Platitudes of Gratitude

For the last 100 daze (no that's not a typo) I have been feeling a bit negative. And now I realize that it is up to me to appreciate all of the good things in my life and stop focusing on the bad. It brings to mind the movie Pollyanna where the young heroine of the movie changes a whole community with her "Glad Game." In one scene in the movie she comes upon the Reverend Ford practicing for his hell and damnation sermon for the upcoming Sunday service. Pollyanna's deceased father was also a minister, but his take on life dealt with all of the glad verses of the Bible. John Ford uses the old compare and contrast brilliantly in that scene. If there are over 800 glad verses in the Bible, I hope to find them and along with other platitudes of gratitude, make my way back to the light.

A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness,
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting.
And His truth endures to all generations.
~Psalm 100~

Trashing Miss California

I find it interesting from the folks who ask us to be tolerant of their lifestyle choices are so publicly NOT tolerant of others beliefs. I would hope that they change the title to "Miss Liberal USA." At least the contestants would know what they are in for.

From Michele Malkin's April 20 column:

Celebrity leech/trash blogger Perez Hilton took to the Internet and TV airwaves to humiliate a beauty pageant contestant who gave what he considered an “offensive” answer about gay marriage. Hilton, inexplicably serving as a judge for the Miss USA contest, asked Miss California, Carrie Prejean, whether she supported the legalization of gay marriage. Prejean respectfully answered: “I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.” President Obama, by the way, defines marriage the same way Prejean does.

No matter. Hilton immediately lambasted Prejean as a “dumb b*tch” in a viral YouTube video he taped after the pageant Sunday night. He apologized the next morning for the attack, then retracted his apology, then escalated his divisive rhetoric. On Tuesday afternoon, Hilton told an MSNBC female anchor that he was thinking of an even more vulgar epithet—the “c-word”—as he listened to Prejean’s answer. The female anchor said nothing. Basking in his new role as thought and speech enforcer, Hilton told CNN’s Larry King that beauty pageant contestants must bow to the tolerance mob: “Yes. I do expect Miss USA to be politically correct.”

And apparently, the Miss USA organizers agree. Instead of apologizing for Hilton’s vile behavior, the pageant director of the Miss California contest, Keith Lewis, sent a note to Hilton throwing Prejean under the bus: “I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss CA USA 2009 believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman. … Religious beliefs have no place in politics in the Miss CA family.”

But gutter profanity and misogyny do?

While We're On the Subject

Does gay marriage or even the homosexual agenda affect anyone. Most people think no, and take the position the military is required to take; that of "don't ask, don't tell" and we'll all get along just fine. Unfortunately, the estimated 3% of our population are not satisfied with just quietly leading their alternative lifestyle, they really do want to force their way on the rest of us, who believe me, just want to quietly live our lives. Here some great points made by Bryan Fischer:

Our choice: liberty or the homosexual agenda

Bryan Fischer
Bryan Fischer
April 20, 2009

On the pages of the Idaho Statesman, the Gem State's largest newspaper, Amy Herzfeld recently expressed her determination to continue pressing for legislation at the state level that will grant special workplace protections to those who engage in homosexual and transgender sexual behaviors.

Laws that provide special rights and privileges based on "sexual orientation" or "gender identity" are bad public policy because they represent a clear and present danger to religious liberty, freedom of conscience and freedom of association. Such laws are quickly used to harass, intimidate and punish individuals, businesses and organizations which adhere to traditional, time-honored values regarding human sexuality.

What follows is just a sampling of what happens under "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" statutes:

*A Christian photographer was fined $6,637 by the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission for declining to photograph a lesbian commitment ceremony, even though same-sex unions have no legal status in the state


*Christian fertility doctors in private practice in California have been barred by the state Supreme Court from declining to artificially inseminate lesbian patients on conscience grounds


*Catholic Charities of Boston shut down its work of finding homes for hard-to-place adoptive children because Massachusetts' "sexual orientation" law required staff to place children in homosexual households


*The Methodist Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association was found guilty of violating New Jersey's discrimination law for declining to rent space to a lesbian couple for a civil union ceremony


*The Cradle of Liberty Boy Scouts of Philadelphia were evicted from a building they had occupied since 1928 because the organization does not allow homosexuals to serve as Scoutmasters, even though the Supreme Court has upheld the Scouts' policy


*eHarmony, a match-making site for heterosexuals, was compelled to create a dating site for homosexuals, despite the fact that hundreds of such sites already exist


A nightclub in the Midwest is being sued for denying entrance to a cross-dressing male because he insisted on using the women's restroom despite the club's common sense concern for patron safety and privacy

This latter case demonstrates that privacy protections for every bathroom, dressing room, and locker room will disappear under "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" legislation.

Congress is even now considering "hate crimes" legislation, which provides enhanced penalties for those convicted of bias crimes against homosexuals.

The problem here is that this gives more protection to some victims of crime than others, which violates the fundamental principle of American justice that we are all equal under the law. Every victim of violence ought to have the full protection of the law regardless of his sexual orientation.

The murder of a cross-dressing man is a cause célèbre in Colorado right now. We join with homosexual activists in wanting his murderer prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

But we want justice for the victim because he was made in the image of God, not because he dressed as a woman and wore breast gels. We want every victim of homicide, regardless of sexual orientation, to have the same legal protection, no less and no more. Every crime, in fact, is a hate crime.

In addition, "hate crimes" laws are "thought crimes" laws. They punish an individual not for what he did but for what he was thinking when he did it. But as Thomas Jefferson said, "[T]he legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions."

Religious freedom is the first right guaranteed to us in the First Amendment. Special rights for homosexuals receive no explicit mention in the Constitution whatsoever. Yet now we must choose between liberty and the homosexual agenda because, it turns out, we can't have both.

John Adams: "Facts are stubborn things . . .

and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

Myth # 1:GOD LOVES EVERYONE, SO HOMOSEXUALITY IS FINE. God does love everyone, but not our sins, which is the reason Christ died and rose again--to save us from sin. God loves murderers, anorexics and liars-- and wants these people to stop their damage to others and to themselves. It's the same with homosexuality. Such desires are directly the opposite of positive, healthy choices, and scientists remain unconvinced that any humans are born to become homosexual. Plenty of evidence attests to the damage to the body, mind and spirit resulting from homosexual sex. There are many logical reasons why it remains a sin.

Myth #2: THE BIBLE DOES NOT OPPOSE HOMOSEXUALITY. If the Bible's clear passages against homosexuality can't be believed, it isn't believable on anything. Consider: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." (Leviticus 18:22) And, "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (Romans 1:26-27) And these aren't the sole passages, but the others are similar and convey the same message: Don't.

Myth # 3: THE STORY OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH DID NOT CONDEMN HOMOSEXUALITY. On the contrary, the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) is quite obviously about homosexuality. The sins of the people were numerous, but their "trademark" sin was homosexual sex, which is apparent in the original passage as well as later Bible references to the event.

In the Genesis account, Lot and his family barricade themselves and their male guests inside their home as protection against the sexual depravity of a gang of males: "Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.'" (verses 4-5) Lot begs them to go away, then offers them his virgin daughters instead (one more clear indication of the predators' goal). Despite Lot's questionable parenting here, the mob threatens Lot and accuses him of being judgmental (shades of 2005!), then begins to break down the door. The two guests, who've previously been identified as angels (verse 1), pull Lot back into the house and send a blinding light to disperse the crowd. The angels then instruct Lot and his family to flee the town, which they are about to destroy. This destruction occurs soon afterward.

The Bible provides a laundry list of grave sins committed by the Sodomites: pride and insolence (see Ezekiel 16:49-50; 2 Peter 2: 6-10), gluttony (Ezekiel 16:49), greed and laziness (Ezekiel 16:49-50) disrespect toward God and His true believers(Isaiah 3:9, Ezekiel 16:50), false worship (Deuteronomy 29:23-26; Isaiah 1:10-11; Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 16: 46-56), lies, especially by the prophets/priests (Jeremiah 23:14), violence (Isaiah 1:21) and neglecting the poor and orphaned (Isaiah 1:23, Ezekiel 16:49-50). The main sin mentioned is sexual immorality (Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 46-56, 2 Peter 2:6-18; Jude 7-19), specifically homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-5; Ezekiel 16:50; 2 Peter 6-18; Jude 7-8) Subsequent references to the "twin cities" in both the Old and New Testaments use them as a metaphor or simile for many types of bad behavior, by which we get more information about their nature and reputation. Sodom and Gomorrah are also frequently referenced as examples of total corruption, subject to God's wrath (Genesis 18:20; Deuteronomy 29:23; Isaiah 13:19; Jeremiah 49:18 and 50:40; Amos 4:11; Zephaniah 2: 9-10; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6-19), including by Jesus Himself (Matthew 10:15 and 11:24; Luke 10:12). Jesus was describing the fate of those cities refusing to hear the Gospel.

Some ill-informed Christian writers contend Sodom and Gomorrah really describes the consequences of being "poor hosts" to strangers, violating customs in the ancient near East. When one reads all the relevant Bible passages, such a pitiful and inadequate explanation is not possible.

Myth #4: REAL CHRISTIAN LOVE CALLS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF HOMOSEXUALITY. On the contrary, the authentic Christian is characterized by devotion to truth and love as revealed by Christ, not mushy sentimentality swayed by today's worldly trends. While Christ is often merciful even to those who have sinned, He never excuses sin or calls it less than what it is. John the Baptist's primary message to the world to prepare for Christ was not a call for tolerance; it was a call to repentance. (Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:4) Christ told the woman caught in adultery, "Go and sin no more." (John 8:11) Love as exemplified by Christ was always framed with His truth and righteousness. Christ said, "He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me." (John 14:21) and "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word." (John 14:23) Real love starts with love of Christ and all He taught.

The passage, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1) cautions us to judge carefully without hypocrisy, not to withhold judgment. Four verses later, Christ completes the thought with, "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5)

Myth #5: JESUS NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY. And Jesus is never quoted on the subjects of rape or wife beating either. Would that mean that these actions are okay? Christ was God on earth, and as such, was part of all the Old Testament teaching on sexual morality. The Jews were more than familiar with this, so there was a lot that didn't need to be said. And Christ specifically described marriage as being "from the beginning" between one man and one woman. (Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9).There's no reason not to believe as the apostles did that sexual immorality still included homosexual acts.

Taken from the Ears to Hear website.



"Those who advocate full acceptance of homosexual behavior choose to downplay the growing and incontrovertible evidence regarding the serious, life-threatening health effects associated with the homosexual lifestyle." The Negative Health Effects of Homosexuality Issue No.: 232 by: Timothy J. Dailey, Ph. D.



I take it for certain that the physical satisfaction of homosexual desires is sin. This leaves the [homosexual] no worse off than any normal person who is, for whatever reason, prevented from marrying...Our speculations on the cause of the abnormality are not what matters and we must be content with ignorance. The disciples were not told why (in terms of efficient cause) the man was born blind (John 9:1-3): only the final cause, that the works of God [should] be made manifest in him. This suggests that in homosexuality, as in every other tribulation, those works can be made manifest i.e. that every disability conceals a vocation, if only we can find it --C. S. LEWIS, IN A LETTER TO SHELDON VANAUKEN

Watching Thunder

That's what we did yesterday! On a whim, Beaver and I and a couple of his pals went to Louisville for the opening event of Derby week, Thunder Over Louisville. The days begins on the Ohio River front portion of downtown Louisville with an air show and continues until the climax of the pyrotechnics power of an awesome fireworks display between two bridges! Thunder is aptly named; between the roar and rumble of jet engines and the booming barrage of the fireworks your ears get quite a workout!

We didn't arrive until 5:30, but thanks to my prayers, we found reasonably priced parking right away and walked the ten blocks or so to the river front. The air show was visible from any part of downtown and the fly-bys and aerobatics were amazing. I kept grabbing arms and saying "wouldja look at that!"

There were crowds, as I knew there would be. We scoped out where we thought we could find a spot and again, "the force" was with us as we found an little park area off the beaten path and actually had seats, albeit cement ones, and a really nice view of the fireworks. We actually had time to get to a Panera to eat a bite and when we came back our spot was still there.

And getting home was just as easy, crowds and all. We walked back to our parking spot and I saw the entrance to our highway a block away. I had envisioned a nightmare of traffic, but again we were good to go and home by 11:30!

It's A Slow Fade

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Grass Roots vs. Community Organizing

What happened all across the United States yesterday gave me hope that Americans are still a thinking bunch of folks. The Tea Parties were held everywhere in cities and towns and that is what a grass roots movement is; average citizens waking up and saying we don't like what's happening in D.C. and we'd like to have our voices heard. Some of the media heard you better than others!

Grass Roots versus Community Organizing; genuine concern and action versus paid pandering!

Here We Go Again, Military Moves

Moving again, I mean. Only this time we might move off post. We can live on post and that's what we did the last time we were at Fort Leavenworth. But as the Beaver said, "Do we have to live in the drafty old run-down ghost ridden 4700 square foot historic house that sits overlooking the Missouri River?" Well, no, we don't. But that means house hunting and though it is a good time to buy with interest rates so low and the $8,000 tax credit; it's kind of hard to do on the internet!

I have been trying! And when we were there last week over spring break we actually looked at a few homes. Here's the thing, Ward and I can't decide if we should go for the dream house or go more modest. I'm for going more modest and still getting a very nice home, maybe smaller than Ward would like, but I'm thinking of our future. I'm not sure we need a 4300 square foot home when in two years the Beaver will be off to school. But I do want a place where everyone can fit when they visit all at the same time. (Including grandkids, hint, hint.)

Ward may be thinking, and rightfully so, that we have sacrificed a lot over the years living in less than ideal military quarters. We were a family of five squeezed into 1200 square feet at West Point! In Korea we survived monsoons, power outages, bugs and separate quarters (Ward lived two hours away). We've rented some nice places over the years, but the Army's allowance was never enough to cover our costs so we always took a beating when we rented.

The thing is we will probably retire in the Leavenworth area, so we probably should buy to get some equity built up. I'm for the smaller home in a nice established area, and Ward's looking at the upscale, good for entertaining, eat up the budget home! There must be a compromise in here somewhere!!

Stay tuned!