A tale of two dreams

Not sure why but I felt led to share a pair of dreams I've had. Almost fourteen months apart. The first one I had in October/November of 2005. I had recently received word of a possible deployment for my unit. The dream begins with me standing on 'any-street-USA'. Some kind of alarm sounds throughout - sort of like air raid sirens. For a while I am working desperately to get to "the station". Long story short... I arrive at the station ready to respond to the call (full equipment, etc.) but the station is empty. I arrived just as the trucks were pulling out and I watched them leave. I remember standing around thinking "no what". In time I ended up not getting deployed. Last week while it was still uncertain about my future with the Guard I had a different dream. It was a much darker background than the first, but I was gearing up for war. Body armor, weapon, other equipment. But not like you'd see on CNN. It was more like the kind you see in a computer game. I remember the distinct impression that I was some sort of Isreali special operations soldier (no offense to those who really do that - be they Isreali, Muslim, or American). Now, in my younger days I would have said "HOOAAH"!, but in my middle age I am saying something more along the lines of, Hmm... :) Both of them have been tumbling in my mind over the past 48 to 72 hours. After the first call up came and went without me I thought that the dream was showing me that. I had no idea about the second dream. I thought it was just a testosterone induced deal. But the past few days they feel like they are related some how. Especially in light of my not being invited to a dance for the second time in the past eighteen months. I am not sure what the future holds... and my dreams are not necessarily prophetic, but I know God has shown me things in and through them before. Exciting times... Verse for today: 2 Timothy 1:3-7, ESV I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Walking through the Valley

Valleys can be more than just dark and desolate places. I see them more of a journey through times of trial. Good, bad, dark and bleak, light and bright. To me these are times not of rest but of work and unknown. At times they also seem like they are fairly constant. The times in this life where we seem like we are at peace - everything has come together and we can enjoy the moment... they are fairly few and far between. There is always something we are dealing with. Be it work, family, personal, relational, whatever. For me it just sweetens the anticipation of what awaits at the end of the journey. To sit and dine at the Maser's table. To enjoy the wedding feast. Oh to dwell in the house of the Lord... But it also would be wise to dwell in the moment that are so rare - no matter how faint. Enjoy those times when the Lord has brought you to a place of peace. It will never be complete until we are home... don't wait for everything to be perfect. I am talking about those times when you are struggling with a child and then something clicks, or even when you check is balanced. Take a moment to be like the one leper - come back and give thanks to the One who done this in your life. It is a glimpse of what awaits. Verse for today: Luke 17:11-19. ESV On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, [6] who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” [7]

Ever see a HumVee ski?

Yesterday my unit sent me out on an "AWOL recovery". Not really sure how but it boiled down to a miscommunication between the recruiter, the soldier, and my unit. I'm not really writing about that, it's just the background. :) Anyway, there was a lot of snow coming down pretty fast. The Hummers the military drive are a lot different than the ones they sell to the civilians. For one thing the tires. I had the truck in "high lock" (4WD) and was still doing a lot of fishtailing. Long story short it took me almost 90 minutes to go about 35 miles. I almost decided to stay at the armory instead of making the hike home - which was a fairly smooth trip. Footnote: Although I had made my decision a little while back I found out that it did not matter. It was not accepted, and I will not need to relocate for my work - for now. Verse for today: Jerimiah 29:10-14, ESV “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare [2] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Sticky fingers

Actually they are inky. I had to get my fingerprints taken today. It was the old ink block and paper card method. I don't mind, and it's not the first time. It just leaves that ink on your fingers for a little while. Nothing to worry about, it's a part of the job so... I have reserve duty this weekend and I hope to learn more about my future - but I doubt I will know anything for certain for another two to four weeks. I've had some good short stories (IMO) come out over the past couple weeks (posted on my 'Yarns' page). I've been having a lot of fun writing an on-going tale. The mian charecter is based off of the wargame I like to play. The game itself has a role-playing aspect in that as the games go on recurring injuries can impede each member of the team you play, as well as they can get improvements in abilities and skills. I've had fun because I like to write and I do not get to play the game all that often, so what I've been doing is taking notes of the games I do get to play and then incorporating them into the stories. Out of 3 or 4 games that I've been able to get in since last October I have been able to write about 12,000 words lumped into 13 chapters, and I have another 2 or 3 chapters (averaging about 1,200 words each) still waiting to be written - at least. There is currently no end point in mind. There is no arch-enemy to face. It is just an attempt to have fun writing and sort of document the life of a fictional charecter. With some 'spare time' coming up who knows what will happen. :) Verse for today: Jeremiah 23:23-24, ESV Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.

Oddly at peace

The waves are rolling. Last night I was accused of undermining my own attempts to retire from the National Guard. I don't feel like that was fair. To be sure I want it know that my intentions are to retire. Due to certain things going on I would like to retire - but I also want it known that if my unit tells me it is time to go, that I will go and serve full tilt. There really is no "win" in this situation. But I am oddly at peace. To be sure my emotions and fears well up like waves on the ocean - for the most part I am calm. At least I have got myself believing that. Every night I wake up somewhere between 3 and 4 AM... wide awake. Awake enough to have trouble laying back down. It takes a good 30 to 60 minutes to get settled back down so I can go to sleep again. Verse for today: Psalm 107:28-32, ESV Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters [3] were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Peace reigns

Well... things remain busy right now. It is hard to keep my thoughts straight. Speaking as a troop I can say that voting on "non-binding" resolutions do not support the troops. I know the motivation is our ultimate well being (i.e. wanting to bring them home ealier) but it does not help the morale or wellfare of the troops. The troop in the field sees that as a lack of support. (S)He sees that as an undermining of what they are working for. Such public displays of dissention actually motivate those seeking to harm them. To tell a soldier how much you disapprove of the very thing they are getting ready to head into is not helpful. A soldier/sailor/airman heading into such situations needs to keep their head on striaght - 100% focused on the tasks before them. A distracted or disheartened soldier is either a dead soldier, or a ineffective one. When I sent out an e-mail to friends and family requesting prayers for what may be before me - it was not the most helpful thing to receive an e-mail lecturing me on politics and their personal view of the war. All it did was undermine my focus. I fully support this person's point of view in that they are entitled to their opinion. But I am not really in a position to change policies. I cannot just say wuch-and-such and make things happen. I am in the position that I am being told to do (or might be told to do) certain things that obviously this person disagrees with. There is not a king, president, shiek, etc. that was not allowed by God. (Psalm 148, Daniel 4) There is time for debate. There is room for disagreement. It is a part of what America is founded on. But there are times when it is used of the enemy to prevent good things from happening. To be honest I am not sure of the why's and wherefor's on when America has done what it's done. But what has been done cannot be undone. We need to focus on moving forward and doing the best that we can for those involved. If we can focus on that the end result will be better for all involved. The end result will come about more quickly. Then, once the troops are out of harm's way - then is the time to be expressive against the policies. I realized I've rambled on long enough. And I am sure many will not agree with me. I just ask that those who do read realize that their perception and ideas may not be the right ones either. Only God knows the end from the beginning. I know God does not desire war, but ever since sin entered the world, the ideal is no longer possible until our Savior's return. We will trip over our (man's) sin everytime. Pride, selfishness, jealousy. Ecclessiasties 3 puts it pretty well:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

When I stand before God I know there will be a great many things that I believed fervantly - but will be mistaken about. But when I do stand there I want my heart to be pure. I want to run the race well. I want to hear "Well done".

A rolling stone gathers no moss

Crazy day today... I've been getting some replies from an e-mail that I sent out to request for prayer. At least one relative felt it was time to vent their political beliefs.... not helpful at this point in time. *sigh* I guess my opinion of supporting the troops is different than the main stream of America... maybe I will blog on that some time... Verse for today: Proverb 20:5-9, ESV The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

The storm intensifies

Well the "storm" has picked up in intensity of late. Up until this morning I've not told my beloved anything. I did not want her to worry or be anxious until I had some answers. Today I received a "change in plans" and had to notify several people. One of course being my beloved. Unfortunately I still do not have very many answers for her. I have basically told her that she needs to trust in God. It is all in His hands now. Try as I might, I can't seem to fall asleep next to the Savior. But I am learning... Verse for today: Matthew 6:34, ESV “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. P.S. - lately God has been placing the "Lord's prayer" on my mind... I will quote here (Matthew 6:9b-13, ESV)... more for myself than anything else... “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. [1] Your kingdom come, your will be done, [2] on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, [3] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [4]

Confession is good for the soul

Or in this case it may be good for my stomach. Right now I am struggling with the sin of fear. I fear what is the unknown. What will the future hold for me? What about my family? Have I been a good father? Am I a good husband? When things are out of your control it is to God we need to look, but I find myself - like Peter - looking at the storm and not my Savior's face. I am fearful that my beloved will get mad at me. My mind knows that He is in total control. God already knows my tomorrow, my next month, my next year. And not just mine, but my family's. There is nothing out of His control or His knowledge. Just like Job and Peter. God allowed the storm to crash upon them - and He brought them through and set them in a place of peace. Job endured his pain and loss. He endured his friends beratement. He even endured his wife's counsel to turn from God and die. He even endured God's chastisement. But in the end Job was restored to health. He is a man I would like to see in Heaven. Peter was called the "Rock"... he was the only disciple to get out of the boat (and sink), he was the one who denied even knowing the Savior and yet was restored into fellowship with Him. I so desperately want to know the end from the beginning. I want my beloved to have faith in me - to have faith in Him. That no matter what takes place He is in control and it all will work together for our good and His glory. Anyway... confession is good for the soul. I confess that I am not trusting in God as I should. I have not led my wife better for these storms. And I fear because I do not trust. Lord I believe - please help me with my unbelief. Verse for today: 1 John 1:5-10, ESV This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Winter - it does come to an end

Around wher I live you just can't make people happy. It rains too much, it's too hot, it's too cold, it doesn't rain enough. In late January there was 60-70 degree weather. It was beautiful. We had a little rain, no snow or ice. And people were complaining that there was no snow. We have had three straight weeks of sub-freezing weather and some snow. Now everyone is complaining that it's too cold. A few years ago I remember a Spring that it rained 4 out of 7 days a week for several weeks. Too much rain. Then in the summer no rain for 3 or 4 weeks... it's too dry. Come on people! It all has consequences! The warm weather we had with the rain... the water just runs off. Sorry this is such a rant. It's the weather. Just wait around long enough and it will change. Stop complaining about what you have no control over and make the best of the situation. When you are snowed/rained in... take some time and play a game with the family. When it is nice out get out and be a part of the world. Verse for today: Job 38:22-38, ESV Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? “Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth [2] in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts [3] or given understanding to the mind? [4] Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?

The Debacle that was Valentine's Day

Now too long back I arranged to take yesterday off to spend with my beloved. We were going to go out for breakfast, spend time with one another, even go in to one of our son's schools to celebrate an award he was receiving. But the Lord had other ideas. The ice and snow closed local schools so we were going to have the kids around. We did get to sleep in though. I'm not really sure why but my attitude was sour most of the day. It took me over two hours to shovel my short little driveway. And I broke both my shovel and my snow blower (a gift from my in-laws). And even then my driveway still has a good layer of snow and ice on it. I'm a little worried about getting back in the garage later today. I then spent most of the latter part of the day cleaning up my pile of mess in the bedroom to prepare for my beloved and some friends to paint it next week. In desperation I called in a last minute baby sitter so we could go out to dinner. It turns out that over 50% of all the local resteraunts were closed due to the weather. We ended up going to Applebee's (it was actually my first choice). When we stepped in we were told it would be a 25 minute wait - but in the end it was more like 15. I was still in a sour mood, but we were able to have some discussion. It took over an hour to get our food! I could not believe it. But it was all a part of God's design. We were able to relax and talk - and in the end our dinners were comp'd. So for the price of our drinks (and the baby sitter) we were able to get a couple of hours to ourselves on Valentine's day. Not much amore - but we were able to have talk. Verse for today: Proverb 15:28-33, ESV The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes [3] the bones. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

The Dice are cast

I have made a decision in regards to that rock and a hard place I blogged about not long ago. I will not elaborate - not yet. I am not entirely happy with my decision but I feel it is the right one. And, as it turns out, my decision may be moot anyway. It is entirely possible that my desire will not have any sway in the matter. But that is not what is important. What is important is that I sought God out and He was kind enough to speak to me (not audibly). Over the past week or so God has been giving me scripture versus here and there. The Holy Spirit has been bringing to light issues of pride that may have influenced my thought processes. In the end I am keeping a promise and if the contrary of this decision still happens I am at peace. I will be able to focus on the things I need to focus on. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragements. Verse for today: Psalm 139, ESV O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying downand are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. [1] Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! [2] Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! [3] And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! [4] -note, I could not choose just one small section... it all seemed appropriate.

Creative Writting

Yesterday I sort of got stuck at work - for 14 hours. There were times less frantic than others and I got an idea for my on-going short stories. I was able to whip out the latest chapter (posted over on my 'Yarns' page). Unfortunately today my mind feels like mush. I've had more time to reflect on my "Rock and a Hard Place" issue. I believe I am hearing God - but I do not want to tempt God by putting a "fleece" out. But I might. :) Well, I am going to cut short for today... just tired. God Bless. Verse for today: Mark 4:35-41, ESV On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Generally sillyness

Well, I am not sure what to write about.. and my mind seems slightly mushy as I've not been getting great sleep all week... and work has been unusually chaotic lately. :) I have been making some progress on the latest chapter for my short story charecter, I've ordered a subscription to Green Arrow, and I've scheduled - then unscheduled - a date with my beloved for Valentine's day. I need to make time to get away with her. I need to do this for two reasons, and probably for two seperate occasion. 1) It's Valentine's Day. I want to get alone time with her. Have a chance to spend with just her. To wine and dine... to seduce and show my affection. To show her that she is still the light in my eyes and the spring in my step. To give here one-on-one, undistracted, face time. 2) I really want to get that 'homework' completed. I need to sit down with her, review the material, and just let her know where I am at and where this is going for now. I am not talking a trip to Mt. Everest (or even Rushmore), just a jaunt up South Mountain. If God has the journey go farther - then He will prepare us. But for now the journey is only a few short steps. And not even major ones at that. I don't want to combine these two. Not to say that they are mutually exclusive - the opposite in fact - but that neither one can be adequetly covered toghether IMO. Well, back off more sillyness. A co-worker just sent me a short video. Apparently a couple could not figure out why their water bill was so high every month... until one day the husband was home sick from work. In the span of about 3 minutes their cat flushed the toilet no less than 10 times! Hillarious. :) Verse for today: Hebrews 10:35-39, ESV Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Ever have a situation where you have to make a really tough decision? Common advice is to pull out a piece of paper and write out all of the pros and cons of each decision and then make your decision. What if it's not about you? What if it is about those who God has brought into your 'sphere of influence'. God's Word is pretty clear. We are to put aside our preferences in order to serve our neighbors. Treat others as we would want to be treated. Love your neighbor as your self. When one is limited as we are (being human) there are times when decisions are to choose between the rock or the hard place. Verse for today: Phillipians 4:4-7, ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I am a comic book fan

I have been since I was old enough to remember. I would go to the local 7-Eleven in Cherry Hill, NJ and gawk at the Superman and Shazaam comic books. Every once in a while my mom would buy me one and I'd read it until the pages fell apart. The one book I remember was when Superman took on the Flash. As I got older my tatstes changed. I got into GI Joe, the Uncanny X-men, Spiderman, whatever caught my eye. My favorites were 'Ghost Rider' and the X-men back in High School. Fast forward to more recent times I grew to liking the Green Arrow and any Wolverine comics I could find. Although I no longer collect individual titles I still have a few magazines laying around. I even collected a 'rookie' team of the original X-men of 'Heroclix' for fun (since several friends play the game). Now with the movie technology catching up I've enjoyed watching some of them. The Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the recent Batman movies I have really enjoyed. I will most likely go to see 'Ghost Rider' when it comes out, but since becoming a Christian that title has become... a little uneasy to say the least. Well, that is my ramblings for today. Verse for today: John 15:12-17, ESV “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, [1] for the servant [2] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Witnesses

I am sure that anyone who reads this will have had a similar situation. Someone approaches you and says that this or that is going to happen. They present a really good case, but then when you cross reference it there seem to be gaps or errors. That the earth shattering event is either never going to appear or will happen, just not as depicted in the first account. I have been guilty about running around like a chicken-with-my-head-cut-off. Only to later be shown the fool like I reacted. It's hard to know when to react when not to. So, when in doubt double check. Verse for today: Matthew 18:15-17, ESV “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

It is now official...

... The Carolina Panthers are now undefeated once more! -LOL. Congratulations to the Colts. I was a little concerned when the opening kick-off was returned for a touchdown by the Bears, but Payton manning did very good and led his team to the victory. Although I did miss most of the game. Due to DS2 staying home from Awana's (long story) it was just him and me. I tidied up the dishes etc. and then sat down to watch the game. Just going into the 2nd quarter he comes in and wanted to watch Star Wars: Clone Wars (Episode 1) so I turned off the game and watched it with him. It was fun watching his enthusiasm. It was just fun that he wanted to do something with me. The Panthers will have a rough schedule IMO next year. They will play the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts (wonners of SB XLI if you've not heard ;-) ) at home , and the St Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. I'd really like to see the Panthers beat the Jags this year. Although the Jaguars have never been to a Super Bowl (yet), they do have a better regular season record. Things like being to the Super Bowl and winning the first ever contest between the two teams (their very first pre-season game 1995) means little. I want to see a regular season victory against their cousins! :) Over the weekend we lost our heat for most of the day on Saturday. That was an interesting situation - but by no means dire. I calmly used up most of the firewood I had left and ordered another 1/2 cord of wood from a local man. The Heating guy showed up mid afternoon and was a great guy. He showed me somethings I can check before calling and in the end did not charge me for the trip. It was only a blown fuse! Praise God. Well, I have rambled on long enough. God Bless... Verse for today: Psalm 25:4-5, ESV Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,f or you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

I would like to appologize

Last night I had the opportunity to go out with a few friends. We hit a Steak Place and when we didn't feel like heading home right away we decided to go see a movie. Due to the hour the pickings were slim for guy movie. There was Babel, The Departed, or Smokin' Aces. I have no idea why, but we ended up seeing the last one. Please, under no circumstances ever see this movie. There are, in my opinion, no endearing charecters. The story has some interesting twists, but the rest is all violence and debauchery personified. Keeping with the subject of movies... a few months back I went to go see Flyboys and enjoyed it. It was released on DVD earlier this week. We should have just picked that up and watched it. *sigh* Two hours of my life I will never get back. Anyway... on a different note. I've started exploring trying to display my short stories (for some reason) in some different format than the current Blog layout. So far I've had little success, but that is mostly because I am not familiar with HTML programing. But maybe I can get lucky. Who knows, maybe I can spice up this drab old place. :) That's it for now. May the Lord bless you all with a joy and peace filled weekend. Verse for today: Phillipians 4:8-9, ESV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Do you want fries with that?

It has been a crazy morning so when some co-workers asked if I wanted to head over to "Barney's" for a quick bite to eat I jumped at the chance. I did pretty good in that I got the soup and sandwhich (vegetable soup and chicken salad on whole wheat toast). But when the waitress comes back and asks if I wanted a slice of pie it was like I didn't even hesitate! Sure, says I. *sigh* Now I'm paying the price. I feel really full and I feel guilty for spending too much money. Well, it was still nice to get out of the office for about an hour. Just a nice sanity break. I hope you all have a wonderful and God glorifying day. Verse for today: Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, ESV Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, [2] for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.