Another Idiotic Elitist

Link: [On ABC News]

The object of my ire this time is [Ian Drew] of Us Weekly.  Did you hear what he said, starting at the 2:15 mark?  If you were still bedazzled by the Mirror Ball Trophy, what I am pointed to is as follows.

“William Levy, Katherine Jenkins and Donald Driver all had a lot to prove because no one knew who they were.  So, they knew that they had to be nice, but they also didn’t have a reason to have an ego.  They knew that.  They knew that the show was going to make them a big star here.”

Yes, he was talking about [William Levy], who has had millions of women literally drooling at mouth whenever he has appeared on their television screen for years.  He was also talking about [Katherine Jenkins], who may not be all that well-known here in America, but with looks like that, she undoubtedly turns heads wherever she goes.  Last, but certainly not least, he was talking about [Donald Driver], who is a fairly big star in the NFL, which is just the most watched thing on television these days.

Alas, isn’t his attitude akin to a pompous New Yorker thinking of [Newark, New Jersey] as being little more than a hamlet on account of it being on the wrong side of the river?  Of course, I could have missed his point.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Varmint Signs 14

It is a well-documented fact that animals, which will be referred to as being varmints here, will often start acting strangely on the eve of impending doom.  Therefore, a series about such sounded like a perfect fit for this site.  Okay, what will be included here may not have anything at all to do with any of that, but it should be highly entertaining.  If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may be in need of Bob Larson’s services.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

R.I.P. GCB

Well, “my” timing is as good as ever.  For [GCB] has already been cancelled.

Therefore, there is no need to say anything else about it, but I do feel compelled to get at least one good shot in.  For the show was based upon [Good Christian Bitches], which is a way too accurate portrayal of some of the shenanigans going on for the comfort of many in the Christian community.

Alas, [Laodicea] today is more about it all being good to very little being anything close to it—with both positions being unpalatable unto our Heavenly Father.  May you truly hear what He actually says is absolutely true.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

YouTube Links

My journey from being as technically-challenged as anyone naturally can be to a master of all things computer-related has not been a smooth one.  In fact, I am still much closer to where I started from than where I would like to be going.

Nonetheless, some progress has been made, and in one of the areas, it is on full display for all to see.  For when I first started blogging, I had no idea how to do much of anything, and now, I think I can publish a fairly presentable piece.

No, I am not trying to take the credit.  For I have been made all too painfully aware of the absolute truth of the matter truly being that anything good I may do is actually on account of my Heavenly Father’s efforts—certainly not my own.

Anyway, one of the things I have learned to do is how to embed video clips, which has changed from the way that it could be done not so very long ago.  I can’t recall just when it changed, but the way I used to embed videos on the Blogger platform was to just include the code for the video in the text.  After clicking on “Publish,” the video would show up where I had placed it.

Yes, that was on the “Compose” page.  Whereas, the code now has to be added on the “HTML” page, which often involves some adjustments back on the Compose side.

Ah, but there is another way that is much easier when it is working as it should.  For one can click on the little button that looks like a [clapperboard] on the Compose page, and this will bring up a pop-up window that looks just like the image below.

The next step is to choose a source, and since the title of this piece is “YouTube Links,” you have probably already figured out that I will be selecting “From YouTube,” on the left side, which will leave the “Choose a video to upload” slot blank, and then you either type in or paste the URL for a particular video on YouTube, which will sometimes leave you with something like you see below.

Now, the reason why will sometimes leave you with something like you see below is up there is on account of this not being what you want to see.  For none of the options listed are for the video that I wanted to embed.

In such cases, the only recourse that I am aware of is to add the actual code for the video on the HTML page, and I wonder what is going on.  For I would think that the YouTube URLs would be unique to each individual video.

Yes, it may very well be just a glitch, but even in cases where this works as it should, why do videos completely unrelated to the search also show up?  It was a different bunch before, and the current selection will probably be replaced before long.

No, I don’t have a good feeling about this at all.  For if anyone should know how to fix something like that, I would think it would be Google, who just happens to own YouTube these days.

Okay, I suppose it is nothing to get too upset about, but I would like to hold Google to a higher standard.  After all, isn’t their motto: Be not evil?

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Varmint Signs 13

It is a well-documented fact that animals, which will be referred to as being varmints here, will often start acting strangely on the eve of impending doom.  Therefore, a series about such sounded like a perfect fit for this site.  Okay, what will be included here may not have anything at all to do with any of that, but it should be highly entertaining.  If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may be in need of Bob Larson’s services.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Hacked Off

If you are not familiar with it, hacked off is an old expression that denotes being rather upset over something.  Kinda like ticked off—only different.

Truth be told, it is probably an expression that only someone at the end of a three-day drunk having some issues with an uncooperative bartender would likely use, but it goes fairly well with the topic at hand.  For it greatly upsets me to hear newscasters contributing to the dumbing down of America.

What I am talking about in this particular case is hearing the software engineers at Facebook being referred to as hackers.  For by [definition]: Computer hacking is broadly defined as intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access.

Link: [On ABC News]

In all fairness, the definition that I am referring to does not appear to be chiseled in stone.  For according to the [Wikipedia article] on the subject: Hacking means finding out weaknesses in a computer or computer network and exploiting them, though the term can also refer to someone with an advanced understanding of computers and computer networks.  Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, such as profit, protest, or challenge.  The subculture that has evolved around hackers is often referred to as the computer underground but it is now an open community.  While other uses of the word hacker exist that are not related to computer security, they are rarely used in mainstream context. They are subject to the long standing hacker definition controversy about the true meaning of the term hacker. In this controversy, the term hacker is reclaimed by computer programmers who argue that someone breaking into computers is better called a cracker, not making a difference between computer criminals (black hats) and computer security experts (white hats). Some white hat hackers claim that they also deserve the title hacker, and that only black hats should be called crackers.

On the other hand, what generally comes to mind when you hear the term, hacker, being used, and wouldn’t it be advantageous for the bad guys to have no distinction placed between their nefarious intentions and those of legitimate programmers?  It does give you something to think about—doesn’t it?

Oh, and in regards to Facebook stock, look for the price to start heading south in a hurry not all that long from now.  For as was addressed in that Nightline segment, if Facebook yields to the demands of serious investors/traders by adding more and more advertising, it will fade into oblivion like MySpace, and if Facebook doesn’t yield, those serious investors/traders will dump their holdings.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

It Ain't Braggin'

[Dizzy Dean] was quite fond of saying, “It ain’t braggin’ if you can back it up.”  Since he is a [St. Louis Cardinals] legend as the leader of the [Gashouse Gang], I have to give him some slack.

As a side note, I was surprised to find that the Wikipedia article on the Gashouse Gang is incorrect about the nickname.  For it is actually referring to the perception (especially at the time) that most of the members of that 1934 team would have surely been on [death row] by then if they hadn’t become baseball players on account of being such an ornery bunch.  Of course, I could be sorely mistaken, but I don’t think so.

Anyway, getting back to the braggin’ part, what Dizzy Dean would like to say is somewhat different than what the Apostle Paul was given to say.  For it is written: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [Philippians 4:13]

Alas, as with so many other things, the significance of that verse has waned considerably in far too many hearts.  For they are so focused on the fact that there is nothing good about any of us that they absolutely refuse to recognize the work of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit in and through someone [Philippians 2:13].

No, I cannot naturally blame them for being that way.  For it has been widely taught for far too long that the ability to overcome any obstacle is available through Christ, but we have to actually do the overcoming.  Subsequently, that leads to a lot of so-called boasting in the Lord that is really just boasting about what we want to believe we have accomplished in His name as He cheers us on.

Yes, our Heavenly Father could certainly put an end to all doubts.  For He could actually stand on the sidelines and watch as those who want to believe that they have been empowered to wield the sword of truth and justice against all unrighteousness make complete fools out of themselves in the eyes of this world, and in many cases, He has.

You see, as it appears to be in a man-made army, a solider is given a weapon and trained in how to fight with it, but this is not the way it is with our Heavenly Father.  For He is really the One who is doing the fighting through us, and this is true of everything that we do in this world—from raising our children to making a living.

Nonetheless, it is so very important to know and understand that it all depends upon what He wants to accomplish in and through someone.  For He will raise some up in the eyes of this world while He will crush others, but in all cases, it will be as it should be in the end [Matthew 19:28-30].

Again, none of this means that we have nothing to do with anything.  For we all have a part to play, but instead of wanting to believe that we have done good, we would be much better off wanting to truly be thankful for the good that He has done in and through us, while humbly accepting that even this is another gift of His grace.

To bring it all home, it would have been wonderful if Dizzy Dean had of been fond of saying, “What I have done ain’t mine to brag about.  For it is the Lord God Almighty, who takes the mound, when it is my turn to pitch.”

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Bob Ryan Needs To Get Out More

[Bob Ryan] is a long-time sports columnist for The Boston Globe.  He is also a fairly frequent competitor on [ESPN’s Around The Horn], which will be the focus of this piece (kinda, sorta).

Okay, I suppose calling Around The Horn, which airs at 4 p.m. CDT M-F, a completion is a stretch.  For the show involves four sports journalists trying to make points (both literally and figuratively) on a number of different sports-related topics, with the one with the lowest total being eliminated each round.  Subsequently, the last one left standing is declared the winner, and they are given 30 seconds to mouth off about anything they want.

Considering the fact that ESPN doesn’t even have a specific section for Around The Horn on their website, you may come to the conclusion that it is not to be taken all that seriously.  I do find it rather entertaining most of the time, however.

Much of this has to do with the “competitors” often taking shots at each other, and [Woody Paige] is usually a hoot and a half.  [Bomani Jones] is another favorite of mine.

On the other hand, you won’t be seeing Ryan having too much fun on the show.  Well, at least not as far as appearances go.  For his face stays in the same stoic expression as in that picture of him over there.

No, I do not think that it is a Boston thing.  For [Jackie MacMullan] hails from the same area, and she has come close to cackling with laughter more than a few times on the show.

Besides, I have seen Ryan acting almost gregarious on ESPN’s [The Sports Reporters], which airs at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays, and [Pardon The Interruption], which airs at 4:30 p.m. CDT M-F.  Hence, the title to this piece.

Of course, after searching for the specific sections for The Sports Reporters and Pardon The Interruption, I may have unfairly portrayed Around The Horn in a poor light.  For with there apparently being none to be found, it looks like the powers that be at ESPN aren’t taking any of their individual shows all that seriously.  Yeah, maybe I am the one who needs to get out more?

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Varmint Signs 12

It is a well-documented fact that animals, which will be referred to as being varmints here, will often start acting strangely on the eve of impending doom.  Therefore, a series about such sounded like a perfect fit for this site.  Okay, what will be included here may not have anything at all to do with any of that, but it should be highly entertaining.  If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may be in need of Bob Larson’s services.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Greed is not Good

A couple of weeks ago, our Heavenly Father clearly said unto me, “I will take what you do not want to freely give.  For greed is not good—especially when everything you have was given to you by Me.”  Be assured that this is a prophecy against the materially rich and powerful in America—from corporations down to individuals.  For with there being so many still unemployed, it is sickening to hear of so many corporations reaping record profits to the joy of their stockholders, and it is also sickening to see the materially rich fighting so hard in the political arena for the freedom to keep what they want to believe they have earned while millions do not have enough to eat—let alone a proper place to live.  To be clear, anyone with plenty to eat and a nice place to live is considered to be materially rich in His eyes.

I do not have a good excuse for why I have not published this sooner, but there it is.  Ignore at your own peril.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Varmint Signs 11

It is a well-documented fact that animals, which will be referred to as being varmints here, will often start acting strangely on the eve of impending doom.  Therefore, a series about such sounded like a perfect fit for this site.  Okay, what will be included here may not have anything at all to do with any of that, but it should be highly entertaining.  If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may be in need of Bob Larson’s services.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Stay!

It is being [reported] that the Minnesota Vikings will be getting their new stadium, and I am glad.  For according to my wife, I am getting older and more decrepit by the minute, and if that is indeed true, it would only be a matter of time before I would feel compelled to start preparing for a Viking invasion of southwestern Missouri after seeing that they were now calling Los Angeles home some overcast Sunday afternoon in November a few years from now.

No, I haven’t already lost my mind.  For what I am referring to are the rumors that have been circulating about the Minnesota Viking becoming the Los Angeles Viking in the not-too-distant future if they didn’t get a new stadium built in Minneapolis.

Hey, it’s not like no other Minnesota sports franchise has ever packed up and moved out there.  Come on now, just how many lakes are there in and around L.A.?  So, doesn’t it strike you as being rather curious that their NBA team goes by the [Lakers]?

Okay, with the [Clippers] also being in L.A., I shouldn’t being acting like the Lakers are the only NBA in town—especially with the Clippers starting to play like they really are a professional basketball team this year.  Granted, it was easy to do before, but not now.  Well, at least not until this season is over, and then we’ll see what happens after that.

No, the Vikings were not the only NFL team rumored to be contemplating a move to Los Angeles.  For the [Chargers] have also been mentioned in not-so-hushed tones around certain water coolers.

Can somebody tell me what’s with San Diego?  For that is where the Clippers originated, and now the Chargers are thinking real seriously about making that same 125 (+/-) mile trip to the north?

Yes, I understand that teams have been moving here to there, and everywhere in-between, since the beginning.  For the [Arizona Cardinals] came from [St. Louis] after starting out in [Chicago].

Another situation for sports fanatics to geek-out about involves the possible future of the [Oakland Athletics], which is commonly referred to as being the Oakland A’s.  For there has been much talk of the A’s trading Oakland for [San Jose or Fremont], or [Sacramento], or a city to be named later.  All of this being after the team originated in [Philadelphia], and then made a 13 year stopover in [Kansas City] before moving to Oakland in 1968.

Yeah, I’ve hit on all of the major professional sports in America but hockey, and the NHL has been arguably the best at following Elizabeth Taylor’s [example].  For the [Winnipeg Jets] moved south to become the [Phoenix Coyotes], and then the [Atlanta Thrashers] moved north to become the new and improved(?) [Winnipeg Jets].

I do like the idea of teams changing their names when they change locations.  For the [Memphis Grizzlies] doesn’t sound right at all, but the [Oklahoma City Thunder] sounds perfect—certainly better than the [Utah Jazz].

No, I don’t like the sound of the [St. Louis Rams], neither.  For the Rams belong in [Los Angeles], and to be quite frank about it, the [Colts] belong in Baltimore.  At least the NFL had the decency to let the Browns name stay in [Cleveland], even though the actual team moved to Baltimore and became the [Ravens].  Oh, and don’t get me started on the [Los Angeles Raiders]!

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

One of My Thorns

A couple of days ago, I published [A Thorn in the Flesh], which touched upon what the Apostle Paul was subjected to, and my own personal experience with the like.  As with most of the things I have been given to say by our Heavenly Father, it was not what far too many in the Christian community wants to hear.  For the primary emphasis of the piece was on the absolute truth of the matter truly being that there is nothing we can do to cleanse ourselves of unrighteousness—other than asking for His will to be done in our lives.

Ah, but aside from being assigned at least one demon to keep reminding me of just how much I am not good enough to be a recognized servant of the Lord God Almighty, I have been subjected to very poor physical health since 1993.  The video below is a trailer to a movie that has been made about what I have been suffering from, and a very detailed article about the disease can be read [here].  All of this was brought to my attention yesterday by my very dear friend, [Adullamite], who will undoubtedly deny ever knowing me if you would ask him about it.

After watching the trailer, I must admit that those in the movie may have been (and be) a whole lot sicker than I am.  For the simplest way of explaining what I have felt like for a little over 19 years now is that I have had a fairly severe case of the flu, with little alleviation of the symptoms from one day to the next, but I have never felt like I needed to be admitted to a hospital.  Of course, I have been told on many an occasion that I really am too dumb to die.

Link: [On Voices from the Shadows]

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Do Not Decline To Sign

I should have suspected that there was something rather nefarious about that ad campaign.  For it has been in heavy rotation during shows like [Judge Joe Brown] and [Judge Judy] in the afternoons in our area.

What was that?  How would I know about such a thing?  Well, um, my wife and her mother really enjoy those shows, and they have mentioned seeing that commercial a lot.

So, with my curiosity piqued, I endeavored to persevere until I got to the bottom of the mystery.  For as you just saw, the commercial does not give any indication of just what it is really about.

Lo and behold, the people behind it are those who run such places as payday and title loan businesses.  For [Missourians for Responsible Lending] is seeking to add the following proposal to the November ballot.

Shall Missouri law be amended to limit the annual rate of interest, fees, and finance charges for payday, title, installment, and consumer credit loans and prohibit such lenders from using other transactions to avoid the rate limit?

Nope, the members of [Missourians for Equal Credit Opportunity] do not want that happening. For being able to legally charge over 400% interest is really good for their business.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Varmint Signs 10

It is a well-documented fact that animals, which will be referred to as being varmints here, will often start acting strangely on the eve of impending doom.  Therefore, a series about such sounded like a perfect fit for this site.  Okay, what will be included here may not have anything at all to do with any of that, but it should be highly entertaining.  If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may be in need of Bob Larson’s services.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

A Lesson To Learn

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

[Romans 8:28 NIV]

Be assured that there is much about my life in this world that I would consider to be anything but good.  At the top of that list is losing my first wife to one of my best friends at the time.

No, I do not mean to besmirch her character.  For if I had of lived up to even a fairly small percentage of the potential I had exhibited during our courtship, I have no doubt that we would have been celebrating our 35^th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago.

If you have read [The Crackerhead Chronicles], you know that I almost lost my mind over losing her.  In fact, some would argue that I really did lose it, and I would be hard pressed to offer a rebuttal.

On the other hand, I now know that losing her was giving me firsthand experience with what our Heavenly Father has been dealing with since the Garden of Eden.  For the love that He has for us is more passionate than what would be considered to be the most torrid of love affairs in the eyes of this world, and it tears His guts out when one of us rejects His advances.

Yes, it is naturally inconceivable that the Creator of all that exists (apart from Himself, of course) would subject Himself to such anguish.  After all, if He truly is all-powerful and all-knowing, couldn’t He have made us to where we had no choice but to love Him with all of our hearts, minds and souls?

Be assured that I would not have given Sam any choice but to love me forever if I was the potter of her clay, but just how valuable would that love have really been?  Moreover, could it have been honestly considered a love at all?

No, I don’t think it could have been, but being the pathetic loser that I naturally am, I wouldn’t have cared.  Our Heavenly Father does, however.

Hence, one of the main reasons for our existence in this world as we naturally are.  For in order for our Heavenly Father to receive the very special kind of love He desires, He had to give us a choice of whether or not we wanted to love Him back.

Yes, there are other factors to consider.  For by keeping His glory hidden from our physical sight, our Heavenly Father made it much harder for us to want to love Him, which makes the love that He receives from those who are willing to give Him the full benefit of their considerable doubts all the more satisfying.  Nonetheless, it all comes back to Him wanting to be truly loved by us, which is a love that has to be freely given.

Speaking of a more satisfying kind of love, I have been given some firsthand experience with that, as well.  For with me exhibiting very few signs of great potential these days on account of suffering from very poor health for a number of years, there is no naturally-recognizable reason for why my beloved Arlynda should love me as much as she does.  It is, of course, a love for me that He has placed in her heart, but she still has some choice in the matter.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

A Thorn in the Flesh

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NAS]

Over the years, many a debate has taken place over just what that thorn in his flesh was.  Some have contended that it was poor eyesight, based upon a comment he made in his letter to the [Galatians], while others have leaned toward it being much more obviously spiritual.

Be assured that it was spiritual.  For the Apostle Paul wanted to be as perfect in all of his own ways as his Lord and Savior truly is, and it grieved him deeply when he failed to be as such.

Be also assured that as it was with the Apostle Paul, so has it also been with me.  For it grieves me deeply to know just how naturally unrighteous I truly am—despite understanding more about our Heavenly Father immeasurable grace than I ever did before He started making Himself real to me.

I was given a desire to publish this piece so that it could be of benefit to others after responding to a personal prayer request in an email yesterday afternoon.  It came from a very dear friend of mine, who desperately wants to quit smoking on account of being asked to serve in a youth ministry.  My response was as follows.

I hope you succeed in your hope of being able to finally quit smoking, but if it doesn't come within a reasonable amount of time, please consider: For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  [1 Timothy 4:8 NAS]

Alas, many have been led to believe that only those who have cleansed themselves of all unrighteousness can be servants of our Heavenly Father when the absolute truth of the matter truly is that He delights in doing great and wonderful things through those who appear to be weak and foolish in the eyes of this world.  For it is written: For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your servants (slaves) for Jesus' sake.  For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).  However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. [2 Corinthians 4:5-7 AMP]

Besides, who can truly cleanse us of all unrighteousness aside from Him?  For it is also written: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.  What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [Romans 8:28-32 NIV]  Along with: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. [Ephesians 2:10 NAS]  As well as: [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. [Philippians 2:13 AMP]

Yes, it may very well be that I am just wanting to drag her down to my own pathetic level—albeit unintentionally.  Ah, but a poisoning of the blood often comes with having a thorn in the flesh, and one of the deadliest poisons of all is self-righteousness.

By the way, the perfect prayer is to ask for His will to be done in all of our lives—regardless of the consequences.  May we all be given the courage to sincerely offer such a prayer.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Varmint Signs 9

It is a well-documented fact that animals, which will be referred to as being varmints here, will often start acting strangely on the eve of impending doom.  Therefore, a series about such sounded like a perfect fit for this site.  Okay, what will be included here may not have anything at all to do with any of that, but it should be highly entertaining.  If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may be in need of Bob Larson’s services.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Keeping Him Plumb Out Of It

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[First Amendment of the UnitedStates Constitution]

A lot has been made of the [separation of church and state] in the United States of America over the years.  I may be mistaken, but I am fairly sure that it started when the founding fathers of this country sought to avoid many of the problems that had plagued the governments of most (if not all) of the European countries down through the centuries, with the official recognition of one particular set of religious beliefs over all others appearing to directly lead to the fall of many of them.

Be assured that the making and breaking of governments in this world is something that our Heavenly Father does indeed do—regardless whether He is acknowledged or not.  For it is written: “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.  What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released.  If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.  To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his.  He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges.  He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth around their waist.  He leads priests away stripped and overthrows officials long established.  He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.  He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.  He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.  He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.  He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste.  They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.”  [Job 12:13-25 NIV]

No, the United States of America was not established as a Christian nation, but this does not mean that our Heavenly Father did not have a hand in its birth, nor has had a hand in its growth.  For it is also written: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [Romans 13:1 NIV]

The key to understanding what is going on has to with the absolute truth of the matter truly being that this world was never meant to last but for a little while in comparison to the whole of eternity, and that what our Heavenly Father has been wanting to accomplish is for as many as will from amongst all of mankind to freely want to spend all of eternity with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven as heirs to all that is His in glory.  Subsequently, the establishment of an evil government works as well as a good one does toward accomplishing His purposes, and in many respects, it works better.  For the awful truth is that most of us only think of Him when things are going bad.

Ironically, liberals generally want what our Heavenly Father wants us to do, such as seeking to take care of the poor and needy, while refusing to even acknowledge His existence—let alone give Him credit for placing that desire in their hearts.  Equally as ironic, conservatives generally do not want to share anything with anybody while singing His praises for all to hear.

Alas, despite the insistence of many of the political pundits that the 2012 presidential election should only be about the languishing American economy, debates over the differences in their religious beliefs will undoubtedly become more heated as the opposing forces march toward the final showdown on November 6^th.  For with President Obama being a member of the [United Church of Christ], along with being accused of secretly being a [Muslim], and the expected Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, being a [Mormon], there is certainly plenty for the lunatic fringe on both sides to get heated about.

However, do any of them truly believe that the way this country will go is in our Heavenly Father’s hands, and that it will be as it should be for us all in the end?  Quite sadly, most (both in and outside of the American Christian community) want to keep Him plumb out of it.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

President Obama's Osama Ad

When I first heard about the Republican uproar over that ad, I thought that they were just playing politics with the truth by claiming that President Obama didn’t really have all that much to do with finally tracking down and killing Osama bin Laden.  When I actually saw the ad, I realized that the Republicans do have a point.  For there was no reason to take that shot at Mitt Romney other than playing a little politics, themselves.

Yes, ‘tis the season, and I hate it with every fiber of my being.  After all, wouldn’t it have been enough to just emphasize that our president stayed on the course that had been laid out before he took office, and that we can trust that he will not shy away from making tough decisions when the security of our nation is at stake without making any mention of Romney’s ever-changing positions?

Alas, oh how I wish playing politics wasn’t so acceptable in our society.  For it’s like saying, “Nothing personal—just business as usual,” when all of us should take the way our leaders conduct themselves very personally.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

Varmint Signs 8

It is a well-documented fact that animals, which will be referred to as being varmints here, will often start acting strangely on the eve of impending doom.  Therefore, a series about such sounded like a perfect fit for this site.  Okay, what will be included here may not have anything at all to do with any of that, but it should be highly entertaining.  If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may be in need of Bob Larson’s services.

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]

What A Pig

If you were not already aware of it, I am a HUGE Arkansas Razorbacks fan.  This is especially true of the football team.

Therefore, it shouldn’t come as any great shock that I was horrified to learn of the sex scandal involving the head coach and the lovely young lady over there on the left.  Well, to be completely honest about it, I was actually horrified to learn of [his firing].  For my beloved Razorbacks were set to make a serious run at another national championship, and losing the one who had put it all together (naturally-speaking, of course) just might make the upcoming season a lost cause before the first national anthem is sung.

No, it has not eased my anxiety any that a replacement was found so soon.  For if [John L. Smith] really is up to the challenge, he wouldn’t have been easing into retirement by taking the head football coaching job at his alma mater, [Weber State], which is in a division lower than Arkansas.

Yeah, talk about being a man of high moral character, himself.  For Smith left Weber State high and dry when he accepted Arkansas’ offer of a 10-month contract.

I wonder how this will affect recruiting in the meantime?  For if I was a blue-chip quarterback with the likes of Alabama, LSU, Texas and USC begging me to go play for them, I would sure want to know if I could get along with the next head coach at Arkansas—not to mention if he would be running a pro-style offense that would help me become a high NFL draft pick when the time came, or another kind that wouldn’t.

Of course, none of that will matter all that much to me if I find myself watching Smith holding the national championship trophy high overhead in [Miami] next January.  So, who is a bigger pig than me?

Please Also Visit:

[AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles]

and

[FishHawk Droppings]