A Liberal Haven . . . Heaven

A few photographs were taken on a recent trip to the fair city of Madison (I'm almost afraid to say it, lest the liberals come after me). 'Twas a good time, and no one to annoy and slow down but myself, as I tend to take a long time and get lost. A few photos that I enjoyed are below, but it was too sunny to get anything very good. Enjoy!
An old burned out church. This was a marvelous shot as it was nearly an accident.



This is a beautiful view of the capitol building over a rather ugly skylight topping the new "Green" convention center that sits near the water's edge. Note the deep blue sky

They Call it "Progress"

My current place of employment has decided to implement a "fragrance-free" restroom policy. They have started in the restrooms nearest my cubical by removing the little pink automatic sprayer-devices that periodically spray out little spurts of nice-smelling-scented-stuff to cover-up the naturally occurring bad odors of a restroom. However, in the name of being "green-friendly" or something of that nature, they have since removed the lovely scents and replaced them with nasty bathroom odors. The "This is a fragrance-free restroom" signs on the doors are rather misleading. It would lead me to believe that perhaps they boosted the fan power to remove those naturally occurring odors more efficiently from the bathrooms. What has actually happened is that in removing the covering scents, the true scent of sewage spews out from the stalls to envelope the whole bathroom with unpleasantries. What they call "progress", I consider the likes of going back to a third-world country environment, where they don't have the resources of proper handle sanitation. I'm no wimp (see previous post), and I can understand if they would turn down the air-conditioning to cut costs, or dim the lights to reduce unnecessary heat sources. But I don't do well with stinky bathrooms. I need a legal, non-destructive remedy. This is rather bizarre. I wonder if it is a trend happening all over the country with these enviro-whackos.

Suburban Life is for Wimps

I'll admit it. . . I'm a wimp. At least I'm qualified to be one. While I don't want to be a suburbanite, I am, for the time-being, by my own stupid choice. While I was growing up, I had no choice. But now I've done it to myself. I shall now explain why suburban life is for wimps.

Suburban life is for folks who can't handle the city. The city is full of noise, dirt, cars, noise, stink, crime, noise. . . etc, and wimps can't handle noise and dirt. The city is crowded and difficult to navigate by car. Most folks are too lazy to walk places, and too impatient to drive.

But while wimps can't handle the noise, dirt, crowdedness, etc. of city life, neither can they handle country living. Country living is demanding. True country living is inconvenient. It requires hard work, innovation, self-reliance. A good countryman is a farmer, builder, mechanic, medic. . . essentially, a country-dweller has to be able to take care of himself. It's a long drive to the nearest grocery; the coffee shop is miles away; and in crisis, it may take an hour for the police, paramedics, or fire department to arrive. So the country-dweller has to be able to take care of himself and his family.

Fortunately, for the intolerant and unresourceful, there's Suburban Life. Suburbia puts shopping at a toad's-hop, and crowds at a distance; close to the fireman, and far from screaming neighbors. It's the best of both worlds. Everything is EASY to access. Short and sweet, like an owl eating a tootsie-pop.

More Ramblings and a few Pictures

Having recently returned from a New Mexico adventure with camera in hand, I shall proceed to post my very first set of pictures. Some boring, some not so boring. But all amusing to me.


The beautiful stink bug, wild and free. He has buried his head in the sand and is about ready to shoot us as we shove our cameras up his throat to get a good picture. I've smelled one once, and they aren't too bad. Not nearly as sophisticated as skunks. They rarely spray, only threatening.

Ahhh. . . the lonely yucca, swaying in the breeze. Such clouds as are in the background are a rare sight in high desert. It's usually too dry for clouds, but on this visit it was cloudy most days.


How this little scene came about is beyond me, but it's cool!

Eerily Similar

Back in the day, the family used to gather around the old 13" to watch episodes of the classic BBC series, Dr. Who. Far better than anything PBS had/has, the Doctor travels though time in his time machine, the Tardis, solving the injustices of the universe. The Doctor can, as all good Time Lords, regenerate himself from the state of near death, and has done so 9 times thus far for a total of 10 different incarnations.

The point of my story: I was recently pushing around a tank of liquid nitrogen at work, which we use to cool several instruments that produce a lot of heat. It's big, metal, and shiny, and is really difficult to work with.

As I was pushing it along, I couldn't help but notice its eery resemblance of a creepy critter on Dr. Who, a Dalek. Daleks were the mechanical armor worn by little mutant villains from the planet Skaro. They apparently are credited for giving the show its great popularity in its second season.

After you get done "gasping" at the shocking similarity, I'll just say they look much more alike in real life. Just play along.

The Commoners are Fooled Once Again

The commoners are fooled once again by so called ancient medicine. As in similar cases, this is leading seriously ill patients away from medicine that has been proven effective by false hopes of a miracle cure. CNN.com writes in a story today that "The president of Gambia says his ancestors revealed to him in a dream the cure for AIDS." His health minister defended this bogus cure, saying "I can swear, 100 percent, that this herbal medication His Excellency is using is working. It has the potency to treat and cure patients infected with the HIV-virus."

Unfortunately, it is not just naive Gambians that are conned into believing this nonsense. Millions of Americans by into the nonsense of "traditional Chinese medicine" and so-called "homeopathic medicine", which is no more than water with trace amounts of some so-called active ingredient.

My friends, this is nonsense, bogus fairytale with no scientific support that passes as medicine only by the deceptive tactics of those who have made themselves to be "authorities" in such matters. Perhaps this exposure by CNN will wake up some folk.

"Beware the 16th of March. . . "

miquoted from Titus Vestricius Spurinna, warning Julius Caesar of his impending death by stabbing on the senate floor.

From the Elf

Greetings, friends. I am pleased to be a new part of these posts. I hope that my frequent contributions will add great value and happiness to your lives. I will be happy to answer questions about my background, and the likes. To be brief, I am an elf.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

In an attempt to diversify and appeal to a greater audience, I am pleased to announce the addition of an elf as a staff writer. This is a move I have been pressured to make by the board of directors. I feel that he will make a valuable contribution to the content of these posts and ad a new perspective. Please check back often to keep up with other important changes I will be making.

From "Pulpit Prayers". . .

"We rejoice that we do not know all of Thee, nor all of Thy way of mercy. We should be sorry if there were no more of Thee than we could compass in our thought. We should be sorry if with our faint and small mercy, if with the slender flame of love that burns amidst glowing passions in our souls, we could understand the grandeur, the fulness, the infinte outstretch of Thy being, and the mystery hid from ages, and to be hid through ages, of Thy riches in the glory of goodness as a healing power throughout Thy realm. We rejoice and give thanks for what Thou art. . . Our souls are glad, yea, and they sing, as we think of Thee. . ."

Will you watch my laptop?

I was minding my own business, drinking my favorite coffee at Panera (better than McDonalds coffee, by far), when I was interrupted by a lady sitting next to me. "Would you mind watching my laptop?" I smiled and assured her it wouldn't be a problem at all. She was back in a few minutes, laptop unharmed by any of the creepy looking people wandering the restaurant. She thanked me, and I nodded politely. As I was about to leave the same restaurant, a fellow at the table on the other side interrupted me. "Would you mind watching my laptop?" I chuckled. "I'm leaving in 2 minutes, but if you make it quick. . . " He returned on schedule. "Thanks," he said. I mentioned to him the two strange men that had walked past staring suspiciously at the laptop as they walked by, and how I gave them a dirty look and scared them off. I then proceeded to pack up my belongings. I hadn't scared him off by my strange remarks, as he proceeded to ask if he could butt into my personal life by inquiring into what I was studying. I proceeded to tell him that I was working on a Bible study in the book of Romans. He thought for a second and inquired as to my Christian faith. He then proceeded to tell me that he too was a Christian named Ed and was leading a Bible study in Genesis, the great book of beginnings. After a brief, encouraging conversation over our new found commonality, we parted ways.

It's amazing how God used a simple question, "Would you watch my laptop?" to introduce two strangers sitting at neighboring tables and turn them into friends for a moment, and brothers in Christ.

Author's note: The author realizes that although the above paragraph sounded good at the time, it was a poor attempt to moralize a bad story. The author hereby rescinds the preceeding paragraph and promises never to try to redeem a bad story in that manner again! The author has learned a valuable lesson that it's best just to tell a good story about a guy named Ed.

Another comment: I did not mean to imply that my name is Ed by the second-to-last sentance of the first paragraph.

A Bunsen Burner, a Wafflemaker, and a Margarita Mixer

What do these three things have in common? If you thought breakfast, you're close. But oddly enough, these are the three objects I found in the fume hood when I arrived at work one day. Now, the fume hood functions in a similar manner to your oven fan. The idea is to take up all the nasty, and perhaps toxic (if you're that kind of cook), gases so you don't have to breath them. At work, these hoods also serve as work space. Now, what do these objects have to do with work? Well, the only thing I can figure out is that someone is partying after hours. I think I know who it is, and I'm still waiting for an invite. I'm told they actually serve a purpose in day-to-day work. Odd. . .

Bunsen burners are pretty neat. We had lots of fun with them in high school. Robert Wilhelm Bunsen was a German chemist who lived from 1811-1899. Once thought to be relics of the past, I have found that the Bunsen burner is useful for cleaning metal objects with its intense heat.

Two Presidents Worth Remembering

February is a month in which nothing really happens. It's good that it's short (28 days in most years, except every 4, in which it's 29 days, with the occasional exception in which it's only 28 when it's normally 29). But were it any longer, it would just be more days of bitterly cold winter, and nobody wants that. There are a few high-points, though. Last Monday was the annual commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, and the coming Monday will be President's Day. In modern times, presidents are despised and scoffed at by many. It's not an office that demands much respect. But how can you respect an office that has been overcome by scandals, liers, cheaters, adulterers, and all sorts of nonsense (I'm not speaking of our current president, a godly, upright man).

Amid all this, there are two presidents that I am rather fond of as I study them through the light of biased historians: Theodor Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan (who shares the anniversary of his birth with my dear mother). Both were quite intreging men outside of the presidential office; Reagan an accomplished actor and an excellent persuasive speaker; and Roosevelt, Colonel of the Rough Riders, and inspirational conservationist and outdoorsman. I may have more to say on these two gentlemen in the future, but I am content to leave it at that for now.

Oddities in Church Doctrine

Church members of a particular Evangelical Free church must believe:
“5.10(b) that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs;
and,
5.11 In the premillennial, personal, and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .”

The following exception is granted:
“They must believe all articles in the Statement of Faith, with the possible exceptions of 5.10b (though they must believe Lakeland has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs) and 5.11.”

1) Does anyone find this odd? If one does not believe that “every local church has the right . . .[to] govern its own affairs”, why should “Lakeland” be given a special exemption?? Should there be some special right given to this church to govern itself? I think I have a bigger problem with this exception than with the doctrine itself. It just doesn’t make any sense. If you don’t think other churches can govern themselves, why would you think this one can? Unless of course this is the only true church. In that case, they have a serious problem. What does this mean? What are they trying to say? Any insights would be welcome.

From the Westminster Confession of Faith XXXI-III: “It belonged to synods and councils, ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of His Church. . . not only or their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God appointed thereunto in His word.”

The Westminster has stood the test of time. I’m not sure what will come of the other church constitution in question.

2) Secondly, when did premillennialism become a fundamental doctrine of the church? . . .

The Joys of Family Life

I was at home visiting the family last weekend. My brother and sister-in-law and their five kids are temporarily residing with my parents, so with me that makes 10! Sunday was a beautiful snowy day and the desire to go sledding was irresistible for brother and munchkins. At about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, I was lounging on the couch discussing a rather long, boring, technical book with my father. “Alright kids,” says my brother, “let’s go sledding.” “Ooooh, ooooh, yeah,” replies the chorus, “let’s go!” “Everyone get snowpants, coats, boots, hats, gloves. . . .” At that point, I had dozed off. I woke up at 4:30 o’clock to find the whole family still mulling around. A half-hour later, the commotion began. Hats, gloves, etc., started flying out of the closet -- a pair for this kid, a pair for that; boots for him; coat for her. All the while bro and sis-in-law get each item on one kid or another. Oh the patience it takes to get five children and two adults ready for sledding. I admire anyone who can do it. An hour later they waved farewell and were off to the great slopes.

Big Bad Bears

Life is slow in the big city. Apparently, a bunch of fat guys running round with a pig skin knocking other fat guys down is the talk of the town. That’s right, the only news to report is a silly game. Who cares we’re in the middle of a war gone amuck, or that every liberal that’s anyone has decided to run for president. The talk of the whole town is a silly game! It's ludicrous that a bunch of grown men get paid insane amounts of money to do such things. Why don’t they get real jobs and do something productive for society? As for the rest of us, we could be doing valuable things too. There are too many things that need to get done to waste time watching fat men. While I do enjoy watching a rousing amateur game on rare occasion, I can’t understand professional sports. As a Christian and an American, I would have seen great humor in a match between the “Saints” and the Patriots.

How'd they know?

Upon receiving my first issue of Banner of Truth magazine, I was excited to find they had customized the issue just for me. My favorite article, "'Sort of' Reformed" (or Pseudo-Reformed) did quiet well dealing with the trends of the modern "Reformed" worship movement. Quoting Merle d'Aubigne: "a profane spirit had invaded religion. . . the seasons which seemed most to summon the faithful to devout reflection and love were dishonoroured by buffoonery and profanations altogether heathenish. . . Preachers went out of their way to put into their sermons whatever might excite the laughter of the people. . . The very temples were converted into a stage and the [ministers] were montebanks." A sad time for many "Reformed" churches. In God's providence He has preserved some.

Kick the Cook!

It’s not easy cooking for one person. One must decide all by himself what to eat, then how much to make. Will I want to eat leftovers of this for the next week-and-a-half? No. It’s easier just to go out. Fortunately I don’t offer myself that luxury. Instead I made chili. . . without one key ingredient, the chili powder. Ooops. I thought I had two bottles full of it. And the onions? I dropped them on the ground on the way back from the grocery store and had to cut out half of them. But the wonderful thing is no one but I has to taste it. Chili is a wonderful food to make. It requires no measuring utensils. After 15 min, it’s done! Hmmm. . . It needs cheese.

Yeeha

Count me in with all you other folk who have nothing better to do! I plan to waste my first entry writing nothing of interest. Done. Easy 'nough. I do plan to stop writing on this site as soon as I realize it's no fun. But it looks fun from the outside. It always does. It's just like everthing else that looks fun. College? Looked fun. Did it. No fun. Grad School. Looked fun. Did it. No fun. I guess it's not all supposed to be fun.