Let me start with wishing everyone a Merry/Happy holiday season and prosperity for the coming New Year. Normally, I'm not a proponent of saying Happy Holidays; but, at work as some of us were departing we started reeling of the "list" of Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and one or two others, I replied with, "Hence, 'Happy Holidays'." Have I evolved?
About three months ago, I was listening to the radio and heard a news story about one of the car companies developing a sensor that would detect when a child is left in the car. When I shared this with some of my co-workers they said, "Sounds like a good idea." To which I replied, "Are you kidding?" Let's think about this for a minute, or two.
I have two grown children, so I went through that period of taking the children out on errands. NOT ONCE did I ever "forget" and leave them in the car-NEVER! A sensor to detect I have forgotten there is a living being that is my flesh and blood is in the car with me-really?
Ok, sorry. The moment the news story finished the issue of evolution popped into my head. So, as a society, we are over 100 years of having automobiles (Karl Benz, 1885) and a Google search yielded that it takes anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million years for species to evolve. Obviously, the time frame falls a bit short to observe any advances; but my point is, we appear to be going backwards. As a species, if something about my environment has changed (our reliance on cars), and there is some aspect of my life impacting my species (kids traveling with me in the car), and we're moving in the direction of relying on a device to remind me? Seems we're losing a step. Just sayin'.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
MISSING: PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
I have something to say because...I've been thinking.
The worst part about a sliver is that it comes unexpected; and, in part, contributes to how they get under our skin so deeply. I'm driving home from errands, listening to news, minding my own business when the "sliver" drives itself under my "skin." The news story was about Apple addressing issues of excessive phone usage by their customers. Initially, I find myself thinking, "Good deal. They actually know that people spend too much time with their face in the phone (or ipad)." The news story goes on: Apple is discussing an app that will help people curb their phone usage. WHAT!!!
I hope everyone realizes what the core issue is. In case you don't, it's about personal responsibility. I could go on about Apple, but Apple is not the problem-satan is the problem; and we're letting him slowly turn up the "heat" until, as a people, we are no longer capable of doing things for ourselves. I want to say, the worst part is...these things are presented as "advances" in convenience or safely. And in a way they are, but due to a lack of discernment on our part we can't see the corrosive nature in what's being presented.
Oh really!
"Smart" meters to gauge your electricity usage. Really. I need the electric company to monitor my usage.
Technology in cars to "help" me stay in the middle of the lane. Really. I need the car company to
"help" me drive.
Cookies (I don't mean the sweet kind) that are thrust onto you computer in the name of "helping" drive advertising to you that is useful. Really. I need some computer to help me "find" advertisements that will be useful.
Not to mention the way Facebook mines your data; why? To be more helpful? Really?
The Democratic National Committee platform (that document that says what they stand for). Read it and look at how much they believe the Government is responsible for taking care of you (it's not their responsibility - it's yours).
From the Preamble:
"We believe a good education is a basic right of all Americans, no matter what zip code they live in. We will end the school-to-prison pipeline and build a cradle-to-college pipeline instead, where every child can live up to his or her God-given potential."
Okay, let's break this down and practice some discernment:
"We believe a good education is a basic right of all Americans," Who's "we"? The Democratic party. When were they put in charge of determining what the basic rights are? Did we vote on this as a country? Am I against everyone having an education? No. That's not the issue. If everyone has a right to an education and the government is providing it, who's going to pay for it? Does anyone know the annual budget for the Department of Education? $68 Billion!!! 68 divided by 50 = 1.3. HELLO! Get rid of the Department of Education, delegate responsibility to the states (where it belongs) and the Federal Government is off the hook for $68 billion. NEXT!
"We will end school-to-prison pipeline" Now, I know there are many who are in this situation, but listen to the language. No qualifiers like "many", or "inner city" and the use of the word "pipeline." Come on man!
"and build a cradle-to-college pipeline instead" Pipelines cost money. This clearly indicate the government wants to pay for it. I ask you, what goods or services does the government provide that raises revenue for our government? Don't know? NOTHING! The governments only source of revenue is taxing the American citizen.
"where every child can live up to his or her God-given potential." Really? They're going to reach their God-given potential by sitting in classroom that average 30 students, have little to no physical activity, and learn nothing in the way of a skill (remember home economics, auto mechanics, and shop).
I could go on, but this document is literally hundreds of pages long. Let me challenge you to start opening your eyes and start looking for "it," start questioning "it."
The worst part about a sliver is that it comes unexpected; and, in part, contributes to how they get under our skin so deeply. I'm driving home from errands, listening to news, minding my own business when the "sliver" drives itself under my "skin." The news story was about Apple addressing issues of excessive phone usage by their customers. Initially, I find myself thinking, "Good deal. They actually know that people spend too much time with their face in the phone (or ipad)." The news story goes on: Apple is discussing an app that will help people curb their phone usage. WHAT!!!
I hope everyone realizes what the core issue is. In case you don't, it's about personal responsibility. I could go on about Apple, but Apple is not the problem-satan is the problem; and we're letting him slowly turn up the "heat" until, as a people, we are no longer capable of doing things for ourselves. I want to say, the worst part is...these things are presented as "advances" in convenience or safely. And in a way they are, but due to a lack of discernment on our part we can't see the corrosive nature in what's being presented.
Oh really!
"Smart" meters to gauge your electricity usage. Really. I need the electric company to monitor my usage.
Technology in cars to "help" me stay in the middle of the lane. Really. I need the car company to
"help" me drive.
Cookies (I don't mean the sweet kind) that are thrust onto you computer in the name of "helping" drive advertising to you that is useful. Really. I need some computer to help me "find" advertisements that will be useful.
Not to mention the way Facebook mines your data; why? To be more helpful? Really?
The Democratic National Committee platform (that document that says what they stand for). Read it and look at how much they believe the Government is responsible for taking care of you (it's not their responsibility - it's yours).
From the Preamble:
"We believe a good education is a basic right of all Americans, no matter what zip code they live in. We will end the school-to-prison pipeline and build a cradle-to-college pipeline instead, where every child can live up to his or her God-given potential."
Okay, let's break this down and practice some discernment:
"We believe a good education is a basic right of all Americans," Who's "we"? The Democratic party. When were they put in charge of determining what the basic rights are? Did we vote on this as a country? Am I against everyone having an education? No. That's not the issue. If everyone has a right to an education and the government is providing it, who's going to pay for it? Does anyone know the annual budget for the Department of Education? $68 Billion!!! 68 divided by 50 = 1.3. HELLO! Get rid of the Department of Education, delegate responsibility to the states (where it belongs) and the Federal Government is off the hook for $68 billion. NEXT!
"We will end school-to-prison pipeline" Now, I know there are many who are in this situation, but listen to the language. No qualifiers like "many", or "inner city" and the use of the word "pipeline." Come on man!
"and build a cradle-to-college pipeline instead" Pipelines cost money. This clearly indicate the government wants to pay for it. I ask you, what goods or services does the government provide that raises revenue for our government? Don't know? NOTHING! The governments only source of revenue is taxing the American citizen.
"where every child can live up to his or her God-given potential." Really? They're going to reach their God-given potential by sitting in classroom that average 30 students, have little to no physical activity, and learn nothing in the way of a skill (remember home economics, auto mechanics, and shop).
I could go on, but this document is literally hundreds of pages long. Let me challenge you to start opening your eyes and start looking for "it," start questioning "it."
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Still Small Voice - of satan
I have something to say because...I've been thinking;
1 Kings 19:11-13
So, at work, the television has gone out; not working. I had come to the point of watching a prominent financial network to keep up with the news of the market. Then some time before finishing my lunch break I check a few websites to look at my investments. But now, no television - what to do?
At first it was to sit in silence (my work hours are such that I eat alone - it's okay). (Enter still small voice) Then the thought occurred to me, "I could read a chapter in the Bible!" I started with 1st Peter, which has five chapters, over the course of the week; then 2nd Peter; have you ever read 2nd Peter? Three chapters full of so much doctrine it will keep you busy for two months of Sundays.
On three occasions as I shared what I had read I found myself reaching an almost fevered pitch of preaching the Word! "'...seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,' His divine power has granted us what? Everything pertaining to life. But how do we get that? 'through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.'...so notice in verse 3 and verse 8 he says true knowledge twice!'"
Okay, a lot is lost in this rendition through the written word verses being there. I was energized by what I was reading. So, there is a "checklist" of (strike that), an inventory of behaviors to help us develop in our walk, stuff to look out for like false teachers and the devil. I find myself thinking, "I don't hear anyone preach on this." Certainly I don't catch every single sermon, but in all the years I've gone to worship services and Sunday schools and Bible studies, I don't remember hearing this.
So, this morning I go to YouTube and look it up. There's the usual listing of audio posts of the reading of the book. Then I find Daniel Fusco, Pastor of Crossroads Community Church. Has a message on 2 Peter 1:1-11. He opens with an account of how he and his wife were going on vacation and sharing how he was thinking back about why he needed a vacation so badly. The tentacles of technology, that ping of a tome that says, "Somebody wants me!" (my words, not his). The Instagram, the Snapchat, the texting back and forth; as he was pointing this out it hit me. Satan has a still small voice also. How quickly our attention is snatched away when we hear the ping of notification that someone wants to communicate with us.
Before I go further, texting is not a sin, receiving an e-mail is not of the devil, and demons don't leave voicemails. The devils influence (because it's not power we're talking about) is so subtle; we don't even make it challenging when it comes to where we give our attention. This is an, "If the shoe fits" commentary and I speak to myself also. For a portion of my day, and depending on circumstances at home, my phone is off at work (yes, cell phone have a power button). The government has done studies on lost productivity due to substance use, even after such events as the Super Bowl; what about the gambit of social media options. For believers in Jesus Christ we are to do our work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), as well as, not gossip (the Bible list 8 types of gossip in 26 verses).
The still small voice of satan? Next time you're doing something, like at work or driving, and you hear the ping of notification what compels you to respond? Can you do it? Can you not respond when you don't have to?
Till next time, can any one hear me?
1 Kings 19:11-13
So, at work, the television has gone out; not working. I had come to the point of watching a prominent financial network to keep up with the news of the market. Then some time before finishing my lunch break I check a few websites to look at my investments. But now, no television - what to do?
At first it was to sit in silence (my work hours are such that I eat alone - it's okay). (Enter still small voice) Then the thought occurred to me, "I could read a chapter in the Bible!" I started with 1st Peter, which has five chapters, over the course of the week; then 2nd Peter; have you ever read 2nd Peter? Three chapters full of so much doctrine it will keep you busy for two months of Sundays.
On three occasions as I shared what I had read I found myself reaching an almost fevered pitch of preaching the Word! "'...seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,' His divine power has granted us what? Everything pertaining to life. But how do we get that? 'through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.'...so notice in verse 3 and verse 8 he says true knowledge twice!'"
Okay, a lot is lost in this rendition through the written word verses being there. I was energized by what I was reading. So, there is a "checklist" of (strike that), an inventory of behaviors to help us develop in our walk, stuff to look out for like false teachers and the devil. I find myself thinking, "I don't hear anyone preach on this." Certainly I don't catch every single sermon, but in all the years I've gone to worship services and Sunday schools and Bible studies, I don't remember hearing this.
So, this morning I go to YouTube and look it up. There's the usual listing of audio posts of the reading of the book. Then I find Daniel Fusco, Pastor of Crossroads Community Church. Has a message on 2 Peter 1:1-11. He opens with an account of how he and his wife were going on vacation and sharing how he was thinking back about why he needed a vacation so badly. The tentacles of technology, that ping of a tome that says, "Somebody wants me!" (my words, not his). The Instagram, the Snapchat, the texting back and forth; as he was pointing this out it hit me. Satan has a still small voice also. How quickly our attention is snatched away when we hear the ping of notification that someone wants to communicate with us.
Before I go further, texting is not a sin, receiving an e-mail is not of the devil, and demons don't leave voicemails. The devils influence (because it's not power we're talking about) is so subtle; we don't even make it challenging when it comes to where we give our attention. This is an, "If the shoe fits" commentary and I speak to myself also. For a portion of my day, and depending on circumstances at home, my phone is off at work (yes, cell phone have a power button). The government has done studies on lost productivity due to substance use, even after such events as the Super Bowl; what about the gambit of social media options. For believers in Jesus Christ we are to do our work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), as well as, not gossip (the Bible list 8 types of gossip in 26 verses).
The still small voice of satan? Next time you're doing something, like at work or driving, and you hear the ping of notification what compels you to respond? Can you do it? Can you not respond when you don't have to?
Till next time, can any one hear me?
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