" Inside many liberals is a totalitarian screaming to get out. They don't like to have another point of view in the room that they don't squash and the way they try to squash it is by character assassination and name calling." -- David Horowitz

Hello friends and neighbors, it is my pleasure to bring you a warm greeting from these parts out to wherever you happen to be. It is Wednesday, April 9, 2014, and I'm a little stirred about something this morning. It's the story of how another top executive has bitten the dust. This was a recently named CEO of a major internet networking software company. Why did he lose his job? Back in 2009 he made a personal contribution of $1,000 to the campaign to preserve marriage as being between one man and one woman in his home state, California. (The law required any contributions over a certain amount to be identified by the individual and their place of employment.) If you recall, this statue was approved by a majority of the voters. This man was actually one of the founders of this successful company and he has been heralded as a tremendously well qualified and talented leader, however, the folks who want what they want in terms of same sex marriage, well, they came after him. They began to campaign against his Company and solicit people to quit using their products. This particular lobby has power, especially in the technology marketplace, therefore, here was a man whose only crime was to show support for what he believed was best for his community, and now he has paid for expressing his opinion by losing his job. Here's what I see: This is not an isolated case and I predict that we will begin to see this type of pressure brought more and more with it being downloaded to almost anyone who holds an opinion or conviction different than their own. So much for tolerance on the part of the people who supposedly promote tolerance as their mantra. Sad folks. Sad indeed! Amen.

Nothing like a hot cup of Community on a cool morning!

You have to love these mid forties we've been experiencing this week. (It's 42 here at the ole blogger ranch as I write this morning.) I sure am glad I haven't put away my winter clothes yet. Thinking about my clothes closet reminds me of the fellow who recently said he didn't have a skeleton in his closet, he had a whole graveyard. But you already know I'm kidding about the clothes since I wear the same stuff year round but it is kind of neat to reflect on enjoying the coolish air while sipping on a cup of hot black and strong Community. One of my dear class members asked me a probing question the other evening at the beginning of our Bible study. He wanted to know if I thought there would be Community coffee in heaven. That took me aback a little as I considered the deep theological implications of his inquiry. Perhaps he had heard me say that my mom was doing well enough last Friday morning to be nibbling on some donut holes while she was sipping her Community. I think I may have added that the Community was part of the doctrinal statement over in her area. It was intended to be a joke. I know there's the references to milk and honey flowing and some folks like milk and something sweet in their coffee so my thought is this: If there is coffee in heaven, Community will surely be on the menu. No. I do not have a verse for that one but if you require my opinion, well, that would be my way of looking at it. (All you heresy hunters calm down over there, we are just having a little fun here, so cool it.)

I've been gnawing the white part off the orange peel ever since I can remember. I was surprised and pleased some thirty plus years ago when I read about the health benefits of this part, called the pith. It has some anti-cancer properties and antioxidants actually, so it is very good for you. In fact, the white pith contains the highest amount of bioflavonoids (an antioxidant), and vitamin C of the whole orange. Also there's some great fiber in it. I actually have always eaten it because I like it. Too bad that as a diabetic I never was able to come up with any of the same nutritional benefits to be derived from eating Moon Pies because I like them too along with a whole list of other delicacies that come under the heading of: Don't Even Think About Parking In This Spot. Somehow the pith, while good, just doesn't stack up against some of these other treats. That's not to say that I don't sneak a bite here and there, but, I do my best to try and just say no. If I don't, I find myself playing that game that we all enjoy so much, 'Bet you can't eat just one!' Let me be clear, I do not have a winning record in that game. But, all in all, I am blessed beyond measure and have every reason in the world to be thankful to our great God. How about you? Amen.     ....More later.

"People try to live within their income so they can afford to pay taxes to a government that can't live within its income." ~ Robert Half

It's Tuesday, April 8, 2014, and we are moving towards T-Day. No. I'm not talking T as in Texas or T as in Tennessee. In fact, as I write about this I can hear that theme from Jaws as we get closer and closer to T as in Tax Day. I read the outburst of a friend on Facebook the other day as he lamented the taxes that he and his wife were required to pay. In his way of looking at it, they were being penalized for working hard, pushing themselves, and in doing their best to excel. While I feel his pain, at the same time I am reminded that making enough that requires more in taxes is a blessing in and of itself. I could have avoided paying in as much as we have to this year by holding out more during the year. Therefore, I am mostly the blame. I always try to make it close and I don't mind paying in some because it means I have full access to my money as opposed to sending it to Washington. But, to make it close I have to do a better job of planning. That reminds me. I'm most likely already behind for our current year. Whew! Nearly four months behind. No rest for the weary, as they say. I'm doing my best to laugh about it. I know. I hear you. Good luck with finding something to smile about.

I've mentioned this before but it is amusing to me. The book publishing world continues to be in meltdown. Rush Limbaugh, the top-of-the-food-chain conservative talk show host, has published two historical novels for children and they have been run away best sellers, as in NY Times best sellers. One of the leading liberal web based news outlets led recently with this headline: "We Live in a World Where Rush Limbaugh Might Win a Children's Book Award." There has been a huge backlash since he was named as one of four authors vying for the "Author of the Year" to be awarded by the Children's Book Foundation. The foundation has been inundated with calls for them to remove his name OR else. In the face of this liberal onslaught, the association has added footnote after footnote detailing how the selections are based only on sales and how they do not endorse the individual nominees. That hasn't slowed down the critics. I'm not a big Rush fan. I see him as a fellow who has turned his brand of agitation into not only a legion of followers but he has also become famously wealthy in the process. However, his approach to his children's books has been to tell stories that depict what he believes to be the true representation of the founding of our nation. You know. Probably how it was taught back when I, and perhaps many of you, were in grade school before political correctness began to run amok ending up distorting our history. I don't know if he will or if he could win but it is fun watching these folks who supposedly champion free speech trying their best to shut him up.

Good to be back home again!

So many of you have been so kind to offer up prayers on behalf of my mom. She had a scare last week after being hospitalized for blood clots in her legs. We are so thankful that her hospital stay was for only a couple of days and she is now back home, taking some additional powerful meds, and in good spirits, praising the Lord for her recovery. She continues to march on towards that 90 mile marker in her sojourn here. As a Bible teacher I am questioned from time to time about prayer. Why pray if God is going to accomplish His will no matter what? We pray because He has established this as a means of communication between us and Him. We pray because we are weak and He is strong. We pray because He has promised to hear our petitions and respond. Prayer is a part of how God has chosen to accomplish His purposes here. I often remind people of King Hezekiah in the Old Testament who was told by the Prophet that he was going to die. The King then turned his head and began to cry out to the Lord. As the Prophet was leaving the Lord spoke to him and told him to return and to tell the King that He, the Lord, had seen his tears and had chosen to extend his life. (2nd Kings Chapter 20, Isaiah Chapter 38) That's good enough for me folks. Thanks again for your prayers and may God bless each one. Amen.   .....More later.

Cowboy Dictionary, the word Hacker: "Uncle Leroy after 32 years of smoking!"

Glad to see that you made it back. I do hope that you and yours are doing well on this Monday, April 7, 2014. Where I grew up the older folks did their best to hand down to the younger generation lessons learned through experience. Many times these came in the form of a saying that just might have been passed down to them but was confirmed in the testbed of life itself. Here's some supposed cowboy words of wisdom that may help us to get our week off to a good start: ~Don't squat with your spurs on. ~Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. ~Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back in. ~If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around. ~Never kick a cow chip on a hot day. ~There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works. ~If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. ~Never slap a man who's chewin' tobacco. ~It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep. ~Always drink upstream from the herd. ~When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson. ~When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else. ~The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket. ~Never miss a good chance to shut up. ~There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to grab hold of the electric fence for themselves.~

If you have a hat on, you might want to take it off. No. You don't need to put your hand over your heart but I do think it good to show some respect. Today I pause to recognize, celebrate, and honor the 95th birthday of the Community Coffee Company headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. What is it that they strive to do every day? Well here's the slogan that drives their business: To share our passion for great coffee with our customers. Still family owned and operated, the Company is a throwback to the days when quality and caring mattered, and for them, it still does today. Spoken like a Gung-Ho customer? You are so right pardner! In fact, to celebrate this occasion they ran a special 30% off with free shipping and I obliged by offering up my birthday greetings in the form of ordering up some 324 of those little single serve cups that contain nectar of delight, "Cafe Special Medium Dark Roast," to be precise. Happy Birthday Community. You help to make my day, many times a day.

Wasn't that a little over the top? It was but sometimes I do that in order to get the reader's attention. And, the truth is the truth. I do support their business. And, since my eldest son gave me that individual cup maker by Keurig and after much devoted research, development, and experimentation, (picture me in a white lab coat), in the use of this breakthrough, life changing device, I now have a little measuring glass marked to the exact water line. Don't laugh, this is serious business. As a result, here's the deal: I can make a perfect cup every single time. Think about that one Bucko! No wonder people are trying to get here from wherever they are as quickly as they can. Do we live in a great country or what? But enough about coffee, at least for today. .....Every single time! Now that is remarkable! Sorry. I couldn't help myself. I'll leave you with a word lesson to close out our time today. Here's the definition of the word Depresso: The feeling you get when you run out of coffee. In case you are ever on Jeopardy and Alex gives that as an answer, bingo, you will be able to say this: What is the meaning of the word Depresso? To think, some folks persist in refusing to acknowledge the educational value of my daily visits. Y'all take care now, you hear? Until next time, may God bless each one. Amen.  ....More later.

Happy Birthday to our Tiffany!

Good morning and welcome. It's Friday, April 4, 2014 and I am off and running. Where to? To heaven eventually, but for now, it's to whatever this day provides. Tomorrow we will be pausing to recognize and remember our eldest granddaughter's birthday. Tiffany will be 26. That's hard to process but it's not hard to remember when she came on the scene. Our entire world changed. As if we needed a reminder, she has a little look-alike clone, our Madi girl, running around doing reruns from twenty plus years ago. I look at Tiff's dad, our Chris, and see how absolutely consumed he is with Madi. Yep. It's true folks. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I well remember the day when some ladies came into my big office at the big company. My office was literally plastered with portraits and photos of our Tiffany. These ladies told me they had been thinking and they were wondering how difficult it would be for them to be adopted as my granddaughters. So many memories. Today we thank God for Tiffany as we continue to seek God's best for her each day. Have a great birthday Sweetie. Love, MiMi and Poppy.

Goats on the clock.

I'm glad I know where I hail from. You never heard it said like that? Look it up. I am a Louisiana boy. I was born in the little town of Many. (Pronounced MAN-y, not like the word many that comes out sounding like miny.) It's located in Sabine Parish. That's right. The French connection. Parishes not counties. I was born there but raised up some 18.7 miles south in the little town of Hornbeck, located in Vernon Parish. I'm proud of my Southern heritage upbringing. Even though I have been gone for forty five years, I still try to keep up. I read the local papers on the internet and keep up with deaths and my mom lets me know about prayer requests. I'm glad my birthplace is being innovative. Here's a recent headline: "Town of Many Becomes First Town In Louisiana To Hire Goats." Here's some excerpts from the accompanying article: "More than 40 goats showed up in Many, Louisiana in a single filed line, ready to work." The project manager had this to say, "They can clean up where humans can't easily go." And the mayor chimed in, "When I considered the fact of what it would cost for a crew of four men to go out there and clean those fence rows compared to what the 40 goats costs, I was sold." Pretty impressive don't you think? I believe they have one of the lowest unemployment rates for goats in the nation. To think I was actually born in that there place, so many years ago!

The good news is that when the goats retire there's always a resting place for them. Excuse me. I meant a roasting place. As in barbecue. Please do not call the animal rights people and turn me in. It was my feeble attempt at making a joke. Near misses are a big part of what I do here. But it is time to do a wrap here at the ole blogger ranch for this week. One last attempt before we say so long for now: ~The devout cowboy lost his favorite Bible while he was mending fences out on the range. Three weeks later a goat walked up to him carrying the Bible in its mouth. The cowboy couldn't believe his eyes. He took the precious book out of the goat's mouth, raised his eyes heavenward and exclaimed, "It's a miracle!" "Not really," said the goat. "Your name is written inside the cover."~ I know. I've used that one before but it did seem to fit. Have yourself a wonderful Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday and I will do my very best to catch back up with you come next Monday. Lord willing of course. May God bless us one and all. Amen.  ...More later.

Jeremiah 23:36 (New King James Version): "And the oracle of the Lord you shall mention no more. For every man’s word will be his oracle, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God."

The Southern Gospel song starts out like this: "I woke up this morning feeling fine I woke up with heaven on my mind I woke up with joy in my soul cause I knew my Lord had control..." Not a bad way to get our day started, if you ask me. It's a whole lot better than hoping for news headlines to make your day. I can assure you of that. Hello and welcome, it's Thursday, April 3, 2014, and I'm trying to stay focused on something that will encourage and enhance our day. That's why I used those lyrics because based on my three score and soon to be eight, knowing that God is in control is really the only truth that can provide a sense of certainty and joy in such upside down times like we are living in. I'm not saying folks in the past didn't have a rough go because they did. My way of looking at it says the most telling feature of our particular times is the assault on any and all things related to the truths God has given to us in His Word. Sure, that's always been at work but today it is open, promoted, and relentless. That's why I call it upside down. Black is now white. White is now black. Up is now down. Down is now up. Right is whatever one wants it to be. The foundations of morality and integrity have been replaced by what God calls the wisdom of this world, a fallen world. That's why I think these are perilous times and that's why we who know the Lord need to seek Him daily to help us to live in a way that demonstrates the truths He would have us to uphold. And, we need to encourage one another because once wrong becomes fully established as right, well, this old world is on its way out and we will be on our way up. Meanwhile, let's do what we can to influence as many as we can while we are here! Amen.

Fed up with how her diet is going, Charlene
takes a more serious aim at her target weight.

My mom really got a kick out of that little funny story I did the other day about the wife who kept 'helping' her husband while he was getting a speeding ticket. She said that one good laugh a day helps make the day. Since she is only a few days away from the anniversary of the 90th year of her sojourn here on the planet, well, we all might do well to listen to her advice. Of course funny is in the eye of the beholder. I read funny stories from other parts of the world and they may get a full belly laugh in their territory, but, the punch line evades me because I am not able to identify with the cultural details. In our world the chicken crossing the road is one that most people get. It's the one where one chicken stands on one side and hollers at a chicken on the other side,"Hey, help me out here, how do I get to the other side?" The other chicken hollers back, "Don't be so stupid, you are already on the other side!" Or take one that has this as a pay off: "Want to make money from Facebook? It's easy. Just go to your account settings and deactivate your account. Then get yourself up out of your chair and get to work!"

Mia's surgery was successful!

I finally re-watched the finale of this season's Duck Dynasty series. I missed it before because even though I was in a position to see it, in my recliner, all ready to go, my eyes failed me and I slept through it. Again. That was last Wednesday evening or night, depending on how you define it. I always have good intentions but they are not always able to be carried out. However, they reran it Sunday night and I was able to see it. Even then my wife kept calling across the room to remind me to stay awake. I think I might be experiencing the Paw Paw Mac syndrome where every time I get still I want to nap. He sure could do that, at a drop of a hat. But, I did watch it and it was a good one. Jase's little girl Mia, who is so precious, was having her fourth surgery to help correct her cleft lip. It was about how the family came together to support her. How they fellowshipped around her and how they prayed for her and stood by her. I was moved. Others watch that show and find a boatload of hate. I mostly saw the love of God being worked out among folks who love Him and others. And, I also stayed awake. Hurrah for me! Now it's up to us to get on with the day the Lord has given to us. May we do it in a manner that pleases Him and brings honor to His name. Amen.  ...More later.

“And I do wish she wouldn't sing about poisoning just after we have eaten.” ― Cassandra Clare, quotation from her book: Clockwork Prince

***I ask that you say a prayer for my mom who is in the hospital being treated for blood clots. She is in good spirits and anticipating this to be a short stay.***

Okay. It's not that bad. It's Wednesday already, here on this April 2, 2014 and fortunately I will not use an image of that most annoying even toed ungulate (camel) that you see on those most annoying commercials. I suppose they work because people do remember them. Right? My wife and I have sung together since before we were married. That's a long time. We have done many duet specials in Church over the years. We had not done one in quite a long time but we did sing together during the service this past Sunday. She sings on the stage each week as part of the praise team. I sing in the shower. The special turned out okay but the real video would have been of our time spent rehearsing. Now that would have been a good one. Her: "What part are you trying to sing?" Me: "I suppose it's the one I'm doing." Her: "Okay, but you don't sing the same part every time." Me: "I'll try to do better." Her: "I don't think anyone in the world could sing that many different parts on one song." Me: "Do I get an award or something?" She actually likes to follow those musical note thingies and do what they tell you to do. I mostly do whatever it is that comes into my head and from there I send it to my voice and await the outcome. The good news: The actual presentation went well. The getting ready part was one for the ages. But, that's been more or less how our rehearsal time has gone for these more than 50 years and I'm thankful that together we can still communicate in song a message that portrays the truth about our Great God! Amen.

The Facebook status posting is a good way for friends and family to stay connected and informed. There are those who tend to provide more information than most people want to know. The acronym is TMI, Too Much Information. I've seen folks talk about things in their private life that for the most part no one cares to hear. It also can be costly. There was a fellow who filed an age discrimination lawsuit against a private school and he won an $80,000 settlement. However, his teenaged daughter wrote about what had happened to him on Facebook and the school appealed the settlement based on the confidentiality agreement being breached. They won and he had to return the money. I've also heard about folks who have gone after certain products, services, or stores on Facebook and have ended up having to deal with legal issues involving defamation. I suppose it's always best to think before you put that stuff out there for all the world to see.

I do not like those little soft pack juice containers that you have to try and poke the straw into the designated poke area. I thought maybe I was the only one that had trouble making this happen until I read this little jewel the other day. "I don't think I could ever stab someone. Let's be honest. I have enough trouble just getting the straw stuck into the Capri Sun." Me too! Amen on that one! I tense up when one of the kids pulls out one of those boxes or pouches and hands it to me. It's like trying to diffuse a ticking time bomb. If they can make pill bottles easier for me to open, then why can't they do something about that straw stabbing deal? Then you have those things that you are likely never going to hear anyone say at anytime. You know what I am talking about. "That Lean Cuisine was so delicious and it really filled me up." Keep on dreaming on that one cupcake. Maybe it's been different for you. If so, good. For me. I'll keep practicing and trying to find my part. Have a great rest of the day and may God bless you real good. Amen.    ...More later.

Famous April Fool's Day Prank: "On April 1, 1992 a broadcast of National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation revealed that Richard Nixon, in a surprise move, was running for President again. His new campaign slogan was, "I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't do it again." Accompanying this announcement were audio clips of Nixon delivering his candidacy speech. Listeners responded viscerally to the announcement, flooding the show with calls expressing shock and outrage. Only during the second half of the show did the host John Hockenberry reveal that the announcement was a practical joke. Nixon's voice was impersonated by comedian Rich Little."

I have one for you here on this April Fool's Day, Tuesday, April 1, 2014. You most likely will not be surprised but it does tell us something. I'm talking about the meeting President Obama said was the highlight of his trip overseas. That would be with Pope Francis. Here's the rub, and it is not an April fool's prank: The President has one version of what was talked about in the meeting and the Vatican had a different version. Here we go again. Granted, the President sought to accent the positive and gain as much as he could from the meeting with this most popular religious leader. But the reports do not agree. Typically, this President just tells everyone that the other party was wrong, but, I doubt seriously they would consider going down that road this time. Here is a Pope that is on the opposite side of the overwhelming majority of the social agenda this administration is pushing, yet, the President would have us believe that they really only dealt with those they agree on, involving pay inequity and poverty. Insiders tell us the real purpose of the visit from the White House perspective was for the President to try and get some of his popularity back by visiting and being seen with the Pope. This is what insiders are saying, not conservative commentators. I don't think the President wants the American people to decide for him which report they believe to be more accurate, choosing between the one he gave or the one coming out of the Vatican. My guess is the administration will just try to put some distance between them and what is yet another odd conflicting outcome, but, when they do that they will likely lose the PR they hoped to gain. Maybe that's the way it should be. What say you?

Can you believe it is April already and we are still having some run-the-heater in the car chilly mornings? They are nice but already those mid 80's in the afternoon are telling us where we are headed. All these folks who have been begging for hot weather, well, don't come running to me when you see those news people frying eggs on the sidewalk. I'm not one of those I told you so people, but, in this case, I can't help myself because I did tell you. It's interesting how we all are so different. Some folks like the colder weather, some like the really hot, while others seek to have it be moderate all the time. People actually move to where the climate suits their preference. Sometimes they get the temperature they are looking for but it can come with a price. If they like the cold they might have to deal with ice storms and blizzards. If they like the hot they might have to deal with drought and electrical brownouts. If they like the moderate they could also have the threat of earthquakes, tornadoes, or other types of calamitous threats. I suppose the key is to do what the Apostle Paul said he had learned to do, "In whatever situation or status he found himself, he had learned to be content." (My loose rendition of Philippians 4:11)

I am trying to remember the really good idea that came to me that I wanted to share with you. I think it was this past weekend. It was really a good one. But, at this particular moment and time it has taken its leave and I can't even come up with the subject. Maybe later. I know. I should have jotted down a note to myself. There was a time when I would not have needed to do that. My instant recall mechanism doesn't function as well as it did a few years ago. I'm pretty sure by this time the warranty is used up as well. But, that's a part of working through the challenges that confront those of us who wear the white. When something like that happens you have to come up with something else. Today I decided to write about not being able to remember what I was hoping to remember to write about. Don't worry. It will come to me. And, when it does, I may be a little upset with it for being so uncooperative. Or, I may not even recognize that it was the one I forgot to remember, therefore, it will be a brand new idea all over again. You would be correct. Trapped. That, my friend, is my plight. Trapped in being me. But we all have our struggles. Right? Right! Have yourself a grand Tuesday and I'll see you next time, Lord willing. Amen.    ....More later.