On and on it goes in my E-mail every morning. A new make-over, new hairdo, hunky bodyguard innuendos, open marriage contracts and an all new season full of guest celebs! I suppose that is what I get for setting up a Jon & Kate tracker to my account.
None of this would be a surprise for any A list Hollywood couple. Or B listers flailing about for some notoriety. For those who market themselves as church speakers, Christian authors, parenting experts and America's premier multi-family this is just unacceptable and very sad.
We folks of faith just do not need another black-eye but I guess that is just one of the "Multiple Blessing" we get from the Gosslin's and their "for hire expertise and side show revue". This is an old story with a new twist just Google up Swaggard, Haggard, Baker or a list of other "Sheep-Fleecer's" with naughty propensities.
Faith, family & marriage are being weighed in the balance of our society. Hollywood and an out of touch media have set themselves up as the fulcrum and hope we do not see their big ugly thumb on the scales. Jon & Kate are now painted on the nail of said appendage. To not embrace the redefinition of family and marriage makes one a "Hater". To voice these opinions is hate speech. What a weak argument and load of Bio-fertilizer. We are even asked to swallow a watering down of the fundamental beliefs in our faith as loving acceptance of others. So sorry to say that we can love and speak the truth at the same time! To be really hateful we should do it while chewing gum as well. This should annoy the "Hate Police" tremendously.
Jon & Kate are the poster kids for hypocrisy right now. Many others have been there many will follow. All we can do is not patronize the "family business" as Kate calls this circus. While doing so we must pray for them all and speak truth in their direction. Even if we know they are not listening.
As the scales swing wildly we need every voice and petition aimed at the culture and Heaven to stop the madness. Perhaps then people can just go back to working on their own shortcomings rather than being marketed and entertained by someone else's. Oh excuse me; I have a new update...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Beauty for Ashes
Beauty for Ashes
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud”.
Beautifully exuberant is the best way I can describe my children at full frolic on a frozen hill top behind our home. Sleds in flight, framed by miles of icy spectacle sets a snowy scene you must see to fully enjoy. Any effort to describe the snowy splendor of the Poffarosa lacks without mention of our four footed entourage. The Poffarosa is what we call our forty acres of Blue Ridge Beauty. Its’ placement affords us what have been called “million dollar views”. Here we have eight horses, seven cats, six dogs, one Cockatiel and a Guinea Pig named Nibbles. These add greatly to my work schedule and recompense as at-home-dad and neo-gentleman farmer, though I am a hobbyist when compared to my hardworking ranching neighbors.
To complete the picture add our two German Shepard’s silently establishing the parameter where they instinctively contain and protect, our pound-puppy mix trailing each sledding sortie, our Papillion content to watch from a warm window, our two mongrel sisters, probing for affection and an assortment of amused cats and horses which watch but have more sense than to pass the lines of tobogganing fire.
Of all our pets my favorite has come to be Ashes the dog. This was not always the case. Ashes when younger was a hunting machine. She would capture ducks, geese and groundhogs. She once snatched a bat out of mid-air. After one incident of snarling and lunging at my daughter Roo then aged two I established my position as alpha male and pack patriarch. This she never challenged but Ashes remained Nasty Ashes. As she aged she became diabetic. She lost her sight and became dependant upon insulin, extra care and concern.
For two years this was my starting and ending daily routine. High protein chow, one shot and let out or bring in Ashes. She became a different dog. She knew she needed help and appreciated it. She became loving and patient. The Fab Four never knew Nasty Ashes, only the slow cautious Loving Ashes. Watching them pet and hug as she rolled over to revel in the attention contrasted so much with the snarling Nasty that went after Roo.
Ashes end began that beautiful exuberant day. I went out twice in the dark and snow all around the Pofferosa but she could not be found. That morning she appeared on the porch. I took her inside and laid her on her bed. She waged her tail and breathed roughly. In a short while she was gone.
The impact of the loss surprised me. I have lost both parents, all grandparents, a couple cousins and pets a plenty. Still, something about how only by being humbled in her strength she was taught fear and controlled and only by loosing her natural prowess she could find trust and become a loving creature. Sadly sometimes it is only by loss and limitations that we become humble enough to love. In this I find my beauty for Ashes
Prayer and Ponderance.
Proverbs 16:18-19
Proverbs 29:23
James 4:6
Romans 1:18-20
Do you think pets will go to heaven?
Can you tell much about some one by the way they treat an animal?
Can you tell much about an animal by how they treat people?
Do we sometime let our perceived or real strengths make us aloof, proud or haughty?
What about animals can they get caught up in themselves and their abilities too?
Anthropomorphically speaking I believe we can observe some biblical principals at work in their lives!
Give Romans 1:18-20 a good read then watch your pets closely!
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud”.
Beautifully exuberant is the best way I can describe my children at full frolic on a frozen hill top behind our home. Sleds in flight, framed by miles of icy spectacle sets a snowy scene you must see to fully enjoy. Any effort to describe the snowy splendor of the Poffarosa lacks without mention of our four footed entourage. The Poffarosa is what we call our forty acres of Blue Ridge Beauty. Its’ placement affords us what have been called “million dollar views”. Here we have eight horses, seven cats, six dogs, one Cockatiel and a Guinea Pig named Nibbles. These add greatly to my work schedule and recompense as at-home-dad and neo-gentleman farmer, though I am a hobbyist when compared to my hardworking ranching neighbors.
To complete the picture add our two German Shepard’s silently establishing the parameter where they instinctively contain and protect, our pound-puppy mix trailing each sledding sortie, our Papillion content to watch from a warm window, our two mongrel sisters, probing for affection and an assortment of amused cats and horses which watch but have more sense than to pass the lines of tobogganing fire.
Of all our pets my favorite has come to be Ashes the dog. This was not always the case. Ashes when younger was a hunting machine. She would capture ducks, geese and groundhogs. She once snatched a bat out of mid-air. After one incident of snarling and lunging at my daughter Roo then aged two I established my position as alpha male and pack patriarch. This she never challenged but Ashes remained Nasty Ashes. As she aged she became diabetic. She lost her sight and became dependant upon insulin, extra care and concern.
For two years this was my starting and ending daily routine. High protein chow, one shot and let out or bring in Ashes. She became a different dog. She knew she needed help and appreciated it. She became loving and patient. The Fab Four never knew Nasty Ashes, only the slow cautious Loving Ashes. Watching them pet and hug as she rolled over to revel in the attention contrasted so much with the snarling Nasty that went after Roo.
Ashes end began that beautiful exuberant day. I went out twice in the dark and snow all around the Pofferosa but she could not be found. That morning she appeared on the porch. I took her inside and laid her on her bed. She waged her tail and breathed roughly. In a short while she was gone.
The impact of the loss surprised me. I have lost both parents, all grandparents, a couple cousins and pets a plenty. Still, something about how only by being humbled in her strength she was taught fear and controlled and only by loosing her natural prowess she could find trust and become a loving creature. Sadly sometimes it is only by loss and limitations that we become humble enough to love. In this I find my beauty for Ashes
Prayer and Ponderance.
Proverbs 16:18-19
Proverbs 29:23
James 4:6
Romans 1:18-20
Do you think pets will go to heaven?
Can you tell much about some one by the way they treat an animal?
Can you tell much about an animal by how they treat people?
Do we sometime let our perceived or real strengths make us aloof, proud or haughty?
What about animals can they get caught up in themselves and their abilities too?
Anthropomorphically speaking I believe we can observe some biblical principals at work in their lives!
Give Romans 1:18-20 a good read then watch your pets closely!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sew and Reap
Sew and Reap
Job 4:8-9
“As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
At the breath of God they are destroyed; at the blast of his anger they perish”.
Suddenly these insanely sad attacks were inside my head. I franticly called her phone but only got her message. She was transferring in D.C. What flight did they say hit the Pentagon? I called her partner’s phone only the prerecorded message came on. Emotions and the need for mental clarity were conflicting greatly in my mind.
Being a veteran from Virginia married to a girl from New York was not mixing well with the smoldering scenes of the twin Towers now tumbling down on themselves in south Manhattan as hundreds fled the smoldering five-sided command center of all the military that sits proudly in Arlington Va. Simply place my wife in the air lost to my communication and all this was too close to home and way too personal.
My mind reeled at the thought of thousands if not tens of thousands being crushed, burned and suffocated to death. Surely they did not take “P’s” plane. Perhaps she was just landing or stranded at the airport in D.C. No scenario was a comfort. I needed data, to know where she was.
In my Navy days I worked in the Combat Information Center. I operated a missile control system. All information flowed into that red and green lit black painted space. Radar and sonar data converged from all available ships, planes and subs. What was out there, how fast it was going, where it was heading, its threat assessment and engagement envelope was the mission. Data and decisions focus and adrenaline all combined to make C.I.C a solemn, daunting but highly exciting place to be. This beautiful almost fall day found me wishing I was back. Where you knew what was out there and it had to worry about you too.
I called the conference center they were going to and paged “P”, no response. I left messages, watched the news and wondered. Surely God would not put such a blow or burden on me? Then again what about all those that just died? Their wives, husbands, children, friends and family were as dear to Him as me and mine. Finally my phone rang, it was “P”. I was majorly relived. She was as shell shocked as I. “What was all this insanity about? Who could do this and what was our response likely to be?” It seems that “P’s” plane had trouble on the ground in Roanoke. Her partner and she decided to drive any way.
There at my desk wired into the world by phone, radio, fax and internet. I turned to an old and trusted method to give thanks for my family’s safety and comfort for those who bore the brunt of hatred and horror that day. Slowly it dawned on me, all the fear and anger that was rising up was exactly what these sad deceived soul had died to bring upon us this beautiful almost fall day. I left for home secure that what had been sewn in evil glee would be reaped in great regret.
Prayer and Ponderance
Proverbs 3:25-26
Mark 4:39-40
Romans 12:19-21
Romans 13:3-4
Psalm 146:9
How hard is it for you to remember Faith and God inside and outside of a crisis or perceived crisis?
In Romans 12 compels us to not indulge in personal vengeance, we are assured that acts of kindness will be heaping coals on our enemy’s heads.
How does this contrast with Romans 13 letting us know that Nations will be used to punish the wicked by God?
Wherever we stand on war and retribution we must never forget the widowed and orphaned because God says He won’t.
Job 4:8-9
“As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
At the breath of God they are destroyed; at the blast of his anger they perish”.
Suddenly these insanely sad attacks were inside my head. I franticly called her phone but only got her message. She was transferring in D.C. What flight did they say hit the Pentagon? I called her partner’s phone only the prerecorded message came on. Emotions and the need for mental clarity were conflicting greatly in my mind.
Being a veteran from Virginia married to a girl from New York was not mixing well with the smoldering scenes of the twin Towers now tumbling down on themselves in south Manhattan as hundreds fled the smoldering five-sided command center of all the military that sits proudly in Arlington Va. Simply place my wife in the air lost to my communication and all this was too close to home and way too personal.
My mind reeled at the thought of thousands if not tens of thousands being crushed, burned and suffocated to death. Surely they did not take “P’s” plane. Perhaps she was just landing or stranded at the airport in D.C. No scenario was a comfort. I needed data, to know where she was.
In my Navy days I worked in the Combat Information Center. I operated a missile control system. All information flowed into that red and green lit black painted space. Radar and sonar data converged from all available ships, planes and subs. What was out there, how fast it was going, where it was heading, its threat assessment and engagement envelope was the mission. Data and decisions focus and adrenaline all combined to make C.I.C a solemn, daunting but highly exciting place to be. This beautiful almost fall day found me wishing I was back. Where you knew what was out there and it had to worry about you too.
I called the conference center they were going to and paged “P”, no response. I left messages, watched the news and wondered. Surely God would not put such a blow or burden on me? Then again what about all those that just died? Their wives, husbands, children, friends and family were as dear to Him as me and mine. Finally my phone rang, it was “P”. I was majorly relived. She was as shell shocked as I. “What was all this insanity about? Who could do this and what was our response likely to be?” It seems that “P’s” plane had trouble on the ground in Roanoke. Her partner and she decided to drive any way.
There at my desk wired into the world by phone, radio, fax and internet. I turned to an old and trusted method to give thanks for my family’s safety and comfort for those who bore the brunt of hatred and horror that day. Slowly it dawned on me, all the fear and anger that was rising up was exactly what these sad deceived soul had died to bring upon us this beautiful almost fall day. I left for home secure that what had been sewn in evil glee would be reaped in great regret.
Prayer and Ponderance
Proverbs 3:25-26
Mark 4:39-40
Romans 12:19-21
Romans 13:3-4
Psalm 146:9
How hard is it for you to remember Faith and God inside and outside of a crisis or perceived crisis?
In Romans 12 compels us to not indulge in personal vengeance, we are assured that acts of kindness will be heaping coals on our enemy’s heads.
How does this contrast with Romans 13 letting us know that Nations will be used to punish the wicked by God?
Wherever we stand on war and retribution we must never forget the widowed and orphaned because God says He won’t.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Almost Fall: A Devotional from the QDDDD
Almost Fall
Job 9:23-24
“When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent.
When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges.
If it is not he, then who is it?”
After what seemed a frantic first couple of months a welcome sense of normalcy returned to our family. School was back in session. Fall, my favorite season was just a few weeks away We had made plans; logistics were in place, change was accepted and expected. “P” was working from home I was working outside of it. “P” was scheduled to go to one more seminar with her partner. It was an adjuster’s conference and the high point of that years marketing effort. Her Doctor was ok with the trip as they flew instead of drove to Richmond. So off she went that morning at around 4:30 Am., just after I left for work.
I enjoyed my job. There was something about spending other people’s money that appealed to me. The early hours were not as bad as I had cleared my slate. It afforded me the chance to be home by 3:30pm. I knew I was going to have to leave but I just had a hard time admitting it to my boss Mike who had learned to depend on my ability to ferret out needed resources and stock up special parts.
“P’s” mom stayed over to get the girls off to school so I settled into my day counting and entering stock levels, placing requests for prices and generating P.O. numbers for purchase. In the world’s largest bread plant with ovens suitable for any style of loaf to be produced in the tens of thousands each shift finding a cool spot was hard. I was blessed. I was in the office in the air conditioning on my computer married to my phone. Plants across Canada and the United States e-mailed back and forth checking each others inventories for suddenly important parts. It was cozy and friendly and then the line supervisor burst into the office roaring about the radio. I had a radio on top my computer where I would indulge my right-wing propensities at lunch time. After all I had worked in A.M. radio years back and the Talk Radio resurrection of A.M. was close to my heart.
He shouted “Someone flew a plane into the world trade center! Turn on your radio!” The radio overflowed with rehashes of the news. I ran for the conference room where we had a cable TV hook up. I joined about six Department heads and corporate types standing there slack jawed. There on the screen was the smoldering tower. Not sixty seconds later the second plane slammed into the other tower.
Now I had been a in the Navy as a missile fire control tech. I had more than a passing interest in air defense. I knew where a bunch of the bases were and who NORAD was. I knew a snowball was rolling that would soon be a coast to coast sky wide crackdown. Then I remembered “P” was in the air this clear nearly fall day. Richmond Virginia via Washington D.C. Suddenly the screen shifted to the Pentagon.
Prayer and Ponderance
Find a minute or two to remember.
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
Mark 4:37-38
1 Thessalonians 5:3
Psalm 48:4-6
Where were you that sad morning?
In the midst of sudden tragedy who gets the blame?
Was God on vacation that day?
Did a false assurance of military strength and a staunch stance of pacifism conflict and combine in the U.S. to help make 911 so unexpectedly shocking?
Has the world changed personally, politically or emotionally for you?
Can you express how?
What was birthed that day?
Do you have an assured view of eternity?
Would you like to have one?
Job 9:23-24
“When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent.
When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges.
If it is not he, then who is it?”
After what seemed a frantic first couple of months a welcome sense of normalcy returned to our family. School was back in session. Fall, my favorite season was just a few weeks away We had made plans; logistics were in place, change was accepted and expected. “P” was working from home I was working outside of it. “P” was scheduled to go to one more seminar with her partner. It was an adjuster’s conference and the high point of that years marketing effort. Her Doctor was ok with the trip as they flew instead of drove to Richmond. So off she went that morning at around 4:30 Am., just after I left for work.
I enjoyed my job. There was something about spending other people’s money that appealed to me. The early hours were not as bad as I had cleared my slate. It afforded me the chance to be home by 3:30pm. I knew I was going to have to leave but I just had a hard time admitting it to my boss Mike who had learned to depend on my ability to ferret out needed resources and stock up special parts.
“P’s” mom stayed over to get the girls off to school so I settled into my day counting and entering stock levels, placing requests for prices and generating P.O. numbers for purchase. In the world’s largest bread plant with ovens suitable for any style of loaf to be produced in the tens of thousands each shift finding a cool spot was hard. I was blessed. I was in the office in the air conditioning on my computer married to my phone. Plants across Canada and the United States e-mailed back and forth checking each others inventories for suddenly important parts. It was cozy and friendly and then the line supervisor burst into the office roaring about the radio. I had a radio on top my computer where I would indulge my right-wing propensities at lunch time. After all I had worked in A.M. radio years back and the Talk Radio resurrection of A.M. was close to my heart.
He shouted “Someone flew a plane into the world trade center! Turn on your radio!” The radio overflowed with rehashes of the news. I ran for the conference room where we had a cable TV hook up. I joined about six Department heads and corporate types standing there slack jawed. There on the screen was the smoldering tower. Not sixty seconds later the second plane slammed into the other tower.
Now I had been a in the Navy as a missile fire control tech. I had more than a passing interest in air defense. I knew where a bunch of the bases were and who NORAD was. I knew a snowball was rolling that would soon be a coast to coast sky wide crackdown. Then I remembered “P” was in the air this clear nearly fall day. Richmond Virginia via Washington D.C. Suddenly the screen shifted to the Pentagon.
Prayer and Ponderance
Find a minute or two to remember.
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
Mark 4:37-38
1 Thessalonians 5:3
Psalm 48:4-6
Where were you that sad morning?
In the midst of sudden tragedy who gets the blame?
Was God on vacation that day?
Did a false assurance of military strength and a staunch stance of pacifism conflict and combine in the U.S. to help make 911 so unexpectedly shocking?
Has the world changed personally, politically or emotionally for you?
Can you express how?
What was birthed that day?
Do you have an assured view of eternity?
Would you like to have one?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Where is your Love Ya’ll: Tolerating the Intolerant
The standard accusatory and stinging cry flung in the face of Christians and other social traditionalists is that we must be tolerant, inclusive and accepting. A quick look at the recent eruptions around and vile attacks upon Carrie Prejean, Miss California 2009, and one must ask, “Where is your love Ya’ll”? (Ya’ll), being those demanding our kind consideration of beliefs other than our own.
Perez Hilton is not tolerant, inclusive nor accepting. Indeed, he is close-minded, vindictive and downright hateful. We must try to understand Perez. The poor soul seems a bit immature and glory-houndish. He would probably dry up and blow away without garnering extra attention one pouty tantrum at a time. We must endeavor to turn the other cheek and join Carrie Prejean in praying for him.
Add in the recent broadcast assault on corrupt pseudo-newsman Keith Olbermann’s MSNBC show by one Michael Musto, Gossip Columnist and mean-spirited hetro-phobe extraordinaire and again one must reach down deeply to turn that other cheek. However, as foul these folk’s failings, slanders and hypocritical cries are they are just a trap set by our true adversary to cause us to attack and not intercede.
The truth in love is what we are called to. We cannot allow these straw men to provoke us to anger and retribution. Still, we must also not retreat in fear from supporting our beliefs about life, love, marriage and God’s pivotal place in all these.
More of us need to stand up for marriage as a God centered covenant between one man and one woman. We need to do it openly and practice what we preach as well. In our efforts, we walk on the water of truth in love or sink into the brine of hateful retort. All the while expecting to be slapped up side our head by those that hate our ability to pull it off as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Carrie Prejean deserves our support and encouragement as she steps out of the boat onto the raging seas of social debate. More of us need to speak up and out, in love. It may be the only place most of these deceived souls find real love in their life.
In our willingness to insist on their tolerance, inclusiveness and acceptance, we do not offer a slap back. We offer a mirror that shows clearly what the hate looks like. As long as we hold it steadily, boldly and lovingly perhaps they will see and loath the ugly image they portray. Perhaps not but the world needs to see just who the haters really are. We at the same time must go beyond tolerating the intolerant and attempt to love them as they are. This is a true challenge and our true calling. Lets begin!
Blessings,
Perez Hilton is not tolerant, inclusive nor accepting. Indeed, he is close-minded, vindictive and downright hateful. We must try to understand Perez. The poor soul seems a bit immature and glory-houndish. He would probably dry up and blow away without garnering extra attention one pouty tantrum at a time. We must endeavor to turn the other cheek and join Carrie Prejean in praying for him.
Add in the recent broadcast assault on corrupt pseudo-newsman Keith Olbermann’s MSNBC show by one Michael Musto, Gossip Columnist and mean-spirited hetro-phobe extraordinaire and again one must reach down deeply to turn that other cheek. However, as foul these folk’s failings, slanders and hypocritical cries are they are just a trap set by our true adversary to cause us to attack and not intercede.
The truth in love is what we are called to. We cannot allow these straw men to provoke us to anger and retribution. Still, we must also not retreat in fear from supporting our beliefs about life, love, marriage and God’s pivotal place in all these.
More of us need to stand up for marriage as a God centered covenant between one man and one woman. We need to do it openly and practice what we preach as well. In our efforts, we walk on the water of truth in love or sink into the brine of hateful retort. All the while expecting to be slapped up side our head by those that hate our ability to pull it off as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Carrie Prejean deserves our support and encouragement as she steps out of the boat onto the raging seas of social debate. More of us need to speak up and out, in love. It may be the only place most of these deceived souls find real love in their life.
In our willingness to insist on their tolerance, inclusiveness and acceptance, we do not offer a slap back. We offer a mirror that shows clearly what the hate looks like. As long as we hold it steadily, boldly and lovingly perhaps they will see and loath the ugly image they portray. Perhaps not but the world needs to see just who the haters really are. We at the same time must go beyond tolerating the intolerant and attempt to love them as they are. This is a true challenge and our true calling. Lets begin!
Blessings,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)