Friday, December 30, 2011
The Wife and I Want a Set of These....
Anybody got one of these? We especially like the ultrasoft fleece and the flaps that let you answer nature's call, even at the ballgame...
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Why Are Christians So Hard on Conservative Political Candidates?
The political season really heats up next week with the Iowa caucuses. It's already been one of the weirdest Republican races in memory! It reminds me a lot of 1980 when Ronald Reagan was elected.
No one has yet become the clear favorite on the Republican side but as Romney, then Bachmann, then Perry, then Cain and now Gingrich make big moves in the polls one thing seems striking to me. Christians, who are generally considered conservative, seem to hold these candidates to an unreasonable standard. We're supposed to model forgiveness but we seem to want a presidential candidate who is without sin, so to speak!
How can we preach that all people are sinners but then denigrate candidates, some who might be truly repentant, for the mistakes they've made in their lives? As hard as it might seem I think we need to evaluate the current state of their faith and of their repentance rather than past sins, both known and unknown! If a person is truly a follower of Christ then their lives are not the same today as they were yesterday! True believers are constantly maturing and changing as their relationship with Christ develops. I dare say I am not the same person I was before I truly sought to be close to Jesus. Presidential candidates are no different.
Regardless of the twists and turns this election takes we all need to pray for guidance both individually and collectively. I think our nation is at a critical juncture and we need God's restoration. As you pray in the months to come please pray the Lord will move us to elect the president which best fulfills God's will for America! I don't know who that is but as I said in a post a couple of days ago I know God is in control! Pray he will bless our nation again as he has done so many times in our past!
Matthew 6:9 - 15
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Mark 11:24-26
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
We Bought a Zoo Review and the back story of the movie
Went to see We Bought A Zoo this evening. Pretty good movie but if you're hoping for a great comedy this isn't it. Lots of relationship stuff. Men and women relationships and father/son relationships. Nonetheless, it's a pretty good movie and worth seeing. The movie is based on the real life story of the Dartmoor Zoological Park which is located outside Plymouth, England. Might be a cool place to visit someday if I ever make it to England. Here's a YouTube video about the park.
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Adventures of Baxter and Tony
Episode 1 - Baxter and Tony Move a Red Bud Tree
I planted a red bud tree a few years ago and I put it too near the house. Today Baxter helped me move it. This is our story...
I absent-mindedly started moving the tree before I got a picture of it so here we are after I extracted the tree from its' original location too close to the house. (Actually, I got Laura and Kelsey to come take the picture. They weren't really dressed to be outside on a cool afternoon but they took a fine pic anyway.) I use the word extracted above because it came out about like you would imagine a dentist pulling a tooth. Not a pretty sight! Baxter and I pose in front of the beast resting on its' side. Baxter seems pleased!
Darned tree was too heavy to drag it across the lawn with the roots sticking out so I put it on a tarp to make it easier to drag. Also cut some of the big roots off of the root ball. I hope I didn't remove enough to kill it. We'll see.
I got the tree to the new location fairly unscathed. I used to have a red bud here a couple of years ago but a dry summer did it in. Hope this one fares better!
Baxter stands watch after we select the red bud's new home. He seemed pretty concerned about something across the street at the neighbor's house.
The tree's in the ground and good to go! Baxter inspects our work and seemed pleased although he never "christened" it, if you know what I mean!
Well, that's it. Episode 1 of "The Adventures of Baxter and Tony" ends successfully. The rogue red bud is safely encamped at it's new location. Ready for the rain that's coming tonight and tomorrow. Hope it lives and grows. Looks much better here and it should be happier because it has more room to spread out. Baxter could've been a little more help but at least he did no harm! That's not always the case.
I planted a red bud tree a few years ago and I put it too near the house. Today Baxter helped me move it. This is our story...
I absent-mindedly started moving the tree before I got a picture of it so here we are after I extracted the tree from its' original location too close to the house. (Actually, I got Laura and Kelsey to come take the picture. They weren't really dressed to be outside on a cool afternoon but they took a fine pic anyway.) I use the word extracted above because it came out about like you would imagine a dentist pulling a tooth. Not a pretty sight! Baxter and I pose in front of the beast resting on its' side. Baxter seems pleased!
I got the tree to the new location fairly unscathed. I used to have a red bud here a couple of years ago but a dry summer did it in. Hope this one fares better!
Baxter stands watch after we select the red bud's new home. He seemed pretty concerned about something across the street at the neighbor's house.
The tree's in the ground and good to go! Baxter inspects our work and seemed pleased although he never "christened" it, if you know what I mean!
Well, that's it. Episode 1 of "The Adventures of Baxter and Tony" ends successfully. The rogue red bud is safely encamped at it's new location. Ready for the rain that's coming tonight and tomorrow. Hope it lives and grows. Looks much better here and it should be happier because it has more room to spread out. Baxter could've been a little more help but at least he did no harm! That's not always the case.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Never Forget God's in Control (But This Still Frustrates...)
Atheists and leftists say they're for free expression but it sure seems that applies for everyone but Christians.This story via Hot Air reminds us about how dedicated some people are to muzzling the Christian message. Every time I see a story like this my first reaction is frustration. It seems like Christians should be angry and protesting in the streets to keep this kind of thing from happening. Then I remember that God is in charge. I don't know how He uses episodes like this but I'm sure He does. I'm also sure that no matter what we do God's will is being accomplished here on earth!
I don't know how this stuff affects non-believers or even people who are curious about Jesus but I know that as Christians we're to take the message of Christ to a needful world. Public nativity displays are a reminder of the "reason for the season" but are we just kidding ourselves that this is what brings people to Christ? Public displays of Christianity can be beautiful representations of the gospel message but I have my doubts that many people become believers because they see a nativity scene in a public park. Are we outraged at these situations because we think God is being insulted or is it because we're too lazy to find alternative ways to bring the message to those who don't know it?
God asks us to be instruments to bring his good news to those who don't know Jesus and He doesn't really need the city council of Santa Monica, CA or any other government agency to do his bidding. That's our task as His people, the body of Christ, empowered and instructed by the Holy Spirit! God will have His way in spite of atheists or earthly authorities! Maybe Christians outraged over these kinds of things need to direct our energy to prayer and maybe we need to become more effective at reaching people in a more personal and intimate way! How is God speaking to you to reach out to someone who doesn't know Christ? If we truly listen for God's voice I suspect He doesn't direct us to ask the government to do our job!
Romans 8:31 - 39
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I don't know how this stuff affects non-believers or even people who are curious about Jesus but I know that as Christians we're to take the message of Christ to a needful world. Public nativity displays are a reminder of the "reason for the season" but are we just kidding ourselves that this is what brings people to Christ? Public displays of Christianity can be beautiful representations of the gospel message but I have my doubts that many people become believers because they see a nativity scene in a public park. Are we outraged at these situations because we think God is being insulted or is it because we're too lazy to find alternative ways to bring the message to those who don't know it?
God asks us to be instruments to bring his good news to those who don't know Jesus and He doesn't really need the city council of Santa Monica, CA or any other government agency to do his bidding. That's our task as His people, the body of Christ, empowered and instructed by the Holy Spirit! God will have His way in spite of atheists or earthly authorities! Maybe Christians outraged over these kinds of things need to direct our energy to prayer and maybe we need to become more effective at reaching people in a more personal and intimate way! How is God speaking to you to reach out to someone who doesn't know Christ? If we truly listen for God's voice I suspect He doesn't direct us to ask the government to do our job!
Romans 8:31 - 39
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Life goes on....
A couple of thoughts on life in general. Thursday night we celebrated Kara's 21st birthday. Kara is the daughter of a family that is very close to ours and she grew up with our girls. Her birthday and our celebration of the same reminded me of something I wanted to write about.
I pay close attention to politics and have to admit I think our country is in a difficult place. Lots of political bickering while the country seemingly falls apart around us. I'm not really going to weigh-in on that right now but one thing that does strike me is how voices in the media and the political blogosphere focus on doom and gloom. I guess there are lots of things to worry about but I think all these voices fail to recognize the resilience of the American spirit.
Kara's birthday celebration reminded me that life pretty much goes on here in America. Kids grow up, they find a career, they find relationships and they find a way to make their way! Times are difficult for a lot of folks but God still watches over those who stay close to Him. America has prospered for these 235 years due to something called the American spirit. That spirit comes from faith in God and faith in the ideas of individual freedom and the right to govern ourselves. We hate being told how to live our lives. In spite of the troubles we presently face I have faith in the American people. They will determine our best way forward and they will elect representatives in local, state and federal government who are capable of finding that way!
History tells us that America is at her best when times are tough. The revolutionary war, the civil war, two world wars, a great depression, the Vietnam war, Watergate, all times in which many in the chattering class said that America was done. When those that supposedly know better than us said that our greatness was past! But out of those difficulties arose a stronger America. We will rise stronger today out of our present difficulties! Thank God for His blessing and for Americans who pray for our country!
Happy birthday Kara! Here's to the bright future to come for Kara, my daughters and all Americans. Dream big!
I pay close attention to politics and have to admit I think our country is in a difficult place. Lots of political bickering while the country seemingly falls apart around us. I'm not really going to weigh-in on that right now but one thing that does strike me is how voices in the media and the political blogosphere focus on doom and gloom. I guess there are lots of things to worry about but I think all these voices fail to recognize the resilience of the American spirit.
Kara's birthday celebration reminded me that life pretty much goes on here in America. Kids grow up, they find a career, they find relationships and they find a way to make their way! Times are difficult for a lot of folks but God still watches over those who stay close to Him. America has prospered for these 235 years due to something called the American spirit. That spirit comes from faith in God and faith in the ideas of individual freedom and the right to govern ourselves. We hate being told how to live our lives. In spite of the troubles we presently face I have faith in the American people. They will determine our best way forward and they will elect representatives in local, state and federal government who are capable of finding that way!
History tells us that America is at her best when times are tough. The revolutionary war, the civil war, two world wars, a great depression, the Vietnam war, Watergate, all times in which many in the chattering class said that America was done. When those that supposedly know better than us said that our greatness was past! But out of those difficulties arose a stronger America. We will rise stronger today out of our present difficulties! Thank God for His blessing and for Americans who pray for our country!
Happy birthday Kara! Here's to the bright future to come for Kara, my daughters and all Americans. Dream big!
I started this blog a long time ago but haven't used it very much. Lots of excuses and laziness on my part. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to start using it so tonight I begin. We'll see if I can keep it up but I'm going to try and post more regularly. If anyone's out there thanks for looking in. More to come....
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