Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Tested Truths: Extremes !

Tested Truths: Extremes !:   Perhaps a clarification of last night's state of the Union remarks are in order? To classify me, and put me in the correct pigeon hole...

Extremes !

  Perhaps a clarification of last night's state of the Union remarks are in order? To classify me, and put me in the correct pigeon hole, I would call myself a Conservative Democrat. Sounds like a conflict within doesn't it? Well, it isn't, what it is, is that I believe that the Democratic party has been taken over by the far left loons! I fear for our beloved party, a party that still stands for compassion, and I gotta ton of compassion! Why then would I have sounded a blanket alarm? Democrats aren't bad, but the party's leadership is taking it to the extreme! What do I mean by that? Let's take just one example, one that doesn't include Benghazi, or any international problem. Let's do a social one, let's talk about abortion. The Democrats have been telling the American people that the other party has a war on women? But what it really is all about, when you clear away all the fluff, is about Roe v. Wade! The extreme on the right wants to repeal the law, and the extreme on the left wants abortion on demand. These are the two extremes. But for the reality of this, our time, and what most Americans by far agree with, is that abortion should be rare.
Abortion is extremely personal, and the government has no place in the decision that the young woman makes. If she is lucky enough to have family, it is something that a young girl should talk to her family about. But the government must make available the option of abortion for three reasons. One, if the life of the mother is in danger, two and three, if there is rape or incest involved! This, people of good conscience should understand, and should pay for. But to expect those same Americans of good conscience to have to pay for an abortion because it is inconvenient to the mother is ludicrous! Lord knows there are enough forms of contraception around. A little common sense goes a long way, but instead, something as important as the abortion issue, becomes nothing more then a political football?
  Oh, this is another social issue, but I'll make this one short, because this one goes out only to the Democrats! Why are you not up in arms about the targeting of the IRS on conservatives? Do you think that the Democrats will hold the presidency forever?

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Tested Truths: The State of the Union

Tested Truths: The State of the Union:     How are things in America today, would you say that your life is better now then in 2008? Racism is alive again, but this is the new rac...

The State of the Union

    How are things in America today, would you say that your life is better now then in 2008? Racism is alive again, but this is the new racism, racism in reverse? The world is burning, terrorists rule the news. How's the state of the Union? Things are pretty bleak!
  Our national debt affixes approximately 75,000 dollars to every living soul in this country. But you won't hear the President talk about any of those things? What you will hear, is a lot of talk about income inequality? What it really is, and this is where it gets too extreme for some to believe, is Socialism. That is what is really being touted here, and you might as well get used to the term? Because  only the middle class will be affected now, but the time is not far off when the elitists will feel the pinch too! Take from the rich and give it to the poor! Sounds good doesn't it, sorta like Robin Hood! You see, God looks at things internationally, and he sees that the larger plan is in motion. Here's the thing that is the hardest to hear, if the Democrats should prevail in the upcoming elections, especially for the Presidency, then the plan will have worked, and we are the most sought after plumb in the international community! But, remember that term, Income equality? Well, now it's time for the rich to pay their fair share? You know, that dreaded 1%...! Who do you think is the one percent in the international arena? Why the good ole USA, that's who! Do you think the fabulously wealthy will get away this time? I wouldn't bet on it!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Tested Truths: Strange

Tested Truths: Strange:   Isn't it strange how the mind works? We dream all the time. At night of course, but those are usually for deeper meanings. Then there...

Strange

  Isn't it strange how the mind works? We dream all the time. At night of course, but those are usually for deeper meanings. Then there is the day dream. Whenever we get a minute to ourselves, we get lost in our thoughts, which, if you nod off like that at work, you might not fair to well? But even when you are engaged and going about your business, when you are thinking, you are dreaming! Now what do I mean by that? Certainly not the spaced out look of someone in complete daydream mode, but one of practicality. When you think, you think in pictures. Your mind shows you pictures of whatever subject you are talking about, and then, those pictures are interpreted into whatever language you speak. Once the words come, you can hear them, not audibly of course, but you hear them. Once this thought is established, then you decide what to do with it. Whether to speak it, write it, or keep it to yourself?

 An interesting point of view, which I researched fully with The World Book Encyclopedia. So you can be assured that all accounts are accurate! Uh oh, I just got a hacking alert from Google, so I guess I better go? I don't know man, are they like changing my words? If you heard it the way I just did, then I sounded like one of the seniors at Ridgemount High? 

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Tested Truths: The Yuppie and the Athiest

Tested Truths: The Yuppie and the Athiest:   Sometimes you just can't catch a break, it just keeps coming at you? Life that is! It doesn't stop, because the problems of this l...

The Yuppie and the Athiest

  Sometimes you just can't catch a break, it just keeps coming at you? Life that is! It doesn't stop, because the problems of this life are many. Personal, local, nationally, and so on.
But I've found that you just can't see to them all? You have to be able to slow the process down, because the real important ones will hit you smack dab between the eyes! Each will clamor for your attention, but take the immediate first. One at a time, slow the pace down. Just like anybody else, I got problems. In fact, I gotta ton of problems, trust me, you wouldn't want my problems. Now I'm not one to complain, but lately, the problems have really been coming from all sides, and they are coming real fast!
The Punk,
  This is a tie in to what is written above. I assume that that was a public service announcement? During the height of all of those problems, I had a confrontation with a punk! Now see, where I come from, we call them punks. Thugs and punks, which one is which? Your words, they are taking away your words! But anyway, here's how it went down. I'm walking up the main sidewalk near the golf course, and this was just after a snow, the sidewalk was pretty slick! Anyway, theres' two of them, one white and one black. I found it funny, because the white guy was on the tractor, and the black guy was using the blower. Neither one of them belong here, they were too well dressed to be farm hands. The black kid was nice, we even shared a joke at the white guys expense! But the white guy? The white guy was a punk! I'm struggling up the walk, staying near the edge to stay dry from the water. So the kid, this punk, cuts right in front of me, and drove intentionally slow. But I followed behind him, and I made a monkey out of him! Which is appropriate on many levels, because the kid was a yuppie/athiest!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Tested Truths: Logic

Tested Truths: Logic:   So how do we make sense of it all? Here is where logic first asserts itself. But even logic can't reach the minds of those who cannot ...

Logic

  So how do we make sense of it all? Here is where logic first asserts itself. But even logic can't reach the minds of those who cannot hear. It is a sad thing for those of us in the know, We feel sorry for those who will not hear it. How can I explain it, how can I put it into words so that you might understand? How do I explain the unexplainable? The bible tells us that spiritual truths are spiritually discerned. That means that spiritual truths are only understood by those who are spiritual. In other words, you must be part of the family, to understand, and be trusted with the secrets of that family. The truths of the bible are non-sense to the unbeliever, because he doesn't understand it, it is beyond his intellect.
  All truth and understanding comes from God, and so if you don't know God, how can you understand  it? Now anyone can do this, the families' gate is still held wide open! How do you do it, how can you be part of the family? Jesus explained it best, when he told it to Nicodemus a Pharisee. He said, You must be born again! Born into what is eternal life, born into the spiritual world, but born into the family of God!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Tested Truths: Moods

Tested Truths: Moods:   What is it that moods do, how is it that they affect you? Well, let's start at the beginning, and say, how do moods start, and what is...

Moods

  What is it that moods do, how is it that they affect you? Well, let's start at the beginning, and say, how do moods start, and what is it that sets them off? Physical? Let's do one physical? You are walking on a cold and icy night, and your hustling to get home, home out of the cold! But along the way, it seems that you are beset on all sides with problems, the kind that only slow your pace. But still, all that is on your mind is getting home! The corners are all crowded, and you just can't seem to get in sync with the lights? Suffice it to say, that things weren't going as you had hoped. What then? does that bring on a mood? And if so, what kind of mood? Anger? What happens when the next idiot bangs into you, how will you react, you'd probably really let him have it! Or, the opposite, would you become sullen and compliant? Moods, what kind of a mood are you in?

Monday, January 20, 2014

Tested Truths: Racism

Tested Truths: Racism:   What else would we talk about today, if not racism? A sore subject, a sad reality, but it has changed a lot since his time. I speak of cou...

Racism

  What else would we talk about today, if not racism? A sore subject, a sad reality, but it has changed a lot since his time. I speak of course of one of the greatest men in the history of this great nation, one whose face could rightly be put up there with the others on Mt. Rushmore! A great man of God, a man of peace, Dr. Martin Luther King!
  If he could suddenly spring back to life at this moment in history, he would be both astounded and appalled. To see black faces in places of power, all over the television, from almost every walk of life, he would probably say, Great God, halleluia! But then, after the reality of the situation had sunk in, he would be appalled to see that it was those now in power who look to keep racism alive!
  Racism is a terrible thing, and it takes many forms, for many different reasons. I will tell you a secret about the only thing that is still secret in this country? I will tell you how I voted and why. I am still a registered Democrat, and as such, I voted for Barack over Hillary, because I thought that a white woman being elected president before a black man, might well be the final straw to the black community. Let's face it, in case you haven't noticed, most black men are hardly gender sensitive?
Now before I go on, let me also say that I like President Obama. He has a beautiful wife, and two lovely little girls who have stood up to the white hot glare of the spotlight quite well! I also voted for him in the 1st general election, likewise for racist reasons? I thought then, and to some extent still believe today, that only a black man can make the ugliness of racism go away. But that would take a man like Martin Luther himself! But I can't help thinking, that if Dr. King had been in the room, when the President pinned that medal on Ophra, just days after she said some of the most insidious, racist comments ever said by a respected public figure, that he probably would have slapped both of their faces!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Tested Truths: By The Way

Tested Truths: By The Way:   I guess I could start anywhere, but it seems that I have come here to stop? More questions then answers, it is that way with God, but only...

By The Way

  I guess I could start anywhere, but it seems that I have come here to stop? More questions then answers, it is that way with God, but only for when you first come to know him. The answerd will come, I can promise you that. I know, because I have been there, and I have experienced it first hand.
  The latest chapter in the life and times of dear leader, President Barack Obama, is that he will no longer wait for the judicial process, but that he will executive order his commands to the public. This is the second step of socialism! The first being to get the people to trust you, and the second being, where they, the ruling class think that they know better what is good for you then you do. Their banner, their rallying cry is that, We do it for the public good. The public good, who made you judge and jury over that? Wake up America, Socialism is at your gates, and this ain't no conspiracy therory!
  By the way, I would be remiss if I didn't thank Google for standing up for freedom of speech! Apparently, freedom still lives here! Thanks Google.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Tested Truths: The God Test

Tested Truths: The God Test:   You know how I am always talking about how you should simplify your lives? Well, I figured, Why not give them a simple test regarding the ...

The God Test

  You know how I am always talking about how you should simplify your lives? Well, I figured, Why not give them a simple test regarding the reality of God! Don't worry, I am speaking of God in the generic sense, and so your concept of God can be whoever or whatever you choose. As for me, as you know, Jesus is my guy!
  But seriously, what you will be considering by this little test, is to give you further information as to whether or not there is a God? The simplicity lies in the fact, that there are only two answers. He either is, or he isn't! There is a God or there isn't, those being the two.
  So here's how it works, Before you start your day tomorrow, take a moment alone, and say this simple prayer. If the word prayer offends you, then think of it as a request? But say aloud, or quietly in your mind,  God, I don't know if you are real or not, but if you are, I invite you to listen to my thoughts today, and of course if he isn't, what will you have wasted by saying it? Once you said it, go about your day as you would on any other day, change nothing! But here's what I promise you will happen whether you are aware of it or not. At the end of the day, you will be even more assured that you are right, and God isn't real? But others will have felt his presence, and once they have experienced that, they will be drawn naturally to want to know him more! Oh, and the third group? The agnostics will wait to see how the vote turns out.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Tested Truths: Eternally Greatful

Tested Truths: Eternally Greatful:   So here it is folks, hot off the presses! It seems that I'm caught between a Rock and a Hard Place, which just so happens to be some s...

Eternally Greatful

  So here it is folks, hot off the presses! It seems that I'm caught between a Rock and a Hard Place, which just so happens to be some sort of a movie from Steven Baldwin, which is accompanied by a great Facebook page to which I am not allowed to go? But I digress? It looks like a great project, and I highly recommend it!
  But back to my particular rock, and my hard place? I shouldn't even be writing this, because I'm trying to stay in the mindset of a ten year old boy, and it isn't easy. This is much easier, as it's more like writing a letter. The conflict for me is that I need money so desperately, and I do not overstate it! So, what I should be doing is writing that book. But besides the personal problems, it seems that there are other things, logistical things, that seem to fight me at every corner? Because Westbow Publishing takes only Microsoft Word, I had to buy a new computer, and the funds are not what they should be? I bought a ASUS computer, and it seems like a fine machine, except for one problem? I can't use a finger slide pad, and the darn thing is smack dab in the middle of the keyboard at the bottom? And every time you touch it, it completely screws up the text you are typing. Besides that, the keyboard is different, and I am working with Microsoft's word processor, which now that I think of it is a better program. It corrects obvious spelling errors as you type, and page breaks, margins and things like that are already set up! Anywho, if there are any ASUS folks out there, who would be willing to contact me, if there is a way to turn off the finger pad, and you can tell me how to turn it off, I would be eternally greatful!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Tested Truths: The Grapevine

Tested Truths: The Grapevine:   I heard through the grapevine, that there are those within the Christian community who wonder whether I am the anti-Christ? I don't re...

The Grapevine

  I heard through the grapevine, that there are those within the Christian community who wonder whether I am the anti-Christ? I don't really know how to respond to that, but for what its' worth, I can assure you that I am not! This is not the type of grapevine that is easily heard, because this one speaks only in nods and whispers. In truth I can hardly blame them, because I know that I don't fit the bill as to someone who you might have expected? I know that I am two people, but then again, we all are. Your physical self, as well as your spiritual self, the self that is eternal. The problem for me, is that I get lost sometimes between the two, a good problem to have I suppose? But the anti-Christ? Really? If nothing else, whether you agree with my political views or not, I think that anyone who has read this site with any regularity, would agree that I strive to live up to the title, and I tell you only what I believe to be the truth! Not that I can't lie, in fact, I used to be quite good at it. I could weave so many tales, that you could never get your head around them. Semantics is the science of artful lying. In fact, so good was I at deceit, that I never got lost in that fabled tangled web. So if you knew me personally, and you had seen that side of me, then that too might bring about doubt?
  So what's the point of all of this? Well, because I have already told you that I don't know who I am, and because that leaves so little room, I have come to accept those things about me of which I am sure! First, I am a man of God, and it is God who made me a writer! How good of a writer he made me, remains to be seen? Because the only way to judge success in our society, is by two primary ways? One is that you make a lot of money from whatever it is that you do, and the second being that you become famous? I am neither rich or famous, in fact, with all the writing that I've done, so far I haven't made a nickel?
Along those same lines, I got to speak directly to one of my favorite living authors the other day! I spoke to Eric Mataxas on the radio. Briefly, very briefly! I came to know of him by reading his book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a great man of God, who spoke out against Hitler and the direction that his native Germany was going. He spoke up for and aided the Jews, and they executed him for it. It is a great book! Also, I am reading Charles Krauthammer's book, whose vocabulary is way beyond mine! Both men have impeccable educational credentials. Compared to them, I am an uneducated oaf! But I have found that wisdom can come from simple observation. Case in point: Did you know that you can see the topography of a lake bottom by observing how it freezes on the top? Frozen waves near the shore, channels, eddies, and deep sink holes, all freeze differently.  

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Tested Truths: Weather, a retrospective

Tested Truths: Weather, a retrospective:   So they played another ice bowl up in Green Bay, one every bit as cold as the first one, and the men every bit as tough! Weather huh, who ...

Weather, a retrospective

  So they played another ice bowl up in Green Bay, one every bit as cold as the first one, and the men every bit as tough! Weather huh, who can figure it out? I know one who can, but we'll leave him out of it on this one.
  I remember the first one very well, I think I was in my teens? I also remember winters where the snow was up to my hip. And this not of the drifts, but upon flat frozen lakes!
So what of all this hysteria over global warming? Weather is cyclical friends, always has been, always will be! Can we effect the skies beneath which we live? Of course, I also remember quite well, pictures of the smog covered L.A. skyline. Certainly, we can effect the quality of the air that we breath, but for now, and we might well expect it more so in the future, the air quality couldn't be much better! We are quite capable of controlling the quality of the air that we breath, but over the weather? That's God's domain!
  Certainly we shouldn't be pouring poisons into our skies, afterall, what goes up, must come down!
The point is, that the quality of this winter air is at least as good as it was the last time. Our air is fine, we're fine. Watch and make sure that we keep our air quality good, but as to the cycles of weather, perhaps we might be better served to understand that, God's got that!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Tested Truths: A Beautiful Mind

Tested Truths: A Beautiful Mind:   Just caught the end of the movie, A Beautiful Mind. A great movie, and Russell Crowe is a fine actor! There is a fine line between genius ...

A Beautiful Mind

  Just caught the end of the movie, A Beautiful Mind. A great movie, and Russell Crowe is a fine actor! There is a fine line between genius and insanity. With great intelligence comes pushing the envelopes. It doesn't matter if it is physics or great art, great minds will always push the limits in whatever it is that they are committed to. The problem with genius is that it can isolate a person, they live out on the fringes! But it can get lonely out there, out there on the edge, out there all alone.
  But for Mr. Nash, his fall into insanity was inevitable,  because what he wanted most was for someone to speak to him on his level, people who understood him and accepted him for who he was. So having no equals, and so, not having anyone with whom he could talk, Mr. Nash invented those people. Sadly, none of this was necessary, and it would never have happened if Mr. Nash knew God! Because when you hit that intellectual high water mark, a person will go one of two ways? They will humble themselves realizing that there is one much greater then themselves and worship God, or, they will worship themselves? Nothing new here, because what was the original sin if not pride?
  But the movie ended well, because even though he didn't know it, he gave full credit to love, and God is love! But what is the flip side of this logic, what do those of great intellect who deny God, say about those who do? What can they say? How can you get around the fact that in the end, it is only a simple question? Do you believe in God or not? So then the non believer must think that the believer is delusional at best, or possibly, quite mad? A god complex they would say. But I would say, that you sell me short sir, because it is a complex to the tenth degree? If this is madness, then all I want is more!  I would eat up such insanity as if it were a great Sundae! One with all kinds of ice cream, marveled with fine ices, and covered with syrups made from the finest of nectars! I would want to shove great gooping gobs of it in my mouth until it runs from my mouth and all down my chest! Virtually all of the greatest of the great minds throughout our history, right on up to today, have been, and are, Men of God! So if this is insanity, Please, count me in!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Tested Truths: The Frozen Tundra

Tested Truths: The Frozen Tundra:   With any luck, and if the weather holds out, they will play a championship game on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field! Football as it was ...

The Frozen Tundra

  With any luck, and if the weather holds out, they will play a championship game on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field! Football as it was meant to be played, outside and on real grass! In reality, the domed stadiums are a win/win, as even the fans benefit from the controlled environment. But what of the grass, whatever happened to that argument? I assume that the plastic grass lobby payed real well? What football player or fan, wouldn't rather have our games played out on real grass? C'mon man! Football in the mud, are you kidding me? I am all for safety, but along with some of the changes, some of the competitiveness must suffer. But if it helps to stop concussions, it is a fair trade off. But now baseball too is changing, this year, home plate collisions are to be illegal!
But certainly along those same lines, the argument could be made for grass. During the football strike, I was amazed that grass fields weren't in the player's demands? At that time, many injuries, leg and knee mostly, were attributed to the turf. But not a word was spoken? Money over safety I guess? So while the millionaire owners argued with the millionaire players over the billions in TV money, we the fans worried how we would afford the $500 dollar game day price? So if not for safety, how about doing it for us fans? I miss the days of the mud and the blood, and I look forward to seeing a true hop being played off of a perfectly manicured infield! Make it a rule that every team in either sport put in real grass. Just think of the jobs it would create! C'mon all you millionaires out there, divvy the cost up however you see fit? But how about giving one back to the fans? Give us our grass back. Give us our game back!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Tested Truths: Funk and Wagner

Tested Truths: Funk and Wagner:   So here it goes again, not that it hasn't been attempted before, but never quite making it to print? I am in a bit of a funk I suppose...

Funk and Wagner

  So here it goes again, not that it hasn't been attempted before, but never quite making it to print? I am in a bit of a funk I suppose, but Wagner is no where to be found? Sorry, couldn't resist! I have always had only two speeds, one, full speed ahead, the other dead stop! That highly prized middle ground, when it comes to action, or the lack of it, is a place that has always eluded me. But what of it, what is it that I think should be happening that isn't? Laziness, procrastination? Guilty as charged! But what's a body to do, when that body lacks motivation?
  So I sit around watching TV. Sitcoms mostly, I'm trying to stay away from the news as much as possible? Oh, and I have a routine. Morning, midday, and evening, right into the wee hours! But what an incredible waste of time, wouldn't you say? I still read, but not nearly as much as I should, or, not even as much as I would like to? I should just turn the damn thing off, and get busy doing something? I got a guitar for Christmas, but I can see where training my fingers to contort like that is going to be difficult! Like I said, what is needed is motivation, practice and discipline! I want to begin painting again, learn how to write music, write of course? I want to do it all! Like I said, I must be in a funk? But this too shall pass. What I should do is start by publishing this, whatever this is? If nothing else, it's' a start! There are others, they are laying around here somewhere? There is one on Yuppies, A K A, Plastic People. One on the duality of man, though I think that I might have already done one on that subject? Two or three more that are more rambling with no real point, but anyway?
So get motivated Ed, get up off your ass, and go and publish this thing!