Happy New Year 2012

Well, we are a day away from the New Year. As always, people are making their new year resolutions. And there are some that are giving themselves a reason to party and to be in debauchery. As if they need a reason. But, as the New Year enters, people are going through their hangovers and the resolutions fail, so goes the show.

My attitude for 2012? Those of us that believe in our Lord Jesus Christ will strive to be closer and more like our Lord in the New Year. There are many things too that face us financially, physically and spiritually. Our country too is in dire straits. I remind myself that with each New Year that God is in control. He has my life in His hands and I trust in Him.

2011 was a difficult year for many people. I pray that we all draw closer to our Lord for the next year. Things on this earth are happening at an exponential speed. I firmly believe that the clock is pointing even closer to the coming our our Lord. May we be found closer to Him and doing what He has called us to do.

He is the one firm foundation we can all rely on. Plus in closing I'm grateful for the things the Lord has seen me through. I rely on His grace daily. Who knows what this new year will hold. All I know is that I want to be closer to Him than ever. May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Blessings!

The Political Mess

Today, just as a primer, I'm getting back in the groove of writing. I didn't think I'd miss this little blog of mine. But after looking back over past posts I had forgotten some of the things I had written and remembering some events that occurred on certain dates. I have a fondness for writing even if no one else reads it at all. I had a couple readers at one time. But, I write more for the joy of it than for it to be read by others. However, if you do read it, I'm more than thrilled. Today, I'm just posting a thought or two and I'll really dig in more this weekend or the first of the week.

I'm thinking of the political mess that's going on. I have noticed on Facebook a lot of comments concerning the GOP runners. It doesn't seem we have any real solid contenders to take lead. One of my friends, Joel, said we cannot find another Reagan. Boy, has he got that right. Plus, who'd want all that scrutiny anyway? I was wondering why someone would want to run and possibly take over the great mess that the current administration has us in? Really, who would want that job? Rhetorical? Maybe not. There seems to be plenty who'd love to be the leader of the country.

I had just finished watching the series on "John Adams." This was a pivotal time for our country. Adams was overlooked I think in the big picture. He did a lot to help this country become a free nation, independent,and to help in the Declaration and so much more. We came real close for the Declaration to "not" even come into being. Back then, these founders would rather have suffered in many ways for they believed in freedom so much. They didn't worry about the press, polls and other such things. They had this dream of being a republic. Many put their lives on the line to secure the freedom of this nation.

What we have today is those that run for the office and many do it for the wrong reason. They will waffle on their opinions and views just to get elected. And it takes enormous amounts of money to get them the "highest seat in the land." Oh, how we have fallen so. I'm not saying our Founding Fathers were perfect. They certainly were not. They had their faults. They wanted freedom but thought owning slaves was okay. That's just one example. There are more.

We are in perilous times. High unemployment, businesses closing, the dollar at a low, our Triple A rating shot, et.al. Again, I don't know why someone would want the job. But, someone has to do it. And I hope it's someone that has a conviction in their heart for God and His precepts. I think it was in the movie on Adams where someone said, "If men were angels we'd have no need for government." How true.

Finally, I certainly believe we are closing in on the end times. Where we are at on the prophetical clock "exactly" I don't know. I DO know we are close. As believers we are called to pray for those in authority. We may not like who is in there, but we are called to pray. And let's pray that whomever is elected that we continue to pray. Really when it all boils down it comes down to this for me: Even so come quickly Lord Jesus. When He eventually rules from the Throne of David, it will be in righteousness. Have a great weekend everyone. And, it sure felt good to type again. I smile as I end this post! Be well all.

Making The Return

Okay, no news flash here! I've seriously neglected this blog as I said before. And, maybe I will be the only one who reads it. But, as I looked through this blog it jogged my memory of so many things. I think I want to write again! I got so hooked on Facebook that I dumped this entirely, not consciously though. On Facebook we can write notes and make comments, but on here I can truly write what I feel. And of course, you my friends, if you do read it may have differing opinions than mine. But, that makes us all unique. I respect those that have other viewpoints. I just sense this need to write again. As always, it will be a hodgepodge of different topics like theology, faith, sports, music and movies. So, in the title, "I'm back!"

Taco Bell Blues

I loved the old Taco Bell commercials when they had the Taco Bell chihuahua. Well, Gidget passed away Tuesday at fifteen. I never knew though that the dog was female. I loved the sayings, "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" and "Viva Gorditas." I had two of the stuffed dogs. I don't know what happened to them. Anyway those were some of the best commercials.

I even created a character dog on Photoshop called "Chico." My inspiration came from the Taco Bell dog. The Taco Bell commercials with that dog were too funny. It sure beats the commercials that my friend Roger and I can't stand that go "Go meat!" from Hillshire Farms. Oh man, I couldn't take that commercial. Neither could Roger on Big Doofus' blog. However, I'll never forget those classic Taco Bell dog commercials.

Canine Lessons Revisited!

This is a repeat. But, my brother enjoyed it so much. Today he reminded me that I wrote it. Frankly I forgot that I had. He said it was the ending that had him in stitches. Well, here it is again. Enjoy!


Okay, I'll fess up! Tonight I was somewhat bewildered with a person. Like that would be the first time it happened, not! I have the mistaken notion that if I'm always nice, other people will be too. Not gonna happen. However, I still think it's contagious to be nice and maybe a larger percentage of people will be nice in return. But, this man wasn't going to budge. Have you ever heard the saying, "His face is so long he could eat oats out of a half-inch gas pipe?" Ha. I did everything but cartwheels (and please don't ask me to do that) to be friendly. It wasn't going to work that way.

Later I thought about an old proverb we've all heard, I think we have anyway. "Walk softly around others for you don't know what burdens they are carrying." I guess I didn't think about that sooner. Maybe he's going through some tough ordeal. Maybe something rankled him today. Did he lose something precious to him? A myriad of things popped up as I thought about it. Or maybe he's, just, well, miserable. Some people just are. It's sad.

I admit I have my days too. Things don't go according to plan, a snag gets put in the way or something justs goes haywire. So, that's why I put the picture above. If these two canines can get along as pals...where does the human race fit in? The word Homo Sapien comes from the Latin meaning, "wise man" or "knowing man." Then, why does it take the animal kingdom sometimes to show us "humans" simple things? You come home, and there's the family dog waiting to greet you! Unconditional love. But, "we" humans tend to forget, don't we? I know I do at times.

So, I don't know what was under this man's skin tonight. I confess, I need to understand more at times. And...by chance...if the guy was just a misanthropic soul like Jack Nicholson was in "As Good As It Gets", all we can do is pray. Plus, not become the same way.

I love the picture above. I can just hear the one saying to the other, "Hey Brutus, It'll be okay, Fifi just didn't love you, but there's always someone else. Have you thought of dating Biddy?" Brutus replies, "Rambo, Biddy is a terrier, I can't go there. Maybe I'll go down to the shelter and see if Zoe isn't busy. She's a bit wired, but all chihuahuas can't be that way!"

Okay, maybe my story fell flat, but at least enjoy the pic! Be well all.

The Means And Opportunity

Today was the memorial of Michael Jackson. Obviously unless someone is hidden in a cave somewhere, everyone knows about his demise. I just wanted to make a couple of observations.

Everyone on the face of the earth is born in God's image. Regardless of rich, poor, skilled, unskilled, celebrity, farmer, attorney: We all are human and made in the image of God. Plus, we all face the same questions in life and desire some of the same needs. Doesn't everyone desire to be loved and accepted? My question is rhetorical at best. The obvious answer is "yes."

I'm reminded of the old children's game that goes:

Gypsy, Gypsy, tell it me
What’s my fortune going to be?
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor,
Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief
Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief.
Tell me, tell me, tell me true.
When I’m grown what will I do?

So regardless of our lot in life, we all want to be loved and accepted. That is unless the person is a total sociopath. (But, even then, I think before they get to that point, they wanted the same thing.) So, celebrities are no different.

My second point seems rather simple but I'll throw it in anyway. Many celebrities suffer from the human condition like the rest of us. But, because of status, means, money and opportunity, they can destroy their lives much more quickly. Think of Elvis Presley as an example. He dabbled in mysticism and drugs. The latter did him in. So, in Michael Jackson's case, he probably suffered emotionally and used his money to try to find the answers to the things that troubled him. I think the same can be said of Howard Hughes, Judy Garland and so many others.

Bottom line, we all need Christ. So a person can do many things. They can come to the cross of Christ and be saved. Or, they can go on a life-long search burning up time, money and energy looking for a way to be at peace. Unfortunately, many don't want to yield to the authority of Christ. So they try it their own way. And, we know, (those of us who know Christ anyway) that man doing it their own way just leads to frustration and being separated from God.

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. As far as Michael Jackson is concerned, of course God only knows if he was a believer. But, the scriptures say "by their fruits you will know them." It doesn't look good. Maybe it's good that some people don't get fame, fortune and money. For if they did, they could destroy themselves faster. It's better to have little and to know Christ than to have plenty and leave it all behind. We all know the verse, "What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" (paraphrase.) May the peace of Christ be with you all.

Fourth Of July

It really goes without saying about the real reason for the fourth of July. My commentary is simple. I have nothing against people seeing one another, a parade, a firework or two, etc. But, I hope that the new generation of young people growing up remember what this day really stands for. Sure, our country has its share of problems, but I hope we never forget the freedoms that we still enjoy. Some of those freedoms seem to be eroding day by day. May we remember what tomorrow really stands for and be thankful for a God that allows us to still live in a country, albeit with problems, that is still greater than so much of the rest of the world. Happy Fourth Of July everyone!