Merry Christmas 2009

After a long and crazy year for me, we should all rejoice in the Christ who came to save us, coming as a simple baby to remind us of His humanity and love for us. God bless your 2010.

Big snowstorm

This week we had 12" of snow followed by 40 MPH northwest winds. About 5-below zero last night and 10 above today. Drifts as tall as 6 feet here and there and along some large buildings over 12 feet I saw yesterday before. We'll have a white Christmas. Only six months until Summer.

Thanksgiving

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .



FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.


FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.



FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE


FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A lawn mower......


FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDO M OF SPEECH.


FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .


FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.


FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.



FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.


FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.



FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

Looks Like Mark Martin will not win

The man who has finished second four times before looks to be going for his fifth second place finish in the Nascar Sprint Cup. Maybe next year, in his final shot.

Garage cleaned out

We got our garage cleaned out this past weekend and are very glad about it. Now if I can get the house repaired and weatherized, and then have more time to write useful blogs, we'd be set. God bless.

Obama won another award

No one else can beat Jimmie Johnson.

Beautiful leaves and stars

One of my favorite thing about fall is the leaves that fall and winter stars that rise. The times can be so beautiful, with all the stars that come in so clear on a dry night with no humidity. Orion is my favorite, followed by the Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. God is good.

Church family fun night

Instead of the typical door-to-door trick or treating, this year our family is planning to attend a family fun night at our church. The event is open to the community on Oct. 31 from 5 to 8. We'll have fun games, candy, food, fellowship, and things for kids to take home with them. We hope to get lots of people out for this.

Wish for the best.

Interesting way to compare the likely thinking of a conservative versus a liberal

The following are not my words, but I think they are appropriate for thought:

• If a conservative doesn’t like guns, he doesn`t buy one.
• If a liberal doesn't like guns, he feels that no one should have one.

• If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn`t eat meat.
• If a liberal is, he wants to ban all meat products for everyone.

• If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy.
• A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.

• If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
• If a liberal is homosexual, he loudly demands legislated respect.

• If a black man or Hispanic are conservative, they see themselves as independently successful.
• Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection.

• If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
• A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.
  

• If a conservative doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.
• Liberals demand that those they don’t like be shut down.

• If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.
• A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God or religion silenced.

• If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
• A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

Ozark Trip

My fair and hot lady and I went to the Lake of the Ozarks last week. It was so much fun and just an awesome time. Lots of rain, but we got to see some friends while in parts of Missouri and we got to go to some cool local restaurants, jet skiing, swimming, hiking, sight-seeing, and visiting a cave. Then we went to the Precious Moments chapel. Very cool. Praise the Lord.

Go Mark Martin

Mark Martin leads the points standings by 10 points with 8 races to go!!

ENDA: Disasterous and anti-Christian

Congress, in the midst of the health care debate, is working to pass a kickback to the homosexuals who helped elect the Democrats to power. The ENDA or Employment Non-Discrimination Act is designed to criminalize private and nonprofit organizations and individual who wish to have a choice as to who they hire. This law, if passed, is a disaster for any Christian. As believers in Christ and citizens in a republic with limited Constitutional powers of central government, we should have no doubt about the importance in the right to use our conscience when making business and organizational decisions. This law would make Christians criminals if we do not hire a homosexual or trans-sexual or maybe even a pedophile. Even if the reason for the selection had nothing to do with this so called "orientation", the person denied a job or contract or other benefit could sue that we willfully discriminated. Excuse me, but are we not suppose to discriminate when we hire. Don't we look for qualifications, physical ability to do the work, personality traits that complement the need. Insane!!!

Tenth Anniversary

I am very excited about my 10th anniversary. Angie and I are going to the Ozarks to enjoy time with no kids. We hope to have lots of fun.

Summer too cool and short

Summer for me was just too cool and short. I'd sure like it to be longer and warmer, but it's over now. Oh well. God has blessed us with the summer we had, and it is my fault if I didn't use it well enough. Hope you all used you summer to bless others and do good for yourself, your family, your church, your community, and your God.

The attacks continue to arrive

You notice how the attacks against Christianity and issues of righteousness are continually on great levels of attack. It is very difficult to stay involved and stay in front of everything. Language and sex on TV, the gay agenda, attacks on prayer in school and public places, family issues, abortion, revisionist history, evolution in schools, immoral sex education in elementary schools, eroding our national sovereignty, illegal aliens, double-standards on the rich, poor, minorities, politicians, and many other issues that continually bombard us. We must continue to pray and ask for the fire of God to stand in this time.

mn vacation

This week we went to Minnesota to visit some family and friends. We went fishing and tubing in a boat. Then I helped cut down some trees for a friend. I had the pleasure of catching a 27+ inch northern pike. Plan to eat it soon. I also got an excellent sunburn when we did the tubing. Lots of fun and few or no regrets. Wish we could stay longer but we are all busy. Great to visit other Christians and churches where we go.

A good friend Barnabas

All Christians need to know a Barnabas and aspire to be like him. This Bible man was nick-named the "son of encouragement" for a reason. When someone was needed to put a good word about someone or something, Barnabas was it. He did it regularly, no matter the situation. When others had anger, fear, and doubt about Paul after his conversion to Christ, Barnabas had faith in God to accept Paul and give others encouragement to accept him too. Barnabas was the same way with John Mark (who wrote the book of Mark) after he abandoned Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. What did Barnabas do? He stood for Mark and took him on another mission. Paul later called Mark a valuable part of Paul's ministry. What changed? Barnabas believed in potential, not what was the seen here and now. He saw the good in people and went out in faith that God would develop the good. He took the rejects and the scorned and gave them a fresh start, and they proved him right for doing so. Oh for more men and women like him today.

The Joy of mowing

Today I broke our mower after hitting a rock. We just bought the mower last year, and needless to say I am upset. Somethings just never go my way. God will teach me something with this, like don't hurry so much, and try to pay more attention. I should have pulled those high weeds instead of mowing over them.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRr....

First camping trip of the summer

I enjoyed having the opportunity to go camping at Springbrook State Park in our state with my family and two of our kid's friends. Highlights included fishing, crickwalking in a pristine stream, hiking, and of course the campfires and smores. Gets us away from the headaches of life. Went to church in a small town and barely got there before church was out. Oops. Camping experiences prove God exists.

Health Care

As I prepare to pay a $1,1oo+ bill to get stitches in my leg this spring and my wife has no insurance, I understand the need is there to improve the healthcare system. It needs several repairs:
1. tort reform
2. insurance reform
3. paperwork reduction
4. electronic records
5. many others.

Affordability is a huge problem. However, it will not be more affordable to the nation if we make it free for almost everyone. Let's develop a common-sense approach that stops people from falling through the cracks but does not reward illegal aliens and abortions.

Adventureland

We had a fun week last week, going to Adventureland with friends Tina and Joseph and then the next day Mark, Angie, and I went to an Iowa Cubs game. We had lots of fun. Ethan, 2, did well at Adventureland, loving every ride we went on, including the water rides and even the Underground dark roller coaster.

The fireworks show made up for a lackluster ballgame. We hope to do it more in the future.

Successful time at Bible Camp

Well, the kids are home from Bible Camp, and all had a good time and hopefully a learning time. The kids brought home a bunch of frogs and toads, over a dozen total. Ours kept some and gave the rest away to the other kids who came and wanted frogs (Mark's friend Heaven). We had to let the frogs go after a few died. Mark and Jesse won Bible drills. I still don't know which tribe won the awards. I'll have to find out. Next week Mark is off to Boys' Camp, where he'll learn more about boy stuff, like fire, fishing, football, etc. We try to keep him away from firearms. God bless y'all.

6 kids go to Bible Camp

6 campers plus Alexis (too young to be a camper) Went with Angie to Sharon Bluff Bible Camp this week. One was not from our church, so we are hoping she may be an eventual convert. It is Mark's good friend Heaven. The other 5 campers are from our church and one is a Christian. We are very excited.

I hope they have fun and learn a lot.

Iowa football coach murdered at school

The highly profiled killing today of a top-rated and popular football coach in small-town Iowa brings to the forefront the problems young people face today in a Godless school system. The youth, a 24 year old former player for the successful coach, apparently was disgruntled with the coach and has since "fallen through the crack" with the law. He had encounters with the law in the past week.

This young man decided that his life had no value. The evolutionary theory he was surely taught tells us he is a highly evolved primate with no goal except to survive. Live beyond self preservation and self gratification has little meaning. Self loathing is the dark side of the hedonism of moral relativism that comes from the evolutionary theory and junk science people are taught today from Freud to many others.

Only when we turn to God and love ourselves and each other because of God's love and mighty creation will we not turn to destroy others in our self-pity.

Why are we so busy?

Why are we such a busy society that we fail to do what God would have us do? We know the devil goes around and tries to distract us. He knows our weaknesses and we simply fall into his traps. We get too busy to pray for God's help in fighting this trend. The very thing we need the most is what gets left out so we cannot overcome the problems. It reminds me of Paul's struggle in his letter to the Corinthians. I do what I don't want and I don't do what I want. How are we going to live as Christ did? Only first by taking a step back, organizing our life, and going forward in Him fully and prayerfully.

Hebrews 5:9

Hebrews 5:9 is worth reading and meditating upon. We see from this verse that Jesus is the source of eternal salvation of those who obey Him. Obeying anyone is not a hot word today. Christ is no exception. We want to be saved, but we don't want to have to obey anything. However, to become saved in the first place, we must obey Jesus. Salvation is possible without it. We begin by obeying the gospel. This truth, taught in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, tells us that we are separated from God eternally if we fail to obey it. However, today many religious people who are good moral believers fail to accept this. They say we simply must believe the Gospel, not obey it. Give consideration for this.
In Him.

Tiller's Death

We now see the major mainstream media making attacks and accusations against "anti-abortion" people like me. The media would never do such investigating if one of our people were killed by the pro-abortion side. Now the media is trying to find out what groups helped lead this man to do such a crime. While I don't condone this behavior, I was by no means saddened by Tiller's death. The man murdered 60,000 babies and I do not want to know what his eternity is now. It was just too bad the man did not have a chance to repent before he died. Let us pray for healing in our land and forgiveness of those who have had part in abortions and in killing those who perform them.

Man Is Arrested for Protesting School Field Trip

Don't know if you have heard about the father who was arrested for supposed "hate crimes" because he protested his child's KINDERGARTEN class going to a gay pride type of event, with no notice or permission from parents. It sounds like the school should be arrested for this breach of parental rights. Yes, the Gestapo is coming for us Christians that do not follow the beliefs of the State Almighty.

Vacation spots

Anyone know of a nice place to vacation and places to visit in central to southwest Missouri, besides Branson, of course? We want to be close to the Precious Moments chapel in Carthage.

Just Angie and I for our anniversary. Hooray!!

Grandma

Some of you know that my grandmother Alma had a sudden stroke and died a few days later last week. Happy Mother's Day. She was at a graduation party. It was and still is a shock to us all, as she was in great health (at least it seemed).

What we all loved about grandma is she was a glue that kept our family going. She arranged and held many of the family gatherings, even when her first husband was very sick for years and when she was alone for years after his death. She was fun-loving and always had a good comeback to any joke or situation.

No favorite memory, but just have that sense that she was such a great part of my life.

One other side-note. She knows what to give me for my birthday: cash!

Wish you all have a great relationship with you parents and grandparents while there is time.

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day will not be all that great for me. For the first time, I won't have a biological mother. Thankfully, I have a wife who is a mother and as a Christian there are motherly ladies who are like a spiritual mother to me. Amen to this family I have from God. If your mother is still alive, so something special with her this year. You don't know when the last Mother's Day will come. You don't want to regret what you missed like I do. Blessed is the man who has a Godly mother. Do your best by being a Godly child. Who knows, it may convert a mother who has yet to see the light of the world.

Bike A Thon

Our kids were in the Mayflower Heritage Christian School bike-a-thon this year again. They both (Mark and Alexis) were in it. Mark rode 24 miles and Alexis 26. Surprised? I'm not. Alexis may be a girl and 1.5 years younger, but she is very athletic. Mark spent lots of time resting and hanging out with Heaven (oo hoo). I think Lexy was showing of to the 1st and 2nd grade boys (who are very competitive). We are in big trouble when she turns 11. I need to get a gun and chastity belt.

Sorry, no pictures yet. Angie may have some.

Can I get a ......... style/position license?

Folks,
We know that our state's legislature (er... supreme court) has decided that we need to issue gay marriage licenses. Don't the people realize the gay people are not treated unfairly under our laws. They have the same rights to marry that I do. I can marry my wife Angie, and they can marry any Angie that agrees to marry them. Apparently the justices do not eat Wheaties and they have a foggy mind sometimes. Anyway, somehow people believe that this ruling automatically means we should issue marriage licenses to people of the same gender. No, this ruling does not do that. It simply tells the legislature that they should pass a law allowing for same-gender marriages. Simply by ruling unconstitutional a law does not create marriage for a new class. If that is the case, and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is thrown out, it would mean anarchy in terms of marriage. There are no laws on the topic in this philosophy, so anyone can marry. So can I have special rights in marriage because I love my dog, my children, or a certain sexual position? Special tax bracket? Don't you see the absurdity? How about if I am a pedophile or necrophiliac? (hope you didn't just finish eating)

Point is this: we need to have laws to determine what marriage is, not merely allowing anything by striking down the law that determined what marriage is. Too bad our legislature was too "busy" to deal with this legislative problem. God sees what is going on.

Big Leg Injury

We all know the old saying, "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work." Well, it may not always be true. A piece of advice: when fishing with your children and they see your example, don't go out on a piece of riprap rock and stand on it. The rock may crumble. Just after we caught two nice crappies two weeks ago today, I went on this rock and when I went to turn to get off the rock, half of it simply disintegrated under my weight. The part that did not disintegrate decided to cut my leg and wrist all up as I fell into the water. Needless to say, we left and were done fishing for the day. It was about sunset anyway. I hadn't bled much, so I went home to clean up and take a shower. When I got ready for the shower, I realized I had a 5 inch long cut that went to the muscle. It was open over a half inch wide. So I had to take the kids, since Angie was not home yet from a trip, with me to the hospital and get 14 stitches. Or as Ethan calls them, "itches." They are out now, but my leg is still sore. It does not help that I got sick about the same time. But, I cannot wait to go out and catch some more hawgs.

Mark Martin Wins Race

Whooooooooooooo! The Old Man won his first Nascar Sprint Cup race since 2005. One thing I love when Martin wins a race is that the other drivers come up and congratulate him. He is very much respected by other drivers and team owners. His win a Phoenix was in the 8th race of the year and got him up to 13th in points after being down to 34th in points a few weeks ago. Next race is this Saturday.

LET'S GO RACING!!!!!!!!!

Proud to be an Iowan?

As many of you know, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a decision that effectively strikes down Iowa's version of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which has been part of the Iowa Code for over ten years. The action of the court has essentially removed the main obstacle for homosexuals to request marriage licenses. Now, anyone knows that the action of the court cannot legalize anything but only make judgements as to the Constitutionality of an existing law, which then generally requires the jurisdiction affected, in this case the State of Iowa, to address the problems with the law. However, in no way does this allow for or even more require the State to issue licenses for marriage of anyone not already called for in state law outside of the DOMA law. Because the Democrats are in favor of this abomination to right and wrong, there will be no effort to fix the problems and protect God's design and common sense when it comes to marriage. My solution, let's counter-sue, call in your dog Fido, and ask why you cannot marry him. You see where this is going! We cannot allow 5,000 years of tradition and man's oldest institution to be trampled.

Hebrews 4:1-2

Can we fall short of the promise of eternal rest in Christ? Sure we can, but how?

One of Hebrews' central themes is that we can lose out on our Sabbath Rest, which is not a Saturday but Heaven forever. It is because of unbelief, either the loss of or never obtaining a kind of faith that saves. In other words we can hear the truth of the gospel and then reject it.

Romans 10:17 tells us the faith comes by hearing, but only by the Word of Christ. If we hear but then don't hear, we fail to grasp faith. Without faith, we cannot please God. Even if we were once saved and that salvation is eternal, Hebrews tells us we can harden out hearts, as the Hebrews did in the Sinai desert. Praise be to God that he is patient and willing to wait 40 years or more for us to repent and turn or return (whichever is the case with you) to Him.

Amen.

Ready to catch some fish

Spring fever is setting in with a few 70 degree days. Can't wait to go out and catch some fish. Fishing is a great Christian exercise. You interact with nature, you relax, you enjoy small talk or serious talk with a friend or time to pray or meditate alone. Personally, I love panfishing or bass fishing on a warm spring day when the spawn gets going. It won't be long. I better get my license. If you are a Christian, I encourage you to fish, too. No better way to reduce stress and refocus while outdoors on a warm day.

Mark Martin off to a bad year in 2009

Started 2nd and finished 16th in Daytona 500
Started in top 15 and finished 40th at California due to blown engine
Started in top 15 and finished 40th at Las Vegas due to blown engine
Started 1st and finished 31st due to crash caused by his own blown tire.

Is 34th in points :(

Next race is in two weeks and we hope for a top 5 finish.

Hebrews Chapter 1-2

Hebrews is a very rich book, even for the most Gentile of Christians. We are reminded how God in Christ is such a powerful and majestic God who became man. When reading this, how can one not wish to have a personal relationship with the one who created us. He is higher than the angels. He ministers to us. He created the angels to minister us. He calls us to him as heirs of a mighty throne and as brothers, sisters, and sons. He humbled Himself to allow us to be close to His perfection despite the fact that all of us sins. He knows our nature and fellowships with us despite the fact that He is God.

For an atheist, there is no relationship with any God.
For a Hindu or Buddist, there is only ceremonies and not relationship with God.
For a Muslim, you die for your god.
As a Jew, you serve a God who has moved on to a better relationship. Your relationship is through a goat or lamb.
For a Christian, your God dies for you so you can live with Him forever.

Abortion to expand greatly under Obama Administration

To date, with little real criticism, Obama has overturned three Bush policies that will cause abortions to explode in America:
1. Ended the Mexico City policy, one that uses tax dollars from US persons to pay for abortions overseas. This is both murder and unconstitutional.
2. Signed an unconstitutional executive order to remove the rights of doctors and others in the medical community to refuse abortificative treatments on the grounds of conscience.
3. Overturned the Bush policy forbidding the use of taxpayer money on embryonic stem cell research. Also unconstitutional use of tax funding. Can't the private sector fund this. What is the cancer fundraiser funds being used for?! Adult stem cells are easy to get and we don't want to fund them. This is a political ploy by the pro-abortion community to get funding for abortions. Why do we throw away the umbilical cord and placenta rather than save that! Govt funds can help us preserve these things.

We watch while abortion explodes and we stare at our checkbook and paycheck and stock report. Not I. We need to fight against these things and pray to our God!

Proverbs 6:23: God hates the shedding of innocent blood.

Dan Smith Revival

Our family was blessed to have Dan Smith, evangelist from Ottumwa, over to our home for two nights for a mini revival meeting focused on working in unity under the leadership in the ministry of Christ.

It was a great blessing to have Dan over and learn from him both at church and while he stayed at our home. His messages were both uplifting but also very thought provoking and convicting.

Being a Christian means thinking more than about myself, my job, my family. Dan helped me focus on what it means to be a minister and servant in the Lord's church. Only when we work as a team can we grow into the bride of Christ He deserves.

Topics came from Ephesians: What we have from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Unity of the Spirit and Body; and Working the Ministry God has given us.

Thanks, Dan and God.

Pro Choice?

President Obama intends to or may already have signed a law or some document overturning Bush's policy commonly called the "conscience doctrine." This doctrine allows a doctor or other health professional to deny any type of medication or treatment related to or potentially causing abortion. It gives the doctor a choice to say, "No I will not prescribe this pill or that procedure, but you can go to another caregiver that will." Obama's plan will take this right of choice away from the doctor.

Now tell me, how can the pro-abortion side say they are "pro-choice." Pro-choice is okay as long as abortion at the whim of the woman is the only choice. Let's see how the "pro-choice groups in the nation stand on this. They don't care about the doctor's choice.

What hypocrites!

President's Economic Speech

You won't hear too many praises about the new President, but he spoke with clarity and conviction tonight about his vision for this country. While I don't trust him and his people surrounding him to do lead our nation to a notable recovery, I commend him for his sincerity and for saying things that are no always popular with his own party and those that vote for him. I reserve judgement for now, because I'd like to see his budget. What do you think of this speech?

How does this relate to us fighting the good fight? I am not sure, but we as Christians need to stand firm for what made America great and be there for those hurting in our current national situation.

Honoring our Leaders

We had a good discussion today about the passage in Acts 22 related to respecting your leaders. In this passage, Paul calls the high priest a whitewashed tomb. He is rebuked for his disrespect of a leader of the people, a command in the Law of Moses. He repents but no apology is given, because, I believe Paul stood by his words about the man. So what is the fine line of standing for God and yet not disrespecting the human leader? I think, from studying other examples in Scripture, that a Christian is to stand strong on the truth but not personally attack the leader and not disrespect the office. Certainly, we are not to hate our leaders, even if we hate their actions and policies. Pray for them and honor them, but don't just ignore their actions.

Leaky Toilet

Your toilet may have a leak and you may not event know it. Drop about six drops of red, blue, or green food dye into the tank of the toilet and wait an hour or so. Come back and see if the bowl has changed color. If you see any color, your toilet is leaking water, wasting countless gallons of H2O annually. Call a plumber and get it fixed.

-- From "Do Just One Thing" by Eco-Expert Danny Seo

This really isn't that funny because it's becoming more true

Fifty Years of Math 1957 - 2007
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

1. Teaching Math In 1950s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?

2. Teaching Math In 1960s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math In 1970s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Math In 1990s A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit o f $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok. )

6. Teaching Math In 2000s If you have special needs or just feel you need assistance because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, childhood memories, criminal background, then don't answer and the correct answer will be provided for you. There are no wrong answers.

7. Teaching Math In 2009 Un hachero vende una carrtada de maderapara 100 pesos. El costo de la producciones es 80 pesos. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

You think they will stop at simple abortion?

Text from Christian Courier Publications:

A murder that will most likely not make the news headlines, not raise so much as an eyebrow on the national news. It won't, but it should.
Why should this murder be more important than hundreds of others that go unnoticed every day?
Because the case of Shanice Williams is a barometer of where this nation IS ... not where it is going ... but where it is.
Here's the sad story of her death.
Shanice's mother, an 18-year-old, wanted an abortion. Her doctor gave her medication she would take for a couple of days prior to the abortion ... medicine that would cause her to deliver the baby early. In case you aren't familiar with this procedure, it is preparatory to a partial birth abortion.
The doctor, however, did not show up on time for the actual abortion. So Shanice was born at 23 weeks. Shanice and her mother looked each other in the face. In that instant, her mother bonded with her. In that instant, her 18-year-old mother realized it had been a human being inside her, not just a blob.
Before anything else could happen, the owner of the abortion clinic (not a licensed doctor) came in and cut the umbilical cord. Then took Shanice and put her in a garbage bag which was then thrown out into a dumpster.
Shanice's body was recovered by police, an autopsy performed, confirming she was breathing on her own when she died.
If this doesn't bother you about where we ARE as a nation, I don't know what will.
What's worse is that Shanice's mother has hired an attorney and has filed a lawsuit. Maybe she should. But I have very little sympathy. She was old enough to do the deed, but living with responsibility is now a rare thing.
What really should happen is this. She went for an abortion, she took the medicine, she went to the clinic. As long as she didn't have to see her daughter, she was willing to let her baby be killed because ... Shanice was an unwanted pregnancy, an inconvenience and hardship.
The reality is Shanice's mother should be prosecuted for murder. Along with the doctor, the clinic owner, and anyone else who assisted.
But that won't happen. Why?
Because our nation has become so desensitized to killing babies, that we don't really care about it any more. And we're so easily swept with emotions of sympathy for a struggling mother who just had "no other way out." But now, she is having a hard time with it having looked her baby in the face.
But the truth is, we don't really care about Shanice or her mother. We care more about bigger issues than throwing babies out in the garbage: like the economy, hard times, unemployment, stock prices.
Where do you stand? Is the economy more important than protecting little babies like Shanice? Is money a bigger "moral" issue than innocent, helpless babies?

To learn more: www.buffalonews.com/260/story/570428.html

Our Week

"Without GOD (Jesus Christ), our week would be:
Sinday
Mournday
Tearsday
Wasteday
Thirstday
Fightday
Shatterday"

--Author Unknown

All prophesies come to pass

As a believer in the Bible, I know the Bible is a perfectly prophetic book. Each prophecy eventually comes to pass. In the Book of Matthew, he raises a prophesy from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Verse 12: "And His name will be the hope of the entire world." Of course you are thinking this was fulfilled in Christ.

You are WRONG.

Do you know the "messiah" has now come and walks among us.

I recently heard some college student quoting on the radio with words describing Barack Obama in very Messianic words. People truly believe their hope is in this man. It is amazing, that our government is so powerful that people think Big Brother will take care of us. Besides, who needs a father at home when Uncle Sam can take care of us.

Sorry, but Barack is no messiah. He is a good family man, but he is only a very over-hyped politician that we really do not know what he stands for. Do no be deceived.

Listen and you will see how people make this man to be their hope. Sorry, but mine rose from a grave on the third day, taking my sins to death and burying them forever. AMEN.

Jenny's Heros Grant

A new very easy grant is available nationwide. Do you remember Jenny Jones the talk show host. No, I don't really either. She however is giving away a million dollars this year in grants up to $25,000 for small projects that can be done with no more than $25,000 and done in this year. What is amazing is that a person can nominate a project and take 10 minutes to fill out the form and send it in online. So, what is your project?

Go to: www.jennysheroes.com

Boat Fund Started

I have a $50 boat fund, thanks to my wife's generousity. Some day in a few years I hope to go catch some "hawgs" with the lady and kids and not have to fight the weeds along the shoreline. To make a donation, send a check to......LOL

Historic Day

It is not a secret that I don't support Obama. As a Christian, I have fears about what the people in his leadership will attempt to do to this nation and to the values I hold dear.

Consider the following. Obama's success to make it to office is in part due to the current mentality of our people. No doubt the failures of Republican leadership helped, but just consider this.

No democracy can last forever because as long as people can vote to give themselves handouts, the nation cannot sustain itself. The cycle is as follows (the Bible supports this pattern over past history):
Oppression leads to revolution and freedom
Freedom leads to honoring God
Honoring God leads to prosperity
Prosperity leads to compacency
Complacency leads to apathy
Apathy leads to laziness
Laziness leads to dependence
Dependence leads to subjection
Subjection leads to oppression

We need to continue to pray for this nation and for the things that are most important.

A fine lady

As many know, my mom passed away on December 31, 2008, at 5 PM. This is a sad and difficult time for our family, but God is seeing us all through it. Please continue to pray for us, and that the remaining family would be saved by God's grace. I did not realize how much my mom was loved until her death. She had over 300 people sign in at the visitation and almost as many for the funeral. In total over 400 people visited and took part. For a humble woman with no prestige, our family was inspired. See my fair lady's blog in the coming days to see photos from the weekend and from my parent's photos. God bless you all.