tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72114712024-03-13T09:31:47.089-04:00Xs and Os"Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald ReaganJonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.comBlogger833125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-37209527688587320182012-07-04T13:06:00.000-04:002012-07-04T13:13:05.713-04:00Getting Back To Base<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Part Three In The Spiritual Warfare Series</b></div>
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Without a doubt baseball is my all time favorite sport, but a very very close second is wrestling. I'm not talking about "rasslin'" WWE style, but collegiate style wrestling. It is high drama: two excellently conditioned athletes going at it <i>mano a mano</i>. There's no one to pick up your slack, no one to cover your mistakes - just you against your adversary one on one with a whole lot of people screaming at you, telling you what to do!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Px363DROnbE/T_RURaGnpvI/AAAAAAAABR0/LDeme5_sxPE/s1600/Kasey_Haines11_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Px363DROnbE/T_RURaGnpvI/AAAAAAAABR0/LDeme5_sxPE/s320/Kasey_Haines11_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base Position</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of my best friends in high school was an excellent wrestler, and my school had a really good team. As a result, our wrestling matches often had better attendance than our basketball games.<br />
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There was a whole series of traditions that surrounded our matches, including the "We Will Rock You" rhythm deafeningly beaten out on the gymnasium bleachers whenever one of our guys put one of theirs on his back. It was even reported that there was a sign on the ceiling that said, "If you can read this you're pinned." It was a lot of fun. For us, anyway.<br />
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Wrestling is an ancient sport. It has been around for thousands of years. So it is no surprise that wrestling is used in the Bible as a metaphor for spiritual warfare. Paul <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6:12&version=KJV" target="_blank">wrote</a>, " <span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-KJV-29350">For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places." That being said, I would like to take a moment and point to a way that wrestling does mirror spiritual warfare.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAnRqabeaU0/T_RULjCgdZI/AAAAAAAABRs/GsF_0XtBuNE/s1600/16502499_BG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAnRqabeaU0/T_RULjCgdZI/AAAAAAAABRs/GsF_0XtBuNE/s320/16502499_BG1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom wrestler is moving back to his base</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are many techniques that are important to wrestling, but one of the most important is the ability to get back to base.<br />
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Base position is a very stable defensive posture where a wrestler's feet, knees, and hands (or elbows) are firmly on the mat with his center of gravity as low as possible. It puts him in a strong position to frustrate his opponent's attempts to control him and gives him a stable platform from which to escape or take dominant position from the other wrestler.<br />
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Every wrestler, regardless of his skill level, will eventually find himself on the bottom. To be successful, he must learn to defend himself and to move from a defensive posture to an offensive one.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gJpufxyn7q0/T_Rhle8pAZI/AAAAAAAABSY/T-yYHm1tZ9Y/s1600/blackfoot-wrestling-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gJpufxyn7q0/T_Rhle8pAZI/AAAAAAAABSY/T-yYHm1tZ9Y/s320/blackfoot-wrestling-007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for the pin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the most frustrating things for a wrestler to experience is to be trapped flat on the mat by a skillful wrestler. The top wrestler can leisurely have his way with him while the bottom wrestler gets tireder and tireder and more and more frustrated. The more he struggles the more he opens himself up to yet one more of his opponent's fiendish methods to keep him right where he wants him. If a wrestler is not wise when he is in that position he will give his opponent the leverage that he needs to flip him over and pin him.<br />
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Because there are so many levers for the top wrestler to use, it is very important for the bottom wrestler to not only get back to his base quickly, but to know how to do it correctly.<br />
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One mistake that some wrestlers make is to try to lift their opponent's full weight when coming back to their base. They rely on their own strength to accomplish the task instead of wisely using the protection and leverage that the mat offers them to get it done. As a result, they have to expend more physical energy than is necessary and they tire quickly. They also have to concentrate harder to force their body to accomplish this difficult task. That means that they lose concentration on their positioning, which can lead them to open themselves up to attack.<br />
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Another mistake is to forget to move. In wrestling the defender's goal is to create enough space between himself and his opponent to be able to do what he wants to do. The offensive goal is to take away your opponent's space. A wise wrestler will recognize the attack that his enemy is employing and will move (keeping his base intact) to counter that attack. (See the embedded video at the end.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-HBufK-Gr4/T_RpMU0ClDI/AAAAAAAABSk/bBIhbFBu6y0/s1600/pro-wrestling-1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-HBufK-Gr4/T_RpMU0ClDI/AAAAAAAABSk/bBIhbFBu6y0/s200/pro-wrestling-1a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
When we are engaged in spiritual warfare these same principles hold. In our own ability and strength we quickly find ourselves frustrated by the enemy's skill level. It often seems that they know where all of our levers are and that they can employ them at will.<br />
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The enemy loves to come at us with a flurry of attack that leaves us bewildered and out of touch with what is going on. He brings strong temptations to us. He lies to us. He accuses us. He deprives us of sleep. He stirs up strife. He injures us or makes us sick. He orchestrates the circumstances around us to create the greatest level of chaos that he can. It is in these times that everything in our world will seem to fall apart simultaneously. It is like an ocean wave that catches us off guard and rolls us over and over and over. We are so overwhelmed that we don't know what is going on and our ability to fight back is greatly compromised.<br />
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That is when we MUST get back to our base.<br />
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What is our base? Our base is the Word of God. This is the truth. This is our position of strength. This is our unassailable position. The devil, just like any good wrestler will do everything that he can to tear down that base. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fV8XDu02-G4/T_RUv7GyWqI/AAAAAAAABR8/G6r9ehkKsok/s1600/imermanReversal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fV8XDu02-G4/T_RUv7GyWqI/AAAAAAAABR8/G6r9ehkKsok/s1600/imermanReversal.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wrestler in red was on the bottom. <br />He is executing a switch - a move that will<br />allow him to take the dominant position behind<br />his opponent.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Consider how the devil approached Jesus during his time of testing in the desert. The devil did everything he could to move Jesus from his base. Yet Jesus' response in each temptation was to counter it with the Word of God.<br />
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In the same way we have to come back to our base when the devil attacks us. That means that we need to be very familiar with the Word of God. We must become workmen who need not be ashamed because we can accurately handle the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) That is accomplished by reading, studying, memorizing, meditating upon, and exhorting each other with the Bible. <br />
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Remember that the enemy tried to even use the Bible against Jesus in his temptation. Because Jesus' hadn't satisfied Himself with a casual knowledge of the scriptures, He knew that the devil was trying to get Him to inappropriately apply the Bible's truth and was able to defeat him.<br />
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So, when the enemy comes in like a flood to wash you off your feet; when he tries to bury you under a wave of chaos, temptation, and despair, come back to your base. Come back to the Word of God and its truth. Remember that you will fail if you try to wrestle our enemy in your own strength. Wrestle in the strength of the Lord and with the help of your brothers and sisters. Counter each lie that the enemy has thrown in your face with God's truth from the Bible. This will stabilize you and help you to go back on the offensive. Brothers and sisters, watch over each other. When you see the enemy taking your brother down, remind him to get back to his base. When your sister is overwhelmed give her the scriptures that she needs to get her foundation back under her. <br />
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As we continue to frustrate our enemy's attempts to tear us down, our strength will grow, and we will eventually find the opening that we have been looking for to go on the offensive and defeat him.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zHjhb1tszTg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-37767867049936388442011-09-19T23:15:00.002-04:002011-09-19T23:19:58.342-04:00I Never Dreamed<b><i>For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” <br />
- Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:35-37)</i></b><br />
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Jesus Christ said some pretty shocking things during His time on earth. The passage I have quoted above is certainly one of the most disturbing. In it Jesus stated that His coming would bring division between the most intimate family relationships – division so intense that it would make the members of one's own household his enemies. For years I thought – wished perhaps – that Jesus was merely being hyperbolic. I recently discovered that He was not.<br />
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Last week, the Lord directed me to study <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezekiel%2033:1-20&version=NIV" target="_blank">Ezekiel 33</a>. In that passage the Lord told Ezekiel that He was making him a watchman for Israel. God told Ezekiel that if He sent a warning through him and he failed to deliver it to the people then Ezekiel would be responsible for their failure to respond, but if he delivered the message and the people ignored it their calamity was on their own head. I felt that God was giving me the same charge.<br />
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A few days later God called me to deliver an important message to someone who is very close to me. They have been openly engaged in sin and effectively asked me to endorse it. I reminded the individual of my position and the reason why I could not approve. I explained the hope of the gospel to them and encouraged them to repent and turn to God. They were offended. I got unfriended (on Facebook). And from what I have heard some less than kind words were spoken about me.<br />
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I'll be honest, it makes me sad. I had hoped that the individual would be born again. Unfortunately, it went the other direction. I suppose it could have been a lot worse. I hope it won't be, but the violent reaction I got made me wonder just how this person will respond if they continue down the path they have taken much longer. I love this individual and really hope that one day our relationship can be restored.<br />
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As much as I desire that, there are some things that I cannot compromise: I cannot endorse something that the Bible calls sin, and I cannot allow a person to walk in sin without warning them.<br />
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I love this person too much to allow them to believe that their sin is OK. I cannot withhold the truth when directly confronted by the deception that they are living under. A person may think that a stick of dynamite is a candle, but if I let them walk around with a lit stick to find their way I am not loving them as I should. If I don't try to stop them their destruction is certain. Thus it is with sin.<br />
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The Bible tells that there is coming a time when people will not endure sound doctrine, but will seek teachers that will tell them what they want to hear, leading them away into deception (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%204:3-4&version=NIV" target="_blank">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a>). As Christians it is our duty to hold the line and not compromise the message of the Bible. That doesn't mean that we have to be hateful. In fact, it would be best if we're not. We are to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4:15&version=NIV" target="_blank">speak the truth in love</a>. Does it guarantee that we won't still be hated and reviled as ignorant? No. Jesus always spoke the truth in love and they crucified Him. The Bible tells us that we will become a fragrance to all we encounter – to some we'll be the beautiful fragrance of Christ but to others the stench of death. It will all depend on the path they are taking.<br />
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We must be willing to stand unblinking before the wrath of the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%206:12&version=KJV" target="_blank">spirits controlling those we love</a> and desire to see born again. We must hold up the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1:22-24&version=NIV" target="_blank">mirror of the Word</a> before them so that they know their true condition and recognize their need for the radical change that can only come from the Savior. We must keep loving them even though they think we are the enemy. And we must believe that God will get through to them eventually as we pray and hold the line against their deception. Never quit! He is mighty to save.<br />
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I never dreamed that Jesus' words in Matthew 10 would be true for me. But I was wrong.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-85757195227001496662010-05-05T21:39:00.003-04:002010-05-05T22:22:07.459-04:00Life is InterestingThings have been busy lately. As if that were news!<br /><br />Last weekend my girlfriend scored tickets to the Martina McBride concert in Greensboro. It was a pretty good concert. Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan opened for her. I think the most impressive thing she did though was ride a crescent moon prop across the coliseum while singing the whole time. She ended up on a little mini stage at the back of the coliseum where she sang a couple songs, and then WALKED singing through the crowd back to the stage shaking hands, hugging necks, and waving to the crowd. Impressive.<br /><br />Saturday I planted the rest of my corn, another row of lima beans, some more basil, and some sage. I also planted a hill of cantaloupe. I worked on some of the irrigation too.<br /><br />Saturday night we had a celebration for my mom's birthday. My brother made some tasty turkey burgers with spinach and feta cheese. My sister made a really tasty angel food cake trifle with pineapple and vanilla pudding. And I contributed a veggie slaw (that doesn't use any sugar or mayonnaise) South Beach mashed cauliflower, and a wilted spinach dish with portabella mushrooms, asparagus, and cashews. It was a tasty repast!<br /><br />Sunday I got to play bass at church. It was fun. I haven't gotten to play bass in ages, so I was a little rusty, but I still had a good time.<br /><br />At work this week I have been trying to get used to some new software. We bought an upgrade to our database program. It is definitely an improvement, but the learning curve has been a little steep. It has slowed down a lot of my administrative duties as I have been trying to figure out where everything goes in the program. It isn't extremely intuitive. A lot of the functionality is hidden until you know where to look for it - which really isn't any different than the last version of the program. I wish they had done a widespread beta. I would have liked to make some suggestions that I think would have made it better. The program is called MarketsharpM, and if you are involved in any type of building industry, I would recommend it. They have a good team of people supporting it and the program is affordable and powerful.<br /><br />I hope that you all voted yesterday. This primary came up on me pretty quickly. I really didn't have the time to prepare like I would have liked to, but I did feel pretty good about the choices that I made. I was disappointed that James Taylor didn't upset Howard Coble, but I can still put my support behind Howard. I like the way Coble votes, but I just think it is time for him to move on, and I like the way James is thinking.<br /><br />My band has moved to two a week practices now. We only have 26 days until we will be playing at our church's outreach called "Fields Of Grace." Fields of Grace will be a series of outdoor events beginning the last Sunday night in May. My band will be playing the first Sunday night in June, and there will be concerts the next two Sunday nights. We're just trying to get the salt out of the shaker a little bit.<br /><br />This weekend will be tricky. I want to get up to visit my Grandmother for Mother's Day (that's this Sunday, by the way) but I still have some gardening that needs to be done. I need to plant my last row of lima beans and want to plant another hill of watermelon and cantaloupe. I may also have some sweet potatoes to plant, and they will need water so I'll have to get my irrigation sorted out better than it is right now. It is always something. I have already spent as much on this garden as I really want to. Oh well.<br /><br />So that is the latest. I hope all is going well for you! Thanks for reading!Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-29551999101003071282010-04-29T22:23:00.003-04:002010-04-29T22:54:14.057-04:00Garden UpdateWell, things have been going pretty well in the garden so far. Two weeks ago I planted half of my tomatoes and some lima beans. Last week I planted just about everything else. I hope to get the rest of it planted Saturday.<br /><br />When I went out yesterday to check things I saw that most of my first row of lima beans have come up. I was very pleased to see that. If I can get my irrigation out I'm sure it won't be long until the others follow suit.<br /><br />So far we have about 50 tomato plants, a dozen squash plants, half a dozen zucchini, a long row of blackeye peas, a long row of purple hull peas, a long row of green beans, 2 long rows of lima beans, a hill of watermelons, a dozen jalapeno peppers, 3 red bell peppers, 3 poblano peppers, 3 yellow bell peppers, 3 green bell peppers, 3 purple bell peppers, 3 mild banana peppers, 2 dill plants, one basil plant, and one cabbage plant (that belongs to my niece.) Oh yeah, and three short rows of corn.<br /><br />Still to be planted are two rows of lima beans (one will get planted next week) three or 4 rows of corn, cucumbers, and several hills of cantaloupes, water melons, and maybe even a hill of honeydew if I can find it. I also have some sweet potatoes to see if I can sprout. I may do some of them too.<br /><br />It still sounds like a lot, but not so much really. I will probably plant the rest of the corn, one row of lima beans, and one hill of cantaloupe on Saturday. If I can find it I'll probably do a hill of honeydew too.<br /><br />This year I selected 4 main varieties of tomato. I have a dozen Better Boy plants, because that has been my family's favorite for years. I have also planted a dozen Roma tomatoes for canning and salsa. There is also dozen Celebrity for eating, canning and salsa. Finally, I got a dozen Cherokee Purple for juice. I also added a grape tomato and another "tommytoe" variety. And my friend Terry gave me another variety that I have divided into three plants. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of that one.<br /><br />Saturday's work in the garden will also be spent getting my irrigation sorted - or at least planned. Every year you have to chase leaks, and I'll have to take some time to find out what hoses are working, which ones can be repaired, and which ones need to be trashed. Then I can figure out what else I need. I also need to put down some lime and fertilizer. It probably wouldn't hurt to get the tomato stakes in the ground too.<br /><br />So far the weeds haven't shown up yet, but when they do, I have a handy new pointy hoe to take care of them, thanks to my girlfriend's mom! As much work as gardening is, for some reason I really enjoy it.<br /><br />Well, that's all for the farm report tonight! I'll try to get you caught up this weekend.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-9776510008927187412010-04-29T20:22:00.003-04:002010-04-29T22:07:28.646-04:00FrustratedHello, friends. It has been difficult finding the time to write here. I have started several posts at different times, but finishing one has been a major challenge. It would seem that my time management skills need some improvement. I am always amazed by the folks that are able to get massive amounts of stuff done with their days. I have that from time to time, but by and large I find that my time is stolen from me by little annoying things more than not.<br /><br />OK, enough whining - about that anyway. If any of you out there were like me, but found a method that helped you to consistently manage your time well, I'd love to hear about it.<br /><br />To get more to the point of my title, I am quite frustrated by what I see happening to my country. Every day (literally) I read another headline that points to the greatly decayed state of the union. Every day it is a new revelation of corruption - every day some new abomination laden bill sneaking its way through congress or being ram-rodded through it. And each report brings with it the certainty that my freedoms and rights are being eroded at an alarming rate. I have honestly never been so angry.<br /><br />As an aside, something else that really pisses me off is the gall of progressives to call themselves that. What a load of crap! Progressive insinuates a moving toward something better, but the path that they would lead us down is anything but better. The progressive path is one headed 180° away from God and his Law. They steal but justify it by claiming that they are doing it to help the poor (which they never manage to actually do). They murder but call it choice. They slander but call it freedom of speech. They lie and call it truth. A perfect example is Al Gore, who was reported to have purchased an $8 million ocean front home this week. Guess he's not too worried about rising ocean levels after all. No, progressive does not match what they are. They are bad, old-fashioned liberals.<br /><br />And then I begin to wonder, what can I do? Protesting obviously does no good, and violence does no good. Neither do phone calls or emails or written letters. I am losing confidence in the republic. The only hope that I have right now is in prayer and in my vote this November. <br /><br />Truly, I can't wait for November to get here. God grant that the right heads roll. I would be shocked if there are more than a dozen each in the House and Senate that deserve to be there. I hope that when the dust settles that they are the only ones left. Change is clearly needed - but not of the variety that the current administration has brought. I only hope that God will favor us with a majority of leaders who love what America has historically stood for, are fiscally responsible, are willing to call a spade a spade, can't be bought, are willing to make tough choices for the sake of our country, and who don't give a rat's left hind tit if they get re-elected or not. I'd vote for someone like that any day.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-35106724794348686112010-04-29T20:07:00.005-04:002010-04-29T20:12:32.282-04:00Interesting MusicI discovered these guys through a friend's post on Facebook and really like their creativity and energy. They are called Pomplamoose. They remind me of my friends, the Dicksons. I hope you enjoy them too! This is one of my favorites, but they have a very diverse repertoire!<br /><br /><object width="400" height="248"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LNpwBpZUrzk&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LNpwBpZUrzk&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="248"></embed></object>Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-80031896292631942252010-04-06T23:07:00.005-04:002010-04-06T23:46:06.199-04:00Mission From GodSo, me and the guys are putting the band back together. We've been trying to get practices going again because we're supposed to play a gig at our church on June 6th.<br /><br />This time we are planning to incorporate some "secular" songs in the mix. We did some work on U2's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHcP4MWABGY" target="_blank">Pride (In The Name Of Love)</a> last week and it went well. This week I am thinking about bringing this song:<br /><br /><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1EVd_zghQXA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1EVd_zghQXA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object><br /><br />I like the key Sara is doing it in. Great song. I also like Edwin McCain's version. I could hear Chris Daughtry singing it too.<br /><br />I did some checking for tabs for this song and got wildly different versions - all of them wrong. The good news is that I was able to piece most of it together from the different versions that I found. I still have one chord that I can't figure out. There is a passing chord at the end of the chorus that I can't quite figure out. I have something that works, but it isn't what they are doing in Sara's version. If only Justin and Sara (from the Stillwaters Jazz Band) were right up the street I would bug them and get some help!<br /><br />We're also looking at doing Daughtry's "Home." I have found a really good acoustic version online, but haven't been able to quite figure out what this fellow is doing. I think that he is using an alternative tuning because I can't make the chords that it looks like he is playing work in the tuning that I use.<br /><br /><object height="324" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Uf_ME59M21c&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Uf_ME59M21c&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="324" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />Of course then we have to find someone who can pull off the song vocally. I'm praying that the Lord will help me to do justice to these songs or that He'll provide someone who can!<br /><br />Another song that I like comes from a somewhat surprising source. I've really been drawn to Nickleback's song "If Today Were Your Last Day."<br /><br /><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hxStvvrqve4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hxStvvrqve4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object><br /><br />Good song. The "official" video is pretty good too, but there is something about the image of the black doctor working on the injured Klansman in this one that is really powerful.<br /><br />Well, it is getting late so I'll wrap this up. Happy listening!Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-3197015541539086222010-04-06T22:08:00.002-04:002010-04-06T23:05:37.117-04:00PerspectiveIt has been an interesting season.<br /><br />Boy, if those aren't loaded words. Terry Pratchett wrote a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Interesting-Times-INTERESTING-Market-Paperback/dp/B001SRSUX8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270607216&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Interesting Times</a>. I haven't read it yet, but if I understand correctly one of the greatest curses that you can invoke on a person on Discworld (the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoknapatawpha_County" target="_blank">Yoknapatawpha County</a> of Pratchett's imagination) was that they would live in interesting times - which are always a bit more interesting in retrospect than they are when being lived out. Ask <a href="http://www.amazon.com/J-R-R-Tolkien-Boxed-Hobbit-Rings/dp/0345340426/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270607361&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Frodo</a> if his times were interesting, and he would have most likely responded, "No, they were bloody awful." Yet for the Hobbit urchins gathered around him listening to the stories of his adventures they were fraught with intrigue and fascination.<br /><br />I love the way <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Dead-Glory-Heart-Fully/dp/0785288295/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270607102&sr=8-1" target="_blank">John Eldredge</a> put it,<br /><br /><blockquote>Twenty clear days a year - that sounds about like my life. I think I see what's really going on about that often. The rest of the time, it feels like a fog, like the bathroom mirror after a hot shower. You know what I mean. What exactly are you perfectly clear on these days? How about your life? Why have things gone the way they have? Where was God in all that? And do you know what you ought to do next, with a deep, settled confidence that it will work out? Neither do I. Oh, I'd <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span> to wake each morning knowing exactly who I am and where God is taking me. Zeroed in on all my relationships, undaunted in my calling. It's awesome when I do see. But for most of us, life seems more like driving along with a dirty windshield and then turning into the sun. I can sort of make out the shapes ahead, and I think the light is green.<br />- <span style="font-style: italic;">Waking The Dead</span> p. 5<br /></blockquote><br />Yeah, that pretty well sums it up.<br /><br />Lately I have asked the Lord - at the encouragement of my significant other - what the future might look like for me. Not some sort of crystal ball inquiry, but a real frank discussion with Him about direction and destiny. I was surprised to have some answers and to see some really disparate puzzle pieces put into context with each other. It was really nice to see how these vastly different interests could possibly work together. It was encouraging to see that even pieces that I received years ago were not "misses" but are still a part of the plan.<br /><br />I won't say that I have the road map, but at least I have a good general lay of the land now. That is comforting. I hope I can remember that when journeying through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirkwood" target="_blank">Mirkwood</a>. All journeys seem destined to pass through its depths, don't they?<br /><br />I have friends plumbing some of the same depths that I have over the past 20 years. It is hard to see them struggling. I hurt for them, but I am also encouraged by their struggle, for it shows me that the Lord has taken notice of them, and He is in the process of disciplining them to make them more like Himself and to help them love Him better.<br /><br />So often we look at discipline (at least in the United States) as something that is for those who have done something bad. Yet God's discipline is not like that. See, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3:12&version=NIV" target="_blank">those whom He loves He disciplines</a>. It is kind of hard to understand until you experience it. Often what God is after isn't some great sin pattern in our lives. The thing that often brings His discipline is wrong thinking and wrong heart attitudes that keep us from knowing Him and loving Him correctly. These are almost never our fault, but are the result of woundings that we receive throughout the course of our life.<br /><br />It is nice to have a little perspective. It makes the discipline a lot more bearable.<br /><br />So, to my friends who are hopelessly lost in Mirkwood's haunts (now or in the future) my prayer is that you will quickly discover that you are not alone, that God is right there with you, and that God is GOOD. You aren't as lost as you seem. God knows right where you are, and none of this surprises Him. He's got you right where you need to be. Rest in these truths.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-24998278184255276842010-04-02T23:31:00.003-04:002010-04-02T23:42:41.119-04:00Garden Time AgainToday was the official beginning of gardening season for me this year. I got to disk the garden, which was pretty fun. But then it is always pretty fun to get to drive the tractor.<br /><br />I had thought to go ahead and till tomorrow, but I think I am going to hold off. I don't really want to plant anything for the next couple weeks until I am reasonably sure that the danger of frost is past. I'm not planning to do any colder weather crops this year.<br /><br />As I have been thinking about things, I am reasonably sure that I will do tomatoes, green beans, corn, cantaloupes, watermelons, peppers, squash, cucumbers, basil, and fordhook lima beans. I am also probably going to do black-eyed peas as well.<br /><br />I plan to do a lot of tomatoes - at least 4 dozen plants. I want to do a dozen Cherokee Purple plants for juice, a dozen Better Boys and a dozen Celebrity for just plain eating, and a dozen Romas for canning and salsa. I'll probably also throw in some grape/cherry tomato plants too. I had good results from the Goliath hybrids last year too. They produced longer than the others did. I may do a few of them too. I'd like to do at least 2 Ox Hearts too. That's a lot of tomatoes.<br /><br />I am going to try something different with my lima beans this year. I am planning to wait until most of the beans on the bushes are just beginning to turn a little yellow and then pull up the plants. In the past two years I have only gotten 1-2 good pickings off of the plants and the first was always bigger than the second. I think that I will have better results by planting pulling and re-planting than by doing what I have done before. Time will tell. Gardening is a great place to experiment!<br /><br />Well, that is all for now. I'll keep you updated!Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-42440557091331811472010-03-18T20:47:00.004-04:002010-04-29T22:15:43.911-04:00Where Does The Time Go?I'm just sitting down here to start writing and looking at the clock, thinking, "how the heck did it get to be a quarter to nine?" Where did the time go? Germany?<br /><br /><object width="400" height="248"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8aogkvXy9Jc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8aogkvXy9Jc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="248"></embed></object><br /><br />I turned the computer on about 4 hours ago. Of course, I probably spent more than two hours watching partial clips on the Fox News website about this damnable healthcare bill that the President is trying to push on us without the benefit of a kiss. I am praying so hard for this thing to finally die the death that it should have died in committee.<br /><br />I love the way they are trying to "help" us. According to all the accounts that I have heard about this bill, it would force all Americans to be covered by some sort of health insurance. That sounds great, right? Well, just how great does it sound? I was talking to a friend of mine who works for the state of North Carolina. Do you know how much he has to pay to cover his 30ish-year-old wife? Over $600 a month. Now let's consider someone who is working for minimum wage. I think that rate is $7.25/hour.<br /><br />Let's assume a 3,000 hour work year. For normal people it would be 2,000, but someone on minimum wage would have to work two jobs at least best case scenario. That would amount to an annual wage of $21,750 prior to taxes - $1,812.50 a month BEFORE taxes.<br /><br />Based on the <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Household-Budget-Percentage-Breakdown-Is-Typical?&id=184959" target="_blank">percentages that I found for a typical US household</a> approximately $600 would be spent on housing, $230 on food, $275 on transportation. At least another $300 would be spent on utilities. That tallies to $1,405, leaving only $407.50 for taxes and all other expenses. This scenario would be difficult for a single person. It would only be exacerbated for a single income family. <br /><br />Check my math, but how would someone in that income bracket afford a $600 monthly insurance bill? Yet the government is going to tell that person that he must choose between, food, clothing, heat, or transportation and health insurance or face a fine - a fine that could eventually land the individual in jail if not paid. A fine that would end up causing the individual to incur legal expenses in addition to their other normal expenses. No thanks. I don't want help like that.<br /><br />So, it would appear that the government is coming down on the side of insurance. I mean, if everyone has to have some sort of health coverage and there isn't going to be a public option then that means insurers will be the ones still making the money. And I am sure that there will be minimum coverage requirements. This is going to prevent any real change from taking place. If everyone is having to cough up the big bucks that the insurers will charge or face a fine then you are creating a situation that will introduce a moral risk. <br /><br />It is a lot like people who go to a buffet. They may satisfied after the first plate, but because they have paid a higher fee for "all you can eat" then the inclination is to make sure that they got their money's worth even if they have to make themselves miserable to do it. <br /><br />The same thing will happen with health care. Because you will have people who are having to sacrifice to make their monthly insurance payments, you can rest assured that they are going to go to the doctor for every little thing. This will put further pressure on the insurance companies to maintain the hefty profits that they are accustomed to resulting in rate increases and compensation decreases to medical providers. It will also increase demand on medical resources. <br /><br />These pressures will create another "HEALTHCARECRISIS!!!!!!" That will give the government an excuse to create a one-payer system - a system with a dismal success rate historically. The only joy I would get from that is watching Michael Moore's fat butt getting turned away from a government run health clinic because he used up his quota of medicine.<br /><br />I pray to God that this mess can be undone.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-23465979928211596232010-03-17T20:07:00.002-04:002010-03-17T23:57:18.608-04:00It's Been A Long, Long TimeWow. It has been forever since I last posted here. I think a lot of that has had to do with some fairly major changes that have taken place since my last posting. On November 25 I ended an almost three-year-long period of what mostly amounted to unemployment. I have taken a job as the office manager of a small home improvement company that specializes in windows and sunrooms. I'm not going to be taking over Wall Street from this position, but at least I am not losing ground any more, and I do actually enjoy the work most days.<br /><br />I was somewhat concerned before I got back to work about whether I would be able to handle the 8-5 grind again. I didn't know if I would have the stamina for it. I didn't know if I could handle working for someone else again. I could on both accounts thankfully.<br /><br />I also started dating someone back in August. Things have gone well for the most part. Today marks 7 months since we re-started our relationship. Seven months on St. Patrick's Day? That has to be a good omen! We had actually dated before back about 9 years ago. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Most</span> days we get along fine!<br /><br />Need I say more? The truth is that those two things have in themselves changed my life fairly dramatically. Since I barely had enough time to engage in all the things I wanted to do when I wasn't gainfully employed and was not sharing my time with someone else it really isn't surprising that I have had a lack of time as a good excuse to be absent.<br /><br />But beyond that I really haven't had the desire, motivation, spark, interest, whatever to write much. I really haven't had that much to say.<br /><br />I am so utterly disgusted with the political situation in our country right now that I can barely stand to read the headlines, let alone try to comment on my thoughts. Frankly, most of my thoughts about these things are largely unprintable. I have tried to insulate myself from politics as much as possible. I am so completely annoyed with both parties. While I wouldn't go so far as to say that they are both equally worthless, would be willing to concede that they are both worthless. My only in depth comment is that I hope the Democrats manage to render themselves a non-party through voter backlash if they force this health care bill through. Tarring and feathering all of the "leadership" of that party would be too mild a punishment in my opinion - even if the tar were <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">very</span> hot. (I am only being mildly hyperbolic here....)<br /><br />Speaking of hot, how about all of this global warming this year? I guess it is a good thing. We would have frozen to death if it hadn't been for that. Al Gore just continues proving that his grip on reality is tenuous at best. Of course, it may just be that his grip on the reality of the money he is making peddling his lies is enough to skew his vision so that he understands how global warming is a reality in spite of all evidence to the contrary.<br /><br />I have watched Ben Stein's movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed</span> a couple times recently. I am stricken by just how much of Al Gore's brand of "science" has become the standard today. In the movie you see "scientist" after "scientist" who have "suppressed the truth in unrighteousness" and as a result have become "futile in their speculations and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise they have become fools," to loosely quote some key parts of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%201&version=NASB" target="_blank">Romans 1</a>. It is pitiful really.<br /><br />One of the scientists forcefully declared that it would be utterly boring to consider that a God or some intelligent being may have created the universe. How tragic that one day very soon most likely (if it hasn't already happened - at the time of the airing of the film he had a recurrence of brain cancer) he will face God and see the most fascinating entity that there ever was and won't ever be able to explore Him. He will be plagued down through eternity with the knowledge that he could have made endless discoveries studying God and His creation yet he chose eternal damnation instead because he thought God would be utterly boring. I hope that God was merciful on him and rescued him, but I doubt that He did.<br /><br />Anyway, enough rambling for now. I am going to make every effort to get back to writing regularly - perhaps not every day, but at least a couple times a week. That has come about as a result of a conversation with a friend of mine who is in a home group that meets in my house every week for prayer and fellowship. As he was leaving two weeks ago he said to me something like, "If you're not sure what to do, go back to the last thing that God told you to do and do that."<br /><br />I had to think on it a little while before I remembered what I was supposed to be doing. The last thing that I believe I heard from the Lord was to write about discipleship topics. It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since I did that last. I shared that with a couple other people who both confirmed that I needed to get my butt back in gear and start writing. So here I am. Hopefully, I will be able to finish the next installment in the Spiritual Warfare series that I began all that time ago. I know that I have said that before, but I'm actually a little more motivated to do so this time. More to come soon!Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-72643207046224463262009-11-05T23:47:00.003-05:002009-11-06T00:07:42.020-05:00Let Your Voice Be HeardCall your representatives and senators and let them know what you think while you still can.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CT7xfoSiH5Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CT7xfoSiH5Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />There is a program going on in my nephew's and niece's school that is seeking to socialize every child with a bunch of ill-conceived psychobabble. The teachers are being forced to take instructional time away from class - EVERY class - to teach this rubbish. <br /><br />If the teachers don't hang the posters for this initiative they can be fired. If they don't lead the class in the song and hand motions for the initiative they can be fired. ALL of the children are being forced to participate. Any child refusing to participate - even if they merely refuse to do the hand motions MUST be sent to the principal's office. If the teacher doesn't send them to the office the teacher can be fired. Complaints are met with reminders that there are plenty of people who would love to have the teacher's job.<br /><br />This is the kind of crap that our government is trying to force on us. This is not the way America does things! It is the way the Nazis did things and the way that the Soviets and Chinese did things. If we don't learn to stand up and say, "NO!" then they will keep on pushing until they take every last ounce of freedom and dignity left to us.<br /><br />But will we be courageous enough to be the first one to stand up and say no? Will we be courageous enough to join the others who have stood up against tyranny and suffer the consequences? Are we willing to pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor? If we hang together, we won't have to hang separately. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!!!!Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-81622583437271714332009-11-05T21:53:00.006-05:002009-11-05T22:35:54.639-05:00Paying For AbominationsI discovered today that Nancy Pelosi and company have included a provision in the health care "reform" bill that has been dubbed "Obamacare" that would cover elective abortions under the so-called "public option," and that all subscribers to the public option would be forced to pay premium for abortions. <a href="http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=666" target="_blank">See for yourself</a>.<br /><br />It would seem that the folks in Washington haven't learned a thing from the polls and from the town hall meetings of this past summer. Perhaps we can teach them the lesson better next October. The arrogance of the ruling party in Washington is stunning. It is time for a fanny smack.<br /><br />Well, not just the ruling party in Washington. It is time for everyone in DC to get a wake-up call. Granted there are probably a few people doing a good job. I will do my homework and determine if the ones that I have a say over are or not and will vote accordingly next November. They can rest assured that if they have voted for this horrible bill or for cap and trade that they will not get my vote regardless of whatever else they have done while in office. Indeed, I will actively campaign against them. I may even run against them.<br /><br />Here is what we are dealing with...<br /><br /><object width="518" height="419"><param name="movie" value="http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/eyeblast.swf?v=Gd6UqGuzVr"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/eyeblast.swf?v=Gd6UqGuzVr" allowfullscreen="true" width="342" height="277"></embed></object><br /><br />"Health, welfare, and defense?" Um, that isn't in the constitution. It is bad when a school kid doesn't know about the constitution. It is even worse when a US Senator doesn't. But the real problem is that even if he knew what it said, he doesn't care. He is interested in his own agenda.<br /><br />The interview covers the penalties built into "Obamacare" for folks that don't have some sort of insurance. One thing that wasn't covered was the fact that there is provision for a person who refuses to pay such a fine to be jailed. Great. That's awesome.<br /><br />So, how about people who are unemployed or underemployed? Are we going to force them to buy this coverage too? What that in effect will do is tell someone that they have to choose between putting food on the table, heat in the house, gas in the tank, clothes on their backs and going to jail. Brilliant. I just love Democratic compassion.<br /><br />See <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/11/05/battling-pelosicare/" target="_blank">Michelle Malkin's article on protests in Washington</a> today.<br /><br />Keep stoking the fires, y'all. Keep stoking them.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-15700487682879173722009-11-05T21:37:00.005-05:002009-11-05T21:52:47.273-05:00Nidal Malak Hasan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yskYk_MZY4c/SvON2sa7XjI/AAAAAAAABOY/_-CWUO7fXaE/s1600-h/US+Flag-capitol-half+staff-honor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yskYk_MZY4c/SvON2sa7XjI/AAAAAAAABOY/_-CWUO7fXaE/s320/US+Flag-capitol-half+staff-honor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400816348923911730" border="0" /></a>This is the name of the man who killed a dozen soldiers today at Ft. Hood. He injured 31 others. He was killed in the incident. It is an interesting name, Nidal Malak Hasan. We have been assured that this was not an act of political terrorism. Certainly they wouldn't lie to us. Would they? I hope not, but I know better. At least Nidal knew the difference between a combatant and a civilian.<br /><br />My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in this attack. May God comfort them and bring healing. My thanks are extended to all who honorably serve our nation in the armed forces. Today's tragic events are a reminder that whether home or abroad these folks put their lives on the line for us every day. God bless and protect the people of our military.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-46491291072309562482009-11-05T15:27:00.002-05:002009-11-05T21:36:34.080-05:00I Have StartedI have begun work on the next installment of the Spiritual Warfare series. It will be about being properly dressed for battle. There is a good bit of scriptural research to do on the subject, and it will probably take me a few days to process it all. It feels good to be working towards writing again. It has been a long hiatus.<br /><br />This weekend I will be going to the <a href="http://www.ihop.org/Groups/1000037742/International_House_of/Ministries/onething/Events/2009/2009.aspx" target="_blank">One Thing</a> conference at <a href="http://www.kpic.org/" target="_blank">King's Park International Church</a> in Durham, NC. I have been looking forward to going since I first heard about it months ago. It is hard to believe that November is already here.<br /><br />I don't know what I am looking forward to specifically. I think that I am hoping for a supercharge - a shot of nitro - to propel me into a deeper pursuit of the Lord than I am experiencing right now. That is not to say that I am not pursuing Him, but it seems that my pursuit is lacking something important, and I hope to find some keys to help me kick it up a notch or four. I'm not hungry enough for Him right now. I need to be desperate for more.<br /><br />I was so challenged by the <span style="font-weight: bold;">One Thing '08</span> conference that I watched last December. Today I found two of the sermons that challenged me most online. The first was by Corey Russell. I watched it about once a week when they had it on their website during and right after the conference. I was really bummed when the <a href="http://www.ihop.org/" target="_blank">International House Of Prayer</a> took it off their website. But I was thrilled when I discovered it online today.<br /><br /><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3529136697211188755&hl=en#" target="_blank">Corey Russell - The Call To Consecration</a><br /><br />The other sermon was by Lou Engle and was just as powerful.<br /><br /><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8019093035153503459&ei=lObySquNKI3uqQKH0ow9&q=lou+engle&hl=en#" target="_blank">Lou Engle - Our Nazirite Calling</a><br /><br />So I am hoping to hear at least one of these fellows at the conference this weekend. It is going to be great, but I wonder if I am as well prepared as I should be to receive from this conference. May the Lord meet us all there.<br /><br />Lately I have been teaming up with a good friend to do some web design. It has been good, but challenging. I suppose that anytime you try to start something there is a decent amount of inertia to overcome. Unfortunately for us the resistance may have cost us some opportunities, but hopefully it will show us the things that we need to work on and will propel us to greater excellence. In fact, I need to keep this short tonight so that I can do some work on one of our contracts before my girlfriend calls.<br /><br />It has been an interesting season. There is a lot in transition, and I feel to my core that some big changes are in the works - good changes! I felt when I turned 40 a few weeks ago that it was significant in a good way - that there was a coming out of the wilderness after a long time. I'd be lying if I told you that I am not looking forward to enjoying the fruits of the Promised Land. They have been a long time in coming. Now to figure out how to walk this out.<br /><br />But even there my good friend, Bruce, has had a good word, quoting the<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%203:2-5&version=NIV" target="_blank"> passage in Joshua</a> where the people are admonished, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God <span style="font-style: italic;">(representing God's presence and His glory),</span> and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.... Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you</span>."<br /><br />That's what I am interested in - seeing the Lord do amazing things among us. But clearly the cost is a consecrated life. Am I willing to dedicate my life to His call that I may see Him do amazing things? I hope so. I have spent much time in His crucible. It would be a shame to become complacent after all of that. May the Lord continue to push all of us further in our pursuit of Him.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-25251981339075736782009-11-02T01:16:00.004-05:002009-11-02T01:26:46.350-05:00Dang...Sorry, the post didn't quite happen today. I'm still trying to figure out where the day went. By the time I had finished two phone calls and a visit it was time to go watch some baseball. Yes, I am putting World Series Baseball ahead of a blog post.<br /><br />Not completely sure how I feel about the Yankees winning tonight. I'm still kind of ticked at them for firing Joe Torre. Not the players' fault I guess though.<br /><br />Finished off the night watching a special on Fox News about the textbook industry. With each new piece of information I receive the chance that any future children of mine will be educated by the state continues to diminish. I am so tired of the propaganda, lies, and wrong-headedness being unleashed on this nation. Sadly, I'm pretty sure it will get worse before it gets better. God help us. It seems like the nation has been taken over by a bunch of tinfoil hat wearing freaks.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-20334458978969131092009-11-01T13:42:00.003-05:002009-11-01T13:57:07.409-05:00No Really, I'm Back...Greetings from the world's slackest blogger! OK, maybe I'm not the world's <span style="font-style: italic;">slackest</span> blogger, but I'm a far cry from the posting that I did last year. Last year I had months that I posted more than I have all year this year. Hmmm. Don't know exactly why that is, but I think part of it is that I didn't have a goal this year of writing an average of one post a day. That was the difference between last year and this. All other activity has pretty much been the same otherwise, so that must be the cause.<br /><br />Anyway, I hope to do at least one more post today - actually the next installment of my <a href="http://xsandos.blogspot.com/search/label/Spiritual%20Warfare%20Series" target="_blank">spiritual warfare series</a>. If all goes as planned this afternoon I will be writing about the armor of God. After that I hope to tackle grace, and after that I intend to write on holiness. Hopefully you won't have to wait six more months to get those installments! I will say, though, that grace is a tricky subject to write about, and I have found in the past that it is hard to communicate in words the concept adequately. I guess I am in good company though. Paul's teaching on grace seemed to often be misunderstood. Indeed, I think it is often still misconstrued.<br /><br />So that will give you something to look forward to! Keep praying for me if you are impatient and want these posts to come faster! I am confident that it will help.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-10928888766271781252009-10-24T01:18:00.004-04:002009-10-24T02:00:52.845-04:00No One To Defend The HelplessI don't know if you heard about the Muslim girl who converted to Christianity who has been (somewhat) in the news lately. She ran away from home because she feared that her family would kill her. Today I was saddened to read the following headline:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569263,00.html?test=latestnews" target="_blank">Judge Orders Christian Convert Runaway to Return to Ohio</a><br /><br />My sister in the Lord is being forced back into a situation where she had reason to believe that she would be murdered by her own family. Perhaps the judge is grossly ignorant of the practices of Islam. After all we've been told that Islam is a "peaceful religion." But I've heard too many stories of Muslim converts to Christianity who find themselves "resting in peace" at the hands of those who should have undying love for them. <br /><br />I am curious what grounds the judge had for forcing this young woman to go back. She is 17 years old - only months from her 18th birthday. Hopefully, those few months will not be her last. I will have to do more research.<br /><br />The law is to protect the helpless, but in this country it never seems to. Where is justice? Where is the protection for the widow and the orphan? I am convinced that the state of our justice system makes God want to vomit.<br /><br />I will be praying for this sister. I have been praying - but perhaps not diligently enough. But one thing is sure: God - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Great I Am, The Sinner's Hope - will be glorified by this young woman's life.<br /><br /><blockquote>Lord God,<br /><br />I ask you to protect my sister's life. I ask you to give her courage and strength to face this unjust decision and to trust Your sovereignty and Your goodness. Defend her life, Lord, and soften the hearts of every lost soul that she knows to come to the knowledge of you.<br /><br />Father, I know that this outcome does not surprise You, and I know that You have prepared her for this moment from before the foundation of time. Let Your Spirit hover close to her. Let her sense Your closeness and Your love. May Your angels encamp around her to keep her from even dashing her foot against a stone.<br /><br />Fill her with Your word and help her to not worry about what to say or what to do, but to trust that You will give her the words to say and the courage to face whatever comes. Lord God, I place her into Your hands.<br /><br />Amen.</blockquote><br /><br />God be with you, sister. I will be praying for you.<br /><br />UPDATE:<br /><br />In another article I read, the father says he loves his daughter and has <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,566101,00.html" target="_blank">no plans to harm her</a>. I hope he is telling the truth.<br /><br />But according to <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,541540,00.html" target="_blank">another article</a> the young lady sure seems to think something else:<br /><br /><blockquote>"If I had stayed in Ohio, I wouldn't be alive," she said. "In 150 generations in family, no one has known Jesus. I am the first — imagine the honor in killing me."<br /><br />"There is great honor in that, because if they love Allah more than me, they have to do it. It's in the Koran,"</blockquote><br />So who do you believe? I think you probably ought to err on the side of life. If it is possible that they may want to kill her then I think she should be allowed to protect her life. We'll see how it plays.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-81389483565534069802009-10-13T01:39:00.003-04:002009-10-13T01:59:49.797-04:00Good ArticleMike Adams is doing a series of articles this week that he is calling <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/MikeAdams/2009/10/12/profiles_in_courage?page=full&comments=true" target="_blank">Profiles In Courage</a> to encourage us that not all Americans are the moonbats that seem to be making all the headlines these days. You can read the first installment <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/MikeAdams/2009/10/12/profiles_in_courage?page=full&comments=true" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.<br /><br />Sorry I missed you guys during the month of September. A lot happened: I started dating a very special and lovely lady, I sorted through a lot of detritus from my past, I turned 40, started a men's prayer group in my house, and I began the process of dismantling the garden. I have been swamped. Thankfully, things in the garden are nearly at an end, so perhaps I can get the slackness out and start posting again. Thanks to all of you who have checked back to see if I am still alive. Your loyalty is truly appreciated. I will return to the spiritual warfare series and get things rolling with that again too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D39JYSEPL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D39JYSEPL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="Cover of The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane" title="Buy it now!" border="0" /></a>Speaking of spiritual warfare, an excellent book to check out on the subject (if you are interested) is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Battlegrounds-Depth-Spiritual-Heavenly/dp/1886296383/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255413028&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane</a>. I read it 20 years ago and thought, "Eh, it's OK." Now with some more experience and wisdom under my belt, I realize that it is a <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">fabulous</span> book. I am underlining about every other sentence. I re-read very few books. I'll probably start over in this one as soon as I finish it. Is that a strong enough endorsement? Get the book.<br /><br />Well, it is late, so I will bid you good night, but I will be back soon. Thanks for your support!Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-54822465808582001192009-10-13T01:34:00.001-04:002009-10-13T01:37:13.125-04:00Priceless...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.townhall.com/Townhall/Car/b/10-10-09nobelRGB20091010061500.jpg%20"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 462px; height: 350px;" src="http://media.townhall.com/Townhall/Car/b/10-10-09nobelRGB20091010061500.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-33091397130730194602009-08-29T08:15:00.004-04:002009-08-29T08:29:08.075-04:00Daggum!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object3/1652/45/n112104167632_3042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object3/1652/45/n112104167632_3042.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I can't believe it has been so hard to keep up my posting here lately. There are a couple of contributing factors though. My poor computer is in dire need of some attention - not nearly enough memory for what I am trying to do with it. This sad fact makes everything that I try to do with the computer take much longer than it should. The other major factor that has been playing in is the size of my garden. It has been much more demanding this year. Add to that a project that I have been working on at my parents' house to reclaim the basement from its oblivion as the world's largest junk repository and my participation in a new band, I guess it isn't too surprising that something had to give.<br /><br />Speaking of the band...<br /><br />If any of you are in close proximity to Rowan County today you should come out to Godstock. It is an annual festival that is held at the South Rowan YMCA on Kimball Road to raise money to help NC families with critically ill children. The money that is raised from Godstock doesn't go to pay medical bills, but is used to pay other expenses like car payments, rent, electricity, etc. for these families who have had to take a parent out of the work force to care for their sick child. It's a really good cause.<br /><br />Today my band, which is for the moment called Crosswire, will be playing at Godstock from 12:00 noon to about 1:30. Our style is rock. Our music is mostly worship. I wish I had been able to give you a little more notice. I will, however post some pictures in the next several days and let you know how things went.<br /><br />And with that I need to sign off and finish getting ready to go. I need to leave in about an hour and a half to get set up. In the meantime, I'll leave you with what I am listening to to get me psyched about today!<br /><br /><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WMTVzNlb-ms&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WMTVzNlb-ms&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="364" width="445"></embed></object>Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-3871830497189903012009-08-18T13:58:00.002-04:002009-08-18T14:06:57.624-04:00Interesting Point About President Obama's LegitimacyThis is a little dry, but it raises some issues that I hadn't heard about. I need to do some more research into her claims, but if what she is saying is true we have a real problem.<br /><br />Part 1<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xexm-LzZdRA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xexm-LzZdRA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Part 2<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gAN0LeSnVno&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gAN0LeSnVno&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-9171639295070205912009-08-08T11:03:00.007-04:002009-08-10T22:55:50.351-04:00Let Them Eat Cake InsteadI just finished reading a <a href="http://www.campaignforliberty.com/article.php?view=156&discuss=1#discuss" target="_blank">very well-reasoned and argued article</a> written by Steven Vasquez, the Interim New York State Coordinator for Campaign for Liberty, about why we should oppose any form of nationalized health care program. It is a long read but the arguments are brilliant.<br /><br />Here are a couple of my favorite parts:<br /><br /><blockquote>"When a government fails to obey its laws granted to it by the people, it loses its authority to exist."<br /><br />"The idea that health care is a right is incorrect and immoral. Is housing a right? Is driving a right? Is fresh water a right? Are video games and toys a right? They are privileges earned through productivity, not consumption. The rights we are given are inalienable, and our government can not grant those rights and is prohibited from taking them away through the Constitution's Bill of Rights. We would no longer be a Constitutional Republic, but a Collectivist state, should this occur."</blockquote><br />My biggest problem with this health care reform bill is that I see it as an overreaching by the US government in a massive power grab. The government can't run Medicare. It can't manage its own spending. It can't even run a ship disposal program. It has spent Social Security into oblivion and now they want to run health care? I don't think so.<br /><br />People are very angry about this and the other things that are happening in our government with good reason. No one is listening to them. Is there any better example of gross negligence than the fact that our "representatives" are not even reading the bills that they are voting for? How can you adequately represent your constituents' best interests when you haven't even read the freaking bill? How well would that play in a malpractice lawsuit? "Well the patient looked pretty sick so the doctor just dove in and started operating without reading his charts or talking to anyone about the patient's history first."<br /><br />And why is it necessary to have a 1,000 page bill ever? Who can possibly digest everything that is in it? And why the rush? If there is nothing to hide, then there should be no rush - especially on a bill that is thicker than an unabridged dictionary. Are people angry? Absolutely!<br /><br />And instead of listening and slowing down, the administration and many senators and congressmen are ridiculing this anger. I fear that it will be to their own pain. I have never seen the people of this country as angry as they are now, and that is not likely to end well. The problem is the arrogance of the ruling elite right now. They are going to do what they have deemed the "right thing" to do come hell or high water, and anyone who refutes them is labeled "a mob" or "un-American" or "a Brown Shirt."<br /><br />I managed to earn that scorn from a friend of a friend on Facebook this past weekend for venting a little bit about how utterly ticked I am. I find it funny that Brown Shirts seem to often characterize anyone who disagrees with them as a Brown Shirt. In truth it is the proponents of this bill that are acting the most like fascists.<br /><br />Is it un-American to protest the loss of liberty that we are threatened with by this administration's policies? The left didn't think so when they were protesting President Bush's policies. I doubt that John Adams or Patrick Henry would have thought so. They both openly pushed for outright war with England! Talk about a rabble rouser! The founders would be appalled that the nation that they sacrificed so much to birth has come to this.<br /><br />Most Americans have come to understand that the government doesn't listen to polite. It only understands passion - because passion is the only power that the people really have. When people get passionate enough they start acting, and that gets really unpredictable for politicians. Except the current group of Do-dahs that is up there now thinks that they'll be able to pull a Goebbels and repeat the lie long enough for the simple to believe it. And yet, even the President, master of rhetoric that he is, cannot avoid the truth that under his plan there will be certain points where treatment will be withheld.<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xJYvaLS-xOw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xJYvaLS-xOw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />I really wish I had time tonight to get into more detail about the problems that are coming out about this bill and about some of the alternatives that I have pondered, but it just isn't going to happen. Perhaps I can return to it soon and go into greater depth. Apparently Senator Burr from North Carolina has made a <a href="http://burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.Articles&ContentRecord_id=9a094ead-fe42-1ea5-d9d7-ca6c14a9e6ec&Region_id=&Issue_id" target="_blank">proposal of his own</a> that I would like to read. <br /><br />The bottom line is that the powers that be need to get a grip on reality, start listening to the people, pay attention to their anger, take them seriously, and readjust their thinking lest they, acting like Marie Antoinette, push the people too far and meet her same end.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-24035187064148357842009-08-08T10:47:00.003-04:002009-08-08T10:54:39.171-04:00EvolutionThe makers of Dove soap have begun a self esteem campaign for girls/women that is pretty cool. Their <a href="http://www.dove.us/?dl=/features/videos/default.aspx%7Ccp-documentid=8354359" target="_blank">website</a> contains some pretty amazing commercials that really show how Madison Avenue has negatively impacted the self esteem of millions of people the world over. One that really decloaks the beast is one called Evolution. It is definitely worth a watch. In fact, all the videos on the site are good.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211471.post-40621130619402674302009-08-07T08:51:00.003-04:002009-08-07T09:04:14.449-04:00The LatestIt has been a while since I have published, and that is almost entirely the garden's fault - that and the fact that I have hardly been home in the past month. Tomorrow I am finishing up a house-sitting commitment that I made, and then I'll be back to my own bed. YES! You know, it is hard to beat sleeping in your own bed.<br /><br />I overdid it with the garden this year for sure. Some things have been sadly neglected - like my purplehull peas. I'll be surprised if I get much from them at all this year. You do what you can do, and decide what to get done with the time that you have. Sadly, the purplehulls have taken a back seat to the limas, green beans and butter beans.<br /><br />The green beans and butter beans have done better this year than I ever imagined that they would though. I have only picked the limas once and have already gotten more than twice what I got all season last year. The butter beans have produced well too, but I have discovered that they are the devil to pick. They are about 10x harder to pick than the limas - and I used to think that limas were hard to pick. I doubt that I'll be planting butter beans next year. I don't like them well enough to justify the work involved in picking them.<br /><br />The broccoli has stopped and I need to pull it up, and my corn is coming along nicely. It is a little over knee high. I am still getting tomatoes too, but some of them have quit and others are starting to slow down some. My okra is doing nicely too. The green beans seem to be hitting their second wind, but I am leaving a couple rows for seed. The squash and zucchini are done, but my peppers are still producing very well.<br /><br />Well, that is all I have time for right now. You can expect to hear more from me next week!Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14487069956496294063noreply@blogger.com0