Grow up Buttercup...

I want to apologize to my family and friends. I have had enough! I am tired of watching the self-destruction, and I am through with it. I have some very sharp comments, and they are directed at someone specific. I do not intend to explain my comments beyond what is said right now. The person whom this is aimed at knows who they are. I am not attempting to call this person to repentance, I am beyond that. You know what you need to do, and you need to do it.


This directed to a young man who is trying to show that he is grown up, and is doing self-destructive things to prove the he is in fact a “man” who can make his own decisions. What he does he does it openly, so that those who love him can painfully watch. If any pleas to stop doing this are directed at him he thumbs his nose at them, and delights in their pain. I’m telling you that this is NOT being a man, this is being a juvenile lowlife who may no longer have the potential to one day call himself a true man. Why would a man do what you do for the “respect” of “friends” at a cost which is most dear. The people who love you suffer greatly because of your behavior. They cry to the Lord in your behalf, and are wounded to the core for their trouble.

I’m sorry, but it is time to grow up. You need to take responsibility, and be accountable for yourself. You should not be self-destructive, and cause pain to those who wait to see if you will indeed grow up. Nevertheless, you have free will, God given agency to make your own choices. It is your life, your choice. However, in making your choices you will find that attached to them are accountability. You can make the choices to live the life you have chosen, but PLEASE, when it swings around to finally bite you, don’t blame anyone but yourself for your foolishness.

You hurt those who love you just because in your heart you feel that they somehow owe you something, and seeing this will somehow make them pay. No, you are the one who will pay the price with this self-destruction. However, IF YOU YOURSELF WOULD BE DESTROYED, SEEK NOT TO DESTROY YOUR FAMILY. Those who love you. It would be better for you to just go quietly than to hurt them. It is not your parent’s fault that you are a loser. The fault does not fall on God by any means. The fault doesn’t even land on your lowlife friends. It rest squarely on your own shoulders, so don’t even go there with me because it is simply not true.

A man would not do harm to those who love him. No… on the contrary, a real man would take responsibility for himself, and not try to pass the buck. A real man would seek to do everything he could to overcome diversity, and come out on top. A real man would seek to bring his loved ones up as well. You have everything to work toward, and need to pull your inebriated head out and take a long look at yourself. You were meant for better things, but it is your choice whether or not to wallow with the pigs. To use unfounded, self pity to keep yourself down, and “justify” your actions. It is your responsibility to make these changes, and pull yourself up, or prove yourself a waste of skin.

We will mourn you when you finally pass away, but it will be a familiar feeling, and it will pass. They will hurt but only for a time when they realize that the pain you were intentionally causing has stopped. I suggest to them that they continue to pray from you, but separate themselves from the ability for you to cause them constant pain. You are going to do what you are going to do, and if you want better, it is up to you.

Breathe in, breathe out... Smile

Back to the old salt lick... er salt MINE

I have been working at the school for the past week doing tech stuff. I have 3 weeks to accomplish a task. I am working four, 10 hour days, and I have gotten to see the sun come up every morning. Although I love the fact that it does come up, I really HATE seeing the sun come up every morning...

It's Good To Be Back Home Again

I cannot tell you just how good it feels to be home with Patti. I have spent a little more than a week in Denver, Colorado, and then Ruidoso, New Mexico. I have been away from home all of this time, and it has been difficult being apart from my wife. I love her dearly, and it doesn't matter where I am, whenever I am with her I am home.

Tebowing

      On my last two posts I kind of railed hard on some people, and maybe I should not have. I have tried to make it a point in the last few years not to judge others, and try to give people the benefit of a doubt. Some things do however require discernment. Recently to a Bronco fan, I was sort of critical about the Denver Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow. There is a new word out there “Tebowing” and it has been most of the time the subject of ridicule and comic relief. Tebow will go down on one knee and pray, visible to all including NFL cameramen. He has taken fire from comedians and colleagues alike, and people mock him openly. He continues to do this… Tebowing (Praying). My words about it were simple, but I was making a different point. I just quoted Matthew 6:5-6

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

      I was not mocking him or making light of his faith, I thought I was going by the idea of WWJD, but there is more than one principle going on here. Tebow is showing that he practices a set of principles that involves prayer. He was raised by parents who were devout missionaries, and worked with many people. He was trained up in the ways he should go, and lives it in ALL of the things that he does. He shows that he is not ashamed, and practices his faith openly. He prays at football games, but has stated that he does not believe that Jesus cares about sporting events, that there are Christians on both sides of the playing field, and he wouldn’t take sides. He simply prays, and what he prays for is between himself and God. Like it is supposed to be.

Tebow being mocked by someone who tackled him

      His example is Jesus Christ, when he was instructing people how to pray. Jesus told his disciples to pray in secret, and then prayed in front of them giving them an example on how they should pray. I don’t think I will be critical of Jesus Christ. Tim Tebow is setting an example. He knows he is seen by many including impressionable young people, he knows he is being made fun of and being mocked (or at least he ought to), and he does it anyway. He does not care what people say, and continues to practice his faith. What is wrong with someone who believes what they say? I think it speaks volumes about the character of that individual. I don’t think he is a hypocrite, but I think he is setting an example.

Blasphemy on Saturday Night Live

      Being made to look like an idiot is something that Tebow faces undauntedly. All Christians are being held up in that light now days. Bill Maher even made a movie called Religulous (mixing religion with ridiculous) just for the purpose of making fun of people who believe in God, and even mocking God himself. Maher is a self proclaimed atheist, and does not believe in a God. That is fine, but in his disbelief he is seeking to spread his ideas to other by mocking God. God however will not be mocked. Maher is using his celebrity status like Tebow, only to the other extreme. Like Tebow, God allows this mocking to continue, but in mocking God, Maher may be forfeiting any claim to blessings in this life and the hereafter, but that is for God to decide, I will not judge Bill either. 

Bill Maher mocks Tebow

Guys being idiots mocking Tebow

        We need look at Tim Tebow as an example to the young, as someone who follows his principles no matter what and sticks to his guns even when he is under fire. The people will point from their high places and laugh. They will mock him and others, and call them fools. Many may fall away from their faith being ashamed, some will not, but don't worry it will all be worked out in the end.

George Washington at Valley Forge

Joan of Arc



Feel like mocking now?

Crackpot Minister

I generally avoid talking about religion or politics (mainly because they SHOULD not be mixed), but a recent conversation with someone, and current issues in the news have gotten me to the point where I cannot keep my mouth closed anymore!!! Baptist minister Robert Jeffress is now in the same category as Harold Camping, a clown and a crackpot preacher. I am not attacking the Baptist faith by any means, my roots go back to the Baptist church and I honor my heritage daily. I know I should not judge, because Jesus said,” Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” However, I have been to Ringling Brothers and know a clown when I see it, and I have been to Pier One and can spot a cracked pot. This man no more knows the mind and will of God than Big Bird. I’ll bet he can tell you what the going rate on “salvation” is though.

I do not know how he voted or who he endorsed in 08, but I bet he didn’t vote for Obama because he is a democrat. He does not feel that Mitt Romney is a suitable candidate because he is a Mormon (a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). I am not sure what other categories he falls into, but religiously speaking, I believe, the word is bigot. He branded “Mormonism” as a “cult.” Maybe it is by a roundabout definition. However by that definition, what is he??? He also said Mitt Romney is a "good" and "moral" person, but "that does not make him a Christian," SO??? Is Mitt running to be a minister? Is he looking to instill Mormonism into the government of the United States??? He sure didn’t do so in Massachusetts. Don’t mistake this tirade as an endorsement of Mitt Romney, I have no idea yet who I will vote for in the next election. However, let me be clear on this. If I thought that Romney was going to follow an LDS agenda, I would not vote for him. “Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” The office of the President of the United States of America is not the place for preaching, proselyting, or instilling morals on others. It should not prohibit that from happening either within the limits of the constitution. The office should be run constitutionally only. Do your proselyting in church, and with your families.

This man, “Dr.” Jeffress is an idiot, and anything that he is, or claims to be, and not endorse, is almost a perfect barometer as for who maybe I should give consideration. I detest everything about the man, from his “I’m born again and you’re not” look of condescension, to his phony “I care about you” smile. He is a bottom feeder in religion, and I would suggest any of his congregation or followers to discontinue association with him. He uses Jesus as his own personal cloak, badge, and shield as if he himself were the one who hung on the cross. He uses the Bible as a loophole to say what he himself believes, and uses his association with his church as a megaphone to say which candidate is right.

I would not ask him, or trust his answers as to what he thinks a “Mormon” believes. I believe he would use half truths, lies, and innuendo to say things that support his words. I think he has about the same accuracy in what a Mormon believes as the Broadway play The Book of Mormon does. He might look at what Romney does support and turn a blind eye to what he believes religiously. He might find that Romney’s background values support the values that he purports to follow, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” I think Jeffress should stay out of politics, and find a job more suited to his talents. I am SURE there is a car lot out there that needs a salesman. He gives the word “Christian” a bad taste, and if he is what a Christian is, count me out. However, who is he to define the word Christian? I am not by any means hanging this tirade on all Baptist preachers. I believe that the vast majorities are servants of God, but this one, his type sickens me. He can twist scripture to his own agenda, like Pat Robertson or the heretic Fred Phelps. I wonder where this talent comes from, I doubt it is supernal. Just because he is a Baptist preacher does not qualify him to be the mouthpiece of Jesus on Earth. I will leave the mind and will of Jesus Christ to Jesus himself.

If he does not believe I am a Christian, I can live with that, I DON’T WANT TO BE associated in the same category as the likes of him. I know what I believe, I know what I am, and I know who holds the keys of MY salvation. It is most definitely NOT this Bozo. He does not even have a map to my salvation, which is a personal relationship that I have with my Savior. It is not my social associations with a group; it is who I gave myself to. Who the HELL is Jeffress to be able to be my judge??? I advise him to be careful, because he is making his own measuring stick by which he will be measured. As to his association with his church and his office, that I feel he has abused, I believe this says it all. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

To clarify, I do not put myself above Jeffress or any of his congregation, or any of you. I know that I am a sinner, and I know that I have said and done things that are not right in the sight of God. I may be hell bound too, but I am NOT going to be bullied anymore. I am not going to be a voiceless victim of the opinions of others, and roll over and take it. I have turned the other cheek too many times. I will not proselyte the unwilling, or shove my beliefs down their throat. I will follow my conscience, and allow you to do the same without my two cents, unless asked for my opinion or beliefs. Don’t suppose to hang a special careful moniker on me, or tell me what I am, or tell me YOU know where I am going, or who I really worship. YOU DON’T KNOW and it is NOT your place to know, or to presume to assign MY position in the eternities. You did not hang on that cross, and you simply do not hold that authority. If I do or do not make it to see the throne of God, it will be because I was judged by the only One who has that authority and that is good with me. I will trust that, and I will trust in Him.

Hypocrite

hyp•o•crite (noun)
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion.
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

Pat Robertson has proven to me what I have often suspected that he is, a hypocrite. He made a statement that it is okay to divorce a spouse because of Alzheimer’s disease. Tuesday this week he said; “I know it sounds cruel, but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but to make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her.” He stated further, "I certainly wouldn't put a guilt trip on you ... I can't fault him for wanting some kind of companionship, and if he sense in a sense, she's gone, he's right It's like a walking death. Get some ethicist besides me to give you the answer. I recognize the dilemma and the last thing I'd do is condemn you for taking that kind of action."

First of all Mr. Robertson, she is NOT gone until she is dead. Marriage vows are not until you are in a like death state, they go on till the death of one of the marriage partners. They are “from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” Have you not been to a wedding and listened to this?

Okay all of that aside, you have claimed to be a minister for years and years, and for some reason or another, people listen to you. You have proclaimed and in essence condoned something that is not what you have preached, and therefore you are a false prophet. You need to retire or maybe go into seclusion before you do more damage than you are worth. You have elevated yourself UP to crackpot evangelism much like your contemporary Harold Camping.

In my humble opinion, one should be faithful to ones vows and covenants. In my opinion, marriage is one of the most holy of these, and should not be cast aside, because she seems like she is “gone” and is a hardship. What would Jesus do? Would he abandon the cause because it was too much for him? No, he suffered pain that caused him, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit, and would that He might not drink the bitter cup. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, He partook of the cup and finished his preparations to the children of men, even you Pat. He did not back down when it became too hard, and he endured his suffering to the end. Maybe we should take his example.

Now to the “gone” statement; if the lack of evidence of intellect is your indicator that they are gone, then when does life end? You have been telling people that life begins at conception, and have said how evil it is to end it. Well, now by your definition, it is only when the person can be a contributor to a relationship. What about those fetuses? They are then gone by that definition. Retarded children, autistic children, they fall under this loophole that you have now provided. Shall we abort or abandon them too??? What about crackpot preachers?