Things aren't always as they seem. I have been pondering this notion a lot in recent days. If you really think about it and look around you, you can see this every where you turn. Bare with me as I elaborate on this notion in the next several lines.
As long as there has been any form of advertisement in this world, I believe this notion has held true. Whether it was the caveman's etchings on the cave walls "talking" about the bear that he just clubbed or it is the t.v. commercial showing men how many women will want to be with them if they choose the right shaving cream. In whatever the venue the art of advertising has always had some sort of deceitful picture portrayed in its message.
Every four years our great land goes through a presidential campaign. You may be a fan of this blood sport, but most people, however, are not so much. Regardless of your particular stance on it you do have to admit that at least we are a free nation who gets to participate in this blood sport whether you agree with the tactics and mudslinging or not. One thing most of us can probably agree on is that some where along the line at least one of the candidates in each presidential race could be classified as a wolf in sheep's clothing.
I just read on facebook (one of my favorite dependable sources of hard hitting fact finding) a line that I feel is very fitting for this very subject. It goes something like this: "All 16 year old girls need to be taught the difference between the boys that flatter her and the boys who compliment her." Heck there are probably some 40 year olds that need to be taught that lesson for that matter. But what the message is saying is you need to be on the look out for people, male or female who would do or say anything to schmooz you until you see things their way. It's more important for you to surround yourself with the people who truly bring out the best in you.
The art of deception or the master of being a wolf in sheep's clothing goes clear back to the beginning of time itself in the Garden of Eden. The serpent came to the woman, Eve, and tempted her to eat of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He was trying to make her believe through his deceit that she could truly be god-like if she would simply do the one thing that God had commanded her not to do. He was a smooth talker and introduced to Eve the first commercial message that made her do something just to get a desired result. Of course where was Adam in all of this? Passively standing by letting it all happen. Then as he was confronted by God after the incident of the first sin in the world, he just blamed it all on the woman that God brought to him. Everything was great in their little garden until she came along. Unfortunately, all was just great in that little garden of theirs until the serpent came to tempt them. Now the key is just to resist the urges of the great deceiver, the first wolf in sheep's clothing that still exists today.
If you haven't guessed by now, or if you are not familiar with this concept of a wolf in sheep's clothing, I will tell you. It is any one or anything that comes to flatter you and deceit you to have you believe a lie in order to get you to do something that you truly should not do or in order to win you over. A sheep is a very, passive compliant animal that can be lead astray very easily. A wolf is the enemy of the sheep and the sheep herder. His only goal is to look out for number one and to devour his next meal. Some times people will do what they can to fit in, to blend into their surroundings in a deceitful way in order to get their target comfortable with them so they can more easily devour the target at the most vulnerable moment.
It says in Psalms 23 that the Lord is my shepherd... It also says in the Bible that the Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That means he will never change. It also says in His word never will I leave you nor forsake you. We are surrounded by people every day who are wolves in sheep' clothing. The key is don't be drawn in to their evil and deceitful ways. Whether it is a stupid ad on the t.v., a politician trying to convince you to vote for him or some stupid guy trying to get you to do anything, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Every one of us is human therefore we are susceptible to the evil of the wolf in sheep's clothing. Don't fall for it. Do the right thing and ask God for his direction.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
Where were you when the world stop turning on that September Day? It has been said that September 11, 2001 was a "High Holy Day" because so many turned to prayer for solace and comfort when they didn't have any where else to turn. Why is it we tend to turn to prayer as a last resort? Well, I guess all we can do now is pray. To me it should be the first, middle and last thing we should do and then thank God Almighty when we do come out of what ever we're going through.
Some people have wondered what we did to deserve those attacks on September 11th. One thing I feel we did started back in 1962 when the Supreme court ruled in a 6-3 decision to not allow prayer in the public school system. In fact, I feel many of social problems and turmoil stem back to that decision. The protective hand of God was lifted off of our nation at least temporarily.
We serve a loving God; a just God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. There are times, however that I feel that God wants to capture our attention. He is a jealous God. Ye shall worship no other gods before me. There are points in time that God allows certain things to happen to recapture that attention so we will return to Him in prayer so he can receive all the glory.
I remember very distinctly what I was doing that September morning back in 2001. I was on my sales route going through my regular routine. One of my stops had the T.V. on and of course all stations and all focus was on the twin towers repeatedly showing those planes flying into the World Trade Center towers. Every one knew that their lives would never be the same from that point on. Life in America as we knew was changed. Even though I live in fly over country where no terrorist would begin to plot an attack due to the low concentration that would lead to minimal impact, I was still affected. For some loved ones around me the fact that this occurred on 911 a signal of emergency made a strong impression. As of this day all would change. Some of our freedoms would be infringed upon, travel would be incumbered by invasive inspections and many things would no longer be taken for granted. Eventually millions of families would be affected knowing that their loved ones would be thrust into wars on several fronts trying to find the offenders and avenge the acts conducted on our soil that fateful day.
In the days and weeks that followed things were very different. In one sense many things occurred while in another sense nothing happened. There was a flurry of activity out of panic and a flurry of inactivity due to uncertainty. In New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. the flurry of activity centered around search and rescue, recovery and the insuing consolation that needed to occur. While the rest of the nation came to almost a complete stand still. I lived at the time on a quiet side street in Clinton, IA that was situated behind a gas station. The gas line started at the station wrapped around the block and stretched down a full block that ran in front of my house. Talk about coming to a stand still. Those cars weren't going any where. Even when they did creep towards the gas pump they came to the realization that gas price would sky rocket, the housing market would come to a skreetching halt and corporate America including the airlines came to a halt. But on the activity side we saw several things occur. Families reconnecting. Friends reconnecting. Prayer vigils were every where. Churches were packed. The eyes of America had turned to the solace of the one true healing God for comfort and peace.
As with any tragedy, time heals all wounds. Once people realized we weren't going to have armored tanks crawling over our hillsides and bombs weren't going to be detinated in our garbage cans and the panic mode had subsided, things went back to normal. As the years have gone by we have let our guard down and we have gone back to living the life that we want. About the only thing that is gripping us now is a down turn in the economy and tremedously high gas prices.
As we approach the 10th anniversary of that fateful day, it is my wish, my hope and yes even my prayer that we will never forget the people who were directly affected by the events of that terrible day. America lost nearly 3,000 people in that one day. We lost regular citizens and many first responders. We have since lost many soldiers that gave up the ultimate sacrifice that gives me the freedom to even spew this stuff now. We lost a sense of innocense and security. We have also now lost that touch with God. It says in his word that if those who are called by name would simply bow down to me, humbly seek my face and turn away from their evil and wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and heal their land. Who will stand with me in this charge? Who will share His word, love our neighbor and touch lives around us in a positive way? If this sort of action and attitude would spread world wide, we would really never have to worry about an attack like that any where ever again. Of course that would have to mean that every knee would bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord but wouldn't that be a wonderful world to live in. Some say it would be heavenly.
Some people have wondered what we did to deserve those attacks on September 11th. One thing I feel we did started back in 1962 when the Supreme court ruled in a 6-3 decision to not allow prayer in the public school system. In fact, I feel many of social problems and turmoil stem back to that decision. The protective hand of God was lifted off of our nation at least temporarily.
We serve a loving God; a just God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. There are times, however that I feel that God wants to capture our attention. He is a jealous God. Ye shall worship no other gods before me. There are points in time that God allows certain things to happen to recapture that attention so we will return to Him in prayer so he can receive all the glory.
I remember very distinctly what I was doing that September morning back in 2001. I was on my sales route going through my regular routine. One of my stops had the T.V. on and of course all stations and all focus was on the twin towers repeatedly showing those planes flying into the World Trade Center towers. Every one knew that their lives would never be the same from that point on. Life in America as we knew was changed. Even though I live in fly over country where no terrorist would begin to plot an attack due to the low concentration that would lead to minimal impact, I was still affected. For some loved ones around me the fact that this occurred on 911 a signal of emergency made a strong impression. As of this day all would change. Some of our freedoms would be infringed upon, travel would be incumbered by invasive inspections and many things would no longer be taken for granted. Eventually millions of families would be affected knowing that their loved ones would be thrust into wars on several fronts trying to find the offenders and avenge the acts conducted on our soil that fateful day.
In the days and weeks that followed things were very different. In one sense many things occurred while in another sense nothing happened. There was a flurry of activity out of panic and a flurry of inactivity due to uncertainty. In New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. the flurry of activity centered around search and rescue, recovery and the insuing consolation that needed to occur. While the rest of the nation came to almost a complete stand still. I lived at the time on a quiet side street in Clinton, IA that was situated behind a gas station. The gas line started at the station wrapped around the block and stretched down a full block that ran in front of my house. Talk about coming to a stand still. Those cars weren't going any where. Even when they did creep towards the gas pump they came to the realization that gas price would sky rocket, the housing market would come to a skreetching halt and corporate America including the airlines came to a halt. But on the activity side we saw several things occur. Families reconnecting. Friends reconnecting. Prayer vigils were every where. Churches were packed. The eyes of America had turned to the solace of the one true healing God for comfort and peace.
As with any tragedy, time heals all wounds. Once people realized we weren't going to have armored tanks crawling over our hillsides and bombs weren't going to be detinated in our garbage cans and the panic mode had subsided, things went back to normal. As the years have gone by we have let our guard down and we have gone back to living the life that we want. About the only thing that is gripping us now is a down turn in the economy and tremedously high gas prices.
As we approach the 10th anniversary of that fateful day, it is my wish, my hope and yes even my prayer that we will never forget the people who were directly affected by the events of that terrible day. America lost nearly 3,000 people in that one day. We lost regular citizens and many first responders. We have since lost many soldiers that gave up the ultimate sacrifice that gives me the freedom to even spew this stuff now. We lost a sense of innocense and security. We have also now lost that touch with God. It says in his word that if those who are called by name would simply bow down to me, humbly seek my face and turn away from their evil and wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and heal their land. Who will stand with me in this charge? Who will share His word, love our neighbor and touch lives around us in a positive way? If this sort of action and attitude would spread world wide, we would really never have to worry about an attack like that any where ever again. Of course that would have to mean that every knee would bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord but wouldn't that be a wonderful world to live in. Some say it would be heavenly.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Who is in Control of This Any Way?
Our economy is in the pits! Over the past 21/2 years a lot has been said about the origin of the poor economy. Again last night, former Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs was asked to comment on the state of the economy. He went back to the old refrain that it was Bush's fault. I would like to examine this whole idea of the poor economy being Bush's fault.
What did Bush do to ruin the economy? I will examine several possible answers to this very question to see where the answers lead us.
1.) He had us fighting in 2 wars. Wars cost. Wars cost a lot. They cost the tax payers money. They cost soldiers their lives. These wars almost cost GWB a second term in office. It may be said that these wars were factors that lead us into a bad economy.
2.) Bush spent too much. Spending money on wars. Spending money on prescription drugs for seniors. Spending money in general increased our deficit. The deficit could be said to have lead us into a bad economy.
3.) Tax cuts twice during the Bush presidency may have lead us into the bad economy.
Depending on which economists you talk to any of these three or the combination of any of these three policy items could very well have lead us into a bad economy. When Bush left office unemployment was at 7.1%. The housing bubble was starting to burst. Deficits were mounting. TARP spending had occurred.
In 2008 we elected a new president who ran on a campaign slogan of Hope & Change. The American people wanted a change in political parties. They wanted a change in philosophy. They wanted a change from the old guard in Washington D.C. from a family dynasty to a new face who had been a U.S. Senator for less than 2 years when he started running for the office of the President of the United States of America. They put their Hope in Barack Husein Obama. Let's look at the conditions that are in place now and what they have done to change the status of the economy.
1.) Obama has put us into 4 wars now. The continuation of Iraq and Afganastan have gone against the promises to the "Left" that we would end them and be out has not come true. The spending has mounted and continued. The loss of life and other casualties have also continued.
2.) The deficit has doubled in the last 2 years compared to the 8 years under the Bush presidency. We've had 2 stimulous bills that did more to stimulate the government than they did to stimulate the American economy. The stimulous spending was suppose to guarantee unemployment not to rise over 8%, but has now found its way up to 9.1%. The shovel ready jobs that were suppose to have been created are laughed at by this administration as "not being quite as shovel ready as they thought they would be". We now have written into law a government mandated national insurance program that is taxed over a 10 year period with 6 years of "benefits" that when instigated was suppose to cut the deficit and the premiums of the insured, but now inflated the deficit even more and those same premiums are going up because of the uncertainty of the future.
3.) Last Decemember in a vaction session of Congress, President Obama extended the Bush tax cuts. These are the same tax cuts that were said to have added to the deficit and helped the rich croneys of GWB.
Ok, I will grant the "Left" that some of the Bush policies especially towards the end of his presidency may have contributed to the lagging economy. But 2 things and they are 2 big giant buts. But the Housing Bubble that burst and splattered all over the financial markets was started by the democratically controlled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The policies written by Chris Dodd and Barney Frank to cure the social injustices of the poor to guarantee them the purchases of houses that everyone knew they could not afford lead to the collapse of Bear Stearns and Lehmann Bros. Those institution collapses started a dominoe effect of the continual crash of the housing market. The housing bubble burst due to wreckless mismangement of government run agencies supprted by the policies put in place by Dodd and Frank. The other But that is giant and cannot be ignored is the but if Bush's policies were so horrible and lead us into the worst economy since the Great Depression, why were they not only continued, but even doubled down after BHO took office? We are spending even more money on even more wars. We are adding to the deficit by spending money on stimulous packages that don't stimulate, but line the pockets of bureaucrats and union leader thugs. The evil tax cuts that drove the economy down in the eyes of the left were extended by the current administration because they knew that letting them expire would lead to a greater drag on the economy.
To me there is plenty of blame to go around every where. We need some leadership in this country. We need some one to lead us out of this mess by tightenting the government's belt. We need a leader who will adhere to the confines of the Constitution by not mandating that the We the people not buy anything. Who is that leader? Who is the man or woman who will step up to the plate, take the bull by the horns, do the right thing and lead us out of this mess? We need to be steered by some one who will let us have more of our own money. Someone who will stimulate the economy not the government. Someone who will stand by their convictions. I feel as a nation we should do as the Bible says. It says in His word, "if we bow down to Him, humbly seek His face, turn away from our wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven and heal our land. Are you with me?
What did Bush do to ruin the economy? I will examine several possible answers to this very question to see where the answers lead us.
1.) He had us fighting in 2 wars. Wars cost. Wars cost a lot. They cost the tax payers money. They cost soldiers their lives. These wars almost cost GWB a second term in office. It may be said that these wars were factors that lead us into a bad economy.
2.) Bush spent too much. Spending money on wars. Spending money on prescription drugs for seniors. Spending money in general increased our deficit. The deficit could be said to have lead us into a bad economy.
3.) Tax cuts twice during the Bush presidency may have lead us into the bad economy.
Depending on which economists you talk to any of these three or the combination of any of these three policy items could very well have lead us into a bad economy. When Bush left office unemployment was at 7.1%. The housing bubble was starting to burst. Deficits were mounting. TARP spending had occurred.
In 2008 we elected a new president who ran on a campaign slogan of Hope & Change. The American people wanted a change in political parties. They wanted a change in philosophy. They wanted a change from the old guard in Washington D.C. from a family dynasty to a new face who had been a U.S. Senator for less than 2 years when he started running for the office of the President of the United States of America. They put their Hope in Barack Husein Obama. Let's look at the conditions that are in place now and what they have done to change the status of the economy.
1.) Obama has put us into 4 wars now. The continuation of Iraq and Afganastan have gone against the promises to the "Left" that we would end them and be out has not come true. The spending has mounted and continued. The loss of life and other casualties have also continued.
2.) The deficit has doubled in the last 2 years compared to the 8 years under the Bush presidency. We've had 2 stimulous bills that did more to stimulate the government than they did to stimulate the American economy. The stimulous spending was suppose to guarantee unemployment not to rise over 8%, but has now found its way up to 9.1%. The shovel ready jobs that were suppose to have been created are laughed at by this administration as "not being quite as shovel ready as they thought they would be". We now have written into law a government mandated national insurance program that is taxed over a 10 year period with 6 years of "benefits" that when instigated was suppose to cut the deficit and the premiums of the insured, but now inflated the deficit even more and those same premiums are going up because of the uncertainty of the future.
3.) Last Decemember in a vaction session of Congress, President Obama extended the Bush tax cuts. These are the same tax cuts that were said to have added to the deficit and helped the rich croneys of GWB.
Ok, I will grant the "Left" that some of the Bush policies especially towards the end of his presidency may have contributed to the lagging economy. But 2 things and they are 2 big giant buts. But the Housing Bubble that burst and splattered all over the financial markets was started by the democratically controlled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The policies written by Chris Dodd and Barney Frank to cure the social injustices of the poor to guarantee them the purchases of houses that everyone knew they could not afford lead to the collapse of Bear Stearns and Lehmann Bros. Those institution collapses started a dominoe effect of the continual crash of the housing market. The housing bubble burst due to wreckless mismangement of government run agencies supprted by the policies put in place by Dodd and Frank. The other But that is giant and cannot be ignored is the but if Bush's policies were so horrible and lead us into the worst economy since the Great Depression, why were they not only continued, but even doubled down after BHO took office? We are spending even more money on even more wars. We are adding to the deficit by spending money on stimulous packages that don't stimulate, but line the pockets of bureaucrats and union leader thugs. The evil tax cuts that drove the economy down in the eyes of the left were extended by the current administration because they knew that letting them expire would lead to a greater drag on the economy.
To me there is plenty of blame to go around every where. We need some leadership in this country. We need some one to lead us out of this mess by tightenting the government's belt. We need a leader who will adhere to the confines of the Constitution by not mandating that the We the people not buy anything. Who is that leader? Who is the man or woman who will step up to the plate, take the bull by the horns, do the right thing and lead us out of this mess? We need to be steered by some one who will let us have more of our own money. Someone who will stimulate the economy not the government. Someone who will stand by their convictions. I feel as a nation we should do as the Bible says. It says in His word, "if we bow down to Him, humbly seek His face, turn away from our wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven and heal our land. Are you with me?
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thanks, but yet...no thanks
Every one knows the abysmal state the budget in Illinois is in right now. The state is $12billion in debt. The legislature is doing everything it can to come up with new income streams. Even if it means cutting into the pension fund of teachers and public servants.
Every time you turn on a radio these days, at every commercial break you hear a message sponsored by the teacher's unions and the public servants such as policemen and fire fighters. Every one should agree that we figuratively and literally owe a lot to all of these workers. They all serve and work at thankless jobs. The ads even say that Illinois has some of the best teachers in the country. I love the bumper sticker that reads "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's in English, thank a vet." The ads go on to talk about how the Illinois legislature is at it again. They are raiding the pension fund of these workers and using the fund as a credit card.
Teachers do not qualify for social security and they have always contributed to their own pension fund. Some teachers contribute up to 8-10% of their own annual income into the pension fund. Teachers are not the highest paid workers in any state, but especially in the state of Illinois. Teaching is not just a job. It is a way of life. These teachers spend so much more time in the classroom and at home preparing for what they are going to teach our young minds full of mush and grading papers than what the 7:45-3:15 schedule that says they have to be in the classroom. For all of this and everything they do, I give all teachers my undying thanks and gratitude for teaching our kids. They accept the lower pay throughout their careers in exchange for what should be a nice pension during their retirement. They have made their contributions consistently all along, just for our state legislators to use their pension fund as a credit card. Now that some of them are ready to retire and dip into that pension fund the funds may not be there.
The radio ads go on to talk about how hard the teachers work, how they contribute to their own retirement and how the funds may not be there due to what the state government is doing to their pension fund. The ads also talk about wanting people to contact their legislators to get them to stop this practice. They also have a website that you can refer to to learn more about this situation and I'm sure they would appreciate contributions so they can fight this practice in the courts or legislature. Who are these people that are "raiding" the pension fund?
Just a little bit a of a civics lesson here. The Illinois legislature is made up of two houses, the State Senate and the General Assembly. And then there is the Executive branch that has the governor. The 97th General Assembly has 177 members of which 99 are Democrats and 78 are Republicans and the governor is a Democrat. There are 35 Democrats in the Senate compared to 24 Republicans. There are 64 Democrats in the House compared to 54 Republicans. Statistics show that the teacher's unions, the IEA, and the NEA tend to contribute the majority of their campaign contributions to the Democratic Party. Why would they continue to do this if these are the same people, according to their own ads, these legislators are raiding their pension fund?
Again, I cannot stress my gratitude toward teachers for their dedication and service. I don't, however, appreciate our legislators raiding their pension funds to put to use in other budgetary needs. I also don't appreciate the unions continuing to contribute funds to the campaigns of the same people who have raided those pension funds. Stop it! Stop using the teacher's pensions for other budget short falls. And unions stop supporting those same people who are doing it!
The only other prominent comparison that I can make to this is when the vast majority of the Jewish Community continues to support and contribute to the same Democrat Party whose leader just threw them under the bus by not supporting the Jewish State of Israel, and in fact has totally supported the Palestinians who want to annihilate them. It makes no sense to me.
Every time you turn on a radio these days, at every commercial break you hear a message sponsored by the teacher's unions and the public servants such as policemen and fire fighters. Every one should agree that we figuratively and literally owe a lot to all of these workers. They all serve and work at thankless jobs. The ads even say that Illinois has some of the best teachers in the country. I love the bumper sticker that reads "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's in English, thank a vet." The ads go on to talk about how the Illinois legislature is at it again. They are raiding the pension fund of these workers and using the fund as a credit card.
Teachers do not qualify for social security and they have always contributed to their own pension fund. Some teachers contribute up to 8-10% of their own annual income into the pension fund. Teachers are not the highest paid workers in any state, but especially in the state of Illinois. Teaching is not just a job. It is a way of life. These teachers spend so much more time in the classroom and at home preparing for what they are going to teach our young minds full of mush and grading papers than what the 7:45-3:15 schedule that says they have to be in the classroom. For all of this and everything they do, I give all teachers my undying thanks and gratitude for teaching our kids. They accept the lower pay throughout their careers in exchange for what should be a nice pension during their retirement. They have made their contributions consistently all along, just for our state legislators to use their pension fund as a credit card. Now that some of them are ready to retire and dip into that pension fund the funds may not be there.
The radio ads go on to talk about how hard the teachers work, how they contribute to their own retirement and how the funds may not be there due to what the state government is doing to their pension fund. The ads also talk about wanting people to contact their legislators to get them to stop this practice. They also have a website that you can refer to to learn more about this situation and I'm sure they would appreciate contributions so they can fight this practice in the courts or legislature. Who are these people that are "raiding" the pension fund?
Just a little bit a of a civics lesson here. The Illinois legislature is made up of two houses, the State Senate and the General Assembly. And then there is the Executive branch that has the governor. The 97th General Assembly has 177 members of which 99 are Democrats and 78 are Republicans and the governor is a Democrat. There are 35 Democrats in the Senate compared to 24 Republicans. There are 64 Democrats in the House compared to 54 Republicans. Statistics show that the teacher's unions, the IEA, and the NEA tend to contribute the majority of their campaign contributions to the Democratic Party. Why would they continue to do this if these are the same people, according to their own ads, these legislators are raiding their pension fund?
Again, I cannot stress my gratitude toward teachers for their dedication and service. I don't, however, appreciate our legislators raiding their pension funds to put to use in other budgetary needs. I also don't appreciate the unions continuing to contribute funds to the campaigns of the same people who have raided those pension funds. Stop it! Stop using the teacher's pensions for other budget short falls. And unions stop supporting those same people who are doing it!
The only other prominent comparison that I can make to this is when the vast majority of the Jewish Community continues to support and contribute to the same Democrat Party whose leader just threw them under the bus by not supporting the Jewish State of Israel, and in fact has totally supported the Palestinians who want to annihilate them. It makes no sense to me.
Friday, April 22, 2011
By His Wounds We Are Healed
There was a 33 year old Jewish man who died today. Emmanuel Crist was beaten to death. His wounds were sustained by a taunting crowd of on-lookers. They spit at him as handlers and officials passed him by on the streets today.
This is the same crowd that welcomed him in to the city just one week ago. People waved at him in adulation. This is a man who had humble beginnings, born in obscurity, impressed others with his wisdom and knowledge as a young boy, became a carpenter as he prepared for the healing fields and was admired by throngs by the speeches he made by the shores of local waters. It is said that he fed thousands of people with hardly anything and his healing touch has been unmatched by any other.
Young Optimists and of all people the local fishing community along with 10 other civic organizations became followers of this man in the short time that he spent sharing his wealth of knowledge in this area. Many people had become close to Crist and know him in a very personal way. Others have scorned him and felt that he was forcing himself into there eletist group.
The words that he spoke seem to attract and sooth those that would believe him. But those same words drove others to the point of not only persecution but eventual execution. In three days there will be services for this new found leader. They say he has saved them from their own past. One of the messages that Crist has sent to these followers is that he was going to build many mansions for them in his father's land. This statement along with all the other accolades given to him in such a short period of time must have been what incited the rest of the people to want to beat him spit at him and eventually take him to his death.
Something tells me that nothing, not even a grave, could stop this man. I believe he will be in the hearts and minds of his followers for a long time to come. It appears that Crist is the one thing that this world really could use right now. I hope it's not too late for those that didn't follow him and put him to death. I myself look forward to having one of those mansions he spoke of. I would hate to see what happened to those that didn't believe that he would do what he said he would do.
Spread the word about this man. If more people were like him, there would probably be more peace and healing and joy in the world. I'm sure many books will be written about the works and accomplishments of this man. I would encourage others to read those books and find out what it takes to be able to live in one of those mansions..
This is the same crowd that welcomed him in to the city just one week ago. People waved at him in adulation. This is a man who had humble beginnings, born in obscurity, impressed others with his wisdom and knowledge as a young boy, became a carpenter as he prepared for the healing fields and was admired by throngs by the speeches he made by the shores of local waters. It is said that he fed thousands of people with hardly anything and his healing touch has been unmatched by any other.
Young Optimists and of all people the local fishing community along with 10 other civic organizations became followers of this man in the short time that he spent sharing his wealth of knowledge in this area. Many people had become close to Crist and know him in a very personal way. Others have scorned him and felt that he was forcing himself into there eletist group.
The words that he spoke seem to attract and sooth those that would believe him. But those same words drove others to the point of not only persecution but eventual execution. In three days there will be services for this new found leader. They say he has saved them from their own past. One of the messages that Crist has sent to these followers is that he was going to build many mansions for them in his father's land. This statement along with all the other accolades given to him in such a short period of time must have been what incited the rest of the people to want to beat him spit at him and eventually take him to his death.
Something tells me that nothing, not even a grave, could stop this man. I believe he will be in the hearts and minds of his followers for a long time to come. It appears that Crist is the one thing that this world really could use right now. I hope it's not too late for those that didn't follow him and put him to death. I myself look forward to having one of those mansions he spoke of. I would hate to see what happened to those that didn't believe that he would do what he said he would do.
Spread the word about this man. If more people were like him, there would probably be more peace and healing and joy in the world. I'm sure many books will be written about the works and accomplishments of this man. I would encourage others to read those books and find out what it takes to be able to live in one of those mansions..
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
It has been a long hard winter! Time to put away snow shovels, winter coats and mittens, and bring out the bats, baseball cap and mit. I feel the national anthem should be Take Me Out to the Ball Game.
I love this time of year! Baseball has always been my favorite sport; the only one I ever came close to excelling at in school. There is something about walking into a stadium like Wrigley Field and absorbing the whole atmosphere, the smell of hot dogs and the natural grass. The feel of the electricity of the excitement and anticipation of a possible Cub win.
There is just something about sitting up in the cheap seats or the bleachers and looking down on the field trying to spot your favorite player. You can also look around the outside of the stadium and take in the breath taking view and beauty of Lake Michigan and the skyline surrounding Wrigleyville. It's always great to see the flags in center field flapping outward toward Sheffield Ave. When you see that you know there are going to be some homers hit that day. That always gets the crowd roaring.
Finally, the actual National Anthem is sung and the symbolic first pitch is thrown. The umpire shouts "Play Ball". And the real fun begins. It's a great sight to see the crowd get into the game. It's exciting to see what strategies will be taken by each manager in each situation on the field. What makes it more exciting for me and what keeps my interest the most is keeping score and marking down every advance of every runner that ever gets on during the whole game. Then as predicted, due to the flags flapping in the wind, the first homerun is hit onto Sheffield and the crowd goes wild as if the Cubs have won their first World Series since before World WarII.
One more important part of going to a major league game for me is having a hot dog and a beer. There is something special about that stadium dog. And you have to have a beer to wash it down. It must be special, like lined with gold, for as expensive they are. Oh well this is like a vacation day and money can't be an object while your on vacation. Then they play what I feel should be the National Anthem, but this time in the Seventh Inning Stretch, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". This is the world's largest group Kareoke. Everyone joins in. It's ok if you're off key because the conductor is too.
Finally the game is over. The maintenance crew can climb out of the scoreboard now and hoist up the "W" flag after a Cub win. Another end to another great day. Now you have a few options. You can either rush out of the stands and sit in a traffic jam for what feels like an eternity, or you can wander around the stadium to see if you can pick up any last minute souveniers. Then you can either make your way down to the Addison St. Station to catch the train or if you did drive go out and get into a hopefully shorter version of the same traffic jam you would have sat in if you left earlier.
To me, baseball is baseball. So it really doesn't matter to me whether I'm lying on the couch watching Sunday Night baseball being described to me by Jon Miller and Joe Morgan on ESPN, or if I go to a Major League game in Chicago, a Lumber Kings game in Clinton, IA or if I go to Kiwanis Park in Fulton, IL to watch Sam play in the "Majors" there. I just love to watch the game. I miss my playing days. I think I may have the distiction for being San Jose Grade School's most consistant bunter. I miss skipping out of Miss Price's English class to go to a very impromptu baseball practice before a big game in the middle of the afternoon in high school. I miss being able to take batting practice and running the bases. I miss shagging flys in the outfield as we would watch a stray ball bounce out onto Route 136 as it just missed a semi or maybe even get caught richocheting in its wheel base as it rolled down the highway. What ever the case may be, I am glad that the long winter is over and we can all take in a game or two at any of the afore mentioned parks. As the great Cub Ernie Banks once said, it's always "a great day to play two."
Take MeOut to the Ball Game and Play Ball!!
I love this time of year! Baseball has always been my favorite sport; the only one I ever came close to excelling at in school. There is something about walking into a stadium like Wrigley Field and absorbing the whole atmosphere, the smell of hot dogs and the natural grass. The feel of the electricity of the excitement and anticipation of a possible Cub win.
There is just something about sitting up in the cheap seats or the bleachers and looking down on the field trying to spot your favorite player. You can also look around the outside of the stadium and take in the breath taking view and beauty of Lake Michigan and the skyline surrounding Wrigleyville. It's always great to see the flags in center field flapping outward toward Sheffield Ave. When you see that you know there are going to be some homers hit that day. That always gets the crowd roaring.
Finally, the actual National Anthem is sung and the symbolic first pitch is thrown. The umpire shouts "Play Ball". And the real fun begins. It's a great sight to see the crowd get into the game. It's exciting to see what strategies will be taken by each manager in each situation on the field. What makes it more exciting for me and what keeps my interest the most is keeping score and marking down every advance of every runner that ever gets on during the whole game. Then as predicted, due to the flags flapping in the wind, the first homerun is hit onto Sheffield and the crowd goes wild as if the Cubs have won their first World Series since before World WarII.
One more important part of going to a major league game for me is having a hot dog and a beer. There is something special about that stadium dog. And you have to have a beer to wash it down. It must be special, like lined with gold, for as expensive they are. Oh well this is like a vacation day and money can't be an object while your on vacation. Then they play what I feel should be the National Anthem, but this time in the Seventh Inning Stretch, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". This is the world's largest group Kareoke. Everyone joins in. It's ok if you're off key because the conductor is too.
Finally the game is over. The maintenance crew can climb out of the scoreboard now and hoist up the "W" flag after a Cub win. Another end to another great day. Now you have a few options. You can either rush out of the stands and sit in a traffic jam for what feels like an eternity, or you can wander around the stadium to see if you can pick up any last minute souveniers. Then you can either make your way down to the Addison St. Station to catch the train or if you did drive go out and get into a hopefully shorter version of the same traffic jam you would have sat in if you left earlier.
To me, baseball is baseball. So it really doesn't matter to me whether I'm lying on the couch watching Sunday Night baseball being described to me by Jon Miller and Joe Morgan on ESPN, or if I go to a Major League game in Chicago, a Lumber Kings game in Clinton, IA or if I go to Kiwanis Park in Fulton, IL to watch Sam play in the "Majors" there. I just love to watch the game. I miss my playing days. I think I may have the distiction for being San Jose Grade School's most consistant bunter. I miss skipping out of Miss Price's English class to go to a very impromptu baseball practice before a big game in the middle of the afternoon in high school. I miss being able to take batting practice and running the bases. I miss shagging flys in the outfield as we would watch a stray ball bounce out onto Route 136 as it just missed a semi or maybe even get caught richocheting in its wheel base as it rolled down the highway. What ever the case may be, I am glad that the long winter is over and we can all take in a game or two at any of the afore mentioned parks. As the great Cub Ernie Banks once said, it's always "a great day to play two."
Take MeOut to the Ball Game and Play Ball!!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I Will
Deut. 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
There are people in this world who say they are "pro-choice". I happen to be as well, but I choose life.
The following is a scenario not unlike a similar scenario that could, but has not necessarily happened in a neighborhood near you.
227, 228 Oh here it is 229, The Pregnancy Center. I sure hope they can help me.
Hi, Welcome to The Pregnancy Center. How are you today?
Oh, Well, Okay, I...I guess.
Oh, My name is Mary. Have you been here before?
No I just...I mean I don't...
Just relax honey, come on in and sit down. Would you like something to drink? Water, juice?
No, No thanks. I would like to talk to some one though.
Oh, of course. That's what we're here for, but I still didn't catch your name.
Oh, my name is Tonya.
Well, it's very nice to meet you, Tonya. Have a seat. I have a very special person I would like for you to meet. I'll be right back.
Wow, she was nice. I have a good feeling about tis place. I sure hope they can help me beacuse I don't know what to do.
Tonya, This is one of our councelors, Shemequa. She would like for you to come back into her office where you can have a little privacy and chat with you. You know get to know you a little.
Glad to meet you, Tonya. Come on back.
Have a seat and tell me a little about yourself.
Well, I'm 16. I'm a junior in high school and I'm scared to death. What else do you need to know?
Oh, honey I can imagine how you feel. I was 16 once myself.
Yeah, but I think I'm pregnant. Bet you don't know how that feels at 16.
Well, Tonya, that's where you're wrong. I do know how it feels. I was in your same shoes. I was pregnant at 16 but I didn't always make the right choices. I hope you do.
Right choices? What do you mean?
Well, I have my regrets, but we can talk about that later.
I heard about this place in my church. I hope you can help me.
Well, I'm sure we can. What exactly have you heard?
That girls like me can come in here and talk to people and you can run some sorta test and help me with my baby.
Yeah That's pretty much what we do here. Do you know what kind of tests we do?
Pregnancy tests, I guess.
Well yeah that's part of it. But we also can do Ultra-sounds as well.
What's that?
Well, that's where we take sort of a video form the outside of your tummy and see the baby move inside of you. But first we need to varify whether you really are pregnant.
Oh, I'm pretty sure of that. I missed...you know.
Oh, yeah, I do know. Like I said I've been there.
Yeah, you said that before. Tell me more.
Well, let's start the first test then we'll talk while we're waiting.
Like I said I was 16 when I found out I was pregnant. I was lost just like you, but I didn't make very good choices. At least your here now I can can help you. We'll pray for you and your young child. We will give you as much councelling and love as we can give you. We will provide some basics for your baby like clothing, diapers, lotion, powder etc. Can we get the father and your parents involved? It might help you get through this whole thing.
Not the father. As soon as he heard I might be pregnant he skipped town. My parents will kill me.
You might be surprised about that. Would you mind if we talk to them?
If you think they would help, sure.
Shemequa, these are Tonya's parents. They wanted to be involved with Tonya and the baby so they came to see you.
It's very nice to meet you. Won't you come in and have a seat.?
Tonya just felt so uncomfortable about all this. We hope you don't mind us coming to talk to you without her. She said you have been through this yourself.
Yes...Yes I have. I wish there was a place like this in my neighborhood when I was that age. I unfortunately took an alternative route. I later met a friend named Jesus and he put me on the right path and now I'm here trying to help young girls make better decisions.
Tonya said you can do an Ultra-sound. How does that work?
Tonya we went to The Pregnancy Center today. Shemequa seems nice.
Oh, they're all realy nice there. I'm just scared. What am I going to do?
Honey, your mom and I have decided we want to be with you through this whole process.
Oh, daddy. Thank you I thought you would be ashamed of me.
Well, honey, we all make mistakes. We really should go down there and do that Ultra-sound.
Shemequa, Tonya and her parents are here. They say that they want to do an Ultra-sound.
That sounds great. Come on back. We'll get started.
Oh, would you look at that. He's moving around.
It's a he?
Yeah, you can tell right there.
Is that really his heart beat?
Yeah, we can detect that and determine his sex very early on. he can also feel pain very early on. This is the thing I wished I would have been able to see and do when I was in Tonya's position. The place I went just wanted to herd me through and collect the money.
Now we have some decisions to make.
Now that I've seen the life inside of me I know one thing I'm not going to do.
That's the choice I wanted you to make. The next thing is though will you raise this little boy?
I'm only 16 what do I know about raising a baby?
Honey, you know we're here to help, too.
Well, you know there still is one alternative.
No I already said I wasn't gonna do that.
No I mean that there are families out there who would love to adopt this young life.
How does that work?
Tonya, Now that you have gone through all of this there is one thing I need to ask you?
What is it?
Do you know Jesus? Does He live in your heart?
I told you I go to church.
That's not what I asked. Does He live in your heart?
How do I get Him to do that?
Let me tell you something first. I have said a couple of times I would tell you about myself when I was 16 years old and pregnant.
Yeah what of it?
Well when I was pregnant I did not have the help of the father or my parents.
I was very lucky.
You were blessed. That's what I found out later that I am. I found 2 things. Shenequa means "God's Blessings". And that there is a God that we can come to and lay all of our cares at his feet. Even though I aborted my baby, I now know that God forgives. He forgave me and He can forgive you of all of your sins if your merely ask Him into your heart. So the question I have for you Will you allow God to forgive you of your sins and ask His son Jesus into your heart?
I will!
There are people in this world who say they are "pro-choice". I happen to be as well, but I choose life.
The following is a scenario not unlike a similar scenario that could, but has not necessarily happened in a neighborhood near you.
227, 228 Oh here it is 229, The Pregnancy Center. I sure hope they can help me.
Hi, Welcome to The Pregnancy Center. How are you today?
Oh, Well, Okay, I...I guess.
Oh, My name is Mary. Have you been here before?
No I just...I mean I don't...
Just relax honey, come on in and sit down. Would you like something to drink? Water, juice?
No, No thanks. I would like to talk to some one though.
Oh, of course. That's what we're here for, but I still didn't catch your name.
Oh, my name is Tonya.
Well, it's very nice to meet you, Tonya. Have a seat. I have a very special person I would like for you to meet. I'll be right back.
Wow, she was nice. I have a good feeling about tis place. I sure hope they can help me beacuse I don't know what to do.
Tonya, This is one of our councelors, Shemequa. She would like for you to come back into her office where you can have a little privacy and chat with you. You know get to know you a little.
Glad to meet you, Tonya. Come on back.
Have a seat and tell me a little about yourself.
Well, I'm 16. I'm a junior in high school and I'm scared to death. What else do you need to know?
Oh, honey I can imagine how you feel. I was 16 once myself.
Yeah, but I think I'm pregnant. Bet you don't know how that feels at 16.
Well, Tonya, that's where you're wrong. I do know how it feels. I was in your same shoes. I was pregnant at 16 but I didn't always make the right choices. I hope you do.
Right choices? What do you mean?
Well, I have my regrets, but we can talk about that later.
I heard about this place in my church. I hope you can help me.
Well, I'm sure we can. What exactly have you heard?
That girls like me can come in here and talk to people and you can run some sorta test and help me with my baby.
Yeah That's pretty much what we do here. Do you know what kind of tests we do?
Pregnancy tests, I guess.
Well yeah that's part of it. But we also can do Ultra-sounds as well.
What's that?
Well, that's where we take sort of a video form the outside of your tummy and see the baby move inside of you. But first we need to varify whether you really are pregnant.
Oh, I'm pretty sure of that. I missed...you know.
Oh, yeah, I do know. Like I said I've been there.
Yeah, you said that before. Tell me more.
Well, let's start the first test then we'll talk while we're waiting.
Like I said I was 16 when I found out I was pregnant. I was lost just like you, but I didn't make very good choices. At least your here now I can can help you. We'll pray for you and your young child. We will give you as much councelling and love as we can give you. We will provide some basics for your baby like clothing, diapers, lotion, powder etc. Can we get the father and your parents involved? It might help you get through this whole thing.
Not the father. As soon as he heard I might be pregnant he skipped town. My parents will kill me.
You might be surprised about that. Would you mind if we talk to them?
If you think they would help, sure.
Shemequa, these are Tonya's parents. They wanted to be involved with Tonya and the baby so they came to see you.
It's very nice to meet you. Won't you come in and have a seat.?
Tonya just felt so uncomfortable about all this. We hope you don't mind us coming to talk to you without her. She said you have been through this yourself.
Yes...Yes I have. I wish there was a place like this in my neighborhood when I was that age. I unfortunately took an alternative route. I later met a friend named Jesus and he put me on the right path and now I'm here trying to help young girls make better decisions.
Tonya said you can do an Ultra-sound. How does that work?
Tonya we went to The Pregnancy Center today. Shemequa seems nice.
Oh, they're all realy nice there. I'm just scared. What am I going to do?
Honey, your mom and I have decided we want to be with you through this whole process.
Oh, daddy. Thank you I thought you would be ashamed of me.
Well, honey, we all make mistakes. We really should go down there and do that Ultra-sound.
Shemequa, Tonya and her parents are here. They say that they want to do an Ultra-sound.
That sounds great. Come on back. We'll get started.
Oh, would you look at that. He's moving around.
It's a he?
Yeah, you can tell right there.
Is that really his heart beat?
Yeah, we can detect that and determine his sex very early on. he can also feel pain very early on. This is the thing I wished I would have been able to see and do when I was in Tonya's position. The place I went just wanted to herd me through and collect the money.
Now we have some decisions to make.
Now that I've seen the life inside of me I know one thing I'm not going to do.
That's the choice I wanted you to make. The next thing is though will you raise this little boy?
I'm only 16 what do I know about raising a baby?
Honey, you know we're here to help, too.
Well, you know there still is one alternative.
No I already said I wasn't gonna do that.
No I mean that there are families out there who would love to adopt this young life.
How does that work?
Tonya, Now that you have gone through all of this there is one thing I need to ask you?
What is it?
Do you know Jesus? Does He live in your heart?
I told you I go to church.
That's not what I asked. Does He live in your heart?
How do I get Him to do that?
Let me tell you something first. I have said a couple of times I would tell you about myself when I was 16 years old and pregnant.
Yeah what of it?
Well when I was pregnant I did not have the help of the father or my parents.
I was very lucky.
You were blessed. That's what I found out later that I am. I found 2 things. Shenequa means "God's Blessings". And that there is a God that we can come to and lay all of our cares at his feet. Even though I aborted my baby, I now know that God forgives. He forgave me and He can forgive you of all of your sins if your merely ask Him into your heart. So the question I have for you Will you allow God to forgive you of your sins and ask His son Jesus into your heart?
I will!
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