The COG Zone

HECKLING THE FIREWORKS

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:20:40 GMT

I'm back again. I thought I was done blogging for the day, but I wanted to add something funny. This ties in with this being the 4th of July weekend.

A few years ago, my mom and I went to Tennessee over the week of the 4th of July. We were staying at a cabin at the marina near the town where she grew up. To add to the fun, my aunt flew in from California and brought her grandson with her. Steven was about 13 at the time, although I could be wrong, but close enough. We were all having a great time hanging out together, telling wild family stories (most of which probably aren't true), and reseaching our family history (the true history I hope).

The marina has a big "shin-dig" every 4th of July. They have plenty of good food, activities for the kids, horseback riding, live bands, and of course fireworks. Now I'm not trying to put down the marina's attempt at a fireworks display for the surrounding community, but ... The people setting off the fireworks pulled a pickup truck out onto the rock jetty. They pulled a few of the fireworks out of the bed of the truck and set them up getting the first few ready to start the show. After the sun went down, the show started. Sort of. The first firework went up about two feet and fizzled. The next one shot straight into the lake. Finally, they got one to go high enough up into the air to do something and it was a little tiny bottle rocket. When they finally got one to shoot off and make a really nice shower of sparks, Steven and I yelled like it was the best thing we ever saw in our lives.

As the show went on, Steven and I had to comment on every firework. If they went into the lake, we'd yell "I hope y'all have a fishing license." If they fizzled, "That was a good one ... if we were trying to sleep." At one point, one of the fireworks headed toward the back of the pickup tuck and Steven and I looked at each other and, almost at the same time, said "bummer it missed, that would've made it exciting." And on and on it went until they reached the "grand finale" ... or should I say the "grand disappointment".

Our comments might seem to be in bad taste to some people, but we had a good time. I'd have to say, I think most of the people sitting near us enjoyed our sarcastic sense of humor better than they enjoyed the fireworks display. At least most of them were laughing. After it was all over I thought of a new joke for Jeff Foxworthy. If you've ever heckled the fireworks ... you might be a redneck.

TOO SERIOUS?

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:28:33 GMT

YIKES! I was looking through my blog summary and noticed something ... I'm being way too serious! Or am I? It seems that way when I read my own blogs. Believe it or not, I have a sense of humor and can have fun like everyone else. Maybe it's just that my sense of humor is tempered by my Christian faith so I don't find some things as funny as other people or just not funny at all. I don't find fun in the same places and situations as other people. But maybe the main reason I get so serious in my blogs is I hear other people (I'm not pointing my finger at you, my good friends on my friends list) make jokes about a certain group of people or things people do and I can't help but think someone has to stand up for the people being put down, pushed aside, and lied about. Since people choose to do these things online and through emails, I feel the best way to respond is through the internet ... the wider the audience, the better the chance of getting the truth known.

I don't take myself or my life too seriously. At least I don't think so. This life isn't all we have, there's something better lying ahead of us. While it's true we're to make a positive difference in this life, I believe we also need to show people we can have fun, laugh at jokes, make fun of ourselves, and do things which may be just down-right silly to the people around us. When I go to a NASCAR race or a football game, I'm just as crazy as the fans around me. In fact, one time a friend took me to a professional wrestling match and me and a friend's wife embarassed the guys so bad they swore they'd never take us again (not that I'd ever go again anyway, I just went to see what all the "hype" was about). I can take my nieces and nephews to an amusement park and have just as much fun as they do ... letting my "inner child" out. I love a good squirt-gun battle whether it's with the kids or a bunch of adults. I've gone to Disney movies with a few adult friends, getting strange looks from the parents of small children, because we want to see the movie. I can get down on the floor and play with matchbox cars or Barbie dolls with the kids and really enjoy myself.

Just so you all don't think I'm lying to you, I'll have to do better at sharing some of the funny stuff in my blogs.

NUMBER OF FRIENDS

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:39:13 GMT

I was sitting here checking on which of my friends have added things to their pages, reading the new blogs, and reading the comments left about my blogs. It's strange sometimes what one little action can bring to mind. While checking on my friends, I began thinking about friends in general. This may not be the most deeply philosophical post you'll ever read, but I'm guessing it could be considered philosophical. Maybe if I wouldn't have dropped "Intro to Philosophy" in college, I'd know the difference.

I've invited a lot of people to be my friends here at the Windows Spaces community. Only about half of them have actually connected with me. At one time, that would've bothered me. However, I've come to realize it's not the number of friends I have in my life (whether online or in real life) that matters. I could have a million people I consider my friends or only one or two. I'm not just talking about aquaitences, but real friends ... people who know they can trust in and rely on me and vice versa. While I may not always be able to drop everything and run to every friend's side in the moment of need, they know I'll do whatever I can to help them. They know I'll always speak the truth, give my honest opinion, and never try to get them to be something other than who they are as individuals. As true friends, they treat me in the same way. There's always mutual trust and respect.

Probably the most important lesson I've learned about friends is it's not matter a "whoever has the most friends wins". What really matters is the quality of the relationships I have with the number of people I do have as friends.

EVANGELICAL MANIFESTO

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:02:58 GMT

I was reading my latest issue of Christianity Today and an article about the "Evangelical Manifesto". The entire manifesto can be read at http://evangelicalmanifesto.com/. While there were a few places it sounded as if the writers were aiming at a one world religion, when I read it more carefully, I saw they were only calling for tolerance as far as treating each with respect. The writers make sure they let people know the only truth they hold to is God's truth. You can reach the site by using the link I provided; however, to read the manifesto you'll have to have the Adobe Reader as the actual manifest document opens as a .pdf file. If you read the manifesto, I'd enjoy reading your opinions.

WHAT THE 4TH MEANS TO ME

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:48:54 GMT

The 4th of July means different things to different people. To some people it's a time to celebrate being American, to others it's time to reflect on the freedoms we have and the men who fought wars to give us those rights, while others simply enjoy the long weekend and spend time with family and friends. I fall into the last group, I like the long weekend away from work. I use the time to do things with my family or, as is the case this July 4th with my family having plans of their own, I'll use the time to catch up on my reading, my web site projects, and (hopefully) get at least a few more pages written in my novel. I'm not sure what everyone else has planned for this weekend, but I hope you all have fun. Stay safe.

MUSLIMS IN AMERICA

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:20:39 GMT

     One thing I’ve been seeing in a lot of blogs has to do with Muslims, especially Muslims in America. It’s the same with this issue as I state about the illegal aliens in another blog …some people will lump all members of a particular group together in an unfair way. When it comes to Arabs, people who look middle-eastern, and true Muslims, people are being alarmist and scaring everyone into thinking every darker skinned, bearded man is a Muslim terrorist. I won’t be so naïve to believe there are NO terrorist currently on American soil, but neither am I going to see a terrorist hiding behind every Muslim. If you’re going to write blogs about the terrorist cells within the United States, please include a disclaimer that states not all Muslims are terrorists.
     I don’t know how many people have told me things like “I won’t shop at that store because it’s run by Muslims” or “the Muslims are taking over this country”. When I hear these things, I often have to quickly put the “rumor-mongers” in their place. One such store they won’t shop at is run by a family from India, not Saudi Arabia, Iraq, or one of those countries and they aren’t Muslim. The only reason they think the store is run by Muslims is because the family has dark skin and they speak with a slight accent which, I admit, is sometimes hard to place until you hear them pronounce certain words. And how are Muslims taking over the country simply by running a legitimate business so they can “live the American dream”? Today it’s Muslims, before the terrorist attacks of 9/11, it was the Jews who were taking over the country.
     And answer this question … If you’ve known a man all your life, if you grew up with him and were buddies in high school, are you suddenly going to see him as a terrorist because he decides he wants to follow the teachings of Islam? If you don’t remember anything else, remember this … not all Muslims are terrorists and not all terrorists are Muslim. For an example of the last part of the statement, take a look at Timothy McVay, the perfect example of a true American, non-Muslim terrorist. If he wouldn’t have been caught, he and his friends would’ve continued their reign of terror. Christians are blowing up things in Ireland and Jews are blowing up stuff in “occupied” regions of Israel. We view these as “just” and “nonterroristic”, but I view them as the same. Atheists, Christians, Jews, and members of ALL religions can become terrorists. I really believe the reason we overlook the terrorists in other religions and cultures is because the Muslims have become our convenient “whipping boys”.
     As a Christian, I disagree with the teachings of Islam and would like to see them all “convert” to Christianity. Is that really going to happen? No. However, I’m not about to see a terrorist living in my town only because the man or woman happens to be Muslim. Whatever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”? Some of you will say we can’t stand around waiting for them to blow something up or put poison in the water system before we see them for who they are. So we need to be suspicious of EVERY Muslim, but not worry about the seemingly normal neighbor of some other religion? If you have a rational, well-informed reason for suspecting the local Muslim of being up to no good, report him to the government. If you don’t, live and let live.
     If you all haven’t noticed … I hate rampant, uninformed, misguided, and often misleading generalizations about any group of people. This is only certain people’s way of spreading their prejudices and hatred of other groups. It happened to African-Americans who were considered less than human while slavery was legal and for decades afterward. It happened to the Japanese-Americans who were rounded up and placed in interment camps during the World War for no other reason than for being of Japanese descent. It’s happening to Muslims today. Who knows, tomorrow it may be some ethnic or religious group to which you belong.

ILLEGAL ALIENS

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:34:58 GMT

     This is the first of two blogs I’m writing because I felt moved to write them after reading blogs at other sites. The other blog I’ll write as soon as I get this one done. Some of my friends may decide they no longer want to be on my list after reading these two blogs because they may think I hold too liberal a view on the issues. I may be labeled “unChristian” or “unAmerican” for what I have to say, but so be it.
     There are a lot of people jumping on the popular bandwagon and shouting along with the other people on board “SEND THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BACK TO MEXICO!”. By the way, not all of them are from Mexico. I’ve read the statistics on the number of illegal aliens in the United Sates along with the statistics on the number of these people on welfare, sitting in jail cells, and working without the required permits. The answer to these problems is not a wholesale deportation of aliens. I know some of you may have had bad experiences with the illegal aliens living near you, but I ask that you don’t lump them all in the “bad” category. I also ask that you give some thought to why you want them ALL deported. This is especially true if you call yourself a Christian.
     It’s sermon time! Jesus told the disciples to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, invite in the strangers, clothe those without clothes, care for the sick, and visit people in prison (Matthew 25:34-36). This passage has a duel meaning. We’re to take care of the spiritual and the physical needs of other people. This falls into line with the two great commands to “Love God … Love your neighbor” (Matthew 22:37-39). Nowhere do I find a verse stating that we should only do these things for our fellow citizens while ignoring the needs of those in our country “illegally”. How is deporting every single illegal alien following the commands of Christ?
     I do see there's a problem with an “overload” of illegal aliens who don’t “pull their own weight” and “play the system”. However, I think the answer to the problem is only deporting those who are true burdens and aren’t willing to change so they become productive citizens. Of course, sometimes I think we should find somewhere to send American citizens who fit into the same category. After all, what’s the difference between them and the illegal aliens. [NOTE: This is not an acceptable solution for even our citizens and I always have to ask God to forgive me for having such thoughts. I only share these thoughts with you so as to be open and honest with my friends and visitors.]
     When it comes to illegal aliens working without permits and “taking jobs away from our citizens”, don’t blame the aliens for this “injustice” … blame the employers who hire them in the first place. It’s the greed of unscrupulous employers who hire the aliens at wages that are below poverty level who are hurting the economy and the job market for our citizens, not the aliens who take any job they can find. These aliens are at least working and trying to earn a little money so they can make a feeble attempt to care for their own families. If you want to stop the loss of jobs to aliens, report the employers to the proper authorities.
     I do support the deportation of illegal aliens who’re doing nothing more than commit crimes or decide to sit around collecting money without earning it like a good citizen would do. In the first case, the aliens bring the cry of “SEND THEM HOME!” upon themselves. In the second, I’d have to say the aliens aren’t fully to blame. If the government didn’t give the money to the people, they might decide to go home on their own. I don’t see a problem with giving a hand to people who need a boost, but I also believe the truth of the saying “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime”. Again, this applies to both illegal aliens and our own citizens.
     Maybe I’m just a “bleeding heart” when it comes to people who flee their homeland in search of a better way of life. I’ve researched my family history and know how hard my ancestors worked to get passage to America and, once they reached the country, how hard they worked to make a living and support their families. If it wasn’t for these ancestor’s actions, I’d be writing about life in Germany. “Not the same”, you yell, “Your family came over legally.” My question is … what’s the difference? As long as the aliens are working hard and aiming at the goal of becoming legalized citizens, I shout LEAVE THEM ALONE!
     If you think the same way I do, I can’t thank you enough for seeing the illegal aliens as people. If what I wrote is what you mean when you write about deporting aliens, please tell people that and not make it a generalization people misunderstand. If you think ALL illegal aliens should be deported, please give some thought to what you just read.

MY ONLINE FRIENDS

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:26:36 GMT

I just wanted to tell everyone how happy I am to be meeting so many new people online. I enjoy spending part of my day checking for and reading Spaces updates. I'm learning a lot of spiritual things from the Bible passages, I learn about different places and cultures from personal blogs, and I love all the pictures. Even if I don't always leave a comment at your spaces, I think they're all great. Thanks for being such great friends.

CABLE OUT!!!!

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:26:30 GMT

     I was just getting ready to get on the computer and do the normal daily routine of reading my email, scanning through the message boards to see if anything interesting had been posted (I’m one of the people there who check to make sure nothing nasty gets posted and remove it if it does), and then check for any updates at my friend’s Windows Spaces. That’s when it happened! The cable went out! YIKES!
     So I moved to plan “B”. I’ve been wanting to get some new Bible studies posted at my other website, so I opened up my webpage program and got them added to the files on my hard drive. I no sooner got that part of the job done, when the cable came back on and I could upload the new pages to my site. I thought to myself “now I can get the other stuff done”. WRONG! I opened my email account, checked a few emails and then … THE CABLE WENT BACK OUT!!!! I’m not only on hold when it comes to visiting my friends, but I’m missing the NASCAR race!
     Technology can be a wonderful thing until it’s not working. And some of it is just downright stupid. On my cable bill it says to visit their online site if you need to check for outages during the times of the week the office isn’t open. How in the world am I supposed to visit the web site if my cable is out? DUH! My electric bill has a similar statement. How am I supposed to go on-line to find out when the power might be restored if the power is out? Double DUH!
     I’ll look at it on the positive side … while the cable was out I did get the new pages done for my web site. As I type up the lessons from my notebook to the webpage builder, it helps to refresh my memory about the information covered in the studies.
     Since I’m finally getting a chance to post this, I’ve also added links to the Bible studies on my list.

JESUS SHARES OUR TEARS

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:23:04 GMT

I wrote this poem to be placed on a drawing I did a few years ago.

Life isn't always fun and games;

sometimes there's work, obligations,

things we may not always want to do.

There are times of pleasures and happiness,

but there are also times of tears, heartache, and pain.

Whatever age we may be,

between our birth and our death,

events occur we don't comprehend.

How or why did this happen we ask,

but nobody seems to know, care, or understand.

Even as adults we can feel like the little child,

by parents ignored or pushed aside.

We've all experienced the loss of a loved one -

a mother, a grand-dad, or even a pet.

Our hearts can be broken by the many miles;

loved ones are kept out of our lives.

The bully pushes us around or teases us at school;

we can't fight back and so we get hurt.

We're afraid to voice our concerns;

we're afraid of the ridicule and shame.

We find a place to hide, to cry, and to moan;

we let everything out where no one can hear.

But comfort is there, a listening ear;

someone has discovered our secret place.

He dealt with more pain and sorrow than ours

years before we were known or even born.

He knows our fears, frustrations, and pains.

He will wrap His comforting arms around us.

Why?

Jesus shares our tears.

ANTI-ACLU

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:50:13 GMT

I have a page posted at one of my web sites titled Anti-ACLU. It seems to be one of the most popular pages at my site and, when I receive emails, most of them are about this page and usually are from people asking what we can do to stop some of the ACLU nonsense. For reference, the URL to the page is http://www.cogscreations.net/thingonmymind/aclu.htm.

This is the most recent letter I've received:

I just read your post on your site about the aclu. I completely agree with you but what are we supposed to do? I would like nothing more than to shut them up and let people know that we need God in our schools and our govt. institutions. But it seems the minority amount of people who dont believe in god are the ones these people are listening to not the majority of christians. So what can we do?

This was my reponse:
     I do worry about the actions of the ACLU and other groups having enough man-power and money to influence our government leaders to have God "removed" from public places. The thing that drives me nuts with the ACLU is they'll stand behind an atheist and get public prayer banned from the schools, then the very next day stand behind a Christian for one reason or another. God is still in our schools, government offices, and other places even though a lot of Christians, for whatever reason, think otherwise. Until the day some government official manages to completely ban all Christian activity, we still have a voice in those areas. Although school teachers may tell a kid they can't have a Bible at school, they can't ban a Bible until they ban all other books except those specifically needed for class work. Although your local government may play along and not put up a Nativity scene on public property during the Christmas season, they have yet to enact laws making it illegal to do so on private property.
     Our faith isn't based on whether or not laws allow for Christian symbols to be displayed in the schools and government buildings. God isn't physically or spiritually banned from those places because man creates some law against it. God and our faith is, first and foremost, in our hearts. If we carry our faith around in our hearts, minds, and souls and always act the way Christians should act, that's how we pass along the message of Jesus Christ. We can't blame the ACLU for the killings in our schools and the government laws that oppose God's laws. It's up to us, as Christians, to relay our faith through our words and actions not the symbols of our faith.
     What can we do to silence the ACLU? The sad answer is "nothing". We can only act as an opposing force. We can vote for candidates and referendums that reflect our Christian values. We can make our voices heard at town hall meetings. We can post our beliefs at our websites and tell people about them when the subject comes up in our workplaces and schools. Kids can still take their Bibles to school and pray together in small groups before the day begins. But the main thing is ... being a Christian starts at home and we don't stop being Christians the moment we walk out our front doors. We don't stop being Christians and God is not silenced because groups like the ACLU find ways to influence all levels of government to ban our symbols. Our actions in our everyday lives do more to spread the Gospel and give a voice to God's Word than any of our Christian symbols ever can.
     The ACLU and other groups can take away our "rights" to display our religious symbols in public places but they can never take away our God ordained duty to act in a Christ-like manner. The best defense against Satan's army is a good offensive campaign. To me, the best campaign we can wage comes in the form of acting like Christians and leading other people by our actions.

Added 6/26 at 2pm: If you'd like to follow a discussion on this topic, visit the Servant Chat Forums - http://realservantchat.proboards54.com/index.cgi?board=christlife&action=display&thread=146. Feel free to join the community and participate in the discussion.

WINDOWS SPACES

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:43:54 GMT

I'm in the process of helping a friend create his own Windows Space. While answering some of his questions, I thought there may be some other people out there who don't know how to create a page or how to get something to work. I'm still fairly new to this myself and still learning about some of the features. If you have any questions or need any help, leave me a message. If I know how to do something, I'll be glad to help. If I don't know how to do something, I'll play around with it and see if I can get you an answer.

RAINY DAY

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:36:45 GMT

I wrote this at a message board about a month ago. I decided to go ahead and add it here. I have to remember when I post something like this somewhere else, I should share it with my friends at my space.

     Normally, at this time of year, the least little bit of rain would cause the temperature to drop and put a dampness in the air that chills you to the bones. Last night, the slow steady rain actually caused some humidity and it reminded me so much of late spring, although slightly cooler.
     I'm one of those people who can experience something today and it reminds me so much of something that happened years ago. As I was sitting there last night, I remembered summers of long ago when I was a kid. I remembered summer afternoons when the rain caused the air to cool but being disappointed because it was raining too much to do anything outside. Instead, I'd go to my room, lay in front of the window fan, and read a good book while listening to the rain tap on the roof outside my window. I can even remember the fresh smell of the rain.
     All of that made me a little sad. At times like this I wish I could go back and relive those days or that they would've never ended in the first place. I wonder why I can't find those same simple pleasures now that I'm older. Maybe I can. I know I need to slow down once in a while and enjoy life ... stop taking everything so seriously. Any volunteers to come run in the rain with me and splash in the puddles? Anyone want to go to the park and see who can swing the highest? I really miss those days when life seemed so easy and I didn't have a care in the world.

IT'S A 'BURGH THING

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:32:49 GMT

     Ok, I thought it was time to share a little about the culture where I live. Well, I don’t live in the city, it’s just the city has wide-ranging influence. First I have to explain what I mean when I say 'Burgh. This is a reference to the largest city nearest my home ... Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For those from around the world, this is in the United States.
     The city is a true melting pot of cultures. People from many countries call Pittsburgh their home. Because of this, you can choose from many different types of restaurants and entertainment. It's easy to mix and mingle with people and learn about the various cultures. Even outside the city limits, you find this mix. Like in many other cities (as well in southwest Pennsylvania in general), most people will simply say they're from the 'Burgh. More often than not, you have to get to know the people a little better before you see the cultural differences. In a way, you can say it's a 'Burgh thing to describe all the individual cultures rolled into one.
     Although some people may think it's bad, people in the 'Burgh like to brag about our native sons and daughters. To show the mixture of people you can find in the city, you need only look at a few of our famous residents ... Fred Rogers (Mr Rogers Neighborhood - television show), George Romero (movie director), Jimmy Stewart (actor), Gene Kelly (dancer), David Selznick (directed "Gone With the Wind"), Andy Warhol (artist), and Anne Dillard (writer).
     We also have our own language. Once you hear someone from the 'Burgh talk, you'll never forget the "accent" and know if someone ever lived in southwest Pennsylvania. For example, we say arn (iron), caddy wampus (askew, tilted), dahntahn (downtown), gumbans (rubberbands), nebby (nosey), and yins (all of you). Just so you know, I'm one person from the area that says y'all instead of yins.
     If someone is REALLY from the 'Burgh, they bleed black and gold ... our professional sports teams colors. THERE ARE NO OTHER PROFESSIONAL TEAMS except the Steelers (football), Penguins (hockey), and Pirates (baseball). Win or lose, we're fans. If you want to start a fight in the 'Burgh just bash one of our teams. Just kidding about the fighting. We have the nicest fans in the world!
     Since I mentioned sports, I have to clear something up. All football fans everywhere now wave towels in the stands during football games to cheer on their team. YOU COPIED US! The original "Terrible Towel" was created by Myron Cope and was first waved at a Pittsburgh Steeler game. Look it up.
     The 'Burgh is full of cowboys and hippies, gays and straights, computer technicians and steel mill workers, Americans and people from other countries, Catholics and Protestants, and many other types of people. What we all have in common is the 'Burgh. You don't have to live in the area long before the city becomes a part of you. No matter what part of southwestern Pennsylvania someone may be from, when we travel and someone ask where we're from, we all say "We're from the 'Burgh!" Of course, we then have to explain what we mean by the 'Burgh, but that's ok. We understand why you don't know. It's a 'Burgh thing.

CHRISTIAN T-SHIRTS

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:23:41 GMT

Ok, I know I "blasted" some of the Christian bumper stickers in another blog. So what do I have to say about Christian t-shirts? Just like with the bumper stickers, there's good and bad t-shirts. I've heard other Christians criticize Christian t-shirts because they often "rip off" secular products and change the logos to something Christian. The main argument seems to be "it's commercializing Jesus". I guess it depends on how you look at the issue. Sure, some people will produce any product just to make money. I look at it from the positive side. If someone stops to read my t-shirt and asks questions about whatever it says, it can be used as a tool to witness. The difference between bumper sticker theology and that found on t-shirts is the t-shirt designer has a lot more space with which to work. You can grab someone's attention with a great picture and then add text to explain the graphic. All of the Christian t-shirts I wear also include the Scripture verse for the topic. I have four Christian t-shirts right now, but I've seen a lot I really like and may get around to buying. I couldn't find graphics for all of the ones I have, but I did find some pictures of some of the ones I really like and posted them in an album. I'm not into advertising, but because I borrowed the graphics from a web site, I feel it's appropriate to give them credit for their graphics. The t-shirts shown in my album can be found at Glory Garb.

BIBLE STUDIES

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:45:00 GMT

I've added a list of links to the Bible studies I have posted at my ministry site. You can visit the entire site at Things On My Mind or use the link list to read the Bible study on a particular subject.

BUMPER STICKER THEOLOGY

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:12:12 GMT

There are some great Christian bumper stickers on cars. Many of them are good ways to get the Christian message out to other people. However, I've seen some that, at first, I thought were good or funny, yet after further thought decided they're just not that good. Here are some I've seen I just feel I need to address.

God is my co-pilot. > Someone finally came out with a more appropriate sticker: If God is your co-pilot, change seats.

Boycott Hell. > Just like any other boycott, this doesn't work. What? If you refuse to go to Hell, you won't? This sticker doesn't work alone.

Practice random acts of praise and worship. > All well and good, but we can convince more people there's something to Christianity if we practice random acts of kindess.

How would Jesus drive? > If you have this sticker, remember other people are reading it and drive like you know how.

Bible or murder, pick one for your school. > This is an either/or choice? We didn't pray at my high school and no one ever got killed. Give me a break!

Jesus is coming, look busy! > Don't just look busy ... DO SOMETHING REAL!

Experience life at no cost! Call 1-800-MEET-GOD. > People can't get salvation through a non-existant phone number. Tell them about the Bible and teach the Gospel.

God doesn't support road rage. > This on a car in which the driver was apparently angry at the other drivers. If God doesn't support road rage, you shouldn't either.

Honk if you love God! > Anyone can honk a horn. How about just living like you're a Christian.

Interface with God: jesus@heaven.net > God doesn't run a web site! Prayer, reading the Bible, and singing him praises works.

The way I drive, I've gotta have Faith! > If you drive that badly, you "gotta let someone else do the driving".

What would Jesus do? > Probably not use these stupid bumper stickers to teach the Gospel or about Christianity.

PROSPERITY GOSPEL

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:42:07 GMT

BE WARNED!!!! The videos at the links below are NOT in support of the so called "prosperity gospel". Far from it! I would like everyone to watch these videos ... they proclaim the TRUTH. If you believe in the "faith movement", "name it, claim it", or whatever title you prefer to use, you're going to hate the pastor in these videos. He speaks his mind in a way some people find offensive. His theology is correct ... the "prosperity gospel" is bad theology.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIdTFSIj8AI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yicnvgt_ak&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4y261gcpR4&feature=related

INTERNET SAFETY

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:08:33 GMT

I got something in my email inbox today that made me think now is the time for a friendly reminder about protecting your personal information online.

I received an email today telling me my MSN accounts would be deleted if I didn't update my personal information. Of course, the email contained a link you're supposed to click on to take you to the "update account page". I'm not sure exactly how the link appears, I only opened the email and read enough to see what someone is trying to get people to do. I hope you didn't already use the "hotmail" link to update your account. This email is not an official Hotmail email! How do I know? Any emails you receive from MSN will have the MSN logo beside the information line in your inbox. If you don't see the MSN butterfly, the email is bogus! This was a safety measure MSN put into effect a few years ago. If you still feel you want to update your MSN account, go to the MSN homepage and log into your account from there. That's the only way to guarantee you're at the official update page.

The same rule applies for any emails from any website to which you have an established account - eBay, PayPal, chat sites, etc. Never click on the links within emails to update any personal information. Always go to the official website by typing the URL into your browser or by using your "bookmark" to the site.

When it comes to emails ... the Internal Revenue Service will never ask for personal information via emails, they only do through the postal service. If you get an email saying your rich uncle (or any family member, friend, or very nice person) left you money or property and you can get the stuff if you respond to the email, forget about it. This is a legal matter conducted through legal services and any information will be sent by registered mail. More than likely, you'll have to sign for such mail. If not, contact a lawyer or someone before sending any information to make sure it's legit. And please, don't fall for all those bogus get-rich-quick schemes. If someone is asking for money or making you a deal to get money if you give them your checking or savings account number, you'll lose your life's savings if you send them your account numbers.

One thing people often do that may be dangerous is to give personal information within chat rooms and forums. I can't be held accountable if you decide to leave your phone number, street address, etc within any message you leave here at my page. Sure, I've given my phone to several people I know from chatting and other places on the internet, but I knew them for several years before I built the trust to do so. Be careful!

You should never give anyone personal information about a friend or family member unless they give you permission to do so. I know the real names of several chatters, forum members, and people I visit at places like MySpace; however, if they don't have their names posted at those places, I don't give out the name to anyone ... even if I trust them completely.

If you're posting your children's pictures anywhere online, you shouldn't put their name anywhere near the picture. Someone can then use their real name to lure them into a kidnapping. Unless you know the site is secure and password protected or only accessible by family members, it's best not to post anything about where your children live, what school they attend, or any other information that could allow someone to pinpoint where your child is and the times they may be unsupervised.

One of the things I have posted online is my family history. The rule of thumb for posting this type of information is not to post any other information about someone who is still living except their name ... no birthdates, towns where they live, etc. If you place a name and birthdate together, it makes it so much easier for someone to steal their identity.

This is not an all inclusive list, but should be a good starting safety guide. If anyone else has anything else to add, please do. I'd like to keep the internet a safe place for everyone, but there are predators out there. Every little bit of information we can share about some of the hazards of the internet will make it a little safer.

A good reference for checking out stories passed along by email about computer viruses, gang activities, product tampering or problems, etc can be found at http://www.snopes.com. Please take the time to verify or disprove stories of exploding cell phone batteries, blinking car lights, and such things before you pass along emails that serve no other purpose than scaring the living daylights out of people and making them paranoid.

WHERE IS TRUE LOVE?

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:54:00 GMT

I originally posted this poem at a forum site and now decided to post it here for my friends and family to read if they don't use the forums.

Where is true love?

Does it really exist at all?

Perhaps it's just hiding somewhere I have yet to look.

I thought I had found true love before,

but that love vanished like the early morning fog.

Young love is often shallow.

The boy says he loves, yet wants me to change.

He wants a dew kissed rose, perfect and beautiful,

yet the flower in front of him is a dusty, roadside daisy.

The seed was planted long ago,

a daisy can never be something it wasn't created to be.

As time passes, love changes;

as a young adult, I thought I knew what true love was.

I thought I had found a treasure,

one that had laid buried for many years.

That love sparkled like gold and shimmered like diamonds,

it was precious and dear.

Yet again, love was taken away.

My treasure was buried in my heart,

but it was a shallow pit, the treasure not guarded.

Like the swashbuckling buccaneers,

I didn't realize the value of the treasure before me.

Love that's hoarded is not love at all.

I've heard of rumors of true love,

I know that it must exist.

Jesus taught us what true love looks like,

so why is it so hard to find?

Why is the love in the world today so shallow;

why can't people find true love and hold onto it?

Where is the true love that lasts through the good and the bad?

Where is the true love that lasts "til death do we part"?

I keep looking for that kind of love,

true love that doesn't fade away like the evening sun;

love that not only stands in the warmth of the spring,

but also withstands the cold blasts of winter.

I can now feel the true love in my heart,

it was put there to share.

What good is love if not used?

Where is the one for whom it was put there?

That love is for someone special,

for one who also knows what it means to love forever.

Are there still people in this world who know true love?

Where is the man who will see the beauty in a daisy

when what he really wants is a rose?

Where is the man who can survive in the small desert

until he reaches the cool, refreshing water of the oasis?

I understand true love,

I see it in my own life as my Lord showers it on me daily.

I've been on the sun-kissed mountaintops,

I've been in the dismal valleys.

Through it all, my Lord is there;

his love never failing, especially in the darkest times.

Does this love exist anywhere else?

Jesus is the living example of perfect love.

Although mankind may fall far short of perfection,

true love must exist beyond the shallowness.

I've learned what true love is,

but wonder if it exists outside of my own imagination.

Where is true love?

Photo Album: HOME

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:25:12 GMT

HOME

The house

Part of the backyard

My "pond"

The woods

Looking upriver

Across the valley

Photo Album: MY FAMILY

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:51:34 GMT

MY FAMILY

Bubba - nephew

Helen and Jim - Mom and Dad

Sherri and JR - SIL and brother

Michelle and Keith - SIL and brother

Scarlett - niece

Aurora - greatniece

CJ - nephew

Photo Album: MY BOYS

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:47:06 GMT

MY BOYS

Hoggle

Hoggle with attitude

Hoggle's closeup

Pippen

Pippen with attitude

Pippen's closeup

Photo Album: T-SHIRTS

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:08:52 GMT

T-SHIRTS

army

blood

cops

give

grace

lion

police

tree

Photo Album: BADGES, ETC

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:00:17 GMT

BADGES, ETC

COGs badge 1

Photo Album: PHOTOGRAPHY

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 07:05:06 GMT

PHOTOGRAPHY

Capitol dome

Bald eagle

Sunset

Desert cross

Kimodo dragon

Twin falls

Canada geese

Cool water

Photo Album: ARTWORK

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 07:00:45 GMT

ARTWORK

Tiger cub

Deer family

Dale Earnhardt

Mountain reflection

Palm/sunset

JD Sumner

Fox

Jesus poster

Photo Album: COG1999

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 21:19:50 GMT

COG1999

High school pic

Sitting on the mountain

On a cruise

Custom List: Bible Studies

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:24:11 GMT

Bible Studies

Women In Ministry
Ten Commandments
Saved (Salvation)
One True Church
Once Saved, Always Saved?
Jesus Is God
Free Will
Divine Healing
Disasters As Punishment
Church Attendance
Christian Characteristics
Carry Our Cross
Baptism & Salvation
Six Points of Salvation
Are You Saved?
BIBLE STUDIES
These are some of the studies I have posted at my ministry site. You can use the site link to Things On My Mind below to view the entire site or click on the individual studies listed here.

Book List: Good Books

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:41:45 GMT

Good Books

Richard J Foster: Freedom of Simplicity
Learn more about the Quaker practice of simplicity in one's life.
International Bible Society: Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV
The GREATEST book ever written!
George Eldon Ladd: The Blessed Hope
A Biblical study of the blessed hope, the Second Coming of Christ.
Deitrich Bonhoffer: The Cost of Discipleship
About the demands of sacrifice and ethical consistancies that are present in the life of a Christian.
Gregory Boyd: The Myth of a Christian Nation
Opposes the view that America is a Christian nation and discusses the role of Christians within our culture.

Custom List: Welcome!

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:32:54 GMT

Welcome!

HELLO FAMILY & FRIENDS
I created this page to share my thoughts, photos, and stuff with all of my friends. I figured this would be an easy way to let my friends know what's going on in my life. I hope you enjoy your visit. -- COG1999

Custom List: Cool Web Sites

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:25:54 GMT

Cool Web Sites

Gma & Pappy's Place
My dad's cool site.
Servant Chat Forums
Message boards.
Servant Chat
A new concept in Christian chat. Everyone is welcome.

Custom List: My Web Sites

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:19:49 GMT

My Web Sites

SRMyers Gallery
My original drawings and photography.
Myers Family History
My family's history, photos, stories.
Things On My Mind
Christian writings, Bible studies, and more.