Quote for the Day
"The rich are distracted by the crap they have and the poor are distracted by the crap they want."
--Grammy, from her comment below.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Among the Thorns
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Mt 13
Unfruitful... Meaning not saved.
I wonder if this verse describes many of the people in American churches. I haven't attended mine in a couple Sundays because I've been sick... But the last time I was there I heard a sermon about grace that made me want to spit up on my shoes. Somehow narrowly preaching about grace to a group of lukewarm, proud, distracted, rich people seems a little irresponsible.
I would have felt better if the preacher had ended his sermon this way: "Now remember that you are the rich of the world and you need to examine yourselves... You know about the camel and the eye of the needle thing, so - who more than you - needs to work out his salvation with fear and trembling?"
While we are not saved by "works", works are the only indication as to whether we are saved, or we are just the seed that fell among the thorns. If we are saved, works will spring up... And we would be unable to quench those works even if we tried. I believe your "personal fruits" are the easiest way to gauge all this. If you start your day with Bible reading and on-your-knees prayer... If you take joy in tithing... If your conversations with Christian friends take on an excitement when they center on the Lord... If you are turning off your television and searching for entertainment that honors God... If day to day and year to year, you love the world less and seek the Kingdom more, and seek it first... If you're putting in quality and quantity time with God... ... ... I suspect your feet are on the path.
But if you comfortably go a day without praying... If your Bible is dusty... If the entertainment you choose is questionable... If your giving is based upon what's left over after you've purchased what you want... If a conversation about Jesus makes you want to whisper... If your faith is something you only do in church on Sunday... ... ... ... ... ... Good luck with that Grace thing!
Anyway, I wish the preacher would have warned, challenged, and encouraged... But everyone was having such a good time...
My personal goal is to humbly put in the time... To tremble...To progress... And surely Grace will cover the rest.
....
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Mt 13
Unfruitful... Meaning not saved.
I wonder if this verse describes many of the people in American churches. I haven't attended mine in a couple Sundays because I've been sick... But the last time I was there I heard a sermon about grace that made me want to spit up on my shoes. Somehow narrowly preaching about grace to a group of lukewarm, proud, distracted, rich people seems a little irresponsible.
I would have felt better if the preacher had ended his sermon this way: "Now remember that you are the rich of the world and you need to examine yourselves... You know about the camel and the eye of the needle thing, so - who more than you - needs to work out his salvation with fear and trembling?"
While we are not saved by "works", works are the only indication as to whether we are saved, or we are just the seed that fell among the thorns. If we are saved, works will spring up... And we would be unable to quench those works even if we tried. I believe your "personal fruits" are the easiest way to gauge all this. If you start your day with Bible reading and on-your-knees prayer... If you take joy in tithing... If your conversations with Christian friends take on an excitement when they center on the Lord... If you are turning off your television and searching for entertainment that honors God... If day to day and year to year, you love the world less and seek the Kingdom more, and seek it first... If you're putting in quality and quantity time with God... ... ... I suspect your feet are on the path.
But if you comfortably go a day without praying... If your Bible is dusty... If the entertainment you choose is questionable... If your giving is based upon what's left over after you've purchased what you want... If a conversation about Jesus makes you want to whisper... If your faith is something you only do in church on Sunday... ... ... ... ... ... Good luck with that Grace thing!
Anyway, I wish the preacher would have warned, challenged, and encouraged... But everyone was having such a good time...
My personal goal is to humbly put in the time... To tremble...To progress... And surely Grace will cover the rest.
....
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Obama, You Scare Me
I checked out the information below on Snopes, and it's true.
Lou Pritchett is the author of this opinion and told TruthorFiction.com that he submitted this to the New York Times under the title of "Obama, You Scare Me" but they never published it. Pritchett did say that his article managed to make it to the world wide web where circulation went ballistic.
Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble and wrote "Stop Paddling and Start Rocking the Boat" as well as numerous books and periodicals.
Dear President Obama:
You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me. You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.
You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support. You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.
You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll. You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.
You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others. You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.
You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America ' crowd and deliver this message abroad.
You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.
You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.
You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.
You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world. You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.
You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.
You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.
You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.
You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.
You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.
You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.
Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.
I checked out the information below on Snopes, and it's true.
Lou Pritchett is the author of this opinion and told TruthorFiction.com that he submitted this to the New York Times under the title of "Obama, You Scare Me" but they never published it. Pritchett did say that his article managed to make it to the world wide web where circulation went ballistic.
Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble and wrote "Stop Paddling and Start Rocking the Boat" as well as numerous books and periodicals.
Dear President Obama:
You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me. You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.
You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support. You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.
You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll. You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.
You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others. You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.
You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America ' crowd and deliver this message abroad.
You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.
You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.
You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.
You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world. You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.
You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.
You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.
You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.
You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.
You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.
You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.
Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Town Hall I.D.
Gene Green, a Democrat Congressman from Texas posted this on his website:
Town hall meetings are one of my favorite ways to communicate with constituents. I have held hundreds during my years of service in Congress and always welcomed everyone to attend. Unfortunately, due to a coordinated effort to disrupt our town hall meetings, we will be restricting further attendance to residents of the 29th Congressional District and verifying residency by requiring photo identification.
According to Tom Blumer, Congressman Green isn't quite the stickler when it comes to photo identification prior to voting. He's against that.
Gene Green, a Democrat Congressman from Texas posted this on his website:
Town hall meetings are one of my favorite ways to communicate with constituents. I have held hundreds during my years of service in Congress and always welcomed everyone to attend. Unfortunately, due to a coordinated effort to disrupt our town hall meetings, we will be restricting further attendance to residents of the 29th Congressional District and verifying residency by requiring photo identification.
According to Tom Blumer, Congressman Green isn't quite the stickler when it comes to photo identification prior to voting. He's against that.
....
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Obama's Union Thugs Attack at a Town Hall Meeting
White House to Democrats: "Punch back twice as hard." Town halls turned violent last night and yesterday afternoon in Tampa; and in St. Louis, where a black conservative was roughed up and had to be sent to the emergency room thanks to union thugs. Six were arrested at the Russ Carnahan town hall after the St. Louis meeting, and this is the one where the union thugs, the SEIU people, beat up a black conservative, 38 years old.
--Limbaugh
Here we go...
We Now Have A Total Gangster Government
I found this at Chuck's Chants. Thanks Chuck. This is political blackmail... In America!?
AARP Sides w/ Obama
From the AARP Site:
Don't Let the Myths About Health Care Reform Scare You.
There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. Like the notion that health care reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover. Actually, these are false statements.
All of the health care reform plans currently being debated in Congress would ensure that you and your doctor are the ones making decisions about your health. The majority of working Americans will continue to receive their health care through their employer. In addition, health care reform will strengthen Medicare by eliminating billions of dollars in waste while lowering prescription drug prices.
Throughout the debate on how to fix what's broken about our health care system, AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your family. When we see special interests using scare tactics, we'll make sure you're given the facts so you can make informed decisions about health care reform.
Wow. I guess AARP is in the tank for Obama, the Democrats, and Socialism.
....
From the AARP Site:
Don't Let the Myths About Health Care Reform Scare You.
There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. Like the notion that health care reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover. Actually, these are false statements.
All of the health care reform plans currently being debated in Congress would ensure that you and your doctor are the ones making decisions about your health. The majority of working Americans will continue to receive their health care through their employer. In addition, health care reform will strengthen Medicare by eliminating billions of dollars in waste while lowering prescription drug prices.
Throughout the debate on how to fix what's broken about our health care system, AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your family. When we see special interests using scare tactics, we'll make sure you're given the facts so you can make informed decisions about health care reform.
Wow. I guess AARP is in the tank for Obama, the Democrats, and Socialism.
....
Protect American Healthcare
This is the way you defeat it. Explain it to the old dudes and get them involved.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Waxman at it Again
This gives me a headache.
Henry Waxman’s bill, HR 2749, would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate all of America’s farms and the produce from our farms with a “Rube Goldberg” system of huge buffers, drained wetlands, bulldozed trees (to prevent the possibility of bird droppings) and fields lined with poison-filled tubes to kill rodents.
That’s not all. Children under age five “will be prohibited from setting foot on farmland or tilled soil for fear of leaking diapers,” according to an analysis of the proposed legislation by journalist Paul Williams. And if a crow should be so bold as to land in a cornfield, the whole crop would have to be destroyed, under the radical provisions of Waxman’s bill.
The stated purpose of Waxman’s bill is to rid farms of the food-borne, lethal bacteria, e. Coli.O157:H7, one of many strains of bacterium that cause food-borne illness.
Why all this trouble for legislation that no one – least of all America’s farmers – actually needs? Call it the lure of the organic. The congressional district Waxman represents is populated by affluent and liberal constituents, who may never have seen a farm but who fervently preach the virtues of organic produce. Upscale grocery stores, their shelves loaded with imported delicacies and plenty of organic foods, abound in Waxman-land.
Indeed, the kinds of restrictions that Waxman has in mind for the country’s farmers are already the norm in California. The San Francisco Chronicle article recently reported how crops and ponds are being destroyed in a quest for safety of foods. One Salinas Valley, California, farmer, Dick Peixoto, was quoted as saying: “I was driving by a field where a squirrel fed off the end of the field, and so 30 feet in we had to destroy the crop (and) one field where a deer just walked through, we had to take out 30 feet on each side of his tracks.”
And California is bankrupt? How so?
Brilliant. This is all our faltering economy needs right now. "Cap and Tax Waxman" will not be satisfied until the wiping of our butts is federally regulated.
Where is my Ibuprofen?
....
This gives me a headache.
Henry Waxman’s bill, HR 2749, would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate all of America’s farms and the produce from our farms with a “Rube Goldberg” system of huge buffers, drained wetlands, bulldozed trees (to prevent the possibility of bird droppings) and fields lined with poison-filled tubes to kill rodents.
That’s not all. Children under age five “will be prohibited from setting foot on farmland or tilled soil for fear of leaking diapers,” according to an analysis of the proposed legislation by journalist Paul Williams. And if a crow should be so bold as to land in a cornfield, the whole crop would have to be destroyed, under the radical provisions of Waxman’s bill.
The stated purpose of Waxman’s bill is to rid farms of the food-borne, lethal bacteria, e. Coli.O157:H7, one of many strains of bacterium that cause food-borne illness.
Why all this trouble for legislation that no one – least of all America’s farmers – actually needs? Call it the lure of the organic. The congressional district Waxman represents is populated by affluent and liberal constituents, who may never have seen a farm but who fervently preach the virtues of organic produce. Upscale grocery stores, their shelves loaded with imported delicacies and plenty of organic foods, abound in Waxman-land.
Indeed, the kinds of restrictions that Waxman has in mind for the country’s farmers are already the norm in California. The San Francisco Chronicle article recently reported how crops and ponds are being destroyed in a quest for safety of foods. One Salinas Valley, California, farmer, Dick Peixoto, was quoted as saying: “I was driving by a field where a squirrel fed off the end of the field, and so 30 feet in we had to destroy the crop (and) one field where a deer just walked through, we had to take out 30 feet on each side of his tracks.”
And California is bankrupt? How so?
Brilliant. This is all our faltering economy needs right now. "Cap and Tax Waxman" will not be satisfied until the wiping of our butts is federally regulated.
Where is my Ibuprofen?
....
Monday, August 03, 2009
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Malott Interiors
Except for the kitchen and dinette, my entire home has hardwood floors, though about 60% is covered by carpeting. When I moved in 7 years ago, the dining room and living room floors were covered with white carpeting which I hated, and was determined to remove. Almost 7 years later, last Saturday, I finally took up the carpeting in my dining room.
I am so pleased with the way the floor looks, I'm going to take up the carpeting in the living room , too... As soon as I feel better.
So I had a great new floor in my dining room and it hadn't cost me a cent... Until Sunday, the next day, when I started wondering what kind of rug might look nice. I have Attic Heirloom Furniture from Broyhill, and I wanted the room to look like something from the 18th century.
I remembered my Aunt Frances and her braided rugs, and found one from L.L.Bean. It was about 150 dollars more than the ones at Pennys and other places, but it was exactly what I thought I wanted. So I pulled the trigger. It arrived 5 days later (yesterday) by UPS, and... I think I like it... Though it's a little brighter than I thought.
If you leave a comment, please be kind.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Hawking and Spitting
My cold moved into my chest on Wednesday, and now I sound like a walking tuberculin ward. Kleenex tissues are my constant companion, because when you cough up something chewable, it's best to spit it out.
I am not charming company right now.
I am back at work and have been told that my cold-induced deep voice is very sexy. Just my voice. Evidently the rest of me is still pedestrian and frumpy.
The pitiless women I work with will give me no sympathy. They will just laugh when my voice cracks, and keep their distance. I will suffer alone.
Drama 101
....
My cold moved into my chest on Wednesday, and now I sound like a walking tuberculin ward. Kleenex tissues are my constant companion, because when you cough up something chewable, it's best to spit it out.
I am not charming company right now.
I am back at work and have been told that my cold-induced deep voice is very sexy. Just my voice. Evidently the rest of me is still pedestrian and frumpy.
The pitiless women I work with will give me no sympathy. They will just laugh when my voice cracks, and keep their distance. I will suffer alone.
Drama 101
....
Thursday, July 30, 2009
It Pays to Whine on your Blog
As you know from a previous post, I've been sick all week... And today I was finally able to stay home from work and recuperate a bit. Mostly I've just been sitting, but when I went out to my mailbox I perked up quickly.
There was a box inside that contained chocolate covered fudge, green tea, chicken soup, some sort of sweet bread, and a very nice get well card. Because of privacy concerns, I will not mention the name of the person (It was Bekah) that sent me these thoughtful gifts.
As you know from a previous post, I've been sick all week... And today I was finally able to stay home from work and recuperate a bit. Mostly I've just been sitting, but when I went out to my mailbox I perked up quickly.
There was a box inside that contained chocolate covered fudge, green tea, chicken soup, some sort of sweet bread, and a very nice get well card. Because of privacy concerns, I will not mention the name of the person (It was Bekah) that sent me these thoughtful gifts.
The anonymous nice person (Bekah) and I have a sick-bed pact, which is obviously already working out great for me, in spite of Skyepuppy's meddling. I'm already planning severe headaches for next month, and influenza in the fall.
Kind and thoughtful people are rare... and are good friends to have.
....
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Black Cambridge Cop Will Not Support Obama
So who will she support?
Washington --Hillary Clinton says running for office isn't on her "radar," but she still has an eight-person political team and sports two overflowing campaign war chests.
Her team transformed the former Democratic White House contender's massive campaign debts into a $3 million mountain of political cash, according to federal fund-raising records through the end of June.
"It raises questions about that nascent presidential campaign for 2016 - and she didn't close the door on that, if you read her remarks carefully," said the University of Virginia's Larry Sabato.
2016?
So who will she support?
Washington --Hillary Clinton says running for office isn't on her "radar," but she still has an eight-person political team and sports two overflowing campaign war chests.
Her team transformed the former Democratic White House contender's massive campaign debts into a $3 million mountain of political cash, according to federal fund-raising records through the end of June.
"It raises questions about that nascent presidential campaign for 2016 - and she didn't close the door on that, if you read her remarks carefully," said the University of Virginia's Larry Sabato.
2016?
Hillary's responsibilities as Secretary of State are somewhat abbreviated, given the fact that Obama has appointed:
Dennis Ross - Iran Czar & Mideast Policy Czar
Richard Holbrooke - Afghanistan Czar
J. Scott Gration - Sudan Czar
And the big one: George Mitchell - Middle East Peace Czar
Hillary and Bill have received little respect from Obama. I figure Hillary feels a little bit forgotten after being in the limelight for 16 years. And Bill can't be pleased being moth-balled in Haiti. Obama's patronizing of the Clintons and their many supporters is all well and good... As long as his presidency is going well.
But if Obama's poll numbers continue to head south, and his socialist ways continue to bring bad reviews, the Clintons are politically talented enough to take advantage and position Hillary for a run in 2012.
If in 2010 the country seems rudderless, the economy is no better, the Dems lose seats in Congress, and the Community Organizer-in-Chief continues to appear inept... Mrs. Clinton will excuse herself from the State Department and the primary wars will begin.
The outcome may be different than the last time:
The Obama Administration has all the makings of of a one term Carter-esque presidency, and the Clintons may one day use their political machine to split the Democrat Party, secure the nomination, and pave the way for a 2012 Republican president.
....
Summer Colds and Brinks Home Security Commercials
I am so sick. Due to the coldest July of my lifetime, (Bite me, Al) I have a summer cold. My nose is running, and my cough-irritated sore throat feels like it's bleeding. The lab is short of techs, as it often is during the summer, so staying home is not an option.
I could handle all this if it were not for The Brinks Home Security Commercials. You know, where the goon smashes through the door of the home and scares the people, usually women, half to death? Answer this: Why are the goons always white? I am offended! Stereotyping is an ugly thing... And it's hard enough for me to make friends.
How about some truth in advertising? There is a race of people who just might possibly, once in a while, maybe be involved in crime... That's right! I want to see some Oriental guys break down a few doors!
I'd feel better then.
....
I am so sick. Due to the coldest July of my lifetime, (Bite me, Al) I have a summer cold. My nose is running, and my cough-irritated sore throat feels like it's bleeding. The lab is short of techs, as it often is during the summer, so staying home is not an option.
I could handle all this if it were not for The Brinks Home Security Commercials. You know, where the goon smashes through the door of the home and scares the people, usually women, half to death? Answer this: Why are the goons always white? I am offended! Stereotyping is an ugly thing... And it's hard enough for me to make friends.
How about some truth in advertising? There is a race of people who just might possibly, once in a while, maybe be involved in crime... That's right! I want to see some Oriental guys break down a few doors!
I'd feel better then.
....
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