BJW - Moose Hunting Eve

Two hunters decide to go moose hunting in Canada. They hire an airplane to drop them off in a remote region.  The pilot drops them off and tells them, "I`ll be back in one week. No more than one moose - got it?"

One week passes, and the pilot returns. The hunters have two moose. The pilot says, "Hey, I told you guys no more than one moose."  One of the hunters replies, "Look the pilot told us the same thing last year and we gave him a `big` tip to take both moose out."

The three of them argue for several minutes more. The pilot gives up and agrees to take both moose.

Well, they load up the moose and fire up the plane. The plane shudders and strains trying to take off. It finally gets the wheels off the ground 5 feet, 10 feet. Whoops! It runs out of runway and smashes into a tree.

The two hunters, dazed and confused make there way out of the wreckage. One hunter looks at the other and says, "Where the heck are we?"

The other looks around and replies, "About 200 yards further than we got last year!"

In Portland, Maine a 500 pound moose jumped off an overpass on route I-95, falling 20 feet to it's death.

Witnesses say they overheard the moose scream before jumping,  "Hey Rocky, watch me fly over this guardrail!"

Q: What has antlers and sucks blood? A: A moose-quito!

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.

About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family.

"You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the businessman to the fisherman, "you should be working rather than lying on the beach!"

The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, "And what will my reward be?"

"Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the businessman's answer.

"And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman, still smiling.

The businessman replied, "You will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!" "And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again.

The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. "You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!" he said.

"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman.

The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!"

Once again the fisherman asked, "And then what will my reward be?"

The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, "Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"

Two Newfies are moose hunting all day, finally they shoot a moose. They start dragging it out of the bush but are having a hard time. Finally a fellow hunter comes up and says "Hey, you know if you drag the moose the other way with the grain of the fur it will be a lot easier. The two newfies say "Hey good idea! So they start dragging it the other way, well about 2 hours later one newfie looks at the other and say " Hey this was a good idea, it is easier this way. The other newfie say, "Yeah but we keep getting further away from the truck.

Truck...Packed

With the exception of a cooler and a couple of things that have to wait till we leave, the truck is packed.

I bought a propane powered generator back in May.  It works great and provided enough clean power to meet my needs.  I had a person invite themselves on my trip with me.  They wanted to sleep indoors and are springing for part of the cost of a cabin.  So, I'm on the power grid and the generator set up is staying at home.  This means that in addition to electricity I will also have to suffer through having hot and cold running water and a shower every night.

Getting Ready

I'm spending every free second trying to get ready to leave for moose season.

Blogging if any, will be light.  I do have some posts in the queue.

GFF Because They Can

Last year a friend from work told me a story about how someone had went into Wal-Mart and paid her layaway off in time for Christmas.  The emotion in her voice really underscored how touched she was by this anonymous and random act of charity.  I tucked that story in the back of my mind for one day.  You know that one day.  The day Publishers Clearing House shows up with the big check.  The day you finally hit the Mega Millions lottery.  You know, the day you have so much cash that you can do crazy good things.

 Like what these folks do:

 

Portland Couple Uses Their Super Car Collection For Good

 

It would be awesome to have the kind of cash that lets you own top end sports cars.  It would be more awesome to do what this guys does and take kids with cancer on joy rides in his Lamborghini or any one of his exotic collection.  Dream Drives for Kids  If you are a car guy, its almost enough to make you wish you had caner.

The random act of millionaire kindness that really got me was this one.  Woman Goes To Auction To Watch Her House Be Sold. Good Samaritan Buys It Back For Her.  I've written or bought a lot of mortgages.  I've also had to be part of foreclosure proceedings.  Buying a house just to give it back is freaking awesome.

 

I know if I was ever crazy rich I'd do some crazy selfish things.  I hope that I'd also do some wildly generous things too.  Like giving someone their house back, or making Christmas special for someone that had to put their kids gifts on layaway.  Good on the kind giving people who do stuff for people they don't know, just because they can.

Prayer Answered

The hard thing about "no" is that you really wanted to hear "yes", and you wanted "yes" to be amazing. 

I had a personal "prayer list" very similar to the one I posted yesterday.  Mine was a little longer and included some preconditions.  The reason for the preconditions was "fleece wetting".  I've found that its better to let God do the picking.  The problem is knowing what He's picked.  So you have to ask Him to give you a wet fleece, just like Gideon did.

When I ask for a wet fleece I write it down and I make sure it's very specific.  I did that this time too.  This fleece had several components.  The top two were that they would make a salary offer and that it would exactly equal or better a specific dollar amount and; I would not have to ask for or state how much I wanted.  The rational being that I asked God to provide and frankly He is more than capable.

The fleece then was 1. I wouldn't have to ask for a salary they would offer, and 2. the amount would equal or better a specific dollar amount. The salary I asked for was the average income for a family of four in our town, according to some economic data I read recently rounded down and that the bonus system included would provide opportunity for additional blessing.  Incidentally the bank is rated as a Top 10 national bank by US News and a Top 5 bank by Forbes and had a net income of over $40 billion last quarter.  In other words, an easy fleece to wet.

Here's how the interview went down.  They called exactly on time.  We had a conversation about the weather, which is extremely nice here today and apparently particularly gloomy where my interviewer was.  She complimented me a couple of times about my experience and how great of a candidate I was.  I like it when pleasant sounding women compliment me.  It's a pride thing.  I probably should work on that.

The very first question, which she said she never ever asked candidates first, but always leaves to the last, was "how much are you wanting to make as a base salary?".  That question was strike one, two and three.  We were less than 2 minutes into the conversation and it was all over. 

I wasn't willing to let it go so I verbally danced, very eloquently too, if I say so myself.  I talked about base and bonuses and asked how they calculated their performance matrix and how much was based on branch production verses personal performance.  She asked again for a figure.  I gave a range, based on what the average income in our town is.  She said they would only be looking at half that amount.

I guess it had to happen that way.  I needed a loud, double smack down because I heard "no".  I knew it meant "no".  It was an answer exactly in the way I asked for it, because I need things to be crystal clear.  I didn't want the answer to be no.  I kept pushing, looking for that slight chance that it would be "yes" if only I prodded it a bit.

God is amazing.  Not only did he hear and take time to listen to me, but He condescended to wet my fleece exactly according to my conditions.  He even gave me the answer I asked for, a clear concise "no".

Prayer Request

I don't blog about work or work related stuff mostly because for the last 5 years I've been working a dead end low paying job.  Those of you who know me in real life and who have known me for a while probably remember me working for and on some cool projects.  I've been blessed/stuck (depends on POV) where I am for two reasons: 1. Health insurance is the law 2. this company lets me work at night so either myself or Mrs. Ipsa is home with the kids.

This has allowed us to homeschool, and raise our own children.  The down side is that Mrs. Ipsa has had to work part time instead of staying at home and of course we're pretty much living paycheck to paycheck (which I hate).  As a side note, its better to raise your kids when you are young.  Our friends that are our age are graduating their kids from high school and college.  We're teaching multiplication tables.

This week I applied to two banking jobs.  One of them contacted me back in less than 12 hours to set up a phone interview.

If you are so inclined, I'm asking that you pray for me in a specific way:

1. That I will be blessed with a job that brings glory to the Kingdom by utilizing my God given talents in a way that pleases Him and benefits my employer.
2. That the pay they offer is sufficient for our family so that Mrs. Ipsa can stay home fulltime; and that I will be blessed financially above my hopes and expectations so that I can do more for the Kingdom and my family.  (we tithe now but there is not much extra)
3. That if this, or any other opportunity, isn't the right one, God will take it off the table quickly.  Better to get a fast "no" than to have maybe drag on.
4. If the right opportunity is present that God will make it clear and that all of the details will come together.
5. That I will exceed the expectations of my employer and bring a blessing to them.

Thank you

BJW 1 Week to Go

WHAT DO DEER THINK?



Ted Nugent, rock star and avid bow hunter from Michigan, was being interviewed by a French journalist and animal rights activist. The discussion came around to deer hunting. The journalist asked, "What do you think is the last thought in the head of a deer before you shoot him? Is it, 'Are you my friend?' or is it 'Are you the one that killed my brother?' "

 

Nugent replied, "Deer aren't capable of that kind of thinking. All they care about is, 'What am I going to eat next, who am I going to screw next, and can I run fast enough to get away. They are very much like the French.' "

 

The interview ended at that point.

 

 

A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. 'Where's Henry?' the others asked.

 'Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail,' the successful hunter replied.

 

'You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?' they inquired.

 

'A tough call,' nodded the hunter. 'But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!'

 

It was Saturday morning and John, an avid hunter, woke up ready to go bag the first deer of the season. He walks down to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, and to his surprise he finds his wife, Mary, sitting there, fully dressed in camouflage. John asks her, "What are you up to?"

Mary smiles, "I'm going hunting with you!" John, though he has many reservations, reluctantly decides to take her along.

They arrive at the hunting site. John sets his wife safely up in the tree stand and tells her: "If you see a deer, take careful aim on it and I'll come running back as soon as I hear the shot."

John walks away with a smile on his face knowing that Mary couldn't bag an elephant -- much less a deer. But not 10 minutes pass when he is startled as he hears an array of gunshots. Quickly, John starts running back. As John gets closer to her stand, he hears Mary screaming, "Get away from my deer!"

Confused, John races faster towards his screaming wife. And again he hears her yell, "Get away from my deer!" followed by another volley of gunfire.

Now within sight of where he had left his wife, John is surprised to see a cowboy, with his hands high in the air. The cowboy, obviously distraught, says, "Okay, lady, okay! You can have your deer! Just let me get my saddle off it!"'

Saturday morning I got up early, dressed quietly, made my lunch, grabbed the dog, slipped quietly into the garage to load my pheasant hunting gear into the truck, and proceeded to back out into a torrential down pour.

 

The wind was blowing 50 mph. I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather would be bad throughout the day.

 

I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed.  There I cuddled up to my wife's back, now with a different anticipation, and whispered, 'The weather out there is terrible.'

 

My loving wife of 20 yrs replied, 'Can you believe my stupid husband is out pheasant hunting in that crap?'

 

I still don't know to this day if she was joking, but I have stopped hunting

 

What do you call a smart blonde?     A golden retriever.

Ole and Sven are quietly sitting in a boat fishing, chewing and drinking beer when suddenly Sven says, 'I think I'm gonna divorce my wife - she ain't spoke to me in over 2 months.' Ole sips his beer and says, 'Better think it over...women like that are hard to find.'

Father and son go deer hunting

A father and son went hunting together for the first time. The father said, "Stay here and be very QUIET. I'll be across the field."

An hour later, the father heard a bloodcurdling scream and ran back to his son. "What's wrong?" the father asked. "I told you to be quiet."

The son answered, "Look, I was quiet when the snake slithered across my feet. I was quiet when the bear breathed down my neck. I didn't move a muscle when the skunk climbed over my shoulder. I closed my eyes and held my breath when the wasp stung me. I didn't cough when I swallowed the gnat. I didn't cuss or scratch when the poison oak started itching. But when the two chipmunks crawled up my pant legs and said, 'Should we eat them here or take them with us?' Well, I guess I just panicked."

A grizzly bear slips

A guy was telling his friend about his recent deer hunting trip to Montana.

"We were out in the woods all morning and our guide decided that we should take a break along the river bank. I wasn't feeling tired so I went for a stroll while the others were resting.

As I was walking, a grizzly bear burst out of the brush in front of me. I turned and started running like hell through the woods with the bear after me. The bear almost caught up with me but slipped and fell down.

I kept running and the bear almost caught up with me again twice, but slipped and fell each time. I finally reached the river bank. The guide saw the bear chasing me and shot it dead."

"Wow!" replied his friend, "That's incredible. If I were you, I would have messed all over myself."

The first guy answered, "What do you think the bear was slipping on?"

 

 



Reflection on Sunday

Note: I originally started writing this post 2 weeks ago.

Yesterday I filled in for our preacher who is on vacation.  My text was Romans chapter 1.  The take away point was that the really bad sins listed at the end of the chapter were the result of refusing to recognize and honor God as God, and any person or nation that does not honor God is on a path of destruction.  One sermon illustration was predictably, Kim Davis.

One of the upsides of being a fill in is that by virtue of being "new" folks are going to tune into what is being said.  Even though I've taught and preached for this same pulpit several times in the last 15 years, I haven't done it regularly in some time.  Most of the crowd was a little more tuned in than what they normally would be because of the novelty.

I'm not in any danger of becoming the next Billy Graham.  If I was called to serve as a pastor, I'd be a little surprised.  Even as an amateur, which is what I consider myself, there are some things happening in the church that are plain to me.

First, Christian people want to know that or if what they are doing is right.  As in right according to what scripture says.  They also want to know or at least have their belief in basic doctrine and morality reinforced in a public setting.  A "thus saith the Lord" with book chapter and verse means a lot.

Second, people don't care as much about if you mess up in your presentation as long as the message is correct and you are passionate in presenting it.  Far better to tell the truth poorly than to homiletically entertain the crowd with sweet nothings.

Third, hearing the truth will shock people.  Sometimes this is good, sometimes the results are unpredictable.  Either way it seems like the truth is in such short supply that just hearing it will get a reaction. 

On Sunday, one group (most of those who spoke to me afterward) were praising the lesson for different reasons.  Overall they were in favor of what they found in it.  The other group (the minority) didn't like what was said.  Although its nice to get compliments, its far more satisfying to know that people are wrestling with the message.  One women in particular was struggling with her rationalization hamster trying to spin the wheel so she could still buy the opinions of NPR, while simultaneously being a good church going person.

By and large the American church seems oblivious to my observations.  There is such a push for programs, "involvement", "relationship", "community" or some buzz word du jour, that words like "truth" get pushed aside.  Where is the Christian world view?  So few seem to have one anymore. 

I like the church I go to.  I'm not bashing my local congregation or churches in general.  Its not my job to accuse the brethren.  If an amateur can stir up a body of believers with a plain Jane sermon, why aren't pulpits filled with professionals firing America up into a full blown revival?

Blast from the Past

I saw this today. 

This School Was SHOCKED By What They Found Hidden Behind Chalkboards…Whoa!

If mentioning the good ole days makes you nostalgic, take 5 min and read the post.  Its a good one.

Card Games

My feelings are hurt and I'm offended.

There I've said it.  In saying it I've also explained what's going on in the Republican Party.  It probably isn't being said in the smoke filled back rooms where the rulers of the party make decisions that they expect, nay, demand the rank and file ratify.  It is what the rank and file have been feeling for a good long time.

Every single policy, idea, principle and goofy thought that Obama has been getting away with is anathema to rank and file republicans (RAFR).  Every. Single. One.  What the  RAFeR's want more than anything else is someone to represent conservative America.  The party has refused to do that, at every opportunity.

What the party has been doing is playing games.  The game is Three Card Monte and the republican base are the suckers being conned.  The RAFeR's (like most Americans) are sick of being an easy mark.

They want a new deck.

They want a new game.

They want a new deal.

Most Important they want to name TRUMP.

noun: trump; plural noun: trumps

1. (in bridge, whist, and similar card games) a playing card of the suit chosen to rank above the others, which can win a trick where a card of a different suit has been led.
2. A trump is a playing card which is elevated above its normal rank in trick-taking games. Typically an entire suit is nominated as a trump suit - these cards then outrank all cards of plain suits.

The talking heads are talking about how Trump can't be the right guy because he says the wrong things.  He's not politically correct.  How can a politician not be politically correct? 

Trump isn't a politician,  He is a leader.  You may hate the very idea of where he wants to lead America.  That's not the point.  He's leading.  He's leading by talking about things that folks know are true but nobody else is willing to talk about.  Since he's talking about those things and telling the truth, people don't care if he doesn't say it as nice as the news reporter thinks he should.

Because he's leading folks are following.

The Bush boy and all the rest may be really nice decent people at the country club.  In fact they may very well be the most competent managers running for president.  I've met Barbra Bush, she's a swell lady and I'm sure all her boys turned out fine.  I'd even bet that Jeb is a fine manager and would do a good job managing whatever enterprise he is entrusted with.  Same with the rest of the crowd.

The problem is "managed" in the Republican Party has a meaning too close to "manipulated".   RAFeR's are sick of being manipulated.  We know that America is in a crisis.  It's a crisis of economics, foreign and domestic policy, invasion, and the decay of civilization its self.  In a crisis you don't want a manager arraigning the deck chairs on a sinking ship.  You want a leader steering the ship out of troubled waters and directing repairs to make her sea worthy again.

GFF - Home Depot

What I like about my local hardware store is the man who runs ran it knew where everything was.  That's on of the benefits of a small town hardware store.  You've got a couple of folks that work there and they know where everything is.  Most of the time they know if option A or option B is going to work best for the job you have in mind too.   The local hardware guy is someone who truly adds value to your life.

Then Home Depot moves into town.  They can afford to buy one of the best locations, stock tons of stuff and attract folks into the store.  The local hardware guy can't do all of that.  Where one big box store sees an opportunity so do others.  Pretty soon the local mom and pop hardware can't compete.  Heck even the Ace Hardware gave up trying.  Notice I didn't say anything about the price of the products.  I've not seen that Home Depot sells things cheaper.

Last week I needed a wire wheel to remove rust from a steel bench in my shop.  I went up to the Home Depot to look for the tool and for some rubber matting.  As I was wondering around helplessly looking for what I wanted, remembering how great it was to walk in the door and tell Hank what I wanted and have it magically appear, I saw "that guy".

You know "that guy".  He's the one in the wheel chair with the special foam seat that keeps him from falling out on the ground.  He's the guy, the one guy, probably the only guy in the whole place that you don't want to ask where the heck is this stuff you've been searching for the last 20 mins for. 

I saw him.  He saw me.  He knew I was fruitlessly searching for something that there was no chance I was going to find.  He saw me break eye contact and look down and away.  I'm sure he's had that exact experience thousands of times.  People see him and don't want to see him, so they look away and do what I was going to do, avoid him.  He was a good 60 feet away and I could easily get away.

Then I said "Hey".  He asked if I needed help finding something.  Which I very definitely did.  I told him I needed a couple of items.  He didn't have a clue where the first one was and said so.  He wheeled his chair at full speed over to the cow in drapes and interrupted her personal phone call and texting session with a request for my matting which he then took me to.  Side note here: I had been unsuccessful in getting the same women to help me earlier.

Then he hit the turbo on his chair and I had to pick up the pace while we shot over to another aisle.  There he explained that I never would have found what I wanted, because it wasn't with the other accessories.  Total time to get what I needed after "that guy" showed up less than three minutes.

I thanked him for his help and he asked if I needed anything else, which I didn't.  Then he speed off to do whatever it was he was going to do before he saved me more frustration wandering around the store.

I want to describe "that guy" to you.  He had no legs.  His right arm was gone.  His left arm was a mere twig on his body.  His "hand" wasn't really a hand.  It looked like the doctors had managed to save one of the bones in his hand and maybe part of a finger and turn it into a boney little hook.  "That guy" had been burned over 99% of his body.  His face was disfigured.  He had some hair left on his head.  I couldn't see how much.  In addition to his orange Home Depot vest he was wearing a base ball cap that said the name of his branch and "Veteran". 

The local hardware guy is someone who truly adds value to your life.

Home Depot gave "that guy" a job.  He's doing a good job of it too as far as I could tell.  This is a GFF post, because they didn't have to hire him.  I'm sure that he's making $8 or $9 bucks an hour like the rest of the folks who work there.  Frankly "that guy" deserves to suck off Uncle Sam's teat for the rest of his life.  He has earned having his bills paid by the American tax payer.  "That Guy", he's not willing to set at home.

He went out and asked for a job.  Home Depot gave it to him.  Good on Home Depot.

Word Play

1. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

2. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

3. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

4. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

5. A hole was found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking in to it.

6. A sign on the lawn of a drug rehab center said: "Keep off the Grass."

7. A backward poet writes in-verse.

8. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

9. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

10. Don't join dangerous cults, practice safe sects.

The War Room

The Kendrick brothers made a movie.  I don't know much about these brothers other than they were approached specifically to make a "Christian" movie for major distribution.  "The War Room" was the result of their efforts.

I've read some reviews about the movie and they seem to fall into two camps.  The church goer camp is willing to praise the effort simply because its a "Christian" effort.  That's all well and good.  After all you can't complain about the horrible state of American entertainment and not be willing to go out and support your own side when they make an effort to produce something family friendly.  The Hollywood establishment is not as kind.  Surprisingly (or maybe not) they seem to be more upset about the message than the moviemaking itself.

I'm decidedly of two minds about "The War Room".

If you evaluate the movie as a form of narrative sermon (as most Christian reviewers seem to) it is excellent.  A sermon should have a message, a memorable narrative, and an agenda for the hearer to take action on.  "The War Room" excels as a narrative sermon.

The Kendrick boys decided that a 2 x 4 was inadequate for their needs and opted for a 8 inch wrought iron post.  Then they went in swinging, hard.  Christians (writer of this blog in particular) need a good old fashioned "come to Jesus" message, delivered right upside the ole noggin. "The War Room" does just that. 

If you are a Christian, go see the movie.  Chances are, you need to hear the message.  You should financially support those trying to do the right thing in Hollywood.  Think of the ticket price as less than what you normally put in the collection plate.  Plus you can get popcorn and cokes.  We don't have that at my church.  Then again I don't go to one of those hip new culturally relevant churches, so maybe you have that every week.

As a movie I have a different take on "The War Room".

The Hollywood cheerleader types seemed focused on not liking the message of the movie.  This seems odd (unless you take into consideration their rampant anti-Christian prejudices).  "The War Room" is utterly lacking in technical cinematic merit.

The camera work wasn't very good.  The first part of the movie had a scene with a lot of "jumping" of the camera.  This might have been a reel operators error in our theater, but I doubt it.  Seriously guys you should have caught this in editing and reshot the scene.  I know the budget was tight, but then again it was in the first 5 min of the movie, not a good way to open the show. 

Throughout the movie  the camera work was weak.  I know overhead cranes cost money but a couple of well done aerial overview zoom ins (like when the company came to reposes his car) and some more low/high tilt work, would go along way to improve your story telling.  Dialog isn't the only thing communicating a message in a film.

For example, one way the camera could have been employed to improve the story would have been to use long distance overhead shots to communicate space during the initial periods in the closet.  Then zooming down and in to a convey an intimate environment as Elizabeth gets more serious about her faith and her praying.

When it comes to the story and plot there needed to be some improvements.  If Tony might go to jail for illegally selling drugs, perhaps it would make sense to establish that he was selling drugs illegally BEFORE you introduce that as a crises point in the story line.  Just a scene or two, maybe at the gym, with him peddling a couple of packets to "friends" to "help" them out would work.

Apparently neither one of the Kendrick boys have ever been married.  I base this statement on the one dimensional nature of Tony and Elizabeth's marriage.  I'll sum it up as "husband bad, wife good".  Common guys.  Who do you think wanted the extra fancy house?  Do you believe Tony forced that on his real-estate agent wife?  Tony drives the big black SUV and Elizabeth has the environmentally friendly hybrid.  You could have used a flashback scene to communicate how Elizabeth's desire for the good life was part of Tony's motivation to get ahead at all costs.

Marriage and marriage problems don't happen in a vacuum.  Both people contribute to the success and failure of their relationships.  It's not all one sided.

In an effort to introduce Tony's near infidelity you almost (probably by accident) made a great point.  I said almost.  When Elizabeth tells MS Clara, "if Tony isn't getting it from me, he must be getting it somewhere", you could have rendered great service to Christian marriage everywhere, but you failed miserably. MS Clara could have said any number of things to rebuke or instruct Elizabeth on this topic.  Indicating that a women who is being sexually unfaithful to her husband by withholding sex, might in some small way be responsible for some of the stress in her marriage, wasn't on your agenda.  Again, "husband bad, wife good" even when wife bad, we don't care, "husband bad, wife good".

On a related note, had Elizabeth greeted Tony when he returned from his business trip with a wink and the suggestion that Danielle was spending the night at the family's only white friends house so they could enjoy some "alone time", would have made Tony look like a bigger jerk.  It also would have make the reconciliation scene more powerful.  You don't have to show it, a cut away and roll over (more of that fancy camera stuff) would have told the story without being inappropriate.

There are a number of other nit picks I have about the film, like the church scene, and the cameos.  Guys if you are going to employ Hitchcock like appearances in your own films, fine.  Do it in line with your acting abilities.  Stick with roles like toll both operator, or unnamed guy on park bench.

If it sounds like I'm being too hard or critical about this film, I'm not.  I like the film.  You should go see it.  This is the third time the Kendrick boys have made a full length Christian themed movie and it's worth your time and money to go see.  What I would like to see in the future is them putting as much effort into the art of movie making as into advancing the message in their movie making.

The much Hollywood hated Mel Gibson made "The Passion".  Even those who hate the message of the film cannot argue with the quality of the work or the artistic value of the finished product.  The message was strong, the medium in which it was communicated was equally compelling.  That is my expectation of all so called Christian film making.  If you are producing a narrative sermon, that's fine, I guess.  If you are making movies with a message do it right.

Make good movies, at profit if you can, at a loss if you must; but make good movies.

Personal Update

I'm still alive.

In laws going home soon.

Blogging to resume sometime next week.

Old Men in Texas

An 80-year-old Texas farmer goes to the clinic in Dallas for a check-up.

The doctor is amazed at what good shape the guy is in and asks, “How do you stay in such great physical condition?”

“I’m from Texas, and in my spare time I like to hunt and fish”, says the old guy, “and that’s why I’m in such good shape. I’m up well before daylight in the field plowing and mending fences and when I’m not doing that, I’m out hunting or fishing. In the evening, I have a beer and all is well.”

“Well”, says the doctor, “I’m sure that helps, but there’s got to be more to it. How old was your father when he died?”

“Who said my father’s dead?”

The doctor is amazed, “You mean you’re 80 years old and your father’s still alive? How old is he?”

“He’s 100 years old”, says the old Texas boy. “In fact he worked and hunted with me this morning. Then we went to the bar for a while and had some beers. That’s why he’s still alive. He’s a Texas farmer. And he’s a hunter and fisherman, too.”

“Well”, the doctor says, “that’s great, but I’m sure there’s more to it than that. How about your father’s father? How old was he when he died?”

“Who said my grandpa’s dead?”

Stunned, the doctor asks, “You mean you’re 80 years old and your grandfather is still alive?”

“He’s 118 years old”, says the man.

The doctor is getting frustrated at this point, “So, I guess he went hunting with you this morning too?”

“No, Grandpa couldn’t go this morning because he’s getting married today.”

At this point the doctor is close to losing it, “Getting married!! Why would a 118-year-old guy want to get married?”

“Who said he wanted to?”

Minor Edit

Kim Davis has raised a considerable stir with not granting SSM licenses.  I don't think her not issuing the license is as much of a problem as her reason for not issuing them.  Her reasoning is summed up in a statement she issued through her lawyers.

I never imagined a day like this would come, where I would be asked to violate a central teaching of Scripture and of Jesus Himself regarding marriage. To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience. It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision. For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God’s Word. It is a matter of religious liberty, which is protected under the First Amendment, the Kentucky Constitution, and in the Kentucky Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

That statement explains her reasoning very clearly.  It also is what has the LBG crowd's panties and strapons in a bunch.  I have an editing suggestion that helps out both Ms. Davis and the rest of America.  I believe this will get Kim off the hook and allow the SJW herd to stifle themselves.

I never imagined a day like this would come, where I would be asked to violate a central teaching of The Koran and of Mohamad Himself regarding marriage. To issue a marriage license which conflicts with Allah’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience. It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision. For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. We should be beheading them for their sins.  It is about marriage and Allah's Word. It is a matter of religious liberty, which is protected under the First Amendment, the Kentucky Constitution, and in the Kentucky Religious Freedom Restoration Act. 

See  how nicely that works out?  Kim doesn't have to issue the licenses and the SJW's can't find anything to complain about.

SJW's dumb but not that stupid.

Football Coaches' Quotes

"Show me a good and gracious loser ... and I'll show you a failure." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

"I make my practices real hard ... because if a player is a quitter ... I want him to quit in practice, not in a game." Bear Bryant / Alabama

"It isn't necessary to see a good tackle ... You can hear it." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

"At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat ... That costs money and we don't have any." Erk Russell / Georgia Southern.

"Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas." Seen on a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game.

"After you retire, there's only one big event left ... and I ain't ready for that." Bobby Bowden / Florida State

"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it." Lou Holtz / Arkansas

"When you win, nothing hurts." Joe Namath / Alabama

"Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated." Lou Holtz / Arkansas

"If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold ... you gotta know the password, "Roll, tide, roll!" Bear Bryant / Alabama

"A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall." Frank Leahy / Notre Dame

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." Woody Hayes / Ohio State

"I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation." Bob Devaney / Nebraska

"In Alabama, an atheist is ... someone who doesn't believe in Bear Bryant." Wally Butts / Georgia

"You can learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere else in life." Paul Dietzel / LSU

"It's kind of hard to rally around a math class." Bear Bryant / Alabama

When asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world. "No, but you can see it from here." Lou Holtz / Arkansas

"There's one sure way to stop us from scoring ... give us the ball near the goal line." Matty Bell / SMU

"Lads, you're not to miss practice unless your parents died or you died." Frank Leahy / Notre Dame

"I never graduated from Iowa, but I was only there for two terms - Truman's and Eisenhower's." Alex Karras / Iowa

"My advice to defensive players: Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in a bad humor." Bowden Wyatt / Tennessee

"I could have been a Rhodes Scholar ... except for my grades." Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State

"Always remember ... Goliath was a 40-point favorite over David." Shug Jordan / Auburn

"They cut us up like boarding house pie ... And that's real small pieces." Darrell Royal / Texas

"They whipped us like a tied up goat." Spike Dykes / Texas Tech

"I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he didn't recruit me and he said: 'Well, Walt, we took a look at you and you weren't any good.'" Walt Garrison / Oklahoma State

"Son, you've got a good engine, but your hands aren't on the steering wheel." Bobby Bowden / Florida State

"Football is NOT a contact sport - it is a collision sport. Dancing IS a contact sport." Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State

After USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame, his post-game message to his team: "All those who need showers ... take them." John McKay / USC

"If lessons are learned in defeat ... our team is getting a great education." Murray Warmath / Minnesota

"The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb. To be a back, you only have to be dumb." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

"Oh, we played about like three tons of buzzard puke this afternoon." Spike Dykes / Texas Tech

"We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches." Darrell Royal / Texas

"We didn't tackle well today, but we made up for it by not blocking." John McKay / USC

"Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad." Darrell Royal / University of Texas

"I've found that prayers work best ... when you have big players." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

Tuesday at Work

It's Tuesday.  Millions of Americans are going into work today.  In a couple of hours Kim Davis will go into work too.  Depending on what time of day it is when you are reading this; Kim may or may not be under arrest and in a jail cell or dead by cop.

Today Kim Davis will go into work.  If she stays the course she has committed to, she will defy the United States Supreme Court and take what ever comes.

What is so important that Mrs. Davis, a pudgy middle aged women with two failed marriages and a job as a low level elected county bureaucrat in a backassward state like Kentucky willing to risk arrest for?

She is unwilling to:

Call darkness, light;

Call bitter, sweet;

Call evil, good. 

Kim Davis holds elected office as a county clerk.  Her job traditionally involves, among other things, issuing marriage licenses. 

Earlier this year SCOTUS decided they would follow their activist predilections and call same sex cohabitation marriage.  For the record, at least 2 of the so called  justices were performing SSM (Same Sex Marriages) prior to ruling on the case where they created the right to SSM.  Why they are allowed to keep their bar licensees and haven t been impeached for ethics violations is another story. 

In response, Kim decided that she would not issue any marriage licenses to anyone, straight or gay.  She isn't discriminating against anyone.  Nobody can get a marriage license from her office. 

Hundreds of homosexuals have decided that they absolutely must have a marriage license issued to them in Rowan County Kentucky.   Many, if not most of the applicants, don't actually live in Rowan County, or even Kentucky.  No matter, they are having their civil rights violated because Kim Davis won't condone their lifestyle choices.

It doesn't matter that the applicants she refused drove by other county courthouses that they could have received a marriage license from.  It doesn't matter that they could have gotten a license in their home town or state even.  The only marriage license that will properly solemnize gay love, celebrate and sanctify same sex marriage is one that Kim Davis is unwilling to issue.  She has magic marriage licenses.

The collective butt hurt is unimaginable.  These people know about butt hurt.  Mostly they like it.  What they don't like is someone who isn't willing to go along with their version rainbows and unicorns. 

This is why they are willing to drive all the way from Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio and other places in and outside of Kentucky, so they can have their civil rights violated by someone they never knew or cared existed.

Tuesday September 1, 2015, Kim Davis went into work and ....

May God bless Kim Davis, keep her strong and fight this battle on her behalf.

May America realize:

Conformity isn't diversity,

Political correctness isn't a substitute for personal virtue,
Violating one person's conscience diminishes everyone s liberty.

If Kim Davis is in the wrong, the solution is to vote her out of office, not force her to compromise her conscience.



UPDATE

Kim Davis staying the course.