Late-Breaking News!

Around ten minutes ago, I was informed that The Really Right Reverend Paisley Ledbetter had been taken into custody on account of multiple probation violations.  It was not specified if his article on Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin (with them being shown less than fully clothed) had anything to do with it, but it would appear that his probation officer, who just got back from an extended vacation, has a thing for Hillary Clinton.

What was specified is that Paisley is to be held at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners here in Springfield until he can be transferred to the supermax penitentiary in Florence, CO to serve the remainder of his 356 year sentence for a number of heinous crimes against humanity.  When I asked what those might be, I was told that I didn’t want to know.

By the time I was notified of his arrest, all of Paisley’s published articles had already been deleted, and I was given some indication of what he had in the works.  No, you don’t want to know.

Since Paisley will not be permitted anymore contact with the outside world, ever hearing anything from him again is highly unlikely.  The parents of kids (both human and goat) should be very thankful.

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Muy Bueno, DIRECTV

Dear Bonnie,

Great news!  DIRECTV understands that now more than ever, every penny counts.  That’s why we’re stretching your dollar further with special, low-priced Spanish and English-channel packages.  Call now and lock in your savings for one full year!

Los canales de alcalde sintonia párrafo toda la familia jen ingles y español!

With DIRECTV packages starting at just $24.99 a month for 12 months, only DIRECTV gives you access to over 60 Spanish-language channels with the best programming from 19 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and Spain, and over 235 English channels.  You’ll get more number one shows, more movies and novelas, and late-breaking news from your home country.  You’ll also get the most international fútbol from around the world and the local leagues of Central and South America.  DISH Network and cable can’t give you that.

Receta en paquetes de programación Inglés y ahorrar hasta $ 31 al mes!

For those who prefer all English-language channels, our CHOICE^TM package is for you!  Enjoy OVER 150 of the most popular channels and tons of exciting sports and family movies, all for just $29.99 a month for 12 months!  Plus, ask how to get FREE HD.

DIRECTV hace que cambiarse sea GRATIS y FACIL!

Don’t wait!  Find out why DIRECTV is the fastest-growing TV service.  Just choose your package and we’ll handle the rest for FREE—NO start-up costs and NO equipment to buy.  Call our bilingual customer service team now and make the FREE and EASY switch to DIRECTV!

When I first saw that I thought it was hysterical.  For my mother-in-law was married to a Filipino for short time, and she kept the name after divorcing him around 20 years ago.

No, she does not speak Spanish.  Never has.  Never will.

However, the more I thought about it, the madder I got.  For I have no problem with those who have Spanish as their native language being in this country, but I want them to want to be Americans.

Yes, I understand that it is actually a brilliant marketing tool.  For there are millions of Spanish-speakers from sea to shining sea, but it really rubs me the wrong way when so many absolutely refuse to integrate into our society.

Perhaps I am over-reacting (again), but I look providing strictly Spanish-language channels as being a step in the wrong direction.  Bilingual would be different.  For they could be very helpful with teaching English as a second-language, pero ¿qué sé yo?

P.S.: FOX changed channels locally, and DIRECTV still doesn’t have the new one available—EVEN AFTER OVER 8 MONTHS OF KNOWING ABOUT IT!  Yes, it may not be their fault, but all of my sister-in-law’s inquiries about the problem have been ignored.

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The Paisley Apology

After what seemed like days upon days of agonizing negotiations, the arbitrator has finally ruled that The Really Right Reverend Paisley Ledbetter must cease and desist from publishing anymore crude, sophomoric jokes.  When I pointed out that everything about him is crude and sophomoric, I was told to not push it.  When he left the courtroom with a dancer from Jillian’s Jiggling Junk under each arm, I got the impression that some favors may have been traded.

Anyway, I was granted the right to issue a formal apology for Paisley’s inexcusable behavior.  So, please accept that I am so very, very sorry.

I was also authorized to look for another editing agency that will do more than just black-out bad words.  Again, please accept that I am so very, very sorry.

No, I was not given permission to delete his prior publications, nor ban him from leaving any crude comments.  Yet again, please accept that I am so very, very sorry.

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Kiddie Cage Fighting

Link: [On ABCNews/Nightline]

I must admit that the most shocking part of that piece to me was the dad saying, “If he wasn’t in this environment, what would he be doing?  He’d be standing on a street corner raising havoc."  For I can see where something like that would be exploited by strangers when there is enough money to be made, but parents are supposed to be more protective of their own children—right?  Besides, aren’t 8-9 year-olds supposed to be in school and then busy doing their homework when they get home after classes end for the day?

Evidently not.  For little boys have been fighting mixed-martial-arts bouts in [Carthage, MO], which is a town around 45 miles to the southwest of us here in Springfield, for several years now.

To be quite honest, MMA fighting is not all that appealing to me.  For the vast majority of the “action” is merely a couple of guys grappling with each other until one of them looks like he might get hurt, but that’s missing the point by a mile—isn’t it?

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The Boys of Fall

I became a fan of [Kenny Chesney] yesterday.  Yeah, I’ve really enjoyed some of his songs, but it was not until I watched him bare his soul in a documentary that he helped produce about local football that I came to truly appreciate the man.

You see, he truly is a superstar of country music, and yet, his fondest memories are of playing wide receiver on his high school football team.  Furthermore, there is not a doubt in my mind that he would gladly trade all of those platinum records, sold-out stadium concerts and industry awards to have been physically big enough to keep on playing for the [Tennessee Volunteers] and on to the [NFL].

Be assured that [The Boys of Fall] is a film for those who just don’t get sports.  For it may be about football, but the sentiment carries over to baseball, basketball and even hockey (especially in Canada).  Okay, it also goes for soccer for those who haven’t been given enough sense to know better.

Quite frankly, I don’t get people who don’t get sports.  For it does as much to define a community as anything else.  In fact, I imagine that most would mention something about the [Cowboys] if you would ask them to name something about Dallas, and I am quite sure that most would come back with something about football when asking about [Notre Dame], which is a school that rivals the [Ivy League] in academics.

On a more local level, that is even more true.  For when I think about [Mt. Vernon] and [Monett], them trading state football championships in the 60’s and 70’s comes to mind.  1972 was the year that we beat both of them while I was attending [Cassville], and we were not even close to being a perennial powerhouse in football back then.

No, I didn’t get to play.  For my parents were afraid of me getting hurt, and this has left a deep feeling of bitterness that refuses to go away.  Just another facet to the wonderful life I was given to live in this world, I am told.

P.S.: If you access to [On Demand], The Boys of Fall is currently listed on ESPN under "Films."

Note: There is around a 12-second delay before the video starts, and the song kicks in after a few minutes from the documentary.

Link: [On YouTube]

The Boys of Fall

Kenny Chesney

When I feel that chill

Smell that fresh cut grass

I’m back in my helmet

Cleats and shoulder pads

Standin’ in the huddle

Listenin’ to the call

Fans goin’ crazy for

The boys of fall

They didn’t let just anybody

In that club

Took every ounce of heart

And sweat and blood

To get to wear those game day jerseys

Down the hall

Kings of the school man

We’re the boys of fall

Well it’s

Turn and face the Stars and Stripes

It’s

Fightin’ back them butterflies

It’s

Call it in the air

All-right

Yes sir

We want the ball

And it’s

Knockin’ heads

And talkin’ trash

It’s

Slingin’ mud

And dirt and grass

It’s

I got your number

I got your back

When back’s against the wall

You mess with one man

You got us all

The boys of fall

In little towns like mine

That’s all they got

Newspaper clippings

Fill the coffee shops

The old men will always think

They know it all

Young girls will dream about

The boys of fall

Well it’s

Turn and face the Stars and Stripes

It’s

Fightin’ back them butterflies

It’s

Call it in the air

All-right

Yes sir

We want the ball

And it’s

Knockin’ heads

And talkin’ trash

It’s

Slingin’ mud

And dirt and grass

It’s

I got your number

I got your back

When your back’s against the wall

You mess with one man

You got us all

The boys of fall

Well it’s

Turn and face the Stars and Stripes

It’s

Fightin’ back them butterflies

It’s

Call it in the air

All-right

Yes sir

We want the ball

And it’s

Knockin’ heads

And talkin’ trash

It’s

Slingin’ mud

And dirt and grass

It’s

I got your number

I got your back

When your back’s against the wall

You mess with one man

You got us all

The boys of fall

We’re the boys of fall

The boys of fall

They boys of fall

We’re the boys of fall

Lyrics From: [elyricsworld.com]

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The Rest of the Prosperity Story

Link: [On YouTube]

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”[Jeremiah 29:11NIV]

Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse of Joel Osteen and others like him.  It is a favorite of mine, as well.

Nonetheless, there is something about that verse that is often (if not always) ignored by the so-called prosperity preachers, and it is of critical importance.  For that verse was given through a man who saw his country conquered, his countrymen slaughtered and enslaved, and his beloved Jerusalem burned to the ground.

Yes, the Prophet Jeremiah was held in very high esteem in days after, but during his time as a part of this world, he was reviled.  In fact, he physically died in Egypt after being taken there against his will by those who refused to listen to what else he had been given to say—even after everything he had previously told them would happen did!  By the way, if the Old Testament book that bears his name is not enough to convince you of what a "wonderful" life the Prophet Jeremiah lived in this world, go check out the next one in line, Lamentations.

Be assured that it is the same with this message as it is with all of the others like it.  For this is not meant to crush any dreams, and for some, those dreams will come true.  Ah, but most are dreaming of what should not be a desire of their heart.

Please, bear in mind that this is being given through someone who has been made all too painfully familiar with what the Prophet Jeremiah had to endure.  For I have been watching my beloved country crumble before my very eyes, and almost every time I have attempted to help someone to better know and understand what our Heavenly Father wants them to, it has been as if nothing was said at all.

Alas, I must admit that it gets to me at times.  For there is Joel Osteen with a drop-dead gorgeous wife, incredible kids and millions of devoted followers all over this world (not to mention wonderful health all around and more money than he knows what to do with).

Yet, am I not blessed even more?  For if I was standing in his shoes, I would naturally find it extremely difficult to change the message out of fear of losing all I had, and this is exactly what he must do or be content with knowing that he has already received his reward in full, which will count against him, come Judgment Day.

Yes, that sounds awfully judgmental.  So, please, I beseech thee, ask our Heavenly Father if it truly is of Him or my own bitterness?

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Hot Coffee

I must admit that I was just like far too many others when news of the lawsuit against McDonald’s over their coffee being too hot first hit the headlines almost twenty years ago.  For I had no idea that it was standard operating procedure to keep their coffee at between 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit, and what kind of damage could occur from even a limited time of direct contact.  So, I assumed that it really was just another frivolous lawsuit aimed at diving into the deep pockets of corporate America.

I finally conceded that the image that was originally published of what happened after Ms. Stella Leibeck, of Albuquerque, NM, accidentally spilled a cup of McDonald's coffee on her lap might be too graphic for some delicate sensibilities.  So, you need to now click-on the black image to see them.  Do so at your own risk.

The [Hot Coffee] documentary starts off with that case, but it is really more about the battle over tort reform in the United States legal system than anything else.  Be assured that it was an eye-opening experience for me.

In all fairness, the documentary may have been decidedly slanted in favor of those who oppose many of the measures proposed to limit the amount of damages that a jury can award an injured party.  Nonetheless, it would be very hard to feel much sympathy towards the other side in the cases they did cover.

Yes, “stuff” happens, and in those cases, I do not want to see millions of dollars being awarded for something that could not have been reasonably prevented.  On the other hand, when something dangerous is suspected and ignored, a message needs to be sent.  Who better to do that than a jury of our peers?

Link: [On YouTube]

Link: [On YouTube]

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Coming Soon: A Different Shade of Paisley

It is in the hope of restoring a semblance of peace on the homefront that I have agreed to extend an invitation to The Really Right Reverend Paisley Ledbetter to become another author/contributing member of this site.  Not that it has been all that peaceful here at home at any particular time, but with my mother-in-law being on a rampage more than usual the last few weeks, I just had to do something.

You see, The Really Right Reverend Paisley Ledbetter is especially precious to my mother-in-law.  I don’t know why, and neither one is telling.

My wife refuses to take a side, and I suppose I cannot really blame her.  For she knows just what her mother is capable of much better than I do.

All of this started when The Really Right Reverend was promoted from just being The Right Reverend.  Since I am not sure which denomination issued his credentials, I have no idea how that came to be, but when it did, he started talking about how he should expose himself to more of the world.

No, the boy just ain’t right, but it could be argued that it may not be his fault.  After all, his middle name is Plaid.

Alas, I do not have the words to express just how sorry I am about this, and I hope you can give me the benefit of your doubts.  After you start seeing what I mean, I suppose it isn’t going to matter much, either way.

I was, however, able to negotiate a compromise of sorts.  For instead of letting him publish directly, like the rest of the authors/contributing members do, his articles will have to be submitted to the Hardshell Baptist Parental Guidance Advisory Board for review, and they will be the ones who will actually post what is approved of under his name.  May we be given the strength to endure this time of great tribulation.

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Where Was God On 9-11?

If anything, [Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero] provides us with a taste of what our Heavenly Father endures each and every minute of each and every day.  For He hears billions upon billions of questions being asked by those who have no expectation of ever receiving an answer from Him, and He listens to millions upon millions talking about Him without having any real desire to actually talk with Him.  Rhetorical questions.  Meaningless conjecture.  It was indeed an honest presentation of just how far we have fallen away from Him.

No, none of this is meant to diminish the magnitude of the tragedy.  Neither is it meant to dismiss the profound sense of loss that was (and still is) felt by so many, so deeply.

Yet, has He not made it clear that physical death does not have to be the end of our lives?  So, where is all of this grief coming from—especially in the Christian community?

Alas, that sounds awfully cold, but only from our own ground-based points-of-view.  For the end of their time as a part of this world marks the end of their suffering for all who are truly in Christ.  So, why were those “good Christians” acting as if our Heavenly Father did something evil by delivering their loved ones from the curse of having to live in this world any longer?

Yes, it is written in [Ecclesiastes 9:4] that even a live dog is better off than a dead lion, but is this not as if all things were equal?  Furthermore, is not the absolute truth of the matter made abundantly clear through the Apostle Paul?  For it is written: For me to live is Christ (His life in me), and to die is gain (the gain of the glory of eternity). [Philippians 1:21 AMP]

No, this is not to say that we should long for death.  For our time in this world is meant for the doing of the good things that our Heavenly Father created each and every one of us to do [Ephesians 2:10].

Nonetheless, may we keep in mind that our time in this world has always been meant to be temporary [2 Corinthians 4:18], and it will be full of trouble [John 16:33].  Ah, but it will be as it should be in the end.  For it is written: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. [Romans 8:18-21 NIV]

Come on now, if you were given an opportunity to suffer a horrible injury, which you would fully recover from in a relatively short amount of time while being given more money than you could even start to spend during the rest of your time in this world, wouldn’t you take it?  Despite the fact of none of us being given a choice of whether or not we want to suffer the injury, does this not sound fairly similar to what our lives in this world is like?

Of course, that scenario was presented in natural terms. For there is nothing in this world that compares to spending all of eternity with our Heavenly Father in His Kingdom of Heaven as an heir to all that is His in glory.  For it written: Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”  One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.  It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.  There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.  The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.  The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long.  The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick.  The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.  The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,  the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.  The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.  I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.  The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.  The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.  Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. [Revelation 21:1-22:5 NIV]

P.S.: If you think that I have become immune to the natural feelings of others, be assured that I most certainly have not.  In fact, I am unable to provide the lyrics/text to the following videos because of becoming too overwhelmed with emotion, which is a mixture of both deep sadness and profound joy, every time I hear them.

Link: [On YouTube]

Link: [On YouTube]

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Westboro To Protest My Cowboys

It is being [reported] that the infamous [Westboro Baptist Church] out of Topeka, KS is planning on protesting outside of the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ before (and probably during) the game between my beloved [Dallas Cowboys] and the [New York Jets] this Sunday night.  According to their press release, “The entertainment industry is a microcosm of the people of this doomed nation: hard-hearted, Hell-bound, and hedonistic to the max…  You have no proper thoughts of the God that created you, but we’ll be there to make sure you don’t forget when we haul your rebellious carcasses into the New Meadowlands Stadium to watch God-hating fools do their shtick (sic).”

Yes, since the protest is being held in New Jersey, it may be aimed more at the Jets, but this is hitting awfully close to my boys, who have nothing but the purest of intentions in everything they do.  I wonder if [Lavender] has anything to do with this?

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Becoming Human on NOVA

If you are not familiar with the show, [NOVA] is one of the regular programs on [PBS].  The focus is mostly (if not entirely) on scientific topics, and they recently had a rebroadcast of their three-part series on human evolution from 2009, which I missed the first time around.

Be assured that my ears really picked-up while listening to the introduction.  Humans, without a doubt the smartest animal on earth.  Yet, we are unmistakably tied to our ape origins.  Millions of years ago, we were apes, living ape lives in Africa.  So, how did we get from that to this?  What happened?  What set us on the path to humanity?  The questions are huge, but at last, there are answers.  More than six million years ago, we took that first step to separate from the apes.  “We see the launching of the career that ultimately led to Homo Sapiens.”  And three million years ago, we see the roots of our big brain begin to take hold in a tiny creature, more like a chimp than a human.  “The frontier of human evolution is really being brought to this razor-sharp edge.”  And we now know that for millions of years, many different human-like species lived together on the planet.  Until one day, there was only us.  Homo Sapiens, the most complex, adaptable animal on earth.  So, how did we get this way, and why?  A radical new theory reveals how episodes of cataclysmic change forced our ancestors to adapt, or die.  “I think we should actually look to our proud ancestry, and how we evolved in east Africa, and say, ‘That’s how we survived that, we can survive the future.’”  So get ready for a ride through millions of years of our history.  It’s the story of becoming human.  Our story, right now on Nova.

To be more specific, it was the, The questions are huge, but at last, there are answers, that brought my ears to full attention.  For that is rather bold statement for those who openly claim to only accept empirical evidence as proof of anything.

Alas, maybe I did not get the memo on how the rules for empirical evidence had changed to include mere speculation?  For all of the answers presented had no basis in fact, according to the rules of empirical evidence that I knew of.

Yes, there was mention of theory in the introduction, but weren’t we being led towards acceptance of fact beforehand?  Please let me know if you believe that I am just being asinine.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

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Heaven Is Real

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Link: [On Dateline NBC]

I have a little experience with this sort of thing.  It happened sometime in February of 1997 (I think) on the east-side of Holbrook, AZ.

I was still in the mandatory training phase of my first over-the-road trucking job, and while my trainer went into the Shell Truckstop to get something to eat, I laid down in the sleeper to try to get to sleep while the truck was not moving.  For going to sleep while it was moving was a near impossibility for me.

Anyway, I don’t think I had been laying down all that long when I felt my soul lifting up out of my physical body.  When I saw that I was about to pass through the top of the sleeper, I cried out, “No, I’m not ready to go yet!”  I don’t know whether I said this out-loud or not, but as soon as I said it, my soul instantly returned to my physical body.

Yep, that was it.  I didn’t see any bright light.  In fact, I didn’t even see my physical body still laying in the bed, but it has helped to prove to me that many who claim to have experienced an out-of-body experiences, really did experience something.

There is not a doubt in my mind that what Colton Burpo experienced was very real.  For while watching that segment, I became overwhelmed with emotion, which is what happens when our Heavenly Father gives me an even more acute awareness of His presence in order to erase any uncertainly about what He is assuring me of.

You can read some more about the book that his dad wrote about his experience [here].  Oh how I hope the purity of this revelation doesn’t get too corrupted.  Of course, it would not be anything that our Heavenly Father could not overcome, but it would still be such a shame.

Speaking of such, the following two videos contain some shameful things.  In the first one, Pastor Piper talks about how he always considered our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven as being a sacred secret that should not be openly discussed before he was allowed a short visit there, and in the second, an atheist minister confidently proclaims that we will return to the nothingness we came from after we die—despite meeting her uncle after she experienced her some time on the other side.  Can anyone tell me how anyone could have a greater faith in their beliefs than she does?

 

Link: [On ABC News]

 

Link: [On ABC News]

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How To Make Links Open In A New Widow On Blogger

Just a few days ago, I was seriously considering going into crisis mood.  You can read all about [here].

At the end of the article, I mention that WordPress does have one big advantage over Blogger, and that is the ability to open links in a new window.  Well, I just found out how to do it on Blogger, as well.

Grace, of [Dragon’s Alley] fame and fortune came to my rescue at first.  For she found how to do it with individual links, which you can read about [here], and after being absolutely overjoyed over this, I found a way to make ALL links open in a new window automatically.

Now, I am somewhat reluctant to give this person credit.  For when I asked him for some help with this several months ago, he ignored me, and since he had already published an article about it, all he had to do was direct me to it.

Anyway, whether a jerk or not, credit should be given when due, and you read what he wrote [here].  Ironically, if you click on the links in his article, they do not open in a new window, but the code he provides works on all of my sites now.  In all fairness, Google has been making some drastic changes to Blogger, and it may very well be that he just needs to enter it again.

In order to make it a little easier on you (hopefully), a step-by-step guide is below.  Please, make sure and download a copy of your current template to your hard drive, just in case something goes wrong.  It shouldn’t, but…

Step 1: Go to your Blogger Dashboard.

Step 2: On Blogger-In-Draft, you will see an image that looks like a couple of pieces of paper, and just to the right of it, you will see an arrow for a drop-down menu.  Click on “Template” on the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Click on “Edit HTML” under “Live on Blog.” After doing so, you should see something like the following in the box under “Template > Edit HTML.”

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">

<html expr:dir='data:blog.languageDirection' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml' xmlns:b='http://www.google.com/2005/gml/b' xmlns:data='http://www.google.com/2005/gml/data' xmlns:expr='http://www.google.com/2005/gml/expr'>

  <head>

Step 4:  What you are seeing is the first few lines of code to your template, and under <head>, paste (or manually type in) <base target='_blank' />  After doing so, your code should look like the following:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">

<html expr:dir='data:blog.languageDirection' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml' xmlns:b='http://www.google.com/2005/gml/b' xmlns:data='http://www.google.com/2005/gml/data' xmlns:expr='http://www.google.com/2005/gml/expr'>

  <head>

  <base target='_blank'/>

Note: I don’t know if it is really necessary, but I added a couple of spaces to the front of <base target… so that it would line up with <head>.

Step 5: Click on “Save Template” at the bottom and to the right of the box.

Step 6: After the template has updated, which should only take a few seconds, click on “Close” to the left of “Save Template.”

Step 7: Open a page on your site, and marvel at what a technical genius you are after seeing your links open in a new window!  (That is, until Google decides to make some more “improvements,” of course.)

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