Fate (Rom. 8:28-)

  I have this little game I play with the children in my life. Always at a family get together, while the kids are laughing and running wild in the house, I will call one of them over. When I was sure I had their attention, I would ask them, Where would you be if you weren't here? The reactions and the answers to such a silly question is as different as are the children. Other than my two grand daughters saying, Oh Poppi and giggling, no two reactions were the same. Whats the point of this little story of mine? There is no point really, except to use it as an example for fate. With fate, you might ask yourself, was it their destiny to take the steps across a busy room to be confronted with grandpa fate? Surely if everything is fate, then they would have had no choice in the matter, they would be like actors performing a role in Life's one act play. If fate, then they had no choice in the matter, and they couldn't have not come when I called them. Words like destiny and fate are powerful words, because much like legacy, they are a statement about a life.
  Paul addresses this very question in the book of Romans. Perception, keep this word in mind, because it is important that you know whose perspective Paul is talking about, yours or Gods. He uses words like predestined, preconceived and foreknew. These are the words used when speaking about time and how it works. Fate has a finality to it, as does destiny, but destiny can be a running account, where fate comes only at the end. It isn't a simple subject by any means, as to talk about such things, you must also start to understand the workings of time. The answer as to whether your life has already been prescribed, and therefore you have no choice in the matter, or whether you have free will, and your life goes only as you run it, is yes on both counts. Confused? I don't blame you. Remember Perspective? One from God's point of view and one from ours. With God, all our lives are seen as fate, because he has seen it all. Because God is outside of time, it is hard to get his point of view. Because you can't see time, imagine God's view of it was from space, where ours is from wherever we are? The best way I can explain it, how and what God sees when he looks at us. He sees our lives as linear lines of film, starting from our berth till our death, each moment a snapshot. Each of us has a length of film attached to us some longer than others, according to the length of our lives on this earth. From His perspective, he can see your whole life, past, present, as you take each breath, and future, all of it, from beginning to end. From God's perspective, you are fulfilling a destiny that will lead you to your fate. From your perspective, You are free to do whatever it is you do. Because you? Your not following any prescribed steps, your just stumbling around, one day at a time. 

On being alone,

  Alone, we are, all of us, alone. We are that famous trio of ignorance, Me myself and I, and they go wherever we go. Afterall, isn't it true that everywhere you go, there you are, and that no matter how hard you try, that you can never get away from you? But alone we all go, and alone we shall be. Alone with our thoughts, alone in a crowd, alone at times when we are by ourselves, those times when we truly are, all alone. While alone and isolated is when we can do the best clear thinking, at those times when the only opinions you hear are your own.  These few sentences were how I had started this one before I decided to change it. Because while thinking about the subject, I discovered a correlation between  being alone and Paul's teaching on fate and had switched gears to talk about that. The one with all the foreknew, predetermined and predestined stuff, the one that so few understand.
  Obviously, this was a mistake, as the two subjects though joined in some ways, are a complete enough subject within themselves, and deserved the proper amount of space to be separate story's. Anyway, this is what it is to become, whatever it is this turns out to be from here on? Though being alone is most often a good thing, being alone to the extent where loneliness comes, this is not good. It is a very serious subject, and I was trying to begin such a serious subject with humor. That is why the first paragraph had so many uses for the word alone. I have found that by intentionally spinning words like that, that it draws the reader in. But for me, at that point, enough had become enough, and even I was sick of it. In fact, the paragraph about Paul's teaching started with the words, Enough already.
  Getting back to the subject of being alone. Being alone with our thoughts can be a scary place without the Lord. The loneliness that a person who does not know God feels is real, for they truly are alone. If for whatever reason, that person believes that there is no one who can help, and little hope, left alone to his thoughts, all that person has is self, and self is a tyrant. That feeling of being alone and isolated, almost always leads to depression and all that comes with such a state of mind.
  Left alone to our own devices, when we are alone and have time to think, what comes so easily at these times is self examination, and with that, guilt. I've heard that Jewish moms are the best at spreading guilt, but I know others who ain't to shabby at laying on the guilt either. Doubts, it always starts with doubts, and who among us has not had doubts? None, because it is part of the human condition. The, if onlys, and what ifs, they get you every time. So what about those regrets both small and large, what about those times when what you did caused others to hurt? The answer? There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, and as long as you belong to him, there is no reason for any guilt, and the guilt you do still feel, that is only the last remnants of pride.

America, still one nation under God?

  America, What have you gone and done? The great strength of our nation has always come from our diversity, we got the best from each country. A patchwork blanket made from every nation known to man. This quilt of many colors and textures, covers us in a blanket of security. It protects us because it is strong, and it is strong because it was made from the finest thread and yarn from many different places. Many different places, many different people, many threads to make our blanket, but always one resolve. A belief that we, all of us, whether born here or naturalized, that we are all an equal part of the greatest nation in the world. A pride born of hard work and suffering, each to his own personal struggle, but each with one common goal, that being the pursuit of life liberty and happiness. 

  But into our midst an evil has come, it grew undetected at first, but now like a cancer, brazen, it lets it's ugly tumors to be seen by all. Evil knew that our strength was our diversity, and so it looked to weaken the strength of our fabric by dividing us, working to separate the strands from the cords, the fine cotton linen from the silk, and the wool from the strings. Evil knew that only divided could we fall, and so it is evil that is so hard at work trying to divide us. How has this happened you might ask, how is it that we have allowed this? The forests of truth burn all around you, and yet, you can not see the flames for the trees. The things of greatest importance you ignore, while you squabble about silly things. 

  God looks at the kings and power brokers of this world and laughs at their feeble attempts. The politicians will rush towards the center looking to appease them all, looking to reunite a people who have been divided by forces and powers that they can not see. But they are doomed to fail, no matter the source, for the doctrines of men are folly to our God. You see America, this coming election is far more important that simply naming another president, because this election is about the very soul of America. The evil that has beset our nation and goes about dividing us for defeat, is not man but spirit, and men can not cure spiritual ills, only another spirit can do that. We as a nation must return to our founding father, we must return to the Lord. Simply put, from the Lord's perspective, it isn't about whether you vote Republican or Democrat, but rather do you believe in Him? Jesus is on the ballot, and he asks of you, Do you believe in me or not, and if you do, what are you prepared to do about it? What can you do you ask? Start by listening to the other guy, and tell the truth. Simple right? From this point forward, be honest with yourself and others, and let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Nothing short of the fate of our land lys with your decision. 

One Interesting Day

  On Tuesday night, I got to meet two of my heroes. I thought for a while about calling  them heroes, and all that such a word brings to mind. I had considered just saying that I was a fan, but I have always believed that the word fan came from the word fanatic, and that word conjures up too much negativity. Anyway, I decided on hero, as for me, these two men meet my criteria for such a compliment. 

  It was held in a building built in 1930 called, The Union League Club, and it housed the Socrates in the City event to which I was to attend. Very posh neighborhood, and inside, the walls held portraits of historical people. A lot of oak and high ceilings, marble floors throughout, as were the winding staircases and the railings. I felt immediately out of place, and found my way to the bar to order a glass of red wine to settle myself down a bit. The barman was very friendly and when I tried to pay him said, Oh no sir, the drinks are complimentary. Oh yes, I said, of course they are, or something equally stupid like that, while the others around the bar nodded knowingly. I found my seat and sat down. I thoroughly enjoyed the event, and when it was over I wound my way to the front to get my book signed by Eric Metaxas. I was lucky to have remembered my copy, as I had almost left it at home. The book, Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, is a great book, and I highly recommend it. He was gracious and signed it, and I made my way from the stage to where I knew Dick Cavet had been sitting. He was speaking to another man, or more accurately, another man was speaking to him, but when the man stopped talking I said, Mr. Cavet, while extending my hand. He turned and shook it, and I said looking at him, thats' it, and thank you. You're a good man he said as I turned to go. So far, this was turning out to be an interesting day. I walked back to Penn Station, and was able to catch an earlier train. When I got home it was not yet midnight, I turned on my TV, and found out that it will be Donald Trump who will be the Republican nominee to run against the new Democratic Socialists party in November. Yup, this surely had turned out to be an interesting day.   

Frustration with a side of Slim Pickens

  Its looking like all Americans are going to have to prepare themselves for slim pickens come November. Whether you are a righty or a lefty, neither side has put forth their best. So in November, both democrats and republicans are going to have to face going into the voting booth,  holding their nose, and pulling a lever. The phrase slim pickens came to me when I was thinking about one of my favorite cowboy actors, Slim Pickens. Slim Pickens, what a great name for a cowboy!
  But as for the frustration side of the coin, I used to spend a lot of time being frustrated, but hopefully, no more. You see, it has been building in me for years now. But after about eight frustrating years of trying to get a self published book out, I'm finally giving up the ghost. I fought the good fight, but I lost. All I really wanted was to see my book, any of them, on the shelves at book stores. Seemed like a reasonable desire, afterall, I am a writer. But for a number of reasons, all of them frustrating in their own right, I have to let go of the things I have no control over. The problem for me, and I think this true for most men, I get mad at the things I cannot change. I have dealt with rage for most of my life, and so I've come to a place where the things that hurt me or cause me to be frustrated aren't worth having around, and so I cut those things out of my life like a cancer.
  So anyway, I'm still stewing over the book thing, but I'm working on calming down. Enter the drive from hell! My wife and I are driving into the city. We have tickets to be in the studio audience for the Greg Gutfeld show. It started out as such a nice peaceful drive. Key word, Drive. Though we had talked about taking the train in, I convinced her that it would be better if we drove? Bad decision. They used to say that New Jersey had the most cars per square mile than any other state. It must be true, because every single one of them was out on Saturday. Had I bothered to check the traffic reports, I would have known that the best way into the city was the Holland tunnel. So here we sat. Out there on the highway, that now was a parking lot. Frustrated? An understatement. But here's the good news, I didn't loose my temper!

The Blues

  It came crawling out of the back woods and bayous of the South. Like a crawling King snake on the prowl. All art begins crudely, and speaking from a purely musical perspective, so it is with the Blues. But it is those crude beginnings that are at the base of the music. It was born of hard times and disappointments, and fueled by the beat of jungles from far away places. But as with any art, it must evolve to stay relevant, and the red hot players of today, have carried the flame proudly. The blues should never be confused with pop music, though the cross overs are ominous and many. Blues stands alone as one of the three foundations of American music. A trio that is as American as apple pie. The blues, jazz, and country, in that order for me, which is not to diminish the importance of any. Each is important, each can stand alone, but together, their blending is a music uniquely our own, American music. Our music and it's world wide appeal is yet another reason why we are the greatest country in the world. If we weren't, perhaps we'd all be listening to Russian dance music?   

Just Wondering?

  I figure after my last distasteful post, that possibly something completely different was in order? Anyway, this. This is a shoot from the hip post, meaning that I'm just typing. So I came upon this egg corn just outside my front door. The majority of trees in my area are oaks, but this was not from an oak?  It looks like a peanut shell, similar to walnuts, but elongated rather then bulbous in shape. Also, this egg corn/nut, is loose within the shell, it rattles when you shake it. This is turning out to be only a question, with no real point, other than to just settle my curiosity.
  What is the study of trees called, Ontology, or is it some other kind of ology? Anyway, to be more specific, does anyone know the name of the science, and the name of the type of tree? Please comment, and save me all this angst. Trees are one of the most interesting forms of life on the planet. It is said that they are the reason for the air we all breath. But beyond that important matter, their life and existence and the importance of that life,  is made clear throughout the Bible. It is talked about in Genesis and Revelation, the beginning of the bible and its end.  Trees are often described in literature, usually as scenes of beauty or as a place of comfort, like the shade of the tree on a hot summer's day. But also, trees are often used as a metaphor to denote strength and wisdom.
  But I'm not looking to delve into the metaphorical importance of trees right now. All I'm wanting is a simple answer to my question, and any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.