PreacherBoy80's Xanga

Portraits

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:44:57 GMT

Check out an ongoing series of short essays on my other blog. The series is called "Portraits" and I hope you find it interesting.

Check out www.preacherman80.wordpress.com God bless!

Revelations...

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:42:13 GMT

Recently I was surprised to learn something about my boss. Now, my boss is my age (almost to the day) and we share similar lives. (Both married, both with two kids, etc.) But he is a lot more successful in the business world. I mean, the man owns and runs his own restaurant. And this is his second one!!! As the world measures things he is way beyond me. (Not that such a standard is the right or best one, but it is a standard, and is worth mentioning for this thought.) So he carries a certain “gravitas” and persona that gives me a certain idea of his personality. Therefore it just never occurred to me that he would enjoy video games like I do. Yeah....like PS3, Wii, playing Metroid Prime, RPGs, etc. I think he's actually a gamer. Or at least a retired gamer. He talked about playing a lot in college, but not as much now. He became as animated over talking about video games as I have seen him get over anything. Sort of opened a door to his personality that I didn't expect. I liked it. Go figure.

Coming together...at what cost?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:38:34 GMT

There is a phrase frequently being spouted on the national scene from a variety of different sources. It seems to come from all sides of the political “aisle”, and is generally received as a true statement. Yet it is a statement that is fundamentally flawed. And to be quite honest, I've had about all that I can stand of the following phrase:

“This country needs to come together.”

*Gag!* Why? That is my instinctive reaction. Why do we need to come together? I suppose it is because of the assumed power of “unity.” But that brings another question. Under what banner should we be united?

Should we adopt the principles of conservative leaders, such as smaller government, lower taxes, fewer government programs, strong family values, abolition of abortion, etc.? I doubt liberals would be willing to “come together” under those conditions.

So should we go far left and unite under the banner of socialized everything, big government programs (requiring big government money), tax and spend, global warming hysteria, homosexual marriage, abortion on demand, etc.? Uniting under those principles will never happen, mostly because a huge portion of America (most of the “fly over country”) would revolt first.

Well, then let's unite under a watered down, neutered version of both ideologies that compromises the principles of both and makes us all look like sissies! Yeah, that sounds real appealing. No thanks.

So this seemingly nice sounding platitude, “Let's all come together”, is really just an emotional wild card that can be used to mean almost anything depending on the background of the....“statement maker.” It's usually used when the speaker has nothing substantive to say. And yes folks, I'm sick and tired of it!

Some things are worth being divided over. Unity sounds nice, but in reality there are evil people that believe, and promote, evil things. We can't simply try to find a compromise. They must be defeated! We must fight against them! We can't always “come together” and “talk about our disagreements.” Some philosophies and ideas cannot be reconciled because they are fundamentally opposites.

So don't ask me for “peace at any price.” Don't tell me we need to “come together.” Come together and become what? What we will become in the future is exactly what we are fighting about, and that fight is one we cannot afford to lose. If the price of unity is to be defeat, then I will take conflict and division fighting for the Right. You can keep the unity.

Predictions...and Other Plans

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:06:29 GMT

When Anna was 21 years old, all the signs pointed to the fact that she had Lupus. The doctors told her (predicted) that she should prepare for the real possibility of never having children....ever. But God had other plans...

When I moved to Georgia, I expected to work for around four to six months as an interim pastor, and then go back to Virginia and whatever the next step would be. But God had other plans...

I just gave a piggy-back ride to one of those "Other Plans"

I just changed a poopy diaper of one of those "Other Plans"

And I am pleased to announce to the Xanga world the birth of our second "Other Plan"

Please welcome Lillian Elizabeth! (Lily Beth for short.)

She is a darling, and all are well. May God bless all y'all with such blessings! I'm so glad the Lord had other plans!

This is Ezekiel's first meeting with his sister, Lily Beth:

A Warning...

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:54:01 GMT

I know, I know...It's been eons since I've posted, and anyone who actually is reading this is certainly more devoted than I ever expected. But I felt compeled to warn some folks who may be going to see a particular movie....

I just read a review of "Transformers 2" and I must say, it sounds horrible. Don't waste your time or your money! Wait until it comes out on DVD and you can watch the clear play version. (If there is anything left of the movie after the trashy sexual scenes are edited out.)

Check out Plugged In's review at www.pluggedinonline.com It was discouraging, but not surprising. Appalinig, but not shocking. Please check it out before you go spend the money to see this movie!!!

Blessings on you all!

Devaluing our Money $$$

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 02:07:25 GMT

Here is a short video from Glen Beck on FOXNEWS about what we have done to our money in the last half a century, and what President Obama and the Democrats want to do even more of. "We'll just print as much money as we need" seems to be their solution. Actually, the more you have of something, the less it is worth. That is why dirt is worth practically nothing, and the one and only Hope diamond is priceless.

It is a worthwhile clip, but it has one instance of "colorful" language. I'd probably recomend it for 12 years old and up. Very informative. I only wish the Congress could see this somehow. (Or the Treasury dept.)

The Un-story of Jesus

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:19:36 GMT

We were given a children's book from a dear friend called "The Story of Jesus." It s a "little golden book" for those of you familiar with that. Now this friend certainly meant well and was genuinely being generous, for which we are grateful, and perhaps did not realize the politically correct nature of that book. But it is politically correct at best, heresy at worst.

It is not a bad book because of what it puts in, but instead for what it leaves out. It never mentions that he was "the Son of God", but it does mention in one spot that he knew his "life purpose would be to work for his Father in Heaven, telling people about him." It leaves out almost all mention of the supernatural. When speaking of Joseph and Mary's return from Egypt, it merely says that Joseph "got a message" that King Herod had died. It makes it sound like he got a letter from his great aunt Miriam, rather than a message from an angel. In telling the story of Jesus baptism the book says "John baptized Jesus in the river Jordan. As the two men prayed, God sent a dove down from Heaven - a sign that He was pleased." They conveniently leave out that it was the Holy Spirit, descending on him in the form of a dove.

Then read the next page, supposedly about the temptation in the wilderness: "Afterward, Jesus went off by himself, deep into the rocky wilderness. He stayed for many days, thinking about the good and evil in the world. He prayed for God to show him the way to live his life." Excuse me? No Devil, no temptation? Why is Jesus praying that God would "show him the way to live his life"? Do you see how children would be mislead by this? It gets worse.

The rest of the book talks about Jesus' teaching, and some of the kinds of people he talked to. The only supernatural thing mentioned is the feeding of the 5000. But the main problem, the biggest omission comes on the very last page: "After Jesus' death, his followers took his teachings all around the world. And the stories he told are still known and loved and retold today, in every land on Earth." No mention of why he died, zero mention or depiction of the cross, and worst of all, they do not mention the fact that he rose from the dead and is alive today. You can see how subtle the deception is. They don't exactly say anything that is untrue, they just conveniently leave out important details that end up deceiving the reader.

I can stomach a lot of things, but when someone misleads a child or lies to them about Christ....let's just say what Jesus did: "It would be better for them to have a millstone hung around their neck and cast into the sea."

Economic understanding

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:58:12 GMT

For those of you who may still be a little unsure of what the government plans to do about the economy, and what the "bailout" money is all about (and for anyone else that enjoys this kind of humor) I thought you might enjoy this informative, though tongue in cheek, message from former Senator Fred Thompson.

Say no to the bailout!

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Darling!

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:44:08 GMT

My Hetti and I are celebrating two years of marriage today! Some of you may not know how she got that nick name. She left a comment on my blog once, before we officially met. (A pre-Xanga blog.) She had to leave her email in order to comment, so I responded to her with some thoughts of my own. This surprised her, and at her fathers counsel, she decided to keep her name and identity a secret for a while. This made me more interested actually, to guess her identity or at least the connection. ("How did this person find my blog?") The only thing I had to identify her was her email at the time: hettihuanne@______.com Well, we began corresponding a little more frequently, but nothing romantic. Just doctrinal/what do you think issues mostly. Since she wouldn't tell me her name I decided I needed something to call her that was short, so I naturally selected Hetti. She liked it. No one had ever shortened hettihuanne to Hetti. At the time I thought she might be a 14 or 15 year old girl from the midwest somewhere. I wasn't trying to be "sweet" or romantic, but it ended up that way.

My wife is an extremely patient, kind, and loving woman. I am far from the perfect husband (contrary to popular legend). Some days I am a very bad husband to her. Yet she still loves me with all her heart. And even though she knows my faults better than anyone except God, she also loves me more than anyone I have ever known, saving Christ. Anna lays her life down for me and our children (yep. ) in more ways than I can count. Jesus said that is the greatest love a person can have. To lay your life, your every day living life, down for your friend. I am so grateful for my best friend, and the deep and genuine love she expresses to me every day.

She is my treasure of treasures, my blessing of blessings, my lamp of gladness. Through her I have received multiplied joys again and again. I LOVE YOU, Hetti! You are my one and only.

XOXO

(In case you missed that little hint up there....Lord willing, we will be having another blessing in August this year. God has blessed us with another child!)

To those who know me well...

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:38:51 GMT

My friends, it seems I have come to a crossroads. But before I describe it, let me just wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I love this time of year, and I did not get around to wishing my internet community a great Christmas holiday. I think I might post something I read recently about the true date of Christmas, but more importantly, it is very thought provoking about when Christ became man. Stay tuned.

But on to the crossroad. I have reached the point in my financial situation that I am going to have to find a more consistent/full-time job. God has not seen fit to open a door with any church or ministry at this point, and until he does I still need to provide for my family. (With the LORD's help of course.)

However, sparing you excessive detail, I am in the position of needing a job that pays better than your average "come off the street" entry level job. Or I might just get two or three part-time jobs. I don't know. But I need y'alls advice. I am uncertain what kind of job I would be good at. I've held several different types of jobs, and have a decent set of skills. (In my humble opinion.)

But no more clues. Please tell me, based on your knowledge of my personality/skills/experience/talents, etc. what type of job you think I would fit well. I have my own ideas, and I'm not basing my whole life on what y'all say, but I thought it couldn't hurt and it might actually give me some good ideas. (BTW, I've tried construction trades and they are not regular enough to support my family.) So feel free to comment. Your opinion will remain very public and everyone will see it, so be nice.