DPM!

The Good and the Bad

2008-06-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

Oh brothers near
and sisters far
That we through
distance see

With clarity
of vision now
that we can look
back on thee?

Perhaps the time has
come to rest our
unreasoning hostility?

If not, I'll get My gun.

http://www.johncoxart.com/2008/06/commissioned_piece.html

Homeland

2008-05-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

In the Rushes found
my place to be around about
a still calm sea
that as I see
becomes a part
of Me
and I
Rest.

This was inspired by a picture drawn by John Cox.
His website: http://www.johncoxart.com

Reflections

2008-02-26T21:56:00.000-08:00

What we see
Can illusion be
The picture shows
more than the mirror
knows

But what The painted
Brush stroke gives
Is a place
Where beauty
Lives.

This is a poem I wrote for John Cox art.
You can see the inspiration at http://www.johncoxart.com/ under the heading "Perception".

New year New posts New thoughts

2008-02-18T22:13:00.000-08:00

The year is 2008... It is time to move back toward G-d and the gifts He has blessed me with. I have found myself writing in other's blogs but not my own. For this, I apologize....

Thoughts...

When in the Times Before
I find myself
Remembering.
Those things that gave
Me Life
Have found new Life for
Themselves.

Of those who have Passed Before
I find myself
Hearing.
Those lessons learned and
Tests passed
Are now free to
Fly.

Business as Usual...

2007-08-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

I have finally come to the conclusion that, no matter what kind of superhero mental image I have for myself, I am just a plain ol' human. I see others doing things that I judge to be wrong, condemn them without mercy, and pronounce sentence in the form of a disparagement of some sort, usually with the word "moron" included in there somewhere. This has been brought to the fore recently, and just today I found out just how wrong I could be.

My wife and I have a favored Mexican food restaurant that we patronize quite often. As it happens, we found ourselves there this evening for an early dinner. As we pulled into the disabled parking (I have mobility issues with my hip) I noted a late model GM pickup parked the the handicapped spot next to mine didn't appear to have any sort of disabled placard or plate visible. My wife, perhaps sensing what was coming, put a hand on my arm and warned me, in this case, not to go into "cop mode" (I was once in law enforcement) and to keep my tongue in check.

Now this, you would think, would keep me from making an idiot out of myself. Uh, no. While I didn't go on a rant or actually start shouting or anything, I did circle the vehicle, noting make, model, and plate number. My wife simply rolled her eyes at me, waited patiently, and when I was done, took my arm and directed me firmly into the restaurant. After we were seated, I once more made some comment regarding people who would so callously ignore the laws we live under, again using the "m" word.

It was at this point that a man with what appeared to be two broken legs came by on crutches escorted by his wife's firm grip on his shoulder. Needless to say, they weren't moving very fast. As they went out the door near us, I heard the man note to his wife that he had forgot to take the placard out of the glove box.

They got into the pickup that was parked next to mine.

Yeah, that pickup.

G-d tells us in His Word that we should be careful in our judgements of others. He reminds us through things like what happened today that we can't treat everybody as guilty even though the world would say otherwise. All fall short of G-d's expectations and it is only because of what His son did for us on the cross that we are forgiven our shortcomings.

This means me, too.

Fortunately, G-d loves me and keeps a piece of "divine pine" handy just for occasions like this when I need some humility knocked into me...

G-d Bless You and Keep You!

Changes

2007-05-31T19:08:00.000-07:00

Everything Changes...

G-d has seen fit to allow me to go back to school. This is due to nothing that I have done. I am happy to report that I was able to maintain a 4.0 through my initial semester.

But this is not the big change...

G-d has allowed me to start to remake my home into a refuge for those who seek His word and council. We have begun to add rooms and to increase the library of spiritual information G-d has bestowed upon us.

But this isn't it, either.

G-d has provided a new means of increasing my mobility in the form of a power chair, a piece of equipment that will greatly enhance my ability to get around during my day to day life.

Nope, not this.

The thing that truly shows the greatest change?

My wife has embraced her calling, and now wears Purple Clerics, which symbolize that she is a pastor to pastors. As is written,

Eph 4:22-24

22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,

23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

James's instruction is in James 1:21-22

21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves

G-d Bless!

Lawn Tractors and Other Ways to Get Around

2007-04-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

Today I have become a Tractor Owner. I am so proud.

Recently, as recorded elsewhere in this electronic tome, I became disabled in a manner that renders walking a chore. This becomes problematical whenever I get a wild idea, like mowing the yard. While my existing mower is quite a good one, ie., self propelled, mulching, lots of power, trendy brand name, etc., it still requires someone to follow along behind it lest it continues unabated down the street to callously mow down some defenseless flower garden. Since this is, in effect, walking the lawnmower I find that my yard tended to go somewhat longish intervals between cuts. My dogs love it; unfortunately my neighbors do not.

Humph. What to do?

Enter the Craftsman 1100 series 48" deck Lawn/Garden TRACTOR.

Oh Yeah!!!

Now, Lest thee think that this is an anemic riding mower with a paltry 11hp let me assure you that it has been upgraded in that most american of ways: MORE POWER. It seems that the original owner, upon getting the tractor home from Sears (in 2001 -- yes, it is slightly used) decided to light the tractor off without first adding oil. One 16hp engine later, complete with the requisite oil, and we have the tractor that so wonderfully mows my yard today. All the extra power is amusing in that if you put the tractor into high gear, set the engine at max power, and then drop the clutch a rather amusing wheely is carried for about 8 ft. Too Cool. Not that I have ever actually tried this. Oh no, not me. It did make loading the thing onto my truck rather amusing to watch, or so I'm told. I was driving it at the time...

Just one thing remains to do to said machine:

Green paint with Yellow wheels.

God Bless!

Hmmmmm

2007-02-13T21:00:00.000-08:00

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

And the Answer is...

2007-02-10T10:41:00.000-08:00

The man with no name, as referred to in my previous post, is.....

In the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" trilogy, book two,
"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", Zaphod Beeblebrox uses the Infinite Improbability Drive to locate the man who actually rules the Universe. Since, as we all know, nobody who wants to rule the universe can be allowed to, there arose the necessity of finding that one person least likely to ever want to, and make him the ruler. As it happens, he was found and, since he had become extremely valuable, hidden away on a planet surrounded by an unprobability field. This, in effect, made it almost infinitly improbable that he would ever be found, unless you had an Infinite Improbability Drive.

The upshot of all this is Zaphod found the planet, and asked the ruler what his name was.

So now you know. Fun, Huh?

Quotable quotes

2007-02-06T19:22:00.000-08:00

Who said,
"I don't have a name. I never saw the need to give a bundle of vague sensory perceptions a name. Do you think it's important?"

And now the conclusion... Continues!

2006-11-26T17:19:00.000-08:00

Whew!

We have really covered some ground! Since the last update, DPM! has covered Virginia, North Carolina, Tennesee, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, back to Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, then on out to California! Wow! What were we thinking?

To break it down a little, one of our reasons for visiting the East Coast was to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in our lives, and more importantly, to scout out what the Raleigh, North Carolina area looked like for some friends who were going to move there. More on the move later.

At the end of the last posting, we had just left Maryland for Virginia Beach, Va. The trip was somewhat eventful, in that everyone around us seemed to have the need to crash into each other. Missey J and I witnessed three(!) different accidents along the way. Ouch! But we arrived unscathed in Newport News, found our hotel, and found out why finding lodging in that area was so tough. The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival was set for that weekend, assuring that all of the beachfront lodging was packed. If you want to see what the hubbub was all about, take a look at http://www.neptunefestival.com/2006/2006sandcastlewinners.htm. You will be amazed at what can be carved out of beach sand. We had a great time!

Our next stop after Va Beach was a reunion with a Pastor friend of mine in the thriving metroplis that is actually the charming small town, Powhatan. We left Newport News early on Sunday and made his Church service with 10 minutes to spare. We then spent the day catching up. Missey J was able to finally meet one of my friends from California, and it was a great time for all. We left that evening for Cary, N. Carolina.

Cary is an interesting place, in that it combines small town American charm with a technology industry that has the rest of the world calling it the East Coast Silicon Valley. The people are friendly, the town is clean, the scenery is beautiful, especially in the fall when we were there. G-d seems to truly be smiling on this area, and we gave Cary an enthusiastic approval to our friends.

Our next stop was Tennessee. We decided that, since we really weren't in a hurry, Knoxville would be a good place to stop and catch our breath. It then occured to me that I had been in this neck of the woods before. I suggested to Missey J that we go down to Chattanooga (I love that name!) to see both the aquarium there and the splender that is Ruby Falls. Missey J had been in caverns before, but an undergroud river complete with a waterfall was something new. And, as soon as the camera dries out, I will post some pictures. Note to any would-be photogs out there: Don't try to take a picture of a waterfall from inside the waterfall. Doah!

After spending a day in Tennessee we then embarked for Texas. We had the thought that, just maybe, we should set sail for home; however, we were unprepared for the sights and sounds of Memphis. The food was awesome. We don't generally indulge in Mexican food (due to my stomach) but in this case we had to try Pancho's at 87 S 2nd St. The food was fantastic. We decided to spend an extra day in Memphis just to take in the local scene.

We discovered, the next morning, where all the WWII "Duck" amphibious assault vehicles went. They are alive and perfectly restored into what is quite possibly the most unique tour bus/boat anyone could imagine. Naturally, we took a tour. Once on board, all the passengers were issued a "duck call", something I will treasure for, oh, a while at least. Anyway, we were able to find out where Sun Recording Studios is located, something I, as a fan of the late Man in Black, found to be interesting. The tour also takes a turn through the local Church Row. Now, while this may seem a little boring, you have to see these churches! They were magnificent edifices, especially the Methodist building. All of these were either 100+ years old or nearly so, and many had taken decades to build. Perhaps most interesting (at least to me) was when we drove off the road and straight into the Mississippi River. Remember, we were in an amphibious tour bus. We were then able to witness, first hand, the Duck's amazing top speed of 4 mph across the river. Ooooooo...
What a quack!

Later that night, after another wonderful meal, we decided to just have a relaxing evening at the hotel. Alas, this was not to be! It seems some lunatic decided to burn down the Methodist Church. We awoke to the smell of smoke in our room. Normally, this is not considered normal atmosphere for a multi-story hotel. Naturally, I felt inclined to investigate whether or not our hotel was, in fact, alite. It wasn't. It seems that the crazy who lit the church up had decided that Hotel Row was a good next target, but his plans were foiled by the Fire Dept as well as the local Police. However, this was not before he had reached the hotel next door (closed for remodelling) and lit it up as well. It was about then that Missey J and I decided that we had seen enough of Memphis, packed our bags, and headed for Good Ol' Texas. 13 uneventful hours later, we were home.

Whew!

On the Road Again, Part II

2006-10-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

So where was I?

Oh yeah. The Amana Colonies, Iowa. The place where you can still buy an Amana appliance that is actually made in the USA. Amana is one of those places that cities like Solvang in California only wish they were. Amana has the the generic "gift stores" to be sure, but it also has enough genuine "Amana-ness" (is that a word? I will ask my sister) to set it apart from other more pedestrian tourist traps. An example? There is a furniture store there that is actually the show room for the on-site woodworking factory. While at said factory, I acquired a most hansome inlaid wood cribbage board for Mom and Dad and a brass topped cane for myself. Alas, I could not afford any of the bizzillion dollar Grandfather clocks on display. Oh well.

We were able to meet my wife's sister and her husband for dinner that night at a rather nice restaurant in Amana. Food was served "family style" in that there were big bowls and platters literally overflowing with food. It is a good thing that weight gain isn't of monumental concern...

After leaving Amana, we then ventured into the wilds of Davenport, Ia. We had a most relaxing three day stay with Jody's sister; museums, food, music, food, buying computer stuff, food... Spoiled ourselves rotten. Had a great time.

Upon leaving Iowa, G-d decided we needed to wash the car because that's when the rain started. Ran into everything from slight drizzle to sea state 7. Yikes!

We had never seen the Great Lakes, so our destination became Sandusky, Ohio. Now, we had discussed staying that night in a Bed and Breakfast, only to discover that there were none available. So we found an internet hotspot and looked a little futher out from Sandusky. In Newport, Orange County, Ohio (I am not making this up) we found the most charming B&B, complete with Honeymoon suite, located right off the Ohio Turnpike. Again, we spoiled ourselves rotten, all for the price of a Comfort Inn.

The next morning, we headed out for Sandusky proper, under cloudy but, for the moment at least, dry skies. We found a nice country road which wandered along the waterfront and which, after several twists and turns, got us thoroughly lost. Hey, we weren't in a hurry or anything, but we did kinda want to know where we were... So, we decided to get out, take some pictures (which this blog is steadfastly refusing to load) and generally freeze our tootsies off wandering around an old ferry tie-up just East of Sandusky. We then ventured back out onto a county road we found, which led, inexplicably, two a Six Flags amusement park. We felt severely lost. Being the wonderfully brave guy I was, I decided to listen to my wife and, on the less vague of our two maps we noticed that the turnpike veered South just shy of Cleveland, and all the little county roads, like th one we were on, eventually crossed the turnpike at that point. So, like the intrepid travellers we were, we just kept going East. Guess what? Found the turnpike. A $2.00 toll and we were headed for Maryland.

Hagarstown, Maryland is something of a mystery, in that, on one hand it is a charming Southern town that is used by refugees from Washington, D.C. as an escape zone, and on the the other hand a cloistered Southern Confederate Outpost where they are still fighting the War Between The States. When we ventured to the town square to find breakfast that morning, we found a thoroughly modern and trendy cafe called Rubarbs. Good food, would recommend it to anyone. We then set out on foot to take in a couple of the local shops. Again, would encourage all travellers to take a look. But then...

We decided to kill two bird with one stone by stopping in the local Visitor's Center located on the Square to find out about the local history and use the "facilities". This was when we discovered that the South was winning the War. Confederate paraphanillia was everywhere. The Mason Dixon line still has meaning to the kind old confederate soldier running the Center and "to many", he assured us, "of those who have lived in these parts a spell." He was especially excited to hear we were from Texas, as he had several stories regarding Texan's help in the War. We accepted a couple of the more noteworthy pamphlets describing the local battlefields, thanked him for the info and the use of the "facilities", and decided we needed to leave before someone found out we were actually from California. Scary.

Tune in next time for the wilds of Virginia Beach!

On the Road Again

2006-09-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

So, it has come to pass. I find myself in Iowa after 25 years away.

It ain't changed much.

My wife and I are travelling around the country for the first time since we were married. It is a sorta "visit relatives/see friends/see america/have a honeymoon at last" kinda thing. Our first stop was in Agency, Iowa, population 105, of which I am related to, oh, about half. Basically, if you want to see a lot of people who look like me or my sister, go to Agency.

The family that lives there to whom I've actually been introduced account for about 1/20th of the total population; namely, my Aunt Marion (85 years old) and Uncle Robert (87), both of whom are as close to profoundly deaf as a person can get and actually still hear anything. Don't get me wrong; We had a wonderful, if very loud, visit. We looked at the scrap books that Aunt Marion had compiled over the years that detailed much of my family tree. It was wonderfully informative, as geneology is something that I, to am interested. We had a great time, and probably gained five (or more, in my case) pounds due to the fact that my aunt is a wonderful cook and won't take "no" for an answer. I just needed to purchase industrial strength throat drops as we headed out of town.

We then moved on to Des Moines (don't pronounce the s's and you'll get it) to visit my Aunt Jean(80). Just to clear up any confusion, these aunts and uncles are my dad's siblings. In stark contrast to my dad and most of his other sibs, Aunt Jean has perfect hearing. Like my dad and most of his sibs, she likes to talk. Fortunately, I was more than willing to listen as she brought me up to speed with what has happened with all the aunts, uncles, and all the assorted cousins therein. As I hadn't been in touch in 25 years, there was a lot to cover. Also, it gave my wife some info with which to fill some of the larger gaps in my recent family history that I couldn't provide. We only had an afternoon to spend with her, but it was a great visit none the less.

Our next stop brought us back, strangely enough, to Agency. Due to an unexpected rainstorm, my cousin Wendell, Uncle Robert's son, was unable to work in the fields to harvest corn. This provided us the opportunity to visit with he and his wife, Becky. I had never met Becky, and found her to be a wonderful person, full of life, and very much a partner with my cousin in the running of the farm. Not only do they share in the running of the household, they share the chores around the farm, including the driving of the various pieces of equipment used there. According to Wendell, she is actually better with the combine harvester than he is! It is obvious they love each other VERY much, and it is wonderful to see.

Wendell was always fun when I came out to the farm in the past, and this time was no exception. We soon found ourselves out in the machine shed under a combine trying to figure out the proper adjustment for the "shelling concave". Trust me, he knows what he is doing. I have worked on many things powered by pistons, but this thing is a moving testament to man's ability to overdue a pulley system. I have never seen so many drive belts in one place outside of a parts house. Anyway, we had a good time getting covered with corn dust and a not so small amount of mud. Just like old times!

Becky and my wife also hit it off, talking and sharing with each other like long lost friends right from the start. But like all such visits, it was over too soon, and the time came for us to depart. We decided that a more prolonged visit would be necessary next Spring, and we will be staying in touch until then.

Stay tuned for the next trip installment!

So. It Has Come.

2006-07-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Went to the Lord the other day asking for guidance during this time of crisis with my hip. As of July 24th, 2006, I have been declared permanently disabled.

My wife and I have heard several prophetic words regarding our future; specifically, that we would be starting "the next big thing" sometime near the end of 2007. We find ourselves wondering what that may be, given that 2006 is rapidly winding away. In addition, G-d provided me a "five year plan" that, incedently, would also come to fruition sometime toward the end of 2007.

The Thunder Rolls.

This proximity to the inevitable has me looking at the details of my life as it is at this point in time. For example, just exactly how much is this "disability" going to impact my life? Will this impact be debilitating, or is it the harbinger of great things to come? Will it cause me to slip into the pit of depression and dispair (yeah right) or simply open the door to bigger and better things?

Hollywood would insert some sort of ominous music here.

Ok, so these things aren't exactly "details", but they are the things that are occupying my thoughts. So, since my puny non-borg brain can't exactly get around these concepts by itself, and Majlogon isn't stepping in to take control, I went to G-d.

Actually, I went to G-d first.

It seems, however improbable, that this disability process has a very bright silver lining: Retraining Program. The state of Texas has a miriad of programs designed to help those invalidated out of their original field of study/vocation to re-enter the working arena. It seems that this is further facilitated by any upper level education a person might have. For example, take my case. I was fortunate enough to have had opportunity to study advanced mathematics and physics while in college in California. This study was part of an abortive attempt at an engineering degree cut short by budget considerations of the institution I was attending at the time (they eliminated the major as a course of study. Bummer, dude!) While this was something of a major setback at the time, these same courses will facilitate my admission into a retraining program that will allow me to pursue a broader range of career choices.

So, quite suddenly, things are looking up. I am still in possession of all my skills from my years as a mechanic and will be able to use these to learn and create a new reality for myself and my family. G-d has made it clear that He is in control and will not let me fall. Part of the prophesy I related earlier was that my wife and I were to be united with several of our friends in ministry together. I had always wondered how this was to be orchestrated, especially with me working as an auto technician. Not a lot of call for alternator replacement or bottem end overhaul in a church body. But, with the retraining possiblilty before me, that will all change. Not even the borg could do that!

Praise G-d!

This Borg Thing...

2006-07-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have created a monster. His name is Majlogon of Borg, and I can officially say he has his own life. This has been verified by the fact that Majlogon, aka Maj. Jonathan Logon (his name before assimilation) receives credit card offers, house refinancing deals, and somehow managed to buy music from Real Player. Really.

But, as it happens, Majlogon isn't your typical Borg Drone. Nope. He's the guy that assigns Borg designations. And, strangely enough, he is sought out by others so that he can assimilate them.

Ok, So Majlogon has become a rock star.

As I recall, the Borg are the ultimate bad guys of the Star Trek universe, existing to persue perfection by assimilating anyone and everyone in their path. When, exactly, did it become cool to be Borg?

At any raatttteeeiwjkdj89*&)*((5609..................

WE ARE MAJLOGON OF BORG
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE

THIS BLOG WILL ADAPT TO SERVICE US.
IT IS NOW PART OF UNIMATRIX 01598.225

if (resistance=1) then assimilation(designation$.input)=1st3alpha$+last4alphastring

RESITANCE IS FUTILE
we now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.

Sorry. Had to assimilate somebody.

The Man Comes Around

2006-07-09T03:49:00.000-07:00

I found myself up late this night reading the various blogs I keep up with, some of which are actually new on my list. I happened to go to the wish list contained on my sister's blog and encountered something I hadn't anticipated; Johnny Cash, specifically, American Recordings V.

I have been a fan of the Man in Black for as long as I can remember. His music somehow always managed to touch that dark, locked off side of me that all the outside, presentable stuff most everybody else sees is there to protect. It is the bit of me that won't give; that, if pushed, will push back. Few people have ever seen this side of me, because I don't let it out much. It is the bit that comes out when I must protect someone I love without reservation. It is that which allows me to cry without fear of losing face at the injustice in this world. It's the bit that will hold your stare.

It is the bit that G-d gave me so that I could sing to Him.
My wife has a similar bit. You can hear it when she sings, too.

God bless you, John.

Twists and Turns

2006-07-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

I have come to a crossroads, of a sort.

Sometime in the next couple of weeks, two things will happen: First, I will be starting back to work; and second, I will undergo an FCE, a type of examination used to establish my physical limitations since my accident.

Now, mind you, I am not at all opposed to returning to work. It is the nature of what I am actually capable of doing that occupies me these days. Since the accident, I find that I am no longer able to perform any physical task that requires me to stand and/or walk for more than an hour or so without moderate to severe pain. Indeed, just the task of going to the grocery store has become a daugnting task, one that requires me to resign myself to the "courtesy motorized cart" in order to aquire anything heavier that a loaf of bread. While I am grateful that most stores provide these conveyances, it is something of an attitude adjustment for a guy whose preferred method of transportation is a large black motorcycle, complete with all the requisite leather clothing, shaved head, and rather unkept beard. Picture your typical Harley rider in a motorized mobility scooter and you get the idea.

But now there is a new twist: It appears that this "condition" I find myself in may be permanent, which brings me to the FCE. The initial examination will provide a base line by which any subsequent improvement, or lack thereof, in my condition will be measured.

Minor details.

Little sisters are from....Ceti Alpha V?

2006-06-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

My sister and I share a mutual interest besides a strong belief in G-d: We are both Trekkies. Recently, my sister thought it a wonderful idea to post on her blog, http://thesavagepea.blogspot.com/
a little sample of what I thought was a private bit of email. Just so that everybody who may have missed it, here is what was said:

"I invited my brother to a BBQ for father's day. I had asked if he would bring buns and drinks? This is how he responded...:

'This is acceptable. We will comply. Split loaves for burnt ground animal flesh will be provided. Effervescent liquid regeneratives will be provided.We are the borg.'

"Then I asked if they prefer chicken or beef or both?
'We are the Borg. We have accessed our internal data banks and collective memory and can find no reference to chicken as referred to being the previously articulated 'ground animal flesh'. Further research has revealed that a human assimilated on earth date 2003, now part of unimatrix 007, sub-section pair/triumvate Majlogon, designate 6th of 7, subdesignate Maynerd, refers to ground animal flesh as 'cow'. This designate has verbalized to the collective, however, that a combination of ground animal flesh/cow and skinned/deboned animal flesh/chicken is acceptable. We concur. We will adapt to assimilate both.

Resistance is futile.

message/futile_borg=true then borg_response(resistance is futile)=1Majlogon of Borg'"

Now, in the interest of family harmony, it has befallen me to respond in kind. Not only does my sister have a star trek alter ego complete, I might add, with Star Trek uniform, but has also created one for her 18-month old daughter.

Proof, you say? See below!

My niece!
Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Meat grinders and first person shooters

2006-06-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

A very strange thing has occured recently... actually a couple of things.

As many are no doubt aware, I have a mother and father who, as many might not be aware, are currently residents of this blogger's domicile. This presents no problems of any import other than the occasional and quite expected bumping of glutes in what might best be described as a three-butt-kitchen (there are four of us). It has been into this space that a new and somewhat antiquated home appliance has been added: A hand-cranked meat grinder. I am assured, however, that this appliance is absolutely necessary and will be used after careful and thorough de-rusting to produce ground meat delicacies of the highest order. As I am aquainted with the chef concerned herewith, I am more than happy to sit back and prepare to be put awash in such meals as, heretofore, I have not had. So enters the meat grinder.

The second, and somewhat more personal, addition to my daily life has been the introduction of another in my household to the "first person shooter" genre of computer games. Now, before any nasty rumors are started, let me start one first: It was I who introduced my life partner to the wonders of Far Cry and Medal of Honor Allied Assault. This, I thought, would allow me a rather easy target on which to unload various weapons.

Wrong.

It seems that this individual not only is a rather quick study but was, in fact, a police sharp shooter of rather prodigious ability. This has allowed her, in short order, to use tactics that render her not only difficult to locate, but rather difficult to evade. This is getting fun!

God help me!

Reading the Future

2006-05-05T23:16:00.000-07:00

I live with a most beautiful woman who is also an ordained charismatic minister who has charged me with a most daunting mission: to help her understand what G-d has in store for her in the future.

Somehow, I don't think Starfleet could have come up with a more difficult mission even though that there were a few times that Captains Kirk and Picard were sent to the past to fix the future (I know. I'm a freak for knowing this stuff...) Unfortunately, I don't have a huge starship capable of inverse tachyon field generation or slingshotting at transreletivistic speeds around a star, which, we all know, is required to move back or forward in time (I am SUCH a freak).

So, how does one advise a person on such matters?

OK, so outside of forced injection of Star Trek upon the woman that I love, I must look for another answer. But where?

Some time ago, I had several friends and family tell me that I would be here in Texas until at least 2007. They also told me that I would marry (I have), buy a house (I did) suitable for residence for not only my self and my wife, but also for my parents (they have since moved in). My profession would change (pending) and I would eventually have financial solvency (still waiting on that one). Now, having stated this and seeing four out of the five predictions coming to fruition, I am forced to conclude that G-d put these things before me. Oh, the other thing is, most of the people who repeated these things to me didn't know each other or, if they did, it was only through me, and only after they had made the predictions.

Just as an aside, this was how G-d let me know I was going to Texas in the first place.

So, Now I am at another crossroads. 2007 is rapidly approaching, and I still as yet do not know what the next step will be beyond that.

G-d, I need a word or two from you. Or maybe, the whole book.

When in Rome

2006-04-22T23:43:00.000-07:00

I read a great many blogs and other technobabble online these days. I have found that most seem preoccupied with politics (or the lack thereof) involved in the running of everything from the world court all the way down to what shoes I should wear. Then I tripped over to The Savage Pea.

The Photo is that of my first and, at least for now, only niece. I have come to love her as much as any member of my immediate family outside of my beautiful wife. What make Sophie (my niece, not my wife) even more special has to do with the way she entered into our family: she is adopted. My sister is unable to have children of her own; G-d had his reasons for that, which of late have become very clear. My sister and brother-in-law have become very caring and thoughtful providers for this little girl, and hope to adopt another. (I hope they are able to adopt, oh, what, 3-4?)

I have spent many hours in debate over the merits of adoption versus abortion. Personally, it would be inconceivable to me to suggest an abortion under most any circumstance, but, being male, such a statement is easy to make. I thank G-d that I have not had to make such a call, and I respect those who have chosen to allow a child to be born and adopted by those such as my sister.

I was thinking about this as I read the most recent post on the Savage Pea.

I have wondered at other times about the nature of society's support of killing. There were times, in my life as an investigator for law enforcement, when the specter of my taking another's life seemed upon me. Thankfully, it is a choice I was never forced to make. But I wonder: Why is it justified to kill? Or When? How old/young does a person have to be to defend themselves with deadly force?

As a minister in G-d's service, another question has been brought to me: Is it ever OK to kill, for ANY reason? (I am talking about human life here. I will still eat a beef burrito at Taco Bell) Let us pray.

Lord, these are perilous time, and we need your guidance. Please allow those needy women who find themselves with child to find there way to those who would help them place their baby with a deserving family, a family who will love the child as there own. Help us, as a society and as the family in Jesus, you son, to end the destruction of our most precious resource: Our Children.

In your Holy Name,

Amen

Reminders II

2006-03-31T23:01:00.000-08:00

Recently, as my wife and I were conversing over a nice bit of white mocha at a local coffee house, we hit upon a topic that hadn't occured to us (or, at least, me) in some time: when did "The Church" stop being about G-d's will for his children and become a social club?

Anybody else hear distant thunder?

This thought hit like a ton of bricks. Here we were, trying to act as leaders in our spiritual walk, instructing those who seek us out in the ways and means of G-d's word, and having missed what is quite possibly the whole point of this exercise. We should be, first and foremost, trying to instill in fellow believers a strong need to practice and preserve the desire for G-d's deliverence through Jesus Christ. We have become so inured to the plodding along of mainstream Christianity that many have lost track of why they came to "the church" in the first place. They are much more interested in the latest news that the social group they meet with in Sunday school has to offer than they are in the actual bit of verse that might be covered.

So what? Ponder the picture above. That aircraft was built back in the '50's and was retired in the late '80's. Most like it are now in museums, silent, cold, collecting dust behind the rope barrier. This particular aircraft, however, has been preserved in operational condition and is flown regularly so that today's young people can appreciate this magnificent machine. All who see this craft are moved by the raw, viscerial power and incredible speeds that it can demonstrate. This is something that the museum can never convey.

Unfortunately, "museum" is what many "churches" have become.

Like a museum, many "churches" have exhibits that are untouched and silent behind some sort of railing or rope, with alters that, while a vision of gold, silver, and snowy linen, are distant, denied areas to those of the general population. Those who are allowed "up there" many times are seen as "above" those of lesser knowledge and practice of the ways of "the church", and are seen almost as untouchable as the altar they serve. This is, of itself, not necessarily a bad thing; but unless the congregation is shown how G-d's dynamic power and will is represented and practiced, and how these representations and practices can be applied and internalized by G-d's children, then "the church" might as well BE a museum and charge admission at the door.

G-d's Church is not about brick and mortar, or golden cups and colorful banners. The Church, as G-d laid it down, is about His People and their relationship with Him! God gave us the means by which we should seek Him, in the form of His Word. Any who would seek Him have to only ask this Word, in the form of His Blessed Son Jesus Christ, into their lives. If this is sincerely done, a child of G-d is born again, and becomes another living, breathing part of His Church. It is then that those in the Church, and I refer to those already in the body, must share the drive to grow into adult believers, to learn what the artifacts and tools up on that altar represent and are used for, and to instill the yearning and drive to hear G-d's word. That word which has been given to us through prophets and teachers of the past (the Bible, etc.) must be presented not as a history exhibit but as a dynamic, living power to be shared and experienced by all of His Church.

Besides, seeing the Church really fly is a whole lot more fun than any museum!

God Bless!

Flying Monkeys and other assorted sightings

2006-03-09T23:18:00.000-08:00

Ever had you leg removed for repairs?

This is not exactly what has been going on in my life recently, but is close. As has been reported in previous ramblings, I have been stumbling along with a rather painful hip injury that, until about a week ago, no one could adequately diagnose. But since they did know that my hip was making rather nasty popping sounds, the surgeon was reasonably confident that the cause of my pain could be found. It was, therefore, necessary to expose the inner workings of my hip to inspection.

Uh, what?

She continued. She lightly and confidently proposed that she could fix the popping in my hip while at the same time repair "whatever else should turn up."

Can I get off now?

Moreover, it would be necessary to wake me up during the surgery to get me to flex my leg muscles in order to make sure everything was working right.

Check, please!

Ok. So now she is standing in front of me with the consent forms. At this point I should have been hobbling madly (running was, sadly, impossible) away from her in the grip of the panic that had been hovering nearby, but instead found myself in a dream-like euphoria which rendered me completely unable to do anything other than sign my life and leg into her care.

Strangely enough, I survived the procedure with my leg still attached, and it seems I can still move my toes, if not much else. So as to not alarm anyone, this is apparently normal, or so I'm told through the haze of the Darvocet. I was also told that the reason that I have a much larger incision was that they needed to move pretty much my entire thigh muscle group up and out of the way.

That's gonna leave a mark.

My thigh, it seems, is a bit more "developed" that is the norm for men my age and weight. Somebody must have failed to mention that auto mechanics tend to encounter heavy bits of machinery on a fairly regular basis. Hence, big leg muscles. So, therefore, in order to get to the bits they needed to repair, they had to use "a large metal retractor". Last time I checked, this is the scientific name for "crow bar".

So here's the scene: I am lying on the operating table while the surgical assistant has a crow bar in my thigh muscle to hold it up and out of the way of the surgeon who then does her repair work on the popping hip. She then directs the anesthesiologist to wake me up so I can move said muscles, complete with said crow bar still inserted, thereby allowing her to check her work.

I think I'm going to need more than a couple of aspirin.

She found and fixed the other problem. I won't go into the medical details because I didn't understand what all she said. Pain meds are funny that way. She assured me that all the extra work was necessary because I had somehow managed to hurt myself in a way that nobody had thought of before, and that even though it was new and therefore took additional time, it was routine and should last the remainder of the warranty period.

Boy, I wish I could use that one on my automotive customers.

Anyway, I can only thank G-d for guiding her hand though what turned out to be a totally unexpected and excitingly routine surgery. I am assured that recovery will only take a year or so. This will allow G-d to finish the healing begun in the operating room under His guidance.

I had been nervous about this, due in part to not knowing precisely what would be found in there once they got me opened up. It takes faith in G-d to take on the unknown for all of us. I have spoken on this many times, but when it comes down to actually experiencing it, faith tends to become a little harder to maintain, something I was reminded of the day of the surgery by my wife who is an ordained minister. It only took a small nudge of the Divine Pine though her to get me back on track, and I am better, both physically and spiritually, for it.

Also, I thank G-d for all the people who came to see me and help me through what was a difficult time. All joking aside, I am truly grateful.

I would like to have the crow bar they used, though!

God Bless!

Birthdays and Other Assorted Miracles

2006-01-11T22:27:00.000-08:00

It was just the other day...

January 8th is a special day for me. No, it's not my birthday or anniversary or anything. Nope. It really has very little to do with me beyond giving me an excuse to go shopping at Fry's or Home Depot. You see, January 8th is my Dad's birthday.

This particular 8th of January fell on a Sunday this year, which means that our family went to church before the commencement of the birthday festivities, to which we will come in a moment. As it happened, Sunday School's topic of discussion revolved around the concept that G-d was not only our creator, but also our Heavenly Father, and has been referred to as Abba Father, or, more properly, Daddy.

Now, I remember when I used to call my earthly father "daddy". This was later shortened to "Dad" about the time my dad shortened "Brian" (me) to "Bud", his nickname for me. For a time, I let others call me Bud as well, but as I grew older, I found that I preferred that "Bud" should be reserved only for my Dad.

So now, here I was listening to the Sunday teacher describing how many in the Bible also referred to G-d as Daddy or Dad.

Funny old language, English.

Well, a few hours later, the time came to celebrate my earthly Dad's
75th(!) birthday. As it usually happens when G-d takes things in hand, we found ourselves at a gathering of believers who were holding an open forum type of discussion at a local coffee house. It seems that my dad had heard from my Heavenly Dad regarding this group, and that he should go that night to fellowship with them.

Cool.

Suddenly, this computer accessory that I had got him kinda faded into the background as G-d let my father reach out to these folks. And, as an added bonus, G-d let me minister to these people as well.

When the night was done and we had returned home, there was a twinkle in my Daddy's eyes that filled me great joy.

G-d is Good!

Army of Light

2006-01-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

Explosions rock this world... or is it the world to come?

What are these things that flow through my mind's eye?

Is it a vision from G-d? Or perhaps a bit of under digested potato soup?

G-d, I think.

I say this because when these images come, they are in IMAX format with Dolby 6.1 surround sound. I don't think potato soup has this kind of bandwidth. But I digress.

So here I am, with the sound of a huge army all around me, a couple of swords (that, when I picked them up, were wood, but now seem to be rather sharp steel) in my hands, ready to go into battle. Up ahead, the Mediterranean Sea looms to the north with what appears to be another army coming at us up from the lands to the east and west. This army is composed of beings covered by shadow.

OK. This is ominous.

I seem to recall that, when last I looked into a mirror, I was 42, had a bad hip, and suffering from the midlife spread around my middle.

Not the stuff of legendary heroes.

But I am not afraid, for as I look at myself in this context, I see myself in an Akido hakima with a fit body. I also find that I am secure in the knowledge of how to fight, and, more importantly, that G-d is my strength!

This was to be the final battle between good and evil, and I was being shown, in a manner my puny human mind could understand, that even one such as I could fight with absolute assurance of victory.

It is at this point that I look back over my shoulder to see where we had come from. Two things were immediately obvious: First, we were coming out of Africa; and Second, the Commander of these forces, G-d as Christ, was holding the likeness of my wife (representing the Church) in his left arm while holding a HUGE fiery sword in the other.

Whoa!

I'm not from Africa. Last time I checked, my country of origin was the good ol' US of A. And I don't think my wife can represent the whole Church.

But, I somehow find myself reassured that G-d is in control!

There is a pattern beginning to emerge here.

God Bless!

Confirmations

2005-12-30T21:01:00.000-08:00

Ever had one of those "Alleluia!" moments?

Yesterday, I did. I hadn't had one in a while (read: "once, maybe.") but this one was a full blown, mind altering, "Divine Pine to the Mind" kinda moment.

At Cracker Barrel. Really.

A friend of mine, Faustina, works there as a hostess. My wife and I first encountered her about two years ago. She is from Africa, Ghana to be precise, and is here on a school visa. She has recently finished her degree in Divinity, and is preparing to take her newfound training back to Africa.

This is not the moment.

As it happens, G-d has given me a certain insight that allows me to share His words with others. In this case, I was given quite a few words and a vision to share with our friend regarding her soon-to-be-realized ministry. However, this "insight" has only been given to me fairly recently, and therefore I do not have much of a "track record" regarding the accuracy of these "words". But I believe that this picture I laid before her was from
G-d and was therefore led by this faith to reveal what I had seen and heard.

This, also, is not the moment.

As it happens frequently when G-d uses a human to do His work, He also has a way of making everything line up so that the appropriate (for Him)meetings take place at the appropriate (again, for Him) work can take place. So, having said that, it is appropriate to give Him credit for what seemed a coincidence at the time.

Nope. Not the moment.

It was Christmas Eve. My wife and I were hungry and in the vicinity of Cracker Barrel, and so decided to stop in. It was Faustina's regular day off, but there were others there who, due to our frequency of visits, also had become friends. (Mind you, it hadn't actually occured to us that perhaps the restaurant might be closing early or anything like that.) But in we went.

The moment is getting closer...

We hadn't expected to see Faustina, but as G-d would have it, there she was. As usual, she greeted us with the warm embrace of a close family member. But there was a sparkle in her eye and an excitement in her voice that was above even her usual upbeat manner. She would not say what was causing this joy, except that she wanted to talk to us after we ate.

The moment is really close... Really.

When we had finished and stepped back into the entry area, it was then that Faustina took us in hand (and crutches - I am still dealing with my hip injury) and led us outside. Now, she has made a point of praying for G-d's guidance dury my ordeal, and so I was thinking this was more of the same. Wrong answer. When we were seated outside, She turned to my wife and I and asked what the word was that I had for her.

Moment is at hand.

When I had picked my jaw from off the sidewalk and got it back to working in its more normal position I then asked her how she knew I had a word for her. You would think it would have occured to me that my reaction to her question should have been answer enough, but, being a guy, I tend toward the typical male wooden head syndrome and asked anyway. She merely giggled and replied that my wife and I had been on her heart all day and that we had important information for her. I then proceeded to give her the words and vision that G-d had laid on me for her.

Now for the moment. (thunder rolls...)

Last night, another friend of ours, Pam, who shares the same Gift of Insight that G-d has given to me, came into town and announced that she wanted to eat at Cracker Barrel. I knew that Faustina would be working, and looked forward to speaking to her and hearing her speak about what was happening in her life. As usual, she was her sheerful self, and once again refused to speak to us until after dinner. So it came to pass in the fullness of time and belly that we once again found ourselves outside with Faustina. Only it was Pam, not I, that had the word and vision for her.

The moment?

The word and vision were the same as G-d had given me. In one brief, glorious moment, G-d had confirmed Faustina's forthcoming ministry and His Word to me that I might dare to believe what others, including Pam, had said my ministry would be.

Alleluia!!!!!

May God bless you and keep you!

Impasse

2005-12-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

This injury has bound me...

As treatment continues, I am forced to consider life post injury, and I find the task daunting. I look to G-d, who has given me this faith that all will turn out as it should, but am forced to wonder: "How?"

(Insert appropriate crackle of distant thunder here)

My wife looks to me for answers, but I find I have only one, and, at least for her, it is insufficient. Is this how G-d tests his children?

How do I respond? Anger? Resentment? Impassiveness?

What?!!?!

Let us explore the possibilities...

I could become angry, raising my fist to an unfair G-d. He would then remind me that there are those for whom life has been even less fair, and then go on to point out that "fair" was never part of the agreement. After all, it is not in this life that we should look for reward, but in the life to come. When the apostle Peter had gotten angry about fairness regarding his relationship with Jesus as compared to that of John, he was reminded that he did not need to worry about it. Jesus had ordained certain things for Peter, little of it easy, and likewise had done so for John. As has been documented, Peter did not go to meet Jesus resting in a combo bed at the local Hilton.

I really do think my life is a bit more "fair" than that. So much for anger.

But I find myself dealing with resentment. Why does G-d make me wait? What is he preparing me for? Is this all that there is to my life?

We return now to the life of the apostle John.

John lived a LOOOOONG time. It was during these years that the early church had its greatest struggles. Anybody living through these times would be greeted with great adversity. John not only had to endure in these times, he also had the tast of supporting those who were growing up around him, people who had never seen Christ. When G-d finally did get back to John, he was an old man living on Patmos. Was his the life of a dignified old gentleman living out his fast fading years in the lap of retirement luxury? Ah, no. Exile to labor on Patmos is not exactly Miami in the springtime. But it was here, on Patmos (not Miami) was where G-d got back to John. Big time.

The Thunder Rolls...

OK, so I will wait. After all, my life is a WHOLE lot better than what John had to deal with on Patmos (or pretty much anywhere else he may have lived). So much for Frustration.

So I wait. Impassively.

Wrong answer. Again.

As has been demonstrated rather bluntly to Jonah, trying to circumvent
G-d by doing anything (or nothing) else has the effect of trading
G-d's attention in comfort for G-d's attention in, shall we say, less than comfortable surroundings. Jonah found the notion of living in the belly of a whale rather nasty. I myself have often refered to "The 2x4 Effect" in
G-d's dealings with me. So this time, as I lay in all my passive agressive glory impassively doing as little as possible to show my ability to withstand any and all suggestions from G-d to duck, (thunder) the rather large and fast moving piece of Heavenly lumber rapidly closing on my wooden head will, when it does eventually connect, knock me into the middle of G-d's presence as well as the middle of next week. This is invariably what happens. So, rather than have to deal with such attention as well as the Heavenly Lump, I am actively exploring whatever G-d would have me to do and/or say. This approach does not exclude the possibility that The Divine Pine will not be applied for other reasons; only that it will not be used to get me off my angry, resentful, impassive butt.

Miami, anyone?

2005-09-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

It has come to pass...

Recently, I was injured while in the performance of my duties as a master technician in the industry for which I have been extensively trained (read: I slipped on a puddle of oil at the garage where I turn wrenches as a mechanic and ended up in the engine bay of a Honda. Needless to say {though I will anyway} this is not the softest nor smoothest of places to land. [Don't I just LOVE bracketed sub-clauses]). When I tried to extricate myself from said Honda, I found that I had hurt my back and hip.

Anyway, after the first doctor examined me by forcibly jabbing his finger into the spot I had pointed to, I was told I had hurt my back. This, of course, was a MAJOR newsflash for me. After making this stupendous announcement, said doctor then asked me what I thought he should do about it.

HUH?!??!?

This was from someone not only (theoretically) in the posession of a Doctorate in Medicine, but was also the Administer of the facility in which we currently have found ourselves. After my lower jaw did a few pushups, I suggested that perhaps if I knew in more detail what I had actually done to my back, I could make a more informed diagnostic. He then suggested an X-ray, followed by the prescription of pain pills and a few days off work and the directive to see him in 3-4 days.

Unfortunately, the world did not end, so therefore after 4 days I found myself back in the presence of Doctor Duh. True to form, he did nothing more than say I needed some physical therapy and could return to limited duty at work. No touching, no "may I see under your shirt?", no noticing my pronounced limp or the massive bruise in the middle of my back. Nope. Nada. Nothing.

So I went back to work. Sorta.

Ever consider what a limited duty mechanic can actually do?

At any rate, I slogged my way through a couple of days of magnitude 9.4 pain before going to my first Physical Therapy (PT) session, where a very adept and learned individual asked me a VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION:

"What did your doctor say was wrong after he did the full range of motion test?"

Uh, Fullrangeofmotion what?

This response apparently wasn't what she had expected due to the extended pause during which she picked up her jaw from off the floor. She then asked who, exactly, my doctor was. Upon hearing my response, she then rolled her eyes, made a somewhat unrepeatable comment regarding said physician, and then proceeded to conduct the diagnostic testing that apparently should have been done previously.

Yes, the Physical Therapist did the diagnostic. Accurately, I might add.

She then was instrumental in having our doctor changed to a physician who seemed far more interested in helping me heal than in how well her stock investments were doing.

Since that time, I have had nothing but the best of care and attention.

God bless those PT techs!

Identities

2005-08-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

As you may have noticed, I have changed my blog identity signature to Majlogon. This is a character I made up several years ago when I procured my first Star Trek computer game.

In addition to my music and office ministries, I am a devoted Star Trek nut. Now, just to reassure you, I don't own any "Spock Ears" or Klingon blood wine or formulate my own Romulan Ale. I just have something of a small collection of movies and micromachine starships and several novels I drag around with me when I move fron state to state. I find that most of the stories contained in the Star Trek world reflect a Hope for the future.

Besides, Its fun to arm phasers and torpedoes at traffic every now and then.

It has come to pass...

2005-08-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

As I was reading other blogs recently, I noticed that most of what I had to say revolved my job. It was then that I happened to read The Savage Pea; specifically, about the green army guys. My wife and I have had a similar experience regarding these inanimate yet oh-so-important protectors of home and hearth. It came to pass that, early into my relationship with Missey J, the woman who would become my wife, that several wind up little F15 fighter jets found there way into a certain Christmas stocking. These were happily appropriated by said soon-to-be spousal unit as her "fighter escort". And, as has happened with The Pea of Savage, the escort squadron has increased in number and variety, complete with stealth and bomber capability.

Enemies beware! (tongue firmly in cheek)

God bless!

Reminders...

2005-07-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

I was recently reminded that to be brutally honest, one must also be so with oneself.

Ouch.

Here I've been, merrily writing down all of these subtle little musings and I haven't so much as scribbled anything about myself other than my initials.

SO..... Enter the profile. I hope that perhaps it will shed a little light on who I am.

God Bless!

Strange things are afoot...

2005-07-13T23:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever considered the music that is played, say, in your workspace?

Just the other day I was privileged to listen to what is considered "acceptable" music by some of my younger co-workers. This "music" was, shall we say, on the cruder side of explicit.

After listening to perhaps two or so tracks of the CD of the day, I felt compelled to put an end to the concert by shutting down the stereo and asking if the owner of the CD to put it away.

Now, I am not a Censorship Nazi; however, any "song" that ends with the shouting of the f-word followed by comments denoting canine lineage, (among other things), is not what most would think was acceptable in a public place of business.

It seems I wasn't alone in this opinion.

Since then, the choices for the music have been far more palatable. But I found myself wondering how many Christian folks go to work every day and subject themselves to this type of abuse and never even think about it? I have allowed many auditory insults to pass right by me without so much as a raised eyebrow and then at the next turn go medieval on someone for tossing a cigarette butt out their car window.

Time for a change.

Today, while near the radio I noticed no one was paying it much attention. So, I decided to put the local Christian music station on. Much to my surprise, a fair amount of the employees began singing along to the music. They knew the words! I was joyfully surprised!

When the day drew to a close, one of the other techs came over to me and said, "Your music was a nice change."

After staring at him for who knows how long, I scraped my lower jaw off the floor and smiled all the way out the door.

G-d is Good.

It wasn't that these were bad kids. It was that "popular" culture would have them follow certain trends or be "left out". Sometimes we all need a reminder that G-d gave us music, and it is though music that we can come together, even in a place as diverse as our place of employment, to worship Him. The Bible tells us at many turns to bring psalms to the ear of our G-d. The feeling of lightness and smiles on faces around you are testament to this.

Praise his Holy Name!

Minor Miracles

2005-06-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Signs and Wonders.

Most of the time, our search for the signs and wonders usually result in sighs and worries. Most people do not realize just exactly how wonderfully subtle G-d's miracles can be.

An example? No problem.

Earlier this week I injured my back in a terrible, tragic and, regrettably, avoidable accident. (I fell while washing my dog in the bathtub.) At any rate, my first impulse, after screaming at the top of my lungs and panicking at the temporary paralysis due to shock was to ask my wife for help. She complied while exclaiming, "My G-d, Help us!"

Guess what? He did.

Now, in this case there was no flash of light followed by the crash of thunder that Hollywood likes to add at these points. Nope. In this case,
G-d put an inspiration into my wife's pretty little head to "call a local Chiropractor" instead of the more normal "call the family doctor." Since I was really in no condition to argue (I had recovered the use of my legs at this point, but was fundamentally unable to stand up straight) I acknowledged the soundness of her suggestion, took a pain pill, and went to bed.

This brings us to the next morning. What Doctor should we call?

Get out the Yellow Pages!

Now, my addled mind was trying to get me to my regular doctor which resulted in my calling said physician while my wife was checking our local listings. Naturally, The regular doctor is on vacation. Wife is now looking at me with a patient "yes, I know you are a stubborn man" look on her face and suggests a name she has found in the Yellow pages.

*Sigh*

So I pulled this random selection up on the computer and found the requested website. The doctor, whose website was small, neatly laid out and easy to navigate, was just down the street. OK, nothing bad leaping out at us yet. Phone in hand, appointment made. Panic begins to hover nearby...

As we walk into the office, two things are readily apparent: The Doctor hasn't been at this location long (panic is rubbing my shoulders at this point) and (trumpets sound) there is a picture of my Lord Jesus hanging from the wall ( panic mutters to itself and leaves). I am suddenly suffused with calm. As it happens, the doctor has been practicing his craft for a great many years and is quite adept at it.

And so, what had seemed to be a random string of events led us to a man who was quite devout in his faith and who praticed his craft based on this faith. My back was restored to functionality, and in the course of his examination and treatment, the doctor, at no additional charge(!) was able to repair other problems that had been bothering me for some time.

G-d is good.

The Calender on the tool box

2005-06-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

Something different happened.

I have been working in a shop that is very much a stronghold for the enemy and his forces that would govern this world. I had wondered for some time why G-d would put me in such a place.

For example, I had only been at this shop for a week when I was accused of stealing a rather expensive piece of equipment. Needless to say, I found this to be a bit discouraging. Even though the manager had told me to "go home", I was able to remain at the store and conduct my own investigation (as previously revealed, I had spent some time in law enforcement, and wasn't always "just a mechanic").

It was during the course of this investigation that two things (which I had thought were obvious, silly me) came to public light:

1) I didn't steal anything and was able to prove it rather easily, and

2) I was a Christian music minister and sometime youth pastor.

Now, the first factoid really surprised nobody. It was really quite easy to find out that the management team had been fed misinformation to draw attention away from the real perpetrators of this theft. It was the second that actually brought the most questions and revealed G-d's hand.

My co-workers to this point were, with one exception, all very young, between 17 and 25 years old. I have dental fillings older than that. These kids are full of the world and everything that it "promises". Before they found out some of the details of who I am, I had been regularly regaled with their, shall we say, recreational exploits, not to mention speech and "music" heavily laden with profane language.

And Then.... everything changed.

Suddenly, these same young people either were removed from employment (in part due to their involvement in the theft scandal) or became VERY subdued, especially around me. The new technicians brought in to replace those lost also made a point of "behaving themselves" when I was near. I was about to speak to one of them about this when they, in the form of a 25 year old journeyman tech, approached me.

What he asked was amazing.

"Why are you here, and how can I be more like you?"

Uuuuuhhhhh........ What? (Yoda would laugh at this point and say "Caught off guard, were you?")

After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I was able to speak to this young man about his questions. It seems that he wanted to go into law enforcement, but had been stopped by outside forces at every turn. It also came to light that he was a young Christian who found himself caught up in the popularity contest that is the world and had given in to the various temptation the enemy has to offer. And he, this young man, wanted out.

I explained what it took to get into law enforcement and where he could go to get the training he sought. But, more importantly, I was able to share with him my story. His wasn't all that different from mine, and so I was able to connect with him and show him that G-d would, if asked, deliver him from the grasp of the enemy and the forces that held this young man in the corruption of the world.

For the remaining time he was at this shop (he has transferred to a shop closer to the school for law enforcement training) he refrained from profanity and the disrutive music and behavior that had characterized his daily routine prior to our short conversation.

G-d is good. All the time!

But it hasn't stopped there.

I have, on my tool box, a small flip-type daily bible verse calander. It gives me something to think about and study briefly before I hit the daily workload waiting for me. The calander had been there for a couple of weeks when I noticed something strange: Whenever I went on days off, the calender was always on the correct day when I came back to work.

Someone at the shop was reading the calender.

Now, it wasn't until very recently that a began to see who this might be, and may not have ever known had this person not come up and asked me another of those jaw-dropper questions.

He asked, "How do you become a Christian minister?"

Duh-uh....

What?!!??! This was a man who went out most nights with his buddies to have a beer (not necessarily a bad thing) and pick up women (hmmmm) at the local topless club (off the deep end).

It seems, once again showing G-d as mighty, that he has been hanging around with some of our mutual friends, when he wasn't at work, and that they had decided to get back to the things of G-d based on what my wife and I had been sharing with them.

He had been told by these friends that he needed to clean things up himself. It seems that these mutual friends had come to realize that, by surrounding themselves with things and people of G-d, they were better able to resist the temptations of the enemy. This is when my co-worker sought me out with his question.

Once again scraping my jaw off the floor I was faced with answering a question that would be a turning point in sopmeones life. Fortunately, G-d had answered that very question for me. "Go to the people of G-d", I said, "and seek to do what He would have you do. As you Grow in Him, others will seek this same knowledge through you. You will then find yourself in the role of 'minister'"

He has done exactly that.

My calender still gets turned.

the Angel that came as my friends died

2005-06-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

Picture of the beam

2005-06-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome!

2005-06-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life!"

I don't know about you, but I think that I must have heard this from every third teacher (whether I was their student or not) and just about all my Sunday School pastors! Uhg! Made me want to scream "can't you come up with something new?"

Sorry. Get ahead of myself sometimes.

The name's Brian D. I'm a music minister and sometimes preacher/teacher/whatever is needed at my local church. This church, while a wonderful fellowship, has become "stuck in the mud" of manmade traditions. They always sing the same songs, listen to the same sermons, "study" the same books as they always have.

This is, unfortunately, the way of the world.

So enters Double Portion Ministries, aka DPM! It is time for G-d's Kids, both young and old, to grow up! G-d didn't send His Son a couple thousand years ago to die for our "traditions"! NO! Jesus Died for Us! Not only that, but his followers, the original 11 (Judas bailed, remember) also, in most cases, gave their lives so that The Church (you and me) could grow and thrive.

Jesus told them, and now tells us, that he would send another, His Holy Spirit, as a comforter. When this happened in the Upper Room all those years ago, nobody in that room was left the same. Because along with the Holy Spirit came the spiritual gifts.

For some reason, though, these gifts seem to have been dismissed by the church (not you and me, but the one in Rome) as something akin to parlor tricks. And now, in these enlightened days, if it can't be measured in a lab somewhere it cannot POSSIBLY be real.

OK, I'll get off the soapbox now.

But here we are, just the same. I was personally healed of a rather nasty heart condition that kept me out of military service and pretty much framed my existence for 39 years. But then something "strange" happened. I was introduced to the notion that the G-d I had always acknowledged wanted to become more than a few words at mealtimes in my life. To show Himself both mighty and as a closer, more intimate friend and counselor, He bestowed upon me first a healing, then the gift of hearing His music.

Big Time Changes Occur At This Point.

I not only stopped having heart problems that required quarterly visits to the ER, (a soap opera all on its own) but I began to see G-ds hand in the lives of those around me. I could feel the presence of his messengers. My life was GOOD! Nothing could go wrong now!

Then two close friends died in the line of duty as police officers.

Ouch.

But.... G-d immediately showed himself mighty, even in this tragic time. A mighty Angel revealed himself to all who were on the central coast of California that day. I have a photo (posted on this sight somewhere...) that was taken just about the time the guys died.

Then the cross appeared on the sight where we found their bodies.

The investigation pictures taken at the scene have a beam of light that shines on the same spot, but this beam does not appear on the negatives.
(another picture posted...)

Nearly 2000 Officers came from around the world to the funeral for these two men.

Then the surviving family and co-workers asked me to drive the assigned patrol car of one of the two officers in the procession to the church.

I was the mechanic. G-d works in strange ways...

So now I, and my wife, have dedicated ourselves to breaking the hold the "traditional church" has on G-d's people, who are ultimately His Church! Jesus teaches, through his testaments, that we can have a real, physical relationship with Him! We do not have to wear a special robe or do some exotic ritual. All He asks is for us to listen, to give our lives to Him and He, in return, will guide us through life's ups and downs!

How bad would it be to live in a world where we only have to look into ourselves to see G-d?

How hard would it be to give someone a smile and encouragement instead of suspicion and animosity?

Is it possible to go to work not for a paycheck but as an example of G-d's love?

Is it possible to speak to another person without a profane word?

It is. And we can do it without some mystical training.

Find a Bible. G-d lays it all out.