It is in the quiet crucible
of your personal private sufferings
that your noblest dreams are born
and God’s greatest gifts are given
in compensation
for what you’ve been through.”
—-Wintley Phipps
Month: October 2008
Whatsoever Things…
I must say… the political things are not the most important things to think on — though they are the things filling the space these days. I considered a friend’s comment (regarding something completely unrelated) the other night — something she had shared with a friend of hers some time ago when the friend’s thoughts were occupied by unrighteous things. She said, you are giving way too much mind space to that thing. I considered this this morning as I realized I was allowing political mess to occupy too much space in my mind.
In the end, all that will matter is what we’ve done with the LORD. He will not ask who we voted for, or what we thought of the state of the state or the state of the economy or whatever. The question will be what it was for His disciples — whom do *you* say that I am?
Remember I told you about butchering the chickens?
Well, butchering chickens is sort of like most other jobs you don’t want to do but do them anyway — both obligation and necessity reign over preference and desire. Butchering chickens is instructive — both to butchers and to consumers. The butchers see the incredible handiwork of the LORD, the “fruit” of much labour and the conquest satisfies that deep-seated hunter-gatherer disposition and is great consolation to the provider of the family. The consumers? Well, they just consume. But they do dishes, too. So, butchering and consuming is a win-win situation.
We have yet to eat one of our “meat birds.” But each time I go out to the freezer to retrieve some item, I see them all neatly cleaned up — filling one of the freezer shelves and some deep sense of satisfaction washes over me. Satisfaction that there is: a.) meat in the freezer; b.) evidence of a successful family endeavor; c.) proof that if we can do it, anyone can do it! and d.) a sweet reminder of warm summer days when the sun was shining, the birds were clucking and the water was flowing. Well… maybe when Wes got the last water bill he didn’t really feel the love of all that water running (and running) like I felt it at the time.
Speaking of freezers and water… it’s been nearly two years since the 2006 Snohomish River flood. Two years since Timothy and I went to the hardware store in town to buy paint for the stairwall and hallway. Yes… the day before the flood we were painting — and they thought we were crazy at the hardware store when we told them our plan for the day! Yes, we told them we had rolled up the carpets, put everything we could on blocks and tables and then decided to paint. Little did we know that day that the very next day we’d barbecue steaks (that’s where the freezer part of today’s blog entry comes in).
You see, we had just filled the freezer with beef and I decided if the River was that high and there was potential of losing the whole freezer and. all. that. meat. then we’d better have a barbecue… and so… we did. I do a lot of crazy stuff when I’m nervous… I laugh… I work hard… I become very resourceful.
We could hear the rushing River… we listened to news reports… watched the water… packed more stuff in the van. And lit the barbecue grill. O, and I made potatoes, too. I’m pretty sure, if memory serves me right (and even if it doesn’t) that those were the best steaks we’ve ever had.
I remember going upstairs to Wes’s office and on the way I looked out Timothy’s bedroom window and in the bright moonlight I saw the beautiful reflection of the moon on the water — wait. What? the moon is being reflected down — in — the– field — outside — the — window ? – ? – ? Uh-oh… *time to go!* And we did. We all grabbed our jackets & bags (and some grabbed what remained of their dinner) and we hopped in the van and left. When we got to the strangely deserted intersection, the policeman waved us on after first asking us where we came from (sort of incredulously, like: are you the only people who *didn’t* get the memo that the flood was coming?!?) and if anyone else was left in our home. Uh, I nervously said, I don’t think so… or something silly like that.
So… getting back to the chickens… if there’s a flood next month and the whole scene plays over again, I think they’ll probably be like those steaks — the best ever, except, for once, we’ll rightly say: Mmm, mmm… tastes just like chicken!
what if it’s true?
I keep wondering how all this stuff is going to pan… Earlier today I heard a woman say that it would be a total miracle if JMcCain was elected President… and I replied that it would be a *miracle* if BarackObama were to be elected. O… no, no, no… not bcz of any polls or anything like that but bcz he’s a man who’s largely come out of nowhere and has nothing clearly defined as far as policy or plausible solutions to the dilemma of the catastrophic financial and social problems facing this county (and around the world) and yet he *owns* the mainstream media outright — owns the opinion polls and doesn’t have to come clean on his records or public or private liaisons.
I’ve been writing, deleting, rewriting and thinking on this post for days — maybe weeks. Each day as another story is posted (and ignored by the mainstream media — which I now call Obamedia) I say to myself… what if it’s true? I mean, how will all this play out in the end. And, THE end is clearly coming into view.
I marvel that media turns a blind eye to all-things-Obama and seems to ignore questions or doubts — in fact, it’s eerily strange that practically ALL media — news, journalists, movie stars — actors and actresses — entertainers all seem to be in the boat with Obama — thus, giving the appearance that *everybody* is for him — everybody! Thus, the Obamedia. A man nobody really knows – saying things no one can really define — is being hailed as a king.
A couple of the following links and dots were gathered days ago, but this morning, David Kupelian has a succinctly written article that puts everything out on the table and chronicles the Obama record — beginning with addressing Obama as the Manchurian Candidate. As I think on that I wonder… what’s in all of this for Obama? What’s in all of this for whoever’s behind his candidacy or probable potential Presidency? Tempature’s rising… the tide is swelling and yet, more is being uncovered — and then completely discredited by Obamedia and judicial power.
I read articles and listen to or watch coverage of different past events, alliances, etc., etc., concerning Barack Obama (dot) and I have to just wonder if — well, two things: one, what if it’s true? and why doesn’t this play out in the mainstream? Again, what if it’s true?? What if it’s true, for example, that Ayers is really the author of Dreams From My Father? Or what if it’s true that Barack Obama’s grandmother was in the delivery room — in K-e-n-y-a (dot) — when Barack Obama was born? What if it’s true? So does that mean the quick trip to visit Grandma in Hawaii last week was a little bit of damage control — I mean, it’s interesting, isn’t it? I mean, what if she dies — this week — after that article surfaced — last week — ? Will it become an Ashely Todd sort of deal made up for what? publicity? But what if it’s not made up and what if it’s true?
My husband — listening to my meanderings said this stuff all sounds like the Vince Foster days – the Ron Brown day of the Clinton admin. Yes, I thought so, too. Then, like a lunatic, I started wondering… hmmmmm whatever did happen there, anyway… do you think the Clinton’s…? Nah…… too risky… but what if… And then I think back on all the shady alliances – deaths, firings, missing files, propaganda… and consider that it was all hushed and swept under the carpet. Will this be the case with Obama and his ‘shady’ alliances? Or — maybe more harrowing, will all these things come to light AFTER he’s elected President?
So, how about that Socialist Party membership? or this one? And what if BObama is not really a US Citizen and that being the case, how’s it going to play out in half of mainstream America -what is half of that half going to do — I mean, I’ve just gotta believe that some of those did take Civics and have at least a small understanding of the huge implications of that foreign birth and this campaign –and if it’s true — I mean: what if it’s true — then this is fraudulent campaign. I mean, I’m just sayin’ – that’s all.
My husband was reminding me (again!) of the great blessing of THESE days… and I see more and more why he says this. He gets up from the breakfast table after Bible study and most mornings he says, these are exciting days to be alive!! Usually those words are accompanied by some hand gesture of accomplishment or victory!
We’re one day closer!! And I don’t mean one day closer to election day — but to That Day.
What a Day that will be…
There *is* o-n-l-y *one* Way.
ready or not.
And you thought I didn’t have a sense of humour.
BREAKING NEWS –
To the citizens of the United States of America
from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
In light of your failure in recent years to nominate competent candidates for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. (You should look up ‘revocation’ in the Oxford English Dictionary.)Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas , which she does not fancy). Your new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.
To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:
1. The letter ‘U’ will be reinstated in words such as ‘colour,’ ‘favour,’ ‘labour’ and ‘neighbour.’ Likewise, you will learn to spell ‘doughnut’ without skipping half the letters, and the suffix ‘-ize’ will be replaced by the suffix ‘-ise.’ Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up ‘vocabulary’).
2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ”like’ and ‘you know’ is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter ‘u” and the elimination of ‘-ize.’
3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.
4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you’re not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can’t sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you’re not ready to shoot grouse.
5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.
6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.
7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.
8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.
9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. Australian beer is also acceptable, as they are pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth – see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat’s Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.
10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one’s ears removed with a cheese grater.
11. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).
12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America . Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the Australians first to take the sting out of their deliveries.
13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It’s been driving us mad.
14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty’s Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).
15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with Devonshire creme) when in season.
God Save the Queen!
___________________________________
Levity… just little levity for today, for the news du jour is *way* too amusing… and you thought I could only be serious.
God bless you…
Obama on abortion & ‘mistakes’ that ‘punish’
The first thing he’d do… as President. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
So… what happened?
ditditdit dahdahdah ditditdit
A little weekend reading… Okay, a lot of weekend reading… especially if you connect the dots.
I think I hear it… the faint call is becoming louder: … – – – … is becoming …- – -…
I started thinking along this line recently as I have been thinking more and more: dot, dot, dot… connect the dots. American people: dot, dot, dot… connect the dots! The I considered Morse Code and the sound of dots and dashes or dits and dah’s. So, in these days, if people are of a mind to hear, they’ll hear the dits…and the connecting of the dots will soon sound like: ditditdit dahdahdah ditditditdit. That’s SOS in Morse Code.
So, I posted the link to the Al Smith dinner last night, I thought I’d go ahead and post a few links… a few connect the dots links. Yes… they are connect-the-dots and see the links to Barack Obama. I’m thinking that one of the worst things for a candidate is: history. It could also be the best thing for a candidate, too, for that matter. Either way, historical record is friend or foe… Dot. Dot. Dot.
Dreams From My Father… is BarakO really the author as the title byline says? (Dot) Or is someone else? (Dot) And is that someone else a friend of BarakO or is he just a colleague? You know… someone to whom BarakO really has no real tie. (Dot) If the American public would have the time or take the time to review or compare writing styles as Jack Cashill has, they’d surely see a stunning connection and would have to face the question and come to the conclusion that Barak Obama’s literary style so strikingly reminiscent of William ‘Bill’ Ayers. (Dot)
The socialistic plan for America. (Dot) Is it even remotely possible for 95% of the population to ‘get a taxcut’ considering… well, read on…
Obama’s 95% Illusion – WSJ.com: “It’s a clever pitch, because it lets him pose as a middle-class tax cutter while disguising that he’s also proposing one of the largest tax increases ever on the other 5%. But how does he conjure this miracle, especially since more than a third of all Americans already pay no income taxes at all? There are several sleights of hand, but the most creative is to redefine the meaning of ‘tax cut.’ For the Obama Democrats, a tax cut is no longer letting you keep more of what you earn. In their lexicon, a tax cut includes tens of billions of dollars in government handouts that are disguised by the phrase ‘tax credit.'”
[can anyone say: socialism? (ditditditdahdahdahditditdit]
…
“Here’s the political catch. All but the clean car credit would be “refundable,” which is Washington-speak for the fact that you can receive these checks even if you have no income-tax liability. In other words, they are an income transfer — a federal check — from taxpayers to nontaxpayers. Once upon a time we called this “welfare,” or in George McGovern’s 1972 campaign a “Demogrant.” Mr. Obama’s genius is to call it a tax cut.” — the Amateur Economist (Dot)And what really, does BarakO say to the “Joe the Plumber” and the rest of the regular Joe’s of the US –Rick Moran, American Thinker (Dot)
And so… what else is there about Ayers and his ties to him that BarakO doesn’t want the general public to see? Connect, connect, connect.
(Dot)
And then there’s that very strange (but not so strange, and certainly not surprising) (little m)messiah factor. Here and here. (Dot. Dot.) And then… let us not forget that a man is often known or understood by the company he keeps (or kept). (Dot. Dot. Dot.)And then, don’t forget earlier BarakO ties. (Dot)With the Washington Post endorsing BarakO and the NY Times apparently doing so in the upcoming Sunday edition… it seems the man’s got it made.
“THE NOMINATING process this year produced two unusually talented and qualified presidential candidates. There are few public figures we have respected more over the years than Sen. John McCain. Yet it is without ambivalence that we endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president.
The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain’s disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race. Yes, we have reservations and concerns, almost inevitably, given Mr. Obama’s relatively brief experience in national politics. But we also have enormous hopes.
Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building.” —NYP
Ahhhh……….. that nuanced grasp. (Dot)
“…having to do with keeping America safe in a dangerous world, it is a closer call. Mr. McCain has deep knowledge and a longstanding commitment to promoting U.S. leadership and values. But Mr. Obama, as anyone who reads his books [[who writes his books?? (Dot) ]] can tell, also has a sophisticated understanding of the world and America’s place in it.” [Riiight.] (Dot)
And then one last piece for today… Louis Farrakkhan (Dot): “A new beginning…” (Dot.) and this is the man who calls BarakO “… the herald of the Messiah.
The Washington Post article concludes in its defense to endorse Barak Obama (over the qualified but disappointing McCain),
“ANY PRESIDENTIAL vote is a gamble, and Mr. Obama’s résumé is undoubtedly thin. We had hoped, throughout this long campaign, to see more evidence that Mr. Obama might stand up to Democratic orthodoxy and end, as he said in his announcement speech, “our chronic avoidance of tough decisions.”
“But Mr. Obama’s temperament is unlike anything we’ve seen on the national stage in many years. He is deliberate but not indecisive; eloquent but a master of substance and detail; preternaturally confident but eager to hear opposing points of view. He has inspired millions of voters of diverse ages and races, no small thing in our often divided and cynical country. We think he is the right man for a perilous moment.”
… uh, Okay… what did they just say? (Dot)