ONE MORE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

Well, Christmas has come and is almost gone. It is the evening of Christmas day and the presents have been opened and the food has been stuffed away in more ways than one! I have so much to be thankful for. You know the older I get the more I realize that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. Spending time with the ones you love is such a blessed gift. I would love to have just one more day with my father. I would do nothing but sit and talk and tell him how much I love him and how important he is to me. Our time on this earth is so very short and the decisions we make in this life have eternal consequences. I know that some who read this blog may not agree and that's OK I don't agree with some of the stuff I read that people say. I do believe that it is important that we take the time to think about things eternal and not just temporal.

Christmas... what a concept...... that the Creator of all things sent his only Son to a fallen depraved race so that He could have a relationship once again with the only thing He created in His own image. Crazy, fiction, lunacy, I know those who think so but I don't. It makes perfect sense to me. I don't need to understand everything before I believe it. In fact, everyone is that way,they just don't realize it. Think about it for a minute. What are some of the things you believe in that you don't understand? I believe in a lot of things I don't understand. So why is it that so many refuse to believe in the Bible and a God that loves so much that He would send His only Son to save us because we can not save ourselves? Is it really so hard to believe? Or is it that there is something in us as humans that doesn't want to admit that we need a Savior. "I'm alright, I don't need anything from anybody. I can solve my own problems". How can something that is imperfect, perfect itself? I know..... and the argument goes on and on and it has for centuries and will continue until Jesus comes back and sets everything straight and right.

But honestly people how can we say that we are not flawed in our very essence, character? Look around you and tell me that "man" is getting better and better all the time. Better at killing one another, better at developing new ways of depravity, cruelty, hate, self destruction, selfishness, control over another,.......etc. Yes I agree that man has made great strides in science and ways of helping mankind. But at his very center, man is in need of a cure that he cannot provide for himself and that is why there is Christmas.... and Easter.

Just a little time spent on thinking about the eternal! WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!

SO MUCH........ THANK YOU!!

I found myself this morning thinking about my life as of late and wondering what is in store for me in the future. I have been without a "steady" job now since August. Have been picking up work here and there but nothing permanent, if there is such a thing!

Anyway, I started to feel sorry for myself because it is Christmas time and I just don't have the money to spend on those that I love. And, there are a few things that I could use and want...... but..... I don't know if you do this but, I started to compare my life with others and what they have that I do not and it was as if the Lord just smacked my upside the head and said "knock it off". So I said OK! I started thinking about all the things I do have that mean so much to me and you know none of it was "stuff" it was mostly people and relationships. For example: my wonderful wife, who loves me unconditionally, takes me as I am and doesn't try to change me into something she "wants". She is always supportive and doesn't cut me down or take down to me. She doesn't talk bad about me to others. She loves the Lord and wants to serve Him. I don't know too many men that can honestly say that about their wives. I have two step sons that love the Lord and their mother and father along with me. We have a wonderful relationship. They are wise and not foolish. I could not ask for nicer "sons". I have a very nice modest home, wonderful family, and two dogs that always put a smile on my face. I have so much to be thankful for. God has been so good to me in spite of myself, with all my faults and short comings. Although I really could use a job, I have all that I need and so very much more.

Please take the time to think about all the blessing you have been given and then tell someone about it. Don't keep it to your self. Someone out there needs to hear it and be blessed. Encourage one another with your words and deeds.

WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!

LAST NIGHT IN A LONG TIME

Last night I performed a free Christmas concert for anyone who was willing to come. I held it at my church in Bolivar Texas. For those of you who do not know, I am a singer/ songwriter/ actor...... besides what ever else it takes to put food on the table and provide for my family. Last night's concert was my first Christmas concert since 2003. I moved to Texas in 04 and had not given a concert since I left North Idaho. I must say that it was good to be up and on stage and doing what I love best, singing! It took me a long time to come to the reality that I was a singer. I know that may sound strange to you but that is just the way it is. I struggled for years with who I was and sometimes I still do. But I know that my "talents" are in the fine arts and that is the way God created me to be.

I will work at doing more singing in the future and perhaps something will come of it. I have sung for very large crowds in the past and some very small ones also. It does not matter the size of the crowd all that matters is that I use the talent's the good Lord gave me to bless those whom I come in contact with.

Who are you? What is it the Creator created you to be? Are you using your talents to bless those you come in contact with? If not then why not? There is a reason you are still on this earth, so BE what God created you for!!

WAKE UP!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!

THOMAS

HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED

I have been watching the game for so many years now and it is always played the same way. The problem is that no most people are not paying attention so "they" get away with it. Let me see if I can awaken you to this strategy that has been and is being so successfully deployed against us. Here is how it works. Let's say that you have something in mind that you want from someone else but you know that they won't give it to you. The question is, how do you get what you want? pretty simple question, right? Well what you do is ask for way more than what you what and in the art of compromise you end up getting exactly what you wanted. Or you make a situation out to be much worse than it is and out of fear the person gives you what you want. Or even if you don't have the power or authority you can threaten them or intimidate them into giving you what you want. The powers that be do this all the time! If you are "AWAKE" you can see it. Fore instance, the Cap and Trade Bill. There has been much debate over this bill and many believe that it will spell the end of our way of life as we know it. It basically is a huge tax program to make everyone,not just big business, conform to the ideology of Globalism. Just this morning on the news I saw where the EPA is now telling congress that if they don't deal with this bill and soon that they, being the EPA, will take over and do it for them, and if they have to do it, it won't be pretty. Do you see what they are doing? They want the bill put into play so they tell congress you had better do it soon or we the "EPA" will take matters into our own hands.

I am not going to go into the whole global warming "crap" but just let me say that in the 70's the same people were saying that we were going into the next ice age! I wish they would make up their minds, don't you? Also if there wasn't some sort of global warming going on we would still be in the freakin "Ice Age"!!!!

Always look for the hidden agenda and always follow the money. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MONEY!!! do I need to say it again, because I will!

In the words of our government officials, "never let a good emergency go to waste". How do yo think the Patriot Act got passed? Fear is being used to get people to give up their freedoms and American sovereignty . I don't know about you but I am not ready to give up my God given rights of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" Are you? Are you living in a "spirit of fear" ?

WAKE UP!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!

Thomas

KEEPING "IT" REAL

As I had my quite time this morning I found myself think about all the people I know that "seem" hollow and empty but endeavor to put on a good game face. Ya know what I mean? They are all smiles and laughter but if you can get a look into their eyes there is an emptiness that is longing to be filled. And then I wondered if I come across to people like that? Do people look at me and see a genuine individual who loves life and those around him or do I appear hollow and empty?

Don't get me wrong, I don't feel hollow and empty! When I look in the mirror I actually like who I see. (except for those unwanted pounds) But I would not want to give the wrong impression to those I come in contact with. Keeping my life "real" and my attitude where it should be is something that I work at daily. I don't care to much for General Collen Powell's politics but I did hear him say one time that if he could tell the young people of today anything it would be, "to have a sense of shame and don't give me any excuses". I thought that that is pretty good and applies to a lot of grown ups also, including myself. What does it mean to "have a sense of shame"? I suppose it could mean a number of things to a number of people, so I will let you decide for yourself what that means to you. But, "don't give me any excuses" is pretty universal in it's scope and application! It is not an easy thing to swallow one's pride and admit the truth, but it is the RIGHT thing!

It is my goal to be as genuine as a person as I can possible be. What you see is what you get, no hidden agendas no mind games and please no manipulations!!! In doing so I am at peace with my God, myself, and with others and that is right were I want to be!

Keeping "IT" real is something that we all need a little more of from ourselves and from others.

Just a little something to think about as you go through life's journey. Remember the one thing about life is.....NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE!!!! WAKE UP!!!!! WAKE UP!!!! WAKE UP!!!! The coffee smells soooooooo good!

Thomas

THANKSGIVING: THE ACT

For most of us it is still easy to be thankful! Even though it seems that every day we as Americans are losing more and more of our precious freedoms, this is still the greatest country in the world and I would not want to live any were else. Personally I am not happy with bigger and bigger government and out of control spending. I don't like the mentality of dependency on the government to take care of our problems. No government in the history of man kind has ever been able to sustain such an effort without enslaving its people through mass taxation and loss of personal liberty. I guess the American people will just have to get that figured out for themselves!

In spite of all "this" There is sooooooooo much to be thankful for. I guarantee that I will not go hungry on Thursday and I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back. I have a family that I love dearly and that loves me. I have a wonderful bride who loves me unconditionally and lets me be myself! I could go on and on. Please spend some time, concentrated time, thinking about what all you have to be thankful for.

Know to the "ACT". Thanksgiving is a verb, it is the act of being thankful or "GIVING" thanks. My question is, "to whom are you giving thanks"? It is an empty, hollow thing to just be thankful for something without the act of being thankful TO someone for which you are thankful! Historically, it comes from our forefathers giving thanks, not to the native indigenous peoples ONLY but to God, the Creator, and to His Son Jesus Christ. I know that this is not a popular opinion for many these days but that does not change the facts. This holiday is uniquely American and is one that the corporations and Wall Street have not been able to high jack. Do you realize that? Thanksgiving is the only holiday that we have left that has not been commercialized to death. It is the only "major" holiday that America celebrates that does not have its origins in a "pagan" ceremony. If you don't believe me just do a little research and find out for yourself. It is uniquely "Christian"!

Let me ask again, "to whom are YOU giving thanks" this Thanksgiving? I myself, will be spending some time thanking my God, Lord and Savior for all of His provisions, goodness, do overs, get out of jail free cards and unconditional love! But, I will also be thanking those in my life for their love, for there is not greater and costly gift that one can give.

Thank you for reading this blog and letting me share with you from my heart. And may God please continue to bless America!!

WAKE UP!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!

Thomas

OPTIMIST OR PESSIMIST THAT IS THE QUESTION

"to be or not to be that is the question," . There are only two kinds of people in the world, did you know that? Really, only two kinds, it is really that simple! There are those that have good days with the occasional bad and those that have bad days with the occasional good. Those who see the class half full and those who see the glass half empty. So the question is, WHICH ONE ARE YOU? Now call me crazy, but I like to hang out with those who see the positive side of life rather than the negative. I am a positive person who chooses (notice the operative word there is chooses) to see the best in people. I want to believe that people are as good as their word. If someone tells me that they are going to do something I am going to believe them. I am always going to trust people and look for their good qualities. I am tired, let me repeat that, I AM TIRED..... of people who are constantly negative and always talking shit about others. Those who never see the good in anyone and heaven forbid that they should ever apologise if they are proven wrong. I mean what is up with that? Is being "right" so dam important that it means being wrong? Isn't that just the craziest thing you ever heard? COME ON PEOPLE WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!

I am a Christian and I make no apologies for it. I love being a Christian and trying to live my life the way that Jesus Christ modeled for us. His teachings are the most wonderful thing on the face of this earth and they have done more to transform mankind that ever has been, or ever will be! (in my opinion)

Being a Christian means that the glass is always half full, that we have eternal hope, everlasting joy that transcends everything that exists on this earth. We are to LOVE one another with a love that passes all understanding. Yes.....even those that make it hard to love. And if it means swallowing our pride and taking it on the chin so to speak then so be it! Jesus said that the world will know who we are by our LOVE, not by our bad attitudes and negativity! I am tired of talkers and not doers. James said in the book of James (New Testament) You can talk all you want about being a follower of Christ but until you show it by your works it don't mean squat!!! That is a paraphrase by me of course. But that is what it amounts to. If you don't believe me read the book for yourself.... I dare you! :)

I am convinced that the world is the way it is because we as Christians have not been what we should be!!! We have not lived "IT" before the world and therefore they have rejected it. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

IF IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN FOR CHRIST, THEN WHY HAS THE WORLD TURNED RIGHT SIDE UP?

WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!

just a little something for you to chew on.

Love ya

WHAT'S THE TRUTH?

Philosophy, and religion, and God OH MY!!!!

Is there such a thing as absolute truth, something that never changes, that is steadfast and unmovable? Or, is "truth" a perception? I have heard it said that man determines what truth is and that it is different for every person. It doesn't matter what you believe in as long as you believe is something. Does that sound about right to you? Well I bet you kinda figured out that i would have a problem with this philosophy, and as I see it, a religion.

If every man gets to determine what is right/truth, then whatever he chooses must be correct. Hang on and follow me with this line of reasoning..... so if that be true, then those that are strapping bombs to themselves and murdering others in the name of their god/religion/philosophy/world view... what ever you want to call it must be right! Right? Because you just said that man determines what truth is. Now wait.... don't turn me off just yet... Here's the real kicker. If you maintain this believe and yet condemn someone else for the way they believe then you have just set yourself up as God, because you are now determining what is truth for someone else. As horrible as it may seem to you, those that kill others in the name of their believe system, whatever it may be, have a complete belief that what they are doing is "right" or "truth". And, who are YOU to tell them any different?

You see this is why there must be such a thing as absolute truth. Our Founding Fathers knew this to be true. Remember?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Sound familiar? Sounds like absolute unchanging truth, doesn't it? "their Creator" ... God, OH MY!
You see the problem is that if we say that there is such a thing as absolute truth and that it comes from God then that makes us responsible to God for our actions and our lives and how we live those lives. "We" as mankind do not like the thought of being accountable to God for the way we live our lives, so we chose to ignore it and say that man gets to decide what is truth. Our Forefathers knew the importance of absolute or universal truth. This is why it is so important that the constitution is not seen as a "living breathing' document that can be changes and adapted to societal changes.

There must be absolute truth that is above man and unchangeable by man in order to keep man from total chaos. Laws, morality, codes of honor and respect all these things that make us "human" come from absolute truth and when mankind gets away from that there is always mass death and destruction, chaos and injustice.

PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU, take some time to think through the logic of this argument. You must travel down the path far enough to see the logical conclusions to such philosophies. So, is there such a thing as "miss placed belief" I think I would have to say YES!! It is not enough to just believe in something, you have to believe in unchanging, absolute, universal truth.

BIG BIG WAKE UP CALL!!!!

I look forward to your comments.

THE "MACK TRUCK" PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

Ever notice how the older you get the faster time seems to fly? Remember when you were a child and everything used to take forever? When I was a child we had family friends that lived in Petosky Michigan. It was a 4 hour drive from where we lived and it seemed to take forever to get there. Now a 4 hour drive is nothing. The school year was enormously long and Holiday vacations took forever to arrive. Now, the years go by with astounding speed and I can hardly keep up with the days of the week let alone the months.

All this to say that LIFE IS SO VERY SHORT!!!! I have lost all my grandparents most of my Aunts and Uncles and my father. I have lost friends who were younger than me. You never know when you get up in the morning what is going to happen that day. We don't spend much time thinking about it, I guess if we did we would get to depressed and just stay in bed. There is no promise of tomorrow and you can't go back and relive yesterday no matter how badly you may want. There is only TODAY, RIGHT NOW!! We must live each moment as if it could be our last because it very well could be. Be alive!! Be in the moment, present, aware of what is around you, in other words WAKE UP!

You may ask, "what's that got to do with a Mack truck"? Well let me tell you. Whenever I leave the presence of those I love, ie.... family, brothers, mother, WIFE or just end a phone conversation, I tell them that I love them! The reason is, if I were to get hit by a "Mack truck" I want them to know that the last thing I said to them was that I loved them. Of course the "Mack truck" can be anything that ends your life here on this earth.

I know for a fact that to many people and families do not tell one another enough that they love them. I hope that in light of the fact that life is short for all of us and you never know when your "Mack truck" will arrive, you will make it a habit to practice the "Mack truck" philosophy of life. Let those you love KNOW that you love them!

WAKE UP!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!

BIRDS OF A FEATHER!!

As the old saying goes, "birds of a feather flock together" and how about this one, "you are known by the company you keep", "EVIL COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD MORALS". My favorite one is " If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, acts like a duck and hangs with other ducks, then it must be a duck"!!!!

Common people I don't care what you say, it is your actions that tell me who you are, always! This Major at Ft. Hood is living proof. We don't need all kinds of investigations to find out if his actions merit the label of "terrorism". Looks like, sounds like, acts like, associations........ call a spade a spade and get it over with.

It's not just this one incident. This attitude of, "it's what I say not what I do", is completely ridiculous. Have we lost all common sense in this country? Is no one willing to stand up and say it like it is? Have all our back bones been replace with P.C. noodles? I find this to be infuriating and I ain't afraid to say so........ so there you go just a little more to think about in this up-side-down world that we live in!

WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!

COMMUNICATION AINT WHAT IT USED TO BE

Something has been bothering me for some time now and I wonder if anyone else feels the same as I do? Have you noticed that the more technically advanced we get the more isolated we are? Have you ever been completely alone in a room full of people?

How did we ever survive without cell phones, the Internet, and cable TV? Seriously people think about it. We are constantly connected, plugged in, in touch but yet we are losing the art communication. Even on cell phones now we would rather "text" that actually talk to some one. When was the last time you sat down with someone and had a meaningful conversation? And I mean about the deep things in life, not who's gonna win the game or what movie you last saw. Can you carry on an intelligent conversation for mare than 10 minutes without losing focus or running out of things to say? We are losing the art of critical thinking and real true communication. I have noticed the inability of most young people and adults for that matter to be able to explain themselves or to hold an intelligent conversation. And if the cell phone rings all of earth and time must come to a stop so that they can answer it. that phone is the most important thing on the face of the earth.

The more ways of mass communication we get and the more ways of "staying in touch" we have, the more OUT OF TOUCH WITH PEOPLE WE GET. I hate to talk on the phone and I disdain texting. I love talking to people face to face so I can look them in the eye and see the emotions on their face, read their body language, share a moment of human contact.

WAKE UP!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!

Isolation via mass communication makes us more like machines and less like humans.

Just something to ponder while you are busy texting.

CHRISTIANITY: A RELIGION?

I find this to be a very interesting question. There has been a lot of good and bad performed in the name of Christ but what exactly is a "Christian"? To me it is simply put that a Christian is one who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and attempts to follow His teachings. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION!!!!!!! Religion is made of man in an attempt to control the masses. Religion has always been corrupt and always will be because it is of man and not of God. Christianity is a way of life that permeates every aspect of your being. It is not something that you "do" but something that you "are". If you claim to be a religious person, just what does that mean? What does that look like in the "real" world? I don't give a rats ass what you say...... how do you live your life? Do you know what Jesus had to say about how you are to live? How can you profess yourself a Christian if you do not know what Christ said and more importantly how can you follow Christ?

If you want to have a relationship with someone you must spend time with that person, correct? So, if you want to be a "Christian" you must spend time with Christ. And let me tell you that is not an easy thing to do, but, no relationship is easy. Relationships take work that is all there is to it. If I don't work at my relationship with my wife then it will eventually cease to exists and so it is with any relationship. Look it is not brain surgery people. Don't over think this one.

Jesus as far as we no had very little to say about Governments. Why was that do you think? Maybe because it was not important to Him!? Religion is a form of government with all it's leaders and structures. And there have been and still are wars being fought over RELIGION! I find it interesting that in history true christians have never been an aggressive force to try to dominate anyone. I mean think about it! Now on the other hand Religion and Politics have plaid dirty down through the ages in order to dominate and control the people. That does not sound like Christianity to me.

Let us in the future try to make the distinction between Religion and Christianity. And if you are a professing christian please for the sake of all that is pure and Holy, act like one. If you don't know what that looks like get a Bible and read the book of James in the New Testament. This book is probably the most "practical" book on what it means to be a follower of Christ. I think that if you read it you will be amazed at how far off course "we" are.

WAKE UP!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!

Once again, just some questions and something to think about

WHEN HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED?

I have a lot of friends that like to think of themselves as "liberals" or as some call themselves "progressives". I really don't care what they call themselves it doesn't matter to me they are still my friends and I enjoy their friendship. But, there is something that I have been thinking about lately and to me, it possess an interesting question.

Has there ever been a society that was destroyed or came to its own ruin because of conservatives? I am not being sarcastic or coy, I am being serious. Think about it. I have never heard of a society that came to an end because of it's strong work ethic, or high moral values or it's commitment to a strong family unit. I have never heard anyone say that a nation went down the drain because of their strong belief in God. To make it more to American traditional values, a strong Puritan work ethic, an adherence to judeo-christian values. I have never heard anyone say that they would have a better community to raise their kids in if people would just get rid of those stupid out dated "ten commandments" and live and do what ever is right in their own eyes.

Seriously people, I don't mean to offend anyone but Rome didn't fall because it was full of conservatives. It didn't crumble from within because of their strong belief in family values and hetero/monogamous relationships. Rome was at it's heart "liberal and progressive" where everyone did what was right in their own eyes instead of having a standard of high moral values to guide their lives by.

When I look at America today I see Rome all over again. It seems that we as a society are hell bent on getting rid of all those conservative things that our country was founded upon. Why do "we" want to rid ourselves of the things that have made our nation and it's people the envy of the world. I am not talking about unbridled capitalism fueled by ones own greed but a country set up and built upon, YES HERE IT COMES, Judeo-Christian Principles. Are "we" so full of hatred of things that are "Christian", "Godly", good and wholesome that our society is willing to destroy itself? Are we so blinded by our own selfish desires that nothing else matters but our own personal satisfaction no matter the cost to ourselves and those around us? Do YOU not see that the path we as a country are going down is the same old path that so many have gone down before us NEVER TO RETURN OR BE HEARD FORM AGAIN?

WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!

Just some honest questions and something to think about.

Ps. I am not talking about extremist of any religion or belief system.

NEVER WITH CHRISTIANS OR FAMILY!!!!

For those of you who claim to be a follower of "The Christ", you may find this to interesting and for those of you who are not you will probably be able to relate to this blog in some sad way.

Have you ever found yourself feeling like you need to apologize because you are a "christian"?

I have! My Grandfather Stratton used to say, "never do business with christians or family". Why? because they will screw you every time! That part is my addition to his saying. Where do you suppose a saying like that comes from? I find that most of the time sayings are based in truth! This is no exception to the rule and if it sounds like I am pissed off well that is probably because I am.

Never do business with Christians, what a sad commentary on those who "profess" to be followers of The Way, disciples of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, the Savior of the world... need I go on? Is it any wonder why Christianity in America is on the decline!? Is it any wonder why people are afraid to open their mouths and talk to someone about the "change " and "difference" God has made in their lives? One, because there is no difference, and two the person they are talking to has probably had some BAD experience with one of those so called "christians". I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times I have been wrong in some way by a professing christian. I find it totally unfathomable that we have fallen so fare as to be the "bad taste" in people's mouths. Being a Christian is not a "get out of jail free" card. We act as if we have license to live as we please, do as we please, and it's OK, to bad so sad for everyone else. what is up with that? Have we no sense of shame? Are we nothing but excuses blaming others and even God for our actions?

Have we as Christians not been called to a HIGHER PURPOSE, to be the a light unto the world, a light shinning on a hill for all to see, salt to the earth? We are to be what makes everything seem right and hopeful, a life filled with purpose for something bigger that our own greed and selfishness. We are to live a life of sacrifice for others who are in need. We are to love all others above ourselves and no one more than the Creator of all things; without whom we have not even our next breath. His very word holds the universe together. All creation sings His praises and that means ALL CREATION not just a select few humans, but that is another blog for another time.

What is it going to take to wake you "professing Christians" UP?!!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!!

WAKE UP!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!! THE TIME IS SHORT AND YOU ARE NOT, I REPEAT, NOT ABOUT YOUR FATHERS BUSINESS!!!!!

John the Baptist said "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand".

For those of you who will read this that do not have a personal relationship with God/ Jesus/Holy Spirit, I want to personally apollogise to you if you have had the misfortune of dealing with one of these so called "christians". You don't have to but I am asking you to please forgive them. You see, it is not that we are suppose to think ourselves better than others but that we are to be humble and serve and love others. Somewhere along the way "we" have lost sight of that. We have forgotten just what it truly means to be a "Christian". It is my prayer that you will give US a second chance. You don't have to and I would not blame you if you did not grant that request. I have met many people in my life that want nothing to do with Jesus Christ because of those who claim His name.

Please understand, I know that we are all human and that we make mistakes and do things that we should not. But, this should not be the norm!!!! Let us treat people the way we want to be treated and love people they way God loves people. The most important thing to God on this earth is .......? PEOPLE!! If your life as a christian is not about people that you need to step back and take another look at what you are doing. Do you realize that PEOPLE are all you can take with you when you leave this world?

All this comes from someone who has been there, had to ask forgiveness of those whom I offended and is moving on to better and HIGHER things.

Jesus said that when he comes back he wonders if he will find any of "the faith" left. We have not and are not "being" what we were created for. LET'S GET TO IT!!! What do you say?

As far as Family goes....... We all have them and have to deal with them in our own way. I will pray for you and you can pray for me!! :)

THE ONLY REAL MISTAKE

It is 4 am and here I sit. It has been raining and my big ferocious rottie is afraid of the thunder. I can't go back to sleep because my mind will not let me so...... here I sit. Up at 4 am is unusual for me but there seems to be a lot of things going on in my life that are "unusual" for me and perhaps that is one of the reasons why I am writing this blog. "waking up" as it were and every pun intended!

Have you ever NOT done something because you were afraid of making a "mistake", afraid of "not doing it right", afraid of "failure"? Let me tell you, up until about the year 2000 that is the way I lived my life and if I am not careful I have the tendency to slide back onto that dead end road. I have come to realize that the only real mistake........ is not learning from your mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. I mean face it, that is how we learn. When I was a little boy I can remember my father telling me "you're alright, keep trying". But somewhere along the line I became afraid of making mistakes, not doing it right or failure..... whatever you want to call it. At some point in my life it became more important to not fail then to try and at that point I stopped learning, growing as a human being. The importance shifted from "you're alright, keep trying", to don't do that you might mess up. It took a "big mistake" to help me realize that, OK it did hurt but it didn't kill me and the most important thing, what are the lessons I can learn from this.

We are the sum of all our experiences! Do you realize that? There is no such thing as "shudda, wudda, coulda"! The phrases, "if only", "what if", if I had just", or the all important "I wish I had", should not be in your vocabulary. You can't go back and change the past, there is no promise of tomorrow, all you have is today, so get over it, suck it up and move on! Our mistakes do more to shape who we are than our accomplishments. Let me repeat that, our mistakes do more to shape us than our accomplishments. The only real mistake is not learning from your mistakes.

History always seems to keep repeating itself. Why is that? Because man never learns from his mistakes. Hey what do you say, let's go around that mountain one more time. Do you know people like that? Are you one of those people? We are destined to keep making the same mistakes if we don't learn from them. "I have been married 5 times"!! said with a strange sense of pride like you are going to get an award. "I always pick the wrong person"...HELLO... WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!! LEARN, LEARN, LEARN !!! Or how about, "why do I always keep doing that"? How many time have you heard or said that one? Can you smell the coffee yet? :)

Most people just go through life making the same mistakes over and over again, complain about how their lives suck, and live in the past of some "glory day" of their life. Why? Because somewhere in their lives the "mistake" became bigger than the "lesson". I can still hear my father say, "Thomas do something, even if it's wrong, do something". It is far better to do something, even if you don't succeed, than to not do anything at all.

Wake up people and smell the coffee!

INSANITY!!!!!!

It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. I see this every day all around me. People tend to get "stuck" in their lives by their routines and habits. They constantly complain about things in their lives that drive them crazy or that are hurting them in some way, either mentally, emotionally, physically or financially, but they are unwilling to change anything in their lives in order to make a change. I have seen this in my own family and it drives ME CRAZY.... but you can't change your family.

Their is nothing worse than listening to someone complain about their unruly, out of control children, who just happen to be of legal adult age, but will not stop enabling them which continues to perpetuate and encourage their behavior. Come on people grow a pair and take control of your lives. Take responsibility for raising them and do something about it! Nobody wants to listen to you piss and moan about a situation that you have allowed and don't have the intestinal fortitude to do anything about. Oh ya, it is easy to point fingers at other peoples kids and spew out what those parents should be doing but when it comes to you and your kids, well now, that is something entirely different! PLEASE!!!!

This same principle applies to every area of our lives in some way or another. Look at our Government for another example. How many times in the history of civilization has big government, socialism, communism, whatever you want to call it, been successful? I mean seriously people get a clue. It has never worked and it will never work and the problem is (are you ready for this one) you and me!!! People are the problem. Man left to himself will always find a way to better himself before others. The problem is humane nature. Those in control are, by definition , completely insane. They are pushing us toward a socialistic/communistic/ tyrannical state so fast that it is not funny in the least. With all of Obama's czars, that answer to no one but him, congress in a joke. History is repeating its self and this great nation will end up in ashes and rubble. Yes you are right THAT IS INSANE!!!

Most of our "rights and freedoms" are gone, it is just that people have not realized it yet. The right situation has not presented itself for all the presidential orders and laws to be implemented. By the time the masses wake up to the fact the trap will have been sprung and it will be to late. As Benjamin Franklin once said. "we have given you a Republic, if you can keep it". Hear that sound? It is our Forefathers rolling over in their graves.

Get it? Get the picture? WAKE UP..... and smell the coffee!

I have never been one much for writing my thoughts down. But, recently I have been wondering if there is anyone out there who thinks and feels the way I do and if what I have to say would be interesting for anyone to read. So, I am going to start blogging here and let's see what happens. I have often been told that I am somewhat of a catalyst, not that I try to stir things up, it just seems to happen.

In the year 2000 I woke up from what seemed to be a very long sleep and I have been continuing to wake up ever since. I began to see things differently and be aware of what was going on around me. I seemed to be developing a sense of discernment about people and the meanings behind what they said. The more I put this new found sense to the test the more I realized that people very rarely say what they mean, for what ever reason. We, in this country have lost the art of honesty. A man's word is no longer his bond. Back in the day if someone told you they would do something then no matter what they would do it. Legal documents and lawyers we not all that common because they were not needed. Did you get that?" THEY WERE NOT NEEDED!! Somewhere along the way we started to need them. What happened to "us" so that we have become a nation of law suits and liars? Somewhere in our history "WE" as a collective took a wrong turn and it has lead us to where we are now. I hate to inform you of this but despite what "they" say, man is not getting better. Man is collecting more and more knowledge but is losing more and more wisdom. Knowledge is nothing but dangerous without the wisdom in how to use that knowledge.

I don't proclaim to have all the answers, in fact I have more questions than answers but at least I know I don't know everything and questions are a good thing. In order to have questions you must first be aware of your surroundings and that means you must be "awake". Wake up you citizen of America, wake up and smell the coffee!