Observations From Hadleyville

WHIRLWIND JANUARY

2012-02-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

Boy, January was a busy month. New year, new message series at church. Sheriff's Department asked me to serve several times as a role-player in live-fire simmunition training. My friend Rick, who is also Director of Missions for the High Desert Baptist Association, took a new position. He will become the Western Regional Director of the North American Mission Board. The job has him directing new church starts in the western states and the Pacific. On top of all that, our church is doing Biggest Baptist Loser and so far I've been running from gig to gig so much I've only exercised once a week.

I'm tired. Yesterday, I had NO scheduled appearances so I vegged at home, catching up on minor housekeeping chores; tax prep, bedside lamp repair, organize desk, prepare notes for May writers conference. I felt really worthless and lazy, but sometimes lazy is the best defense.

Today I have a meeting and a few errands to run. Hopefully, I might even think of something deep, significant, or at least funny to post here later.

I'm off.

JANET EVANOVICH'S "ONE FOR THE MONEY"

2012-01-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

Karen and I just saw "One For The Money." Karen is a big Stephanie Plum fan. I am not a fan of Rambo Babe movies, and I'm happy to report this is not one. One For The Money is a fun, date night, popcorn movie. Karen thought it stayed fairly faithful to the book.

The Stephanie Plum Series is in the Babes & Bullets Detective Genre. I am aware of the category but this is my first. I quite liked it. It had elements of Romantic Comedy. I am a sucker for romantic comedies. But actually, the genre is more like the third and forth Lethal Weapon movies. For feel and action it was much like the Gregory Hines/Billy Crystal Buddy movie; "Running Scared." I'm not saying it was derivative, I'm saying it was fast and fun.

As a writer and reader of the action adventure genre, I highly recommend this movie.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2012-01-28T09:23:00.000-08:00

Ralph's awful prophecy finally came true...

ANTELOPE VALLEY CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

2012-01-27T15:49:00.000-08:00

This is a growing conference with a vision to become the Southern California location for Christian Writers.

This year's faculty is a nice mix:

Kathi "Easy Writer" Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others for such notables as Rosey Grier and the late Chaplain of the US Senate Dr. Richard Halverson. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats. She and her husband, Al, live in Homeland, CA, where the two of them spend their free time buzzing around in their new ride: Al's 2005 sunburst orange Corvette.

Kim Bangs has 21 years of publishing experience. She is the Manager for Author Relations/Contracts for the Regal Books, as well as a member of the acquisitions team. She has had the privilege to work with Dennis and Barbara Rainey, Jim Burns, Gloria Gaither, Craig Johnson, Josh McDowell, Gary Smalley, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Karen O’Conner, and the First Place 4 Health team and many others. Kim enjoys working with authors to provide resources that touch hearts and change lives and open conversation with others.

Kim’s workshop will be “Show and Tell.” In our early school years, most of us participated in this game; we brought Guinea pigs, lost teeth, creative art work. Now that we're grown up, how do we use show and tell effectively in our writing? Jesus used this method throughout His ministry and we can too!

Bill Jensen has worked in book publishing for over 35 years, first as an editor for Harvest House Publishers, and now as an agent. He has acquired and worked with authors such as Stormie Omartian, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Kay Arthur, Greg Laurie, Tony Evans, Lisa Whelchel, Dr. James Dobson, Joni Eareckson Tada, and a host of others. When not working, he’s likely fly-fishing or listening to classical music or opera. Bill makes his home in Eugene, Oregon, with his wife, Sheila, and three daughters.

Sharon Norris Elliott is an award-winning author, speaker, Bible teacher, and Editor-in-chief of a new magazine, Gospel Road. Her website offers a wide array of links whereby site visitors can get connected with all she has to offer. Sharon loves teaching at conferences and coaching writers. She and her husband, James, are enjoying their empty nest in Southern California.

B.J. Taylor is an award-winning author with publication credits in John Gray’s Mars and Venus in Love, 25 stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, feature articles in Writer’s Digest, Romantic Homes, and Victorian Homes, and Guideposts. B.J. writes dog-lit (beach reads for dog lovers) and will be releasing her newest work, Charlie Bear: The True Story of a Headstrong Rescue Dog. B.J. lives in Southern California with her husband and the scrappy Charlie Bear. Visit her dog blog at www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com.

Daniel Darling is the author of several books, including Real, Owning Your Christian Faith (April 2012). His work has been featured by Relevant Magazine, Focus on the Family, In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley. Publisher’s Weekly called his writing style “substantive and punchy.” He blogs for patheos.com and Crosswalk.com. Dan has been interviewed on TV and radio outlets across the country, including 100 Huntley Street, Moody Broadcasting, Harvest TV, American Family Radio, and a host of local and national Christian media.

Dan's workshop will be "Writing for the Youth Culture." How do you communicate with the ever-reaching/ever-changing world of young people? Do you chase trends and pop culture? What are teens looking for? Authenticity, creativity? And what should we as writers deliver to them?

Linda Olson is an international speaker, leadership coach, and published author of articles, books, devotionals, and curriculum. As an entrepreneur, Linda’s mission is to equip and empower you to be more successful than you’ve ever been. She serves on the board of Lead Her and the task force of Christian Women in Media.

Linda’s workshop will be “Making Money with your Book.” Are you selling a book, or is your audience buying into your message? Like the grass after a fresh rain, you will be energized and motivated by discovering new and simple skills. You will learn to emotionally grab your audience of one, 100 or 1,000 so they will want more of you.

Kathy Ide is a published author of books, articles, play and movie scripts, short stories, devotionals, and curriculum. She is a full-time freelance editor/mentor for new writers, established authors, and book publishers. She is the founder and coordinator of two groups for editorial freelancers—The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (www.TheChristianPEN.com) and the Christian Editor Network (www.ChristianEditor.com)

Kathy will lead a workshop based on her book, Polishing the PUGS: Punctuation,

Usage, Grammar, and Spelling. If you’re writing for publication, you need the polish the “PUGS” in your manuscript. From her years as a professional freelance editor, Kathy addresses the most common mistakes made by authors in the areas of punctuation, usage, grammar, and spelling. In this fun, interactive workshop, you’ll learn PUGS rules based on the publishing industry’s standard references.

Former English teacher Cindy Chatham, known in the literary world as C. J. Chatham, is Executive Editor of Heartbeat Magazine. A published author herself, she currently writes devotionals, poetry, and children’s stories in addition to editing the books and manuscripts of future authors.

Cindy's workshop will be "Who Else Wants to Avoid the Editor?" If you don't want to have a stranger recommend a complete rewrite of your book, learn the essential elements required to keep them at bay.

Don Patterson, the fearless leader of the High Desert Christian Writers, has written four novels. He serves as the pastor of a local Southern Baptist congregation, and a chaplain for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. Don's workshops, "Firearms For Fiction Writers" and "Tips for Successful Mayhem," are designed to help fiction writers plot, choreograph and write realistic suspense, action, and adventure scenes.

Our conference director Steven Hutson is a child of the sixties, a native of Los Angeles, and a storyteller almost from birth. In the course of his career he has worn many hats, from clerk typist to lifeguard to meat cutter. His second book, In Search of Clarity, was recently released by Crossover Publications. In his limited free time he enjoys swimming and hiking, and serves on the Board of Library Trustees for the City of Palmdale. At our conference, Steve will be on the lookout for new talent on behalf of his literary Agency, WordWise Media Services.

You can register for the conference at: http://www.avwriters.com/ Hope to see you there.

OLD DOGS AND NEW TRICKS

2012-01-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

I've been shooting since I was a boy. My grandfather, a Deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department taught me. It's one of the reasons I wanted to become a Sheriff's Chaplain and why I volunteer to work with the weapons and training unit. Yesterday I was down at Biscaluiz Range rebuilding shotguns for Court Services. While I was there, one of my fellow Chaplains, Rabbi Ben-Tzion (pronounced Bent-zee-own) Kravitz, arrived. We've become friends since we shared the platform for the Sheriff's Memorial Service two years ago.

Ben is both an Orthodox Rabbi AND a reservist. He is also assigned to weapons and training. He was upstairs, test-firing a new handgun for the department and invited me to join him on the range and fire a few rounds. During a lull in shotgun traffic I took him up on his offer. The gun in question is the Smith & Wesson M & P (Military and Police). This was the nine millimeter version. The department is phasing out Beretta's and replacing them with M & P's.

The targets are man-sized, but set twenty-five yards--seventy-five feet--away from the firing line. My first two rounds were my usual low and to the left hits. I've been attributing this to my advancing senility and degrading eyesight.

Ben had another answer. "You're jerking left when you pull the trigger," he said.

"But I'm not "milking the grip," I protested.

"Okay, he said. "Try gripping tighter with your support hand. Thirty-percent grip with the right, seventy-percent grip with the left."

So I did what he said. BLAM. Ten ring. BLAM. nine ring. BLAM, BLAM, BLAM. I threw a few, but found myself hitting consistently in the nine and ten rings. Wow. Rabbi Kravitz is a good instructor. I've always been told to relax my trigger hand, but no one had ever told me to grip harder with my support hand.

I guess an old dog CAN learn a new trick.

THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN

2012-01-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

Here is some more information from my seminary education. It helps illustrate the process of belief and growth in the life of a Christian. (Sorry, tried for an hour to get the columns to line up properly; no joy.)
__________________________________________________________________
GOD’S       COMMUNICATOR’S                     MAN’S
ROLE          ROLE                                            RESPONSE
__________________________________________________________

General       Romans 1:19-20                   -8         Awareness of Supreme
Revelation    Romans 2:14-15                               Being but no effective
                                                                        knowledge of the Gospel

Conviction   Proclamation                       -7         Initial awareness of the Gospel
of the Spirit   & Ministry
John 15:26                                              -6         Awareness of Gospel                                                                           fundamentals

                                                               -5       Grasp of Gospel's                                                                          personal implications

                                                               -4       Positive attitude toward                                                          the Gospel message

                                                               -3       Recognition of                                                                          personal sin

                                                               -2       Decision to believe                                                                                                     or reject the Gospel

                                                             -1        Repentance and faith                                                                                                     in Christ
__________________________________________________________

REGENERATION                                            NEW CREATURE
__________________________________________________________

GOD’S      COMMUNICATOR’S                     MAN’S
ROLE       ROLE                                            RESPONSE

Sancti-        Follow-up                         +1       Post-Decision evaluation
fication
                  Discipleship                       2       Incorporation into the                                                                       Church Body

                                                           +3       Conceptual &                                                                       behavioral growth

                                                           +4       Daily communion with God

                                                           +5       Stewardship

                                                             *       Reproduction

                                                             *       Internal growth
                                                                     (gifts, knowledge, wisdom)

                                                            *       External growth                                                                                                 (witness, service)

                                                INTO ETERNITY

MY GRANDFATHER'S HOUSE

2012-01-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

I wrote this in memory of my grandfather.

When I think of my grandfather I always picture the old house in Tarzana. That's where I spent my first years. It was kind of a crazy house. The bedrooms started out as a garage, and the kitchen was an uphill climb from the entry. Yet, I remember how so many things there reflected my grandfather; "Pampa" I called him.

I remember how he once offered me a medal if I could open the false-drawer front under the kitchen sink. I remember cowboy boots, and the huge paper-littered desk in the entry hall, and the driveway that seemed a mile long to my boyhood eyes. Room additions, horses, and a real-live corral in the backyard are indelibly etched in my mind.

I remember Christmases, summer vacations, and walnuts--green, brown, and black--littering the lawn. And the smells... Cigar smoke, polish, leather, fresh plaster, horses and tack. Hay, oats, straw, coffee and harsh, astringent, liniment.

I remember my grandfather himself; stern and often impatient with eight noisy grandsons, yet often holding me on his knee, tickling until I begged for mercy. A hard man to adequately describe in this age of sensitive males, he would not have been ashamed to be called a "man's man." He was tough and crusty, with little patience for fools. Yet there wasn't much he wouldn't do for you at need.

I guess the picture that typifies my grandfather is him, sitting at the breakfast table before dawn, coffee cup in hand, solving the problems of a weary world.

I remember my grandfather, Edgar G. Resh.

A LISTENING EAR

2012-01-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

Going through my notes from Seminary I came across a piece of wisdom. I thought I'd repeat it for your edification.

You are not listening to me when:

You say you understand before you know me well enough.
You have answer to my problem before I've finished telling you what the problem is.
You cut me off before I have finished speaking.
You are critical of my vocabulary, grammar, or accent.
You are anxious to tell me something.
You tell me about your experience, making mine seem unimportant.
You are communicating to someone else in the room.
You refuse my thanks, saying you haven't really done anything.

You are listening to me when:

You come quietly into my private world and let me be me.
You really try to understand me even if I'm not making much sense.
You allow me the dignity of making my own decisions even though you think they might be wrong.
You do not take my problem from me, but allow me to deal with it in my own way.
You hold back your desire to give me good advice.
You do not offer religious solace when you sense I am not ready for it.
You give me enough room to discover for myself what is really going on.
You accept my gift of gratitude when I express appreciation for your time and effort.
You allow me the freedom to feel what I am feeling.
You repeat back to me what I have told you.
You do not try to force me into the right answer through logic or religion.
You allow silence at the necessary times.

THIS WOULD BE FUNNY IF IT WEREN'T SO CLOSE TO HOME

2012-01-20T19:27:00.001-08:00

SLOW POST

2012-01-20T12:03:00.001-08:00

Been a busy week for me. AND the internet has been down. Sorry. No posts.

SKEPTICS SONG

2012-01-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

I bought Daniel Amos' first album when I was in college, lo, these many years past. This song was one of my favorites. It actually picked up on a current song mocking the return of Christ--that's what all the goofy sound effects are. I heard it today and still like it.

8,000 PAGE VIEWS!

2012-01-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

Observations From Hadleyville just reached 8,000 page views. I'm quite pleased. I passed 7,000 a month and a half ago. One thousand page views in six weeks is a big deal for me. Again. Thanks to all of you. My younger friends refer to a moment like this as "Snoopy Dance Time." At my age I'll have to settle for "Walter Brennan Dance Time." (Dagnabit, Luke!)

The reasons I operate this site are threefold. 1. I am opinionated. 2. I enjoy exchanging ideas with others. 3. I need the discipline to write, or at least be creative, every day.

I invite you to join the conversation by posting your own comments. I know this can be a tedious process with writing your personal information and typing in difficult to see, nonsensical words.

You can shortcut the process by creating a Google identity; that way you don't have to enter name and email each time.

Unfortunately, the nonsensical words, like EEUP, GINIXLE and BUGLUMP are necessary to cut down on Spammers.

If you have not yet become a follower of Observations From Hadleyville, I invite you to click the Follow Button, on the right side, just below the page count.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2012-01-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

Helpful Gate-Keepers abound to keep writers' inflated egos in check.

DON'S DRIVING DICTIMS (WARNING BLOOD PRESSURE REDUCTION IN PROGRESS)

2012-01-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have made a number of discoveries concerning the relationship between human nature and the steering wheel of an automobile. Disney had it right back in the 1940's when mild-mannered Goofy became a demon possessed fool in the driver's seat.
Following are four of the dictims I've pronounced.

1. The car in front of you will always go slower and the car behind you will always go faster than you desire to go.

2. The annoying driver who cuts you off, or delays you because they can't figure out how to park, will annoy you AGAIN within five minutes. (Often they do this after you have reached your destination and are now on foot)

3. The universal driving code is: "Death Before Yeilding!"

4. If you are following a long string of cars, but not bunched up with them, some impatient driver will dangerously jump out in front of you from a side street, even though there is a huge opening behind you for half a mile or better.

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND

2012-01-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

This has been both a popular poem and song for decades. It has been recorded by the likes of Tex Ritter, Walter Brennan and Jimmy Dean. Myra Brooks, though confined to a wheel chair, and afflicted with arthritis, used the eraser ends of pencils to type this poem.

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND

by Myra Brooks Welch

It was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought

it was hardly worth his while,

to waste much time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile.

“It sure ain't much, but its all we’ve got left. I guess we ought to sell it too.”

“Now what am I bid for this old violin? Just one more and we’ll be through.”

And then he said; “One, give me one dollar. Who’ll make it two?

Only two dollars? Who’ll make it three?

Three dollars twice, that’s a good price. But who’s got a bid for me?

Raise up your hand and don’t wait any longer. The auction is about to end.

Who’s got four? just one dollar more to bid on this old violin.”

Well the air was hot and the people stood around. No one cared to go.

From the back of the crowd, and old man stepped,

came forward and picked up the bow.

He wiped the dust from the old violin and he tightened up the strings.

Then he played out a melody sweet and soft, as sweet as an angel sings.

Then the music stopped. And the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,

said “What am I bid for this fine violin.” Then he held it up with the bow.

Then he cried “One give me one thousand, who’ll make it two?

Only two thousand? Who’ll make it three?

Three thousand twice, that’s a good price but who’s got a bid for me?

The people cried out “What made the change? We don’t understand.”

Then the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile;

“It was the touch of the master’s hand.”

Now you know, many a man has his life out of tune.

And he’s battered and scarred by sin.

And he’s auctioned cheap to a thankless world, much like the old violin.

Then the Master comes and the foolish crowd can never understand,

the worth of a soul and the changes wrought,

by the touch of the Master’s hand.

JIMMY OLSEN BLUES

2012-01-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

My sons once bought me a music tape for my birthday. Since they are practical as well as generous, they made sure that the music was the kind they themselves wouldn't mind listening to. The group is called Spin Doctors; and to my mature, evangelical shame, I must confess that I like some of their music (Stone him! Yes, stone him!). One song in particular evokes feelings I have experienced in the ministry. It is called "Jimmy Olsen Blues." It paints a somewhat humorous picture of Jimmy’s frustration as he vies with Superman for Lois Lane’s attention. He sings; "I can't believe my dilemma is real, I've been competing with the man of steel."

I know just what he means. It sounds a lot like my own laments when I foolishly compare myself to other pastors who seem to have all the talent, charisma, grace and breaks. When I really want to draw blood from my psyche, I say things to myself like; “Rats! I’m not Super-Pastor. I don’t leap tall pulpits at a single bound. I’m not faster than a speeding youth director.” Do I dare to show my face around real pastors; Super Pastors?

In my saner moments I realize this problem is not mine alone. We all experience feelings of inadequacy. Of course, wild horses could never drag that admission out of me at a pastor’s conference. Aside from the a fore-mentioned conferences there is good news. When Paul spoke of each of us as individual members of the Body of Christ, (1 Corinthians 12:12) he was championing the concept of individuality within unity.

We are unified by our allegiance to Christ, not our sameness. In other words, God has chosen to build his Church from diverse types. Literally, E pluribus unum; "out of many, one." This is a liberating concept. God can, and actually desires, to use you right now. Just as you are. You may not get Lois, but you don’t have to be Superman, either.

TERRORISTS JUST AREN'T WHAT THEY USED TO BE

2012-01-10T18:22:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon at the Sheriff's training location. Known as Laser Village, they no longer use lasers and M.I.L.E.S. gear. These days they use paint cartridges. They sting. I played the bomb-vested terrorist-on-a-bus. My job was to scare the assault team into shooting me. I did a good job. Got shot in the bomb vest which I didn't feel. Got shot in both arms, which I did.

If you've seen the movie S.W.A.T. it was something like the airplane assault in training. Training like this is something like playing Army as a kid, but much more stressful when you know that even sim-munitions sting like the devil.

Good training. The assault teams had to think on their feet and discriminate between legitimate targets and bystanders. This makes good sense and trains our law enforcement people to think and not develop a "target practice" mentality. I am pleased to have been of use. Full disclosure; I volunteered to be a person-most-likely-to-be-shot. Here are my "Red Badges of Courage."

GOD LOVES LOSERS

2012-01-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons why God wouldn't want to use people like you or me. But don't worry, God has a heart for losers. Insulted? Don't be. Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. Paul rejected John Mark. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of pain. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Timothy had ulcers. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worrywart. Mary was lazy. Samson was rebellious. Noah got drunk.

Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter and Paul - well, lots of folks did. God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Dad than our boss. God doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, nor blind to our need.

As much as we try to make a profit of them, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people, and still not be wonderful people ourselves. The Accuser says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM." The Accuser looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did years ago or even days ago! Why, it's not even on His record. Sure, there are many reasons why God shouldn't want us. But just like a parent He is utterly in love with us. If we hunger for Him, if we are simply willing, He'll use us in spite of who we are or where we've been.

VERTICAL ENVELOPMENT

2012-01-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

While camping this past week, our peaceful desert refuge was invaded by the U.S. Marines. Vh22 Ospery's, The Marine's new multi-mission, tilt rotor aircraft, did touch-and-goes for two days just over the ridge from us. Flew right over our camp a number of times. Here is a video I shot.

HOW I SPENT MY DESERT RUN VACATION

2012-01-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

Took a ride in a Sand Rail at Ocotillo Wells. That's my friend, Captain Mark Schwartzel in the driver's seat.
And here's two more.

30th ANNUAL DESERT RUN

2012-01-04T06:29:00.000-08:00

For the past ten years I have been making the trek each January down to Occotillo Wells on Highway 78. It's a tiny burg in California's southern desert about half way between San Diego and Palm Springs. For things to do, it Rivals Nevada's "Loneliest Road in America" for variety.Why do we go? It's one of the few places left in the state where you can go off-roading almost completely unhindered by Nanny State regulations. Most of the guys on the Run will bring dirt bikes. A few will haul dune buggys. Me? I enjoy hiking the barren hills.

The Desert Run was started by my buddy CAPT. Mark Schwartzel lo, these many years ago. He wanted a way to get out of the city and go camping with his sons. Ocitillo Wells is Hard Camping--Grapes of Wrath Camping. We have to haul in everything we need including water. This is not some flossy, Holiday Inn, Lets-go-across-the-street-to-the-shopping-center-and-spa camping. This is the real He-Man Right Stuff.

Seriously, it's a great time to get away and just be a guy. We throw rocks at cans, explore wind caves, sit around the campfire telling lies... I mean, "stories." We get filthy dirty. We use a latrine. We leave the deodorant at home. We sometimes get accused of doing this to keep women away. But, c'mon, most women turn up their noses at the lack of amenities anyway.

The highlight of the trip is Saturday night. The boys spend two days building a huge bonfire which is lit after dark. The leaping flames provide illumination for the dreaded "Yahoo Ceremony" (no, it has nothing to do with the internet) Since the trip involves rocks, high speed machinery, and males, (Thank GOD there is a prohibition on alcohol) Somebody is bound to mess up. The "Yahoo" is the biggest goof--safety wise--of the Run.

Inspired by the fine old Navy practice of hazing sailors who cross the equator, International Date Line or the arctic circle, the Yahoo Ceremony involves hilariously unpleasant things. Lets just say it inspires a desire not to be a Yahoo again.

Loading up the car today. I can't wait. Blunoz, if you're ever in California in January, come on down.

POINT OF VIEW

2012-01-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

To most people, this is simply a rare, cool picture of a nuclear submarine in its element. To submariners, its a freaking nightmare. If you can see it, you can sink it.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

2012-01-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think Church giving ought to be listed as a "Leading Economic Indicator."

10-14: COP SPEAK FOR "BACK TO WORK"

2012-01-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

Well, its been a pleasant, quite lazy Christmas vacation. Our kids, who live nearby carried the brunt of the holiday hosting. All the decorations are down and packed away. Karen has gone back to teaching Third Grade. I am sitting here procrastinating over my To-Do list by writing this post.

Fun Time is over. Time to get back to work. I've already got a full month ahead of me. I'm going to a men's retreat on Thursday. I won't be home until late Saturday so I need to crank out... er, make that "create" a deep, blessing-filled Sunday message. I need to pack and shop for the trip: as a diabetic I need dry ice to keep my insulin cold for several days.

Next week is a killer. I have to help Karen's students build "Energy Efficient Homes" which I've already pre-built for their science project. That will take Monday and Wednesday. On Tuesday I am going to the Sheriff's Laser Village to participate in training academy trainees: I get to role play a belligerent citizen.
On Thursday I have a Chaplains Executive Committee meeting; also in LA. Then I'll go back to Laser Village for Night Exercise Training. We'll round off the week with our stint at cleaning the church on Saturday.

I'm already exhausted, and there's still two more weeks left in the New Month. ...Maybe I'll just go back to bed.

REFLECTIONS ON "BOXING DAY"

2012-01-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

Boxing day, a British "holiday," is traditionally the day after Christmas. I put the "holiday" in quotes because I don't consider work a holiday. For the Patterson's, Boxing Day is traditionally New Years Day. We like to watch the Rose Parade as we de-decorate the tree, boxing up the ornaments, ribbon and garland. This year the parade falling on Monday put the joyous celebration off by a day.

So we slept in and got to work this morning. As we sipped coffee, watched the parade, and de-cluttered, I couldn't help grousing about the transitory nature of Christmas. I mean, c'mon; we just put all this stuff up a month ago. All that work--twice in a month--for a holiday. Granted, it's Christmas; theologically, the second biggest holiday after Easter. But Easter doesn't get nearly the festive, garlandy attention we accord to December twenty-fifth.

Thinking about it, I did see a life lesson in all this fussy busyness. Many things in life follow the same pattern. We look forward to some event, or accomplishment. Often, there is much preparation to be done before the event. And, accomplishments? You know those things don't happen without prep work, often scads of it.

Finally, the great day arrives: Sound the trumpets! All that effort pays off. Whether large or small it's a day to rejoice and remember... And then--just like that--it's over. All that work for a single moment in time, gone again.

The First Noel was like that. God put, not years of work into the incarnation, but millennia. The creation, the patriarchs, the nation of Israel, the family of David, the kingdom, the prophets battling idolatry, the Babylonian captivity, the return, the second temple, the Maccabees, the betrothal of Joseph and Mary, the Annunciation, the overshadowing of the Spirit, the Angelic assurance to Joseph, the poorly timed trip to Bethlehem, the Heavenly Host, the birth, the shepherds... And as Mary pondered these things in her heart it was already time to move on. We can't celebrate Birthday everyday. We have to get ready for the cross.

We shouldn't be surprised when our lives follow the same pattern. After all, bio-rhythm is God's idea in the first place.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

2012-01-01T10:06:00.000-08:00

When my friend Herb was a rifleman in Vietnam he figured it would be the toughest thing he would ever do in his life. He has discovered he was dead wrong. Some years after he rotated home he became a Christian. Now he knows that living for Christ is the toughest thing in life.

We are engaged in spiritual warfare. We are deployed in hostile territory with a mission to win hearts and minds. We have orders to train up our troops and go behind the lines on Combat Search and Rescue missions.

God has given us spiritual weapons: "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

and spiritual armor with which to withstand the enemy: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:10-18

We are not to use the weapons of our enemies—intimidation, guilt, whining, etc. When the battle gets hot and the enemy is pressing hard we have the ability to call in God’s Air Strike through prayer. It is God’s responsibility to provide the power, the means and the protection. It is our responsibility to stand firm using the weapons God has provided.

A NEW DON THE BAPTIST RECORD!

2011-12-31T11:37:00.000-08:00

Yay! for the first time my blog has had over 100 page views in a single day. From the beginning in 2007 until October 2011 I amassed a pathetic 3,500 page views. From October through December, "Observations" Has more that doubled the previous three years views to 7,296 at this posting. AND there are 4.5 more hours left in the "counting" day.

THANK YOU.

Final Score:
Count for the day: 167 page views

Total All Time Count: 7,335 page views

GOOD MEMORIES

2011-12-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

On this last day of 2011 I remember being a graduate student at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (GGBTS is not much less of a mouthful) 1981-1984. I loved my studies there. I learned a great deal from learned professors. I built furniture, bookcases, and a cross for the chapel that still remain. My favorite memory is this view from the chapel, overlooking San Francisco Bay.

DON THE BAPTIST'S AMAZING 2012 "PROPHECIES"

2011-12-31T11:07:00.000-08:00

Prophecies... Yeah, dats the ticket.

In the category of POLITICS, I prophesy...

A truly dreadful, scorched-earth, interminable election season that would surely turn General William Tecumseh Sherman's stomach, were he with us today.

In the category of RELIGION, I prophesy...

That Fundamentalist Atheists, who claim not to believe in God, will spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about God and religion, fretting that somebody somewhere actually believes in God, and expending lots of energy attempting to suppress God and religion in the lives of other people.

In the category of SOCIAL SHENANIGANS, I prophesy...
Some idiot starlet will defy a court order, go on a binge (name your poison), break numerous laws and get away with it, all to the cheers of adoring fans.

In the category of ENTERTAINMENT, I prophesy...

that BBC's TOP GEAR will still be my favorite program on the telly.

In the category of WRITING, I prophesy...

That Alton Gansky will sell several more books.

It will be truly amazing if none of these vague generalities come true.

2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY FINALLY COMES TRUE

2011-12-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

My favorite movie as a teenager was "2001, A Space Odyssey." Much of the philosophical content went over my head, but I didn't care. I loved the cool space ships, sentient computers, and gadgets. Sadly, almost none of what we saw on the big screen came true. There have been no manned space expeditions since the Apollo program. The "sentient" computer, HAL 9000, was cool but completely off the mark from actual computer development. (the cool 3D computer graphics in the movie were hand drawn). Compared to 2001's, our space station looks like an erector set with parts missing. And there is, of course, no permanent moon base. What's up with that?

There is one thing from the movie that has happened.* The notebook, or "pad" computer is a reality. In the movie you can see the astronauts watching a news program via "streaming video" on their pads. At the time the idea was super cool. It still is. I got one recently and I can't log onto the internet or watch a video without feeling some of that old Space Odyssey coolness.

(* Okay, I'll grant you that bland, prefab food has also come true)

NEWS FLASH

2011-12-29T07:33:00.000-08:00

Angry Birds is as addictive as Tetris.

VALUING THE LIFE OF THE MIND

2011-12-28T08:34:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the statement, “if we are going to be wise spiritual people, prepared to meet the crises of our age, we must be a studying, learning community that values the life of the mind.” I agree with that statement wholeheartedly. The notion of the mind is a somewhat nebulous concept, difficult to define. Is it the gray matter in our skulls? Is it a spiritual part of us that manipulates our gray matter in the same way we play a piano? Is the mind synonymous with the Soul? I believe the mind is that part of us which is in the image of God.

We possess the divine ability to reason, weigh alternatives, make moral judgments, come to conclusions and design means to implement those conclusions. In short, we display reasoned creativity, just like our Creator. The mind sets us apart from all other creatures. Dolphins are smart, dogs learn tricks, chimps can sign language. However, you never saw a hospital or school or even a can opener built by an animal. Animals build incredible homes out of junk. They don't manufacture refined products out of raw materials. Only thinking humans create on a grand—divine—scale.

In fact, it is not possible to be “wise,” to “meet the crises of our age” apart from the life of the mind. Unfortunately, too many people prefer to let others think for them. Thinking is hard work. It’s easier to react with the emotions than to reason through a problem.

Sometimes Christians shy away from what they see as the danger of “learning too much.” They point to students who have gone to schools that challenge Christianity and have “lost their faith.” I went to schools that challenged my faith too. I thought through the implications and concluded they were mostly bunk. Sometimes I had to modify my faith in light of new information. Never has it been shattered by what I've learned. Frankly, I question whether those students had their own faith to lose in the first place. I also think the fear of knowledge sets kids up to crumble when they are challenged by knowledge, which seems to contradict what they believe. Again, bunk! Christianity, of all religions has nothing to fear from truth. We are a historical religion, based on reality.

Believers must think, encourage the healthy, growing life of the mind. We must discern the difference between truth and opinion. We must think through challenges to our faith. We must challenge opinion and biased interpretations, but we must never shirk from the truth.

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

2011-12-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

Even on Christmas morning, with toys spread all around her, my granddaughter took time to read. That blessed me.

PASTORAL PEROGATIVES

2011-12-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

Saw a list like this on an Air Force Master Sergeant's wall once, and figured it could be adapted to fit the ministry as well.

1. The Pastor is always right.

2. In the inconceivable circumstance that someone else might possibly be right, rule #1 becomes immediately operative.

3. The Pastor does not sleep in his office; he meditates.

4. The Pastor is never late; he is ministering to the needy.

5. The Pastor never becomes angry; merely vexed in his spirit.

6. The Pastor never stops working; his presence is required elsewhere.

7. The Pastor never wastes time reading extraneous materials in his office; he studies.

8. The Pastor never deviates from established congregational procedure; he uses creative management.

9. Whoever may enter the Pastor’s study with an idea of his own must leave with the Pastor’s ideas.

10. The Pastor is ALWAYS the Pastor, even in his swim trunks.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE CHRIST

2011-12-25T05:44:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2011-12-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

Getting a ticket is a bad thing. But at least it would be more festive if the police cruiser was blinged-out like this one.

GABRIEL'S ANNUNCIATION OF THE CHRIST CHILD TO MARY

2011-12-24T07:16:00.000-08:00

This song, as interpreted by "Sting," is based on a 13th-Century Basque carol.

CHRISTMAS AND CULTURE

2011-12-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

It is difficult to separate the Christ of Christmas from our cultural trappings and traditions. After all, we are children of our own culture; a people who can place mangers and Santa Claus together in the same scene.

Why do we celebrate Christmas at all? We all know that presents are nice to get. AND we all know that presents are not the highest expression of Christmas.

There appears to be a great deal of confusion in our society. Perhaps we could profit from a small dose of history.
Christmas is about children. To be specific about one child; Jesus, who is called Immanuel: God with us.

God’s gift to us is to be among us, to be one of us and to bear our sins which we could not do for ourselves.

When God’s hands made the heavens and the earth
. . . that was CREATION.

When God’s morning stars sang together
. . .that was CELEBRATION.

When God’s word broke through the silence of time
. . . that was COMMUNICATION.

When God’s prophets stood alone against all odds
. . . that was CONSECRATION.

But when God’s Son was delivered to a manger. . . that was COMPASSION.

Christmas lives today because it is eternally the celebration of God’s compassion.

It’s not the date. it’s the reality of the event.

DR. BILL HENDRICKS

2011-12-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

Dr. William (Bill) Hendricks was Professor of Theology when I was a student at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. Of all my teachers over the years Bill was at once the most down-to-earth and the most profound. I am deeply in debt to the man. Once I told him, "You are dangerous." He replied, "That's Goooood." I said, "No, I meant I want to believe everything you say." He said, "That's Baaaaaad."

Of Solar Systems and Insects

"In the beginning God created . . ." The Bible begins with that simple phrase. In fact, everything began with that simple phrase. The skeptic says, "Prove it." The believer says, "Disprove it."

Science and faith both ask big questions. When did God create the world? We don't know; we weren't there. Nobody was there. Only God. Someone said of a very elderly man, "He is as old as dirt." We all are! Yet with the birth of every child, we are as new as today.

"How did God create the world?" is much in the popular mind. Scientists have various answers. People of faith quickly admit ignorance. Would it really help to know? We cannot start over. What is here is here. An acrimonious argument once ended when one person seemed to have all the "How" answers and the other challenged: "Okay, then make dirt."

For centuries, theologians have discussed the "Why." Why something rather than nothing? The best theological answer seems to be "Because God wanted to." Got a better one?

"Where" is obvious: Here, there, everywhere. I once heard an old farmer reply when a county clerk asked for his birth certificate, "I'm here, ain't I?" The farmer's answer did not solve the legal problem, but his conclusion was indisputable.

Two eloquent examples of creation—one big, one small: First, nearly everyone far enough from city lights can locate the galaxy we call the Milky Way; our own. Did you know it is 100,000 light years from planet earth? A light year is, of course, the distance light travels in one year. A light year in miles is roughly 5,878 plus nine zeroes. This means that starry band we see is 587,800 plus 12 zeroes away. God created it. And if, as some think, the universe is expanding, as one theologian-scientist put it: "God is out there pulling it toward God's self."

But God is not just "out there." He is right here in the small things. In April 2002, scientists identified a new order of insects—the first in more than 85 years. Would it help to know the insect's name? Mantophasmatodea. That's 16 letters long—as long as the insect. Live examples were found in Namibia in Africa. The discovery is variously described as a living fossil or like coming upon a saber tooth tiger. God is in the details: The insect is about the size of a paperclip.

These minute examples imbue an old hymn with new meaning: "All things bright and beautiful, all things great and small, all things wise and wonderful: our Father made them all."

That is the size of it:
great and small, huge and tiny.
"In the beginning God created. . . ."
Thanks be to God!

THE LAST MAN by P.T. Deutermann

2011-12-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

P.T. Deutermann is one of my favorite authors of action and suspense. I've been hooked since I first read "Official Privilege," about a Naval investigation of a body found in a mothballed battleship. A retired Naval Officer and Pentagon insider, Deutermann weaves his knowledge of military minutiae and political gamesmanship into incredibly taut and suspenseful plot lines.

Though he excels at stories about the US Navy, he is not limited to that sub-genre. Several of his later books are set in the wilder parts of the US South, with an emphasis on rugged hills and tough mountain folk.

His latest book, "Pacific Glory," is a sweeping saga of the Second World War in the Pacific Theater. The story climaxes with the amazing-yet-true David & Goliath engagement between US Navy destroyers against Japanese Battleships and cruisers. Their brave, suicidal action saved Mac Arthur's landings in the Philippines.

Now I come to Deutermann's next book: "The Last Man." This is a story set in the Jewish rebellion against Rome @ 70 AD. Specifically, the story centers on the Last Stand at Herod's Dead Sea mountain fortress of Masada. In Deutermann's words: "For many years, historians have assumed that the Zealots and their families died by their own swords in order to deprive the Romans of a meaningful victory, and, of course, to avoid the horrors of slavery in the Roman galley fleet. But now a young American engineer and amateur historian comes to modern day Israel to prove a theory he’s held for years: that the Zealots’ mass suicide was done for two reasons: to defy the Romans, but also to protect a monumental secret on the mountain. The Last Man tells the story of his search among the stones and the bones of Masada for evidence that there’s a lot more to the eerie history of this bloody mountain than anyone knows."

This is a surprising genre departure for Captain Deutermann. But I know the end result will be his usual triumph. I am really looking forward to this one. Release of "The Last Man" is planned for late Spring 2012

THE STORY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

2011-12-20T07:36:00.001-08:00

This is one of my favorite Christmas albums.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS

2011-12-19T18:54:00.001-08:00

THE ZOAD By Dr. Seuss

2011-12-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

The Zoad (OR, The Guy Who Couldn’t Make up His Mind)

Did I ever tell you about the young Zoad
Who came to two signs at a fork in the road?
One said to ‘Place One’ and the other ‘Place Two’
So the Zoad had to make up his mind what to do.
Well, the Zoad scratched his head and his chin and his pants
And he said to himself, “Now, I’ll be taking a chance.”
“If I go to Place One, that place may be hot
So how will I know if I’ll like it or not?
On the other hand though, I’ll feel such a fool
If I get to Place Two and find it’s too cool.
So Place One may be best.

On the other hand though if Place One is too high
I may get a terrible earache and die.
On the other hand though if Place Two is too low
I might catch a terribly strange pain in my toe.
So Place One may be best.”

So he started to go and he stopped and he said
“On the other hand though, on the other hand,
other hand, other hand though…”
And for thirty-six hours and a half that Zoad
Made starts and made stops at that fork in the road
Saying, “No, don’t take a chance, you may not be right!”
Then he got an idea which was wonderfully bright.
“Play safe!” cried the Zoad. “Play safe, I’m no dunce.
I’ll simply start to both places at once!”
And that’s how the Zoad who would not take a chance
Got to no place at all
With a split in his pants.

I WONDER By Ruth Harms Calkin

2011-12-19T07:40:00.001-08:00

You know Lord, how I serve you,
    With great emotional fervor
        in the limelight.
    You know how eagerly I speak for You
        at a woman’s club.
    You know how I effervesce when I promote
        a fellowship group.
    You know my genuine enthusiasm
        at a Bible study.
    But how would I react, I wonder,
        if you pointed to a basin of water
    And asked me to wash the callused feet
        of a bent and wrinkled old woman
        day after day, month after month,
    in a room where nobody saw,
        and nobody knew.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN: Them Minnesotans

2011-12-18T07:26:00.001-08:00

Two guys from International Falls die and wake up in hell. The next day the devil stops in to check on them and sees them dressed in parkas, mittens and bomber hats warming themselves around the fire. The devil asks them, "What are you doing? Isn't it hot enough for you?"

The two guys reply, "Vell, ya know, we're from nordern Minnesota, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit, ya know."
The devil decides that these two aren't miserable enough and turns up the heat. The next morning he stops in again and there they are, still dressed in parkas, hats and mittens.
The devil asks them again, "Its awfully hot down here, can't you guys feel that?"

Again the two guys reply, "Vell, like we told you yesterday, we're from nordern Minnesota, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit, ya know."

This gets the devil a little steamed up and he decides to fix the two guys. He cranks the heat up as high as it will go. The people are wailing and screaming every where. He stops by the room with the two guys from Minnesota and finds them in light jackets and hats, grilling walleye and drinking beer. The devil is astonished, "Everyone down here is in abject misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourself."

The two Minnesotans reply, "Vell, ya know, we don't get too much warm weather up dere in International Falls, we've just got to have a fish fry when the weathers this nice."

The devil is absolutely furious, he can hardly see straight. Finally he comes up with the answer. The two guys love the heat because they have been cold all their lives. The devil decides to turn all the heat off in hell. The next morning, the temperature is below zero, icicles are hanging everywhere, people are shivering so bad that they are unable to wail, moan and gnash their teeth.

The devil smiles and heads for the room with the two Minnesotans. He gets there and finds them back in their parkas, bomber hats, and mittens. They are jumping up and down, cheering, yelling and screaming like mad men. The devil is dumbfounded, "I don't understand, when I turn up the heat you're happy. Now its freezing cold and you're still happy. What is wrong with you two?" The Minnesotans look at the devil in surprise,

"Vell, don't ya know, If hell froze over dat must mean da Vikings von da super bowl."

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN: 0 TO 60 CHALLENGE

2011-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

I drove to New Mexico in October and filmed the trip as sort of a "NotGear Road Trip." This is the lame, pathetic, "Zero to Sixty Miles-Per-Hour Challenge" portion.

THE FALSE PROMISE

2011-12-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

“False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crime.”

Caesare Beccaria as quoted by Thomas Jefferson

One of the interesting aspects of the test in the Garden of Eden is the conclusion that God appears to honor personal freedom. Think about it. If it was more important that Adam and Eve never sin, God could easily have put enough guard rails and safety nets in place to prevent them from failing. He did not. He gave the first couple the choice, and therefore the opportunity to make the wrong choice.

Funny, our culture does just the opposite. We exalt the state--the nanny state--over individual freedom. We don't trust people to make their own choices, wrong or not. We try with all our laws and regulations to ensure that nobody fails, no one suffers from wrong choices. It dosen't work. The problem with legislating safety is human nature. Modern, secular philosophy denies human nature. It believes that man is simply a clever animal, an advanced ape. Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of training, or conditioning us to make choices advantageous to society.

And that's the bottom line. For all our pretense of individualism, modern man exalts the society as a whole over personal freedom. Regimentation of the species only works to a certain extent. Human nature--me first--will always take precedence in making choices. Until we approach life with that understanding we will continue to fail in building a better culture.

TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MAY NOT BE READING YOUR BIBLE ENOUGH

2011-12-15T06:17:00.000-08:00

10) The Preacher announces the sermon is from Genesis... and you check the table of contents.

9) You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs in the 60's.

8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII War Bond falls out.

7) Your favorite Old Testament patriarch is Hercules.

6) You can’t imagine why the largest book in the Bible is about Palm trees.

5) You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn't listed in either the concordance or the table of contents.

4) Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: "Who gave you this stuff?"

3) You keep falling for it every time the pastor tells you to turn to First Condominiums.

2) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story: "Jonah the Shepherd Boy and His Ark of Many Colors"

And the No. 1 sign you may not be reading your Bible enough: You don’t get any of these.

HELP WANTED

2011-12-15T06:10:00.000-08:00

HELP WANTED: Advertising and Promotion Specialists needed. Local, national and international positions available for those wanting to promote the Gospel. No experience necessary. Training provided through the Holy Spirit. Must be willing to advertise the Good News of Jesus Christ. Start immediately. See Matthew 28:19 for details.

HELP WANTED: Looking for friendly, outgoing Company Representatives. Good people skills required. Must be able to represent the values and principles of our Company Philosophy, The Bible. Sorry, no part-time work available. Applicants will be "on call" at all times to represent the Kingdom of God. Serious inquiries only. See 2 Corinthians 5:20 for details.

HELP WANTED: Now organizing a team of Prayer Warriors for global intercession project. This is the ideal "work from home" position. Leads are provided and the applicant will be expected to generate their own list of prayer requests. Prefer candidate who loves to communicate and is goals oriented. This position is critical to the success of our other opportunities. See John 15:7 for details.

HELP WANTED: Servants needed for a variety of odd jobs. Applicant will receive a daily calendar from the Holy Spirit. Some responsibilities and duties might include: teaching Sunday school class, driving the church van, visiting the sick, encouraging the downtrodden, serving as an example, discipleship training, evangelism, caring for the elderly, giving, soul-winning, bearing burdens and many other activities. Tired of the "same old boring" position...this one is ever changing and offers exciting possibilities. All ages are encouraged to "apply." Assignments available now. See 2 Peter 1:4-9 for a detailed description of this opportunity.

THE LESSON OF THE POTTER

2011-12-14T17:27:00.000-08:00

"CHRISTIAN" FICTION

2011-12-14T06:45:00.000-08:00

C. S. Lewis once said, “The world does not need more Christian writers, it needs more writers that are Christian.” The work of the novelist is to glorify God through art. Though we approach our art with a touch of pragmatism, we must retain our purpose. We are not propagandists, nor are we advertisers writing commercials for God. We are artists in the line of Beethoven, Michelangelo, and Bunyan… and even John Grisham, for that matter.

Good fiction deals with the issues of character and morality. Yet Christian fiction is sometimes criticized for avoiding realistic situations and characterization. Part of the problem is that Christian fiction is in its modern infancy, and part of the problem is our hard-headed American pragmatism. Publishers already have an idea of what the evangelical market wants and expects, and to some it appears that a realistic approach to life and human nature is not an expectation. I believe that is a misunderstanding, based on evangelical expectations for nonfiction works.

When I said Christian fiction is in its modern infancy I meant it has been lying dormant for most of the twentieth century. Over the last twenty years it began re-emerging as a legitimate Christian expression. One of the results of the fundamentalist/modernist controversy in the 1920’s and ‘30’s was to view fiction as “escapist entertainment” and therefore, a frivolous waste. We are beginning to abandon that stigma, but let us not make a greater mistake by simply saying that frivolous, escapist entertainment is now a good thing.

As I see it, Christian fiction has a narrow road to travel and two wide pitfalls to avoid. With wide latitude, I would say that Christian fiction ought to tell a story illustrating how godly principles play out on a worldly stage. The pitfalls to avoid are arrogant sermonizing on one hand and gratuitous sex and violence on the other. This does not mean that no moral point may be made. All good fiction speaks to moral choices. The operative words are arrogant and gratuitous. A realistic portrayal of life could not be made without showing the awful power of sin, rebellion and violence. But those things ought not be the point of the story. They are instead grist for the mill, predicaments in which godly principles and power may be demonstrated.

Christian fiction is blossoming during a formative time in American culture, but the question is, what makes fiction “Christian?” The distinction between sacred and secular is a recent invention, a product of the Enlightenment and the “Scientific” Victorian Age. Prior to the twentieth century, the categories of Christian fiction or music would have been absurdities. True, there were writers who sought to glorify God and those who did not, but you did not buy them in separate bookstores. They stood on the same shelves, vying with secular works for the minds of people.

Of course as far as the modern world is concerned Christians ought to be relegated to our own well-defined (and invisible) corner of the world. So what? There is nothing that says we have to accept those limits. Personally, I agree with C. S. Lewis’ sentiments on the subject. I am a writer who is a Christian. Preaching to the choir may be fun and easy, but there is a world out there that might just benefit from an exposure to a Christian approach to life’s struggles.

WRITERS IN THE FAMILY

2011-12-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

I came across some poems written by by grandfather, Charles G. Patterson. Here are two of them

MAN

Who climbed the mountain to say a prayer?
All alone with his God in cool clean air.
And with all his wisdom and reason
he was hanged to a cross.
Yeah,
Even a half-wit can see who was Boss.

HIS MAJESTY

There, on yonder hill stands a big oak tree.
Sturdy and strong, alone and free.
With no malice, no greed, no hatred
-unlike you and me.
He's king of the hill - His Majesty.
He has been standing there
many a year, and many a day.
Keeping watch on us and the foolish
games we play;
digging and scratching, going to and fro.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

2011-12-13T06:53:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid I never understood that Christmas was a religious holiday. I got toys, that’s as much as I needed to know. When I got a little older I enjoyed giving & getting presents; but I still had no clue that Christmas was anything more than that.

Thing is, I had no excuse. I heard the Christmas story every year. I mean there were School programs where we sang the carols… Somebody managed to drag me to VBS at least once a summer. We even had a backyard Bible Club in my neighborhood. I went. If that wasn’t enough, every year I listened to Linus telling Charlie Brown the true meaning of Christmas, right out of the Gospel of Luke.

And yet… I got nothin’.

But, maybe it’s not so surprising after all. The twelve men whom Jesus chose to spend his public ministry with—to pour his life into—were just as clueless.

31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33 On the third day he will rise again."
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. Luke 18:31-34 (NIV)

They got nothing, too. Zip. Zero. Nada. They didn’t understand because what Jesus told them was contrary to their desires. The message was hidden because they didn’t want to hear it in the first place. They wanted a Mighty King not a Suffering Servant.

So what about you…? Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard it all before: Baby Jesus, meek and mild… Yada-Yada-Yada…Here’s a surprise, from the point of view of Jesus’ sacrifice, it IS all about you. God became one of us; not just LIKE us, but one of us. He experienced nine months in the womb. He had all the childhood diseases. He had to take care of whiny little brothers and sisters. He made the ULTIMATE sacrifice for you: He VOLUNTARILY went through puberty and the teenage years… He had acne For YOU. That’s what I call suffering before the cross. This little child came specifically to live thirty years as one of us BEFORE giving his life as a ransom for YOU.

Are you like I was? Like the disciples? Are you clueless or do you understand?

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN...CAR WARS IMPERIAL DESTROYER

2011-12-11T14:48:00.000-08:00

THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR TEDIUM

2011-12-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

We have a house full of kids and granddaughter. Four: it feels--and sounds--like Sherman's Army marching through Georgia. It's great, but I'm exhausted. This is the thing about getting older I hate the most. Despite hiking, bike riding and staying active, I just don't have much long-term energy any more.

It makes me respect Karen's grandparents all the more. They raised her to adulthood from the time she was nine. How did they do that? It's not like she was a shy, friendless, bookworm. She was a cheerleader, for Pete's sake.

So, the multiple inputs are fading. The screeching train whistles, electronic carols, and two squealing elementary girls are mellowing. Charlie Brown Christmas is playing on the DVD. It's quite pleasant. I'm enjoying the moment, but I'm still tired.

THE SABLE QUILL AWARD

2011-12-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

Next week the High Desert Christian Writers will meet for our annual Christmas party. Each year we award the coveted "Sable Quill" to the member of the group we deem to have accomplished the most as a writer. It's a group vote by ballot cast at our November meeting. I (insert maniacal laugh of power) am the only one who knows who this years recipient is.

There are at least three valuable reasons to be part of a writers critique group. FELLOWSHIP: as a writer, you know what is is to be different from the other children. You need to find others, like you, who look at a gorgeous sunset and think primarily of strong verbs. CRITIQUES: Iron sharpens iron. Writers help each other hone their craft. The big writers conferences are where the macro lessons are learned. A local critique group gives that input all year long. ACCESS: You need to meet and network with other writers, agents and editors in the business. As a member of a writers group you will network with others, sharing information and contacts. I highly recommend you find or start your own group.

If you plan to be in the Antelope Valley next Tuesday morning and you'd like to attend, be our guest. Email me and I'll give you the GPS coordinates. (that's address, for those of you over 50)

UPDATE: this year's award winner is Stephen Hutson.

OVERHEARD AT THE BOOK STORE

2011-12-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

THOU SHALT NOT SKIM FLAVOR FROM THE HOLIDAYS

2011-12-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

By Craig Wilson, USA TODAY

I hate this time of year. Not for its crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds. You can't pick up a magazine without finding a list of holiday eating do's and don'ts. Eliminate second helpings, high-calorie sauces and cookies made with butter, they say. Fill up on vegetable sticks, they say. Good grief! Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I didn't think so. Isn't mine, either. A carrot was something you left for Rudolph. I have my own list of tips for holiday eating. I assure you, if you follow them, you'll be fat and happy.

1. About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving peanut butter balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly, it's rare. In fact, you can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? Remember college?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards, mate.

10. And one final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips. Start over. But hurry! Cookieless January is just around the corner.

GOD’S CHURCH TRIUMPHANT

2011-12-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Through the ages the Church has seen her ups and downs.
She has been hailed as the Bride of Christ,
and vilified as the opiate of the people.
BUT GOD’S CHURCH IS STILL ALIVE.

She has been hunted in the streets,
and driven into the catacombs of Imperial Rome.
Her members have been burned to illuminate Nero’s garden parties,
and savaged by ravenous lions;
slandered as cannibals over the Lord’s Supper,
and branded as atheists because of fidelity to her One Lord.
The whole might of the Roman Empire was brought to bear
in order to terrify it’s subjects concerning the consequences of following Jesus Christ.
AND YET, GOD’S CHURCH IS STILL ALIVE.

The Adversary has employed every trick and every weapon
in his vast arsenal in order to destroy the church of Jesus Christ.
Through the centuries and around the globe
She has been driven underground by persecution.
At times she has been painted and draped in scarlet,
set upon a throne and encouraged to indulge her desires.
She has experienced every pain and temptation
in an unholy attempt to shake her allegiance to Christ, her bridegroom.
AND STILL, GOD’S CHURCH IS ALIVE.

No amount of persecution or prosperity will ever
succeed in destroying the Blood bought Church of Jesus Christ.
Her Lord, Jesus Christ himself, has promised that
the very gates of hell could never prevail against her.
Hear me! The purest sweetest water is that which
has forced it’s way through solid rock.
Opposition can never stop us.
GOD’S CHURCH IS STILL ALIVE.

Frazzled Parents; you’re not wasting your time worshiping
with your children. You’re training them for life.

Lonely Housewife; Jesus Christ touches the world through
the investment you make. Take heart.

Confused Husband; reject the world’s call to selfishness.
Be a Godly man.

Single Mother; You’re not abandoned.
God has given you a family.

Busy Student; don’t give in to futility about the future.
You have a blessed hope in Christ.

Frustrated Christian; don’t surrender to problems which shake your faith.
Follow in the footsteps of those holy saints who have gone on before you.
GOD’S CHURCH IS STILL ALIVE.

ALIVE AND WELL.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2011-12-03T20:42:00.001-08:00

DON THE BAPTIST'S ANNUAL BAH, HUMBUG, BREAK-EVERYBODY'S -HEART CHRISTMAS POST

2011-12-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas imagery is filled with Heavenly Choirs musically heralding the Savior's birth. One problem with that: it never happened. There is zero evidence that angels sing. I know, I know, I'm trampling all over your cherished childhood memories. Tough. It's simply not found in scripture.

But wait, what about the Heavenly choir at Bethlehem? There was none. Matthew's Gospel talks about the Magi, but no angels. Luke 2:8-12 tells us about the angels:
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel SAID to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and SAYING,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Then the angels left and went back to heaven.

NO SINGING.

Well, okay... What about IN HEAVEN? Ah, ha! like in Revelation. Nope. Sorry. In the great picture of worship around the heavenly throne of Revelation 4, the angels before God SAY, "Holy, Holy, Holy."
In chapter 5, "...many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were SAYING: “Worthy is the Lamb."

Why? Why don't angels sing? I think it's because singing--music--is an inherently human action. Animals exist in the completely earthy realm. Angels exist in the purely spiritual realm. Humans are amphibians; we exist in both worlds at once. Music moves us; to joy, sorrow, sometimes to tears. We don't just play or sing music; we FEEL it. I don't believe angels truly comprehend music.

So, sorry I had to break your heart. But I take theology seriously. I take the same stand on other "doctrines of men" that have no foundation in scripture, as well.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am speaking from a Biblical perspective. If you are an unbeliever, feel free to indulge your imagination. For those of you who claim to accept the Bible as God's Word, knock it off.

GRAND CANYON

2011-12-01T20:45:00.000-08:00

Maybe These Are Miracles

Grand Canyon
— MOVIECLIPS.com

Watch the scene to the end. The key to it is the phrase, "Maybe we don't
have any experience with miracles so we're slow to recognize them."

The movie Grand Canyon is twenty years old now, but I still think it resonates with our culture. Grand Canyon didn't do that well at the box office and as far as I remember was panned by the critics. I think it spoke the truth about our spiritually impoverished culture. The story features an ensemble cast representing people from all walks of life in LA. The question for each of them is the same: "is this all there is?"

The theme of the movie is the futility of modern life. In LA, urban life is squalid and dehumanizing for rich and poor alike. Our marvelous, modern, high-tech world has become a terrifying nightmare. It is self-evident that the world is not working the way it ought to. Life, as our culture has defined it, is random, purposeless, lonely, empty, short, brutal, nasty and nearly hopeless. The characters in the story experience the futility of knowing they could contribute to a better world, yet fail to act out of pride or selfishness.

There are two symbols of hope in the movie. The first is the "rescuing stranger" who appears frequently as a sign of hope from out of nowhere. The second is the Grand Canyon itself, which stands as a symbol of majestic creation, and ultimately of God.

Like the book of Ecclesiastes, Grand Canyon is a proto-gospel, crying out that we are missing something. Honestly, when I saw this at the theater I had a nearly overwhelming urge to stand up and give and invitation to Christ as the credits rolled.

WHEN YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE...

2011-11-30T19:06:00.000-08:00

One of my biggest frustrations as a pastor is helplessness. I often get asked to do something, when whatever I do gets ignored or rebuffed. Sometimes I haven't a clue what to do. Other times words fail me. I don't think of myself as a do-gooder. I have no illusions about my personal righteousness or wisdom. I don't go about, as the Aussies say, "Sticky-Beaking" others business. I usually only step in when asked. Still, it's hardest when your helping hand gets snapped at.

The medical profession has a firm rule: DO NO HARM. One of my grad-school professors suggested that would make a fine motto for the ministry, as well. If I can't do anything for another, the least I can do is refrain from making the situation worse. Even better, perhaps I might leave a bit of good will for the next helping hand that comes along.

At times like these, when I can do nothing else I can pray. I can ask for wisdom for myself. I can ask for truly wise words. I can ask for compassion in dealing with an unlovable person. I must also seek that persons good. Prayer for another need not be filled with specifics; I trust God to know their needs better than I. I even practice retroactive prayer--praying for a bad event after it's happened. Who knows that in eternity we may find God changed time. It's worth a prayer.

I know prayer has changed my hard, cold heart. I believe prayer can change the circumstances and hearts of others, as well.

INTERPRETING THE SCRIPTURES

2011-11-30T06:45:00.000-08:00

In interpreting the Word of God, the reader must recognize a divine tension. There must be a balance between the historical and theological perspectives.

HISTORICALLY:
1.The established TEXT. You must use what is there.
2.Awareness of the CONTEXT of the writer & recipients.
3.There is a MULTIPLEX of insights which often seem to support several viewpoints.
4.The reader must recognize that everything you decide the text says is an INTERPRETATION; you CAN make it say what you want it to say: Beware.

THEOLOGICALLY:
1.DIVINE INSPIRATION: what is in the text is what God wants to say.
2.RELEVANT: both to the past and the present.
3.REDEMPTIVE: it does not bog down in details, but majors on the relational.
4.EFFECTIVE: It accomplishes what God wants it to accomplish.

NO RESURRECTION!?

2011-11-28T06:17:00.000-08:00

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is so foundational, that without it there would BE no Christianity. If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead on the third day after his death, then Christianity is a lie.

“ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
                        1 Corinthians 15:13-14

Without the resurrection, Christianity is just another unfulfilled, hoped for religion. Christ’s resurrection is God’s seal of approval on Jesus’ life and work. It demonstrates that Jesus is God in the flesh, not just a good man. Besides all that, if the resurrection is untrue, Christians are wasting their time. After all, why live a life of sacrifice and self-giving for nothing?

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”
                        Romans 15:19

The Christian’s hope lies not just in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross but in his life-giving resurrection from the dead.

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
                        Romans 15:20-22

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

2011-11-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

Many people don't bother asking what the Star in the East was that led the Wise Men from the East to Bethlehem. They assume it was a either an exploding star--a super nova--or simply a miraculous event. In fact, God tends to use His creation in interacting with mankind. With the exception of the last, the ten plagues on Egypt were "natural" occurrences. The miraculous element is that they began and ended on command and their specific order caused a cascade of disasters.

So if the star was a natural, as opposed to a now-you-see-it-now-you-don't miracle, what was it? You might be surprised to find that there are several possible candidates.

At that B.C./A.D. conjunction, the whole Eastern and Roman world was expecting the next great ruler to arise. The Jews had been in Babylon for 500 years at this point, waiting for the Messiah. Jewish concepts were well established in the East. As Astrologers, the Babylonian Magi equated the star with that expected king.

So, was the star;
a) Halley’s Comet, which passed in 11 BC...
b) The conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter which occurred three times in 7 BC...
c) Sirius the Dog star which, from the years 5 to 2 BC, rose brightly at sunrise on the first day of the month called Mesori “Birth of a Prince..."
d) Or, a super nova unrecorded by ancient astrologers.

Remember, the Magi were Astrologers who looked for fixed signs in the heavens, therefore the answer is "C." To the Babylonians, the star Sirius represented Israel. That, connected to the month Mesori compelled the Magi to travel to Bethlehem.

One final point. The Magi continued on even when there was no visible star to follow. This fits with both the 7 BC conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter (3 occurrences) and the 5-2 BC rise of Sirius the Dog star at sunrise on the first day of the month called Mesori. Both are plausible, but I vote for Sirius.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2011-11-26T07:04:00.001-08:00

THE APOLOGIST'S EVENING PRAYER By C.S. Lewis

2011-11-25T09:47:00.001-08:00

From all my lame defeats and oh! Much more
From all the victories that I seemed to score;
From cleverness shot forth on Thy behalf
At which, while angels weep,
the audience laugh;
From all my proofs of Thy divinity,
Thou, who wouldst give no sign, deliver me.

Thoughts are but coins. Let me not trust instead
Of Thee, their thin-worn image of Thy head.
From all my thoughts,
even from my thoughts of Thee,
O thou fair silence, fall, and set me free.
Lord of the narrow gate and the needle’s eye,
Take from me all my trumpery lest I die.

GIVE THANKS FOR THANKSGIVING

2011-11-24T09:02:00.000-08:00

The Pilgrims came pretty close to not ever having a Thanksgiving celebration. They were almost starved out of their toehold in North America. You see, the contract they had entered into in London was an early experiment in Communism. That is, the Pilgrims agreed, "everything they produced to go into a common store, and each member of the community was entitled to one common share. All of the land they cleared and the houses they built belonged to the community as well. They were going to distribute it equally. Nobody owned anything."

The ambitious plan was a dismal flop. They barely survived the first winter, losing half their number, including Governor Bradford's wife, to death. Problem is, though their communal ideas were noble they did not take human nature into account. Working for the common good gave no incentive to work hard. Does that sound bad? That is human nature. Ignoring it is as reckless as ignoring your auto's need for oil.

Bradford came to the conclusion that, "young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense, that was thought injustice."

Finally, the Pilgrims decided to work each his own land and market his own crops and products. With the help of the local Indians, who taught them some farming techniques, the pilgrims brought in enough to face a comfortable winter. This sparked the first Thanksgiving celebration that we remember today. It was personal freedom that brought prosperity to the new world. We ought to celebrate that as we give thanks today.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

WHAT ABOUT GOOD WORKS?

2011-11-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

Beware of false additions to faith. Through the ages people have proposed that other things beside faith are required for salvation. They say that these are not works, but since they then turn around and require that one must do these things to gain salvation they are obviously a work which produces or earns salvation.

1. Surrender. Christ must be perfectly followed as lord in order for salvation to be real. Christ is Lord, but His lordship over the believer in this life is imperfect. Christians make a linguistic mistake with the word Lord. We understand it in the European sense of "king." The Bible uses it of Jesus in the Jewish meaning of a synonym for God. Jesus is God whether you obey or not.
2. Baptism. Baptism is visible obedience to Christ, but requiring it as a precondition to salvation makes it a work. (Mark 16:16 is not in the most reliable texts).
3. Repentance. If understood as a synonym for faith yes; if understood as cleaning up your life, and THEN believing, no.
4. Confession. Believers are called to confess their sins to one another(James 5:16) but nowhere is confession (usually in the sense of EVERY sin ever committed) demanded as a precondition to salvation.

The Thief on the cross is the salvation test case. He didn’t,
clean up his life,
walk the aisle,
pray at an alter,
get baptized,
join a church, or
give any money.
He simply asked Jesus for salvation.

JESUS HIPPY MUSIC

2011-11-22T07:36:00.000-08:00

The Jesus Movement of the late sixties, early seventies, specifically Jesus Hippy Music, made a significant impact on American youth. I became a Christian during that time. I was aware of the movement, but not really a part of it. There is one point at which the movement and I made direct contact. This song, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" by Larry Norman, is the first witness that made me think. There were many Christian influences around me, friends, Vacation Bible School, and Backyard Bible Clubs. Those things must have influenced me, but I never really thought about them.

In the summer of 1971 my friend, Doug Wall, brought an album over and played this song for me. Hard to imagine lugging vinyl albums around in this mp3 age. I didn't understand the imagery or message of the song, but it stuck in my head. This did not spark my decision to seek God. I had been doing that for some time on my own. It stands out in my memory as a sign post for the knowledge that others were interested in spiritual things apart from the rigid structure of church.

"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" got loads of play in youth meetings. By 1972 it would probably have been the #1 Jesus Hippy song on MTV (Maranatha Television) had there been such a thing. This song was as ubiquitous as the One Way sign. Sadly, both have slid into the shady, half-remembered past.

Standard practice in those days was to ask everyone in the youth meeting to bow their heads and close their eyes in an attitude of prayer. Then the musician would strum a guitar and croon the words. At the end, for effect, the musician would abruptly cut the last line and go absolutely silent. The feeling was supposed to be that the Rapture had occurred in the middle of the song and you'd been left behind.

INTRODUCING THE HACKIES

2011-11-21T06:50:00.000-08:00

The Hacky Award is presented annually for Ridiculous, Redundant and/or simply Horrid Advertisement Copy Writing in the areas of radio, print and television commercials.

Today's nominee is:

In the category of radio, the nominee is Green Light for their redundant line;

"Act now, before this historic offer is history."

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER

2011-11-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Once there lived an ant and a grasshopper in a grassy meadow.

All day long the ant would work hard, collecting grains of wheat from the farmer's field far away. She would hurry to the field every morning, as soon as it was light enough to see by, and toil back with a heavy grain of wheat balanced on her head. She would put the grain of wheat carefully away in her larder, and then hurry back to the field for another one. All day long she would work, without stop or rest, scurrying back and forth from the field, collecting the grains of wheat and storing them carefully in her larder.

The grasshopper would look at her and laugh. 'Why do you work so hard, dear ant?' he would say. 'Come, rest awhile, listen to my song. Summer is here, the days are long and bright. Why waste the sunshine in labor and toil?'

The ant would ignore him, and head bent, would just hurry to the field a little faster. This would make the grasshopper laugh even louder. 'What a silly little ant you are!' he would call after her. 'Come, come and dance with me! Forget about work! Enjoy the summer! Live a little!' And the grasshopper would hop away across the meadow, singing and dancing merrily.

Summer faded into autumn, and autumn turned into winter. The sun was hardly seen, and the days were short and gray, the nights long and dark. It became freezing cold, and snow began to fall.

The grasshopper didn't feel like singing any more. He was cold and hungry. He had nowhere to shelter from the snow, and nothing to eat. The meadow and the farmer's field were covered in snow, and there was no food to be had. 'Oh what shall I do? Where shall I go?' wailed the grasshopper. Suddenly he remembered the ant. 'Ah - I shall go to the ant and ask her for food and shelter!' declared the grasshopper, perking up. So off he went to the ant's house and knocked at her door. 'Hello ant!' he cried cheerfully. 'Here I am, to sing for you, as I warm myself by your fire, while you get me some food from that larder of yours!'

The ant looked at the grasshopper and said, 'All summer long I worked hard while you made fun of me, and sang and danced. You should have thought of winter then! Find somewhere else to sing, grasshopper! There is no warmth or food for you here!' And the ant shut the door in the grasshopper's face.

It is wise to worry about tomorrow today.

Except today the ant would be vilified for being a greedy capitalist and not giving back to the community.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2011-11-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

THE CALIFORNIA BIBLE

Here At Last, Dude!

Aren't you tired of the old translations of the Bible that make reading God's Holy Word so tedious? Are you frustrated with racking your brain over the archaic wording of the Living Bible?

Well suffer no more! Relief is here Dude!

Developed by actual graduate language students, between wave sets, the CALIFORNIA BIBLE has removed the awkward syntax and medieval language of older, more structured paraphrases.

Check it out!

8 So the sailors asked Jonah, "Yo, Dude! whats bring'in this bad karma down on us, y'know?
9 He answered, "Take a chill pill Bill! I'm like a Hebrew an' these gnarley waves were made by the Big Dude upstairs, y'know?
10 this terrified them and they asked, "Woah! are you mental dude? (They knew he was splittin' from the Big Dude upstairs because he had already clued them).
11 The sea was getting gnarlier and gnarlier. So they asked him, "Dude, like what should we do now?"
12 "Surfs up! These waves are mine!" He replied... Then they picked him up and threw him overboard.    Jonah 1:8-15

"Like, totally gnarly! y'know?"
Johnny McArthur III

INTEGRITY

2011-11-18T06:27:00.001-08:00

As a sometime carpenter, I can’t help wondering how Jesus must have felt when he went into his shop and found that someone had “borrowed” a tool without asking. Oh sure, being God in the flesh he was probably above such petty annoyances. I wonder if his reaction would have been different had he known that a Priest or Rabbi had removed the implement in question?

In seminary, I walked into class one day to hear sad news. Our professor informed us that a book reserved for our class had disappeared from the library. Afterward, He simply prayed and dismissed class saying that no grade was worth the price of our integrity. The next day the book "miraculously" appeared on the library front steps. Over coffee, several of us reflected on the necessity for absolute honesty in our personal lives, not to mention our ministries. Later that semester the book disappeared from the library for good.

How would you feel about preparing a message on the Sermon on the Mount or the Ten Commandments using a hot commentary? Someone is.

THE PRINCESS IS COMING

2011-11-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

A Special Weekend begins today. Our granddaughter, grandpa's June Bug, is coming for the next four days. I'll pick her up this afternoon and take her to dance. Grandma will join us after she finishes at school. Then more dance. Then Girl Scouts. Whew! It's going to be a busy weekend. In-between engagements we get to spend time with our vivacious granddaughter. If I sound wrapped-around-her-finger giddy its because I am. I am the oldest of five sons. I have two sons. The family is chock-full of boys. We would have made a great line of kings.

Junie is my grandDAUGHTER. And for that I am blessed, thrilled and eternally bemused. Instead of G.I. Joes and Transformers I learn about cutsie girlie stuff. Not that I enjoy it or anything. No. Not a manly guy like me.

I am grateful for the blessing this little girl, my princess, has brought to our lives.

PRIDE AND INSIGNIFICANCE

2011-11-16T07:07:00.000-08:00

The book of Genesis spends much of its coverage of Abraham on the promise of a son. Yet, when you get right down to it, we really don't know a lot about Isaac, son of the promise. He is eclipsed by his great father and sadly, his son Jacob.

Charles Hadden Spurgeon was perhaps the greatest Preacher of the 19th century. More than a hundred years later most evangelical Christians are at least familiar with the name. Did you know he had two sons who were preachers, too? Never heard of them? Yeah, they emigrated to Australia to get out from under the shadow of their father's reputation.

It's tough being the son of a great man. I should know, I am such a son. No, my dad is not a thundering preacher, nor the patriarch of a new nation. Though, with five sons, nine grandsons, one granddaughter, and uncountable great grandchildren He could be accused of being the founder of a mighty clan. His greatness lies in his family who love him. Annnnnd the fact that he is an automotive artist without parallel.

Self-taught--he never graduated from high school--he makes those custom car guys on television look pathetic. I always laugh when the people on those shows whine about how hard it is to build a car or motorcycle using only the Cincinatti Milacron machine tools used to manufacture nuclear weapons. My dad uses a welder, a hand grinder and his artist's eye. The cars he turns out makes those other guys look sick.

I will forever be in his shadow yet I feel nothing but pride. I am not an automotive artist but I am my father's son.

FRINGIES

2011-11-15T07:13:00.000-08:00

I figured out the other day where I am. That is, I made a line graph. I put all the theological fringe types, as I see them, on the extreme Left and Right and boy howdy, if I didn’t end up smack in the middle. The criteria which demonstrated that I should be in the middle is the obvious fact that I don’t think I’m weird. No, really, I’m a great guy; ask my mom. The problem is there are very few of us who take relish in proclaiming that we are off-center. Perhaps you've seen a graph like the one described above. They are almost always self-serving devices used to label and demean those who do not possess the hallowed--read ‘arbitrary’--middle ground.

It is obvious that people are different. For convenience sake we tend to use the labels Left and Right. Because of this, if you just have to stand everyone on some sort of graduated line, some would be to the right and others to the left; those are your Fringies. I suppose there’s nothing demonically wrong with a graph like this. It’s the usage that distorts it’s usefulness. The unspoken argument from graphs like this seems to run this way; Left and Right are extreme. The Middle is the best. Christ is the best. Therefore, to be in the middle is to be closest to Christ.

Now I admit, measuring fringe types against ourselves is fun and easy. Too bad that’s not the way God does it. The divine standard is Jesus Christ. How can identifying with a political or theological label qualify us for that goal? Groups can’t measure up to the stature of Christ, that is a job for individuals. Perhaps a clearer way of graphing this is to put everyone on a baseline without reference to Left or Right; the operative direction is up. In this way individual Fundamentalists, Liberals, Conservatives, Moderates, Neo-Orthodox and Evangelicals must strive for the goal at the top; Jesus Christ. Sure, there are differences between us but the one that really counts is the difference between me and Christ.

ROCKIN' THE RANGE

2011-11-14T06:36:00.000-08:00

I am a volunteer Chaplain with the LA County Sheriff's Department. Chaplain duties include counseling, patrolling in black & whites with the deputies, and simple presence. Today I will work one of my collateral duties. I am a Range Master for one of our mobile shooting ranges. I sought this out, went through training and love doing it. Okay, I do get some looks. A Chaplain in the shooting range?! Yeah. My Granddad was a deputy. I learned to shoot when I was a kid. and it is one sport where my normal terminal awkwardness is absent.

Amazing though it sounds, the range is a great fit for me as a Chaplain. I'm supposed to minister to the deputies, their families and department personnel. Traditionally, that's accomplished by ride-a-longs and station presence. I've done a lot of ride-a-longs. You spend eight hours in a car with a deputy, responding to calls and simply patrolling the streets. I enjoy it. It's an intense eight hour session. One deputy at a time. At first the deputies look at me like: why is this person in my car, is he reporting on me for the brass? I always start a first ride with a deputy saying, Good news and bad news. Good news; I'm not Internal Affairs. Bad news; I'm a preacher.

Thing is, I meet more deputies in a more comfortable setting when I work the range. The conversation is less formal. The deputies see me out of my high, priestly environment; Why, the Chaplain might actually be a human, like me.

I'm off. Looking forward to my day.

A REASON FOR THE FAITH WITHIN

2011-11-13T08:07:00.000-08:00

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

When sharing your faith, the person listening to you does not have to agree with you or even receive your message. You are not validated by their response. You are simply sharing what you know. Frustration or anger at rejection is an indication that you might not be so sure about your faith yourself. Be clear about what you believe and why.

What IS mandatory is to make your position clear, logical and internally consistent. I might be wrong but at the very least I try to be consistent. This means you don't bother trying to build a detailed, academic argument if you are not academically trained. Be a witness. Tell what you know, not what some clever person told you.

Don't claim to be an authority, you are setting yourself up for a fall. Even if you ARE an authority it is a mistake. Show some humility. You are sharing your faith with another. It is not necessary to build an airtight legal case. In the "Scopes Monkey Trial" of 1925, William Jennings-Bryan claimed to be a Biblical authority. He was not, and lawyer Clarence Darrow made a monkey out of him over national radio.

Be honest about who you are, what you know and what you don't know. Hypocrisy is the unpardonable sin as far as unbelievers are concerned.

“Marx is to communism what Christianity was to the Rulers of the Holy Roman Empire; convenient as a banner, irrelevant as a guide.”
Richard M. Nixon--The Real War

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2011-11-12T08:04:00.001-08:00

Beware, writers.

VETERANS DAY 11-11-11

2011-11-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

Honoring those warriors who never made it home.
Welcoming back their comrades who did.

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes,
From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well,
Safely rest.

God is nigh.

IN MEMORIUM: S.S. EDMUND FITZGERALD

2011-11-10T07:15:00.000-08:00

The Edmund Fitzgerald was lost with her entire crew of 29 men on Lake Superior November 10, 1975, 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan.

Sailor’s, rest your oars.

ACCOUNTABILITY UPDATE

2011-11-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

Today I worked on my non-fiction book proposal. The non-sample chapter part is almost done. (Is there another name for the non-sample chapter part?) I still have to figure "Other Possible Books in this Series" and "Ideas for OTHER Other books that interest me."

The Introduction and Chapter One are already written. I still need to write at least one more chapter. Finally, I will have to edit my work looking for all the amateur phrases and mis-spellings I am famous for.

WRITERS CRITIQUE GROUPS

2011-11-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

I am a member of High Desert Christian Writers. We meet once a month for encouragement, advice and to critique one another's work. You don't have to be a Christian to be part of our group. You don't have to write exclusively Christian content, either. We are simply Christians who write and meet to help each other improve in their craft.

I wrote my first novel--Precipice--before I discovered the existence of such a thing as a critique group. I had a lot of fun writing on my own. The writing at the end of the book is much better than at the beginning. I taught myself how to sit down and write. Something I did not teach myself: industry standards. I had no clue that there were such things. I figured you sat down, pounded out a best-seller and everyone would want it. Silly boy.

After I finished my book I looked around for someone to tell me how to publish my best-seller. That's when I found my critique group. They helped me by showing me everything that was wrong with it. That is a bit daunting, but in fact, a writer who is not willing to take a "thick-skinned" critique will never make it out of the hot house. I tell people now, if my first novel were a car it would be in the garage, up on blocks with greasy engine parts strewn all over.

I tried for years to edit that novel to perfection. I finally gave it up. It was more of a patchwork quilt than a flowing literary masterpiece. Instead, I wrote a second novel, Colombian Kilo. Though I ended up self-publishing that, I am much happier with the over-all writing. I have found, as writers are fond of saying, my voice. I know my style and can execute it on demand. I learned that through the patient, knowledgeable writers in my critique group. I owe them a debt for praising my writing where it deserved it, and wading in with machete's when it didn't.

The High Desert Christian Writers holds an annual writers conference each May. 2012's conference will be on May 4-5. Learn more at Antelope Valley Christian Writers Conference.

THANK THE SLAVS

2011-11-08T15:50:00.000-08:00

For some reason this blog is becomming popular in what is normally considered the Slavic states: people from Russia and Romania account for the bulk of my non-USA followers. They are closely followed by Latvia-which I believe prefers the term "Baltic State."

If I have misunderstood your heritage or mis-labeled you, please correct me. I want to learn better manners.

I am currently reading Dr. John Julius Norwich's three volume history of the Byzantine Empire. For an American it is quite an eye-opener to learn of the changing people and politics of your part of the world.

I included this photo of Hagia Sophia, in what is now Istanbul, because I believe it must be the most beautiful Christian Church ever built.

CULTURE WAR... SIGH

2011-11-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

FEATURED SITE: THE HOT ROD CHURCH FOR SINNERS

2011-11-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

I came across this unique ministry a few years ago. The Hot Rod Church For Sinners meets at Santora's Hot Wings in Mission Viejo, California.

Two things strike me about these Christians. First, they remind me of the excitement and sense of fun I had as a new believer. Anyone who is willing to drive around in a rat rod with "Hot Rod Church for Sinners" painted on the door is having FUN. There is a myth among unbelievers that you must be a sourpuss in order to be a Christian. I disagree. And these believers are certainly the antidote to that notion.

Second, the Gospel of Jesus the Christ has NO BORDERS. Whosoever Will and Just As I Am are alive and well in this fallen world. These folks are living for Christ and giving glory to Father God just by showing up. In case you're not familiar with the culture, this is Rockabilly, with a continuous nod to the Fun Fifties.

Another great thing about their church, and in particular their web site, is the free music downloads. The Pioneers are the official band of the Hot Rod Church. Their albums are featured on the web site and available for free. I have several myself. So, since you're here, that means you are wasting time surfing the web anyway. Why not click the link and visit their page. You just might be blessed.

If you find yourself in Mission Viejo of a Sunday morning you should go worship with them. I plan to.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

2011-11-05T18:31:00.001-07:00

PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH

2011-11-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've been there; some Big-Cheese tells you how super-important you are to them. Then you find yourself blown off by the same honcho, sometimes within minutes. It might have been a corporate phone tree message or an employee meeting. It doesn't really matter. At one such meeting the CEO himself made that statement to us employees, then asked for input. Someone took what they heard at face value and responded with a criticism. The CEO's answer: "Perhaps you're not right for this organization."

I sat in one of those meetings again, today. Not employees this time, but volunteers for a large government entity. We heard the same assurances from the CEO; we are valuable, necessary, almost indispensable to the organization's mission.

YAWN. Been there, heard that. ...Not today.

Let me fill in the back story. The meeting took place in Los Angeles; a ninety-mile drive from my house. Since I am an important, valuable, irreplaceable asset, I got to drive a company vehicle--burning company gas--to the meeting. As they say in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, "I chose... poorly." The car I drove had a slight electrical problem. When I started the tank registered FULL. However, ninety miles later it still read FULL. Worse; after the meeting it read EMPTY.

I swallowed my pride and went back inside to ask if there was a company gas pump at this company meeting place. "Yes, there is," said the NUMBER-FIVE PERSON in this organization of over 4000. Then, "It's locked, let me take you to it." That person spent the next thirty minutes tracking down the gate combination and using his ID to fill my car. Need I complete the moral? That is practicing what you preach.

HIT PARADE

2011-11-04T16:26:00.001-07:00

Whew. fifty-three hits in thirty minutes. I guess I'm not the only Don Francisco fan.

HE'S ALIVE

2011-11-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

I've never had a chance to meet Don Francisco. I've loved his music since the '70's. We do have some significant connections. His father, Clyde Francisco, the John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky is one by proxy. Clyde wrote several of the text books I studied in graduate school. That is not surprising, because of my other point of contact. My friend Bob Cate, who was Dean and OT professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Bob was Clyde's student assistant at Southern. He told me this once when I brought up my love for Don Francisco's music. One of his collateral duties, he confided, was watching after a young Donny. (not me)

This song, "He's Alive" is the first of Don's I ever heard. I woke up to in one morning in 1979 as the radio alarm came on. It is forever iconic and my favorite of all Francisco's music.

OCCUPY YOUR LIFE

2011-11-04T07:49:00.001-07:00

My twelfth grade civics teacher had the following illustration on the wall in his classroom. Still makes sense today.

COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, makes you milk them and gives you some of the milk.

NAZISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, labels you sub-human and shoots you.

GREAT SOCIETYISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, shoots one, milks the other and throws the milk away.

CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

THE BEST SATIRE OF HOLLYWOOD COP MOVIES

2011-11-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

This is a compilation of the send-up of "Hollywood Cop Movie" scenes from "So I Married An Axe Murderer."

COMMUNITY SERVICE

2011-11-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

The Captain asked me to assemble a team to conduct an official "visit" of our local Sheriff station. The idea was to have citizens from the community observe and report on the situation and practices they saw. At first, I thought this was some sort of public relations deal. If you watch the news you'll know that LA County has been under assault from the Without-A CLU people for the past month. Made sense to me.

However, when I got the files via email I discovered that this is a much bigger deal. It isn't merely a county or state PR attempt. No, this is a world-wide undertaking. For a two week period, citizens around the world will make similar inspection tours of their local police facilities. And, at least as far as our local station is concerned, the cops love the idea.

The concept is pretty amazing when you think of it. I mean, there are many places in this world where avoiding a police station would be at the top of my To-Do list. I can imagine myself checking the box for "No Thumb Screws In Evidence." CHECK. But here the police were eager to introduce citizens to the workings of the station. The tour itself was thorough. We went to every place in the station that I knew about and a few places I hadn't known previously. The consensus of the group was that real cops aren't much like what you see in movies. (Unless you've seen the wickedly funny send-up of "Cop Movies" in SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER) See Above.

BODILY EXERCISE PROFITETH LITTLE

2011-11-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

While I enjoy hiking, getting there is nine tenths of the battle. Once my feet hit the trail I am focused on the hike. I push up hills, I enjoy the views, I try to find new trails to follow. Its the whole get up-get dressed-get moving thing that usually kills my hike aborning.

Not today. Well, that's putting it in a positive light. I still fought the urge to go back to bed. Today I overcame my genetic predisposition to sloth and got out of the house and into the car for the climb up the hill. In the photo you can see a bridge crossing the California Aqueduct. The white dot to the left of the bridge is my car. My house is in the line of trees visible in the lowlands to the middle-upper right of the shot.

Sometimes I walk or ride my bike from my house to the aqueduct. Other times, like today, I drive to the bridge then hike the hills above, from whence the photo was taken. I know it looks horribly end-of-season-dead in the photos. Up close and in person the reality isn't that parched.

I like to hike the Joshua Ranch Trail. There are miles of tracks I still haven't taken. Yet the whole hilly site is contained in a six-square-mile spot bounded by roads. Easy to get to. Challenging to hike. Easy to get out of in case of emergency; like running out of trail mix.

Joshua Ranch is "scheduled for termination" as they say in the Death Star detention chambers. Several years ago developers began building roads and clearing lots for high end domiciles. The housing bust of 2008 stopped that. The roads and lots are slowly returning to nature, like ancient Mayan ruins.

Have no fear though. As soon as the economy is back on track I have no doubt that this arid park-land will soon become another conquest of nature. I don't mean to sound cynical. Well... Yes I do. I like hiking there and will be sad to see it go.

Today I hiked for two hours. I figure I did a total of five miles. One of my favorite spots is a shade shelter near the highest point. You can see most of the Antelope Valley from there. If you happen to get there at noon (I never seem to) you might even find shade under the shelter.

The point of the post's Title: "Bodily Exercise Profiteth Little" is that though I exercise and work to lose weight, its really a losing battle. At my age I'm not really improving my body, merely staving off the eventual decay. I don't really feel young again. But I do feel like moving. And that's a good thing.

ACCOUNTABILITY UPDATE

2011-10-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

My non-fiction proposal I worked on last week was Raptured or something. I worked on it again this evening between answering the door for little super heroes. Almost back to where I was on Thursday.

CORN ON THE MACBRE

2011-10-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

DIVINE MANIFESTATION

2011-10-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

My Theology professor, Dr. William Hendricks, told us that Manifestation is, “God coming into time and space to give normative witness to himself and his purpose.” That's Theologian talk for, "God interacts with mankind any way He wants to." Most people see God's revelation to man as simply the Divine being--or an angelic stand-in--appearing to people in their house or maybe in dreams. God is so much more creative than that. God has bombarded the human race with a myriad of revelations. He has used vehicles from every class of thing that exists.
1. Inanimate objects: Lilies of the field, the star in the East.
2. Spiritual beings:     Angels
3. Theophanies:        Personal appearances
4. Animals:                Balaam’s ass
5. Humans:                 From Adam on
6. Written language:   Stone tablets, leather and papyrus scrolls
7. God, the Spirit:   Brooding on the surface of the water, resting on & dwelling in
     believers
8. INCARNATION: Which is Different from theophany: The Incarnation of God-in-Christ is Written in red, bold, italic, and underlined CAPITOL letters.

The defining characteristics of Divine revelation include the facts that they,
1. Appear in the Historical records of mankind
2. In every case they must be correctly Interpreted
3. They are Holy; Separated, set apart, different from me and you.
4. Revelation's purpose is always Redemptive: It seeks to establish redemptive
     relationships with men and women.
5. It is Positively ethical; moral, rather than “im” or a-moral
6. It is Limited: God doesn’t tell us everything we would like to know

One last thing about Divine revelation. Christians believe that Jesus, the Messiah, is, if not the last revelation to be given, certainly is the Highest revelation. Jesus is not "divine", with a lower case "d". He is not god junior-grade. He is not a good, holy man. Christianity proclaimes with gauche bluntness, that Jesus is God Himself. God became one of us to redeem the lost and fallen world.Jesus is the Last and Highest revelation of God, Creator of the world.

Want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus.

WARNING, WARNING: BLOOD DEPRESSURIZATION IN PROGRESS

2011-10-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

I just bought a bag of dog food for our four-legged dust mop. At the checkout counter I noticed a quality assurance statement on the bag. Near the top, emblazoned across the package were the words: "Every bite tastes homemade."

...How am I supposed to test that statement?

Do they expect me to eat some, just to be sure? Maybe they're addle-pated PETA types, thinking this assurance is somehow information MacArthur the Cocker Spaniel is dying to know. This is the same dog who would gladly stuff his snout into the rotting carcass of a five-day-dead skunk. I don't think he cares.

No, I think the marketing copy writer thinks I'm stupid. I'm expected to be impressed with this knowledge, choosing their brand over the competitor.

What am I supposed to do? Mount a protest? refuse to buy their product? Climb up on the cash register counter and denounce the dog food maker?

Yeah, it's not that important to me. Next time I'll avert my eyes and leave it to the PETA types.