I have had much "Glory" in my life. High position. Travel. Executive station.
Mr, Herr, Sir, Mr. President (corporate), etc.
I have also had low position from difficulty, business failures, ministry failures.
When I am "Riding High" sometimes I feel like a fraud. Yes, I get the accolades but in the end I'm just me. This isn't false humility. This is the fact that I sometimes kick way beyond my coverage. I wonder sometimes if people really knew me for who I really am would they hold me in such esteem. But I am fortunate to have a few people who kick the poop out of me on this blog and call me all kinds of names. I am actually not easily offended.
Even Billy Graham in his heyday had Grady Nutt who had the right to come to him and say, "I regret to tell you Dr. Graham that once again sir, you are full of S___".
For those who tell me that, I actually appreciate it. My ego and arrogance is part of who I am and who I appear to be to others. On the other hand, inside sometimes I have self doubt. I guess we all do. My self doubt is the difference between the perceived Gene and the actual Gene. I wish there were less difference than there is. I try hard to be transparent but there are things about me I know that if others knew they might not like or love me the same as they do now.
I know theologically this is a lie of the Devil. In a conversation this Morning Pastor Phil Ressler wisely said, "Sometimes when we feel like this it's the devil saying, THE CROSS IS NOT ENOUGH". That was one of those REHMA words we all need sometime.
The Cross IS enough. I am worthy not because of who I am, Lord Knows, but because of who He is in me.
Pr Phil told me something else I never knew, The reason high church pastors wear robes is to cover the sinful man delivering the word of the Lord. That made some sense to me.
I'm not going to start wearing a robe but the idea that I am covered is a powerful truth.
So, I'll do what I do tomorrow morning, I'll wear the collar, I'll minister in the anointing of the Holy Ghost. I'll be the Called Man for the time and walk in the authority he provides within that call.
I have just been thru a humbling that helps me know, It's not about me, in my own flesh dwells NO GOOD THING.
Sometimes I just need to be reminded, even when I feel like a fraud, HE endorses the back of my phony spiritual check and makes it good.
Thank You Jesus
Saturday, July 21, 2007
90
Today a celebration is taking place. Yesterday according to my calender was the 90th birthday of Earl H Redlin, My uncle and a Father to me after the death of my parents.
If I had words I would express my appreciation for him in grand and glorious fashion. My loquacious manner wilts in trying to make fully clear to him what he means to me. I hope my actions have spoken louder than my many words.
He has had some hard bumps in the past year. Life has become more difficult. I wish it were not so. So does he.
He is 28 years my Senior. Before I was born he was at war in Italy fighting at Anzio where in one day more men died than have died in Iraq and Afghanistan together. Gee, now that I think of it, Italy didn't attack us, they didn't declare war on us, but we sent brave men like Earl with family and children at home to fight and many to die for the freedom those criticizing what our great President is doing in the middle east will never understand or appreciate.
When my Dad needed help in the Implement business Earl was there, when my folks died his family stepped up and took me and my siblings in, when the city needed leadership he led first as a councilman and then as the mayor, when the state needed a man to help make decisions he stepped up as a state senator (once even as a primary gubernatorial candidate), later in county government he helped as a leader until just 10 years ago. I have always thought he was a leader not truly appreciated by the city, state and county for whom he has given the bulk of his life selflessly.
When I was in Ellendale last month for it's 125th anniversary parade I watched the parade go by on streets that Mayor Earl had to fight to install as Mayor, the fact that water didn't spew up from people's sewers in the basement last month when the big rains came was because of the watershed management ditches he installed and the big convention in the Fieldhouse at Trinity Bible College exists because of a gift by another good man, Ray Ulmer and the college exists because there came a time that Mayor Earl signed a paper giving the whole campus to the Assemblies of God for a college. It remains and prospers to this day. Even though Ellendale will drift from 1400 to 800 people in the next 25 years unless something happens, the college will continue. This all documented in the book, "The Million Dollar Miracle". Ray Ulmer and Earl Redlin are in many ways the real unsung city fathers. All this time, making a living, farming, investing, making it all work. Every good thing they ever did was critisized and pilloried by the peanuts in the constituency they led. It has ever been so and someone needs to say it. We know who you are Earl Redlin.
You are a Father, a good man, a man who has seen more than people should have to see in his life.
His example is one it is impossible to ignore.
I won't.
Happy Birthday Uncle Earl, you are unique and yet a wonderful representation of Tom Brokaw's Greatest Generation.
Lead on, we'll follow in your footsteps.
If I had words I would express my appreciation for him in grand and glorious fashion. My loquacious manner wilts in trying to make fully clear to him what he means to me. I hope my actions have spoken louder than my many words.
He has had some hard bumps in the past year. Life has become more difficult. I wish it were not so. So does he.
He is 28 years my Senior. Before I was born he was at war in Italy fighting at Anzio where in one day more men died than have died in Iraq and Afghanistan together. Gee, now that I think of it, Italy didn't attack us, they didn't declare war on us, but we sent brave men like Earl with family and children at home to fight and many to die for the freedom those criticizing what our great President is doing in the middle east will never understand or appreciate.
When my Dad needed help in the Implement business Earl was there, when my folks died his family stepped up and took me and my siblings in, when the city needed leadership he led first as a councilman and then as the mayor, when the state needed a man to help make decisions he stepped up as a state senator (once even as a primary gubernatorial candidate), later in county government he helped as a leader until just 10 years ago. I have always thought he was a leader not truly appreciated by the city, state and county for whom he has given the bulk of his life selflessly.
When I was in Ellendale last month for it's 125th anniversary parade I watched the parade go by on streets that Mayor Earl had to fight to install as Mayor, the fact that water didn't spew up from people's sewers in the basement last month when the big rains came was because of the watershed management ditches he installed and the big convention in the Fieldhouse at Trinity Bible College exists because of a gift by another good man, Ray Ulmer and the college exists because there came a time that Mayor Earl signed a paper giving the whole campus to the Assemblies of God for a college. It remains and prospers to this day. Even though Ellendale will drift from 1400 to 800 people in the next 25 years unless something happens, the college will continue. This all documented in the book, "The Million Dollar Miracle". Ray Ulmer and Earl Redlin are in many ways the real unsung city fathers. All this time, making a living, farming, investing, making it all work. Every good thing they ever did was critisized and pilloried by the peanuts in the constituency they led. It has ever been so and someone needs to say it. We know who you are Earl Redlin.
You are a Father, a good man, a man who has seen more than people should have to see in his life.
His example is one it is impossible to ignore.
I won't.
Happy Birthday Uncle Earl, you are unique and yet a wonderful representation of Tom Brokaw's Greatest Generation.
Lead on, we'll follow in your footsteps.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
THE BIG BANG AND BUSH
Seemed like Big Bang should be in caps, so it is.
I am more and more convinced that the whole war on terrorism idea that has been so roundly criticized particularly in Iraq is and was a Big Bang.
What I mean is he did something that without his intention has turned out to be a radical crash and burn that has forever changed the world and in my opinion for the better. How can that be?
There may be many other things but in his own stumbling bumbling way George W Bush has done the equivalent of tearing down the Berlin Wall, Nixon opening China and securing the Pacific from the Japanese with the atom bomb. He didn't do it incrementally. Most great things aren't done incrementally. They are done with a big bang. People that believe you can accomplish anything incrementally are deceived. Those that thought we could have done this with diplomacy are idiots. With whom are you going to have these diplomatic discussions and agreements that will be kept? Hmmm? The same is true of the blinded quacks that think we can withdraw and "Work With" these radical wackos. It required a big bang and we got it.
In the end this whole adventure will be seen as the beginning of a renaissance in the middle east that tore down hierarchies, kingdoms, evil religious powers and corrupt governments. One can, and I do, only hope that the result will be a new and better world.
Oh, the nutcases won't go without a fight. But we will fight, we will suffer, we will win. It will take a very very long time but it will be worth it. We as Americans will have done what we always do, sacrifice ourselves for the good of the world. We did it in WWII, WWI and many other times.
I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud of George Bush. I don't think he knew what he was doing when he did it. But he had the courage in spite of those weak kneed left wing types.
I wish more things could or would be solved with a big bang. If I could I would do it with the religious climate in America. I would invade every church and run everyone out. Tell them they aren't welcome to come back unless they are willing to get serious about serving God. Oh, we'd still have evangelistic services and try to help people cross over. I just want the fence sitters to stay home till they get a big bang in their lives. I'm sick of pretenders to the Throne of Jesus believing they are seated as it says in Ephesians in Heavenly Places next to Him. They are no more seated, standing or in the throne room than a kangaroo. Worse than that some of these pretenders are on church councils, are deacons and even pastors. They need to find Jesus or stay at home. Stop playing religious games.
We need this big bang in the church. I am hoping and believing it will be a big bang of the Holy Ghost. I hope it will be soon. I'm sick of business as usual. The lukewarm climate in most of the Church in America is nauseating to Jesus too. Time to get hot or cold.
I have quit accommodating nominal Christians and nonbelievers. People who were raised in the church, maybe even baptized and confirmed, if they no longer believe the claims of Christ they are lost hell bound sinners. I won't try make them feel better. They need a big bang in their life. We need more Johnathan Edwards' in the pulpits of America. IF people stay away in droves, the handful that is left will be a start to making the Body of Christ red hot in love with Jesus as it was supposed to be. What we have now is religious anemia of the worst kind. Jesus despised religious people. They are the hardest to break. They need a big bang.
We need a big bang.
NOW!
I am more and more convinced that the whole war on terrorism idea that has been so roundly criticized particularly in Iraq is and was a Big Bang.
What I mean is he did something that without his intention has turned out to be a radical crash and burn that has forever changed the world and in my opinion for the better. How can that be?
- The evil that is radical Islam has been forever exposed
- Supposed unity in the Muslim world has been shown to be a false unity
- People who have been victims of tyranny at the hands of the mullahs and ayatollahs are moving from being victims to becoming responsible for their futures
- The Palestine issue is now about to come to resolution, it will be bloody but it will resolve.
- The invasion of Europe a drip drip drip at a time has been exposed and the invaders identified
- America is a more vigilant place than it was, we are less vulnerable to easy attack
- Christianity is making tremendous progress in the 10/40 window because of the Iraq and Afghan revolutions
- We as Americans are learning who we can depend on and who is just a sycophant who sucks up to us for no good reason
- We have identified those in our country who are weak and spineless and can keep them from coming to power again
There may be many other things but in his own stumbling bumbling way George W Bush has done the equivalent of tearing down the Berlin Wall, Nixon opening China and securing the Pacific from the Japanese with the atom bomb. He didn't do it incrementally. Most great things aren't done incrementally. They are done with a big bang. People that believe you can accomplish anything incrementally are deceived. Those that thought we could have done this with diplomacy are idiots. With whom are you going to have these diplomatic discussions and agreements that will be kept? Hmmm? The same is true of the blinded quacks that think we can withdraw and "Work With" these radical wackos. It required a big bang and we got it.
In the end this whole adventure will be seen as the beginning of a renaissance in the middle east that tore down hierarchies, kingdoms, evil religious powers and corrupt governments. One can, and I do, only hope that the result will be a new and better world.
Oh, the nutcases won't go without a fight. But we will fight, we will suffer, we will win. It will take a very very long time but it will be worth it. We as Americans will have done what we always do, sacrifice ourselves for the good of the world. We did it in WWII, WWI and many other times.
I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud of George Bush. I don't think he knew what he was doing when he did it. But he had the courage in spite of those weak kneed left wing types.
I wish more things could or would be solved with a big bang. If I could I would do it with the religious climate in America. I would invade every church and run everyone out. Tell them they aren't welcome to come back unless they are willing to get serious about serving God. Oh, we'd still have evangelistic services and try to help people cross over. I just want the fence sitters to stay home till they get a big bang in their lives. I'm sick of pretenders to the Throne of Jesus believing they are seated as it says in Ephesians in Heavenly Places next to Him. They are no more seated, standing or in the throne room than a kangaroo. Worse than that some of these pretenders are on church councils, are deacons and even pastors. They need to find Jesus or stay at home. Stop playing religious games.
We need this big bang in the church. I am hoping and believing it will be a big bang of the Holy Ghost. I hope it will be soon. I'm sick of business as usual. The lukewarm climate in most of the Church in America is nauseating to Jesus too. Time to get hot or cold.
I have quit accommodating nominal Christians and nonbelievers. People who were raised in the church, maybe even baptized and confirmed, if they no longer believe the claims of Christ they are lost hell bound sinners. I won't try make them feel better. They need a big bang in their life. We need more Johnathan Edwards' in the pulpits of America. IF people stay away in droves, the handful that is left will be a start to making the Body of Christ red hot in love with Jesus as it was supposed to be. What we have now is religious anemia of the worst kind. Jesus despised religious people. They are the hardest to break. They need a big bang.
We need a big bang.
NOW!
Ministry reaches the non-gifted
OCALA, Fla. — Cherie Blount struggled for twenty years to try to discover her personal gifts. Finally, she concluded: she has none.
"I am a wonderfully non-gifted member of God’s kingdom, and I’m not ashamed of that anymore," she says.
Blount no longer worries about whether she has a special skill or talent. Rather, she has used her experience to start a ministry called No Gift Required for people who have been through countless "find your gifting" and "Pathways" classes with no success. The ministry has spread to dozens of churches.
"All these years I felt I was born with a spiritual birth defect," says one man at a Sunday morning No Gift Required meeting in Tallahassee. "But here I feel bonded with other non-gifted people. It’s exciting for me."
No Gift Required’s curriculum conspicuously lacks any talk of purpose and destiny and instead focuses on general personal development. On occasions when people actually find they are gifted at something, they are asked to leave the class.
"It makes the rest of us uncomfortable," Blount says. "We politely request that they move on."
Non-gifted members feel they have an advantage over gifted people who have to spend so much time developing their special skill.
"It’s almost like being married," says one non-gifted person. "You’re chained to your talent, whereas non-gifted people have a real sense of freedom."
Gifted people sometimes drop by the non-gifted class out of curiosity.
"Honestly, it looks pretty relaxing," says one gifted man. "It must be nice to not feel ‘gift pressure.’"
For many, No Gift Required is a much-needed oasis.
"It’s a relief to have this struggle in my life removed," says one woman. "Now I don’t have to be gifted, I just have to be around."
SOURCE: Larknews.com
"I am a wonderfully non-gifted member of God’s kingdom, and I’m not ashamed of that anymore," she says.
Blount no longer worries about whether she has a special skill or talent. Rather, she has used her experience to start a ministry called No Gift Required for people who have been through countless "find your gifting" and "Pathways" classes with no success. The ministry has spread to dozens of churches.
"All these years I felt I was born with a spiritual birth defect," says one man at a Sunday morning No Gift Required meeting in Tallahassee. "But here I feel bonded with other non-gifted people. It’s exciting for me."
No Gift Required’s curriculum conspicuously lacks any talk of purpose and destiny and instead focuses on general personal development. On occasions when people actually find they are gifted at something, they are asked to leave the class.
"It makes the rest of us uncomfortable," Blount says. "We politely request that they move on."
Non-gifted members feel they have an advantage over gifted people who have to spend so much time developing their special skill.
"It’s almost like being married," says one non-gifted person. "You’re chained to your talent, whereas non-gifted people have a real sense of freedom."
Gifted people sometimes drop by the non-gifted class out of curiosity.
"Honestly, it looks pretty relaxing," says one gifted man. "It must be nice to not feel ‘gift pressure.’"
For many, No Gift Required is a much-needed oasis.
"It’s a relief to have this struggle in my life removed," says one woman. "Now I don’t have to be gifted, I just have to be around."
SOURCE: Larknews.com
God's view on Grass
I got this dispatch from Julie this morning. I know Krm is out there somewhere (I’m being sensitive to her needs so I write her name in Hebrew without vowels) and will enjoy this if Julie didn’t send it to her already. I wish my buddy Art had email. He doesn't and his fax machine is broken. Also for my brother and his wife who’s lawn is far too large, green, weed free and mown. This is also dedicated to Lord of Life Church which has far too much grass, far too few plants, far too much mulch and too few trees. I'm trying to help that but it's not easy. They keep wanting to mow too much.
According to this God must love me a lot although I have far too much grass in my yard still. Every year I take a little more back. Soon I’ll have none. I never rake leaves. Never. And my mower is broken. I never ever ever water grass. Grass is supposed to go dormant. Plus, dormant grass will overtake the crab. AND, I only kill the dandelions. I’ll say 20 hail Mary’s and that’ll take care of that sin.
From a theologically flawed but ecologically accurate perspective here’s a conversation between God and St. Francis of Assisi who was the first horticulturalist of note:
GOD:
Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.
St. FRANCIS;
It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
GOD:
Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colorful . It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
ST. FRANCIS:
Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD:
The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS:
Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes twice a week.
GOD:
They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANCIS:
Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD:
They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANCIS:
No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD:
Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANCIS:
Yes, Sir.
GOD:
These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS:
You aren't going to believe this, Lord When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD:
What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.
St. FRANCIS:
You better sit down, Lord The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay To have them hauled away.
GOD:
No. What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANCIS:
After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD:
And where do they get this mulch?
ST . FRANCIS:
They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD:
Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE
Dumb and Dumber", Lord. It's a story about....
GOD:
Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St . Francis.
According to this God must love me a lot although I have far too much grass in my yard still. Every year I take a little more back. Soon I’ll have none. I never rake leaves. Never. And my mower is broken. I never ever ever water grass. Grass is supposed to go dormant. Plus, dormant grass will overtake the crab. AND, I only kill the dandelions. I’ll say 20 hail Mary’s and that’ll take care of that sin.
From a theologically flawed but ecologically accurate perspective here’s a conversation between God and St. Francis of Assisi who was the first horticulturalist of note:
GOD:
Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.
St. FRANCIS;
It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
GOD:
Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colorful . It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
ST. FRANCIS:
Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD:
The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS:
Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes twice a week.
GOD:
They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANCIS:
Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD:
They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANCIS:
No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD:
Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANCIS:
Yes, Sir.
GOD:
These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS:
You aren't going to believe this, Lord When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD:
What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.
St. FRANCIS:
You better sit down, Lord The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay To have them hauled away.
GOD:
No. What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANCIS:
After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD:
And where do they get this mulch?
ST . FRANCIS:
They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD:
Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE
Dumb and Dumber", Lord. It's a story about....
GOD:
Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St . Francis.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Two Generations of genes
This is a picture of my dad from 1950 when he was about 40 Years old. He was on the hospital board.
And, This is a picture of Kevin, 35, taken last week.
Who said that genetics don't count for much. Dad was a good looking man, Kevin has his nose and hairline. People always said I looked like Ralph (my dad). I don't think I hold a candle to the uncanny resemblance Kevin has to him at the basically same age.
You have good genes Kevin, enjoy them. Even if we never learned to grow hair. Aww, hair was overrated anyway.
I didn't think it would be this hard
Last night Kevin and I sat up till nearly 1AM trying to get things to work in the major upgrade to century 21 technically speaking.
This computer stuff is really hard to get right. We haven't YET.
Here's where we are SO FAR. I am now high speed. 6 meg downloads. Pretty quick.
I can send and recieve emails but not on the new machine with any kind of a mail host I want to use like outlook, outlook express or thunderbird.
It appears that Gates and Company didn't think you or I would want our dumb old address books when we moved to Vista. Or all those old email messages. Or our settings.
Ditto with the Favorites list from Firefox.
Kevin and I think we are pretty smart cookies and not easily beset by much. This has beset us some.
It's 9AM. He's not up yet. I am. I'm already fighting the battle. But then I'll get a nap.
Here's a word of advice. If you don't HAVE to upgrade to Microsoft Vista DON'T. It doesn't really work.
A year or 18 months from now it might. I recall XP had issues at the beginning. Vista has issues. Lots of issues.
I would call Microsoft Support in Bangalore India for help but my Hindi is a bit rusty.
This computer stuff is really hard to get right. We haven't YET.
Here's where we are SO FAR. I am now high speed. 6 meg downloads. Pretty quick.
I can send and recieve emails but not on the new machine with any kind of a mail host I want to use like outlook, outlook express or thunderbird.
It appears that Gates and Company didn't think you or I would want our dumb old address books when we moved to Vista. Or all those old email messages. Or our settings.
Ditto with the Favorites list from Firefox.
Kevin and I think we are pretty smart cookies and not easily beset by much. This has beset us some.
It's 9AM. He's not up yet. I am. I'm already fighting the battle. But then I'll get a nap.
Here's a word of advice. If you don't HAVE to upgrade to Microsoft Vista DON'T. It doesn't really work.
A year or 18 months from now it might. I recall XP had issues at the beginning. Vista has issues. Lots of issues.
I would call Microsoft Support in Bangalore India for help but my Hindi is a bit rusty.
Of God's and Goddesses
Regarding the previous post of the worship of Gaia the earth goddess which is behind much of environmentalism:
It's very interesting that people who don't know much about God question that ancient gods and goddesses have influence. In this case, I believe it's important that they are educated on false gods and goddesses.
Here's the facts:
I said that Gaia is a goddess. She is. She is a false god but she is real in the spiritual sense. As are all other gods or goddesses people put themselves in slavery to.
Even in the Church of Jesus there are people in slavery to false gods. I wrote some time ago about the fact that many, maybe most Churches in America are filled with people who worship at the altar of the demon spirit of the false god Baal. I didn't get much objection to that. The fact that I am getting some flack on this means that I have hit a nerve.
Outside the Church demon inspired false god and goddess worship is even more rampant. We as Christians must identify the false gods and goddesses and the spirits behind them. We must reject the worship of these demon inspired dieitiys.
I want to steward the world in which I live. I don't want to worship it.
That's the problem with the demon spirit Gaia, it has replaced stewardship with worship.
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me saith the Lord, for I am a Jealous God.
I think He's not kidding. I wouldn't go there.
It's very interesting that people who don't know much about God question that ancient gods and goddesses have influence. In this case, I believe it's important that they are educated on false gods and goddesses.
Here's the facts:
- There is no other God but God the Father as revealed in the Bible, BUT, There are other gods.
- Other gods are those things that we submit ourselves to in worship or adoration.
- Other gods are those things that hold themselves up (strongholds) against the knowledge of the True God
- When God said in the ten commandments, Thou Shalt have no other gods before me, He was saying that in fact there are other gods.
- All the gods of history from Europe, Asia, Africa and the uttermost parts of the earth, gods of mythology, gods of history, gods of Ancient Rome are gods in fact when that test is administered. .
- Those gods are identifiable by the sense of the spirit behind them. Each god carries an idolatry that takes away from, replaces and counterfeits worship of the true God.
- While the gods and goddesses of old are just an image of wood, stone or some other symbol there is a demon spirit that is behind the worship of those symbols.
- That demon spirit wants to divert attention away from the worship of the True God to some other false god.
- The devil is the enemy of God and his scheme is to mask seemingly innocent activities into idol worship.
I said that Gaia is a goddess. She is. She is a false god but she is real in the spiritual sense. As are all other gods or goddesses people put themselves in slavery to.
Even in the Church of Jesus there are people in slavery to false gods. I wrote some time ago about the fact that many, maybe most Churches in America are filled with people who worship at the altar of the demon spirit of the false god Baal. I didn't get much objection to that. The fact that I am getting some flack on this means that I have hit a nerve.
Outside the Church demon inspired false god and goddess worship is even more rampant. We as Christians must identify the false gods and goddesses and the spirits behind them. We must reject the worship of these demon inspired dieitiys.
I want to steward the world in which I live. I don't want to worship it.
That's the problem with the demon spirit Gaia, it has replaced stewardship with worship.
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me saith the Lord, for I am a Jealous God.
I think He's not kidding. I wouldn't go there.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Neo-Pagan Worship of Gaia
Just to be clear, I don't care how sincere you are in worshipping what you worship, if it's wrong, if it's pagan you are going to go to HELL.
Now, that I have irritated you let's look at what's happening in the world.
We just came off a weekend last where pagan goddess worship was rampant around the world. Live Earth. It was initiated by a good man but one who in an attempt to do good has fallen into a trap. Al Gore.
He has unintentionally endorsed the oldest religion of all. Pagan Earth Worship. The Worship of the goddess Gaia.
People around the world are being drawn into the worship of the earth by the drumbeat of environmentalism. We are being told that we must save the planet. That the planet is our mother. That if mother dies we die.
God's hand in all this never comes up.
This is pure and simple goddess worship. Gaia is and was a strong pagan god. As Christians we must rise up against this evil spirit and while respecting and and operating in good stewardship of the creation God has given us not allow ourselves to be drawn into the whole sacrifice to the goddess of Gaia in the form of Man made Global Warming propaganda conspiracy.
Gaia is a false but real goddess. She has risen up ever so stealthily against the knowledge of God as a stronghold. We can tear down that stronghold only by the truth. The media and modern culture has bought and is promoting the Gaia as goddess lie without knowing it.
It all seems so good. It all seems so right. Meanwhile millions are led off the edge of the earth into oblivion without hope. Only the Truth of Jesus will save souls from the deception of Gaia.
Now, that I have irritated you let's look at what's happening in the world.
We just came off a weekend last where pagan goddess worship was rampant around the world. Live Earth. It was initiated by a good man but one who in an attempt to do good has fallen into a trap. Al Gore.
He has unintentionally endorsed the oldest religion of all. Pagan Earth Worship. The Worship of the goddess Gaia.
People around the world are being drawn into the worship of the earth by the drumbeat of environmentalism. We are being told that we must save the planet. That the planet is our mother. That if mother dies we die.
God's hand in all this never comes up.
This is pure and simple goddess worship. Gaia is and was a strong pagan god. As Christians we must rise up against this evil spirit and while respecting and and operating in good stewardship of the creation God has given us not allow ourselves to be drawn into the whole sacrifice to the goddess of Gaia in the form of Man made Global Warming propaganda conspiracy.
Gaia is a false but real goddess. She has risen up ever so stealthily against the knowledge of God as a stronghold. We can tear down that stronghold only by the truth. The media and modern culture has bought and is promoting the Gaia as goddess lie without knowing it.
It all seems so good. It all seems so right. Meanwhile millions are led off the edge of the earth into oblivion without hope. Only the Truth of Jesus will save souls from the deception of Gaia.
The GATES of HELL Shall NOT Prevail
I just bought a new computer. It came preloaded with Vista and Office 2007.
If you ever had any question that Bill Gates and Microsoft were the Antichrist and that Microsoft was the mark of the beast, owning those two travesties will cure you of any waffling in that regard.
They are an abomination unto the Lord; and to me.
So, I will now wipe my hard drive clean and install XP, a much more Godly operating system and resinstall Office 2000 in all it's Holiness.
I know these both came from the same pit of Hell, but I can't for the life of me make Vista work. And Office 2000? YIKES!!!!!
So, bye to Vista for now. I may try to isolate it in a partition and if at some far future point a major exorcism takes place and allows Vista to stand before the throne of Gene (Seated in Heavenly Places) I'll not use it for now.
Why are we in computerland always the alpha and beta test sites for Microsoft's crappy software?
But we are and all we like sheep are led astray into believing that it actually works.
We are, above all men, deceived.
If you ever had any question that Bill Gates and Microsoft were the Antichrist and that Microsoft was the mark of the beast, owning those two travesties will cure you of any waffling in that regard.
They are an abomination unto the Lord; and to me.
So, I will now wipe my hard drive clean and install XP, a much more Godly operating system and resinstall Office 2000 in all it's Holiness.
I know these both came from the same pit of Hell, but I can't for the life of me make Vista work. And Office 2000? YIKES!!!!!
So, bye to Vista for now. I may try to isolate it in a partition and if at some far future point a major exorcism takes place and allows Vista to stand before the throne of Gene (Seated in Heavenly Places) I'll not use it for now.
Why are we in computerland always the alpha and beta test sites for Microsoft's crappy software?
But we are and all we like sheep are led astray into believing that it actually works.
We are, above all men, deceived.
Intimidation
I have been at a couple of events in the last two weeks. Ellendale Reunion and 125th anniversary and the IPHC E-4 Conference annual meeting. I was credentialed once again.
But, I am somewhat intimidated. If you have noted a slight vanilla form in this blog of late that is the product of intimidation.
I heard many many times in Ellendale, "Hey Gene, I read your blog." Fine, I'm glad they do, hello out there in Blogdom.
More intimidating is at the conference people I respect, folks with PhD's, Folks who are peer or better are reading this humble blog and all it's bluster. I frankly was comfortable when it was a couple dozen family members, a few others, some friends, some long time blog acquaintances, and a bunch of pastors and church members from the various fellowships I am affiliated that read it.
Now that list is much larger. Much larger. Much larger than I knew. I am intimidated. I should behave. I should dumb down and take out the energy or passion I write with. I did. Knowing these people I respect greatly are reading what I write makes me think carefully and carve my words.
Add to that the affirmations I received this last weekend at the conference from Men of God of a national platform confirming and affirming the giftings God has placed in this jar of clay. They didn't know me from Adam. But, they prophetically saw and confirmed twice the prophetic gift in me by the grace of God. I am pleased and twice intimidated. Not only are people reading what I am writing, but they are reading it with the understanding and expectation that I write sometimes in the anointing of the Holy Ghost as a prophet.
No pressure there.
I have decided that I am what I am. The fact that I am read and recognized won't change who I am. I will be faithful to the call on my life. I will write and prophesy with the same fervor I ever did before I knew how many people were reading this.
When it is a prophetic utterance you will know. When it's just Gene spouting off you will know that too.
I hope whichever TRIBE you are reading this from you will read it with the understanding that I write for a wider audience than I thought I did.
I'm from Ellendale North Dakota, So I am of the tribe of Dakota. Some of my readers are fellow Dakotans, we are tribal brothers and sisters. We may not get along all the time, but we are brothers and sisters.
I'm a Redlin, from the tribe of Redlins. It's a big tribe. We are having a tribal gathering in a few weeks at Watertown SD to meet other tribal members and in part to honor those Sr Tribal members. Even Terry Redlin.
I'm from the tribe of Pentecostals. I was born into this tribe in the Spirit. There are other tribes. Catholic tribes, Methodist tribes, Baptist tribes, Lutheran tribes. I can pow wow with those tribes but in the end I am a pentecostal and when I go to war with the enemy I go to war with the warpaint of a Pentecostal. It's a fearful warpaint and I know the enemy hates it when he sees the stripes of the Pentecostal across the face of a warrior. It scares hell out of him or more accurately scares him to hell. I know the other tribes have other paint schemes. I think it's good if you are puffing the pipe of peace. But if I have to go to war, I want the brother and sister on either side of me painted with the fierceness of Pentecost.
I want to know that when the battle comes we will lock arms and run to the battle without looking back. Not fearing for our lives.
I mentioned at a previous post the Call in Nashville. I have heard of some of the things that went on. Where 60,000 gathered in Titan Stadium to pray and do warfare for the soul of America.
One thing that impressed me, when the call for martyrdom came, nearly 100% of those attending signed up to be martyred if necessary. I wasn't there but I'm signing up. I hope it's not necessary but I want to be counted among those ready to put on the warpaint and go to the front and battle the enemy.
Who shall go? Send me Lord, Send me.
But, I am somewhat intimidated. If you have noted a slight vanilla form in this blog of late that is the product of intimidation.
I heard many many times in Ellendale, "Hey Gene, I read your blog." Fine, I'm glad they do, hello out there in Blogdom.
More intimidating is at the conference people I respect, folks with PhD's, Folks who are peer or better are reading this humble blog and all it's bluster. I frankly was comfortable when it was a couple dozen family members, a few others, some friends, some long time blog acquaintances, and a bunch of pastors and church members from the various fellowships I am affiliated that read it.
Now that list is much larger. Much larger. Much larger than I knew. I am intimidated. I should behave. I should dumb down and take out the energy or passion I write with. I did. Knowing these people I respect greatly are reading what I write makes me think carefully and carve my words.
Add to that the affirmations I received this last weekend at the conference from Men of God of a national platform confirming and affirming the giftings God has placed in this jar of clay. They didn't know me from Adam. But, they prophetically saw and confirmed twice the prophetic gift in me by the grace of God. I am pleased and twice intimidated. Not only are people reading what I am writing, but they are reading it with the understanding and expectation that I write sometimes in the anointing of the Holy Ghost as a prophet.
No pressure there.
I have decided that I am what I am. The fact that I am read and recognized won't change who I am. I will be faithful to the call on my life. I will write and prophesy with the same fervor I ever did before I knew how many people were reading this.
When it is a prophetic utterance you will know. When it's just Gene spouting off you will know that too.
I hope whichever TRIBE you are reading this from you will read it with the understanding that I write for a wider audience than I thought I did.
I'm from Ellendale North Dakota, So I am of the tribe of Dakota. Some of my readers are fellow Dakotans, we are tribal brothers and sisters. We may not get along all the time, but we are brothers and sisters.
I'm a Redlin, from the tribe of Redlins. It's a big tribe. We are having a tribal gathering in a few weeks at Watertown SD to meet other tribal members and in part to honor those Sr Tribal members. Even Terry Redlin.
I'm from the tribe of Pentecostals. I was born into this tribe in the Spirit. There are other tribes. Catholic tribes, Methodist tribes, Baptist tribes, Lutheran tribes. I can pow wow with those tribes but in the end I am a pentecostal and when I go to war with the enemy I go to war with the warpaint of a Pentecostal. It's a fearful warpaint and I know the enemy hates it when he sees the stripes of the Pentecostal across the face of a warrior. It scares hell out of him or more accurately scares him to hell. I know the other tribes have other paint schemes. I think it's good if you are puffing the pipe of peace. But if I have to go to war, I want the brother and sister on either side of me painted with the fierceness of Pentecost.
I want to know that when the battle comes we will lock arms and run to the battle without looking back. Not fearing for our lives.
I mentioned at a previous post the Call in Nashville. I have heard of some of the things that went on. Where 60,000 gathered in Titan Stadium to pray and do warfare for the soul of America.
One thing that impressed me, when the call for martyrdom came, nearly 100% of those attending signed up to be martyred if necessary. I wasn't there but I'm signing up. I hope it's not necessary but I want to be counted among those ready to put on the warpaint and go to the front and battle the enemy.
Who shall go? Send me Lord, Send me.
Monday, July 16, 2007
A Question Every Church Leaders Must Answer
What kind of church do you love to attend? What kind of service really does something for you?
Do you pastor or lead that kind of church or service?
If you are a Pastor, Worship Leader, Elder, or any other kind of church leadership, the question is apt.
What kind of Church would you attend if you could, Or when or where have you attended church when it really was deeply meaningful, moving, motivating and lasted a long time.
If the last church service you led or were part of leading wasn't that kind of service, I have a question for you.
WHY?
Why in the world do you expect anyone to attend the service you don't like to attend? Why do you conduct or participate in a church service you wouldn't like to participate in.
Why in the world are you leading a church you don't really even want to be part of?
I know what I love, and if someone came to the kind of service I resonate with and didn't like it, I would say, "There's a franchise down the street, perhaps you should go there". Wave goodbye and feel good about it. I have done so. We don't know who we are and what we stand for. If people don't like it they will vote with their feet. If you have already had some of that, figure out what you like, do that. Others will buy into it.
Trader Joes grocery store had made a good living out of the idea that they only carry product THEY LIKE. If you don't like what they like, you can go elsewhere. If you go to Trader Joes expect some things strange and wonderful.
Too many grocers and too many churches try to be all things to all people. Too much vanilla is nauseating.
Pastor, start leading the services you would want to attend. Who knows, others might like it too.
Trader Joes does OK with that philosophy.
You should expect to buy product loved by the ownership and management. Why should Church be any differeny.
Do you pastor or lead that kind of church or service?
If you are a Pastor, Worship Leader, Elder, or any other kind of church leadership, the question is apt.
What kind of Church would you attend if you could, Or when or where have you attended church when it really was deeply meaningful, moving, motivating and lasted a long time.
If the last church service you led or were part of leading wasn't that kind of service, I have a question for you.
WHY?
Why in the world do you expect anyone to attend the service you don't like to attend? Why do you conduct or participate in a church service you wouldn't like to participate in.
Why in the world are you leading a church you don't really even want to be part of?
I know what I love, and if someone came to the kind of service I resonate with and didn't like it, I would say, "There's a franchise down the street, perhaps you should go there". Wave goodbye and feel good about it. I have done so. We don't know who we are and what we stand for. If people don't like it they will vote with their feet. If you have already had some of that, figure out what you like, do that. Others will buy into it.
Trader Joes grocery store had made a good living out of the idea that they only carry product THEY LIKE. If you don't like what they like, you can go elsewhere. If you go to Trader Joes expect some things strange and wonderful.
Too many grocers and too many churches try to be all things to all people. Too much vanilla is nauseating.
Pastor, start leading the services you would want to attend. Who knows, others might like it too.
Trader Joes does OK with that philosophy.
You should expect to buy product loved by the ownership and management. Why should Church be any differeny.
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