Clothes make the man? Sometimes

I met a man in Africa I'm likely to never forget.  He was a preacher who lived in a hut in a tiny village without roads, telephones, running water or even a sewer system.  He grew sugar cane for a living, and during the week he was visiting I never saw him change his clothes a single time.

Every day was the same shirt, the same slacks, the same shoes and the same thread-bare jacket.

He'd arrived in Arusha by bus so I knew he had space for luggage ... so why just a single set of clothes?

Because he was so on fire with the gospel that he was saving his money, almost literally every penny, to buy a used scooter ... so he could travel to neighboring villages and share the gospel. He figured it would take him almost three years to save $800.

But he could reach four, maybe five villages who'd never heard of Christ if he had a scooter.  And he was already well on his way to his goal.

When I saw Vernon during his last visit he told me yes, Patrick got his scooter.

--   --   --

Some people enjoy ... and insist upon ... dressing in their best for church.  So others will know what they've got and who they are.

But then there's others who don't pay attention at all to their clothes and can't wait to share the gospel with the un-churched instead.  So others will know the assurance they've got ... and who Christ is.

Just imagine if Patrick had a Harley.

Something's been bugging me and I want to gripe about it right now

On the other hand, who cares if I feel entitled to start whining ... but me?

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.

- Nuumbers 11:6

W@?

- from 12:11AM September 25, 2008 (no web connection)

Wow.  The Australian Bible Society translated the entire Bible into SMS format ... so you can now read scripture on your cell phone.  It took one person four weeks to convert all 31,173 verses of the Bible.

ITYK.

For the tech-social challenged still tied to land lines, cell phones can send text messages that often contain cost-saving abbreviations that look something like this:

sum1 = Someone

IMSB = I am so bored

ITYK = I thought you knew

So a Bible verse received on your cell would look something like this:

Wrk hard at wateva u do. U will soon go 2 da wrld of da dead, where no 1 wrks or thinks or reasons or knws NEting. 

- Ecclesiastes 9:10

WTH?

--   --    --

R U already wondering What's the point or thinking Unless you already know what it means, that verse doesn't make any sense?  (at least, compared to the KJV  :-)

Yep, but I find myself doing the same thing on an almost daily basis without even being aware I'm doing it.  Like when describing my faith with "Righteousness itself will not cleanse you of your sins and iniquity."

Iniquity?

Talk about rock-solid conversation terminators: Sure it's scriptural, I mean I know what I'm trying to say, but who uses words like that any more?

Clear, effective communication is difficult enough ... and just gets harder when we try sharing the gospel by rote instead of from our hearts.

You have a call on Line 1

(religion in the news)

Verizon Wireless is now launching a new cell phone service in the United States that will allow subscribers to receive messages from the Pope.

Subscribers will pay 30 cents to receive a daily missive based on the homilies, speeches and messages of Pope John Paul II, under a deal with the Vatican and Italian wireless services provider Acotel, based in Rome. AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless will follow quickly with their own versions.

- source

Hovering

(Friday blog light)

I'm still amazed at what you can find offered for sale on ebay. Like this Bell 222A light commercial twin-engine helicopter.

I rode in a helicopter once but will choose flying with wings every time ... because I like being able to see what's holding me up.  

Fixed-wing pilots are often suspicious of rotary-wings and generally define a helicopter either as A hundred aerodynamic errors spontaneously cancelling each other out or as 10,000 parts temporarily flying in formation.

But it might be fun having one to avoid stadium traffic during home games.

The 222A's maximum speed is about 150 mph with a range of just under 324 nautical miles.  In case you're interested, the current bid is just over $670,000.

It's a night in a gale

Virtually no web connection today, probably due to the gale conditions that moved in this afternoon. Very cold and windy outside; expected to get worse overnight.

But better tomorrow.

Soul Sacrifice: Calvinism vs Christ (part 4)

When Paul wrote of being "chosen" and "elect" he was not sowing Calvinistic seeds; he was emphasizing the point that God's grace is the Almighty's gift ... to remind us that we are not saved by our own efforts, nor by our own righteousness or because we were predestined to enjoy our place in a heirarchy of salvation ... but that God's will and plan is eternal: we are redeemed through Christ's choice to die on the cross in our place.

Calvinism can never supercede Christ's love and sacrifice: nothing can.

--   --   --

Christ's suffering and death on the cross was a choice: his choice ... one he made from love and for the forgiveness of our sins ... and his resurrection proved that God's promise of forgiveness for anyone who believes in him is true.

Calvinism has nothing to do with redemption, and grace has nothing to do with self-gratifying theologies of who is "elect" and who is "chosen."  All have sinned, all have fallen short and we are only saved ... not by predestination ... but by grace.

Calvinism chooses to stand apart from God's love, mercy, grace and forgiveness ... and aggrandizes itself by secreting away the relationship with the Almighty that Christ made possible, beneath a man-made veil in a dark temple of vanity and self-importance.

Soul Sacrifice: Calvinism vs Christ (part 3)

As bad as the pain seemed I knew it could not compare to the agony Christ experienced as he was flogged, forced to carry his cross, and crucified with spikes hammered through his hands and feet.  Knowing what was ahead, who would choose to willingly die such a horrific death?

Jesus did: to the best of my knowledge no one else in history willingly agreed to be flogged and die by crucifixion.  Much less endure the ordeal in someone else's place.  But Jesus did.

Christ was infinitely more righteous and more loving than me: I surrender to him and trust his will.

I don't feel superior or entitled; I feel amazed, unworthy ... and humbled with incomprehension.

--   --   --

The idea that God, being sovereign,  predestined certain people to be chosen,while others had no choice but to be condemned, is appalling.  

It's the worst sort of spiritual arrogance, self-righteousness and pharisaical piety.

--   --   --

As human beings we like things to make sense to us, and feel comfortable applying rational concepts, like linear time and Cause and Effect, when we're challenged by the unfamiliar and faced with the infinite.  We prefer safety and security to being awed, and without realizing that we're doing it, pretend logic and deductive reasoning can help us understand what God must be.

If ants had the capacity for cognizant thought, who could blame them for looking at us and feeling confident that they understood our lives are also dedicated to moving sand piles around ... just on a much larger scale?

But God said I am.  That's BIGGER than just large ... and I believe him.

Soul Sacrifice: Calvinism vs Christ (part 2)

By the fourth day I could hop around a little bit without holding myself up like a gymnast on the parallel bars; at the end of a week I managed to pull myself off the boat onto a borrowed set of stairs, and hobble-walked to the end of the dock.  

Looking out over the water felt like total, absolute Freedom ... as if I'd just experienced being mobile for the very first time.

--   --   --

My knee didn't hurt much during the day but nights were excruciating and sleep became iffy.  Sitting up was OK but something about lying down and becoming horizontal brought my knee to life and made it sing ... to the point of tears and nausea.

--   --   --

Prior to this event the worst pain I'd ever experienced was from a tooth that had worn away sufficiently to expose the nerve.  The oral surgeon told me women who've experienced both describe childbirth as about 70% less.

In a previous post I wrote I didn't know why insomnia kept me up all night on Monday but the fact is that no matter how I tried to position myself when trying to fall asleep, within a few minutes my knee would wake up and start feeling like it was being pulled out of socket and twisted from my body.

And so I prayed.

Soul Sacrifice: Calvinism vs Christ (part 1)

Three weeks and two days ago tonight I was climbing aboard Calypso when my left knee suddenly seized and went Pop! like a firecracker.  A hundred feet away you could have heard it and I knew right away something significantly bad had happened.

For the next 3 days I literally couldn't walk; my knee was no more than a wet rope under my thigh.  Searching online for my symptoms suggested an ACL tear; ACL tears are serious business and will not heal without surgery, which includes weeks of crutches, months of recuperation and up to a year of physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Even with arthoscopic surgery the prognosis for complete recovery is nowhere near 100% (especially at my age).  So I wasn't surprised when my doctor said I should get an MRI right away.  

But I live on a boat about the size of a bathtub and the prospect of not walking again, at least without a severe limp, much less ever running ... asserted itself as a very real proposition.

We'll talk about pain in another minute.

Close yourself into a space about the size of a minivan for three days' worth of staring at the walls and ceiling as often as you like.  You'll have no trouble making a long list of all the bold new things you find about about yourself.  

And about your faith, too.

Changing the deck chairs

"A deckchair is a folding* chair, usually with a frame of treated wood* or artificial material* (for protection against the weather*). It is meant for leisure*, originally on a big cruise ship's* deck, which explains the origin of its name.

It is easily transportable* and stackable*. The classic deckchair can only be locked in one position*." -wikipedia

Wonder why these never caught on in churches, instead of pews?


* emphasis added

Measuring others so they'll know when and how they fall short

Feeling aggravated?

Ready to browbeat or berate others for falling short ... and not measuring up to your expectations?

Stop doing it.  Now.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

- Luke 6:38

The Sermon on the Mount

I don't know where to start.

Because you can't even skim through Matthew 5-7 without something sticking ... and sticking hard.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

- Matthew 7:7

For Geeks Only

(technology)

(a) I noticed Dell has a new driver available for my sound card that's supposed to address "issues" with Windows Media Player 11, but I chose not to install it. I've learned- the HARD way, usually by waking up to a non-functioning sound card courtesy of Windows' thoughtful "update while U sleep" feature- if it works it ain't broken, so don't touch it.

(b) Disregarded (a) and installed the latest version of PicLens from Cool Iris.

(c) Finally figured out how to un-install Sony's Sound Forge 9 demo (Audacity is free).

(d) Finally installed LanguageNow!'s "Learn Chinese Now!" I found this disc at Target for a couple of bucks, and figured Why Not ... my Mandarin needs some polishing. Nee how mah?

(e) Still looking: I can't find a DVD recorder capable of recording true anamorphic 16x9 footage without "squeezing" the image. Is this a big problem? No, but finding the solution is.

(f) Ever wondered how to wire a boat's electrical system that's got two alternators and three batteries? Nearly leaped for joy after finding this at BoatFix.com:

(g) I hate Vista's power-saver feature: it turns off the audio mixer every time my notebook goes to sleep. Which means there's no sound, until you click the mixer open and re-enable all the applications. Looked for a way to disable this nifty unwanted aggravation, but no success so far.

What I almost blogged at 4:00 AM this morning

(humor)

About four months ago a pharmacist in Anderson took the time to give me some very practical advice about how adults diagnosed with ADD can follow a simple mental exercise to improve their memory skills.

I forget what it was, however.

Night without End

Went to bed last night at 8:30 PM; got up at about 5:50 AM.

You're thinking, "Wow ... you scored 9 hours of ZZZ's!" but nossir, I logged zero hours at the slumber controls.  That's the first time ever that Insomnia's taken me the full 15-round distance.

Tried reading two different books* three different times, tried counting**, tried doing 3-place multiplication in my head (like 627x398), which is usually FOOL PROOF and guaranteed to put the lights out pronto, but not last night ... I kept forgetting what numbers I was trying to multiply.

Anyway I'm up now and figure by not sleeping last night, I got the privilege of living the equivalent of one extra day.

* The Historical Reliability of the Gospels; Purple Cane Road

** My interior voice didn't sound like me; it sounded like someone standing behind me  :-)

Separation of Church and Status

I've heard people say "I could never feel comfortable in a megachurch because I wouldn't know anybody ... and I have lots of friends at my church."

That's different than saying, "My friends go to my church" because we often think of "friends at church" and "friends at work" as two separate, distinct groups ... and be honest, there's generally not much mixing between the two.

Which makes me wonder, Why?

Because evangelical Christians are encouraged to share the Gospel with others, the Baylor researchers found that more than half of megachurch members said they shared their faith with strangers in the past month and more than 80 percent witness to friends -- far more than those who attend small churches.

Researchers say that probably explains why four of 10 megachurch members say that at least half of their friends attend those congregations.

-source

Just figures

Windows TV Ads made with Macs

Using Adobe Creative Suite 3.

-read more here

ps.  Hi Ken

Just gets better ...

- con't from previous post

The Baylor researchers found that megachurches tend to be more evangelical than small churches.

Ninety-two percent of megachurch members believe that hell "absolutely exists," compared with just over three-quarters of small-church members, the survey found. And eight in 10 megachurch worshipers believe that the Rapture -- when followers of Jesus Christ believe they will be taken to heaven -- will "absolutely" take place, compared with less than half of those who attend small churches.

In addition to their evangelical mission, megachurches thrive because of the social experience they provide and their emphasis on music. "The same things that made them popular -- contemporary music and practical, applicable sermons that apply to people's daily lives -- remain a real draw for folks," said Scott Thumma of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

Who woulda thought THIS?

Big Churches Not Always Impersonal, Study Finds

By Jacqueline L. Salmon

Washington Post Staff Writer 
Friday, September 19, 2008; Page A06

Congregants find megachurches offer more personal worship and sense of community than smaller churches, according to a study released yesterday that challenges the conventional wisdom that some large churches are too big to offer a spiritual experience.

Researchers at the Institute for Studies of Religion, who defined megachurches as those with more than 1,000 worshipers, found that their members were twice as likely to have friends in the congregation than members of small churches. They also displayed a higher level of personal commitment to the church -- attending services and tithing more often than small-church members.

Megachurches are often criticized for having "all sorts of flaws," said Rodney Stark, co-director of the institute, based at Baylor University. "They're big . . . they're kind of cold, they have kind of like theater audiences -- all wrong."

- full story here

Wooden-ship

John Robert Wooden (born October 14, 1910) is a retired American basketball coach.  His 10 NCAA National Championships in 12 years while at UCLA are unmatched by any other college basketball coach.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. 
John Wooden 

Ability is a poor man's wealth. 
John Wooden 

Adversity is the state in which man mostly easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then. 
John Wooden 

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. 
John Wooden 

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. 
John Wooden 

Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be. 
John Wooden 

I'd rather have a lot of talent and a little experience than a lot of experience and a little talent. 
John Wooden 

If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? 
John Wooden 

If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes. 
John Wooden 

It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen. 
John Wooden 

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. 
John Wooden 

Never mistake activity for achievement. 
John Wooden 


Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts. 
John Wooden 

Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. 
John Wooden 

The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team. 
John Wooden 

The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones. 
John Wooden 

There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer. 
John Wooden 

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. 
John Wooden 

Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. 
John Wooden 

You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. 
John Wooden 

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you. 
John Wooden 

Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters. 
John Wooden 

Me Worry? Are you kidding?

Woke up around 3:30 AM, not sure why.  So to help myself fall back asleep I started worrying.

After about an hours' worth it dawned (sorry) on me that the things I was worrying about weren't centered on "Am I following God's will?" or "What kind of impact am I having for the kingdom?"

Nope.  I was thinking about things that focused on me ... instead of the things me is capable of doing something about.

Hating Paul, Loving Paul

Last week I met a 30-something man who'd dropped out of seminary, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Eastern Philosophy.

I asked him why he'd become disillusioned.

He told me he felt the apostle Paul had subverted Christ's message, and substituted Rules and Legalisms for Love and Forgiveness.  I asked him to give me an example so I could see for myself; he said, "It's my impression."

--   --   --

Years, many years ago, I had the same impression of Paul.

But re-reading his letters now, Paul's love, compassion and total conviction about Christ is undeniable.

--   --   --

What did I do?

I told this man I'd felt the same way ... until I'd re-read Paul's letters to see what he said, instead of reading to confirm what I expected he'd said.

About Doubt (updated)

What's doubt all about ... and where does doubt come from?

Why are we sometimes hesitant to face new challenges, especially if the solution involves the sticky prospect of doing something that makes us feel uncomfortable?  

Perhaps it's not difficult situations in themselves that create doubt, but rather, it's our unwilligness to stop focusing on the negative outcome we anticipate.  

I think we like having a little doubt in our lives, because doubt keeps us safe ... by preventing us from taking action and moving toward the unfamiliar.  Like the night Peter stepped from the disciples' boat in the middle of a storm, and began walking across the waves toward Christ.  Until what happened?  

Doubt happened, and Peter began sinking under the weight of his uncertainty.

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

- Matthew 14:31

After he was crucified, resurrected and appeared to them in the flesh, some of the disciples still couldn't shake off their doubts.

When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

- Matthew 28:17

He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

- Luke 24:38

What did Christ say next?  Did he instruct them to watch Dr. Phil?  To buy Oprah's new book?  To form a study group and discuss an action plan for approval?

No, the answer to doubt comes in one simple word: Believe.

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

- John 20:27

Seminary 101

I wonder if Calvinists study for midterms?

Where the earth meets the sky

As fledgling photographers, we were taught to watch the places where the earth meets the sky ... whether at the horizon, over the mountains or at sea.

My God is mighty to save

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

Let mercy fall on me

Everything I believe in

Now I surrender

- Mighty to Save, Hillsong

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, 
       as the waters cover the sea.

- Habakkuk 2:14

Praise be to his glorious name forever; 
       may the whole earth be filled with his glory. 
       Amen and Amen.

- Psalm 72:19

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

- Matthew 17:20

Running from-or out of- zeroes

The proposed Federal bail-out of US financial and investment markets is estimated to have a cost of $1 trillion dollars.  That's a million billions, right?

For comparison, the 2007 total budget was $2.8 trillion.

Let's forget that the trillion dollar figure is a Friday estimate: next Friday, and next month, it's likely to be much higher.  And never mind the big automakers who've already asked for their share of the Federal bail-out pie, too.

I'm still waiting however, to hear how that trillion dollar bail-out debt breaks down per person; what's the average cost per US citizen going to be?

Does that work out to about $5000 per person for every man, woman and child ...  $20,000 in new taxes for a 4-person family ... to bail-out the guys who got paid the big bucks to make smart financial decisions?

I'm steering clear of politics, but just one observation: maybe the nation's health care industry should declare bankruptcy next?

So un-PC

(humor)

Thought I'd better post this on a Friday, while all my friends with Macs have the day off ... and are unlikely to see it.  :-)

Don'tcha just love those "Hi, I'm a Mac" TV spots?  Aren't they clever?  Don't they make ya wanna run out and take a bite outta the big Apple?

Sure.

It only took about a year for Bill Gates to fight back ... he just chose to do it with a dull sword.

Old, not BOLD

 Unfortunately for those of us who cherish our PCs, the first volley in Windows' counter-attack goes far to prove that Tired n' Uninspired might be a mindset in Redmond, instead of just a state of mind.

Pseudo-Assurance: grant me my wishes

Why do Bad Things happen to believers?

If we're saved, and God loves us, then why does he allow bad things to blow up our lives?

But if we're saved and trust Christ, why do we believe we're immune from having bad things happen?  Is the idea that "Bad Things don't happen to Saved People- unless they've been bad" scriptural?  

--   --   --

I don't believe Christ died on the cross to create a prosperity or "well-being" gospel.  Nor did he preach "I have come that they may have life, and enjoy it to the full" nor "If a man remains in me and I in him, he will live on Easy Street" nor "How easy it is for the rich to enter the kindgom of God!"

Kinda makes you wonder about the difference between "being blessed" and being rich.

--   --   --

Then why do bad things happen ... most often when we least expect it?

I don't know... but I do know Jesus was not Genie Christ on a cross.

When bad things happen in my life, I try to keep reminding myself that my faith is in Christ and I'm here to serve him ... and that he didn't die on the cross to serve me and grant all my wishes.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

- Romans 8:28

Evolution: on the poo fast track

This fungi spore has the fastest launch in nature, accelerating from a standstill to 56 mph (90 kph) in one-millionth of a second.  That's like a human being going from zero to 5000 times the speed of sound in 1/1,000,000 of a second.

Scientists used very high speed 250,000 frame-per-second video cameras to record the event, which occurs so quickly it can't be detected with the human eye.

So what's the spore's need for speed?

"It is the need to get their spores away from the pile of poo on which these fungi live that drove the evolution of their dramatic ability."

Poo, oh yes indeed.

Nukin' Mickey

Muslims: We must kill Mickey Mouse

Tuesday September 16, 2008 Israel Today Staff

A prominent Saudi Islamic cleric has issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against Mickey Mouse, whom he characterized as an agent of Satan sent to corrupt young minds.

Sheikh Mohammed Al-Munajid told Saudi Arabia's Al-Majd Television that his beef with Mickey is that he is a mouse, a creature that Islam sees as "repulsive and corrupting."

Al-Munajid explained that Islamic law refers to the mouse as "little corrupter" and a creature that is "steered by Satan," and grants permission to all Muslims to "kill [mice] in all cases."

Therefore, according to Islamic law, insisted the sheikh, "Mickey Mouse should be killed."

- read more here

Saudi official: OK to kill owners of immoral TV

updated 3:11 p.m. ET, Fri., Sept. 12, 2008

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's top judiciary official has issued a religious decree saying it is permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV networks that broadcast immoral content.

The 79-year-old Sheik Saleh al-Lihedan said Thursday that satellite channels cause the "deviance of thousands of people."

- full story here

RAFSANJANI SAYS MUSLIMS SHOULD USE NUCLEAR WEAPON AGAINST ISRAEL

TEHRAN 14 Dec. (IPS) One of Iran’s most influential ruling cleric called Friday on the Muslim states to use nuclear weapon against Israel, assuring them that while such an attack would annihilate Israel, it would cost them "damages only".

Analysts said not only Mr. Hashemi-Rafsanjani’s speech was the strongest against Israel, but also this is the first time that a prominent leader of the Islamic Republic openly suggests the use of nuclear weapon [sic] against the Jewish State.

- Iran Press Service

What I do in my private life is my business: a dialogue

If I'm saved and can't lost my salvation, then can't I sin when, and as often, as I want to?  

Nope, not at all.  

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

- John 14:21

That's your interpretation, and sounds so legalistic.  What difference does a little sin-on-the-side really make?

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

- 1 Corinthians 3:16

But life is complicated, and sometimes there's gray areas.  Who can say what's good and what's not?

"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

- Matthew 19:17

But I'm dating someone who's not a believer and he/she says there's no such things as 'sin' when two people love each other.  So what's the worst that can happen?

If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

- 1 Corinthians 3:17

Come on, be serious.  Nobody thinks like that any more.

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise.

 - 1 Corinthians 3:18

Blue Book Bank Redux

- from Friday, December 14, 2007

We're from the bank and we're here to help you: Now stick 'em up

Bank of America, Wachovia, PNC Report New Loan Losses (Update3) 
By David Mildenberg and Hugh Son

Dec. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Bank of America Corp., Wachovia Corp. and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. said losses tied to bad debt will be worse than expected, providing fresh evidence that credit markets aren't returning to normal. -original source here

Hmmm, ... wonder whether our Bank Buddies are gonna shrug off their losses with big red faces, admit their unbridled avarice ... and learn a lesson about fiscal responsibility?

Will banks finally wise up n' buckle down ... no longer writing risky loans or issuing "credit cards" to folks who're already over-extended & unable to make minimum monthly payments?

Or, can we expect them to:

1) Raise interest rates & minimum monthly payments for "marginal" borrowers (folks with variable-interest mortgages and debt cards)
2) Mass-mail enticing new offers to "even more marginal" borrowers/debtors
3) Lay off "non-essential personnel" (i.e. bottom-tier bank employees; not the folks responsible for banks' lending practices) "as a response to the disappointing current economic downtrend"?
4) Resort to predatory lending by writing increasingly-risky loans (before their competitors do)
5) Increase fees & service charges; create new ones; offer fewer services
6) Argue that "Stealing isn't stealing when stealing is protected by law"

But isn't that Free Enterprise? Ain't that how Capitalism works? 

Banks hire lobbyists and make huge political contributions to manipulate the legislative process and enact laws penned in their corporate board rooms intended to guarantee their profits.

That how we end up with The Best Government Money Can Buy.

- from Thursday, July 13, 2006

Somebody Slap Me

I wouldn't know Joe Sangl if he walked up and slapped me in the face.

But I wish there was a time when he'd come up and knocked me flat silly. That's why now I'm hoping he'll lay one upside your head, too. Joe blogs about personal finances and how to become (and stay) debt-free.

It's not a gimmick or get rich quick scheme. Joe presents solid, 100% reality-based insights on how "only a little" debt snowballs, affects our choices, takes over our lives and turns us into slaves. Joe's blog is packed full of solid advice about getting your finances under control and keeping them there.

It might be hard to believe but there was a time when being a "debtor" carried a social stigma ... sorta like being an alcoholic who couldn't function without a drink, or an addict hustling the streets looking for the next fix.

Be Honest with Yourself: If racing down to the mall with a wallet (or purse) full of plastic is your idea of fun or recreation then you need to listen up.

Being out of financial control and accumulating DEBT is Not Fun. Paying 22% finance charges is isn't just STUPID ... it's a hint you might be addicted to spending.

We've been brainwashed with temptations like 0% interest and No Money Down Easy Credit Terms. But credit cards don't convey social status and aren't proof of your financial success, no matter what their advertising claims.

A credit card is your Debt Slave ID Badge and only impresses other people that you're a debt "ho" who's borrowing money from a credit pimp to buy stuff you really can't afford.

And pimps don't care about anything except getting their money paid back with 22% interest.

You need to start getting out of debt today ... and there's no better time to take the first step than right now.

Rollin' Heavy

Had dinner last night at an outdoor cafe near the marina.

Sitting on the opposite side from me was an arrogant loud-speaking guy, who became louder and more obnoxious with each beer he ordered.  Soon he started yelling, "Who's rollin' heavy?  Who else besides me is rollin' heavy?  Nobody?"

Then to prove his point, he left his server a $245 [two hundred and forty-five] dollar tip and staggered out.  He climbed into his truck and as he pulled from the parking lot, the driver's door flew open ... and he spilled out onto the pavement.

I was too far away to tell if he hit the ground still rollin' heavy.

--   --   --

If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze.

- Leviticus 26:18-19

Buzzwords? I hate 'em

(humor)

Buzzwords ... those clever, trendy and irritating expressions that burst forth from nothingness to make the point that the speaker is blisteringly bright, without ever saying or meaning anything.

In the framework of The Bluebook, the next generation of posts will be dynamic and proactive, achieving a paradigm shift intended to leverage a synergism of coopetitive perspectives into a composite by employing a long tail approach, in the face of Web 2.0, to accomplish total geoweb immersion via knowledge process outsourcing, with virtually no carbon footprint whatsoever.

I have no idea what any of that means.

More buzzwords here.

Wow, you're so HOT in that blouse ... wanna move in and start messing up my life?

Because love and passion is new and unfamiliar territory to teenagers, they're likely to express their emotions with awed and significant terms like "True Love," "Forever" and "Always."

But shoot, I'm not talking about love-sick teenagers ... I'm talking about grown mens and womens.   Meaning, middle-aged folks ("middle age" means anyone older than me) with the experience and wisdom to behave better.

Or better behave.

Whether they're recently divorced, newly broken-up or long-term singles, wow ... when Love (meaning, lust) lands on their shoulders, shouldn't they know better than to pass-out with passion?  

Oh no, that's not the case at all.

I'm starting to think middle-aged folks fall harder and get knocked sillier than their middle-school counterparts ... folks in their 40s and 50s just go nuts with infatuation and daydreams: 

"Hey since we've known each other for almost two weeks, wanna move in and start helping me make critical life-altering decisions?  Like, should I change jobs so we can spend more time together?

"Should I cancel my health insurance at work, and get added to your coverage instead? 

"Should I pay off my charge cards or use the available credit to buy myself a new plasma TV?  Let's compromise, and use both our cards to take a 5-star vacation instead!"

Then three weeks later, as if proceeding according to an unspoken script, the relationship's over more quickly than it started, and the quest for passion continues unimpeded.  Each experience of falling in love is exciting and wonderful and each time feels new all over again.

Just seems handling the consequences of decisions forged in hot romantic fires would start getting OLD after a while.

Mushmouth Middle Road Universal Church of Context

The things you hear in the background, just by listening:

-When it comes to big issues like religion, what's true for you might not be true for me.

-So much about faith comes down to a matter of interpretation and personal opinion. It's up to each person to decide what's right ... and try to live according to the parts they believe.

-Everybody's situation is different and no one person or religion can point to a single solution that everybody's comfortable with.

-I don't want to alienate or offend anybody by sharing something as private as my faith. Besides, people might think I'm a kook.

Christ didn't keep his faith private: he was crucified and resurrected from the dead to save us ... because why? Because each person- except him- was born in the same situation as everybody else: it's called sin.

Jesus didn't worry much about mincing words and softening scripture to keep the flock happy, nor did he stop doing miracles because he was concerned people wouldn't like him.

And I doubt he's much afraid of folks who call his followers kooks and nut jobs, either.



The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- Proverbs 28:1


When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.
- Psalm 138:3

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
- Acts 4:29

What's today's BTC?

What's today's Biggest Threat to the Church?

Does it come from internet porn, or the entertainment industry's assault on family and moral values? Or is the threat teenage pregnancy, drugs, liquor, gambling ... or shopping on Sundays?

Could today's Biggest Threat to the Church come from political instability in the Middle East, terrorism, or is it that guy running against my guy for President?

Or is it allowing worship services to become "relevant" and "contemporary" and reading from the NIV?

Or is today's threat the same old threat ... the one that happens when churches focus on becoming self-serving, rather than on being servants and serving the kingdom.

Mine Mine All Mine

Who doesn't mind giving a little ... especially when it's convenient, or makes others notice our "good works" ... and the difference in our share is hardly noticed.

But give up my pew to anybody who drags in and wants to sit there? Give up my voice in how things are done? Give up my music ... and every other church tradition I enjoy?

Why, that's like asking me to give up my church.


And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me
- Luke 22:29

What kind of man was Christ? (updated)

The popular image of a bearded, pale-faced and sad-eyed frail little man in a white robe clutching a lamb to his chest doesn't seem to represent Christ the way he's depicted in scripture.

A bearded lady-man would hardly have the conviction to whip and toss money changers from the temple, cast out chain-breaking demons, raise Lazarus from the dead, call himself the Son of God and willingly suffer and die in our place on the cross.

How would you describe a man like that?



Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
to make his mighty power known.
- Psalm 106:8

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
- Zephaniah 3:17

Who is this coming from Edom, 
       from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? 
       Who is this, robed in splendor, 
       striding forward in the greatness of his strength? 
       "It is I, speaking in righteousness, 
       mighty to save."

- Isaiah 63:1

with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
- Psalm 136:12

Oh boy, I can't believe how many "Can'ts"

I feel God is speaking to my heart and letting me know that salvation only comes through repenting, and believing in Jesus. But then does that I also mean ...


- I can't go to church unless I'm wearing a coat and tie?
- I can't read from any translation except the King James Version?
- I can't vote?
- I can't go to movies, listen to music or watch TV after 8 PM?
- I can't be friends with anyone who's not a believer?
- I can't go to a doctor of the opposite sex?


We cannot let man-made rules and traditions interfere with God's plan, or become more important than our relationship with Christ.

Evolution of a fairy tale - part 3

"No No No!" shout the evolutionists. "Apparently you haven't evolved sufficient brain capacity to understand!

"Evolution works because each environment is different, and evolution works by adapting each species to their environment."

That's an example of the pragmatic fallacy: the argument that something is true because it works ... when the meaning of "works" is vague and implies, "It's as much explanation as we need."

Or did I mean the ad hoc fallacy instead?

-- -- --

I've read pro-evolution arguments suggesting that the evidence in favor of evolution is so convincing, if a scientist really wanted to attract attention and make a name for himself, all he'd have to do is come up with proof that evolution doesn't work.

Implying of course, that no scientist anywhere can reasonably dispute evolution because if such a person existed, that scientist would become famous overnight.

But that's circular reasoning ... assuming your argument to be true because you believe it.

-- -- --

See, I'm guessing if a scientist really wanted to draw tons of attention to him/herself overnight, and have his/her name carved in scientific stone ahead of both Darwin's and Newton's, answering the question How Did Life Start? would sure do the trick.