THOUGHTS AT THREE A.M.

TANK JOHNSON'S BODYGUARD FOUND MURDERED,REALLY MAKES YOU WONDER!!

As most of you are probably aware, I am not much on sports. Ordinarily, this story would cause me to listen,sadly shake my head, and go on without a word.But I happen to know a guy named "Tank"; a real sweet guy who is big and strong and could have been an athlete,but was disillusioned in his youth because he was bigger than everyone else in his class, and needed someone to encourage him to work harder at sports, but since the coaches saw that he didn't move as fast as some others, and would need help reaching his potential, more often than not, he didn't make the team. Or if he did, he warmed the benches.Winning the game, the pride of the school, was more important than giving him a chance.So,his early failures colored his whole life, and now he is a day laborer, who admires football players from afar, and a wistful eye....and when I hear about football teams, around my neck of the woods, it's usually the Bears. So this story got my attention on several different levels. I haven't really heard much about the victim, other than his name was "Willy" something, sorry to say, and that he was "Tanks" bodyguard,and that he and his partner, in whatever they were into, got arrested just before the dirty deed was done.  My knee-jerk reaction was that it sounds as though the bodyguard needed a bodyguard! For whatever reason, it sounds to me that "Tank" and Willy were into some things they should not have been involved with,considering their status as a sports figure,and his "security force"! Which in turn, makes me question this whole premise of high profile sports to begin with. Wasn't the whole idea behind sports programs in schools at the start to teach children how to channel their aggressions,and control their hormonal urges in healthy ways? Then the notion caught on in collages, and then we went to national levels. Well, it seems to me the social experiment has failed. Even up to and including the idea that Physical Education was good for all, that too, is a bust.Our children don't look at Phys. Ed. as a way to be active and healthy. It's all about being the best of the best, the jocks who outshine everyone else, and the kids that could really use a good workout can't make the team. What is that? Then we graduate to high school and it's not about being healthy, it's about being the Star football player, so you can date the lead cheerleader, who also has to be the fittest and prettiest girl in school. Once again, the kids who would benefit the most by all that regular, intense running and jumping around are just sitting on the sidelines, missing out, because they didn't make the cut. So, by the time they get into collage, the BMOC and the  Pep Rally leaders and Cheerleaders have rather high opinions of themselves and have their sights set on positions of national importance, and are focusing on the possibility of becoming just like those players who stand out in the news for all to see, such as "Tank Johnson"! It doesn't end there, as we all know. Down through the last few decades there have been other athletes whose status has afforded them "breaks." They have run afoul of the law, and been so rich from their high paid gaming that they lived out this attitude that their behavior was acceptable because their talent made them above the law. Where will it all end? How long will our society allow this fanaticism of sports figures to continue? It doesn't make sense that men and women who spend their lives playing a game are more highly paid than people who labor every day in hard jobs,and then the law sides with the rich and famous,and punish to the fullest extent of the law, the hard working man.

OUI?

WRITING A CHARACTER LETTER TO A JUDGE!

In writing such a letter, one needs to be sure to be absolutely clear and concise as to whom you are, and whose character for which you are standing. Your place in the community must be such that your word can be taken as honest, forthright and trustworthy. The person for whom you speak must have demonstrated certain characteristics that causes one to understand that this is not just emotional or sentimental statement on your part,but is backed up by actions or behavior that puts the subject of the letter above reproach. Therefore, the most likely person to be making such a statement is usually the person's priest, pastor, teacher, neighbor or other credible associate,with high standing in the community, and a long enough association to be reasonably sure of the person's honesty, and integrity. Relate only those instances of which you were a witness, as anything else would be merely hearsay, unless the person's actions were written up in the local/national paper,or they were given accolades for bravery or honesty or the like.

Therefore, you must first establish who you are, and trot out all of your accreditations, being very neat, clear and precise as to the day, time, and year you are writing this statement, who it is intended for, and why. Once you have made it plain that you are NOT just his out-of-work brother-in-law who sleeps on his couch and owes him a favor, then you must cite exactly how you came to know this person, and when, and how you are qualified to speak on behalf of his Character. If your statement is just from a personal standpoint, such as having loaned him money, and he paid it back,or he otherwise proved himself to be heroic in your eyes in some other way, try to have proof of your tale, with a paper trail, such as notes, canceled checks or bank statements to copy and attach with your letter.

Finally, be sure to have a notary public witness your signature,and add their signature and seal to it.

Good luck!

OUI?

YOU HAD NOTHING TO SAY, WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME YOUR WEB-ADDRESS?

I love getting comments! Doesn't everybody? On the other hand, there is little more exasperating than getting spam, or worse, getting a comment that is little more than a link back to their site,and when you get there, there is nothing there! Oh, there's a page, with all sorts of headings, but if you click on it, it takes you to a page with the same heading, and the rest is a blank page. Worse yet, the original statement looks like it might be interesting, but after you think about it, you realize that the statement is incendiary,and darn close to blasphemous. Taking on the persona of Jesus Christ to make a statement that you will be making an Inaugural address at the White Throned Judgment was annoying, but at least you had the wit to not publish this supposed address...SINCE THERE WON'T BE ONE! Anyone who names the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and savior knows that! Oh, yeah, you had me going there for a while. I was all set to tell you where you slipped up. Point one, Christ won't be running for president, since he is already King of Kings and Lord of Lords! And I don't see him stepping down, and taking off his royal crown, to be an earthly president.Point two, Christ won't be making an address, speeches, or preaching, since by that time,all reason and purpose for all of that will be past. Everyone will have made their eternal decision. The books will be opened,and all whose name is not found in the Lamb's book of life, will be cast out of heaven. As for the rest of us, there will be singing and rejoicing,and feasting, with joy unspeakable and full of Glory,and earth will finally be restored to what it was intended to be, before man fell. Without sin. Without a tempter!Innocent, and pure,with no tears, sickness or disease,or pain,and no separation from God!A place of peace and love and such beauty we cannot even imagine how wonderful it will be.

And I can't hardly wait!

OUI?

THREE BEAUTIFUL HARD-TIME THINGS!

RISING AND FALLING,"TWINKLE",THE JOY OF IT ALL!!

1.Last week, we had snow and below freezing temperatures.This week, we have rain, a warming trend and all the snow is gone,and they are predicting 60 degree temps for tomorrow.So, for Christmas, it's anybody's guess whether we will have snow, or a monsoon! But, who cares? Whatever the weather, Christmas is going to be great!

2.The lovely snowfall really got Yon son into the Christmas time mood,and he broke out all the festive lights, the trees, and baubles and things, and it sure is pretty in here now. Yon is so sweet to me. He knows that sometimes I just don't feel up to doing all the decorating; but now that it is begun, my festive mood is jump-started,and I have gotten nearly all my cards done and ready to be mailed out!

3.You may have noticed that I am not up to my usual posting speed. That is because of a side-effect of a new medication,which has left me tired, fatigued,and with new pains.But after two months on this new pill, I finally called my Doctor, and reported the problem, and He called me back this morning, and told me to stop taking it immediately! Well! Nobody has to tell me that twice! I am delighted to oblige! Now, I know that it takes two weeks to feel the full effects of this pill when you begin taking it, so therefore,just about Christmas time, I should be back to my old self again! Okay? And I know this must be just my imagination, because I just skipped that first pill this morning, but I could swear to you that I feel better already! Maybe it's just knowing that this terrible malaise I have been under is now understandable, and will soon be gone...maybe it's because I felt relieved it wasn't something worse! Maybe, the reason I felt so wonderful when I came into the dining room, and stopped to survey my surroundings reminded me that  everything here, very nearly, are things that have been given to me by someone who loves me. Maybe it's a combination of all of the above,and the fact that I know that each one of these lovely things here also represents the love and prayers of friends, family and brothers and sisters in the Lord, and this joy is a blessing from the Lord,because of those prayers! Oh, I wish you could feel what I am feeling now...a flooding of love and glorious sensations permeating throughout my body,as if I am right now receiving my healing from the Lord,for I am surely feeling a touch from the Lord right now....Oh! Dear heavenly Father! Thank you for the Joy of It all!

OUI?

SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES!!

"Spiritual wickedness in high places." It is one of those phrases I am so used to reading and hearing from the bible, warning of the end times, and frankly, I expected it to crop up,even from church members. Because even though we know Jesus is the son of God, and have been redeemed by his sacrifice, you don't really anticipate having it come back to you that brothers and sisters in the Lord will continue in sin. I mean, sure we all have our problems,and none of us are perfect...we are merely forgiven,through the blood of Jesus. But it is one thing to have a problem, and ask forgiveness. It is quite another to know when something is patently wrong, and then to go ahead and allow it, or endorse it anyway. Okay, there are some Grey areas. Some things aren't so obvious as others. We all know that some things are absolutely right, and some things are absolutely wrong. Agreed? Alright, so for those of us who are interested in where we will spend eternity,and even for onlookers who don't much care, but are watching what Christians do and don't do, isn't it up to us to keep an eye on what our church leaders are leading us into? Because I have to tell you that there is some literature coming out now days that is being espoused by some rather unsavory types, whom my unsaved friends are saying some very insightful things about, and I can't say that I disagree with them. Rick Warren was one that a buddy of mine said speaks in platitudes and cliche's...and what could I say?  He's right! Beyond that, I thought his book, "Purpose Driven Life" was sadly lacking in Biblical principle,and rather than being a tool to a victorious life, has the opposite effect, that of leading believers away from the Cross of Christ. Having been given the freedom of choosing whom to listen to, I used my free will from God to dismiss the purpose driven, for the spirit led.

Now, I am not saying that Rick Warren is wicked, but he does have a rather "High" place, lauded by all sorts, having written a best seller,particularly the world. And, as we all know, the world is hardly the best judge of whether one is delivering spiritual truth.

However, to my surprise, there are a number of other spiritual, or shall I say, in this instance, "religious" leaders who are looking to Mr. Warren's work as a viable alternative to the Bible....because it certainly does not point the way "To" the Bible,and a great many church members are following his lead,as their pastors have decided to go along with his ideas,and they will follow their pastors wherever they take them, unwilling to doubt, or question what is being told to them. I wonder why this is? Don't they know that when we come to the end, we are responsible for they way we went? You can't put it off on your pastor, saying that's what he told me. It's up to you to diligently seek the right way on your own.

OUI?

"LEFT BEHIND" VIDEO GAME IS NOT CHRISTIAN! OR IS IT?

So, your a Christian parent, looking for a video game for your child? From what I have just seen, and heard, you don't want "Left Behind"! I have been alerted by a pal that this new game has as part of it's "play" Christians shooting and killing others who aren't "Christian" enough, or won't convert! And, this is supposedly backed by someone involved in the actual creation of the books and the movie! Of course, they say, the shooter loses spirit points for each kill!

SAY WHAT?

My friend was told that they would they lose spirit points for killing. My knee jerk reaction to this information was that this had to be yet another sign of spiritual wickedness in high places! Because it is being endorsed by pastors,and the actual writers of the "Left Behind" books. In additon, if true, the person who buys the game, allows the game to be played by their children, or even brings this unbiblical attempt to make money off of this excellent fictional account of what it might be like for those left behind after the Rapture takes place,into their home is going to be on dangerous, dangerous ground with the Lord himself, for their own souls!

So, I decided to do a little more investigating, and So far, it isn't exactly what my pal thought it was.What I found was this,in a nutshell:

Based on the renowned series of Christian fiction about the aftermath of the Rapture and the lives left behind in the ensuing turmoil after those who are saved by their faith in God are gone. LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces puts players in command of the apocalyptic battles raging in the streets of New York City , as the Tribulation Force trying to save as many souls as possible from the antichrist’s Global Community Peacekeepers during the End of Days.

But you might want to check it out for yourself, because they have a great intro video that is very impressive. Personally, I did not try the game, because I still prefer Mario,chuzzle, collapse,and the like rather than any sort of war game. If I do feel like a war game, I go for Chess! But go ahead and google" left behind video game ",and make up your own mind!

OUI?

NOTHING QUITE SO SATISFYING AS A JOB WELL BEGUN! OR IS THAT HALF-DONE?

Have you ever had the experience of getting involved in something that just got you so worked up, even though you were tired, you didn't ever think you were going to get any sleep? Well, the last day or so has been like that for me. A situation that just haunted your mind, that all you did when you did lay down was to toss and turn and jump and roll? Sit up, take a sip from your night- stand water-glass,chew a tums,read a few pages from this book, and one or two from that one, and re-adjust your pillows,and then finally give up and get up and have a cup of hot cocoa?

Well, now, there is a solution in the works,and I am so relaxed, you would think I had had a turkey sandwich, with lettuce and celery on it!

Nighty-night everybody!

Sleep well.

I certainly plan to!

OUI?

REFLECTING BACK ON MY FONDNESS FOR THE FRINGE!

"There is this funny thing I do. It's called Thinking?"

George Carlin                                                       

And with that phrase,George had me,because he sold the line with a look, at once bewildered and rather impatient that he has to explain this concept. I liked him long before I got saved, but even then his language was not the sort that I appreciated or would ordinarily tolerate in my presence. But, there is nothing ordinary about George Carlin. He truly is a thinker. A brilliant man,who also happens to be incredibly funny...and unbelievably earthy.But the beauty of his mind is such, that you can delete...or substitute certain fringe words, for more acceptable words,and his jokes are still funny. That puts him on a level far above comics like Andrew Dice Clay and others of his ilk that couldn't entertain anyone if they didn't have profanity,obscenity,rudeness and filth to shock his audiences with. With Carlin, you don't get posing on the latest rumor, you get insights into every day things. Take sports, for example. Now, I am not a big sports buff. Neither is Mr. Carlin, to hear him tell it. It's been years since I heard him do this bit, but I think I can recap what he has to say about sports, albeit,not as humorously. He takes the position that not all activities called sports are actually sports!

Running?-Running is not a sport, it is a way to get from one place to another really fast! Especially if your being chased.

Bicycling?-Bicycling is not a sport, it's just another form of running, only with a mechanical device to make you go even faster!

Swimming?-Swimming is not a sport, it's a way to keep from drowning! 

There's more to it, but the upshot is, for an activity to be considered a sport, there must be balls involved. And yet, he had things to say on that score too. Golf! What kind of a sportsman plays golf? You take a tiny ball, and hit it with a long stick,and then you walk after it....and then....you hit it again! Hey! You were lucky enough to find it the first time! Pick the ball up, put it in your pocket and go the heck home! Most other sports are just new ways of playing an old game.According to George, tennis is nothing new or even that classy...tennis is just table ping-pong played while standing on the table! His recounting of this bit is hysterically funny, while mine is just a lame retelling of it,and I remember it so imperfectly that I am sure that none of this was the slightest bit amusing to you. But that is not because I didn't use his vernacular,but because I am not George Carlin,with his timing, wit, and mugging that goes along with fresh-eyed take on ordinary things, that makes him an extraordinary entertainer. But, he's more than an entertainer, he is an artist. The buzz is, George is releasing a new book called:"3 X Carlin:An Orgy of George"!

Look for it. I plan to.

OUI?

THREE BEAUTIFUL PRE-CHRISTMAS THINGS!

SWEET,YUMMY,AND PERFECT!

1.Waking up after my nap and finding little nifty gifties, and a small collection of cookies at my place at the table. A signal from Yon son that he had checked on me,and I had slept right through it.

2.Having a cup of Virgin egg-nog while writing my Christmas cards,and taping the Christmas specials for Yon he so enjoys.

3.Turning on the Christmas lights for the first time while listening to Christmas carols, and watching it snow!

OUI?

LYRICS TO IL DIVO'S "SOMEWHERE"!!

This was the first song Il Divo sang on Oprah's show, December 6...now out on their new CD entitled, "Siempre"!

There's a place for us- somewhere a place for us-

peace and quiet and open air, wait for us somewhere-

There's a time for us- Someday a time for us-

Time together and time to spare, time to learn, time to care-

Someday! Somewhere! We'll find a new way of living!

We'll find a way of forgiving- Somewhere-

There's a place  for  us- somewhere a place for us-

Somewhere a place for us- Time together with time to spare-

time to learn- time to care!

Someday!  Somewhere!

We'lll find a new way of living! We'll find a way of forgiving-

Somewhere!

Hold my hand, and I'll take you there!

Somehow!-- Someday!--Somewhere!

OUI?