So, the weekend was devoted to maintenance on the house.
Of course, this is an activity best done in the rain!
We pulled the dead hot water tank, which died back before Christmas, of course!
So been a cold one ever since!
Went to Home Depot, bought their best replacement.
We bought a GE last time and it only lasted 11 years!
I know back home, the house tank wasd of unknown age, I lived there 25 years and it was stiil just fine!
So that very expensive GE was a pile of .... er, "stuff"!
And we bought another brand!
You blow your one shot with me and there are no forgiveness over bad work or products.
Got the new tank completely installed around 7 pm.
And we had hot water.
Alas, no water pressure.
So, back under the house on Tuesday, I will go and see where we erred!
In the storm a week ago, the roof took a little damage.
So son has been up there tarring leaks.
(really this house just needs burned down!)
And this morning, I found that my clothes I threw in the dryer last night were still soaking!
So got to start off the day debugging the dryer and repairing it.
So I have some clothes to wear to church!
Of course I missed first service, now condemned to second service and crowd!
Maybe Gaelic Girl will go.
She is still struggling with major swelling and pain issues.
sigh ...
So keep her in your prayers!
December 31, 2018
December 29, 2018
December 28, 2018
Ugh, Life!
Ugh, another day!
Another day of dialysis!
A day lost to the ravages of what it does to my body!
I lose fully 50% of my life, just to recovery from what it takes to stay alive!
The price I pay, to stay alive,
To pay off my car,
So GG will have something reliable to drive!
So just watch her die before me!
And my grand-daughter get the car ...
LOL
I think about the lady in church, whom would talk to me.
And then so abruptly die from kidney failure!
She showed no signs of the disease.
Not even a twinge of yellow to her skin.
Yet she was so far gone that when told of the emergency need for dialysis,
She died the very next day!
Not so uncommon they tell me at the kidney center.
And no one has died in many months there!
It was sort of droll being there,
Having your life extended,
While a few chairs away -
Not so much!
And weekly, it seemed.
Had uncomfortable dreams last night.
About GG not surviving these knee replacements.
One is done and she is struggling to get past the pain.
Even if I am only a second class citizen of this home,
At least she sort of likes me now.
(don't read anything into that one!)
I really do not want to be left alone .....
Okay,
Bummed myself out.
Going to go find something to do in the land of the living,
Not my thoughts ...
Maybe a nice walk in the rain ....
Always refreshing.
Just have to keep the prosthetic dry.
I wonder if the local pub is serving smoked salmon today?
Only one way to find out!
ciao!
Another day of dialysis!
A day lost to the ravages of what it does to my body!
I lose fully 50% of my life, just to recovery from what it takes to stay alive!
The price I pay, to stay alive,
To pay off my car,
So GG will have something reliable to drive!
So just watch her die before me!
And my grand-daughter get the car ...
LOL
I think about the lady in church, whom would talk to me.
And then so abruptly die from kidney failure!
She showed no signs of the disease.
Not even a twinge of yellow to her skin.
Yet she was so far gone that when told of the emergency need for dialysis,
She died the very next day!
Not so uncommon they tell me at the kidney center.
And no one has died in many months there!
It was sort of droll being there,
Having your life extended,
While a few chairs away -
Not so much!
And weekly, it seemed.
Had uncomfortable dreams last night.
About GG not surviving these knee replacements.
One is done and she is struggling to get past the pain.
Even if I am only a second class citizen of this home,
At least she sort of likes me now.
(don't read anything into that one!)
I really do not want to be left alone .....
Okay,
Bummed myself out.
Going to go find something to do in the land of the living,
Not my thoughts ...
Maybe a nice walk in the rain ....
Always refreshing.
Just have to keep the prosthetic dry.
I wonder if the local pub is serving smoked salmon today?
Only one way to find out!
ciao!
December 27, 2018
Newsy Day
So, up way too early!
Got to get ready to drive the hour to my mother''s.
Apparently her Social Security paperwork magically got fouled up, after 16 years of being retired!
I tell ya, if Trump wants to clean a house in government, I know where to start!
Drive for an hour to get there,
Haul her to the local Xerox place,
To make a copy of her receipt showing she pays her homeowner's insurance,
Have Lunch,
Take mom back home,
Drive an hour back home for me,
And decompress.
Yeah, it will be stressful on me.
I so want to tell her that I have found her nephew, missing since 1963, but she will turn ugly if I do!
I really want to see him!
But, I wonder how damaged he is from his first ten years of being a victim of an unbelievably violent man ...
I adopted four damaged souls.
So, I understand.
I wonder about it.
I fear meeting him, yet he is family.
And as you may have figured out:
I never was able to resolve the need for family.
It is strange this desire in us to be around people whom look like us,
Or other traits that identify people groups.
I know this was a real problem for Gaelic Girl.
She is Scottish, from the Isle of Skye.
And yes, I ripped her away from her home and hid her in Seattle.
But I never realized the trauma it caused her until I took her to Cork, Ireland with me on a business trip.
We were there for about three days, when she told me she felt like she was home for the first time in her life!
Now, she sort of stood out in Scotland,
Much taller,
Much heavier,
And she loves meat and potatoes,
In contrast to the Scottish diet of cereals and sausages,
And looks nothing like any Scot woman I have ever seen.
For all intents and purposes, she appears to be Irish!
Indeed, she is about the same height as Irish women.
An make NO mistake, she has the same build and facial features as the Irish!
Even the red hair.
(and scary temperament, too!)
And in Cork she was at peace with herself.
Strangers would stop her on the street and ask directions.
She looked like she belonged!
Of course, Cork is a bit of an Irish melting pot,
She probably would not blend in as well as say Galway or Donegal.
Then again ... ?
So, anyway just a thought about my cousin and wonder if he longs, as GG longs, for invisibility.
Well, best get dressed.
Gotta long drive ahead of me!
And a water heater to buy this afternoon!
Got to get ready to drive the hour to my mother''s.
Apparently her Social Security paperwork magically got fouled up, after 16 years of being retired!
I tell ya, if Trump wants to clean a house in government, I know where to start!
Drive for an hour to get there,
Haul her to the local Xerox place,
To make a copy of her receipt showing she pays her homeowner's insurance,
Have Lunch,
Take mom back home,
Drive an hour back home for me,
And decompress.
Yeah, it will be stressful on me.
I so want to tell her that I have found her nephew, missing since 1963, but she will turn ugly if I do!
I really want to see him!
But, I wonder how damaged he is from his first ten years of being a victim of an unbelievably violent man ...
I adopted four damaged souls.
So, I understand.
I wonder about it.
I fear meeting him, yet he is family.
And as you may have figured out:
I never was able to resolve the need for family.
It is strange this desire in us to be around people whom look like us,
Or other traits that identify people groups.
I know this was a real problem for Gaelic Girl.
She is Scottish, from the Isle of Skye.
And yes, I ripped her away from her home and hid her in Seattle.
But I never realized the trauma it caused her until I took her to Cork, Ireland with me on a business trip.
We were there for about three days, when she told me she felt like she was home for the first time in her life!
Now, she sort of stood out in Scotland,
Much taller,
Much heavier,
And she loves meat and potatoes,
In contrast to the Scottish diet of cereals and sausages,
And looks nothing like any Scot woman I have ever seen.
For all intents and purposes, she appears to be Irish!
Indeed, she is about the same height as Irish women.
An make NO mistake, she has the same build and facial features as the Irish!
Even the red hair.
(and scary temperament, too!)
And in Cork she was at peace with herself.
Strangers would stop her on the street and ask directions.
She looked like she belonged!
Of course, Cork is a bit of an Irish melting pot,
She probably would not blend in as well as say Galway or Donegal.
Then again ... ?
So, anyway just a thought about my cousin and wonder if he longs, as GG longs, for invisibility.
Well, best get dressed.
Gotta long drive ahead of me!
And a water heater to buy this afternoon!
December 26, 2018
Rarest of the Rare
I think I have mentioned before that I am a coin collector.
We can blame my grandfather, John Kaiser for this!
When he died in 1963, he left me his coin collection.
Of course, grandmother took what she could sell,
My mother took what she could spend,
And I was left with the "junk".
Did not matter to me, these were from Grandpa and I still cherish those pieces.
So, in my free time, throughout my life, I diligently search my change.
Rarely, I find something worth even a few bucks.
And then I found this:
In 1943, pennies were made from zinc coated steel, NOT copper:
So it is an error to find one made from copper and they are very valuable!
This one, roughly $67,000.00 !
Of course it has to be authenticated.
But, I am thinking Greek Island cruise on a dialysis equipped ship!
(very expensive!)
So, like - WOW!
:^)
We can blame my grandfather, John Kaiser for this!
When he died in 1963, he left me his coin collection.
Of course, grandmother took what she could sell,
My mother took what she could spend,
And I was left with the "junk".
Did not matter to me, these were from Grandpa and I still cherish those pieces.
So, in my free time, throughout my life, I diligently search my change.
Rarely, I find something worth even a few bucks.
And then I found this:
In 1943, pennies were made from zinc coated steel, NOT copper:
So it is an error to find one made from copper and they are very valuable!
This one, roughly $67,000.00 !
Of course it has to be authenticated.
But, I am thinking Greek Island cruise on a dialysis equipped ship!
(very expensive!)
So, like - WOW!
:^)
December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas
It was 1968.
The streets of European capitals were in an uproar.
Everyone hated Americans - because of US involvement in Vietnam's attempts at self determination.
(assumed by cynics like me to really be over protecting US investments in ASMERA Oil)
So, this song was well timed.
Yeah, the original group did this in 1967 in Germany but there was no play time until 1968!
Unfortunately, I was in Paris for the riots.
And though I was perplexed over the lyrics in 1968.
I remembered and worked through the meanings ....
It may seem odd to play this on Christmas, but what better time to stop and think .....
The streets of European capitals were in an uproar.
Everyone hated Americans - because of US involvement in Vietnam's attempts at self determination.
(assumed by cynics like me to really be over protecting US investments in ASMERA Oil)
So, this song was well timed.
Yeah, the original group did this in 1967 in Germany but there was no play time until 1968!
Unfortunately, I was in Paris for the riots.
And though I was perplexed over the lyrics in 1968.
I remembered and worked through the meanings ....
It may seem odd to play this on Christmas, but what better time to stop and think .....
December 24, 2018
Christmas Disaster
It was Christmas 2016, when the sewer line went out.
Many thousands of dollars later, we had a new drain system under the house,
To celehrate the New Year with a ceremonial flush.
In 2017, again at Christmas, the furnace went out,
Again a bank account draining amount of money put a new furnace under the house.
Yesterday, the hot water went out!
Really?
I put this new water heater in back in 2006, and it is out again?
So, with youngest daughter in hand, I went downstairs.
Only the basement is flooded!
I have no idea how, there are chunks of flooring missing from the 2001 earthquake!
And somehow it is not draining the basement?
... sigh ...
So, guess what I get to do after dialysis today?
Yeah, death warmed over has to get a sump pump down there.
And then figure out where the water came from ....
sigh .....
In the meantime, the South King County Sailing Regatta has a warm place to practice!
Late breaking news!
Son drove to me local huge hardware store.
(i can not drive over a mile on days i dialyze, it triggers my PTSD something horrible!)
Bought a pump that looks like it could do the job, no thanks to surly, less than helpful staff..
Returned home and found no traces of the regatta depth water!
Huh?
Back to the hardware store, for a return.
Cheerful clerk gave me a 20% off your entire purchase coupon ....
Uhm, I am a guy,
In a tool store,
Armed with decent discount coupon -
I went shopping!
Got supplies to weatherize the basement door,
Repair the roof areas that are weak,
And a chainsaw!
So, son went to work on the roof and door.
While I cut up branches from that windstorm from hell!
Yeah, the tornado hit four miles from us, the winds here were unbelievable!
Just over 4,300 homes were left without power,
Numerous roads blocked by downed trees and power lines,
And telephone poles literally ripped from the ground whole!
Amazing to see,
Fearful to experience.
I just had to pick up and chop about 1,200 pounds of branches!
Yeah, Douglas Fir not a good choices in areas with high winds.b
But, f9or a storm, est part - no loss of life!
Many thousands of dollars later, we had a new drain system under the house,
To celehrate the New Year with a ceremonial flush.
In 2017, again at Christmas, the furnace went out,
Again a bank account draining amount of money put a new furnace under the house.
Yesterday, the hot water went out!
Really?
I put this new water heater in back in 2006, and it is out again?
So, with youngest daughter in hand, I went downstairs.
Only the basement is flooded!
I have no idea how, there are chunks of flooring missing from the 2001 earthquake!
And somehow it is not draining the basement?
... sigh ...
So, guess what I get to do after dialysis today?
Yeah, death warmed over has to get a sump pump down there.
And then figure out where the water came from ....
sigh .....
In the meantime, the South King County Sailing Regatta has a warm place to practice!
Late breaking news!
Son drove to me local huge hardware store.
(i can not drive over a mile on days i dialyze, it triggers my PTSD something horrible!)
Bought a pump that looks like it could do the job, no thanks to surly, less than helpful staff..
Returned home and found no traces of the regatta depth water!
Huh?
Back to the hardware store, for a return.
Cheerful clerk gave me a 20% off your entire purchase coupon ....
Uhm, I am a guy,
In a tool store,
Armed with decent discount coupon -
I went shopping!
Got supplies to weatherize the basement door,
Repair the roof areas that are weak,
And a chainsaw!
So, son went to work on the roof and door.
While I cut up branches from that windstorm from hell!
Yeah, the tornado hit four miles from us, the winds here were unbelievable!
Just over 4,300 homes were left without power,
Numerous roads blocked by downed trees and power lines,
And telephone poles literally ripped from the ground whole!
Amazing to see,
Fearful to experience.
I just had to pick up and chop about 1,200 pounds of branches!
Yeah, Douglas Fir not a good choices in areas with high winds.b
But, f9or a storm, est part - no loss of life!
December 22, 2018
December 21, 2018
God's Words at Christmas
Thinking on John 3:16-18
"I love you"
God is love.
Jesus is God.
Jesus demonstrated REAL love:
Thru His incarnation.
Thru His life
Thru His death
"I want what's best for you"
Jesus answers our need for real love.
In our love language.
But some people have walls blocking real love,
Not allowing the belief there really is real love!
Jesus continually calls in our life:
To live his life
To be at risk for others
To demonstrate His love.
"I am with you"
Via Mary, Jesus became man.
Jesus experienced all of man's temptations.
His Spirit will reside in each follower.
"You must follow me"
No one may approach God without Jesus coming between you and Him.
And it costs you nothing, save your pride!
"I love you"
God is love.
Jesus is God.
Jesus demonstrated REAL love:
Thru His incarnation.
Thru His life
Thru His death
"I want what's best for you"
Jesus answers our need for real love.
In our love language.
But some people have walls blocking real love,
Not allowing the belief there really is real love!
Jesus continually calls in our life:
To live his life
To be at risk for others
To demonstrate His love.
"I am with you"
Via Mary, Jesus became man.
Jesus experienced all of man's temptations.
His Spirit will reside in each follower.
"You must follow me"
No one may approach God without Jesus coming between you and Him.
And it costs you nothing, save your pride!
December 20, 2018
Sights of Christmas
Christmas has been so sanitized by our cultue that it bears no resemblance to reality!
But, you can not see the true God or Jesus, with understanding the price paid by so many ...
I see Angels who knew their purpose.
Six times Angels appear in the Christmas story.
See Luke 2:8
I see shepherds with a new perspective
Imagine the shock of suddenly seeing an Angel!
Nothing in their culture could have prepared them for such an occurance!
It was just a typical night - then Angels!
Shepherds were usually children.
They had no legal say in anything.
Hence they could not even "testify" to what they saw or heard.
Yet, the Angels woke them up!
I see people filled with hope
Octavian, the Roman ruler orders a head count.
Of course, it is government, they want taxes from everyone.
Joseph and Mary head to Bethlehem.
I see each iof us reflected in the eyes of God
We each possess the Spirit of God.
We have the ability to put on the character of God.
We each have the task of reflecting God's light to a lost generation ...
But, you can not see the true God or Jesus, with understanding the price paid by so many ...
I see Angels who knew their purpose.
Six times Angels appear in the Christmas story.
See Luke 2:8
I see shepherds with a new perspective
Imagine the shock of suddenly seeing an Angel!
Nothing in their culture could have prepared them for such an occurance!
It was just a typical night - then Angels!
Shepherds were usually children.
They had no legal say in anything.
Hence they could not even "testify" to what they saw or heard.
Yet, the Angels woke them up!
I see people filled with hope
Octavian, the Roman ruler orders a head count.
Of course, it is government, they want taxes from everyone.
Joseph and Mary head to Bethlehem.
I see each iof us reflected in the eyes of God
We each possess the Spirit of God.
We have the ability to put on the character of God.
We each have the task of reflecting God's light to a lost generation ...
December 19, 2018
Tornado!
Nothing could have prepsred us for what happened yesterday, just after 1:00 PM ...
An honest to gosh - tornado!
Luckily it hit three miles west of here.
But it did hit one of "my boys"!
I guess if you are going to have a tornado,
It is good no one gets killed.
But it was a complete surprise.
Even the guys watching radar never saw it coming!
So, it hit right behind Walmart,
Then stayed on the ground and wiped out the oppositre side as well1
It was only on the ground for less than a minute.
Amazing, simply amazing.
Washington State's third tornado.
Remember those affected in prayers of praise ...
An honest to gosh - tornado!
Luckily it hit three miles west of here.
But it did hit one of "my boys"!
I guess if you are going to have a tornado,
It is good no one gets killed.
But it was a complete surprise.
Even the guys watching radar never saw it coming!
So, it hit right behind Walmart,
Then stayed on the ground and wiped out the oppositre side as well1
It was only on the ground for less than a minute.
Amazing, simply amazing.
Washington State's third tornado.
Remember those affected in prayers of praise ...
December 18, 2018
Poor GG
Gaelic Girls recovery has gone exceptionally well.
Oh yes, tons of pain and swelling.
But, well enough she over did it Sunday night.
So, I am working on soming, when I hear a big crash!
Followed by a line of cursing you would not believe!
Yeah, well she is a gold miner's daughter.
And they can make the best sailor blush when they let loose!
So I hobble into the kitchen and she is entrapped by her walker and a pile of laundry!
This from someone whom was supposed to be in bed!
Yeah, she thought she could sneak doing soe washing of quilting fabrics!
Net result was more pain, more swelling, a pulled (if not torn) hamstring!
So off to the doctor today - because I have so much free time at this moment ....
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
I am hoping she gets lectured good over this latest stunt.
As her oldest friend said, "Yeah, well she is never one to not over do everything ..."
Oh yes, tons of pain and swelling.
But, well enough she over did it Sunday night.
So, I am working on soming, when I hear a big crash!
Followed by a line of cursing you would not believe!
Yeah, well she is a gold miner's daughter.
And they can make the best sailor blush when they let loose!
So I hobble into the kitchen and she is entrapped by her walker and a pile of laundry!
This from someone whom was supposed to be in bed!
Yeah, she thought she could sneak doing soe washing of quilting fabrics!
Net result was more pain, more swelling, a pulled (if not torn) hamstring!
So off to the doctor today - because I have so much free time at this moment ....
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
I am hoping she gets lectured good over this latest stunt.
As her oldest friend said, "Yeah, well she is never one to not over do everything ..."
December 17, 2018
Genetics
So, I mentioned earlier this year about the travails of doing my DNA.
I was so tired of the constant bigotry and fighting the family over my having and Indian grandfather!
Much less Umatilla Indian at that!
gggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
So, DNA would shut them up, right?
Nope.
Next hurtle was that the LDS archives say that there was a blackman, like six generations back1
And this all I hear from these racists!
It makes me want to puke!
I have so little in common with these people I am straddled with in this life ...
Then, out of the blue, I get an email.
From the wife of someone who matched my mother's side of the DNA!
The son of an adoptee, he has no family that he knows of.
So, I sat down with my now 20 year old history of the family.
It took maybe five minutes to figure out that he had to be the grandson of my most hated of uncles!
Yes, Kris can hate - but you REALLY have to earn that one!
I wrote that uncle off in 1963.
He was a wife beater, abuser of children and an alcoholic.
As an adult 55 years later guess where I stand on all of these issues!
Yeah.
But, although he did earn lifelong disgust from me, once a Christian I did pray for him regularly.
And he did come to Jesus.
Through the efforts of the Anchorage, Alaska Salvation Army!
They even dried him out.
This did not make him a better man.
He was a self indulged con-man to the day he died.
And yet, his life showed the change that only Jesus can make.
He cared for widows and orphans.
And helping other alcoholics change!
I still shake my heart at the contrast!
And this guy, is going to want to know about his grandfather.
And I do not have any easy answers for him ... or me.
I was so tired of the constant bigotry and fighting the family over my having and Indian grandfather!
Much less Umatilla Indian at that!
gggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
So, DNA would shut them up, right?
Nope.
Next hurtle was that the LDS archives say that there was a blackman, like six generations back1
And this all I hear from these racists!
It makes me want to puke!
I have so little in common with these people I am straddled with in this life ...
Then, out of the blue, I get an email.
From the wife of someone who matched my mother's side of the DNA!
The son of an adoptee, he has no family that he knows of.
So, I sat down with my now 20 year old history of the family.
It took maybe five minutes to figure out that he had to be the grandson of my most hated of uncles!
Yes, Kris can hate - but you REALLY have to earn that one!
I wrote that uncle off in 1963.
He was a wife beater, abuser of children and an alcoholic.
As an adult 55 years later guess where I stand on all of these issues!
Yeah.
But, although he did earn lifelong disgust from me, once a Christian I did pray for him regularly.
And he did come to Jesus.
Through the efforts of the Anchorage, Alaska Salvation Army!
They even dried him out.
This did not make him a better man.
He was a self indulged con-man to the day he died.
And yet, his life showed the change that only Jesus can make.
He cared for widows and orphans.
And helping other alcoholics change!
I still shake my heart at the contrast!
And this guy, is going to want to know about his grandfather.
And I do not have any easy answers for him ... or me.
December 15, 2018
Musical Saturday Morning
Having regained a part of my mind, at least through 1978, I have had a great many memories to work through.
And a part of those memories was the anti-war movement of the late 1960's.
As a young teen, and utterly naive, I found all of the issues confusing.
As well as people's reaction to Lyndon Johnson's continual stream of lies flowing from his mouth.
Me and my friends, all came to the conclusion this man was either the dumbest president ever - or the worst liar ever!
Yeah, we were merciless ...
I liked this song back then.
But, it was hard to find a station which would play it!
Yeah, NATO bases might play one hour of rock a day, but not a single anti-war tune .....
So, I found this interesting mashup"
Song plus footage from Metropolis.
My favorite film since I was 13!
Yeah, nothing normal about me.....
And a part of those memories was the anti-war movement of the late 1960's.
As a young teen, and utterly naive, I found all of the issues confusing.
As well as people's reaction to Lyndon Johnson's continual stream of lies flowing from his mouth.
Me and my friends, all came to the conclusion this man was either the dumbest president ever - or the worst liar ever!
Yeah, we were merciless ...
I liked this song back then.
But, it was hard to find a station which would play it!
Yeah, NATO bases might play one hour of rock a day, but not a single anti-war tune .....
So, I found this interesting mashup"
Song plus footage from Metropolis.
My favorite film since I was 13!
Yeah, nothing normal about me.....
December 14, 2018
Seattle’s First Christmas
Just a little perspective this holiday season .....
Nineteen
year old David Denny walked from the Williamette Valley of Oregon to select a
place for settlement in the remote Puget Sound region of what was to become
Washington State. He selected a spot
known to the local Indians as Smaquamox (todays Alki Point), a point of land on
the salt water shoreline with a gentle beach.
David, an
experienced outdoorsman already, had promised to be building cabins for a party
coming by ship. The party landed on November 13, 1851. But there was no village
of completed cabins! David had somehow
managed to cut his foot badly with the axe and his body was consumed by fever.
A single four wall cabin had been begun but had no roof - and there were 24
people in need of shelter!
By Christmas
Day, the first cabin had been completed, a larger cabin built and two Indian
style homes as well!
The Denny
family (Arthur, Mary Anne, and their three children; David and Louisa Boren) moved
into the larger cabin, the Boren family (Carson, Mary, and their daughter) took
the smaller cabin, the Low family (John, Lydia, and their four children) took
one of the Indian style homes, while the Bell family (John, Sarah Anne, and
their four children) occupied the other.
There were also two additional bachelors, Charles and Terry Lee, whom
were rotated around the homes. This was
the arrangement that first Christmas, outside of a few curious Indians, who frequented
this area.
Since Arthur
Denny’s house was the largest, it was selected as the place for the community
celebration. Louisa took the children into the forest to collect cedar boughs
for decoration. They gathered armfuls of
Oregon Grape (a shrub with a leaf like Holly) for making wreaths. The wreath over the door was tied together
with the red ribbon from Louisa’s hair, into a festive bow.
Other women
cooked two geese David had caught, potatoes and salmon were provided by the local
Duwamish Indians, pies were baked from dried apples brought from Illinois. A
small amount of tea was shared and the kids all drank clam juice.
In addition,
there was a major push to repair the soles of shoes and mend clothing. By Christmas morning 1851, it was a far
different band of settlers whom gathered together. Before they had started out on their journey,
Louisa, had hidden small toys and trinkets for this very day, for the
children.
From the
Duwamish settlement (about six miles away in Tukwila), came two of the bachelors,
whom canoed over to join the event! By
all oral and written accounts, it was a truly joyous day of celebration.
December 12, 2018
Assurance
1 John 5:6-13
The Witness
Water - Baptism
Blood - The cross
The Roman Centurion witnessed both the blood and water flowing out of Jesus' corpse.
Baptism was thew beginning of Jesus ministry.
Jesus death on a cross, was the end.
Witness of the Spirit
The Spirit, water and blood agree.
The Spirit is always with God and Jesus.
Spirit same as the Holy Ghost.
Witness of the Father
" ... this is my beloved son ..."
Our future is secure.
Witness of Our Conversion
We have life through Him,
In Him,
Because of Him.
Life is greater than just our physical existence.
Our goal is Heaven.
Not this life, on this Earth.
Not our wants and desires.
Not who or what you are.
Change where your eyes are on.
Change your goals.
Live your life for tomorrow, in Heaven.
Not for today ....
The Witness
Water - Baptism
Blood - The cross
The Roman Centurion witnessed both the blood and water flowing out of Jesus' corpse.
Baptism was thew beginning of Jesus ministry.
Jesus death on a cross, was the end.
Witness of the Spirit
The Spirit, water and blood agree.
The Spirit is always with God and Jesus.
Spirit same as the Holy Ghost.
Witness of the Father
" ... this is my beloved son ..."
Our future is secure.
Witness of Our Conversion
We have life through Him,
In Him,
Because of Him.
Life is greater than just our physical existence.
Our goal is Heaven.
Not this life, on this Earth.
Not our wants and desires.
Not who or what you are.
Change where your eyes are on.
Change your goals.
Live your life for tomorrow, in Heaven.
Not for today ....
December 11, 2018
God's Love
1 John 4:7-21
The Love of God
He loves us,
Not because we love Him,
Because He is love.
God is love.
Those born of God are God's children.
God loves His children.
His children love Him in return.
We are to love like God.
Anyone can love what is lovely.
Everyone will find value in what they love.
You create value where there was none.
Take His Love in!
Live His Love
We love because He first loved us!
God initiates love.
We imitate God and His love.
In the early Church (aka The Way), Love is what set Christians apart from Roman Culture.
Christians rebuilding the Provence of Asia, following devastating floods, stunned the Roman world.
Wonder why the 21st century Christian Church is dying?
Because we are not loving one another,
Much less the world, we are to witness to, around us.
How to Love:
Listen
Speak
Give
Pray
Answer
Share
Enjoy
Trust
Forgive
Promise
Give Up Fear!
Fear kills love.
Love conquers fear, if you will let it!
But, they you will have to drop your stigmas to do so .....
The Love of God
He loves us,
Not because we love Him,
Because He is love.
God is love.
Those born of God are God's children.
God loves His children.
His children love Him in return.
We are to love like God.
Anyone can love what is lovely.
Everyone will find value in what they love.
You create value where there was none.
Take His Love in!
Live His Love
We love because He first loved us!
God initiates love.
We imitate God and His love.
In the early Church (aka The Way), Love is what set Christians apart from Roman Culture.
Christians rebuilding the Provence of Asia, following devastating floods, stunned the Roman world.
Wonder why the 21st century Christian Church is dying?
Because we are not loving one another,
Much less the world, we are to witness to, around us.
How to Love:
Listen
Speak
Give
Pray
Answer
Share
Enjoy
Trust
Forgive
Promise
Give Up Fear!
Fear kills love.
Love conquers fear, if you will let it!
But, they you will have to drop your stigmas to do so .....
December 10, 2018
Knowing Good from Bad
In summary:
Good equals love and kindness
Bad equals hate and evil
Not exactly rocket science there, but in the real world - possibly no way to know soon enough!
1 John 4:1-6
John knew there were wolves in the church - looking to lead the Church astray
Think of the heretic, Marceon, whom almost destroyed the original following of Jesus!
He pick and chose what he wanted to believe as a follower of Jesus.
Luckily, he was found out and expelled from the early Church.
Unfortunately, about two-thirds of the existing church went with him!
Are You Following A False Prophet
Don't believe everything you hear.
Test the spirits!
Falsehood echoes throughout the history of the Church and today's electronic media!
Half-truths are always worse than falsehood.
Unity in the essentials of the faith.
Freedom in all else.
D not just accept and believe!
Test, Pray, Wait!
The True Jesus
Which Jesus do you believe in?
We continually create Jesus in our own image!
Our worldview.
Supporting and bound by our culture, wants and desires ...
Jesus was God
Came in the flesh
Was cruxifed
Was resurrected
And is still God.....
Are You Trusting The Greater Spirit?
Is your God an overcomer?
A champion?
A companion?
Living?
Does your faith yield the fruits of the Spirit?
The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus.
Are You Listening To The Right Teachers?
Who is your authority?
1. Scripture
2. Orthodox
3. Jesus centered
4. Biblical
5. Results in Unity, not division
Good equals love and kindness
Bad equals hate and evil
Not exactly rocket science there, but in the real world - possibly no way to know soon enough!
1 John 4:1-6
John knew there were wolves in the church - looking to lead the Church astray
Think of the heretic, Marceon, whom almost destroyed the original following of Jesus!
He pick and chose what he wanted to believe as a follower of Jesus.
Luckily, he was found out and expelled from the early Church.
Unfortunately, about two-thirds of the existing church went with him!
Are You Following A False Prophet
Don't believe everything you hear.
Test the spirits!
Falsehood echoes throughout the history of the Church and today's electronic media!
Half-truths are always worse than falsehood.
Unity in the essentials of the faith.
Freedom in all else.
D not just accept and believe!
Test, Pray, Wait!
The True Jesus
Which Jesus do you believe in?
We continually create Jesus in our own image!
Our worldview.
Supporting and bound by our culture, wants and desires ...
Jesus was God
Came in the flesh
Was cruxifed
Was resurrected
And is still God.....
Are You Trusting The Greater Spirit?
Is your God an overcomer?
A champion?
A companion?
Living?
Does your faith yield the fruits of the Spirit?
The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus.
Are You Listening To The Right Teachers?
Who is your authority?
1. Scripture
2. Orthodox
3. Jesus centered
4. Biblical
5. Results in Unity, not division
December 8, 2018
Musical Saturday Morning
I was attending the Ramstein Canadian Junior High School.
It was just some outlaying buildings surrounded by layers of barbed wire.
It was also about a half mile from the NATO Junior High.
And if you had to go to the main school, you had all of 5 minutes between classes to make it1
Naturally, it was all but impossible.
So we would milk it.
Walking slowly, we would talk about American culture and English music .. okay, occasionally girls.
We were about as clueless about them, as we were about this big hit for 1968!
Were certain Disney was going to release a rock version of Addadin's Lamp!
Yah, the innocence of youth ...
But not so innocent as to not know these guys were totally faking the song and utterly stoned:
It was just some outlaying buildings surrounded by layers of barbed wire.
It was also about a half mile from the NATO Junior High.
And if you had to go to the main school, you had all of 5 minutes between classes to make it1
Naturally, it was all but impossible.
So we would milk it.
Walking slowly, we would talk about American culture and English music .. okay, occasionally girls.
We were about as clueless about them, as we were about this big hit for 1968!
Were certain Disney was going to release a rock version of Addadin's Lamp!
Yah, the innocence of youth ...
But not so innocent as to not know these guys were totally faking the song and utterly stoned:
December 7, 2018
Munger
So it was Tuesday night and my nerves were shot.
I just knew that with my Plattner luck, which reinforces Murphy's Law would kill GG!
After my internals were utterly depleted, I sat down to calm down.
I had just bought a book about the artist, Gilbert Munger.
Yeah, most people have never heaerd of him.
But, he was a less successful version of Albert Bierstadt - "The" Painter of the American West.
And he knew he was better.
Many in the West believed this true as well.
But, Bierstadt had the promoters and advertisers.
Munger even was the official painter for all of Emmons expeditions.
Yeah, you never heard of Emmons either.
But you have John Powell.
Same problem Munger had.
Luckily, Emmons, due to cunning became fabulously wealthy - and - he never forgot Munger.
So, 1860 - 1880, Munger did well in America.
But, the Pre-Raphelite movement was rising in Europe.
So, he moved to England to learn more.
But all Europeans wanted was pictures of the West!
Twenty years of this and he returned America.
He had been highly successful in Europe.
He had most European countries highest awards.
He thought he would be hearlded.
He was utterly ignored.
The final 15 years of his life is the story of failure.
Oh, his talent was still there.
But styles had changed as had the rules of the art game.
And, he could not adapt quick enough.
Why should he?
He was great.
He had the awards to prove it.
But, he had no following.
Luckily, he had three strong friends.
All had become wealthy with the development in western infrastructures.
Munger had invested poorly before leaving for Europe.
By the end, he was penniless.
Emmons knew his friend was dying of what we know as cancer.
And paid off $10,000 in debt in 1904 dollars!, for Munger to take the pressure off him.
With literally, the last stroke of his brush, to complete his greatest work, Niagara Falls, he died.
Unfortunately, it was in a style, no longer desired by anyone.
And, it was huge!
There are some very important lessons in his story applicable to artists today.
And wishing I could have been an artist, I think on this.
The easy answer is that art is actually dead.
It no longer exists due to art Nazi's taking over the domain.
New artists are diverted from art to social and political statements.
Yet, those cursed with the artist call, must produce, for reasons we do not even understand.
And there is few if any rewards.
Frustrations yes.
Torn between prostituting yourself desires, ideas and work for MONEY, only.
And the call to create something enduring.
Something which can draw the eye and then the mind.
Yeah, I feel for Munger.
He could not understand.
What artist ever does?
Nice hobby.
But don't quit your day job as they say .....
I just knew that with my Plattner luck, which reinforces Murphy's Law would kill GG!
After my internals were utterly depleted, I sat down to calm down.
I had just bought a book about the artist, Gilbert Munger.
Yeah, most people have never heaerd of him.
But, he was a less successful version of Albert Bierstadt - "The" Painter of the American West.
And he knew he was better.
Many in the West believed this true as well.
But, Bierstadt had the promoters and advertisers.
Munger even was the official painter for all of Emmons expeditions.
Yeah, you never heard of Emmons either.
But you have John Powell.
Same problem Munger had.
Luckily, Emmons, due to cunning became fabulously wealthy - and - he never forgot Munger.
So, 1860 - 1880, Munger did well in America.
But, the Pre-Raphelite movement was rising in Europe.
So, he moved to England to learn more.
But all Europeans wanted was pictures of the West!
Twenty years of this and he returned America.
He had been highly successful in Europe.
He had most European countries highest awards.
He thought he would be hearlded.
He was utterly ignored.
The final 15 years of his life is the story of failure.
Oh, his talent was still there.
But styles had changed as had the rules of the art game.
And, he could not adapt quick enough.
Why should he?
He was great.
He had the awards to prove it.
But, he had no following.
Luckily, he had three strong friends.
All had become wealthy with the development in western infrastructures.
Munger had invested poorly before leaving for Europe.
By the end, he was penniless.
Emmons knew his friend was dying of what we know as cancer.
And paid off $10,000 in debt in 1904 dollars!, for Munger to take the pressure off him.
With literally, the last stroke of his brush, to complete his greatest work, Niagara Falls, he died.
Unfortunately, it was in a style, no longer desired by anyone.
And, it was huge!
There are some very important lessons in his story applicable to artists today.
And wishing I could have been an artist, I think on this.
The easy answer is that art is actually dead.
It no longer exists due to art Nazi's taking over the domain.
New artists are diverted from art to social and political statements.
Yet, those cursed with the artist call, must produce, for reasons we do not even understand.
And there is few if any rewards.
Frustrations yes.
Torn between prostituting yourself desires, ideas and work for MONEY, only.
And the call to create something enduring.
Something which can draw the eye and then the mind.
Yeah, I feel for Munger.
He could not understand.
What artist ever does?
Nice hobby.
But don't quit your day job as they say .....
December 6, 2018
Whew!
So Gaelic Girl had her knee replacement surgery.
I was a very nervous pup, she has never had major surgery and her mother died from the gases used on her!
So nervous, I was up Tuesday night face down in the throne room.
Sigh .....
I really hate throwing up!
So, she is laying here, mind blown on morphine.
A machine running a circular pattern, like a bicycle would do, with the new knee.
Such a cool device!
How I wish such existed back in 1971!
(when I blew out my kinees ... )
I was so frightened that she might not survive!
Happy she has.
No, nothing will make her truly like me.
But, I would have her in my life - than gone from it!
So, praising God for small victories ...
I was a very nervous pup, she has never had major surgery and her mother died from the gases used on her!
So nervous, I was up Tuesday night face down in the throne room.
Sigh .....
I really hate throwing up!
So, she is laying here, mind blown on morphine.
A machine running a circular pattern, like a bicycle would do, with the new knee.
Such a cool device!
How I wish such existed back in 1971!
(when I blew out my kinees ... )
I was so frightened that she might not survive!
Happy she has.
No, nothing will make her truly like me.
But, I would have her in my life - than gone from it!
So, praising God for small victories ...
December 5, 2018
Kimmie!
I was slowly making my way through the crowd gathered between first and second service.
About 400 leave the first service, to be immediately followed by roughly 500 attempting to enter the sanctuary!
So quite a swirl of people.
I just wiggle my way along.
No one talks to me, ever.
But one lady blocked my way.
She wanted to talk.
Too weird!
She is the mother of four of my students from long ago.
So, the most fearful creature know to any youth worker - A PARENT!
Turns out nothing was on her mind, she just wanted to talk.
As I said before, too weird!
But as I redirected my attention to once again getting into the church, I was blocked again!
I looked up into the most beautiful set of eyes.
Refocusing, I just could not place the face.
Then, she said, "Kris!".
And instantly I knew it was Missionary Girl.
Long gone from these pages, she had last been mentioned here, at her marriage.
Thing have gone well across the years for her.
And now she is pregnant!
So hard watching the fleeting manner of time.
Only yesterday she was a high schooler asking me about doing missions work.
And later harder questions about marriage and life.
Nothing like life coaching via the internet!
And someone you really do not know.
But it was so good to see her again.
Unless triggered, my vacuous mind remembers nothing on its own.
So, it was a delight to regain some pleasant memories, as well as, delight in her happiness!
It is good if you want to remember her in prayer.
February is her due date.
And I write this sitting in the surgical waiting room, as GG has her right knee replaced.
So MUCH prayer needed there, as well!
About 400 leave the first service, to be immediately followed by roughly 500 attempting to enter the sanctuary!
So quite a swirl of people.
I just wiggle my way along.
No one talks to me, ever.
But one lady blocked my way.
She wanted to talk.
Too weird!
She is the mother of four of my students from long ago.
So, the most fearful creature know to any youth worker - A PARENT!
Turns out nothing was on her mind, she just wanted to talk.
As I said before, too weird!
But as I redirected my attention to once again getting into the church, I was blocked again!
I looked up into the most beautiful set of eyes.
Refocusing, I just could not place the face.
Then, she said, "Kris!".
And instantly I knew it was Missionary Girl.
Long gone from these pages, she had last been mentioned here, at her marriage.
Thing have gone well across the years for her.
And now she is pregnant!
So hard watching the fleeting manner of time.
Only yesterday she was a high schooler asking me about doing missions work.
And later harder questions about marriage and life.
Nothing like life coaching via the internet!
And someone you really do not know.
But it was so good to see her again.
Unless triggered, my vacuous mind remembers nothing on its own.
So, it was a delight to regain some pleasant memories, as well as, delight in her happiness!
It is good if you want to remember her in prayer.
February is her due date.
And I write this sitting in the surgical waiting room, as GG has her right knee replaced.
So MUCH prayer needed there, as well!
December 4, 2018
Prayer Request
Tomorrow, Gaelic Girl, undergoes a knee replacement!
She has suffered with a disintergrating knee for three years now.
Of course, she will not listen to me, so did nothing.
Now she can barely stand ...
So, 6 am Wednesday, I will be taking her in.
I do pray she does well and recovers easily.
In the meantime, I am trying to make the house clean enough for someone with a deep wound!
And she is of course fighting me over this.
She just refuses to understand!
Please keep her in prayer during the many weeks of recover she faces.
Thank you.
She has suffered with a disintergrating knee for three years now.
Of course, she will not listen to me, so did nothing.
Now she can barely stand ...
So, 6 am Wednesday, I will be taking her in.
I do pray she does well and recovers easily.
In the meantime, I am trying to make the house clean enough for someone with a deep wound!
And she is of course fighting me over this.
She just refuses to understand!
Please keep her in prayer during the many weeks of recover she faces.
Thank you.
December 3, 2018
I Hate Bigots
I guess that makes me a bigot too?
Since all of my time will be tied up in December by either caring for GG or in dialysis - so I took mother shopping!
(I will explain about GG tomorrow.)
Mother of course was in rare form!
She decided to finally read my Spencer Family history, 20 years after I gave it to her.
And, then, only because her brother told her that I said their grandfather was black.
Given that both of them are outright ugly bigots - she exploded all over me!
Back home, I dug out my copy of the book and tried to see her viewpoint.
Of course, the only reference to anyone being non-white was in a section discussing the problem of relying on the Mormon data records.
They have an error where they took the name of mother's great-grandfater, born in Kentucky and confused him with a man born in Alabama!
Same name, same dates, same children!
But, one is non-white.
And I only know this because I ran down a picture of him!
Fine by me.
I have no bigoted bones in my body.
But, good Lord, my mother!
So, I read the section to her and pointed out that in English, she is transliterating, not reading the text.
KABOOM!
How dare I correct her?!!!!!!?
So, she is going off to the local Morman library to see whom can correct this error.
What-ever .....
It just sickens me that people in this culture are so separatist leaning.
Of course she was born into a Latter Day Saint missionary family.
So they should have lots of documents already.
I told it her it is only an entry error.
But OH NO!
He is not black!
And that is the point .......
Did I ever mention that she is quite insane?
Since all of my time will be tied up in December by either caring for GG or in dialysis - so I took mother shopping!
(I will explain about GG tomorrow.)
Mother of course was in rare form!
She decided to finally read my Spencer Family history, 20 years after I gave it to her.
And, then, only because her brother told her that I said their grandfather was black.
Given that both of them are outright ugly bigots - she exploded all over me!
Back home, I dug out my copy of the book and tried to see her viewpoint.
Of course, the only reference to anyone being non-white was in a section discussing the problem of relying on the Mormon data records.
They have an error where they took the name of mother's great-grandfater, born in Kentucky and confused him with a man born in Alabama!
Same name, same dates, same children!
But, one is non-white.
And I only know this because I ran down a picture of him!
Fine by me.
I have no bigoted bones in my body.
But, good Lord, my mother!
So, I read the section to her and pointed out that in English, she is transliterating, not reading the text.
KABOOM!
How dare I correct her?!!!!!!?
So, she is going off to the local Morman library to see whom can correct this error.
What-ever .....
It just sickens me that people in this culture are so separatist leaning.
Of course she was born into a Latter Day Saint missionary family.
So they should have lots of documents already.
I told it her it is only an entry error.
But OH NO!
He is not black!
And that is the point .......
Did I ever mention that she is quite insane?
December 1, 2018
Musical Saturday Morning
A flash back, to the first video I posted, oh so long ago!
LOL
And as with last time, no worries my friends!
The song contains a trigger that would equate to a call for help by me.
Who would have thought it would end up in a song?
Get mis-understood.
Though we did have a great weekend!
LOL
LOL
And as with last time, no worries my friends!
The song contains a trigger that would equate to a call for help by me.
Who would have thought it would end up in a song?
Get mis-understood.
Though we did have a great weekend!
LOL
November 30, 2018
Birthmarks of a Christian
1 John 5:1-5
Love
God Loves You.
You choose to love God.
God loves His people.
So, you must love His people.
You are not allowed to hate.
Or, separate from:
- His people
- His Church
- The Jews
But this does not make us lovable.
Nor will the world embrace us, for it hates God and His people!
Want to know where someone is with God?
Find out where they stand on the Middle East issue ...
No not to condemn them, but to all us to participate in the restoration of fellowship with God ...
Obedience
Creation praises the Creator.
We must choose to.
Nature obeys the Lord.
We must choose to.
And yielding our will to anyone is not a part of this culture!
As the song says, "Trust and obey, for there is no other way ..."
Victory
Living your faith.
No longer hearing the siren cry of the world!
No longer yielding to Satan's influences.
Or memories of the past ....
A great many Christians get hung up here.
Our pasts do not yield to being forgotten by us.
Or others.
And Satan attempts to tailor our future to be just like our pasts!
Then we fail ... repeatedly.
But, our past was forgiven.
And buried.
We just have to stop repeatedly digging it up.
Love
God Loves You.
You choose to love God.
God loves His people.
So, you must love His people.
You are not allowed to hate.
Or, separate from:
- His people
- His Church
- The Jews
But this does not make us lovable.
Nor will the world embrace us, for it hates God and His people!
Want to know where someone is with God?
Find out where they stand on the Middle East issue ...
No not to condemn them, but to all us to participate in the restoration of fellowship with God ...
Obedience
Creation praises the Creator.
We must choose to.
Nature obeys the Lord.
We must choose to.
And yielding our will to anyone is not a part of this culture!
As the song says, "Trust and obey, for there is no other way ..."
Victory
Living your faith.
No longer hearing the siren cry of the world!
No longer yielding to Satan's influences.
Or memories of the past ....
A great many Christians get hung up here.
Our pasts do not yield to being forgotten by us.
Or others.
And Satan attempts to tailor our future to be just like our pasts!
Then we fail ... repeatedly.
But, our past was forgiven.
And buried.
We just have to stop repeatedly digging it up.
November 29, 2018
Doubt
One of Satan'a better weapons against us!
If we are truthful, at least with yourself, doubt has to rate right up there.
And certainly true across believers of all age, maturity, denomkinations and nationalities.
Think of Eve in Eden.
Cain refusing to sacrifice correctly.
Abraham with Hagar.
Jonah.
David, over and over again!
The list is endless of man's unfaithfulness to God.
I am not an exception, I went thru a period of doubt.
I went from everything in hand, to not so good - literally overnight.
Everyone was against me.
And being in the midst of horrible surgeries did not help either.
Loosing all memories, only complicated everything.
What happened to God?
Where did He go?
So, what to do, when you doubt, foul up, etc?
1 John 3:19-24
Take Comfort
You are not alone!
We are all doubters.
Old and New Testiments are full of doubting examples.
So, is your Church.
In my Bible, God did not punish doubt.
God answers the doubt.
Does not mean you will not have to be corrected to see straight again.
Take Care
Doubt is not what you think!
We trust the Scriptures and assume them to be truth.
Doubt is not lack of faith, it is uncertainty.
Struggle is not a lack of faith eith.
When in doubt, you seek the light.
When you have unbelief and seek the darkness.
Take Action
Push yourself towards God!
God is greater than your doubt.
He can, and will, prove it.
Admit your doubt
Borrow on others faith
Act on faith, not doubt
Doubt your doubts
Go back to what you know is true
If we are truthful, at least with yourself, doubt has to rate right up there.
And certainly true across believers of all age, maturity, denomkinations and nationalities.
Think of Eve in Eden.
Cain refusing to sacrifice correctly.
Abraham with Hagar.
Jonah.
David, over and over again!
The list is endless of man's unfaithfulness to God.
I am not an exception, I went thru a period of doubt.
I went from everything in hand, to not so good - literally overnight.
Everyone was against me.
And being in the midst of horrible surgeries did not help either.
Loosing all memories, only complicated everything.
What happened to God?
Where did He go?
So, what to do, when you doubt, foul up, etc?
1 John 3:19-24
Take Comfort
You are not alone!
We are all doubters.
Old and New Testiments are full of doubting examples.
So, is your Church.
In my Bible, God did not punish doubt.
God answers the doubt.
Does not mean you will not have to be corrected to see straight again.
Take Care
Doubt is not what you think!
We trust the Scriptures and assume them to be truth.
Doubt is not lack of faith, it is uncertainty.
Struggle is not a lack of faith eith.
When in doubt, you seek the light.
When you have unbelief and seek the darkness.
Take Action
Push yourself towards God!
God is greater than your doubt.
He can, and will, prove it.
Admit your doubt
Borrow on others faith
Act on faith, not doubt
Doubt your doubts
Go back to what you know is true
November 28, 2018
Narcissism
I heard an interesting quote last night:
Men are always smarter, braver and accomplished in their memories than in real life ....
Of course, I thought this an interesting thought.
But is it true?
Is it true for me?
So, this morning was spent hauling out my trophy boxes.
Smarter
If you get almost perfect scores on US, European, military, IBM and last test results for IQ, are you smart?
Unfortunately, with stroke damage, it is a mute point, these days.
sigh
But always been dumber than a stump ....
Braver
Is it brave to climb 56 mountains over 14,000 feet?
Or maybe adopting 4 Russian older children?
Or rescuing trapped climbers?
Or crawling and hopping 9 miles on a broken leg?
Or pulling 3 junior highers from a burning building?
Or standing down armed anarchists?
Or preferring a knife to my issued rifle?
Or telling your Nazi father he is headed straight to Hell?
Yup, dumber than a stump!
Accomplished
What I value is not what others value:
I tried out for the Olympic Games twice.
When I was 12, I held the German Men's 2km running record, for 4 months (LOL).
I held longest shot for sub .50 caliber rifle round, for over 30 years!
I climbed most of Colorado's peaks over 14,000 feet tall.
I passed all parts of the Chef's requirements, at 11!, but French law would not allow me to operate an oven.
Never mind, I was already running a croissant oven in my village at the time!
I have a long list of failed attempts to do most things!
My first 14,000 foot peak took 53 attempts to summit!
Yeah, I just don't give up.....
But if I looked for what culture values, I only have a grouping accomplishment.
I created the very first relational and random database manager.
At a time when "databases" were nothing more than sequential files with an index.
Then I rewrote the IBM disk drive operating system to read a random record.
And the royalties for this feat have been much needed these past few years!
So, I guess one ...
Looking back at this little effort to answer the question, I am reminded of many things.
But, as we have qualified, I am not normal in my tenacity.
I do not value what normal men seem to care about.
Been called all manner of names throughout my life to describe me as being dumber than a stump.
But, I can't imagine what it would be like to care, one way or another.
Maybe my left leg is a mite shorter than the right used to be, but I know three people are alive because I was willing to risk the leg.
On cold winter days my right leg throbs, but that is the price of that 9 mile hop and crawl out of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
And my hands ache in winter as well, the cost of millions of lines of code typed and keypunched for decades.
So, not much of a narcissist.
At least nothing has been written ever in this blog, to be boastful!
Maybe I am not the smartest, the bravest, nor the most accomplished but I am usually content.
And content is much to be preferred.
To my way of thinking.
Men are always smarter, braver and accomplished in their memories than in real life ....
Of course, I thought this an interesting thought.
But is it true?
Is it true for me?
So, this morning was spent hauling out my trophy boxes.
Smarter
If you get almost perfect scores on US, European, military, IBM and last test results for IQ, are you smart?
Unfortunately, with stroke damage, it is a mute point, these days.
sigh
But always been dumber than a stump ....
Braver
Is it brave to climb 56 mountains over 14,000 feet?
Or maybe adopting 4 Russian older children?
Or rescuing trapped climbers?
Or crawling and hopping 9 miles on a broken leg?
Or pulling 3 junior highers from a burning building?
Or standing down armed anarchists?
Or preferring a knife to my issued rifle?
Or telling your Nazi father he is headed straight to Hell?
Yup, dumber than a stump!
Accomplished
What I value is not what others value:
I tried out for the Olympic Games twice.
When I was 12, I held the German Men's 2km running record, for 4 months (LOL).
I held longest shot for sub .50 caliber rifle round, for over 30 years!
I climbed most of Colorado's peaks over 14,000 feet tall.
I passed all parts of the Chef's requirements, at 11!, but French law would not allow me to operate an oven.
Never mind, I was already running a croissant oven in my village at the time!
I have a long list of failed attempts to do most things!
My first 14,000 foot peak took 53 attempts to summit!
Yeah, I just don't give up.....
But if I looked for what culture values, I only have a grouping accomplishment.
I created the very first relational and random database manager.
At a time when "databases" were nothing more than sequential files with an index.
Then I rewrote the IBM disk drive operating system to read a random record.
And the royalties for this feat have been much needed these past few years!
So, I guess one ...
Looking back at this little effort to answer the question, I am reminded of many things.
But, as we have qualified, I am not normal in my tenacity.
I do not value what normal men seem to care about.
Been called all manner of names throughout my life to describe me as being dumber than a stump.
But, I can't imagine what it would be like to care, one way or another.
Maybe my left leg is a mite shorter than the right used to be, but I know three people are alive because I was willing to risk the leg.
On cold winter days my right leg throbs, but that is the price of that 9 mile hop and crawl out of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
And my hands ache in winter as well, the cost of millions of lines of code typed and keypunched for decades.
So, not much of a narcissist.
At least nothing has been written ever in this blog, to be boastful!
Maybe I am not the smartest, the bravest, nor the most accomplished but I am usually content.
And content is much to be preferred.
To my way of thinking.
November 27, 2018
Wedding Drama
What would a wedding or a funeral be without drama?
And son's wedding would not be the exception!
Now father of the bride does not believe in marriage.
Neither does the bride's mother.
Nor any of the many pseudo-mothers whom the bride invited.
Though there seemed to be three major "mothers".
The birth mother,
The woman whom replaced her in the father's life,
And the current woman.
Not sure which street corner in Vegas he found her, but .......
So, birth mother wanted nothing to do with the father of the bride.
He did not care and enjoyed encroaching upon her "space".
He was uncomfortable with the second woman.
Third woman tactfully avoided the other two and hovered over the father.
I imagine to beat off all comers.
All I could think of was this "father" is the perfect example of this generation's, narcosis.
And God-lessness.
So, it quickly became obvious that bride recognized the issues her parents have.
And, I now know the distance she must come to make peace with her Creator!
Perhaps you are up for long term prayer?
If so, remember my son in those prayers as well!
And son's wedding would not be the exception!
Now father of the bride does not believe in marriage.
Neither does the bride's mother.
Nor any of the many pseudo-mothers whom the bride invited.
Though there seemed to be three major "mothers".
The birth mother,
The woman whom replaced her in the father's life,
And the current woman.
Not sure which street corner in Vegas he found her, but .......
So, birth mother wanted nothing to do with the father of the bride.
He did not care and enjoyed encroaching upon her "space".
He was uncomfortable with the second woman.
Third woman tactfully avoided the other two and hovered over the father.
I imagine to beat off all comers.
All I could think of was this "father" is the perfect example of this generation's, narcosis.
And God-lessness.
So, it quickly became obvious that bride recognized the issues her parents have.
And, I now know the distance she must come to make peace with her Creator!
Perhaps you are up for long term prayer?
If so, remember my son in those prayers as well!
November 26, 2018
Wedding
So, it took almost all of my friends and kids to pull it off, but my son's wedding went quite well!
I got to play Best Man.
Absolutely stunned me!
I was positive son hated me.
At least until he asked me stand with him!
I was Dutchman's Best Man when he got married in 1980.
So, I have done it before.
But many long decades ago!
So, I was a bit nervous ...
Of course, I knew NO ONE in the wedding party.
But I knew that traditionally, if son did not show up, I was expected to marry the bride!
Never heard of it happening, but I did not wish to be the test case in American culture!
And, if both of them pulled a no show I would be expected to wed the maid of honor.
Luckily, I was to find out that European wedding tradition is not followed here!
As it turned out, the Maid of Honor was a tall stunner.
Twenty-five with no prospects!
She was an eye full!
Most of the guys there were not sure if they should stand for her!!!!!
So, this was my fifth experience at wearing a tux.
And, I really hate it!
It took five guys to get me into this monkey suit.
Everyone was quite complementary - which I hate!
Looks mean nothing, except in our vacuous culture!
And though I have been wholly misled by beauty in my past - this was about the only way I would ever have spoken with this woman.
She needs much prayer if she is to succeed in life.
My grandson was the Ring Bearer.
So, I got him a real Bear ski8n head.
But he refused to be a Ring Bear!
So, the wedding was short and sweet.
Son made a good selection in a bride.
Though .... never mind, my values are not his ...
I am glad it is over .... utterly exhausted.
I wished them well, from my heart.
I told my son I was proud of him.
And, I wished her into my family.
The term is meaningless to her.
But she will learn much in the years ahead......
Absolutely stunned me!
I was positive son hated me.
At least until he asked me stand with him!
I was Dutchman's Best Man when he got married in 1980.
So, I have done it before.
But many long decades ago!
So, I was a bit nervous ...
Of course, I knew NO ONE in the wedding party.
But I knew that traditionally, if son did not show up, I was expected to marry the bride!
Never heard of it happening, but I did not wish to be the test case in American culture!
And, if both of them pulled a no show I would be expected to wed the maid of honor.
Luckily, I was to find out that European wedding tradition is not followed here!
As it turned out, the Maid of Honor was a tall stunner.
Twenty-five with no prospects!
She was an eye full!
Most of the guys there were not sure if they should stand for her!!!!!
And, I really hate it!
It took five guys to get me into this monkey suit.
Everyone was quite complementary - which I hate!
Looks mean nothing, except in our vacuous culture!
And though I have been wholly misled by beauty in my past - this was about the only way I would ever have spoken with this woman.
She needs much prayer if she is to succeed in life.
My grandson was the Ring Bearer.
So, I got him a real Bear ski8n head.
But he refused to be a Ring Bear!
So, the wedding was short and sweet.
Son made a good selection in a bride.
Though .... never mind, my values are not his ...
I am glad it is over .... utterly exhausted.
I told my son I was proud of him.
And, I wished her into my family.
The term is meaningless to her.
But she will learn much in the years ahead......
November 24, 2018
Musical Saturday Morning
Today, my son is getting married!
A day I honestly never thought I would live to see!
His relationships have by far been one sided and self-centered.
Then two years ago he met a young lady whom was not going to tolerate that kind of treatment.
And yah can't blame her!
So across two years he has been learning how to behave in a relationship.
About a year ago, he suddenly started to wake up.
And it has been amazing to see my son transform into someone you might want to know!
So, in honor of his wedding (photos to follow!), a little Carpenters seems appropriate:
A day I honestly never thought I would live to see!
His relationships have by far been one sided and self-centered.
Then two years ago he met a young lady whom was not going to tolerate that kind of treatment.
And yah can't blame her!
So across two years he has been learning how to behave in a relationship.
About a year ago, he suddenly started to wake up.
And it has been amazing to see my son transform into someone you might want to know!
So, in honor of his wedding (photos to follow!), a little Carpenters seems appropriate:
November 22, 2018
Thanksgiving!
A little fun for my readers!
I am being hosted by oldest daughter, so no cooking for me!
On the other hand, no left overs either!
And I love turkey sandwiches!
Gobble, gobble, gobble!
I am being hosted by oldest daughter, so no cooking for me!
On the other hand, no left overs either!
And I love turkey sandwiches!
Gobble, gobble, gobble!
November 21, 2018
Its a Morning!
Yes indeed it is a morning!
Argy-Bargs!
Talked for a little while on the phone last night with my oldest friend.
But, I am so weak from whatever whacked me last week, I could barely hold the phone!
Then to bed, about 7:30!
Yeah, just as weak as a kitten.
And I guess it triggered something in my mind.
Of course you have to remember all memory stops at 1978.
So, my mind is still trying to figure out the mess from 1975!
And memories flooded back, augmented by a few newer memories that completed stories.
It is weird living with what is left of my mind!
Once again having to struggled through Oona's abandonment of our marriage.
Add the betrayals of my two best friends at the time.
And, yeah, you have a sickening soap opera on your hands,
Much less having to relive it in your dreams!
Nothing like waking up in a murderous mood .....
So, now that I was awake, I thought on her parents, whom bare full responsibility for what happened.
And I wondered if her sins were really on them?
They set a chain of events in motion which could only end the way it has.
Or, is the fact that her sins were voluntary, leave them on her?
Sure glad I am not God.
I don't have to worry on such things!
But it was a nightmare being reminded of such things.
It helps me understand my own issues with trust now.
Three people I had blindly trusted all betrayed me in a very short space of time.
And interestly, all three felt it was my problem, not theirs!
And her path of destruction, was on her and not them.
I don't get it.
But then we lived in a no fault - no responsibility society.
Too bad God does not agree with this outlook on life!
Oh well.
Old news.
And I have no idea why this came roaring back this morning.
It would have been so much more pleasant to have dreamt of my Danish Uncle's farm.
Memories I cherish - preferred over horror stories, such as Oona represents.
Well, enough of my start to the day.
Running down to Orting to take my mother shopping for turkey and all the fixings!
Yeah, she prefers NOT to associate with anyone anymore ......
sigh
Gonna be a bad afternoon.
I can just tell ......
Argy-Bargs!
Talked for a little while on the phone last night with my oldest friend.
But, I am so weak from whatever whacked me last week, I could barely hold the phone!
Then to bed, about 7:30!
Yeah, just as weak as a kitten.
And I guess it triggered something in my mind.
Of course you have to remember all memory stops at 1978.
So, my mind is still trying to figure out the mess from 1975!
And memories flooded back, augmented by a few newer memories that completed stories.
It is weird living with what is left of my mind!
Once again having to struggled through Oona's abandonment of our marriage.
Add the betrayals of my two best friends at the time.
And, yeah, you have a sickening soap opera on your hands,
Much less having to relive it in your dreams!
Nothing like waking up in a murderous mood .....
So, now that I was awake, I thought on her parents, whom bare full responsibility for what happened.
And I wondered if her sins were really on them?
They set a chain of events in motion which could only end the way it has.
Or, is the fact that her sins were voluntary, leave them on her?
Sure glad I am not God.
I don't have to worry on such things!
But it was a nightmare being reminded of such things.
It helps me understand my own issues with trust now.
Three people I had blindly trusted all betrayed me in a very short space of time.
And interestly, all three felt it was my problem, not theirs!
And her path of destruction, was on her and not them.
I don't get it.
But then we lived in a no fault - no responsibility society.
Too bad God does not agree with this outlook on life!
Oh well.
Old news.
And I have no idea why this came roaring back this morning.
It would have been so much more pleasant to have dreamt of my Danish Uncle's farm.
Memories I cherish - preferred over horror stories, such as Oona represents.
Well, enough of my start to the day.
Running down to Orting to take my mother shopping for turkey and all the fixings!
Yeah, she prefers NOT to associate with anyone anymore ......
sigh
Gonna be a bad afternoon.
I can just tell ......
November 20, 2018
Unequally Yoked
Long ago,
before my return to Europe,
before getting back into ministry,
I meet a troubled young lady.
She was completely without resources,
Direction,
Or hope.
Yeah, she had hosed up her life.
Now came the payback for living it her way,
When she knew better!
Getting back on her feet was a slow process.
Several years in fact.
She really was not into God,
But pressure from me,
For I knew God would continue His call on her.
She did eventually become a Christian,
Selected a church which still makes me shutter.
But, it was baby steps.
As she reached her mid-thirties,
The alarm clock went off and she was man hunting.
Of course she found one!
And he is a very smart man.
A NASA mathematician,
And a decade her junior!
But he was cursed like so many smart men - there is NO ONE interested in him!
It took three years for her to convince him that he had no choice in the matter - LOL!
They married, had a child and settled down.
Last night, she called and asked me to come over.
I have known her now for 32 years!
And she knows I can be trusted.
About half way through the evening, her husband split.
Ummmm, that was odd.
And she talked of.him, unloading 13 years of angst.
His lack of even looking for a job.
His absolute refusal to discuss her beliefs in Christianity.
Were the main issues.
He was a great dad.
Less than successful husband it seems.
Yeah, she is feeling her age.
She know realizes that he is still young - she is not.
She strongly desires the peace she has in Jesus, would be his as well.
And her faith is failing this will ever happen ....
Oh sure you can say she should have never pursued a non-Christian.
She did know better.
You could say she was repeating an established pattern.
But she is smart enough to already know this.
So that leaves prayer.
Of course this challenge had to come during one of the greatest illnesses I have had in at least 3 years.
Yeah, it is hard to top MRSA.
But whatever this medicine reaction is - it comes darn close!
I feel greatly for her because she has been a real friend for many years.
No lies, no walls, just truth has existed all these years.
And now she again needs a friend.
All I can do is pray for her situation - and his change of heart!
It is sad so many women I meet are in similar stages of this situation!
But they do not accept Paul's warning to singles - stay in the faith!
And the outcome is always heartbreak!
Then they will repeat the error yet again .....
So we are praying for Thom's salvation.
It may take another 30 years ...
before my return to Europe,
before getting back into ministry,
I meet a troubled young lady.
She was completely without resources,
Direction,
Or hope.
Yeah, she had hosed up her life.
Now came the payback for living it her way,
When she knew better!
Getting back on her feet was a slow process.
Several years in fact.
She really was not into God,
But pressure from me,
For I knew God would continue His call on her.
She did eventually become a Christian,
Selected a church which still makes me shutter.
But, it was baby steps.
As she reached her mid-thirties,
The alarm clock went off and she was man hunting.
Of course she found one!
And he is a very smart man.
A NASA mathematician,
And a decade her junior!
But he was cursed like so many smart men - there is NO ONE interested in him!
It took three years for her to convince him that he had no choice in the matter - LOL!
They married, had a child and settled down.
Last night, she called and asked me to come over.
I have known her now for 32 years!
And she knows I can be trusted.
About half way through the evening, her husband split.
Ummmm, that was odd.
And she talked of.him, unloading 13 years of angst.
His lack of even looking for a job.
His absolute refusal to discuss her beliefs in Christianity.
Were the main issues.
He was a great dad.
Less than successful husband it seems.
Yeah, she is feeling her age.
She know realizes that he is still young - she is not.
She strongly desires the peace she has in Jesus, would be his as well.
And her faith is failing this will ever happen ....
Oh sure you can say she should have never pursued a non-Christian.
She did know better.
You could say she was repeating an established pattern.
But she is smart enough to already know this.
So that leaves prayer.
Of course this challenge had to come during one of the greatest illnesses I have had in at least 3 years.
Yeah, it is hard to top MRSA.
But whatever this medicine reaction is - it comes darn close!
I feel greatly for her because she has been a real friend for many years.
No lies, no walls, just truth has existed all these years.
And now she again needs a friend.
All I can do is pray for her situation - and his change of heart!
It is sad so many women I meet are in similar stages of this situation!
But they do not accept Paul's warning to singles - stay in the faith!
And the outcome is always heartbreak!
Then they will repeat the error yet again .....
So we are praying for Thom's salvation.
It may take another 30 years ...
November 19, 2018
Experiment
So, between an auto accident in October 2017 and using Metaformin for being diabetic, I lost my kidneys.
And if that was not bad enough, I was literally brought to the point of death.
Death by suffocation is not pleasant.
Your lung fill with fluid, gurgle-gurgle!
With no love of this life, I finally had my pass out of this existence!
But God impressed upon me the importance of recognizing that He alone chooses when and why I am to die.
And, unfortunately, this was not my time.
Sigh .....
So, I have submitted to the needles, three times a week, to save what exists of my life.
But, it is sort of a wasted existence.
Can't actually work any longer.
I have NO memories, just fragmentary snapshots.
And some no so flattering!
Can't really drive anywhere or very far by myself.
What's a bear to do?!?!?!?
Then I had a chance to participate in a drug study about kidney disease.
The drug is Anakindra.
It certainly seems to be doing something about my kidneys.
But oh-my-God!, the side-effects!
Every time I get a shot of this stuff -
Everything inside of me comes roaring out!
Currently at 72 straight hours of toilet time.
Face in or the reverse!
One would be tempted to quit.
But, I do have a positive side.
Like weight loss!
Drop twenty pounds and pants fit better.
Maybe i will think about stopping
If I can reach my pre accident weight!
That would be so nice ......
And if that was not bad enough, I was literally brought to the point of death.
Death by suffocation is not pleasant.
Your lung fill with fluid, gurgle-gurgle!
With no love of this life, I finally had my pass out of this existence!
But God impressed upon me the importance of recognizing that He alone chooses when and why I am to die.
And, unfortunately, this was not my time.
Sigh .....
So, I have submitted to the needles, three times a week, to save what exists of my life.
But, it is sort of a wasted existence.
Can't actually work any longer.
I have NO memories, just fragmentary snapshots.
And some no so flattering!
Can't really drive anywhere or very far by myself.
What's a bear to do?!?!?!?
Then I had a chance to participate in a drug study about kidney disease.
The drug is Anakindra.
It certainly seems to be doing something about my kidneys.
But oh-my-God!, the side-effects!
Every time I get a shot of this stuff -
Everything inside of me comes roaring out!
Currently at 72 straight hours of toilet time.
Face in or the reverse!
One would be tempted to quit.
But, I do have a positive side.
Like weight loss!
Drop twenty pounds and pants fit better.
Maybe i will think about stopping
If I can reach my pre accident weight!
That would be so nice ......
November 17, 2018
November 16, 2018
In Memory of G-Bear
Never mentioned before, in any of my blogs, is Ron Holt.
It would not be family fare to speak of him.
Yet, my heart is broken today, so I must.
The Holt family was very close to me.
Sister Bekka, Her brother Ron, sister Linda and their parents.
They all played an important part in helping to shape me as a Christian.
Ron's life was tragic though.
That's the stuff I can't relate to you.
Man, choosing to live in direct defiance to God.
Yeah, you are going to lose.
It took a motorcycle accident 14 years ago to bring him to Jesus.
In rehab, he met a Christian nurse, whom changed his life.
Led him to Jesus, in salvation.
And married him!
We honestly had thought G-Bear would never be broken.
And then God forced him to look up!
As a cripple, from the horrible accident, he had no real choice.
And how we praised God for his salvation!
I tried staying in touch with him after the accident.
But he became somewhat paranoid across time.
And pushed me away.
You can delete me on social media.
But that did not stop me praying for him.
Nor my affection for him as extended family.
So G-Bear aka Granny Bear aka Ron Holt is gone.
We are richer for having known him,
And the memories of our many adventures of long ago.
Why Granny Bear?
He had really bad back problems.
And walked like an old grandmother!
Yeah, we had lots of fun ...
Please keep Bekka and Linda, plus his wife, in your prayers.
Thank you ......
It would not be family fare to speak of him.
Yet, my heart is broken today, so I must.
The Holt family was very close to me.
Sister Bekka, Her brother Ron, sister Linda and their parents.
They all played an important part in helping to shape me as a Christian.
Ron's life was tragic though.
That's the stuff I can't relate to you.
Man, choosing to live in direct defiance to God.
Yeah, you are going to lose.
It took a motorcycle accident 14 years ago to bring him to Jesus.
In rehab, he met a Christian nurse, whom changed his life.
Led him to Jesus, in salvation.
And married him!
We honestly had thought G-Bear would never be broken.
And then God forced him to look up!
As a cripple, from the horrible accident, he had no real choice.
And how we praised God for his salvation!
I tried staying in touch with him after the accident.
But he became somewhat paranoid across time.
And pushed me away.
You can delete me on social media.
But that did not stop me praying for him.
Nor my affection for him as extended family.
So G-Bear aka Granny Bear aka Ron Holt is gone.
We are richer for having known him,
And the memories of our many adventures of long ago.
Why Granny Bear?
He had really bad back problems.
And walked like an old grandmother!
Yeah, we had lots of fun ...
Please keep Bekka and Linda, plus his wife, in your prayers.
Thank you ......
November 15, 2018
Fourth Reich
This was a gift book from someone in my church.
It sounds like it might be German, right?
It isn't.
So, I reluctantly started this book on Sunday and it is hard to put down!
It is an eschatology book, on steroids.
Imagine The late great planet earth, only written by someone obviously Christian.
Nothing would surprise me more than to find either Hal Linsay or CC Carlson in Heaven!
Much less Dwight Pentecost!
What do they have in common?
Well, Carlson wrote much of TLGPE and was Pentecost's understanding of the end times.
Yeah, he spearheaded the purposeful obscuring of prophesy for generations of Christians!
Carlson, had her own agenda.
And in many ways Lindsay was more a victim of bad theology - just like the generation he helped mislead.
Oh, that is not to say that Robert Van Kampen got it all right.
But it is one of the better books on end times fiction.
Even though I am only 2/3's the way through the book - I think it is a keeper!
ISBN: 0-8007-5650-9
More importantly it reignited a fire in me.
Not sure to why or what.
But, I sense a real change inside of me ...
It sounds like it might be German, right?
It isn't.
So, I reluctantly started this book on Sunday and it is hard to put down!
It is an eschatology book, on steroids.
Imagine The late great planet earth, only written by someone obviously Christian.
Nothing would surprise me more than to find either Hal Linsay or CC Carlson in Heaven!
Much less Dwight Pentecost!
What do they have in common?
Well, Carlson wrote much of TLGPE and was Pentecost's understanding of the end times.
Yeah, he spearheaded the purposeful obscuring of prophesy for generations of Christians!
Carlson, had her own agenda.
And in many ways Lindsay was more a victim of bad theology - just like the generation he helped mislead.
Oh, that is not to say that Robert Van Kampen got it all right.
But it is one of the better books on end times fiction.
Even though I am only 2/3's the way through the book - I think it is a keeper!
ISBN: 0-8007-5650-9
More importantly it reignited a fire in me.
Not sure to why or what.
But, I sense a real change inside of me ...
November 14, 2018
Sense of Family
So late posting today as the darn router is no loner working!
So trying to do this via turtle net at a local wi-fi spot!
First daughter decided to do her DNA via some site other than Ancestry.
And she almost instantly got an eMail from a lady here in Seattle!
From someone 5 generations back in her family's past!
So jealousy!
She HAS some in computer-landia related to her!
For those of you whom do not know her history:
Her life began about age of 5;
She was found by some policemen hunting a bank robber.
She was laying off the trail,
In January,
Above the arctic circle,
And became the longest documented Arctic survivor at 10 days!
There was no hint as to whom her mother or father was.
Other than they died a horrible polar bear death!
So a bit of a mystery child and VERY damaged emotionally!
So my prayer is that she will recover a bit now that someone in the world is related to her - ?
I was going to buy this for each of the rascals for Christmas this year.
May still do this, if it helps her a bit.
Ancestry has a much larger database, perhaps more hits?
Though I have little hope there are many related to my children.
But, it is worth the price ......
So trying to do this via turtle net at a local wi-fi spot!
First daughter decided to do her DNA via some site other than Ancestry.
And she almost instantly got an eMail from a lady here in Seattle!
From someone 5 generations back in her family's past!
So jealousy!
She HAS some in computer-landia related to her!
For those of you whom do not know her history:
Her life began about age of 5;
She was found by some policemen hunting a bank robber.
She was laying off the trail,
In January,
Above the arctic circle,
And became the longest documented Arctic survivor at 10 days!
There was no hint as to whom her mother or father was.
Other than they died a horrible polar bear death!
So a bit of a mystery child and VERY damaged emotionally!
So my prayer is that she will recover a bit now that someone in the world is related to her - ?
I was going to buy this for each of the rascals for Christmas this year.
May still do this, if it helps her a bit.
Ancestry has a much larger database, perhaps more hits?
Though I have little hope there are many related to my children.
But, it is worth the price ......
November 13, 2018
Needing A Miracle
When I returned to Denver that first Christmas - all was not as I expected.
Oh yeah, the parents were still works of "art", it was obvious that leaving home had been the correct choice!
But my high school friends had continued their drug idled lirock scrambling up ves - we no longer had anything in common!
But at least I still had one friend.
And he wanted to go climb Longs Peak.
I used to guide on that mountain while in high school.
So, good choice!
It was a typical December morning, clear and cold.
Every thing went according to plan until we were on the West side, rock scrambling up a draw.
Due to the ice, we had roped up.
So, I was at the top of rhe draw.
The peak rising 400' to my left.
Before me, a sheer drop of 2,500 feet.
And behind me, 150' of rope, attached to my friend 130 below.
Then he uttered those memorable sounds, "Ooooops...."
I heard him start his fall.
Only 9,000' to the bottom!
Since I had just reached the top of the draw, I had no protection yet with which to hold him.
I uttered a short prayer and swung my ice axe!
I really needed a miracle!
Or we were both going to die.
The axe hit the ice and the rocks under the ice.
And I realized that the butte of the axe had gone into my leg!
The axe had a good bite but now the rope was drawing taunt.
It snapped tight and I was thrown backwards.
The axe was forced to release its hold on my leg.
But with an incredible wave of pain!
The axe remained solid.
I was hung by my left wrist strap!
My friend dangled on the rope.
The pressure on my wrist was only less than the shattered bone in my leg!
He climbed up to my perch.
I got back on the rocks.
Placed a tourniquet on the leg.
And caught my breath.
There was no going back.
And going over top seemed to be suicide.
We decided to summit.
Perhaps someone was up there - with more rope!
Nope, a barren wind swept landscape.
Going back was improbable.
Going forward could be done, at least down to 13,250'.
But it really would take a miracle.
I was hopping on one leg .....
In my 76 times summitting on this mountain, I knew the north side well.
So, in distances of roughly 120', I would slide down the face.
Then my friend, would slide down.
We repeated this for the full 1,000' of the north face.
You better believe we said quite a few prayers!!!!!
Of course, once off the face, my friend had to half carry me!
For 4.5 miles back to the car.
Yeah, it took most of the day!
And we offered many prayers of thanks!
But, was the first flat out miracle I had ever seen.
Sure I had read about miracles.
But that was long ago, to people far more worthy than I!
God really cared about me and my friend!
Else why defy gravity to save us?
God knows what we need, before we need it.
He meerly awaits our asking.
Then stand back and watch out!
Oh yeah, the parents were still works of "art", it was obvious that leaving home had been the correct choice!
But my high school friends had continued their drug idled lirock scrambling up ves - we no longer had anything in common!
But at least I still had one friend.
And he wanted to go climb Longs Peak.
I used to guide on that mountain while in high school.
So, good choice!
It was a typical December morning, clear and cold.
Every thing went according to plan until we were on the West side, rock scrambling up a draw.
Due to the ice, we had roped up.
So, I was at the top of rhe draw.
The peak rising 400' to my left.
Before me, a sheer drop of 2,500 feet.
And behind me, 150' of rope, attached to my friend 130 below.
Then he uttered those memorable sounds, "Ooooops...."
I heard him start his fall.
Only 9,000' to the bottom!
Since I had just reached the top of the draw, I had no protection yet with which to hold him.
I uttered a short prayer and swung my ice axe!
I really needed a miracle!
Or we were both going to die.
The axe hit the ice and the rocks under the ice.
And I realized that the butte of the axe had gone into my leg!
The axe had a good bite but now the rope was drawing taunt.
It snapped tight and I was thrown backwards.
The axe was forced to release its hold on my leg.
But with an incredible wave of pain!
The axe remained solid.
I was hung by my left wrist strap!
My friend dangled on the rope.
The pressure on my wrist was only less than the shattered bone in my leg!
He climbed up to my perch.
I got back on the rocks.
Placed a tourniquet on the leg.
And caught my breath.
There was no going back.
And going over top seemed to be suicide.
We decided to summit.
Perhaps someone was up there - with more rope!
Nope, a barren wind swept landscape.
Going back was improbable.
Going forward could be done, at least down to 13,250'.
But it really would take a miracle.
I was hopping on one leg .....
In my 76 times summitting on this mountain, I knew the north side well.
So, in distances of roughly 120', I would slide down the face.
Then my friend, would slide down.
We repeated this for the full 1,000' of the north face.
You better believe we said quite a few prayers!!!!!
Of course, once off the face, my friend had to half carry me!
For 4.5 miles back to the car.
Yeah, it took most of the day!
And we offered many prayers of thanks!
But, was the first flat out miracle I had ever seen.
Sure I had read about miracles.
But that was long ago, to people far more worthy than I!
God really cared about me and my friend!
Else why defy gravity to save us?
God knows what we need, before we need it.
He meerly awaits our asking.
Then stand back and watch out!
November 12, 2018
Sense of Family
I would be the first to admit my life is far from normal.
Nothing is simple.
No question has a normal answer.
Take my family, for instance.
Yes, I have a mother and father.
But neither of them should have been allowed near children!
They had no concept of what to do with a child.
Much less, a less than normal me!
My one grandmother was more my mother than my real one.
In fact, my great-aunt I would have loved to have had as my only mother!
I was beyond any affection for my weird parents by age 9.
I was only a captive, held by violent insane people!
When I was forced to come to America at 13, I was literally under house arrest, MPs and all!
I left home from 15 through 18 as often as I could save up enough to run.
I just could not take that atmosphere of hate!
Of course the cops constantly would haul me back.
Sigh .....
But once at 18, I just sat on my tongue and waited.
At graduation from high school, plus one day, I was in Seattle.
There were no tears.
As the saying goes, "No man is an island ..."
Nor was I.
I really need a family.
Need one for decade!
I was eaten by loneliness.
I got my grandmother out of holding in California, but she was no longer the same.
Sigh
So I started the long process of building an ersatz family. (German for fake)
Back home, I had two brothers and two sisters.
I found that I clicked with Swede and Dutchman almost instantly at my uncle's church.
Later that fall I met Becky, a student from California, at a Bible study.
And Critter stumbled into our lives.
Again, an instant identity.
Well, two sisters and two brothers was good.
Though Critter was to run off a year later.
(But, the rest of us are still a group 45 years later!)
We very much were family.
It was several decades until I found a pseudo mother and father.
I was now had what I needed emotionally, or stability wise.
And thankfully they all stayed with me after I picked up four kids!
God chose wisely.
And this little story mirrors well, Psalms 68:6.
I was completely depleted by the time I reached Seattle.
My uncle and Grandmother I had placed my hopes in, completely failed me.
I really could not blame my grandmother.
She was very broken when I caught up with her.
But blood relations had failed me ...
And God built me a family, as I needed one.
And across time, that God appointed family has miraculously not failed me!
I think too much emphasis is placed upon "blood" relations.
Versus those whom we should have in our lives.
Helping or leaning on.
Those whom you turn to in times of trouble,
The place were you can rest.
Your true family ....
Nothing is simple.
No question has a normal answer.
Take my family, for instance.
Yes, I have a mother and father.
But neither of them should have been allowed near children!
They had no concept of what to do with a child.
Much less, a less than normal me!
My one grandmother was more my mother than my real one.
In fact, my great-aunt I would have loved to have had as my only mother!
I was beyond any affection for my weird parents by age 9.
I was only a captive, held by violent insane people!
When I was forced to come to America at 13, I was literally under house arrest, MPs and all!
I left home from 15 through 18 as often as I could save up enough to run.
I just could not take that atmosphere of hate!
Of course the cops constantly would haul me back.
Sigh .....
But once at 18, I just sat on my tongue and waited.
At graduation from high school, plus one day, I was in Seattle.
There were no tears.
As the saying goes, "No man is an island ..."
Nor was I.
I really need a family.
Need one for decade!
I was eaten by loneliness.
I got my grandmother out of holding in California, but she was no longer the same.
Sigh
So I started the long process of building an ersatz family. (German for fake)
Back home, I had two brothers and two sisters.
I found that I clicked with Swede and Dutchman almost instantly at my uncle's church.
Later that fall I met Becky, a student from California, at a Bible study.
And Critter stumbled into our lives.
Again, an instant identity.
Well, two sisters and two brothers was good.
Though Critter was to run off a year later.
(But, the rest of us are still a group 45 years later!)
We very much were family.
It was several decades until I found a pseudo mother and father.
I was now had what I needed emotionally, or stability wise.
And thankfully they all stayed with me after I picked up four kids!
God chose wisely.
And this little story mirrors well, Psalms 68:6.
I was completely depleted by the time I reached Seattle.
My uncle and Grandmother I had placed my hopes in, completely failed me.
I really could not blame my grandmother.
She was very broken when I caught up with her.
But blood relations had failed me ...
And God built me a family, as I needed one.
And across time, that God appointed family has miraculously not failed me!
I think too much emphasis is placed upon "blood" relations.
Versus those whom we should have in our lives.
Helping or leaning on.
Those whom you turn to in times of trouble,
The place were you can rest.
Your true family ....
November 10, 2018
November 9, 2018
Narcissism vs Whom You Should Be
Narcissism, the single word to describe our culture.
I sit in church and read the words of the "hymns" the leader chooses.
I don't sing them, ever.
They are ALL about OUR approval of God
OUR singing about OURSELVES praising God
OUR seeing our world and what is around US - with or without God.
And often utterly meaningless repetitions of pseudo-Christian phrases ...
They could just as easily be sing about their dog or cat.
The songs are that meaningless!
The list is endless.
Worship songs do not exist anylonger in our church.
The old hymns are gone.
True worship does not exist either.
Neither does praise.
Just half an hour of vacuous songs about US, not God.
Vacuous 'testimonies' of what WE do.
But this is not the God I know ...
As one of my god-sons observed many years ago:
"There seems a whole lot of 'ME-ism' and less 'Theism' in the church anymore."
Narcissism rules the modern Church.
It is the way of the world.
Yet, in Colossians 3:9-10, this is not to be our way!
Consider Luke 10:25-37
We are supposed to be changed from the self-center creature we are all born as.
We are supposed to put on Jesus like behaviors.
We are supposed to put others first in our life.
We are supposed to love our neighbors ......
In the tale of the Good Samaritan we find essentially a non-believer, behaving exactly the way we are supposed to live!
Titles, labels, anything we use to set ourselves or others apart from us - are of the world, not God.
We approach God from whom He is, not from whom we think we are.
Whom are you supposed to be?
As a believer in Jesus, you are a child of God - in process of taking on the image of our Creator.
The LEAST amongst men?
The servant of ALL?
Looking for opportunities to serve God by SERVING our neighbors?
Yeah, if you think about it, our culture is completely based on fluff
Of no eternal value.
And devoid of all that is of eternal value.
Even in our Churches and Christian Organizations.
Time to start the process of separating ourselves from the "rat race".
Time to start living our faith.
I sit in church and read the words of the "hymns" the leader chooses.
I don't sing them, ever.
They are ALL about OUR approval of God
OUR singing about OURSELVES praising God
OUR seeing our world and what is around US - with or without God.
And often utterly meaningless repetitions of pseudo-Christian phrases ...
They could just as easily be sing about their dog or cat.
The songs are that meaningless!
The list is endless.
Worship songs do not exist anylonger in our church.
The old hymns are gone.
True worship does not exist either.
Neither does praise.
Just half an hour of vacuous songs about US, not God.
Vacuous 'testimonies' of what WE do.
But this is not the God I know ...
As one of my god-sons observed many years ago:
"There seems a whole lot of 'ME-ism' and less 'Theism' in the church anymore."
Narcissism rules the modern Church.
It is the way of the world.
Yet, in Colossians 3:9-10, this is not to be our way!
Consider Luke 10:25-37
We are supposed to be changed from the self-center creature we are all born as.
We are supposed to put on Jesus like behaviors.
We are supposed to put others first in our life.
We are supposed to love our neighbors ......
In the tale of the Good Samaritan we find essentially a non-believer, behaving exactly the way we are supposed to live!
Titles, labels, anything we use to set ourselves or others apart from us - are of the world, not God.
We approach God from whom He is, not from whom we think we are.
Whom are you supposed to be?
As a believer in Jesus, you are a child of God - in process of taking on the image of our Creator.
The LEAST amongst men?
The servant of ALL?
Looking for opportunities to serve God by SERVING our neighbors?
Yeah, if you think about it, our culture is completely based on fluff
Of no eternal value.
And devoid of all that is of eternal value.
Even in our Churches and Christian Organizations.
Time to start the process of separating ourselves from the "rat race".
Time to start living our faith.
November 8, 2018
Breakfast
On my calendar this morning was a note to go to breakfast with the seniors group in my church.
I have done a few of their activities through past trips.
Generally life remains the same, I can be totally ignored in any crowd.
But I continue to try.
So, they planned a breakfast for this morning to a local pancake house a few miles away.
I thought it would be fun to go, if only because the owner was one of my kids back in 1982.
Yeah, she was in a junior high group I was a youth leader for.
She was memorable only because she possessed the WORST attitude for any teenager I have ever encountered!
And, that says something!
We felt so sorry for her parents.
Many prayers by lots of people for that young lady.
But, she grew into a woman and hardened.
She could never understand why "life" was so against her.
It was just God honoring those many prayers to draw her back to Him.
So, I thought about it.
Decided to take my youngest daughter to breakfast ....
Besides my spirit is already troubled.
Last night I had a call from one of my girls from 1995 to 1997.
Her call was completely a mis-dial.
But there are no coincidences in life.
So I knew that her call might have been an accident on her part by not on God's part!
I found out she is moving to a new life.
And very elusive to anything requiring a real answer.
I wish we could have talked longer, but she was in a hurry.
So bizarre.
To hear from a kid that I have not heard from in decades.
Once, she had been a part of my extended family.
One of only three females I ever invested myself in.
I really wanted NOTHING to do with her, but she was desperate to have me be her father.
Not exactly a role I was looking for at the time.
But I could try to help her - at a distance.
Mostly I kept her out of jail.
Over, over and over again!
Comparing her to a feral cat would not be untrue.
And her memory has always haunted me.
I could have done more early on, before her path was set.
I could have let her in.
But, I may have been overly wary.
And her life did not go well back then, nor has it gone well since.
I learned.
Perhaps she will call again sometime.
Perhaps she will share so I can pray for her more in detail.
And how did she get my number!?!
Truly only God knows at this point.
I have done a few of their activities through past trips.
Generally life remains the same, I can be totally ignored in any crowd.
But I continue to try.
So, they planned a breakfast for this morning to a local pancake house a few miles away.
I thought it would be fun to go, if only because the owner was one of my kids back in 1982.
Yeah, she was in a junior high group I was a youth leader for.
She was memorable only because she possessed the WORST attitude for any teenager I have ever encountered!
And, that says something!
We felt so sorry for her parents.
Many prayers by lots of people for that young lady.
But, she grew into a woman and hardened.
She could never understand why "life" was so against her.
It was just God honoring those many prayers to draw her back to Him.
So, I thought about it.
Decided to take my youngest daughter to breakfast ....
Besides my spirit is already troubled.
Last night I had a call from one of my girls from 1995 to 1997.
Her call was completely a mis-dial.
But there are no coincidences in life.
So I knew that her call might have been an accident on her part by not on God's part!
I found out she is moving to a new life.
And very elusive to anything requiring a real answer.
I wish we could have talked longer, but she was in a hurry.
So bizarre.
To hear from a kid that I have not heard from in decades.
Once, she had been a part of my extended family.
One of only three females I ever invested myself in.
I really wanted NOTHING to do with her, but she was desperate to have me be her father.
Not exactly a role I was looking for at the time.
But I could try to help her - at a distance.
Mostly I kept her out of jail.
Over, over and over again!
Comparing her to a feral cat would not be untrue.
And her memory has always haunted me.
I could have done more early on, before her path was set.
I could have let her in.
But, I may have been overly wary.
And her life did not go well back then, nor has it gone well since.
I learned.
Perhaps she will call again sometime.
Perhaps she will share so I can pray for her more in detail.
And how did she get my number!?!
Truly only God knows at this point.
November 7, 2018
Worship
Worship is one of those concepts in Christianity, a hardo ne because it is not exactly defined anywhere.
You can find examples, but if you want to find God saying, "This how I demand worship of me ...."
Too bad, it is not there.
But we know that worship is a matter of what is in your heart.
As Cain discovered with his rejected sacrifice.
As anyone with a problem with another has been told.
As anyone in sin has been told.
Yeah, it is all about our heart.
But, we do have a good example of the worship God desires:
Mark 14:3-9
Worship is a decision
The woman choose to approach Jesus.
Worship is demonstrative
The woman broke her jar of precious perfume.
Worship is bound to offend
Someone is sure to object to:
The message
The methods used
Personalities involved
Yet we are called to a higher calling than nit-picking His work!
We are to serve God.
To seerve His purposes.
To accomplish His outreach.
Worship is a form of spiritual Warfare
We are told that Satan flees from our our strength gained through:
True worship of God
Our songs of praise
Time spent in the Word
Our charity to others
Our helping others
Serving His purposes
Worship spreads
We are the aroma of God.
From person to person.
We share.
We worship.
Worship is prophetic
Speaks of what is to come.
Calls us to ministry.
Worship lingers
When we experience true worship:
We want more
We want to stay
Worship is unforgettable
This woman's worship of Jesus would be remembered for all time!
You can find examples, but if you want to find God saying, "This how I demand worship of me ...."
Too bad, it is not there.
But we know that worship is a matter of what is in your heart.
As Cain discovered with his rejected sacrifice.
As anyone with a problem with another has been told.
As anyone in sin has been told.
Yeah, it is all about our heart.
But, we do have a good example of the worship God desires:
Mark 14:3-9
Worship is a decision
The woman choose to approach Jesus.
Worship is demonstrative
The woman broke her jar of precious perfume.
Worship is bound to offend
Someone is sure to object to:
The message
The methods used
Personalities involved
Yet we are called to a higher calling than nit-picking His work!
We are to serve God.
To seerve His purposes.
To accomplish His outreach.
Worship is a form of spiritual Warfare
We are told that Satan flees from our our strength gained through:
True worship of God
Our songs of praise
Time spent in the Word
Our charity to others
Our helping others
Serving His purposes
Worship spreads
We are the aroma of God.
From person to person.
We share.
We worship.
Worship is prophetic
Speaks of what is to come.
Calls us to ministry.
Worship lingers
When we experience true worship:
We want more
We want to stay
Worship is unforgettable
This woman's worship of Jesus would be remembered for all time!
November 6, 2018
Reading
Although I am not the best reader on the planet, I do love to read.
It was all that got me through college!
That and a memory with perfect recall ...
Of course that also means I have to go about ten years before rereading something!
I got into reading in 7th grade.
We had no TV in Germany.
In fact, I only know of one (1) in my entire town!
If I was well behaved, I could watch the latest episode of, Get Smart!
Yeah, warped even back then!
But I made weekly pilgrimages to the local NATO libraries.
Zane Grey, Alfred Hitchcock and Leonard Wibberly were amongst my favorite authors.
But anything having to do with history or the para-normal viable was well.
Today, I still love Wibberly, but Agatha Christie and Tony Hillerman are now favorites.
Since my brain damage, I have been reading my Bible in short stints.
I even tried going back to my German Bible but it is even slower for me than in English!
And French?
Oh forget that one!
And it used to be my strongest language to read in!
So, just finished some old books by Barbara Johnson.
A Christian author and humorist, she wrote some very thoughtful stuff.
I wish I could write like that!
So much more to say, but alas, I am out of time and in too much pain!
It was all that got me through college!
That and a memory with perfect recall ...
Of course that also means I have to go about ten years before rereading something!
I got into reading in 7th grade.
We had no TV in Germany.
In fact, I only know of one (1) in my entire town!
If I was well behaved, I could watch the latest episode of, Get Smart!
Yeah, warped even back then!
But I made weekly pilgrimages to the local NATO libraries.
Zane Grey, Alfred Hitchcock and Leonard Wibberly were amongst my favorite authors.
But anything having to do with history or the para-normal viable was well.
Today, I still love Wibberly, but Agatha Christie and Tony Hillerman are now favorites.
Since my brain damage, I have been reading my Bible in short stints.
I even tried going back to my German Bible but it is even slower for me than in English!
And French?
Oh forget that one!
And it used to be my strongest language to read in!
So, just finished some old books by Barbara Johnson.
A Christian author and humorist, she wrote some very thoughtful stuff.
I wish I could write like that!
So much more to say, but alas, I am out of time and in too much pain!
November 5, 2018
Waking Up
Halloween excitement has past, thank Heavens!
Not much of interest happened around here at all this year.
But, the political parties were out in such great numbers, they should have been trick or treating!
Washington is apparently a battleground state.
Socialist versus the last of the conservative groups.
If the socialist deal a death blow to the rule of Republican law and common sense, then welcome to California North!
Such is the price a nation pays when it turns its back on God.
Stay tuned, we are holding our breath!
I was able to take the weekend to actually pre-plan my future posts, for the first time since 2010!
Yeah, been reactionary mode for most of the decade.
Maybe some tiny part of my brain is working again?
Be nice if true!
I am so tired of not being able to THINK!
My son is getting more comfortable with his pending marriage.
They finally have taken care of their arrangement for the wedding.
We rented tuxes on Saturday.
My artificial foot caused a bit of frustration, as I wear a size 12 shoe.
But, we ended up with a size 15 in their shoe!
Getting it on again before the wedding is going to be interesting!
And I may well wear a clown nose to go with the canoes on my feet!
Twenty days more to go.
Met up with his son as well.
He was hateful towards me for the two hour visit.
But, when it was time to go, suddenly he was all tears and "loved" me.
Thank God I take rejection like rain off a duck's back!
I gave him a book about sea life and some gummi bears.
:)
I know what four year olds like.
How I wish his father would be in his life!
But, Ivan has always been super sensitive to any form of embarrassment.
And I am not so sure his to be bride is excited about him being a father ....
cough - cough - cough!
Gaelic Girl is getting ready for a knee replacement.
So your prayers are needed, December 4 is the day.
I am more nervous than her.
I am too aware of the problems which may arise.
She only sees all positives!
So, I get to prepare for her worst.
And with her lack of friends, guess who will be doing as much as possible!
Albeit that three days a week I am in dialysis and worthless for the rest of the day.
Gonna be interesting!
And of course how can I close without venting my frustration at the time change?
Beyond stupid.
Conceived of by power hunger politians.
Forced on the sheep, whom only follow.
But never think!
aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!
It has driven me crazy since I was old enough to understand what is going on.
Yeah, I was in second grade - 7 years old!
ARGH!
Many I know agree with me but like me they realize you can not wake up slumbering sheep!
Thinking of which - time for bed!
Not much of interest happened around here at all this year.
But, the political parties were out in such great numbers, they should have been trick or treating!
Washington is apparently a battleground state.
Socialist versus the last of the conservative groups.
If the socialist deal a death blow to the rule of Republican law and common sense, then welcome to California North!
Such is the price a nation pays when it turns its back on God.
Stay tuned, we are holding our breath!
I was able to take the weekend to actually pre-plan my future posts, for the first time since 2010!
Yeah, been reactionary mode for most of the decade.
Maybe some tiny part of my brain is working again?
Be nice if true!
I am so tired of not being able to THINK!
My son is getting more comfortable with his pending marriage.
They finally have taken care of their arrangement for the wedding.
We rented tuxes on Saturday.
My artificial foot caused a bit of frustration, as I wear a size 12 shoe.
But, we ended up with a size 15 in their shoe!
Getting it on again before the wedding is going to be interesting!
And I may well wear a clown nose to go with the canoes on my feet!
Twenty days more to go.
Met up with his son as well.
He was hateful towards me for the two hour visit.
But, when it was time to go, suddenly he was all tears and "loved" me.
Thank God I take rejection like rain off a duck's back!
I gave him a book about sea life and some gummi bears.
:)
I know what four year olds like.
How I wish his father would be in his life!
But, Ivan has always been super sensitive to any form of embarrassment.
And I am not so sure his to be bride is excited about him being a father ....
cough - cough - cough!
Gaelic Girl is getting ready for a knee replacement.
So your prayers are needed, December 4 is the day.
I am more nervous than her.
I am too aware of the problems which may arise.
She only sees all positives!
So, I get to prepare for her worst.
And with her lack of friends, guess who will be doing as much as possible!
Albeit that three days a week I am in dialysis and worthless for the rest of the day.
Gonna be interesting!
And of course how can I close without venting my frustration at the time change?
Beyond stupid.
Conceived of by power hunger politians.
Forced on the sheep, whom only follow.
But never think!
aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!
It has driven me crazy since I was old enough to understand what is going on.
Yeah, I was in second grade - 7 years old!
ARGH!
Many I know agree with me but like me they realize you can not wake up slumbering sheep!
Thinking of which - time for bed!
November 3, 2018
November 2, 2018
All Saints Day
Back in the day, when the Roman Catholic Church ruled the "world" - or most of it, today was dedicated as a memory day of all of those whom have been martyred for the faith.
This matched well with the pagan holiday around the death of life - the coming of winter.
So all Hallowed's Eve or Halloween was born.
The celebration of the saints eventually forgotten.
Thus today, most do not even understand there IS a price you will pay for being a Christian and following in Jesus' footsteps.
But bring on the witches and goblins!
It is only about getting candy right?
Saturday was my little town's trick or treat in the downtown district.
Zillions of children running around!
I had to run to the post office, so got drive REAL carefully!
No one was watching for cars!
One little girl, about 3, was walking along with mothef.
The three year old was dressed as a yellow fairy.
When she saw a table in front of a shop loaded with candy,
She squealed, "YYYYYYYEEEEEEEsssssssss!!!!!!"
And flew to the table on her ballet slipper toes.
You would have sworn those gossamer wings had carried her!
Lots of people were laughing at this spectacle.
But, as for my neighborhood - no trick-or-treat'ers.
So I am looking at some 800 pieces of candy.
Whatever will I do with it?
;^)
This matched well with the pagan holiday around the death of life - the coming of winter.
So all Hallowed's Eve or Halloween was born.
The celebration of the saints eventually forgotten.
Thus today, most do not even understand there IS a price you will pay for being a Christian and following in Jesus' footsteps.
But bring on the witches and goblins!
It is only about getting candy right?
Saturday was my little town's trick or treat in the downtown district.
Zillions of children running around!
I had to run to the post office, so got drive REAL carefully!
No one was watching for cars!
One little girl, about 3, was walking along with mothef.
The three year old was dressed as a yellow fairy.
When she saw a table in front of a shop loaded with candy,
She squealed, "YYYYYYYEEEEEEEsssssssss!!!!!!"
And flew to the table on her ballet slipper toes.
You would have sworn those gossamer wings had carried her!
Lots of people were laughing at this spectacle.
But, as for my neighborhood - no trick-or-treat'ers.
So I am looking at some 800 pieces of candy.
Whatever will I do with it?
;^)
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