I have nothing personal against judges and lawyers, in fact, without them we would be in a worse mess than we find ourselves today. But, they can be some of the most counter-productive people on the face of the planet when it comes to mandating a law or setting a precedent to lean upon for all of time. The agenda is the fight. Well, the Supreme Court has a real hot potato on its hands with the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”, a.k.a., the “Obama Healthcare Act”. Insurance has grown from a gang-land bullying tactic to a multi-billion dollar “legal” business we simply can’t do without. Protection has always come at a high cost, but let’s face it folks, you cannot find a better return on your investment anywhere. If everyone in America gets health insurance will my monthly cost go down? Ha! If all of a sudden our automobiles all start making 70 mpg do you thing gas will drop to $1 per gallon again? Well, the rub about this whole thing is this. If you don’t get health insurance, is it legal for the government to penalize your income earnings, forcing you to participate in a federal government sponsored health insurance plan. The plan is to squeeze this round peg into the square hole of Commerce Regulation and is the penalty to be treated as a tax or not a tax. Can the Fed get away with this? Every television in America is new; aren’t they?
America is in the throes of a full scale cultural war. The moral and spiritual underpinnings of American civilization are collapsing. Did the Founding Fathers of this great country advocate “separation of church and state”? Did the Founding Fathers reject expressions of Christianity in government and public schools? Did the Founding Fathers intend for federal institutions to be religiously neutral? I invite you to attend a seminar “The Silencing of God”, Saturday, April 7th, Church of Christ Annex Building, 1206 3rd St. in Floresville. Take a trip back to the now withered roots and vanishing values of America’s past. You will not believe what you see and what you hear. I will go out on a limb and say, if you were born in the 60’s, or later, you were never taught these lessons of American history. I will also add, there are people today who do not want you to witness this DVD presentation. The seminar begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues until about 2 p.m. A Continental Breakfast will be served and a free lunch will also be available. America’s greatness flourished with its “Trust in God”.
[Acts of the Apostles 2: 36-47] Those who directly and indirectly witness the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus were in total awe when they realized the personal impact of these events. Jesus left one very important directive behind, “Remember Me”. As we participate in the “Lord’s supper”, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us. He lovingly gave his own life as a redeeming ransom for the sins of the world; past, present and future. The church flourished in God’s love. The Founding Fathers of America based a new nation and government around the premise of God’s Word. As the years pass and we get further away from our roots, the church and America alike are forgetting the great sacrifices of our beginnings. We must revisit and rehearse the now simple beginnings of our faith and national pride, lest we completely forget the God of heaven whom has made it all possible. The neutral me-ism being propagated today is totally counterproductive to the saving of souls and the securing of freedoms for the common man. We’re losing on all fronts without a strong faith in God
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Trouble? Call For Help
It seems there are days I can’t win for losing and I know everyone has experienced that same feeling. A few weeks back I discovered a leaking fuel pressure regulator on my vans’ engine and replaced it. The recovery of performance and substantial increase in fuel mileage was immediately noticed. But, to my dismay, I noticed that starting the engine was becoming labored. I rationalized the gas I had just purchased was maybe somewhat bad, but I knew better. The problem increasingly got worse and I guessed that the new part was defective. After consulting with some auto mechanic friends, and a pressure gage, I concurred that perhaps the fuel pump was leaking and not maintaining proper pressure. At 168,000 miles it was probably a good diagnosis and I had the pump changed, if for no other reason but preventative maintenance. Well, the new pump did increase the operating pressure but didn’t cure the starting problem. I returned to my original thought of a defective pressure regulator. I removed it and sure enough, it was leaking internally. I took it back to the auto parts store and got a replacement. While standing on my head installing the new, new part, I just couldn’t seem to get one of the fittings to connect properly. Well, I completely removed the part, again, to discover it had been manufactured improperly. Back to the store, only to find out they had no more valves in stock. I got my money back and went to another store, got a valve, and installed it without too much trouble. Problem solved? YES!
A mechanic was working on the engine of a car when he spotted a well known local heart surgeon standing off to the side of his shop. The mechanic shouted across the garage, “Hello, doctor! Please come over here for a minute.” The surgeon walked over. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and said, “So doctor, look at this. I also open hearts, take vales out, grind ‘em and put in new parts. So, how come you get the big bucks when we’re both doing basically the same work?” The surgeon simply asked, “Have you ever tried doing this with the engine running?”
[Romans 7: 14-25; Revelation 3] Many years ago in a textile factory there was a sign on the wall which read: “If your threads get tangled, send for the foreman.” One woman, who was fairly new and a diligent worker, found her threads tangled one day. She tried to disentangle them, but her efforts only made matters worse. Finally she gave up and called the foreman. He came and looked for a few moments and then asked, “You’ve been trying to untangle them yourself, haven’t you?” “Yes”, she replied. “Why didn’t you send for me according to the instructions?” She shrugged her shoulders and said, “I did my best.” With much tact, yet, with great insight, he quietly said, “Remember, doing your best is sending for me.” How often in life have we tried to straighten out our own messes, only to make things worse and look at them as unsolvable. We think that a little more human effort, a bit more human wisdom and a touch of human integrity are the solution. In general, we tend to make the same mistakes over and over again. Bad habits remain in place and errors are repeated. We tend to rationalize our situations and confess, “I did my best.” Then God gently, yet firmly, reminds us: “Doing your best is calling for me.” The message from Jesus is that we must overcome our sinful nature and be obedient to His word and the will of our heavenly Father. Thanks be to God - Jesus will rescue me from this body of death!
A mechanic was working on the engine of a car when he spotted a well known local heart surgeon standing off to the side of his shop. The mechanic shouted across the garage, “Hello, doctor! Please come over here for a minute.” The surgeon walked over. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and said, “So doctor, look at this. I also open hearts, take vales out, grind ‘em and put in new parts. So, how come you get the big bucks when we’re both doing basically the same work?” The surgeon simply asked, “Have you ever tried doing this with the engine running?”
[Romans 7: 14-25; Revelation 3] Many years ago in a textile factory there was a sign on the wall which read: “If your threads get tangled, send for the foreman.” One woman, who was fairly new and a diligent worker, found her threads tangled one day. She tried to disentangle them, but her efforts only made matters worse. Finally she gave up and called the foreman. He came and looked for a few moments and then asked, “You’ve been trying to untangle them yourself, haven’t you?” “Yes”, she replied. “Why didn’t you send for me according to the instructions?” She shrugged her shoulders and said, “I did my best.” With much tact, yet, with great insight, he quietly said, “Remember, doing your best is sending for me.” How often in life have we tried to straighten out our own messes, only to make things worse and look at them as unsolvable. We think that a little more human effort, a bit more human wisdom and a touch of human integrity are the solution. In general, we tend to make the same mistakes over and over again. Bad habits remain in place and errors are repeated. We tend to rationalize our situations and confess, “I did my best.” Then God gently, yet firmly, reminds us: “Doing your best is calling for me.” The message from Jesus is that we must overcome our sinful nature and be obedient to His word and the will of our heavenly Father. Thanks be to God - Jesus will rescue me from this body of death!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Growing Pangs
It’s good to be back in a pattern of weather that somewhat simulates four seasons. Even though we experienced a mild winter, that’s why I live here, the more than welcomed rain and some rather blustery cold north winds made it feel more normal for this part of the country. With the continuing rounds of rain coming our way, it looks like spring will be a beautiful season this year. I’m glad because personally I was getting sort of tired of twenty shades of brown. The winter rains have also put us back into some forgotten patterns of nature. It’s sort of like belonging to a “something” of the month club. You put in a request of what you would like, but you generally get sent what there is an abundance of. If you belong to a movie of the month/week club, it’s rare you receive what you really want to watch in a movie. The same with books, cookies, candies, candles so on and so on. Well, in south Texas, when we’re in a “normal” weather situation, with tongue-in-cheek, I sometimes think I belong to a nature club of the month. What I would like is for my grass to grow slowly and beautifully green. I like to see butterflies and the return of wintering birds with their songs of spring. What I get is a weed of the month choking the progress of my lawn development. At the same time, I, like everyone else, has to deal with the bug of the month which loves to invade every possible square inch of personal space. Then there’s the mating season of everything on the planet. The past couple of weeks my immediate neighborhood has had to listen to two male woodpeckers chasing one female, dive-bombing one another and squawking this horrible battle cry. It’s been quiet the past two days so I guess a winner has been declared. That doesn’t discount the lovely scents lingering in the morning air deposited by love-sick skunks or the nightly screams of out-of-control cat population growth. I have to admit though; I wouldn’t trade one weed or bug to live anywhere else. Everyday is paradise, in Texas.
The following “true story” speaks a lot about the quality of Japanese products and their quality standards. “Supposedly”, they’re still chuckling about this at IBM. Many years ago, it seems the company giant decided to have some parts manufactured in Japan as a trial project. In the specifications, they set out that they will accept three defective parts per 10,000. When the delivery came in, there was an accompanying letter stating: “We, Japanese people, had a hard time understanding North American business practices. But the three defective parts per 10,000 have been separately manufactured and have been included in the consignment. We hope this pleases you.”
[2 Corinthians 5: 1-10] I did not write last week as I was in the midst of a storm. No, it wasn’t the weather; it was the devil tearing into my faith. My tent flaps were whipping in the wind, pegs were coming out of the ground and I feared my tent was about to be damaged beyond repair. Emotionally, I came unwound, a known defect in the human anatomy, leaving me far from the fit spiritual mindset I need to be in for the success of these messages. My faith has held strong and another attitude adjustment, through the faithfulness of my brothers and sisters in Christ, has enlightened me with a better understanding of my Christian walk. James says this is good for me (James 1:2). Peter says I should not be surprised (1 Peter 4:12). I don’t like my human defects invading my spiritual life, but once properly addressed, I’m stronger on all fronts.
The following “true story” speaks a lot about the quality of Japanese products and their quality standards. “Supposedly”, they’re still chuckling about this at IBM. Many years ago, it seems the company giant decided to have some parts manufactured in Japan as a trial project. In the specifications, they set out that they will accept three defective parts per 10,000. When the delivery came in, there was an accompanying letter stating: “We, Japanese people, had a hard time understanding North American business practices. But the three defective parts per 10,000 have been separately manufactured and have been included in the consignment. We hope this pleases you.”
[2 Corinthians 5: 1-10] I did not write last week as I was in the midst of a storm. No, it wasn’t the weather; it was the devil tearing into my faith. My tent flaps were whipping in the wind, pegs were coming out of the ground and I feared my tent was about to be damaged beyond repair. Emotionally, I came unwound, a known defect in the human anatomy, leaving me far from the fit spiritual mindset I need to be in for the success of these messages. My faith has held strong and another attitude adjustment, through the faithfulness of my brothers and sisters in Christ, has enlightened me with a better understanding of my Christian walk. James says this is good for me (James 1:2). Peter says I should not be surprised (1 Peter 4:12). I don’t like my human defects invading my spiritual life, but once properly addressed, I’m stronger on all fronts.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Add and Make It Better
I watch two and three TV programs at once most of the time, manually editing out the commercials, most of which are not worth watching. Did you know the US is the only country in the world that advertises medicines? Personally, those commercials scare me. First, the message infers that you need to tell your doctor you have to have this medication for what ails you. I guess that’s normal procedure after you’ve properly self-diagnosed your symptoms. Then at the end of the uplifting dialog of promises explaining how this particular product is going to improve your life, when taken as directed, there comes a list of side-effects that should convince anyone the ailment is probably less life threatening than the cure. …Now, back to our regularly scheduled article. The other night I was bouncing between two shows one being “101 Gadgets That Changed The World”. Did you know that the sealed tin can with its pasteurized contents was invented and used long before the can opener? For many years the only way to get into a can of corn was to hammer and chisel your way in. WWII GI’s were a hungry bunch and many were injuring themselves opening sea rations with bayonets and pocket knives. The P38 can opener was eventually supplied to the fighting men by the tens of thousands. Why was it called the P38 can opener? I’m glad you asked because I have the answer. It took 38 twists of the wrist to navigate the opener around the top of the average sea ration can. The number was more important than one would presume. If you went beyond 38 twists, 40 in all, you would remove the top from the can producing more trash and a dangerous sharp piece of metal on the ground. So, 38 twists, open the lid, eat, and fold the lid back into the can. Safety first during wartime.
As we travel life’s way we find ourselves adding “things” to our life all the time to “improve” our lifestyle. Sometimes we do it without knowing why, just needing to keep up with the Jones’ so to speak. Then there are people who have no clue what’s going on. A person was standing in line at the Post Office and overheard the clerk explain to the customer, “You’ll have to put another stamp on this letter. It’s too heavy.” Puzzled, the customer replied, “And that will make it lighter?”
[2 Peter 1:3-8] When asked what he had learned in all the years of his marriage Albert replied, “Well, I’ve learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty, meekness, self-restraint, forgiveness and a great many other qualities I wouldn’t have needed if I had stayed single.” Peter says as we enter into a covenant with God we can be assured that God “…has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” To live a spiritually gifted life, one of a divine nature, that will allow us to escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires and enjoy the great and precious promises given by God, we have to add some things to our faithful lifestyle even though we may feel faith is plenty. Peter says we must add to our faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. I don’t need all these things in a dog eat dog world. Can you see why a great change comes over those who truly commit themselves to the Lord? You might make fun of them now, but think about what a wonderful world we would live in if everyone strived to accomplish these eight goals of righteous living. Eternal joy will be my reward.
As we travel life’s way we find ourselves adding “things” to our life all the time to “improve” our lifestyle. Sometimes we do it without knowing why, just needing to keep up with the Jones’ so to speak. Then there are people who have no clue what’s going on. A person was standing in line at the Post Office and overheard the clerk explain to the customer, “You’ll have to put another stamp on this letter. It’s too heavy.” Puzzled, the customer replied, “And that will make it lighter?”
[2 Peter 1:3-8] When asked what he had learned in all the years of his marriage Albert replied, “Well, I’ve learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty, meekness, self-restraint, forgiveness and a great many other qualities I wouldn’t have needed if I had stayed single.” Peter says as we enter into a covenant with God we can be assured that God “…has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” To live a spiritually gifted life, one of a divine nature, that will allow us to escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires and enjoy the great and precious promises given by God, we have to add some things to our faithful lifestyle even though we may feel faith is plenty. Peter says we must add to our faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. I don’t need all these things in a dog eat dog world. Can you see why a great change comes over those who truly commit themselves to the Lord? You might make fun of them now, but think about what a wonderful world we would live in if everyone strived to accomplish these eight goals of righteous living. Eternal joy will be my reward.
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