Bathyspheres

I was the speaker at a men’s retreat for a congregation on the northwest side of Houston. We went to a retreat center outside Brenham, which is where Blue Bell Ice Cream is made. A tv ad for Blue Bell says that cows believe Brenham is heaven. It was nice, but I am looking for a little more in heaven. Of course the bluebonnets were not in bloom yet.

One of he illustrations I used for the need for God’s power in your life is a bathysphere. A bathysphere is a diving device that can be lowered into the depths of the sea up to 3000 feet. The walls of a bathysphere are reinforced with thick steel so the pressures of the depths will not crush the vessel. Standard submarines cannot go to such depths.
But when they get to the deep parts of the ocean and turn on the lights, they are able to observe marine life that functions normally in that environment. It has been determined that they have an equal and opposite pressure on the inside, allowing them to withstand the pressure of the deep.

Christians live in environment that exerts pressure on them, moral and social pressure, and such. It is sufficient to crush. One of the ways some try to withstand is by putting on a thick impenetrable shell that makes them completely unattractive and uncaring about those outside. It is no wonder some find the faithful so rigid.

I suggested to the guys today that it is much better to fill up with the power of God on the inside, enabling us to function under the pressures of the world and be more able to let the world see His power at work in us.






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Keen Sense of Observation

I just started rereading one of my Louis L”Amour novels, Fallon. The character is described on page six as having “a keen sense of observation.” L’Amour then says , “Rarely did people…recognize what they were seeing.”

I am not sure why, but it caused me to think of a funny moment of recognition on the part of my granddaughter. When she was three, we were sitting in her living room, having a big family time. I was sitting on the floor, and she was dancing around me singing and squealing and laughing.

All of a sudden she stopped and said, “GrandDad, you have hair in the back!”

I wonder why we do not always see and recognize things about us.






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Writing Down

Writing Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been blogging on Writingup.com for more than a year. I have enjoyed it immensely, and made some good virtual friends in that blog community. The site has had all sorts of difficulties in the past few weeks, causing a migration away from the site by a number of the writers. One of them, known as Keywoman 1, has begun a new group on Myspace to try to recapture the magic of our community. It is called WritingDown! Here is a link to check it out. WritingDown





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Mary Winkler Verdict

Mary Winkler was sentenced for no more than six years for killing her minister husband whom she said been mistreating her. I did not follow the case closely, and I did not review the evidence after the verdict. But I was surprised that she was given such a life sentence.

If she was mistreated and justified in her actions, she should have been set free. But the fact that she shot him in the back indicates to me that she was not in any imminent danger. With a gun in her hand she could have covered him as she left the house.

I am not trying to justify any missed treatments that the preacher may have inflicted upon his wife. But there are other remedies than killing someone. So to me the sentence sent a message that if you don't like what's gone on just shoot somebody in the back and point out how mistreated you been in the past, you will in effect, be told, "it's okay!"





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Photo ID to Vote!

Texas State Representative Betty mildly has just offered and passed legislation requiring a photo identification in order to vote in Texas. In these days when everybody is concerned about voter fraud it seems to me that this will be a positive safeguard for the electoral process. I'm sure there'll be some who will object for one reason or another, but it still seems to make sense to me.





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Will You Remarry After I Die?

Sitting at the table one morning, reading the paper Bob appeared not to have a care in the world. Suzy, his wife of 12 years, was humming as she fixed their breakfast. Seemingly out of no where, Suzy asked, "Sweetheart, if I die before you, will you remarry?"

Bob never looked up from the sports page, and replied, "I don't know, Honey, probably so."

Still working at the stove, Suzy hummed again for a few minutes. Then she askd, "Bob, will she live in my house?" He replied indifferently, "I don't know, Suzy, probably so."

As Suzy placed the plate of bacon and eggs before Bob, she asked, "Do you think she will cook in my kitchen?" Bob put the paper aside and picked up his fork, and said, "I don't know, probably so."

After another short interlude, Suzy again addressed her hubby, "Will she sleep in my bed?" Bob still was not really engaged in the conversation, but responded, "I don't know, Sweetie, probably so."

Suzy had grown a bit agitated as she asked, "Bob, will she use my golf clubs?"

Bob quickly replied, "Oh no honey, she's left-handed!"

Do you thnk you would remarry if your mate were to die?







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Parental Guidance Required

Our children will never know how to act as Christians unless they have good role models to follow. And the greatest influence they should ever have is their parents. If we do not practice our religion, we are not training up our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). Our children will have a hard time accepting our beliefs if they are not shown to be valid.

Do you want your children to care for those in need? Do you want your children to be charitable? Then be so before them. Do you want your children to be morally pure? Then be so before them. Do you want your children to be prayerful and studious? If so, be a living example to them.

We cannot afford spiritually to leave our children with the babysitter while we do our church work. They must be part of the fellowship, our visitation, our giving and sharing, our prayer life and our study of Scripture. If not, we should not expect them to embrace these things as important.

Proverbs22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."






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Curious Poet!

I like the poem, Prayer To The Omnipotent FSM, and I love the willingness to express thoughts that address the relationship we have with Divinity. I am of the opinion that the Divine One loves it when His creation acknowledges His presence, AND when the creature uses his God-given abilities, including when he questions the Creator!




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At A Loss For Words!

I have been trying to think of what to say about the slaughter at Virginia Tech. But the whole thing is so incomprehensible that I do not know what to say. In my junior high Bible Class tonight the kids needed to talk about the situation, just to express their heartfelt sympathy for the family and the university community. Mostly, though, I just listened.






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Think Magazine on The Theory of Evolution!

THINK magazine is new, having only published 4 issues. I had just begun bloggin when I received my first copy. I was impressed with the thrust with the magazine. Its intent is to delve into current and hot topics, encouraging Christians to think and engage in the public debate rather than ignoring issues we don't like or don't understand. And it is much easier to enter the debate if you know something of what the issues are, and how they affect us, one and all.

The April issue has several articles that would make great grist for the writingup community to grind. There were the monthly submissions about budgeting and personal finances, alleged Bible contradictions, as well as a daily devotional guide. There was a personal interest story, one about the entertainment industry, and one on women's issues.

One article gave some information about the University of California refusing to give credit to students in private high schools whose courses had a Christian viewpoint. Another blogger wrote a blog about the matter as well. The article in THINK presented some possible ramifications of the decision, specifically the loss of freedom for private schools to determine a curriculum that acknowledges biblical principles or morals.

One little "in the News" item caught my attention. It was the results of a Zogby International poll conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2. The poll certainly did not get a big run in the major media outlets. It indicates that Americans overwhelmingly support teaching scientific challenges to Darwinian evolution. Sixty nine percent of those polled showed they wanted biology teachers to teach the theory of evolution, but also the evidence against evolution. And 77% agreed with the statement, "When Darwin's theory of evolution is taught in school, students should also be able to learn about scientific evidence that points to an intelligent design for life." That is more than three quarters of the population.

Whatever happened to government of, by and for the people?

If you would like to know more about the magazine, or to subscribe, go to focuspress.org.








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Late Term Abortion Ban Upheld

Today the Supreme Court allowed the legislation banning late term or partial birth abortions to stand as COnstitutional. The vote was 5-4 and will no doubt start a firestorm around whether this is a first step to the reversal of the Roe vs Wade decision.

I do not know want to expect in that regard, though I am sure both sides of the issue will gear up to fight the next steps by the other side. But I am glad that the gruesome practice of exterminating a human child that is fully developed and simply being carried to term is now prohibited. It is a procedure that no civilised society should allow.






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Last Will & Testament!

Writing one's last will and testament is a rather sobering occasion. It must have something to do with the fact that one is drawn face to face with the truth of one's own mortality. We all like to think it will happen to someone else, but not to me. Contemplating one's own demise is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.

Reading a will is all so cold and matter-of-fact. You read through the "legaleze" and you realize that the situation is beyond your power to change it. There are the reflections of what your real value is, and have you succeeded in your ambitions. But that does not feel very redeeming.

Conversely, good stewardship demands that we take care of those we love the most. There is a satisfaction in knowing that you have fulfilled that obligation, and you will not be a party to the tragedy of leaving this world intestate.

Have you written your will?

James 4:14 "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."






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Please Practice What You Preach!

Most people have an aversion to a hypocrite. Hypocrisy is repulsive. Consequently many use it as an excuse for not obeying the gospel. I imagine most Christians have heard some variation of, "Well, if that is the way Christians are, I don't want to be one."

The old adage, "practice what you preach", is one that all Christians should strive to live in their daily lives. Doing anything else cheapens your professed morals in the eyes of the world. Saying one thing and doing another, unfortunately, detracts from the character of one's stated beliefs.

So it behooves you to carry out in actions the thoughts you express verbally. How would you answer a preacher if he asked you, "Can I preach what you practice?"

Matthew23:27 "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautifull outward, but are full of dead men's bones, and all uncleanness."







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Pleasant Memories

I wrote this post a year ago for another blog, after attending a retreat over Easter weekend. I was able to go again a few days ago, and decided to repost it here:

Man, it was great to go back to Camp Hensel for the retreat! Hensel Memorial Youth Camp is the proper name for this campground north of Austin, Texas. It is located on FM 1431 between Round Rock and Marble Falls. I had not been with our teens for six years. As I drove the last few miles, on that narrow winding road from Lago Vista to Travis Peak, I was drawn back in time and my mind flooded with the memories of the twenty five years I had directed the retreat. I started telling my 5 & 6 year old grandsons stories and pointing out places and letting them know things to anticipate. When we arrived, I got to take them up the hill to the top of the cliff that overlooks the camp. It was their first time, and I got to share the wonder and the joy!

For the past six years the retreat has been directed by my son-in-law, who is now in his thirties. My oldest daughter, his wife, was in charge of cooking for the over 200 that gathered for this time of spiritual renewal. The theme of the retreat was, "An Offer You Can't Refuse."

I went as kitchen help this time, but the first thing I got to do was use a pair of tweezers to pluck cactus needles from a young girl’s hand, dozens of them! She was very brave!

I got to watch how efficiently my daughter set up the kitchen and directed the staff. Everyone worked well together, and it was even fun doing the job behind the scenes. I got to see my first grandson in his first trip to Hensel as a camper, after 12 as a pre-camper. I got to see how beautifully my son-in-law and two other young men I helped train were leading the camp and conducting the sessions for our teens to learn more of God’s will for their lives. Folks, it gives great joy to recognize that everything is in good hands, with the next generation firmly and faithfully teaching yet another generation how to love God and follow the path of truth.

Of course, I sound like an old man remembering days of bliss. I had trouble trying to figure out how to share those joys with you in an article. Somewhere in the process, it occurred to me that in order to have those kinds of memories, you have to have done a lot of hard work and poured yourself out in order to make the memories. You had to endure obstacles and keep hammering on the anvil to help prepare the ones who will follow.

I am so glad I do not have to look back in regret. I am so glad there is someone ready and able to continue the traditions and teach the values. I pray this is not taken as my being boastful; it is more of a prayer of thanksgiving.

And I want it to be an encouragement. If you want to have pleasant memories, and a sense of “maybe it was all worth it”, then you have to do something. Your efforts today are the only way to do that. So work hard today, while it is day, because the night is coming (John 9:4, my paraphrase).






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VT Shooting.

What a horrible event took place today at Virginia Tech. The worst shooting incident in the history of the United States. Worse that the Tower sniper at the University of Texas in the 60's. Worse than Columbine. There are thirty one dead! It is inconceivable that such a thing happened in such a place as VT. I wonder what set the shooter on such a rampage!





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Ironic Conservatives

If Fred Thompson were to become our president, he would be the second ex-actor to rise to that lofty position. With all the political activism in Hollywood, and all the left leanings of the majority of the actors, wouldn’t it be a major irony if the two actor presidents were both conservatives?





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War and Christianity

This post was originally a comment in a discussion of Christianity and war.

Yesterday SenseChange opened a vigorous debate about the role of religion in the world. At one point he invited me to add more thoughts to the discussion, which I did. BUt with the passionate and fast paced comments, the ideas I injected got overlooked. Maybe that means they were not relevant to the discussion, but I am too egotistical to accept that, so I brought them back for more consideration today.

Here are the first comments I made, from which Sense requested more input.


It is amazing that many followers of the Prince of Peace
are advocates of war. It seems like they would preach and practice conciliation of all mankind. I cannot disagree with that part of your premise. If you want to read a good thought on this notion, read believin's comment on skouba's blog called when kids fight. She is brilliant there, again.


Sense, I forced myself to go read some other posts before I replied to this one, and decided to read it again before replying so I would not do knee jerk reactions to insults that don't matter in the overall disucssion.


If you read all the discussions of end times on PJR's blog you will realize that I do not concur with his position or projections. I categorically deny that Jesus will ever rule over the earth from Jerusalem for a thousand years, nor even fifteen minutes.


I believe each of us should do our best to make our world a better place to live. But there is where I have to part company with your ideas, because they are all about the physical realm and thus are not that different than those of PJR. You just put your confidence in Mayan predictions instead of Christian ones.
All physical things are deteriorating. There is not a thing man can do to change that. What matters, in the long term--eternal--is the spiritual man. It is in the spiritual realm that Jesus rules now and will forevermore.


You rail against man's inhumanity to other humans and call for a sense change. I hope you accomplish a sense change for everyone, beginning with you.

SenseChange, I will try to expound a bit more, but I doubt you will be satisfied with my views. It is all tied to the concepts you & I addressed a few weeks ago. I do not believe I, nor you for that matter, am an evloved species. I believe I am created and that the Creator made mankind in his image, meaning with an eternal soul, not that we "look" like him. I believe in this existence we are being prepared for a life that is the exact thing I believe you are begging us to see and strive for. No war, no sorrow, no lies, no distractions.


I do not believe God ordained war, it is an expression of evil and a creation of mankind. I believe there will be wars as long as the world exixsts and that God has the wisdom and ability to overcome evil by turning it on itself, and use it in the furtherance of his purpose, which is eternal and not physical.


So when Jesus said "render to Caesar", he was just saying money does not matter and won't last. His call in that passage was for folks to come to a sense change and give themselves to the one whose image they bear.


I despise fear mongering, no matter who uses it to manipulate people. It is one of the elements of the premilinnialist teachings that are so wrong. And I despise profane name calling and attacks that do not change anyone's mind, in fact they quit thinking and start reacting in detrimental ways, to the detraction of us all.


Enough for the moment, I will check back later to see if we will still go at it, as we have in the past.







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Congress Should Be On Social Security!

I just got an email that presented an idea that I really like. It is a call for voters to make a push to have all congress men be subject to social security like every other citizen. Right now their retirement plan is separate, giving them the same income as they now earn while in congress, with cost of living adjustments. Their plan costs them nothing. It comes from our taxes. If we get them into social security, the program would get fixed quickly!





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Does Either Party Really Want to Solve The Border Problem?

I get so frustrated at all the rhetoric about the issue of border security. Nobody in power really seems to want to really fix the problem, they only only want to devise ways to continue, or strengthen their power base! Isn't it time for meaningful dialogue about the security of our nation?

I know! I am naive!





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