The whirlwind of life

Do you ever feel like you are tilting with windmills? Maybe a more "American" idiom might be chasing shadows. Perhaps neither of those pictures are adequate because i am not being proactive at all. Lately i am barely keeping my head above water as i react to things around me. And for someone who struggles with ADD (even on meds) this is not a good thing, because once you get ramped up to deal with all of the incoming missiles you have a very hard time slowing back down again once the pace begins to slacken any. You get so busy looking for more that the "plates" you successful started to spin are now beginning to wobble, maybe even crash to the floor, only you're too busy doing other things. Right now... i am on "high alert" looking for the incoming that i am having a hard time focusing long enough on anyone thing to complete it. The past couple of weeks i have missed at least one day of work. The past couple of weeks it's been sickness (either myself or my beloved), yesterday it was the case of having to fill in for my beloved on my son's field trip to Annapolis, MD. We had already paid a lot of money for both DS1 and her spot and we would have had to forfeit both spots without refund so i went ahead and used up a vacation day. The weather was great and we had a tour of the state capitol building, and i managed to learn a few things. 1) I had not realized that General George Washington resigned his commission to prevent him from being declared the King of the new nation he helped fight to organize - that was done in the very same State Legislative building. 2) Annapolis was the Nation's Capitol for a period of about 9 months. 3) The current Maryland state flag is a combination of two representations. The yellow and black come from the heraldry of the first Lord of Baltimore, George Calvert, while the red and white bottany cross was from Lord Baltimore's mother's family. The Black and Gold wear carried by the units that remained loyal to the Union, while the red and white were carried by those who were loyal to the South. A better history can be read here. I was able to dicuss a little but about Maryland's history in the Civil War with him... not applicable to Annapolis, but an interesting side bar. For those who follow tennis, Rafeal Nadal lost! Has the world just come to an end? He won thirty one straigt matches on the clay at Rolland Garos. He was a monster on clay! But alas all good things must come to an end. For eight weeks each year i become a "tennis widower". Some women complain that their husbands abandon them for 17 weeks each fall, including my very own beloved. That was i pointed out something. Football is predominately played on Sundays. Each game is 3 hours long. On Sunday there are 3 games, and another on Monday nights. Then there are about 5 weeks where there are Saturday, and/or Thursday games so.... nine hours of footbal on Sundays, plus three hours on Monday night. That equates to about fourteen hours of football per week for 17 weeks... 238 hours total. Then let's add in the extra weeks of Thursday or Saturday games - 5 weeks of about 7 hours of football (averaged out)... another 35 hours. The we have the play offs... the first and second week of playoffs there are four games for another 14 hours each week... plus 28 more hours. Then the championship weekend... plus 7 more hours... then Super Bowl weekend - let's add another 4 hours. Grand total 311 hours of football, approximately. Well, each "Slam" event runs approximately 15 days, with coverage lasting up to 10 hours per day, at least through the quarter finals, then lets say another 6 hours on semi finals through the finals. So in one "Slam" there is about 135 hours of coverage, now multiply that by three (i am not counting the Australian because most of the coverage if from like 1AM until noon), and that equals over 400 hours of tennis! Who is getting the Lion's share here! Hmm! 8) I have so much more... but i am out of time for today...

The Battery Guidon

While I continue to work on my testimony I thought I would post a situation that happened over my last drill weekend. We had several members of our unit return from an overseas mission recently, and this past drill weekend was their first since returning. With so many people returning I was able to deligate the Guidon responsibility to one young soldier. It was a pretty laid back weekend with the tempo of activity being very low. Without being specific the soldier allowed himself, and the Guidon, to get soiled. He also made a mess in another soldiers tent (the one he was sleeping in). Our Guidon is not all that spectacular to look at, but it has a history within our unit. Needless to say, being the interim First Sergeant and acting battery commander, I had to take action. We were away from our homestation so cleaning it up was not an immediate option. In the interim this soldier performed several sets of push-ups and flutter kicks. It was his assigned responsibility to take care of this flag, and not only did he not protect it, but he was the instrument of its damage. Once we returned to home station he was instructed to handwash the Guidon (I also gave him the opportunity to handwash his uniform). Once he was done he was instructed to facilitate the drying of the flag by running it around the motorpool (ten laps). It was pretty hot, so I ensured another soldier watched him, and when he was done that he drank water. At the end of the day I asked the soldiers present if anyone had any problem with how the disciplinary actions were taken. The only concern brought up was the running around the compound. I also took the soldier aside and spoke with him. I made sure he understood that it was nothing personal. I realize that I am speaking to a wide diversity, or at least exposing myself, audience. And I don't expect everyone to understand. But this is a serious thing in my 'world'. Not just the Guidon, but in establishing the fact of who it is that is in charge. I often worry about what others think of me. Too much in my own opinion. But I struggle with doing what needs to be done (at least as I understand it), and worry about what others think. But in situations of Leadership I believe that it is very important to establish the chain of command. "Mold without breaking" is my primary concern. Anyway, before I get off rambling... that is a glimpse of a recent weekend. An insight into what a Guidon is check out this link: A Guide to the Guidon. Verse for today: Colossians 1:15-20, ESV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by [6] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Cyclical evolutions of society

For some time I have been concerned about the future of America. I love this country, but I have serious concerns with how we abuse the priviledge of freedoms here in United States. The Bible tells us, ""Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, NIV). Even a cursory study of ancient empires such as Rome and Greece shows that a slide into decadence preceeded their falls. Now I am not sure how long those slides were before the end - but it was clear that they defeated themselves within before their enemies from outside finished them off. What stirred this up in my mind of late was a recent show on the History Channel titled "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed". In it the commentators talk about the Empire and how George Lucas used the falls of those empires as an example for his own story of corruption and the fall of his empire in the movies. But just like I can't figure out why the charecters in the movie did not understand that the fulfilling of the prophecy (in Anikan Skywalker) would bring down their precious order of Jedi - I am thinking that most Americans (and by that I refer to the citizens of the United States) understand that the "freedoms" they indulge in, that go against the ways of God, will eventually erode our society. Perhaps (in my opinion probably) the eventual rotation of America - similar to ancient Rome and Greece. A really good commentary can be found over at Focus on the Family. Yesterday I heard Pastor John McArthur preaching on this very subject. Focus on the Family has a two day series titled, "A Nation Abandoned by God". It really made me think, and it has really motivated me to pray for my country. I know I have been impacted by the very things I fear will erode this country. To my shame I know I have contributed to those very things. But it is by God's grace that I am forgiven - and our country is not beyond hope. Look to Nineveh to see what happens when a country receives the word of God and repents. I worry about these things because this is the country God has placed me. This is the country my children have been born in as well. And it is most likely the place where we will all grow old and die in, and thus generations will continue to dwell here. America is a great country. Her place in history is assured alongside those other great nations, and by God's grace she will see many, many, many more centuries of prominance within the world. A footnote here... I in no way endorse, or participate in, any actions taken against this government. I see people like those who shoot abortion doctors, or try to do things that harm others that do not agree with them as being a black eye on those of us who profess Christ. The only action I can endorse is the activity of prayer and the participation in our electoral system. Engage in the active discussions with elected officials - even the ones that do not agree with you - and let our voice be heard. Do not be the 'silent majority' - we need to be the vocal (not violent) majority. Verse for today: Jonah 3:6-10, ESV The word reached [3] the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Joseph A. Farinholt

"Lightning at Bourheim" by Larry Selman

I had drill this weekend. It was an administrative time. Prepare for a maintenance inspection, get the sections to practice together for the upcoming section certifications, and learn more about the 'recruiting assistance' program. While I was there my unit received copies of the above print. It is of Joe A. Farinholt, a member of the 3-175th infantry. During WWII this man earned four Silver Stars. it is believed that no one else has accomplished that feat. The last one, the one earned for his actions portrayed above, had been submitted to be upgraded to a Congressional Medal of Honor but had been turned down. Joe was a real hero. Joe, his wife, and several fellow members of the 29th Division Association continued to serve me and my fellow National Guard members. They came out several times a year (dispite him being in constant discomfort for the wounds he received) to grill us hotdogs and hambergers, they would run fund drives for our family support group, and they would always come out for the holiday meal. He continued to serve us until his death in 2002. My unit was on active duty at the time, and when the request went out for volunteers to attend his funeral (we were inadequate to serve as his color and/or honor guard - he deserved the Army's Honor Guard) there was no shortage. Everyone who did not have to work used their leave (if needed) to do this small thing for him and his family.

I was able to get a copy of this print, and thought it would be a nice thing to share. My time with the National Guard is winding down (only twelve more drills). I know I am going to miss it. Men like Mr. Farinholt make me proud to me a Guardsman, proud to be a member of the 29th division, and proud, and proud to serve in uniform. My deeds are nothing compared to many of those who serve today, let alone what Joe has done. But I played the part that God has given me - and that is enough.

Verse for today:

Jerimiah 9:23-24, ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”