My 9/11 musing...

September 11, 2001 was when the world changed forever. We all remember where we were when the most horrifying attack on our soil happened on that morning. The world as we knew it changed. From a world in which we all felt content and safe, to one that brought about such fear and anxiousness. Our nation was attacked by men from a radical Muslim upbringing who hated our way of life in the modern western world.

The term Islam came into our vocabulary and we came to learn about it and equate it with 5th century barbarianism. Stoning of women, the beheading of innocents, genital mutilation and the persecution of all that don't believe (and follow) the writings of the 5th century prophet, Mohammad. Americans drew lines in the sand, Islam vs Every Other  Religion in the world. Cries for "tolerance" were screamed from the left.

The recent news accounts of the preacher in Florida that planned a public burning of the Koran has made me muse on what I, as a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, should feel about all this kerfuffle surrounding this. I personally believe that the preacher has the constitutional right to do this. The same rights that Nazis and KKK members have the right to assemble, burning a flag or photographing a Crucifix in a jar of urine and calling it art . We can condemn their sensibilities for doing these things but we cannot and should not stop them.

Yet, I believe that the Muslim religion is a false religion (as all other religions other that Christianity) The belief that Jesus Christ died for our sins and faith in Him is the only way to Heaven is the only true faith. I do not believe that there are many roads to the Lord. That is the Devil's lie and can be traced all the way back to the Garden of Eden. The Lord is a jealous God and He will not be mocked. One my favorite examples of the consequences of following a God other than the God of Abraham, Isaac and Moses is found in 1 Kings 18:17-46

¹⁷ When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?"
 ¹⁸ "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals. ¹⁹ Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
 ²⁰ So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. ²¹ Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
      But the people said nothing.
 ²² Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. ²³ Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. ²⁴ Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God."
      Then all the people said, "What you say is good."
 ²⁵ Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." ²⁶ So they took the bull given them and prepared it.
      Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
 ²⁷ At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." ²⁸ So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. ²⁹ Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.
 ³⁰ Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. ³¹ Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." ³² With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs ^[a] of seed. ³³ He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood."
 ³⁴ "Do it again," he said, and they did it again.
      "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. ³⁵ The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.
 ³⁶ At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. ³⁷ Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."
 ³⁸ Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
 ³⁹ When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!"
 ⁴⁰ Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

The modern day prophets of Baal would probably believe that all Elijah needed to do was chill and be more tolerant

Anniversary musing...

Rebirth. For many this carries a religious connotation. But for me that is how I describe the day I met my soul mate, Leslie. On a beautiful September day in 2003. A "setup" by mutual friends that I have come to believe were the vessels God used to do His work.

The setting was a camping area down by the Missouri River, south of Hartsburg, MO. We were going to do some guitar pickin' and drinkin' around a fire with some locals. Leslie was a singer for my friend Joe's C&W band and when you are playing guitar, a female voice is greatly appreciated. The stage had been set.

Leslie arrived and from the very beginning I realized that she was different. She was everything I was not. I am more reserved and quiet but she was..let's say..refreshingly exuberant. Fresh. New. Exciting. We hugged  and started talking like we had known each other for years. Her smile and laughter was infectious. She made me laugh, smile, feel good about myself. She was a delight. She touched my soul.

We sat around the fire...I played guitar..I sang a song..She fed me crab dip from her finger.

We sat in an old porch swing and talked..and laughed ..and shouted "Me too!!!"

We took a walk and I reached for her hand...a perfect fit...a moonlit path...our first kiss.

I told everyone that I was "smitten"..but...in all reality I was in love. Love at first sight is something that one may never experience. Yet, I did. It was like I was reborn. A new man. An empty life fulfilled.

A year later to the day, we were married in Bedford, TX. (A mere formality, since I cleaved to that woman on that magical night)

                           Happy Anniversary Sweet Pea!!

Thank ___ for all you have done

I wonder what he will say when he is "standing" in front of Him?

My world in review.....

I grow weary when America's paid marionettes (aka Hollywood media) want to tell me, technically their employer, how much of a stupid, bigoted, homophobic, gun-toting, Bible thumping idiot I am for having a view that is not the same as their views or causes. Many an actor or producer/director has turned me against even watching a movie they are in. It makes me mad that there are so many good actors out there that are so far in the left wing, progressive fever swamp I can't bring myself to watch them perform. Sean Penn, Danny Glover, Susan Saranden, Barbara Striesand, George Clooney, etc, etc. etc all have such contempt for someone that thinks, believes and votes like me. Tom Hanks has lost me in the last 3-4 years with his anti- Catholic (anti-Christian) movies from that heretic Dan Brown. But the director of those horrid movies was Ron Howard. A very gifted director who has moved so far to the left and toward progressive causes. (It's sad. The people he dislikes most are the people that grew up with him and were his biggest fans)

Finally, pay back has arrived! Clint Howard, Ron's brother and frequent actor in his brother's movies has done a conservative video for for Heritage Action

for American, the new grassroots advocacy arm of The Heritage Foundation.

Cooper the Hoarder

Has been a while since last post. Haven't been available mentally or physically to come up with a new post, and from the enormous amount of comments it seems that I am shouting into an empty cyberhole anyway. Just wanted to speak about Cooper tonight.

As I posted earlier, Copper is my dog given to me by lovely wife for my fiftieth birthday. He is a, shall I say, a very "unique" specimen of the canine world. He is mixture of Shih Tzu -Lhasa Apso- Poodle mix. (I nicknamed him a Shits-a-lotta-poo)  He was supposed to have been the size full grown like in the picture below.

Oh...isn't he cute!...and small

But he grew larger,,,and larger....and larger

and this is from his slimmer days.=============>

Now , on top of being 4 times the size we expected, he has become somewhat of a hoarder. Like those poor people that have the mental condition that makes them want to hoard things. He will gather all his toys and pile them up in the middle of the floor and stand vigilant guard over them. He possessively growls and shows his teeth whenever we even look like we will come close to "his area". Soul-mate thinks it is so cute and funny but I feel it has evolved into somewhat of a psycho mental condition in my opinion. Hopefully there won't be a news account on the Fox2 @ 9 of a "Man loses hand trying to clear a path to his door...wife found buried under pile of chew toys"

Sunday night musings...

Ahhhhh! All is good! Soul-mate made it home and the dogs and I are so happy that the pack is now complete. The dogs can now feel like they can eat (they never eat while Soul-mate is not home)

Had a wonderful Sunday. Church this morning and then a nice drive to retrieve Soul-mate who was spending the weekend with our dear friend, Nancy for an (early) birthday celebration  Nancy really needed some "Leslie Time". And Leslie needed some "girlfriend time" also. Nancy and her attended the church she has recently started attending. We are so happy that Nancy has found a place to worship and get connected to God. (Prayers answered for us..Yay!)

Since this Sunday night is winding down, I wanted to share some things I found interesting. First is from our worship service this morning. Luke 12:49-53

⁴⁹"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! ⁵¹Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. ⁵²From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. ⁵³They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." 

That scripture jumped out to me as being very prophetic. Jesus is divisive. The mere mention of His name will stop a conversation cold in many a group and setting. Families have been torn apart because of Jesus and the desire of one to believe, follow, worship and be a disciple of Him.


I found this article very interesting and encouraging. I am a converted Lutheran after spending years within the confines and restraints of a "charismaniac" church I attended. I left that church because I needed a church that would stick with scripture and be more "Cross Centered". I was a sinner and no matter how many hours I spent holding my hands up high, praying in tongues, attending Sunday morning and night services, plus Wednesday service, and Thursday prayer, I still sinned against God in thought, word and deed. Yet, this church taught that if you believed that you were a sinner, then you needed more faith. Yet this church in the article is not your typical non-denominational, come as you are type of feel good church that so many mega churches are. Check out his website

Chaddick's church is the antithesis of mass-produced middle-American neo-Protestantism. While Joel Osteen's brand of cul-de-sac Christianity suggests that you can get a perfect, prosperous life and a six-bedroom mansion through faith and regular church attendance, Reality LA, which doesn't advertise itself, is at once much more reactionary and much hipper, the small-batch alternative to the Walmart-esque megachurch. Reality's teachings are distinctly antimaterialistic, instructing followers to screw the six bedrooms and forget about the house—the church encourages members who would donate money out of obligation not to give at all and rents a high school for worship rather than owning a building. Chaddick also preaches that being born-again isn't a magic bullet that will suddenly absolve you of sin or torment. "Our lives are ones of continual repentance, and to repent just means to turn away," he says. "Perfection is not required, but progress is possible."

That guy almost sounds Lutheran with his understanding of the concept of original sin and Jesus' death to atone for our sins; but he definitely doesn't worship like a Lutheran. There are many fellow Lutherans that would frown not necessarily at the message but the style of the messenger. Lutherans needs to stop being so judgmental on how things are done and start worrying about what things are not being done. Number one being the reaching of the unchurched or ex-churched.

Alone with the dogs...

Soul-mate has left for the weekend, which means that I am alone with our three dogs. This is always an anxious time for our spoiled and anthropomorphic canines. There is Bee, the  female Cairn Terrier, who never likes to be far from Soul-mate's presence. (unless there is a mole or squirrel to stalk) She is very sensitive and hates loud shouting or yelling, fireworks, and the howling winds, which never happens here unless...(well..I would rather not say...this is the internet (lol). Then there is Cooper, the Alpha-male wannabe. He was my 50th B-day present from the Soul-mate, and she has never forgotten to ask for my forgiveness  every day of his life. He has been having possession issues lately..""Mine!!"  Plus he has also been having identity issues because of the youngest , Bandit. There is this battle over which one of them gets to sit at the right hand of the true Alpha Male, me. Bandit is a fireplug of a terrier-mix who has only one speed...Fast! He is a fast and in your face type of dog.

When ever Soul-mate is away these dogs could care less if I am here. She doesn't believe me but it true. All they want to do is sit in front of the window and pine for her. Not eating or wanting to play..just pining and walking aimlessly throughout the house. (they act frightening similar to how I act when she is gone) They will sit for hours watching out the window waiting to see her car pull into the driveway but, this weekend they are really messed up because I have the car, and it is parked in the driveway and no Mommy.

So,  here I am alone with these neurotic dogs, when an eruption of barking and clawing and snarling and slobbering at the front window starts..... and then... a dreaded knocking on the door. Not knowing who it was, I attempted the old tried and true "hide in the bathroom until they get tired and walk away" ploy, but this interloper was a committed disturber and he went to his plan B, the door bell...repeatedly!  I was stuck. Realizing that it might be something or someone important, I decided to close off the dogs inside the house, while I opened the the garage door to meet whomever was outside....Big mistake.......... Damn!

Standing there was  a Census taker. The same Census taker that had taped a note to our garage door earlier in the week stating we owed more information to the Government....(other than the number of U.S. citizens living within the home, duh?). We had decided after seeing this video that we are not going to answer all those personal questions and just easily supply them with stuff we don't want to divulge. I puffed out my chest and stood firm, only providing him with the number of "humans" living at this address. But he already had our names and ages written down on piece of paper in our "file". He said that he got them at the courthouse off our property tax papers! I told him since those were public records then he can use them. The remainder of the info needed was our race (which I found ridiculous since he was standing in front of me) and  a telephone number (which I refused to provide) Damn government man!!

I suddenly started feeling like a jerk though. I could tell that the man was not liking my attitude and I know that I was not the only person to give him grief just for doing the job he was told to do. Census takers are temp workers and it would have to be one of the worst type of doorknocker jobs out there. Heck, Jehovah Witnesses do it for there beliefs. As I shook his hand after he got all the info I was going to give him (it is the principal of the thing), I left by saying, "I would hate to have your job" with some empathy. He replied, "I am definitely ready for the job to be over". I sensed he was carrying some Census takers battlefield wounds. So tomorrow at church I need to repent for my sins toward him and pray for him.