use an "avatar", or a symbolic representation of ourselves that shows up when we post. I have changed mine many times. I have used my picture, the Firefox logo, little animated geeks, geek characatures, and even the logo of the Wildcards on an old Sci-Fi show on Fox, "Space: Above and Beyond" (which by the way was an awesome sci-fi show). However, with my new attitude of my faith, I have simply chosen to use a simple sign of the fish. It has been there for about 3-4 months now. How "Flute" has shown her anti-Christian bias has been to recently change her little 8 bit animated cartoon icon (of a wizard, I think...I am not sure) to the walking "Darwin Fish" that the evolutionists like to taunt Christians with. I am sure the jab is at me since she just started doing this and it is similar to my fish. What she does not know is that I do not care she does it. We are charged to love our enemies. While that would be a tall order for me, I wish her no ill will and tend to ignore her now.
According to those who interact with her, "Flute" has recently moved from the west coast (Seattle area) to Philadelphia and is living with another board member. What really was surprising is that this board member has posted on the board he is a "biblical scholar" and is a lay minister for his church. He also posts to the web board frequently and does not seem to defend the Christian faith when we are attacked on the boards. What is odd is that he prefers to debate other Christians and defend his knowledge (which I must admit is vast. He seems very knowledgeable) instead of defending God's Word. He has even gone as far to publicly post that, "Jesus hung out with hookers and drunks. My guess is he knew how to have a good time." Such a pity. Like my friend Jim who has a gift for cartooning and does nothing with it, this scholar has great knowledge and chooses to defend it rather than God's Word.
I have often been asked, "Why do you keep going back?"
Did Christ run? Did he deny his destiny? No he did not. While I am not Christ, nor perfect like him, we are called to live a life like his. The world needs light. While I cannot change the world, I will plant seeds and if it takes 50 years and only one person I have shared with comes to the Lord, then it is worth it.
Come at me with your slings and arrow, non-believers. God is my armor. In him I trust.
People in the real/physical and Internet world have distanced themselves from me. I am often ignored/ridiculed in secular chat rooms, often to have specific comments made to taunt me into verbal attacks. My web page (which was very popular for some time) has see a 50% drop in traffic in the past 2 years. Work has been different, mostly because we have a few closet Christians who will talk with me now that I have openly professed my faith. However the online world is very harsh at times.
I visit, on a frequent basis, a web board frequented by computer savvy geeks, gamers, and those who have to deal with "users" of pc's, ISP's, and like tech products. I am a very big participant on that board. I enjoy reading many of the posts there and share many of the thoughts the others have. Some of the people there are quite intelligent, however the larger percentage of them are not Christian. As a matter of fact, many are down right hostile to anything Christian. In some ways, I can see their anger. They see the actions of a few overzealous Christians and assume all Christians are the same way. Many times I get involved defending my faith, but more often that not, it turns into a gang up on the one person who has decided to speak up, namely me. I do get a defensive post in my favor every now and then, and I do appreciate it. There are even a few neutrals who jump in and pull some of the radicals off my back. I guess it says a lot when a neutral party has to calm down the scene.
One subtle sign of bias I have noticed is from my old friend, "Flute". Most of us on the board use an "avatar", or a symbolic representation of ourselves that shows up when we post. I have changed mine many times. I have used my picture, the Firefox logo, little animated geeks, geek characatures, and even the logo of the Wildcards on an old Sci-Fi show on Fox, "Space: Above and Beyond" (which by the way was an awesome sci-fi show). However, with my new attitude of my faith, I have simply chosen to use a simple sign of the fish. It has been there for about 3-4 months now. How "Flute" has shown her anti-Christian bias has been to recently change her little 8 bit animated cartoon icon (of a wizard, I think...I am not sure) to the walking "Darwin Fish" that the evolutionists like to taunt Christians with. I am sure the jab is at me since she just started doing this and it is similar to my fish. What she does not know is that I do not care she does it. We are charged to love our enemies. While that would be a tall order for me, I wish her no ill will and tend to ignore her now.
According to those who interact with her, "Flute" has recently moved from the west coast (Seattle area) to Philadelphia and is living with another board member. What really was surprising is that this board member has posted on the board he is a "biblical scholar" and is a lay minister for his church. He also posts to the web board frequently and does not seem to defend the Christian faith when we are attacked on the boards. What is odd is that he prefers to debate other Christians and defend his knowledge (which I must admit is vast. He seems very knowledgeable) instead of defending God's Word. He has even gone as far to publicly post that, "Jesus hung out with hookers and drunks. My guess is he knew how to have a good time." Such a pity. Like my friend Jim who has a gift for cartooning and does nothing with it, this scholar has great knowledge and chooses to defend it rather than God's Word.
I have often been asked, "Why do you keep going back?"
Did Christ run? Did he deny his destiny? No he did not. While I am not Christ, nor perfect like him, we are called to live a life like his. The world needs light. While I cannot change the world, I will plant seeds and if it takes 50 years and only one person I have shared with comes to the Lord, then it is worth it.
Come at me with your slings and arrow, non-believers. God is my armor. In him I trust.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Christian Diversity
As one wanders down the road of Christian life, you will meet many wonderful and interesting people. These people will impact you in some way, however small. The Christian world is so diverse, the spectrum so wide that every day you have the potential of engaging with someone who alters your image of, "a Christian".
Most of my Christian life, the Christians I have met have been servants, with a very big heart to share their faith with those who may not know our Lord as deeply as they do. The Christians I have been used to have been "heart smart", meaning the Word is on their heart and they are not "scholars". I have met a few scholars, and like most people who have spent great amounts of time studying, they are very eager to share their knowledge, but these people also had a degree of "heart smarts" as well, just not as much as the non-scholars.
I had the opportunity to engage a man yesterday who was at first, not appear very knowledgeable in the Word. As a newer Christian, I was moved to share what little I knew with him. It became very evident (very quickly!) that the man was quite knowledgeable in the Word, much more so than I. But something else became evident after engaging him. I appeared to me that this person has spent a degree of time in study of the Word to fill his mind, but that maybe he did not have the gifts of the spirit. He was rather combative when he learned that I did not have the "book smarts" he had. I was getting the impression all he wanted to do was debate.
I will admit I misinterpreted one or 2 comments he made, which may have set him down this path. He did not appear to defend his faith, only his knowledge of it. That is where we are opposites I guess. I realize I do not have the book smarts he has and defend with my heart. He on the other hand has proven his bible knowledge and defends that. I see a bit of pride in his defense, but who among us is without sin? Me? Surely not.
Most of my Christian life, the Christians I have met have been servants, with a very big heart to share their faith with those who may not know our Lord as deeply as they do. The Christians I have been used to have been "heart smart", meaning the Word is on their heart and they are not "scholars". I have met a few scholars, and like most people who have spent great amounts of time studying, they are very eager to share their knowledge, but these people also had a degree of "heart smarts" as well, just not as much as the non-scholars.
I had the opportunity to engage a man yesterday who was at first, not appear very knowledgeable in the Word. As a newer Christian, I was moved to share what little I knew with him. It became very evident (very quickly!) that the man was quite knowledgeable in the Word, much more so than I. But something else became evident after engaging him. I appeared to me that this person has spent a degree of time in study of the Word to fill his mind, but that maybe he did not have the gifts of the spirit. He was rather combative when he learned that I did not have the "book smarts" he had. I was getting the impression all he wanted to do was debate.
I will admit I misinterpreted one or 2 comments he made, which may have set him down this path. He did not appear to defend his faith, only his knowledge of it. That is where we are opposites I guess. I realize I do not have the book smarts he has and defend with my heart. He on the other hand has proven his bible knowledge and defends that. I see a bit of pride in his defense, but who among us is without sin? Me? Surely not.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Doomsday
I have been asked by many Christian friends and family if I think that this is a sign the end is near. Many of my closest Christian friends are beginning to think so. I have tried to look at this from a few angles and the best thing I can say in response to that is, "God will watch over his children."
There are a few different schools of thought on "the end days". One idea is that all the souls listed in the book of life will be raptured before the beginning of the end times. For those who are saved, know the Lord, accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and repent of their sins, then this is reassuring. Those left after the rapture will be left with the horrifying realization that they have not lived a Christian life and did not accept Christ. Those who do not believe will think this is just a weird occurrence of nature and be led like lambs to the slaughter by the Anti-Christ. Their fate is sealed.
Another idea is that there is no rapture, and we (Christians) will all be martyred. This is not as appealing to most. Suffering is not something anyone likes to go through. Christ suffered horribly and most Christians, while willing to die for our faith, do not desire to end their life in such a savage way. If anyone is not familiar with the way Jesus Christ dies, just rent "The Passion of the Christ". That is not the way I want to go, but as a Christian, if I am called to go that way, then I have no choice than to obey.
We have had a lot of disasters, anti-Christian bias, and rampant displays of hedonism over the past 25 years or so. We live in a society that loves to think for the minute, not worrying about tomorrow. It would be easy to see why some who study the books of Daniel and Revelations in the bible are concerned. We have a reason to be concerned, but no reason to panic. No matter which end times scenario plays out, we know the end of the story. Devil ,YOU LOSE.
Al I can say is, if you are concerned about end times and think it may be upon us, then be sensible and start conserving: water, fuel, money, non-perishable food, clothing, etc...just like you would for a camping trip, only longer. Pray with all you heart for discernment, open your homes to other Christians. Fellowship and share your concerns/fears. The last thing we need is a panic. As I said, we know how the story ends. We just do not know how many pages are in the book.
There are a few different schools of thought on "the end days". One idea is that all the souls listed in the book of life will be raptured before the beginning of the end times. For those who are saved, know the Lord, accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and repent of their sins, then this is reassuring. Those left after the rapture will be left with the horrifying realization that they have not lived a Christian life and did not accept Christ. Those who do not believe will think this is just a weird occurrence of nature and be led like lambs to the slaughter by the Anti-Christ. Their fate is sealed.
Another idea is that there is no rapture, and we (Christians) will all be martyred. This is not as appealing to most. Suffering is not something anyone likes to go through. Christ suffered horribly and most Christians, while willing to die for our faith, do not desire to end their life in such a savage way. If anyone is not familiar with the way Jesus Christ dies, just rent "The Passion of the Christ". That is not the way I want to go, but as a Christian, if I am called to go that way, then I have no choice than to obey.
We have had a lot of disasters, anti-Christian bias, and rampant displays of hedonism over the past 25 years or so. We live in a society that loves to think for the minute, not worrying about tomorrow. It would be easy to see why some who study the books of Daniel and Revelations in the bible are concerned. We have a reason to be concerned, but no reason to panic. No matter which end times scenario plays out, we know the end of the story. Devil ,YOU LOSE.
Al I can say is, if you are concerned about end times and think it may be upon us, then be sensible and start conserving: water, fuel, money, non-perishable food, clothing, etc...just like you would for a camping trip, only longer. Pray with all you heart for discernment, open your homes to other Christians. Fellowship and share your concerns/fears. The last thing we need is a panic. As I said, we know how the story ends. We just do not know how many pages are in the book.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Gaining
I blogged last week that Hugo Chavez wanted to sell cheap gas to the US poor. His plans are picking up steam. People, DO NOT fall for this. This is how civil unrest starts. Tyrants will try ANYTHING to gain the support of the poor and when they gain that support, the undermining of our way of life will begin. BOYCOTT CITGO!
Read here and here. Even the Arab newspaper Al Jazerra has the article. That alone should frighten you (although it mostly cut and pastes from other articles). Al Jazerra is not exactly "fair and balanced".
We need to keep supporting our president, praying for him and his cabinet, and fighting to keep our country strong. Falling for the offer of cheaper gas/oil is not going to help you at all. It will be just a short term fix. You think we have dependencies now? Just allow yourselves to be addicted to Chavez and his cheap oil. What will you do when he wants you to sell your soul for that precious "black gold"?
Read here and here. Even the Arab newspaper Al Jazerra has the article. That alone should frighten you (although it mostly cut and pastes from other articles). Al Jazerra is not exactly "fair and balanced".
We need to keep supporting our president, praying for him and his cabinet, and fighting to keep our country strong. Falling for the offer of cheaper gas/oil is not going to help you at all. It will be just a short term fix. You think we have dependencies now? Just allow yourselves to be addicted to Chavez and his cheap oil. What will you do when he wants you to sell your soul for that precious "black gold"?
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Painful NC News
Looks like RTP, NC (That is Research Triangle Park, North Carolina for all you non-southerners) may have more of an Asian theme to it if Lenovo gets its way. Read the story. If you think this is bad, Dell has done similar. This tactic is common. This is how bigger companies can get away with paying lower fees...I call it extortion. Thank you Davien for the tip and the Herald-Sun for the story.
This is a CHINESE company, from a COMMUNIST nation. Forces around the world are working to undermine our way of life by using our values against us. China has attempted to buy oil companies (and they still keep trying) to help satisfy their growing need for energy. IBM sold them their PC business, they are now leveraging themselves to have "free rent" in RTP. We really need to stop this economic invasion before we are at a point where turning back is impossible. We need to rethink the way we work.
I wonder how soon it will be before Tom Clancy's book, "The Bear and the Dragon" comes true. Maybe Russia will ally itself with China and that will work for a while, but as China grows, her appetite will grow. Russia may look like a tempting morsel to her.
This is a CHINESE company, from a COMMUNIST nation. Forces around the world are working to undermine our way of life by using our values against us. China has attempted to buy oil companies (and they still keep trying) to help satisfy their growing need for energy. IBM sold them their PC business, they are now leveraging themselves to have "free rent" in RTP. We really need to stop this economic invasion before we are at a point where turning back is impossible. We need to rethink the way we work.
I wonder how soon it will be before Tom Clancy's book, "The Bear and the Dragon" comes true. Maybe Russia will ally itself with China and that will work for a while, but as China grows, her appetite will grow. Russia may look like a tempting morsel to her.
I Am Getting Better At This ...
When I first heard of Google's new voice/text chat proggie, I said to a colleague, "We better watch out for Google. They are going to be the next Microsoft." He laughed, but oddly enough I am not alone. Read this and you will see what I am talking about.
First, Google made a fantastic search engine. Then they had Picasa (a photo tool), Gmail (a free web based e-mail that has insane amounts of storage), and now Google Talk. Rumor has it they are working on a browser and if the conspiracy theories can be believed, an operating system. Even without the OS, Google is in a good position to control a lot of your internet life. Are you ready for that? I am not so sure. I do not like putting all my trust/stock into one company. I may not be an MS fan (I use the OS, but most of my apps are open source), but I am not going to give Google the keys to my house just yet.
If you want to see what Google has to offer you, just head over to www.google.com and poke around. You may be surprised on how much they can do for you. If you let them, that is.
First, Google made a fantastic search engine. Then they had Picasa (a photo tool), Gmail (a free web based e-mail that has insane amounts of storage), and now Google Talk. Rumor has it they are working on a browser and if the conspiracy theories can be believed, an operating system. Even without the OS, Google is in a good position to control a lot of your internet life. Are you ready for that? I am not so sure. I do not like putting all my trust/stock into one company. I may not be an MS fan (I use the OS, but most of my apps are open source), but I am not going to give Google the keys to my house just yet.
If you want to see what Google has to offer you, just head over to www.google.com and poke around. You may be surprised on how much they can do for you. If you let them, that is.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Would It Be Worth It?
Would you directly support a communist minded dictator if he offered you gas for $1.30 a gallon and give you free health care? You might get your chance. This story from CNN is very interesting. I would like to do more research but since I am not in the mood at this point, I will just toss out a few thoughts and let you mull them over.
The ploy that Hugo Chavez is attempting is an old one. He will attempt to gain the support of the poor by selling them what they THINK they need at a very reduced rate or better yet, give it away free. Chavez will attempt to undemine the social thread of US by sowing seeds of discord among its residents. He will "prove" that he is not a bad guy, making Pat Robertson look like an idiot (sorry Chavez, you are too late. Pat has done that without your help), making us even MORE dependant on him, and pretty soon we have civil unrest and quite possibly anarchy in the USA. It COULD happen. Fidel Castro is Hugo's buddy and Castro is just 90 miles south of the US. Sounds like trouble to me.
Also mentioned in the article is the fact that Citgo Petroleum is owned by PDVSA, a Venezuelan company. Nothing against those of Venezuelan blood, but I would rather not support a dictator.
So it sounds like we have a couple of missions here.
1) If offered low cost gas from Venezuela, do not take it.
2) DO NOT shop at Citgo.
I am starting my boycott now.
The ploy that Hugo Chavez is attempting is an old one. He will attempt to gain the support of the poor by selling them what they THINK they need at a very reduced rate or better yet, give it away free. Chavez will attempt to undemine the social thread of US by sowing seeds of discord among its residents. He will "prove" that he is not a bad guy, making Pat Robertson look like an idiot (sorry Chavez, you are too late. Pat has done that without your help), making us even MORE dependant on him, and pretty soon we have civil unrest and quite possibly anarchy in the USA. It COULD happen. Fidel Castro is Hugo's buddy and Castro is just 90 miles south of the US. Sounds like trouble to me.
Also mentioned in the article is the fact that Citgo Petroleum is owned by PDVSA, a Venezuelan company. Nothing against those of Venezuelan blood, but I would rather not support a dictator.
So it sounds like we have a couple of missions here.
1) If offered low cost gas from Venezuela, do not take it.
2) DO NOT shop at Citgo.
I am starting my boycott now.
Why?
I was perusing the headlines today on Drudge, CNN, and a few others when this headline from CNN caught my attention:
This frightens me. Those who know me, know that I am a Moderate Christian that has Conservative tendencies. I am often at odds with what many in the Christian Church believe. I support our military, although I think making war is something that is done far too often.
Mr/Rev Robertson said that Chavez was, "a dangerous enemy to our south, controlling a huge pool of oil, that could hurt us badly." Why did he mention oil? Because that is the key, underlying reason we are despised and feared. We think we need to control the oil, simply because we need /use so much of it.
He goes way beyond what I am comfortable with as a Christian. If you are a non-Christian and read his remarks, please do not think he speaks for all Christian's. I personally find his thoughts disturbing and dangerous. I did not/will not support any political moves this man makes.
Another issue that I found interesting was the draft of the new Iraqi Constitution. The new Iraqi Constitution will be based on the Q'uran. Why is that interesting? President Bush has spent the past 4 years telling us not to judge Muslims harshly. He has repeatedly stated that Islam is a religion on peace. I disagree to an extent. Mohammed is compared to Jesus in regards of the religious importance in the Q'uran. Mohammed was a warrior, waging war on non-Muslims. Jesus was a king who spoke of God's love, not a warrior who came to liberate and overthrow. Now the country we liberated will have its law of the land based on a non-peaceful religion. What will President Bush say now? He cannot oppose the constitution or he looks like an occupier. He cannot support it because it is just one step away from the radical Islamic government we fought to remove. What to do...
Lastly, have you seen these? They have been nicknamed, "Pubic Pants". GROSS. Where are we going and why am I in this bucket?
Robertson: U.S. should 'take out' Venezuela's Chavez
The "Robertson" CNN is referring to is Pat Robertson, Conservative Christian Broadcaster for "The 700 Club".This frightens me. Those who know me, know that I am a Moderate Christian that has Conservative tendencies. I am often at odds with what many in the Christian Church believe. I support our military, although I think making war is something that is done far too often.
Mr/Rev Robertson said that Chavez was, "a dangerous enemy to our south, controlling a huge pool of oil, that could hurt us badly." Why did he mention oil? Because that is the key, underlying reason we are despised and feared. We think we need to control the oil, simply because we need /use so much of it.
He goes way beyond what I am comfortable with as a Christian. If you are a non-Christian and read his remarks, please do not think he speaks for all Christian's. I personally find his thoughts disturbing and dangerous. I did not/will not support any political moves this man makes.
Another issue that I found interesting was the draft of the new Iraqi Constitution. The new Iraqi Constitution will be based on the Q'uran. Why is that interesting? President Bush has spent the past 4 years telling us not to judge Muslims harshly. He has repeatedly stated that Islam is a religion on peace. I disagree to an extent. Mohammed is compared to Jesus in regards of the religious importance in the Q'uran. Mohammed was a warrior, waging war on non-Muslims. Jesus was a king who spoke of God's love, not a warrior who came to liberate and overthrow. Now the country we liberated will have its law of the land based on a non-peaceful religion. What will President Bush say now? He cannot oppose the constitution or he looks like an occupier. He cannot support it because it is just one step away from the radical Islamic government we fought to remove. What to do...
Lastly, have you seen these? They have been nicknamed, "Pubic Pants". GROSS. Where are we going and why am I in this bucket?
Monday, August 22, 2005
I Respect Your Opinion, However...
My son is a soldier in the United States Army National Guard. He is also 17 (18 in a couple of months) and still in high school. He busted his hump all summer long to graduate Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, giving up his "senior" summer to learn the art of become a warrior. I have taken some heat (even from some people at our church) for allowing my son to join the armed forces as a minor, but I stand by my decision to allow him to do so. I am proud of his accomplishments.
With all that said, my son took *some* of the money he earned as a soldier this summer to buy a used car from a neighbor. It needs a little work, but it is going to be a good *first* car for him. Our son went to Auto Zone last Saturday (August 20) in the little town where we live in North Central Texas and bought some parts that he needed and was assisted by a young lady named Lea, who was in her mid to late 20's. She asked my son if he was in the military, and he informed her he had just returned from BT. She then said (I am paraphrasing, bear with me), "I do not support the military. My husband was in the military and when he got out he was not the same. I didn't like what did him..."
Let me say one thing. Giving me your UNSOLICITED OPINION when I am a customer is completely out of line. When you are a public facing employee of a company, your comments could be misconstrued as the thoughts and opinions of the company. Now it would be financial SUICIDE for a company to say they were not supporting our troops. And, if Advance Auto decides that is their *official* stance, then they have lost me as a customer for life and I will do my best to spread the word NOT to shop there. However I am sure that the comments made by Lea were not the opinions of Auto Zone.
I fully recognize the right Lea has to her opinion. She could march up and down my street with a picket proclaiming her disdain with our military and I would honor that. She has that right and even though I do not agree, I respect her right to do so.
Now truth be told, I was FURIOUS when my wife and son (the ones who experienced the event) relayed the story to me. However I knew better than to do anything about it at that moment. I support our troops. Any derogatory comment towards them is one towards me. It is because of them you have the right to protest almost anything (Odd thing isn't it? If not for people you despise, you would not have the right to despise them...ironic).
When I went to bed Saturday night and started my evening prayers, I surprised myself by including Lea. I was not planning on doing so. I was very upset at her for making her comments at a place and time when she was a servant (cashier) to us and she was disparaging the US troops. However, God does not want he "sun to go down on our anger" and he pressed upon me the desire to pray for her. I felt much better after that prayer and it has allowed me to reflect and become closer the Christian I want to be.
To those who share Lea's sentiments, I respect your opinions. All I ask is that you respect my space. If you are working in the services sector (waiter, cashier, etc) DO NOT give my your opinion of the military, religion, or politics if I do not ask for it. To do so will endanger your job. There maybe someone who will not go to the Lord in prayer before they unload on you. Also, please remember that we have the freedoms we have because of the sacrifices that our soldiers (and Airmen, Marines, Sailors, etc) make and have made. I am not asking you to become a warmonger. I am not. I think wars (just for the sake of making them) is stupid. I also realize that it humanly possible I could have to bury my only son if he were to be sent to fight in a foreign land to protect ours. That concept is painful. However as a Christian, I have to accept that.
Lea, I am very sorry that your husband has not returned from the military in a condition that is pleasing to you. Go to the Lord and ask for his peace. You will find it, but first you have to ask.
**Update** I had erroneously reported the WRONG parts store. This has been corrected. My apologies for any confusion.
With all that said, my son took *some* of the money he earned as a soldier this summer to buy a used car from a neighbor. It needs a little work, but it is going to be a good *first* car for him. Our son went to Auto Zone last Saturday (August 20) in the little town where we live in North Central Texas and bought some parts that he needed and was assisted by a young lady named Lea, who was in her mid to late 20's. She asked my son if he was in the military, and he informed her he had just returned from BT. She then said (I am paraphrasing, bear with me), "I do not support the military. My husband was in the military and when he got out he was not the same. I didn't like what did him..."
Let me say one thing. Giving me your UNSOLICITED OPINION when I am a customer is completely out of line. When you are a public facing employee of a company, your comments could be misconstrued as the thoughts and opinions of the company. Now it would be financial SUICIDE for a company to say they were not supporting our troops. And, if Advance Auto decides that is their *official* stance, then they have lost me as a customer for life and I will do my best to spread the word NOT to shop there. However I am sure that the comments made by Lea were not the opinions of Auto Zone.
I fully recognize the right Lea has to her opinion. She could march up and down my street with a picket proclaiming her disdain with our military and I would honor that. She has that right and even though I do not agree, I respect her right to do so.
Now truth be told, I was FURIOUS when my wife and son (the ones who experienced the event) relayed the story to me. However I knew better than to do anything about it at that moment. I support our troops. Any derogatory comment towards them is one towards me. It is because of them you have the right to protest almost anything (Odd thing isn't it? If not for people you despise, you would not have the right to despise them...ironic).
When I went to bed Saturday night and started my evening prayers, I surprised myself by including Lea. I was not planning on doing so. I was very upset at her for making her comments at a place and time when she was a servant (cashier) to us and she was disparaging the US troops. However, God does not want he "sun to go down on our anger" and he pressed upon me the desire to pray for her. I felt much better after that prayer and it has allowed me to reflect and become closer the Christian I want to be.
To those who share Lea's sentiments, I respect your opinions. All I ask is that you respect my space. If you are working in the services sector (waiter, cashier, etc) DO NOT give my your opinion of the military, religion, or politics if I do not ask for it. To do so will endanger your job. There maybe someone who will not go to the Lord in prayer before they unload on you. Also, please remember that we have the freedoms we have because of the sacrifices that our soldiers (and Airmen, Marines, Sailors, etc) make and have made. I am not asking you to become a warmonger. I am not. I think wars (just for the sake of making them) is stupid. I also realize that it humanly possible I could have to bury my only son if he were to be sent to fight in a foreign land to protect ours. That concept is painful. However as a Christian, I have to accept that.
Lea, I am very sorry that your husband has not returned from the military in a condition that is pleasing to you. Go to the Lord and ask for his peace. You will find it, but first you have to ask.
**Update** I had erroneously reported the WRONG parts store. This has been corrected. My apologies for any confusion.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Dealing With a Loss
Yesterday my son received notice that one of his dearest childhood friends took his own life recently. My son and Levi had had not seen each other for several years, but when they lived close to each other, they were inseparable. The details of the death are few. My mother snail mailed the obituary and the story printed in her small town paper to my son and we received it yesterday. My son was visibly upset, but he is a soldier and will not openly grieve. As I went in his room to put away some laundry, I noticed he had the items his grandmother mailed to him on his desk along with an elementary school yearbook open to Levi's picture. Beside his name, my son scribbled, "RIP, bro." I hurt for him. I can because when I was in my middle 20's, one of my childhood friends took his own life in a similar manner. I grieve to this day over him. He was a core part of our group of friends. He is greatly missed. I will try to comfort my son, but I am sure he will not accept it. He does not handle death very well. Seems odd that a soldier would have trouble dealing in death, since he may be called to be a "death dealer" at some point, but there is a time for everything.
I also wanted to mention that my Christian Sister, AAA, is dealing with some medical issues and is not sure what is causing them. I have been praying for her (and so has my wife) and have hope God will heal her. If for some reason she is not healed, then I pray that God will use this time to better his kingdom. That is why we are here. This body means nothing. It is just a temporary home for our spirit until we are called back to God.
On a lighter note, my son has purchased his first car (he has owned one before, but he bought it from us, so that does not really count). He is now the proud owner of a 1995 Mazda Millenia. While far from a perfect car, it is in good shape over all. It needs a few things (tires, a headlight, paint job, new battery, etc) it runs well.
I also wanted to mention that my Christian Sister, AAA, is dealing with some medical issues and is not sure what is causing them. I have been praying for her (and so has my wife) and have hope God will heal her. If for some reason she is not healed, then I pray that God will use this time to better his kingdom. That is why we are here. This body means nothing. It is just a temporary home for our spirit until we are called back to God.
On a lighter note, my son has purchased his first car (he has owned one before, but he bought it from us, so that does not really count). He is now the proud owner of a 1995 Mazda Millenia. While far from a perfect car, it is in good shape over all. It needs a few things (tires, a headlight, paint job, new battery, etc) it runs well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)