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RE: Summer is here? - 5/19/2006 12:07:40 AM
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chemdude77
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The church is trying to arrange for pastoral visits for all of its members The pastor and one elder would be involved.
I have a less than happy history with churches in general. In the pentecostal outfit of my youth, pastoral visits were like warrantless ATF searches and interrogations, without the truncheons and sodium pentathol
So, I am a little leery of the whole visitation thing. I will not have it at my home, but in an office.
Is this going to be an open ended question format? Is there a right answer for the questions that I must provide?
Maybe it is just me, with a less than rational anxiety....
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here? - 5/26/2006 11:37:37 PM
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chemdude77
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My nephew heads into basic training pretty soon. We pray that he would be kept safe, he will probably be sent into Iraq.
We also pray for all of our fighting men and women overseas.
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here? - 6/2/2006 2:23:36 AM
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chemdude77
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Answered prayer -- Ever since I have been billed out for 40 hr/wk, my income has increased dramatically. Not to mention the income of my boss  But this has been a good month.
God's provision, again!
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It is astounding to think of the rapid changes since the '70s.
We were pretty thrilled to have the soldering iron and the Heathkit build-your-own-radio (with AM and FM!!  )
And we were impressed when we could use our 5 lb cassette recorder to tape our favorite songs on AM radio. The VCRs were available in VHS and Beta! But they cost several hundred dollars.
And cars came with Denim seats! 
I wanted my mom to buy a Plymouth Road Runner, not a Toyota Corona. (On my trip to Bangkok in 1994, I was surprised to see a Toyota Corona police car).
The Tampa Bay Bucs wore bright orange uniforms and won 2 games (in a 14 game schedule). Pele was a superstar. Sugar Ray Leonard was hero to boxing fans. OJ Simpson played briefly for the pathetic SF 49ers. Pete Rose could plow into the catcher at home plate and jar the ball loose. Dr J ruled the world of hoops, and Martina Navratilova ruled the courts. And before the WWE, there was big-time wrestling on UHF.
And we could not send email or an IM. We had to turn the rotary dial and CALL. 
No nostalgia for me; I am in better shape, the overwhelming fear is gone. I am thankful for the safe place to live, my degree, the new things I have learned, the dive trips, the travels, a good church, family, a great dog 
But these provisions from God are not meant to be the end. He has a prupose, and He calls us to give, to forgive, to love and to be the salt of the earth.
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From Psalm 96 (Genevan Psalter)!
The Lord is King! Tell every nation!
He made the earth; it cannot be moved.
His justice flows to all the earth.
Let heav'n rejoice, the earth be glad!
Let ocean thunder forth his praises!
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here? - 6/10/2006 1:22:05 PM
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chemdude77
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My nephew graduated on Thursday. He leaves for boot camp, followed by 18 months of Ranger training. Of course, enlistees can be dropped from the program for any little infraction. Being out of formation, injuries, failing to perform any assigned task PERFECTLY.
This will be a test...
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Psalm 113 (the Psalter)
1. Praise God, ye servants of the Lord,
Praise, praise His Name with one accord;
Bless ye the Lord, His Name adore
From this time forth, forevermore.
2. From rising unto setting sun
Praised be the Lord, the Mighty One;
He reigns o'er all, supreme in might,
Above the heavens in glory bright.
3.On whom but God can we rely,
The Lord our God Who reigns on high,
Who condescends to see and know
The things of heaven and earth below?
4.He lifts the poor and makes them great,
With joy He fills the desolate;
Praise ye the Lord and bless His Name,
His mercy and His might proclaim.
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here!!! - 6/28/2006 11:22:54 PM
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chemdude77
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Affixed to the front door was a gang insignia!!!
After my instrucrtor parted ways with this school, he mentioned some very disturbing trends:
1) The Norteno gang symbol decals were affixed to the door of the studio.
Nortenos are a crime syndicate that split from the Mexican Mafia, and they run drug trafficking operations and commit violent crimes in Northern California. They frequently clash with the Surenos, another group that formed in the prison system. One norteno gang banger joined the Marines, and came back to the Valley to shoot two police officers with an SKS.
The MMA fighters often come from rough backgrounds, and a sizeable portion of gang members are drawn to the fighting sports
2) The co-owner has spent many days away from work to get full body tattoos, including gang logos.
I left the school as I saw the offices turned into his personal residence, with pit bull terriers that are kept locked upstairs. I wondered what the stench was...
It is disheartening to see the sport martial arts turned into a haven for thugs and predators.
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here!!! - 7/8/2006 4:00:56 PM
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chemdude77
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It was nice to visit Gardnerville and Minden. I would not mind building a retirement in western Nevada.
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My nephew is in GA for basic training and Ranger training. I remember when he was 4 years old, watching the Ninja Turtles. Time flies...
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Over the 4th, I began to think about some things with clarity.
I am seriously wondering about this planned get-together. It is a difficult time for some, and it might be unfair to put this type of stress into the mix.
And there is very little response and very little interest in the ideas and activities suggested.
There is usually more excitement and anticipation for chance to meet other Christians for the first time.
Maybe I am not a good motivator or cheerleader.
I do not know.
Something does not feel right.
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here!!! - 7/15/2006 2:22:16 AM
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chemdude77
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The increased hourly rate is a blessing. An answer to prayer. If you predicted this in January, I would have rolled my eyes. But God has been faithful. Only He knows how long this will last.
We have a weekend of sun and heat ahead of us.
It is time to locate a good JKD school, as my instructor has moved on and my old school is infested with gang bangers.
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here!!! - 7/16/2006 7:26:51 PM
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chemdude77
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One of the threads (that seems to have disappeared from the Music Forum) was about anger.
Is it OK to be angry?
What about angry rock bands?
Was Jesus always nice? Is love synonymous with niceness?
As kids, we were told that "Christians are not supposed to be angry."
John 2:13 - 22 (RSV):
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; you shall not make my Father's house a house of trade."
His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for thy house will consume me." [Psalm 69:9] The Jews then said to him, "What sign have you to show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" But He spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
God does not "fly off the handle" or lose His composure--He is, as Nahum declares in 1:3, slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. He is a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger (Exodus 34:6)!
The history of God's people is interpreted by some to be the account of a hot-tempered, capricious, abusive deity. When we read the Torah or the Prophets, it may seem difficult to see His patience, mercy, kindness or compassion. Some can only see the earth swallowing up tents, altar fire incinerating Aaron's sons in a seemingly irrational outburst, kids getting mauled by a bear for being kids, the kingdom of David getting hammered for a simple census, and Moses getting a raw deal for whacking a rock.
Subconciously, some folks accept the old Persian heresy of the "Good Cop/Bad Cop" between the New testament and the Old Testament. Some folks assume that God the Father mellows out over time, that He becomes rather relaxed and grandfatherly around 0 AD. To some, Jesus appears as the voice of reason to keep His Father from losing His temper, and that Christ is the more reasoned voice of the Godhead. Many folks avoid the Penteteuch, the History, the Law and the Prophets. I know a man who worked as a counselor at the Harvest crusades, as well as a Bible study leader, who told me that "God sure mellowed out between the Old and New Testaments!"
From the garden to the Cross, from the Passover to Pentecost, from the tabernacle to the Temple, from the monarchy to the Roman occupation, God's rich mercy is spelled out for us! Genesis 3 starts with Adam and Eve driven away from the Tree of Life, and Revelation 22 ends with the redeemed partaking in the Tree of Life. Abraham is willing to offer his only son, and God is there to stop the knive, as God provides the sacrifice. Centuries later, God offers His only Son! The types and shadows of the Temple rituals are superceded by Christ's finished work!
From Genesis to Revelation we see that God is displeased when His name is misrepresented and dishonored.
The Lord took time to fashion scourges and to act in a focused, deliberate manner. He did not throw chairs or rocks; and He swung the whip with authority! His messages to the seven churches in Asia (REV 1-3) carry warnings of judgment and commendations. Revelation 6 talks about men hiding under rocks and caves from the "wrath of the Lamb"!
As the sinless Passover Lamb and eternal God, Jesus exercised righteous anger, anger without sin, holy indignation!
But, what about man's anger? Can fallen man ever exercise righteous indignation?
When we see others enslaved, oppressed, abused, and bullied, how should we respond?
Christians have historically worked to end child labor, child porn, sex trades in Asia, slavery, child sacrifice, cannibalism and gladiatorial contests. Abolitionist and civil rights work in the South was done by devout Christians. Anti-apartheid work was done by SA churches (sadly, other SA churches forbid blacks from taking communion  ). Christians hid Jewish families from Nazi occupation troops in Holland. Christian men and women stood up against tyrants such as Bloody Mary, Hitler, Ceacescu of Romania...
And on the other side:
If we rail and rant against the decadent materialism, are we free of envy and covetousness?
When we rage against the immodesty of others, do we have issues with hidden lust?
Do we slander? Do we libel (blogs and forums make it easy to harm reputations without accountability!)
Do we show mercy, or do we laugh at others' misfortune?
Are we apathetic toward the sufferings of others, and wildly verbose when we bump our knees?
My own anger is often motivated by less than noble reasons, mainly inconvenience, impatience, having my comfort zone disturbed, etc . Human anger is often rooted in pride, envy, jealousy, selfishness, idolatry and greed -- succinctly put, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
The stakes are high for believers. Angry words will cost us relationships, jobs, and other big opportunities. And when an unbeliever knows we are professing Christians, and our rash words are out of the bag, well, God's name is dishonored.
God did not give us an option of a tribulation free life. As a believer, you do not have to pray for trials. He will send them. Even if you don't pray for patience, you will have testing. We are given the opportunity of suffering with Christ, as we will be glorified with Him.
I wonder if God makes me retake the exam when I lose control of my emotions during the test 
< Message edited by chemdude77 -- 7/17/2006 2:59:23 AM >
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Summer is here!!! - 7/23/2006 11:35:15 AM
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chemdude77
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Getting closer to my mini vacation (a CW get-together). Should be about four of us!
My attempts to plan anything kind of fall flat, so most of the activity will be a spur of the moment decision by all...
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
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RE: Summer is here!!! - 8/11/2006 1:58:27 AM
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chemdude77
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Our martial arts instructor is opening a new school. After working in a place with negative people, he brings his upbeat approach to a new school. About 15 of us got together with him to check out the school and talk about business.
A number of "self-defense" schools are glorified aerobics studios with very little instruction. We can go anywhere for a strict aerobic workout. I go to the instructor to learn important skills.
A 90 lb lady should learn how to defend herself and escape from a thug.
A 180 lb businessman should be able to repel his assailant using a chair, a key, a magazine, an umbrella, his hands or a stick.
Many countries do not allow concealed firearms; overseas travellers should be trained to recognize, analyze and improvise.
BTW, I have a health club membership for my resistance training and cardio. But bicep curls and treadmills do not prepare me for the dangers of the real world. These two types of training work together, as the mental training is necessary to make decisions, maintain awareness and self control, and to recognize the dangers and escape routes.
The egotistical, intimidating instructor is not going to cultivate loyalty and respect -- this will translate into a loss of business and a loss of reputation.
An instructor with the clothing and tattoos of a Northern California gang member is to be avoided.
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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Cow Tipping -- give 15% or ELSE!! - 8/20/2006 10:11:09 PM
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chemdude77
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We had an interesting sermon on Psalm 22. When you read the accounts of the Criucifixion, you will remember the words of our Lord:
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Psalm 22:8 foreshadowed the mockery of the religious leaders of Jerusalem, and Psalm 22:16-18 refers to the hateful company of the wicked at Calvary, with the soldiers casting lots for His garments. The Septuagint uses the term assembly. The reigning King of Kings condemns the persecutors of Smyrna's Christians, calling them a synagogue of Satan (Rev 2:9).
Psalm 22:8 refers to the Lord's enemies at Golgotha as "strong bulls of Bashan". What is David referring to??
Why did God quiz Job on the untameable "Wild Ox"? This may not be the same beast....
Not the docile cattle that munch grass and give off methane gas.
Not the low-keyed ox that would pull a cart or enable a farmer to furrow the ground for a future harvest!
Not the cattle that Midwesterners would tip over at midnite, disturbing ole Bessie's sleep 
Not the Happy cows that come from California, and provide the dairy products for our pizzas!! 
What were these wild oxen? What were these strong bulls that roamed most of modern day Lebanon, India, Iran, Northern Africa and Iraq?
Why would these beasts get the attention of the Psalmist?
Why would Julius Caesar and the Pharoahs glory in the capture and slaughter of these [now extinct] animals?
Why would the Assyrian temple reliefs include these fierce Rehmim that were decimated by the royalty of Nineveh (along with lions)?
Why would the artistic depiction of these massive creatures take their place among the drawings of wooly mammoths in the caves?
Tune in for the next episode!
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: Cow Tipping -- give 15% or ELSE!! - 8/26/2006 1:16:03 PM
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chemdude77
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Belligerent bovines?
Yes, dangerous beasts with horns as long as 30', standing 7 feet at the shoulder, weighing up to a ton. The males were even more dangerous during mating season. These creatures are now extinct, thanks to the Egyptian and Assyrian monarchs (later, their descendants survived in Poland until the 17th century AD). If you bumped into one of these in the forests of Lebanon, you would be trampled and impaled. Hunters would herd these animals into a pit to kill them, and use their horns to drink their adult beverages 
Oh well, there are still the rhinos! 
In some passages, God likened His enemies to these untamed, vicious, dangerous animals.
Our Lord defeated His enemies at the Cross. The adversaries that are more dangerous than any large animal in the air, the land or the sea.
As the true, reigning King, will one day parade these defeated foes as a spectacle for all to see, as the Roman and Assyrian generals would do after a victory over rebel kings. However, He is a gracious, kind, merciful and fair King. Unlike the rulers of the earth, He hates oppression, and delights in truth.
We look forward to His return..
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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The end of summer... - 9/2/2006 1:24:12 PM
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chemdude77
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Fog in the morning, sun in the afternoon . Still beats the dreadful humidity and stifling heat of the East.
My nephew is in basic training in the Southeast, and he gets no slack from the DS!
And college football started up already?!
Learning another language is fun, but I need to get my conversational skills up. One of my assignments requires the viewing of a Spanish TV station. They talk too fast
Why learn Spanish?
--300 million Spanish speakers, mostly in the Western hemisphere
--Immigration, and the changing cultural scene (doesn't matter if you live in Memphis or Madera, San Antonio or Sacramento
--For those who are not fluent in English, it is an opportunity to share the good news in another language
--Lord willing, I will visit Spain one day!
And, last but not least...It is an escape from the world of computers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psalm 119:15-16, 33-- Scottish metric:
I will thy holy precepts make my meditation;
And carefully I’ll have respect unto thy ways each one.
Upon thy statutes my delight shall constantly be set:
And, by thy grace, I never will thy holy word forget.
Teach me, O Lord, the perfect way of thy precepts divine,
And to observe it to the end I shall my heart incline
< Message edited by chemdude77 -- 9/2/2006 1:29:13 PM >
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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RE: The end of summer... - 9/9/2006 9:00:04 PM
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chemdude77
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My nephew just turned 11, and he is learning derivatives and integration. If you remember your math, you may have not taken a calculus course until the 11th grade. A NASA scientist developed a calculus curriculum for 3rd and 4th graders. Too many students graduate with a deficiency in algebra!!!
My nephew may never take college courses in the "poetry of Tupac", lesbians in film, the writings of Muhammed, or film stars of the 1990s. He will do very well, nonetheless!
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
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RE: The end of summer... - 9/24/2006 9:33:42 PM
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chemdude77
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Another weekend of work, this time there is more stress involved.
Never underestimate the effect that one rude employee can have on a company.
In the course of his work and his road trips as a self-employed engineer, the cell phone bill exceeded $500 for the month, and he fell behind. He called up the wireless carrier to make a payment by phone. The large wireless carrier shut off his service the next day, demanding a large deposit to restore service, and the customer service employee was rude and abrupt.
A year later, the engineer heads up the Information Technology department of a trhiving startup. He is given a budget of $600K to link up their branch offices with high-availability networks.
The big wireless corporation now aims to get a share of the corporate business. The big wireless company has a sales department full of eager hamsters with a great dog and pony show! Hamster A and Hamster B decide to call the engineer at his new company to schedule their two hour presentation. They wanna talk about their company!
Oh, joy! With a 10 hr workday and project deadlines, we all have time to sit in on a two-hour infomercial 
THe engineer lets them come down to the company.
The engineer brings in his laptop to catch up on his work, steadily completing tasks and ignoring the little song and dance.
At the end of the presentation, he recounts his ordeal with their corporate bullies, telling them that he will not accept their bid. He has also told his colleagues of his bad experience. Word of mouth can help a business, but a dissatisfied customer will share his experience with at least 30 people...
A low paid clerk with a bad attitude over $500, a lost opportunity worth $600,000.
_____________________________
"Learn to put yourself there, 'cause someone is going to put you there whether you like it or not." Steve Maxwell
Meanderings and ponderings
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