Thursday, July 03, 2014
MIDDLE AMERICAN HUSTLE
Yesterday a man who can barely speak english, Rodriguez, came to the door. He want to coat our driveway. He did it before. Yes, we told him. A week before, Juan came, wanted to know if he could mow our grass. No. About a month ago Julio and his friend wanted to trim the locust tree in our front yard. I turned them down, but they were very effective. These guys hustle. They are looking to be of service. They aren't afraid to ask. Language is no barrier.
What bugs me however is this: Are they taking jobs someone else could do? Yet, where is Bill, Tom, or Joe? I see only brown at my door asking to do work... but no white or black faces ever show up at my door. Why?
I am always confident to have them do the work. They are good and clean up after themselves. I know some in my business who will not hire anyone who doesn't speak Spanish as a native tongue.
Not why but what. Have we lost our mojo as a nation?
From the SURGE conference:
I am haunted by the testimony of one of Apostle Axel Sippach spiritual sons Emmanuel Allen. It's one of those things that tells me the heart of real victory for a ministry in a community. I won't steal his thunder, it should be shared, but he and his wife Belinda Allen sold everything and moved to Glendale AZ by the instruction of God. Had nothing when they got there. He took a rake and began to clean up the area around where they lived. Now 5 years later he has favor with the city, has a building he uses for nothing furnished by the city, sits in seat of authority and pastors a work that matters. All from the heart of a rake in his hand.
One thing he said that rattled me and I hope a few others. IF you start cleaning up the outside of your community (that means picking up the garbage, raking up the debris, trimming off the dead wood and mowing the grass) to make things look better people will notice and join you. They did for him.
There are THOUSANDS of storefront churches in Chicago. On 120th st there is 20 in an 8 block stretch. YET garbage litters the street. Dirt on the sidewalks. Dead branches lying around. Howcome? IF they really took after the outside of the mess perhaps the inside of the mess would begin to come clean.
I am admonishing the pastors of Chicago to begin to clean up the area around where you worship. When someone comes to your church stepping over condoms, candy wrappers and coke cans isn't a suitable path for entering the Holy of Holies.
I have a personal clean up ministry. I don't talk about it much. On Saturdays I visit the parking lots of a few of the churches in our area and pick up beer cans, condoms and junk. Toss it in my pickup an dump it in a dumpster. It takes very little time and in the end people don't have to see the mess. Do this...
I am beginning to understand the world's political ineptness better.
We
have a globe full of people that play a scoreless meaningless game and a
nation of people who pick winners and losers. Yet our education
system keeps trying to ram a participation trophy down our kids throats.
NOPE. IF the USA lost (I don't have any idea how one would know) then
they lost. Losers. No trophy. Come on home. Put tail between legs.
I'm from Chicago. Home of the Cubs and the Bears. We know how to lose
but live to fight again. The world would be a better place if we
understood victory and defeat. It doesn't. It's all gray.
It’s funny how we can’t say “Merry Christmas” in America but I guess “Ramadan Kareem” is cool.
Read this official statement on Ramadan from B. Hussein Obama and make your own assessment, but I’m quite sure CAIR, ISNA, MAS, MPAC, and the many other Muslim Brotherhood-related organizations appreciate the shout out. After all, Obama administration Homeland Security Advisor Mohammed Elibiary has stated America is an “Islamic country” and our Constitution is “Islamically compliant.”
I do find it hilarious that liberal progressives accuse me of (gasp) treason for challenging the policies of Obama – I guess they on the other hand were just expressing their First Amendment rights when George W. Bush was president.
Statement by President Obama on the Occasion of Ramadan
On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I extend our best wishes to Muslim communities here in the United States and around the world on the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan.
A time for self-reflection and devotion through prayer and fasting, Ramadan is also an occasion when Muslims around the world reaffirm their commitment to helping the less fortunate, including those struggling because of economic hardship and inequality.
Here in the United States, we are grateful to the many Muslim American organizations, individuals, and businesses that are devoted to creating opportunity for all by working to reduce income inequality and poverty, not only through their charitable efforts, but also through their initiatives to empower students, workers and families with the education, skills and health care they deserve.
Ramadan also reminds us of our shared responsibility to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves and the basic principles that bind people of different faiths together: a yearning for peace, justice, and equality. At a moment when too many people around the world continue to suffer from senseless conflict and violence, this sacred time reminds us of our common obligations to pursue justice and peace and to uphold the dignity of every human being.
As I’ve done every year as President, I look forward to welcoming Muslim Americans from across the United States to the White House for an iftar dinner. It will be another opportunity for me to convey America’s appreciation for the contributions of Muslim Americans to our country and to wish Muslims around the world a month blessed with the joys of family, community, peace and understanding.
Ramadan Kareem
Read more at http://allenbwest.com/2014/07/
10 Things You Didn't Know About Pentecostals
Islam is not the fastest-growing faith family in the world.
Pentecostalism is. While Islam has gone from zero in 610 AD to 1.6
billion today (1,403 years), Pentecostalism went from zero to (about) a
billion from 1906 to the present day (107 years).
10 Things You Didn't Know About Pentecostals
Pentecostalism is. While Islam has gone from zero in 610 AD to 1.6
billion today (1,403 years), Pentecostalism went from zero to (about) a
billion from 1906 to the present day (107 years).
10 Things You Didn't Know About Pentecostals
10 Top Misconceptions About Pentecostal Christians
If you happen to tune into the Oxygen network's Preachers of L.A. or National Geographic Channel's Snake Salvation,
you might be tempted to believe all Pentecostals are either
money-grubbing charlatans or misguided rural bumpkins. But the truth is
never in the media stereotypes.
I'm a Pentecostal. I don't wear
that label on my sleeve, but I'm not ashamed to admit to anyone that I'm
a Christian who believes in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet when I
use the word Pentecostal to describe myself I get some funny looks.
Some
people think Pentecostals are brainless weirdos who go into
uncontrollable fits during religious services. They're surprised to
learn we have advanced degrees, own businesses, hold public office and
mobilize a lot of the world's charitable work.
To set the record straight, here are 10 facts about Pentecostals that might clear up the misconceptions:
10 Top Misconceptions About Pentecostal Christians
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
The Sins and Temptations of Young, Middle Aged, and Old Leaders |
I have been through various stages of growth and development in ministry
and character. Based on self-reflections and observations from years of
ministering to and with pastors and leaders in the church, I have
written the following article on some of the specific sins and
temptations most of us go through, based on our age and level of
experience.
The Sins and Temptations of Young, Middle Aged, and Old Leaders |
and character. Based on self-reflections and observations from years of
ministering to and with pastors and leaders in the church, I have
written the following article on some of the specific sins and
temptations most of us go through, based on our age and level of
experience.
The Sins and Temptations of Young, Middle Aged, and Old Leaders |
Just Don't.
"1. Don't ask me to PRAY, if you don't want God to move.
2. Don't ask me for TRUTH, if you want to still live a lie.
3. Don't ask for my TIME, if you're not going to value it.
4. Don't ask me for MONEY, if you're going to squander it.
5. Don't ask me for my WISDOM, if you're not going to implement it.
6. Don't ask to CONFIDE in me, if you don't trust me.
7. Don't INVITE me, if you're not going to welcome me.
8. Don't say you LOVE me, when by your ACTIONS you've proven to HATE me.
9. Don't talk ABOUT ME, when you have access to talk TO me.
10. In other words, before you attempt to DO any of these things that concerns or involves me, consider these things and... Just Don't."
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
10 Signs You Might be Under the Old Covenant:
1. You're pretty sure God is getting angry about all that sin
2. You live in fear of growing judgement of God against you, your city or your nation
3. You think the law is a good starting place to understand God and the Father
4. You tithe, avoid shrimp and keep the Sabbath (Insert other levitical laws) to qualify for blessing
5. The thought of God lighting up San Francisco or an Islamic nation gets you excited...
6. You believe the fire and judgment of God is more effective than his love
7. Most of your prayer life is dedicated to repenting for all the bad things you have done, or thought.
8. You believe the Old Testament brings right balance to the New Testament
9. If your fear of God's judgement is a wise precaution that keeps you from sinning more than his love
(This one may sting)
10. If you believe the reason you lost your job, that your child died, and you or your family got sick, got cancer -is because God was finally showing you who is boss, and punishing you for that horrible sin (adultery, pornography, cheating, stealing ect.)
*Extra credit*
11) This posting ticks you off, you are alarmed and your considering accusing me of being heretical.
This used to be me too. Sometimes I still get stuck here, especially in 1 or 2. However, it is not true. We now live in a better, brighter and more powerful covenant of grace and love stemming from faith in Jesus. If any or all of these apply to you, simply as Jesus to show you where you have come under the old covenant. Read Galatians 5 and consider that the whole and entire law was destroyed and the new Covenant in Jesus is way better. Do not come under any of it, not one letter.
**Disclaimer at the end of commercial in little tiny writing**
* I Do believe that God detests sin. So much so he actually crucified his son to cover and forgive it all.
* I do believe in one day of final judgement in the end of earth's time. I do not believe that day is years, a season or a phase.
* I do not believe we are in the "end times" where God is about to pour out all wrath. He already did that on Jesus and the old covenant.
2. You live in fear of growing judgement of God against you, your city or your nation
3. You think the law is a good starting place to understand God and the Father
4. You tithe, avoid shrimp and keep the Sabbath (Insert other levitical laws) to qualify for blessing
5. The thought of God lighting up San Francisco or an Islamic nation gets you excited...
6. You believe the fire and judgment of God is more effective than his love
7. Most of your prayer life is dedicated to repenting for all the bad things you have done, or thought.
8. You believe the Old Testament brings right balance to the New Testament
9. If your fear of God's judgement is a wise precaution that keeps you from sinning more than his love
(This one may sting)
10. If you believe the reason you lost your job, that your child died, and you or your family got sick, got cancer -is because God was finally showing you who is boss, and punishing you for that horrible sin (adultery, pornography, cheating, stealing ect.)
*Extra credit*
11) This posting ticks you off, you are alarmed and your considering accusing me of being heretical.
This used to be me too. Sometimes I still get stuck here, especially in 1 or 2. However, it is not true. We now live in a better, brighter and more powerful covenant of grace and love stemming from faith in Jesus. If any or all of these apply to you, simply as Jesus to show you where you have come under the old covenant. Read Galatians 5 and consider that the whole and entire law was destroyed and the new Covenant in Jesus is way better. Do not come under any of it, not one letter.
**Disclaimer at the end of commercial in little tiny writing**
* I Do believe that God detests sin. So much so he actually crucified his son to cover and forgive it all.
* I do believe in one day of final judgement in the end of earth's time. I do not believe that day is years, a season or a phase.
* I do not believe we are in the "end times" where God is about to pour out all wrath. He already did that on Jesus and the old covenant.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
IN HONOR OF THIS SPECIAL JULY 4TH WEEK
Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again.
Written by a USMC Vet. (I can't argue with any of it. Passing it along as it was received.)
He wrote:
The American Dream ended (on November 6th, 2012) in Ohio. The second term of Barack Obama will be the final nail in the coffin for the legacy of the white Christian males who discovered, explored, pioneered, settled and developed the greatest Republic in the history of mankind.
A coalition of Blacks, Latinos, Feminists, Gays, Government Workers, Union Members, Environmental Extremists, The Media, Hollywood, uninformed young people, the "forever needy," the chronically unemployed, illegal aliens and other "fellow travelers" have ended Norman Rockwell's America.
The Cocker Spaniel is off the front porch... The Pit Bull is in the back yard. The American Constitution has been replaced with Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" and Chicago shyster, David Axelrod, along with international Socialist George Soros will be pulling the strings on their beige puppet to bring us Act 2 of the New World Order.
Our side ran two candidates who couldn't even win their own home states, and Chris Christie helped Obama over the top with a glowing "post Sandy" tribute that elevated the "Commander-in-Chief" to Mother Teresa status. (Aside: with the way the polls were run, he didn't need any help!)
People like me are completely politically irrelevant, and I will never again comment on or concern myself with the aforementioned coalition which has surrendered our culture, our heritage and our traditions without a shot being fired.
You will never again out-vote these people. It will take individual acts of defiance and massive displays of civil disobedience to get back the rights we have allowed them to take away. It will take Zealots, not moderates & shy not reach-across-the-aisle RINOs to right this ship and restore our beloved country to its former status.
Those who come after us will have to risk their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to bring back the Republic that this generation has timidly frittered away due to "white guilt" and political correctness... An American Veteran......... Semper-Fi
Written by a USMC Vet. (I can't argue with any of it. Passing it along as it was received.)
He wrote:
The American Dream ended (on November 6th, 2012) in Ohio. The second term of Barack Obama will be the final nail in the coffin for the legacy of the white Christian males who discovered, explored, pioneered, settled and developed the greatest Republic in the history of mankind.
A coalition of Blacks, Latinos, Feminists, Gays, Government Workers, Union Members, Environmental Extremists, The Media, Hollywood, uninformed young people, the "forever needy," the chronically unemployed, illegal aliens and other "fellow travelers" have ended Norman Rockwell's America.
The Cocker Spaniel is off the front porch... The Pit Bull is in the back yard. The American Constitution has been replaced with Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" and Chicago shyster, David Axelrod, along with international Socialist George Soros will be pulling the strings on their beige puppet to bring us Act 2 of the New World Order.
Our side ran two candidates who couldn't even win their own home states, and Chris Christie helped Obama over the top with a glowing "post Sandy" tribute that elevated the "Commander-in-Chief" to Mother Teresa status. (Aside: with the way the polls were run, he didn't need any help!)
People like me are completely politically irrelevant, and I will never again comment on or concern myself with the aforementioned coalition which has surrendered our culture, our heritage and our traditions without a shot being fired.
You will never again out-vote these people. It will take individual acts of defiance and massive displays of civil disobedience to get back the rights we have allowed them to take away. It will take Zealots, not moderates & shy not reach-across-the-aisle RINOs to right this ship and restore our beloved country to its former status.
Those who come after us will have to risk their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to bring back the Republic that this generation has timidly frittered away due to "white guilt" and political correctness... An American Veteran......... Semper-Fi
When did our military become so picky?
You
don't qualify if you are fat, a felon, not a HS grad, have a tattoo
where it can be seen (Neck and Face), strange piercings (ear gauges),
Drug User, can't pass a simple test and are not being treated for ADHD.
Well that leaves out a lot of people. 71% of our young men and women between 17-34 are not eligible to join the Army. They don't qualify.
NOW...if it were up to me, I don't care about tattoos, Fat?, we'll fix that or you will die, ADHD... we'll keep your attention I promise, Ear Gauges (Your ears will heal), No HS diploma (we'll teach you and you'll have one when you leave), Felon? you'll be on a watch list but this is your chance for redemption. When I was young, if you committed a felonious offense joining up was a chance for redemption. We needed fodder for the cannons in Vietnam.
NOW...if it were up to me, I don't care about tattoos, Fat?, we'll fix that or you will die, ADHD... we'll keep your attention I promise, Ear Gauges (Your ears will heal), No HS diploma (we'll teach you and you'll have one when you leave), Felon? you'll be on a watch list but this is your chance for redemption. When I was young, if you committed a felonious offense joining up was a chance for redemption. We needed fodder for the cannons in Vietnam.
Back to Baseball
FIFA World Cup 2014 began on
Thursday, June 12
and ends on
Sunday, July 13
I thought the NCAA Final Four Countdown was long, I thought the NBA finals were protracted, some of these playoff sessions are crazy.. but a MONTH of SOCCER playoffs? HUH?
I already invested my 15 minutes.
Thursday, June 12
and ends on
Sunday, July 13
I thought the NCAA Final Four Countdown was long, I thought the NBA finals were protracted, some of these playoff sessions are crazy.. but a MONTH of SOCCER playoffs? HUH?
I already invested my 15 minutes.
Friday, June 27, 2014
You do know that the whole Obamacare fiasco is going to collapse don't you?
What is sad is that in the process he has damaged and injured the best
health care system in the world. Expensive and clumsy...but no sheik
from Saudi Arabia flies into Canada, Germany or England for health care
when they are sick. They fly to Cleveland or Rochester. WHY?.. best in
the world. We need reform.. not destruction
It DEPENDS
I
heard someone talk about King Belshazzar and the writing the wall
yesterday. In Chapter 5 verse 6 it describes his reaction to seeing
this disembodied hand reaching thru the veil and writing on the wall.
As I read the verse.. I saw something that I don't think most would see.
It says, "Then the king's countenance was changed in him, and his
thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his loins were
loosed, and his knees smote one against another". In other
translations it says the muscles on his loins were weakened. Now I can
see how a man might go pale, white as a ghost. I know knees knocking
makes sense.
BUT WHAT OF THIS LOOSE LOIN? THEN suddenly I got it. You will too. If you lose all muscle control from fear in your loins.. what happens? Loins are the area above your thigh and below your stomach. That area. Let's just say, a Depends might have made life easier right then.. but the Bible doesn't rub out noses in it (thankfully).
BUT WHAT OF THIS LOOSE LOIN? THEN suddenly I got it. You will too. If you lose all muscle control from fear in your loins.. what happens? Loins are the area above your thigh and below your stomach. That area. Let's just say, a Depends might have made life easier right then.. but the Bible doesn't rub out noses in it (thankfully).
NO VICTIM CAN RULE!
I have been thinking about this since I heard it. Truman was famous for saying the Buck STOPS Here. No victim he. If everything that happens to you is someone elses fault, if you are always being taken advantage of, if you know for sure you would have won if the other guy hadn't cheated.. you are a victim.
I am going to be bold. IF you see yourself as victimized by any person, group, race, institution or organization, you are never going to rule. You will always remain the tail and not the head. Being the victim gives power to someone who may not even know he or she has any. You lost already.
I think of this because our President is famous for being a victim and telling everyone else that they too are victimized. He is creating losers in his own image. A whole generation of victims have forfeited their destiny by the lies of the age. No one can be a victim without their consent. You CAN refuse.
IF you want to be the leader (Ruler) of any company, institution, nation, church, group or organization you cannot play the role of Victim. If you do you cannot rule.
The two are incompatible.
It's not what happens, it's what our response to what happens that makes us a victim. Bad things happen to people all the time. Things happen that are horrid. Things happen that could destroy them... yet people emerge from these very difficult situations with victory and overcoming.
Here's a secret. You will NOT rule and reign with Christ (future tense). You already rule and reign UNLESS you consent to being a victim. Victimization is not what happens, it's how we deal with it.
I have had a lot of hard things in my life.. I could complain... I refuse to be a victim. Victory is the opposite of victim. You can't have both. Once more... how you deal with setbacks, difficulties, undesirable situations, rejection, pain, disease and those who try to manipulate you that determines your level of consent. Victimization is a choice. I choose not to be one. Building a bridge and getting over it is a good way to live.
I am going to be bold. IF you see yourself as victimized by any person, group, race, institution or organization, you are never going to rule. You will always remain the tail and not the head. Being the victim gives power to someone who may not even know he or she has any. You lost already.
I think of this because our President is famous for being a victim and telling everyone else that they too are victimized. He is creating losers in his own image. A whole generation of victims have forfeited their destiny by the lies of the age. No one can be a victim without their consent. You CAN refuse.
IF you want to be the leader (Ruler) of any company, institution, nation, church, group or organization you cannot play the role of Victim. If you do you cannot rule.
The two are incompatible.
It's not what happens, it's what our response to what happens that makes us a victim. Bad things happen to people all the time. Things happen that are horrid. Things happen that could destroy them... yet people emerge from these very difficult situations with victory and overcoming.
Here's a secret. You will NOT rule and reign with Christ (future tense). You already rule and reign UNLESS you consent to being a victim. Victimization is not what happens, it's how we deal with it.
I have had a lot of hard things in my life.. I could complain... I refuse to be a victim. Victory is the opposite of victim. You can't have both. Once more... how you deal with setbacks, difficulties, undesirable situations, rejection, pain, disease and those who try to manipulate you that determines your level of consent. Victimization is a choice. I choose not to be one. Building a bridge and getting over it is a good way to live.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
I can go either way
The
two (so far) leading GOP candidates for 2016 against anyone so far the
Dems put up for President are Rand Paul and Ben Carson. I'm really OK
with either one. Both are moral decent men with a solid moral compass
unlike anyone in our current administration.
Bored
I
don't know what it means... but HBO and Cinemax had a free preview on
our sat system the last few days. I looked at the fare. ALL OF IT.
Nothing was of any interest to me at all. I don't know why culturally I
am so disconnected. I just don't find movies entertaining anymore.
30 years ago were asked to sponsor in a refugee from Romania.
This was
before the breakup of the Soviet Union. He arrived from Romania on the
airplane. We took him home. Gave him everything he wanted. It went
OK.. but there were cultural differences. We tried to teach him
english. It was a stressful time. He eventually left and is living out
west.
One thing I remember was his contention that he was an engineer. We took him to another Romanian American to see if there was any potential to leverage what he "Knew" to a job suitable to his ability. We learned that Engineer in Romania is about what a janitor is here. They go to school for a long time. Get a degree. In the end they learn how to change a light bulb and plug in an appliance, but that's about it. In other words his years of schooling amounted to teaching him to conform, to be a good party member, to behave and take the peanuts the central committee passed out.
What brings this up are the phony diplomas given to people today with zero skills and then the Ponzi scheme expands as they tell people that if you just got a masters or a doctorate you would be set for life. Instead they end up settling for the peanuts the puppet masters pass out. I hate the kind of slavery the left imposes on it's willing participants to keep them on the plantation. But that's how they keep getting re elected.
Socialism depends on Uninformed Unskilled Ignorance to succeed. Truth is power but you have to believe the truth.
One thing I remember was his contention that he was an engineer. We took him to another Romanian American to see if there was any potential to leverage what he "Knew" to a job suitable to his ability. We learned that Engineer in Romania is about what a janitor is here. They go to school for a long time. Get a degree. In the end they learn how to change a light bulb and plug in an appliance, but that's about it. In other words his years of schooling amounted to teaching him to conform, to be a good party member, to behave and take the peanuts the central committee passed out.
What brings this up are the phony diplomas given to people today with zero skills and then the Ponzi scheme expands as they tell people that if you just got a masters or a doctorate you would be set for life. Instead they end up settling for the peanuts the puppet masters pass out. I hate the kind of slavery the left imposes on it's willing participants to keep them on the plantation. But that's how they keep getting re elected.
Socialism depends on Uninformed Unskilled Ignorance to succeed. Truth is power but you have to believe the truth.
ONLY TWO THINGS EXIST IN LIFE:
What happens to us and how we react to those things.
We only really have control of ONE of those. Experiences divided by Expectations equal Disappointment. When disappointments come and we handle them without wisdom we amplify the negative consequence.
"Most People Are About As Happy As They Make Up Their Minds To Be." Quote from Abraham Lincoln.
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters". Epictetus
"Things are neither good nor bad but thinking they are makes it so". William Shakespeare (Rosenkrantz in Macbeth)
The events that happen to us are neutral. Our neighbor fell down the stairs a day ago. He is going to spend the rest of his life in an nursing home. How he thinks of this will make all the difference. We buried another neighbor yesterday. He had been unwell a long time. He made the decision to share his misery with all. He died very much alone and miserable.
I contrast that to a wonderful Christian Woman I knew. She had both legs amputated, was in pain, and yet was one of the most sunny happy people you ever saw. To the day she died she shared the love of Jesus. She never ever complained or argued with her pain. I was sad and yet when she died my first words were Praise God. (her suffering was over)
We need to restore the art of Stoicism in our culture. Stop the complaining. Stop the self pity. Stop the temper tantrums every time something doesn't go our way. Life is short.. live it well.. find joy. Find Peace.
By the way, that woman was my wife's grandmother... Ruth. No second hand here.
We only really have control of ONE of those. Experiences divided by Expectations equal Disappointment. When disappointments come and we handle them without wisdom we amplify the negative consequence.
"Most People Are About As Happy As They Make Up Their Minds To Be." Quote from Abraham Lincoln.
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters". Epictetus
"Things are neither good nor bad but thinking they are makes it so". William Shakespeare (Rosenkrantz in Macbeth)
The events that happen to us are neutral. Our neighbor fell down the stairs a day ago. He is going to spend the rest of his life in an nursing home. How he thinks of this will make all the difference. We buried another neighbor yesterday. He had been unwell a long time. He made the decision to share his misery with all. He died very much alone and miserable.
I contrast that to a wonderful Christian Woman I knew. She had both legs amputated, was in pain, and yet was one of the most sunny happy people you ever saw. To the day she died she shared the love of Jesus. She never ever complained or argued with her pain. I was sad and yet when she died my first words were Praise God. (her suffering was over)
We need to restore the art of Stoicism in our culture. Stop the complaining. Stop the self pity. Stop the temper tantrums every time something doesn't go our way. Life is short.. live it well.. find joy. Find Peace.
By the way, that woman was my wife's grandmother... Ruth. No second hand here.
Why I Yell
Then
Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: Behold,
the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your
fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon.
Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. And some of your own sons, who
will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they
shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of
Babylon.” Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you
have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security
in my days.”
(Isaiah 39:5-8 ESV)
There are days when I feel like Hezekiah. I want to give up. I want let it all go to hell in a handbasket. IF I live for 20 more years I might think at least there will be peace and security in my days. But then I look in the mirror. I think about my kids. About my grandchildren. About the generations to come and I say.. NO... I will stand hard against the decline, the evil, the demons who would destroy us.
I am not content to let it all go down the drain without crying out
(Isaiah 39:5-8 ESV)
There are days when I feel like Hezekiah. I want to give up. I want let it all go to hell in a handbasket. IF I live for 20 more years I might think at least there will be peace and security in my days. But then I look in the mirror. I think about my kids. About my grandchildren. About the generations to come and I say.. NO... I will stand hard against the decline, the evil, the demons who would destroy us.
I am not content to let it all go down the drain without crying out
Monday, June 23, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Summer Solstice in Chicago
It occurred this morning at 5:11AM.
Today's day length is 913 minutes.. longest day of the year.
In six months the shortest day will be 548 minutes long (365 minutes less than today).
SO get out and enjoy the day. For soon it will pass. Carpe Diem because Tempus Fugit. Besides sitting outside last night watching the sun go down and the beautiful fireflies coming out was so pleasant. Enjoy your life.. for it too FUGIT.
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