More Christmas 2008

This is what Christmas does to you.

Christmas in Florida 2008

Here we are eating Christmas Day dinner out on our patio with our son, Trey, and daughter, Loni. Florida is a great place!

Merry Christmas to CA family

Our New Home

The Ten Cannots

This appeared in a blog I read called "Christian Personal Finance." It was attributed to Abraham Lincoln. I always check stuff like this out before passing it on. Turns out it was originally written by Reverend William Boetcker. You can read about him here. This link will also explain why his words have been attributed to Lincoln. Here are Boetcker's words "The Ten Cannots." Good words for election time and for Congress any time.

• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
• You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
• You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
• And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.

Parenting

Here's a quote from Neil Postman's book, The Disappearance of Childhood, concerning parenting in these media-soaked times. Postman's believes that technology floods a child's life with so much information that it actual takes away the normal development of childhood. He encourages parents to protect their children from technology.

Is the individual powerless to resist what is happening?

The answer to this, in my opinion, is “No.” But, as with all resistance, there is a price to pay. Specifically, resistance entails conceiving of parenting as an act of rebellion against American culture. For example, for parents merely to remain married is itself an act of disobedience and an insult to the spirit of a throwaway culture in which continuity has little value. It is also at least ninety percent un-American to remain in close proximity to one’s extended family so that children can experience, daily, the meaning of kinship and the value of deference and responsibility to elders. Similarly, to insist that one’s children learn the discipline of delayed gratification, or modesty in their sexuality, or self-restraint in manners, language, and style is to place oneself in opposition to almost every social trend. Even further, to ensure that one’s children work hard at becoming literate is extraordinarily time-consuming and even expensive. But most rebellious of all is the attempt to control the media’s access to one’s children. There are, in fact, two ways to do this. The first is to limit the amount of exposure children have to media. The second is to monitor carefully what they are exposed to, and to provide them with a continuously running critique of the themes and values of the media’s content. Both are very difficult to do and require a level of attention that most parents are not prepared to give to child-rearing.

Nonetheless, there are parents who are committed to doing all of these things, who are in effect defying the directives of their culture. Such parents are not only helping their children to have a childhood but are, at the same time, creating a sort of intellectual elite. Certainly in the short run the children who grow up in such homes will, as adults, be much favored by business, the professions, and the media themselves. What can we say of the long run? Only this: Those parents who resist the spirit of the age will contribute to what might be called the Monastery Effect, for they will help to keep alive a humane tradition. It is not conceivable that our culture will forget that it needs children. But it is halfway toward forgetting that children need childhood. Those who insist on remembering shall perform a noble service.

The BBQ Review Song

Everything you always wanted to know about BBQ but didn't know to ask. Now when you travel you know whether or not to stop and have BBQ in a different state.

Windows could not start because file is missing or corrupt

Got this error message when I tried to reboot last week. Did a Google search (on Pat's computer), found articles on Microsoft's support web site and followed them to the letter. Got everything up and running in about four hours. The only thing I couldn't do was a "System Restore." For some reason System Restore will not open. But everything is running as it was last week, so I'm not complaining. If it happens again, I'm ready. Does anyone have any experience getting System Restore to work again?

Preambles of State Constitutions

I received this through an email. Here is it for your perusal. Find your state.


Do you know the Preamble for your state constitution?

Be sure to read the message at the bottom!

Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama , Invoking the
favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following
Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , Grateful to God and to
those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , Grateful to
Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , Grateful
to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California ,
Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...

Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , With profound reverence
for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with
gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the
rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of
their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to
Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , Relying upon protection
and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble We, the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine
Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the state of Illinois, grateful to
Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so
long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our
endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to
Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of
government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa , Grateful to the
Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence
on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , Grateful to Almighty God
for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to
Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful
to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful
hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us
an opportunity. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful
to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging
with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe
In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His
direction.

Michigan 1908, Preamble le. We, the people of the State of Michigan ,
Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this
Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota ,
Grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to
perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi In convention
assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.


Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , With profound reverence
for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness.
Establish this Constitution...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God
for the Blessings of liberty establish this Constitution.

Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our
freedom. Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural
and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own
conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the state of New Jersey,
grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so
long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our
endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty
God for the blessings of liberty.

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , Grateful
to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the state of North Carolina,
grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil,
political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon
Him for the continuance of those...

North Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of North Dakota , Grateful to
Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , Grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our
common...

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to
secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in
the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of
their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to
Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly
invoking His guidance...

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the state of Rhode Island
grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath
so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina
grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this
Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , Grateful to
Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties.

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible
right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their
conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging,
with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we
establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the
individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other
blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man.

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our
Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all
to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington ,
grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain
this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the
blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West
Virginia Reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin , Grateful to Almighty
God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...

Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , Grateful to
God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this
Constitution.

Big Brother at School

It seems that students in San Antonio who are consistently truant will be required to wear an ankle bracelet in order to track their whereabouts. This is a true story and you can read about it here. Actually I think they should track the parents or guardians. Maybe the incentives to do right shouldn't be put on the kids but on the parents. If the kids don't have good parental support at home their success at school will be limited. Somehow (although I don't think it's 100%) parents today have lost the ability to discipline their kids and perhaps they are the ones who should suffer such indignities. Our governmental authorities should find ways to reengage the parents rather than seek ways to just punish the kids. Although the watchdog groups will be concerned about the kids' privacy they should really worry about the loss of parental supervision. If the parents are not fully engaged such efforts will fail in the long run. Focusing on the kids only creates a bigger chasm between parents and kids. New thinking is needed to deal with the problems schools face. Actually old thinking is needed. By-passing parents to get kids in school and do well will not work. Schools should figure out how to support parents properly and get them to do their jobs.

Happy Anniversary Pat - 32 Years

Old Doom and Gloom

Today is the 40th anniversary of The Population Bomb by Dr. Paul Ehrlich. I didn't read it when it came out (I think I was a sophomore in high school) but I know that many of my teachers spouted its warnings. I remember that we were told the population of the earth would reach 20 billion by the end of the century (AD 2000). Of course population today is not even close to the half way mark of that prediction and we are eight years over the target date. Dr. Ehrlich predicted famines in the 70s and 80s, the death of hundreds of millions, a different world (economically, politically) when the children of the 60s became adults, and ridiculously high prices for various natural resources because over population would produce extreme scarcity. But his predictions have all proven to be non-existent.

In order to stop such over population Ehrlich suggested that population control was the only way. At first voluntary methods would be used but if those proved ineffective then forced control would be necessary. Of course who would be in charge of this forced control? Why our benevolent government leaders. You can read an interesting review of his book here. You can also read a brief interview of Ehrlich here on the publication of a new book conducted by the publisher of his book. Ehrlich's new book promises new studies and to show that the planet has actually gotten worse than the predictions of his 40 year old book.

You can read about a wager here that Ehrlich made with a libertarian (Julian Simon) on the prices of our resources. You can also read an interview that Wired Magazine (Feb. 1997) did with said libertarian here. Simon claims that the statistics that environmentalists and other doom-sayers quote us are entirely wrong. For instance, in the late 90s environmentalists were telling us that we were destroying species at the rate of almost 40,000 per year, yet Simon claims that the highest observable rate of extinction is one per year. Anyway, the interview is quite interesting and worth your read if you want to hear all the sides.

What is Dr. Ehrlich up to these days? You can read about his current activities and publications here. I love anniversaries, don't you?

Temperance 1970

This is an 8mm film taken of our band in 1970. Our drummer's dad filmed it while we were playing in Lompoc Park. For the life of me I do not remember playing at this gig nor do I ever remember being filmed. But here it is. It is low tech, low resolution but viewable. There is no sound. Our drummer (Brad) found it recently and converted it to a digital format.

Jesus and Men

Over at Christianity Today online, Brandon O'Brien (assistant editor for Leadership Magazine) has an article on the new men's ministries that are making the rounds in evangelical Christianity (read it here). The ministries were spawned in response to several books written about the dearth of men in churches. Most of the books seem to agree that men are not attracted to Jesus or the church because both have been overrun by feminine thinking. O'Brien is somewhat critical of the men's ministries because they separate men from women and they tend to be a little over the top. Here's my response.

These men's ministries (IMHO) make two mistakes. One is that they allow current sinful testosterone to take over. Instead of asking what God wants in a spiritual man, they tend to let go with how men are currently. Listening to some of the clips that introduce these ministries or churches will quickly educate you. A quick run through the Bible will indicate how God wants men to act as his children. Allowing male testosterone to be the guide is what got many men into trouble.

The second mistake is in not looking more carefully at the masculinity of Jesus. I don't see Jesus as a chest-thumping, loud, overly-aggressive, out-of-control male. Instead he delineates what a true man is all about by showing what true spirituality is all about.

David Murrow's book (Why Men Hate Going to Church ) seems to have launched much of the literature and ministries aimed at men. However, his book wasn't a call to separate men from women, to have separate ministries for men, nor to let male desires run wild. Instead he recommends that the church create ministries that allow men to work together to help others (e.g. Saturday morning auto repair for single moms, widows, and other ladies without men). Ministries that allow men to work together as a team keep the focus off of the men themselves and on others. Men as sons of God should be other-centered and not self-centered or male-centered.

Churches do need to rethink how to appeal to men in order to get men back in the body of Christ. But churches need to make sure that it is God who runs the show and not imperfect males.

Redneck Power Windows

Want a good laugh? Watch this video.

Demographics

Are you interested in the makeup of your area? Here is a cool web site called ZipSkinny that gives you the demographic breakdown of your zip code and the zip codes around you. I've checked it out for the three zips around me and it appears to be relatively accurate. If you plug in your zip you get seven tabs: Basic Info, Charts (the basic info by charts), Comparison with other zips, schools, map, build a widget, and About ZipSkinny. The information is based on the Census 2000 data and you can access that information here. If you do check it out leave me a comment about the accuracy or inaccuracy of what you find. You might find this info helpful if you want to do a mass mailing or door knocking (yes some churches still door knock).

A Better Way?

I'm sure many of you have read about the teens in Polk County, Florida who allegedly lured another teen girl to a house and then proceeded to beat her while capturing the violent scenes on video for possible uploading to You Tube. There have been many incidents in which teens have done crazy things for You Tube. Currently the media and other "experts" are wondering whether or not You Tube and other web sites like it are encouraging this sort of behavior. The discussion isn't really any different when the subject is the violent video games that are popular today. The teens allegedly involved in this latest violent reality filming have been prevented by the judge from watching You Tube and engaging in any chat rooms. I'm sure some see this as a step forward. I know many religious folk would like to see such things as You Tube and video games banned altogether. I'm not sure that is really the better way to handle this situation and others like it. Don't get me wrong, I wish such stuff didn't exist at all in our country. However, is using governmental power to banish really the better way?

I receive each Monday morning an email from Roy Williams (the Wizard of Ads which you can read here). To shorten his memo just a bit, he claims that we all have a "guide pattern" and a "challenge pattern." The guide pattern is our world view. The challenge pattern is the problem we are trying to solve. We all use our guide pattern to help us solve our challenge pattern. His illustration is a jigsaw puzzle. The picture on the box is our guide pattern and the challenge is figuring out how the pieces fit together. Without that guide pattern it would be almost impossible to put that puzzle together.

These teen girls had a problem, another teen girl who was taunting them. Their guide pattern was apparently other You tube videos. So they allegedly lured her into a trap where they could film themselves solving their challenge and following their guide pattern. If they had another guide pattern their solution would have been different.

Since our country is slowly pushing out the guide pattern that has been here since our country's inception, it is no wonder that teens (and adults) are creating a guide pattern from video games and the Internet. We will all fill our lives with a guide pattern because that becomes our identity.

Jesus told the story (Luke 11:24-26) of an unclean spirit that goes out of a man. The spirit cannot find another resting place so he comes back to the man. He finds the house (the man) swept and in order but empty. He finds 7 other spirits more evil and they come and inhabit the man. His state is worse than the first. People today need the gospel desperately and we as God's people need to help them find the right guide pattern for lives.

I met Matt Dabbs!

Today I hosted our area wide preacher's meeting. Attending was Matt Dabbs. Matt and I met through the blog world back in 2006. We've been visiting each other's blogs and saying we should get together. Well a couple of preachers from the Tampa area have been coming to the meeting and have encouraged Matt to come. Finally he does and we meet. We had a great meeting and what a blessing it was to actually hear Matt's voice and listen to him share out of his spiritual knowledge. Then we got to have lunch together. We all ate at a Mexican place here in Mt. Dora. A great day. Hopefully we will have other opportunities to get to know each other.

Good enough for now

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional. You prefer things the way you've always known them. You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Not quite what I want

You Are 7 Up

Understated and subtle, people warm up to you slowly. But once they're hooked, they can't imagine going back to anyone else! Your best soda match: Diet Coke Stay away from: Mountain Dew

What Kind of Soda Are You?