Name:
It's finally here! We are in Hawaii, in a 10th floor room in Waikiki, enjoying all the sights, sounds, and foods of one of our favorite places. This place makes me smile, as does having some alone time with The Papa. Thank you, God, for providing this time!
What a sweet morning we had, visiting with our old MCC church family in Mililani. Don't get to see them nearly often enough, but thoroughly enjoyed worshiping and sharing the Lord's Supper with them today. Heaven is gonna be so great...
Are you keeping up with the humongous "ClimateGate" scandal? Such delicious vindication for the non-crazy scientists who've been beating their heads against a brick wall since the 80's.
This week, I'm reading The Courage to Be Protestant by David Wells. Terrific material, but oh, how I wish that Wells could either really write or find a good editor. I've done as much cringing as cheering. It's one of those I'm almost embarrassed to recommend.
I love Hawaiian music. Old stuff, new stuff, even the cheesy stuff.
I read a newspaper two days in a row. Last time that happened? Oh probably in the 80's somewhere. But hey, they were free outside our door, and besides, Hawaiian politics are so very entertaining and not something you're likely to run across except in island newspapers.
No, I'm still not through Christmas shopping. I'm not stressing about it...there was a day when I'd get panicked about being less than a month from Christmas and still having to get out and face the daily increasing crowds. But there's not much of a crowd on my keyboard, and no trouble at all finding parking :-)
And last but not least, a big
Labels: Babies, Books, Family, Holidays, Music, Political Observation, Science, Social Observation, Sundays, Vacations
“The gospel creates the kind of community that is even now an imperfect preview of the kingdom’s marriage feast that awaits us. The church originates, flourishes, and fulfills its mission as that part of God’s world that has been redeemed and redefined by this strange announcement that seems foolish and powerless to the rest of the world.”
—Michael Horton, The Gospel-Driven Life (Grand Rapids, MI; Baker Books, 2009)
I am privileged to fellowship with a part of the body of Christ that is a beautiful preview of that feast.
Labels: Body of Christ, Church
Climategate: The final nail in the coffin of 'Anthropogenic Global Warming'?
and here:
Hiding evidence of global cooling
Readers here know that the whole climate change/global warming fraud is one of my interests, especially because it will have an impact in the lives of my children and grandchildren even more than in my own. While the following article may be a bit tedious, it's important that you read and comprehend what's being done here to convince the public swallow falsehoods whole and to squash dissent.
You'll be hearing a lot more about ClimateGate, so get familiar with the ugly basics now:
ClimateGate: The Fix is In
Labels: News, Science, Social Observation
Okay, it's very expensive. I admit it. But the benefits SOOO outweigh the cost. So I went ahead and signed a 120-month note on it (yep, ten years), thinking that would help me afford the payments. As it turns out, it's still way too expensive, so I need to tell you that I'm going to be collecting a check from each one of you every month and together we'll be able to pay for it. Sorry to pull that on you, but if you're here on my blog you'll be required to assist.
I'd invite you over to see it, but actually I'm going to have to pay on it for six years before I pick it up. When I finally get to drive my 2010 set of wheels in 2016, I know it'll be well worth it. And four years after that, it'll be paid for!
I do hear that during the time I (we, hehe) am making the payments, the finance company may actually jack up the cost and make me pay about double for it, but you know, I'm 55 and if I don't make it that long my kids will pick up the tab for me. Really, and they won't mind. It could still even be running by then.
The best thing? I get automatically signed up for another set of wheels for the ten years after that! Right now I don't know how I'll afford that one, even with your checks, because it'll be about quadruple what this one's going to be. But I've got lots of time to protest that later. And I'm ignoring all the negative voices that start those rumors, the ones about how the second car will have to be a clunker to make up for the fact that by then I really I won't be able to afford the nice ones. I mean, who would spread stuff like that?
As a matter of fact, someone said that if people kept signing up for cars they have trouble paying for, someone at the finance company is going to start deciding who can even OWN a car! I think that spreading lies like that is just the worst kind of nastiness, ginned up by people who want to keep all the good stuff in the hands of rich people. And those voices and the cable channels they're on need to be silenced.
Anyway, I need to run. Gotta figure out some VERY cheap alternate transportation until the new car is delivered. I'll let ya know how that goes.
Labels: Money, Political Observation, Social Observation, Theater of the Absurd
Do you believe in the American dream -- the idea that in this country, hardworking people of every race, color and creed can get ahead on their own merits? If so, that belief may soon bar you from getting a license to teach in Minnesota public schools -- at least if you plan to get your teaching degree at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus.
Don't be smug just because it's Minnesota. Your state has a University of [fill in your state] where they're probably debating the same thing.
Years ago when race and gender studies were just breaking into academia, lone voices warned that this would happen, only to be ridiculed by the keepers of the liberal left agenda...
The report advocates making race, class and gender politics the "overarching framework" for all teaching courses at the U. It calls for evaluating future teachers in both coursework and practice teaching based on their willingness to fall into ideological lockstep. [Emphasis mine]
God, save us from those who teach the teachers.
Future Teachers May Be "Re-educated"
hat tip: The Papa
Labels: Education, Social Observation, Theater of the Absurd
It's Thanksgiving week...and I'm feeling more grateful already! Grateful, of course, for all the blessings in my life, but also for the 50+ people that will be sharing the day with us in a combination of food, football (real and virtual), fun, crafts, and music. The logistics are a challenge this year but that just adds to the excitement!
I have two turkeys thawing: one 20lb and one 25lb. Seems no matter how much turkey I cook, we never have enough leftovers. And who wants to cook on the Saturday after Thanksgiving? I'm going to check and see if the grocery store sells turkey leftovers :-)
How come I didn't know that The Wizard of Oz is on some channel almost every Sunday?
Okay, the Kindle is fabulous. It still has a bug or two that I think should be addressed in the next iteration, including a navigation system that's a little less than intuitive, but all in all it gets an A- from me and I'm on my third book already, with two more loaded!
And I have no doubt that the Kindle will make the hours on the flights to and from Hawaii a lot easier for me to handle. I love going there, but I hate getting there, and any distractions that keep me busy for longer than five minutes are very welcome.
If I'm REALLY lucky, American Airlines will be showing The Blind Side on the flight over the Pacific!
I'm sorry that we'll be away from our church family on one of my favorite days of the year: the first Sunday of Advent. I'll try to console myself with the sights and sounds of wave and tropical sunsets, but really, nothing replaces celebrating Advent with those we love.
From this morning's worship...
It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me!
Have a great week with your loved ones, giving thanks for blessings none of us deserves but which have been lavished on us by the Lover of our souls...
Labels: Books, Food, Holidays, Movies, Technology, Vacations
I will refrain from criticism, switching from my prescriptive to my descriptive grammarian hat when I know there's no sense in protesting. It is what it is, and I humbly confess to having used the word (as a verb) many times this year and last.
In case the Oxford WOTY is new to some of you, previous selections in the past two decades include:
information superhighway
Y2K
(to) newt
cyber
chad
9-11
web
truthiness
plutoed
bailout
Obviously, some of these have enjoyed more longevity than others. We'll have to see how "unfriend" fares....Perhaps by 2030 we'll have figured out how to choose only friends who last.
[I do admit to being relieved that three of the finalists didn't make the cut: "tramp stamp" (a tattoo on the lower back, usually on a woman), "choice mom" (a person who chooses to be a single mother), and "deleb" (a dead celebrity).]
Oxford Word of the Year
Labels: Language, Social Observation
Effects of climate change have driven women in communities in coastal areas in poor countries like the Philippines to risk dangerous jobs, and sometimes even into the flesh trade.
Suneeta Mukherjee, country representative of the United Nations Food Population Fund (UNFPA), said women in the Philippines are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the country.
“Climate change could reduce income from farming and fishing possibly driving some women into sex work and thereby increase HIV infection," Mukherjee said during the Wednesday launch of the UNFPA annual State of World Population Report in Pasay City.
*sigh*
Climate change pushes poor women to prostitution
hat tip: The Papa
Labels: Theater of the Absurd
I haven't read nearly as many books this year as last, for a variety of reasons. But one of the books I've had on my list was the first one other than the Bible that I loaded onto my new Kindle. It had been recommended by at least a dozen friends and blog readers, so I knew it was an important one to read.
Well I had no idea just how important. Or how deeply it would move me. Each year it seems I'm struck in an extraordinary way by one book, and this year, this is it. Well, unless something else comes along in the next six weeks that could unseat it, and I doubt it.
Thanks to all those who recommended this one. You were right.
Same Kind Of Different As Me
Labels: Books
The Ultimate Christian Novel
hat tip: Annie W.
Obama arrived on the base 3:19 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time), and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms, many holding cameras or pointing cell phones to snap pictures.
"You guys make a pretty good photo op," the president said.
Labels: ObamaNation, Theater of the Absurd
Health and safety snoops to enter family homes
Labels: Social Observation, Theater of the Absurd
Finally, some color in the leaves! True, it's a paltry autumn compared to most other places I've lived, but it's nice to look up and see a patch of red on the occasional tree...
So this is the week that the girls and I work on seating charts for Thanksgiving Dinner. We have a slightly-larger-than-usual group this year but we still want it to be a special, sit-down experience for each one who's with us. So since we don't have the optimum floor plan for eating with large groups, it takes some planning ahead and careful use of the available space. Happily, I have kids who excel at this sort of thing :-)
I was able to visit with my mother this week. Her Parkinson's, along with her very fragile bones and all the meds she must take for both conditions, have left her in a state that makes me sad to see. This visit she was confused about CJ, my companion for this trip, thinking she was Aubrey even after I told her several times. She knew me, but asked me the same things over and over...I'm tearing up as I write this, as it was a painful realization that disease is taking its toll and usually only goes in one direction.
Well FINALLY I made the decision on a new printer this week and get to ditch the Dell. We've had it three years and it's never worked right, and we've probably spent fifteen times as much money on the ink for it as we did on the original purchase. The new printer is a Canon PIXMA MX860 Wireless All-In-One Photo Printer and I'll let you know if it ends up being any better than our old one.
And because this news will get out anyway, I'll confess that I took some of my spending money this week and bought myself a Kindle. I've been very curious about this gadget, wondering if I would really use it. After playing with it, loading my NASB Bible and a couple other books on it, I have already become attached. No, it will never completely replace books for me, but it lets me travel with a lot more reading material than I can fit in my luggage, and it also means I can enjoy a lot of books without having to find shelf space for them.
Looks like we'll forgo our usual day-after-Thanksgiving trip to choose a live Christmas tree. The Papa and I will be leaving for Hawaii early on Friday morning, and we've also decided that it will be better for our sweet asthmatic grandson if we don't bring a fresh tree in the house. So I'm on the lookout for a really nice, TALL artificial tree. The Papa says that this time it's gonna be pre-lit.
I'll be loading Going Rogue on my Kindle.
Happy birthday to Joshua, who is today!
Labels: Books, Family, Good Stuff, Grandkids, Holidays, Technology
The Rush to Therapy
Labels: Social Observation
I KNEW we'd find a reason to disparage golf.
Golf balls: 'Humanity's signature litter'
Labels: Social Observation
Well, in large part because of draconian measures that China and other countries have taken, measures that include mass sterilization, forced abortions the toleration of female infanticide. While staying a millimeter away from putting its stamp of approval on these tactics, The Economist proclaims that "it has worked" and is benefitting all of us by making maternity wards almost obsolete in some places.
I couldn't help but be reminded of this verse:
(Isaiah 5:20)
And just think, if it weren't for many of us families who have more than 2.1 children, the world would be an even cleaner, more educated, more enlightened, more sophisticated place where the few people left could enjoy life without pollution, hunger, global warming, crime, disease....and grandbabies.
Falling Fertility Makes for Happy Economists
Labels: Babies, Social Observation, Theater of the Absurd
We've had a great week with family and friends, a great day today in worship, and a lovely Sunday afternoon to begin a new week...
The week began with a visit from my inlaws. They drove down from Ft. Worth on Monday and stayed until Thursday, joining in many of our regular activities and then throwing in some of their own, like a birthday card (complete with money) for ALL of the kids and grandkids--no matter when their birthdays are!
The day they left, we were honored with a visit from brand-new friends that we've previously known only through their blogs. Fletch and Kendra stayed in San Antonio through the weekend and worshiped with us this morning. They're now on their way home, but we have a feeling we'll be seeing them again soon. (And if you wonder why her blog is called Preschoolers and Peace, here's a clue from our afternoon together:)
So we're one step closer to being forced to write a yearly check to pay for all those people who can't afford or don't want to buy health care insurance. Early next year it will be universal internet access. And after that, Red Lobster access for all. It's clear, friends, that the entitlement mentality NEVER ends. Once we get universal health care, there will be something else that not everyone can afford but feels entitled to, and that will be the next public crusade. The camel's nose, along with his forelegs, are already in the tent. The goal is to make sure that we even out all the differences between what people can afford by increasing the already long list of universal rights. Ugh. Sometimes I'm glad that I'm already 55, but I cringe at the world we're leaving our grandkids.
We've had pouring rain today. I love rainy days. And Mondays. They don't get me down.
And despite the complainings of some members of my family, I like changing back from Daylight Savings Time to REAL time. The earlier light in the morning helps me get going!
The Ft. Hood massacre this week was intensely sobering to me. Part of it is the geographical closeness to us (in fact the gunman is now in the same hospital here in San Antonio where I receive a lot of my treatment); part of it is the frightening element of having murders like this committed by a uniformed officer of the U.S. military; there's the compound tragedy of a pregnant woman and her unborn child dying; and there's that increasing sense of needing to look over my shoulder and wonder who's next.
CJ needs to stop with the homemade bagels. Oh wow. Something new to put cream cheese on.
It was another morning experiencing the richness of hymns in our worship. Each week some verse of some hymn speaks loudly to me or some circumstance in my life. I leave you with these words from the last verse of "O Worship the King"...
in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
I'd stay, but the bagels are calling. Have a great week!
Labels: Family, Food, Friendship, Music, News, ObamaNation
Perspective. Or How I'm Learning Not to Sweat the Small Stuff
Labels: Devotional
(Nov. 5) -- From their very first days, the cries of newborns already bear the mark of the language their parents speak, scientists now find.French newborns tend to cry with rising melody patterns, slowly increasing in pitch from the beginning to the end, whereas German newborns seem to prefer falling melody patterns, findings that are both consistent with differences between the languages.This suggests infants begin picking up elements of language in the womb, long before their first babble or coo.
Labels: Babies, Sanctity of Life, Science
Ayn Rand knew what caused our economic crisis; why don't we?The answer is rather simple.
Government and those that proclaim it can solve so many of our problems – regardless of their party.
In 1959, in an interview with Mike Wallace, Ayn Rand posited that:
“A free economy will not break down. All depressions are caused by government interference and the cure that is always offered . . . is more of the same poisons that caused the disasters.”
Read more here.
Labels: Money, ObamaNation, Political Observation
Women Choose Abortion
hat tip: The Papa
Labels: Sanctity of Life, Social Observation
Labels: ObamaNation
The Prosperity Gospel from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.
via JT
Labels: Social Observation, Theater of the Absurd
Congressman Miller:
I am watching with interest and a great deal of concern the attempts by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to push her health care bill through Congress. This is not solely about health care; it is about power and control. If it were truly about what is best for the United States, then Speaker Pelosi and those in her camp would not be shutting out the myriad voices opposed to this takeover.This is about my tax dollars -- and yours -- being spent to fund abortions, to end lives of Americans who are being deprived of their vote by virtue of being deprived of their lives. She may not -- indeed many in Congress may not -- feel abortion is murder. Fine, let their money fund it. I feel it is, and do not want my money spent on it. And you are there to represent me.This is about the government giving itself the right to come into homes and check up on responsible citizens, just because it wants to. My forefathers - -and yours -- would roll over in their monument-marked graves.This is about my daughter, a Type 1 diabetic, having her best care determined not only by her doctor, but by whatever government bureaucrat decides on her care, based on the government's and said bureaucrat's convenience. This is about the government someday being able to decide how many test strips I can get to test her sugar daily, and how much insulin she needs. The government! Think about your own child, who could be diagnosed with diabetes -- or cancer -- tomorrow. Do you want her care at the mercy of government deciders? Is this truly the America you know, and -- indeed -- aspired to Congress to serve?Isn't the government you pledged to uphold one where the representatives of the people thoughtfully determine how to best implement the will OF THE PEOPLE? NOT one where an entire group in Congress is pushed aside so that a bill can be rushed through, without a hint of the transparency once promised by this administration, because someone in a high office thinks it is best for us, and thus the end justifies the means?I am writing this letter to ask you, Congressman Miller, to stand up for the nation you want your own children to live in: one where the people's voices -- and not just the politicians' -- are heard and regarded. Please stand up for us -- and make us glad we sent you to Washington.Sincerely,
Darlene R(xxxx)Milton NC
Thanks, Dee Dee, for this wonderful example and for allowing me to share it here.
Make your voice heard--that's what it's for!
Labels: Political Action, Sanctity of Life
Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions. Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life - not end it.
Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi’s 2,032-page government takeover of health care does just that. On line 17, p. 110, section 222 under “Abortions for which Public Funding is Allowed” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run plan. The Speaker’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions.
What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run plan. It’s right there on line 16, page 96, section 213, under “Insurance Rating Rules.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account - and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.
Section 213 describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run plan. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.
There WILL be abortions at public expense if the Health Care Destruction Bill passes. It's just a matter of how well Pelosi and Co. can hide it or disguise it. More here:
Speaker Pelosi’s Government-Run Health Plan Will Require a Monthly Abortion Premium
Please, write your representative and tell him or her that you are watching and you won't be fooled by accounting tricks and soothing language. This morning I've written to my representative, Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), and to Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), House Republican leader to encourage him to keep fighting.
Labels: Political Observation, Sanctity of Life
So I share this link with the disclaimer that I expect dissent.
Homosexuals (among others) cannot love
Note: Don't get tripped up by his #1. Yes, it looks harsh. But if you accept a Biblical definition of love, then he's 100% right. Even Christians, wanting to convince each other we're "enlightened", have begun accepting the dictionary's definition of love, which is whatever society says it is from decade to decade. Love is what GOD, the Author of love, says it is.
Labels: Social Observation
How to Use an Apostrophe
via SPOGG
Labels: Language
via DesiringGod.org
Labels: Devotional
Ten Million Words
This will no doubt be heavily spun by the Left...but we can PRAISE GOD!
hat tip: Angelia D.
Labels: Sanctity of Life
GREENSBORO — A month ago, Almeta Whitsett was on the waiting list for Mobile Meals.
With two hip replacements and a husband with Alzheimer’s, the 84-year-old Greensboro woman was finding it harder to cook. She already had someone who came in to clean her house every two weeks.
Now, she has help in the kitchen, too.
Senior Resources of Guilford learned over the summer that it would receive $80,000 in stimulus money from the state Department of Health and Human Services.
The money officially arrives today for Senior Resources.
But since the agency knew that the funds were coming, Whitsett started receiving two hot meals a day, five days a week, in late September for her and her 85-year-old husband, James.
“I don’t have to worry about preparing dinner each day,” Whitsett said. “I prepare a little breakfast for us, and maybe in the evening get us a little sandwich or something. We’ve enjoyed the meals tremendously.”
Okay, this is a good example of why we can't get this country back on track economically. Who's going to make a fuss and admit that they're against "feeding seniors"? Even many conservatives who are railing against wasteful spending aren't going to take this one on for fear of being called cruel and insensitive.
But even if I were willing to stipulate that it's okay for "government" money (read: the check I write to the IRS each year) to feed seniors, which I'm not, I would still be aghast that money the Congress and Obama specifically meant to be a stimulus to the ECONOMY would be used to provide lunch and dinner for my mother or your grandmother.
The program is funded by United Way, private donations, and federal "Title III" grants, which means that these seniors are already getting tax money to pay for their meals. And now we're pretending that giving them more tax money to feed them will stimulate the economy??
But again, what brave soul do you think is going to complain about this except Granny? That's why it can go on untouched. It may be illegal, dishonest, even unconstitutional, but our czars know that no one can get away with opposing it without inviting condemnation from the bleeding hearts.
Look, I'm all for making sure no senior goes hungry. I'm nearly a senior myself and I don't want to miss a meal either. But the way to do this is through United Way and churches and by my willing donations, not through forcing me on penalty of imprisonment to pay for this couple's lunch and dinner each day.
Think what a stimulus it would be if our tax bill were cut in half and we were allowed to SPEND the money that's now paying for senior meals!
Folks, no matter how old you are, there's no free lunch.
Stimulus money buys hot meals for seniorsLabels: Money, Political Observation, Social Observation
Last night our Covenant of Grace church family gathered at the home of one of our member families to celebrate God's goodness through the Reformation. It's something we do each year, focusing on one area and one leader of the Reformation. One of the highlights is sharing food from the part of the world we're studying, and last night it was French and Swiss food, in honor of the 500th birthday of John Calvin. It was a cozy little group of 93 of us in one of the only houses that will still fit most of us and we had a glorious time!
Each year about this time I go looking for a Thanksgiving checklist...a timeline for getting everything done. But the ones I find never seem to cover our unique traditions and needs. So this year I went to the Internet and downloaded seven or eight different ones, copied and pasted them all into one document, and then crossed out duplications, added things we do that no one else would do (Make sure we have a serviceable football), and adjusted for the odd way we tend to operate around here. Now I have my own very detailed but personalized list of what to do "Four Weeks Before" all the way to "Thanksgiving Morning." It should service me well for many years.
Who'd have thought I'd ever be glued to the coming results of an obscure upstate New York congressional race?
After a couple of years of disinterest, I've again become very active on eBay, using it to collect table linens, silverware, glassware and extra serving pieces for our holiday tables. I love it that no matter what pattern I'm after, someone is selling it. Yes, some of it is way beyond what I want to pay, but I've stuck with it long enough this year to get most of what I need and want at reasonable prices. Twenty years ago I'd never have believed this virtual worldwide garage sale!
We're having two sets of company this week...more on that later!
It's always startling on the first night after the time change...I actually love it when it gets dark early, but it's still a little disorienting.
And that's precisely why the Snippets are abbreviated tonight. I'm disoriented and sleepy and have to be up early. Have a great week!
Labels: Church, Holidays, Political Observation, Sundays