Humidity

  Apparently, my book is in a sort of a holding pattern, technical problems I'm told? But putting logistics, conflicting schedules, and all manor of resistance aside for a moment, I figured, why not drop a line to you, whoever you are?
  So what's going on? Real hint of spring here in Jersey, as I think we hit the low 70's? The day was a great one too, as everything looked clear and bright. But as my father would often say about the weather, (My father was quite the weather prognosticator in his own right), If you don't like the weather in Jersey, Wait, it'll change.
  Darned if he isn't right. Because todays touch of spring, has turned into the night's chill. Real cold and damp out there now, and damp is always the killer isn't it? They call it humidity, and it'll make your cold nights seem a lot colder, and your hot days a lot hotter! Hey, maybe it isn't climate change that is the problem, maybe it's just the damn humidity?

Exaggeration

  A moment of exaggeration, a momentary slip of memory. Because I had told myself, to steer clear of exaggeration a long time ago. Actually, I have beaten it for the most part, but occasionally, one will slip by now and then.
  Exaggeration makes for a better story, at least in the mind of the teller. The problem with exaggeration, is that, once it is discovered, it throws doubt on the whole story.
What I do now, is rather then exaggerate a story to make it more interesting to others, I add the blendings of comedic timing. It is a far better way to get your point across, if you can do it with humor.
  So its kind of a two pronged attack. When telling a story, try always to do these two things. Make your story honest and make it funny, I can assure you, that one is always more difficult then the other. In truth, it isn't easy to master, but what you'll find, is that once you get the hang of it, that in group settings, people will always listen to your point of view. Humor can take the sting out of a harsh reality, but more importantly is to laugh. Stop taking yourself so seriously. So, tell the truth, and tell it in a funny way. Both are learned skills. But the real key is when you want respect, is to always have your yes mean yes, and your no mean no.
  Stranger still, and this just came to me as I was about to post up. But what makes jokes funny, is that there is an element of truth in them, particularly when they are poking fun at ourselves. In that way, truth and humor are one in the same? It must be true, because now that I think of it, there is nothing funny about a lie!

A Diploma

  Para ell o gram, it was someone calling from just outside the front door? What in the world, she muttered to herself, and went to open the door. Sissy opened the door, and was a little taken aback by the man who stood there. Oddly dressed, he looked as if he was wearing some kind of uniform. The over sized jacket had huge lapels, with gold embroidery along the edges. A big red bowtie, and dark rimmed glasses, that didn't fit his face. But he stood quite still now, not saying a word, and it was Sis who broke the spell. Can I help you she said? I am a delivery man for para ell o gram Here mam he said, this is from someone who cares a great deal about you, and handed her what looked like a diploma of some kind? You see, someone saw you as being parallel with them on something, anything, a shared point of view, and so you both move out as straight lines, and the distance between you never changes. But by this acknowledgment of sameness, you and the sender of the card can travel along life's road, with someone by your side. To consider someone as being parallel, is really quite an honor. Of course, because the lines are straight they can only travel in a flat straight line, and so when considering this, it is easier understood, if you view it from a linear perspective. As I said mam, it is really quite an honor to receive one, Wouldn't you like to send one to someone you admire? You can also send them anonymously, as we offer discretion at every level. He started again to speak, but sis cut him off cold! No, I'm not interested in buying one. With that, she handed the strange man a tip and shut the door.

Ten Notches

  The comparisons between socialism and the Kingdom of Heaven are unavoidable, as socialism is man's attempt at creating heaven on earth. Heaven, a true nirvanic state of mind, a oneness of purpose.
  But where the comparisons stop, is at the very point of where this form of government begins. Because it is who your adulations as a citizen of this designed state of consciousness must go to. Under socialism, all power and obedience is due the state, where in the Kingdom, all thanks goes to the creator of everything! In one you owe your allegiance To God, and in the other to men. Socialism is much like another religion, in that, it attempts to reach a nirvanic state of mind, according to the doctrines of men, and so, it is doomed  to fail. The problems arise, because those who prepare those doctrines, and who's job it is to enforce them, will always succumb to their baser instincts, which are self centered and self serving. The old saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely is always true, those who lead, will look to hold onto all that power at any cost. History teaches us, that this is how tyrants are born.
  Socialism is a false hope, a hope with red hair. For Socialism is the red headed step child of Communism, only with communism, the state kicks the enforcement up about ten notches. Anyone thought not to be in lockstep with the state are punished severely. With men of absolute power in control, a lockstep mentality must be maintained at all costs, and any loss of personal freedoms, are a sacrifice all, for the common good of course, must be willing to make.
  Socialism looks to copy a perfect place, Heaven by name, but as with other attempts in history's past, are doomed to fail. Because in the copy, men rule, and all thanks is due them, where with God and his Kingdom, there is no need for coercion, no need to force the people, because the difference is that with God, obedience is given out of love, where with men, obedience comes only from force.
  Our society is being led by some, towards a socialist form of government, and if it happens, can full out communism be far behind? Remember, that no matter how well it is sold to you, if you let in socialism leaning politicians, can communism be far behind?  

American Continents

  The Indians of the American continents, lived mostly in peace. There were times of fighting, when disputes between two tribes rose up, and then, the killing and the violence got very graphic. There never any real victors in squirmishes like these, as each side mourned their loses, and rejoiced over their gains, however small. The native tribes were as different and varied as was the locations on the continent where their tribes had lived for generations. But no matter their location, no matter the terrain common to their environment, all worshipped God, who they knew as the Great Spirit in the sky. All, each in their own tongue, worshiped the great Spirit, a Spirit that they could not see. But then one day, a man walked among them, speaking to them in their native tongue. His color wasn't like the darkened red of their faces. But rather his skin had a pallor like a burnished brass. His hair although like theirs in color, differed too. Theirs was mostly straight, while his looked like wool.
  When he spoke to them, even though he spoke in their language, they would have to lean in closer, and concentrate on his words, as the sound of his voice was like the sound of many running waters.
  He has risen! Have a blessed Easter.

Last Hope

  Recently, a spiritual friend of mine asked me if I thought that the USA is the modern day Sodom and Gomorra? Of course, with the current state of this Country, our first inclination is to say, yes. Afterall, isn't it America that participates in the ongoing genocide of the unborn, our abortion mills crank out death, at an alarming rate!
  But even with all of that, as much as we deserve destruction, I still hold out hope for this great land. Even though the United States is not mentioned in the book of revelation, still from pulpits across the country, connections as to our role in the end times is a matter of opinion, and so many references to the ill fated city were common. And though it is true that we are the modern day equivalent of Sodom and Gomorra, in one way, our stories will be very different. The most obvious is that for us there is still time, but as for our ancient twin, they are already toast!
  I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I still have faith in the people of this great land. But even more then it's people, I have faith in the foundation that this country was built on, that being a solid biblical base, spoken back then in only King James' version. Our creed is, One nation,under God, indivisible isn't it?
Like it or not, this country was founded on the Lord God, and I just can't see Him destroying the land that he created. Again, though there is no mention, at least directly so, of America in the bible, I believe that when the final war is in full ernest, that this country will continue to be what she once was, a beacon of hope. Not only for her people, but for the world. It is only the United States of America who has the power to step into the vacuum, and the chaos it created, and only a country as powerful as we can return sanity to the world. The question is, Will we step out again onto the world stage, assert our power, and provide the leadership necessary to stop the onslaught of all kinds of evils? Whether politically driven, or by people who would turn the citizens of the world into a blood bath of unspeakable horrors in the name of a religion, it doesn't really matter. Because what we are talking about then, is the final war, the Apocalypse, or Armageddon, pick your poison, but what it means is the last war, as in, the end of it all.The world is crying out for a strong leader, a powerful leader, what the world wants, is the United States of America! The only question is, will we answer the call? Like it or not people, we are the last hope, the only hope.

Other Stories

  Just a quick note to all my brothers and sisters out there, who, like me, love this great country! We are not a white and a black America, nor are we a gay and straight America. What we are, that is what we are supposed to be, is the United States of America, key word "united." Now you can be forgiven, if you still think we are that divided, especially now, as the gay community whines the loudest, but they like any other minority would ring the victim bell the loudest? Hey gay people, get over yourselves, we are all Bozos on this bus!
  Bible factoid: Christian's don't care if you are gay or not, because just like everybody else, their dealing with their own sins. Remember, Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. And in a wider sense, that being from non believers, you've had nothing but roses thrown at your feet, as they are anxious to  to not look at your sin, just as long as you reciprocate, and promise to to not look at theirs. Non believers out weigh believers by about a three to one margin, so let me ask you, What have you got to worry about?
  Now, the real purpose for this visit, A word about Barack Obama. I have no problem with him on a personal level, in fact, in that respect, he looks like a fun guy. Sit and have a beer with him? Sure, why not? As a Christian, my opinion of him, comes from a place, not of confrontation and back room politics, but from a place of understanding and eternal forgiveness!
  But here's the gist of it in a short and sweet way. In many ways, no, check that, in the biggest of ways, as it pertains to the history of our great and still young nation. What he represented was the fulfillment of the greatest of Dr. King's dreams, and for this, we as a nation, had every reason to step back, pat ourselves on the back, and say, Yes, we are what our founders intended us to be, we believe, because we were founded as a country of laws, and so, in another way, you might have thought that this was destiny, and that it had to happen.
  Yes, the election of Barack Obama was a reason to rightly celebrate, as now, under his leadership, we could finally put racial strife and mistrust to bed forever. The fact that he turned out to be the most divisive president, looking always to divide rather then unite, is a problem for all of us, because we are, the United States of America. Why was he such a dismal failure, is the stuff of other stories.