"Cruzing" by the Rules

If you didn't make the rules for the game then you had better learn them.  Otherwise, you will lose by the rules even if you play the better game.

We see it in football.  Sometimes the better team loses on penalties.  When they don't follow the rules they are penalized to the point that touchdowns may be called back, first downs may be negated, or any of hundreds of other scenarios in which skillful play is defeated by minor infractions.

Today we are seeing the necessity of both skillful execution and knowledge of arcane rules as Senator Ted Cruz works to defeat ObamaCare.  On the surface, his move to block a bill that would defund the legislation yet fund government is the opposite of that goal.  It is not.  There is an obscure, but sometimes used rule called Cloture that is in play. 

Cloture is a motion to stop debate on a bill.  It is used typically to prevent filibuster.  The article linked here is a good treatise on how it is used.  (The quotes below are from the article.)

"Although not explicitly provided for in Senate rules, it has become common practice for the

majority leader to make a motion to proceed to consider a measure, immediately file cloture on

that motion, and then withdraw the motion to proceed. This allows the Senate to conduct other

floor business while the cloture petition is “ripening” in the background. At the time appointed by

Rule XXII, the cloture petition on the motion to proceed is automatically laid before the Senate

for a vote."

This is where it gets tricky.  Once cloture has been invoked, all amendments to a bill are subject to ruling by the Presiding Officer on their germaneness.  Any language in a bill that has been added as amendment can be stripped by the Presiding Officer. 

"If an amendment has been offered to a bill, the Senate may invoke cloture either on the bill or on

the amendment. Sometimes Senators prefer to invoke cloture on an amendment instead of a bill

because after the Senate invokes cloture, it may consider only amendments that are

germane. This germaneness requirement applies to amendments that are pending at the time that cloture is invoked as well as to amendments that Senators offer after the Senate has voted for cloture. Thus, if the Senate invokes cloture on a bill, the presiding officer immediately rules on whether any

pending amendment is germane. If the amendment is not germane, it falls and is ineligible for further consideration."

  

The original Cloture Rule required a 2/3 "Super Majority" to invoke.  That was changed in 1975 by a Democrat majority so that it now takes only 60 Senators in most cases to invoke.  This rule has been used to "ram through" legislation that would not otherwise have passed because of the way it gives the Presiding Officer extraordinary power to rule on the germaneness of amendments. 

 

Yeah, it's a bit complicated.  The ability to amend legislation is how the Founding Fathers envisioned the Legislative bodies compromising so that the resulting laws would not favor either extreme but, would more closely align with the wishes of the majority.  So, Cloture allows for a concentration of power not intended by the Constitution.

 

Now, what about the Filibuster?  Its definition is basically "to pirate the process."  It is not a specific rule but is based in each Senator's "Right to Debate" a question before the Senate body.  (see Filibusters and Cloture in the Senate)  They must be allowed to debate uninterrupted once recognized by the Presiding Officer who must eventually recognize any Senator seeking recognition.  It is important that each and every Senator have the ability to debate questions before the body.  Otherwise, a majority could hijack the process and silence all dissent.

 

So, my point is this:  Knowing the rules of the game is important.  They might work for you or they might work against you.  But, if you don't abide by them you will surely lose.

I personally do not believe that a 2,000 page legislative document that was passed without debate in a very short period of time can possibly be legitimately in the best interest of the people of this country.  I have not read it.  The excerpts from it that I have seen portend an expensive disaster and further loss of personal liberty for the people of this country.  I find it even more disturbing that it is supported by large corporations -- particularly insurance companies.  When have they ever had the best interest of the people at heart?  There are many "bleeding hearts" who naively buy in to the story that the current Administration is trying to help the little guys.  Don't believe it.  This, like most other legislation, is about power and control.  It shouldn't just be "de-funded" it should be killed.
 

Back in the Groove

It seems like only yesterday that we purchased music on vinyl records.  They always intrigued me.  They were the reason that I considered a career in sound engineering at one time.  I couldn't figure out how a piece of plastic could hold sound.

They worked by capturing sound which vibrated a cutting stylus that created a continuous groove in the surface of the plastic.  The vibrations were transmitted to the groove so that it wasn't smooth, but instead was much like photos you have seen of a seismograph that draws the jagged lines on paper.  To play back the sound, a similar reading stylus was run through the groove, tracing the jagged edges and the vibrations were then amplified so they could be heard. 

The key was that the stylus was placed in the groove and stayed in the groove from the outside of the record all the way to the center as it spiraled inward.  It was continuous.  If the stylus ever left the groove there was a skip in the music.

Vacation is over.  Today I got back in the groove.  Let us hope that the result is a harmonious mixture that results in a pleasant experience for those around me.  May my work be something that does good for others.

 ^"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10

Checking Cows

One of the things necessary for any rancher, be he a large operation or a very small one, is to "check the cows."  It very simply means to go look at them.  To observe them.  The object is to 1) make certain they are all accounted for and 2) make sure they are healthy.  It seems simple and repetitive.

There is a little more to it than that.  It first assumes that the rancher knows how many animals should be there.  He is responsible for them.  It is important that he keeps track of them to be certain they are safe -- not stolen or strayed.

It also assumes that he knows enough about the animals under his care to be able to detect when there is something wrong.  Cattle are "prey" animals.  Their eyes are mounted somewhat on the sides of their heads so that they can see almost 360 degrees around them.  As prey animals they also tend to hide any problems.  If they have a newborn calf, they sometimes leave it hidden in the grass and move away from it so that it will be undetectable.  If they are lame, they try to hide their lameness by staying in a group of animals or by attempting to minimize any limp.  If they are running a fever, as long as the rancher is in sight, they keep their head up and alert and will at least nibble at their feed rather than acting lethargic and without appetite. 

So, the reality is that the rancher has to "know" his cattle.  He has observed them frequently and is able to detect behavior that is not as it should be.

But, it also means that the cattle "know" the rancher.  Because he checks on the cattle regularly, they become used to him.  They accept him.  They know that he is there (hopefully) to take care of them and not to harm them.

It is a relationship built on frequency that leads to knowledge and trust.  It is just like the Biblical illustrations of the Good Shepherd. 

It's amazing how everyday tasks can be examples of how God cares for us.  If you have "gone astray" however, you can't develop that relationship.  You have to get back with the herd.  Fortunately though, He comes looking for you wherever you may have gone. 

John 10
Luke 15

Small Town "Antique" Shops

One man's junk is another man's treasure.  At least that's what I've always heard.  I think for the most part it is really just recycled junk.

Today we made a circuitous tour of Northeast Texas small town antique shops.  I know they were antique shops because that's what was on the signs.  I think sometimes we are a bit loose with our definitions.  Most of them should replace the word "antique" with "old junk".  But, truth in advertising is not what we are used to seeing.  Just watch a little television and you will know what I mean.

There might have been a few "gems" hidden among the piles of stuff that we saw.  I doubt it.  All of it looked to have been thoroughly picked over and little was left but junk.  Yeah, I repeat myself.  I can't think of a better way to describe it.

Perhaps a more descriptive name for many of the shops would be "Fleece Market."  No, not "Flea" market.  I think some of them were out to "fleece" as many ignorant people as they could dupe into buying a 50Cent item for $10. 

OK, enough of that.  Perhaps it is because my interests are pretty narrow when I enter one of the aforementioned establishments that I have such a narrow view of them.  I'm looking for two different kinds of things.  Old books (preferably Texas or Western U.S. History or collectible science fiction) or maybe an odd-and-end Western collectible such as a Roy Rogers memorabilia or a Hopalong Cassidy coffee mug.  It is rare that I find such anywhere east of I-35.  But, I'm always hopeful.

I'm sure there is a "Life Lesson" somewhere in today's excursion.  But, my mind just isn't really tuning into what it might be unless possibly that it doesn't do much good to go digging around in the past for rare treasures.  All you end up with is the leftover junk.  Real treasure is something that is stored up in the future.  It is something to look forward to rather than to look back to find. 

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  Matthew 6:19-20

Sharp Knives

Where, oh where, has my whetstone gone?  Where, oh where, can it be?

Knives need to be sharp.  Otherwise what good are they?  I guess they can serve as letter openers.  Or, paper weights.  Or, something to keep in the left jean pocket to balance out the wad of keys in the right one.

I prefer a good old fashioned "black steel" knife instead of the newer stainless or carbon blades.  Now, you can even get porcelain bladed knives.  But, me, I like the old-style blade that you can sharpen with a whetstone and put a razor edge on it.  The kind of knife where the blade just gets narrower and narrower over time until it eventually is sharpened away.

I know there are ways to sharpen the other kinds of blades.  I just never could get the kind of edge that I really wanted on them.  There are also easier ways to sharpen than a whetstone.  But, again, I could never really get the kind of edge like I want with anything else.  I don't know if it's just because this old dog is stubborn and doesn't want to change or if there is really something to it.  I just have my preferences I guess.

I think a good knife and a whetstone are a great illustration of our lives as we age.  If we want to be of use we have to keep the dullness rubbed off and lose a little hide now and again.  If we don't, we eventually become useless, left to sit in a drawer and rust. 

A good knife with a sharp edge can have a long and useful life.  That's what I want to be said of me when I'm gone -- he never lost his edge. 

Hard Labor

Yeah, I know, I'm supposed to be on vacation this week.  I mentioned in an earlier post that it's more of a "staycation".  I am off the road.  Staying at home.  Doing all the things I can't seem to get around to because of the travel demands of my job.

I know there are sometimes more efficient ways to do things than the way that I choose.  I make the choice consciously.  One of them is that I intensely dislike using herbicides and pesticides unless absolutely necessary.  Don't get me wrong, I think they have their place.  But, just like everything else, we should think about our reasons for using them, the potential consequences -- both short and long term -- and what alternatives are available.  I often choose a little more physical labor rather than the "easy" route of chemicals.

I hoed a patch of weeds this morning.  I occasionally take up the hoe and go after a patch of weeds that could be sprayed and likely more effectively controlled with chemicals.  I just hate adding those chemicals to the environment.  Especially since our place is laced with creeks and water drainage.  The water that washes down our creek is generally full of trash and debris anyway.  I think most people would say, "It's already nasty, how could you possibly make it any worse with the minimal possibility of a little runoff?"  I don't buy that argument.  We all have to do our part.  I will do mine whether others make the same choice or not.

I guess in a way I am a little bit of an environmentalist.  Actually, it would be more accurate to say that I believe in good stewardship of the environment.  That is all of our responsibility.  It can be as simple as properly disposing of trash rather than throwing it on the roadside.  Or, as complex as re-purposing things like tires into mineral feeders or water tanks.  You might ask how that is complex -- well, it isn't exactly easy to do it properly, therefore it must be complex....

But, what does all this have to do with labor?  Well, it is pretty simple.  We surround ourselves with labor-saving devices.  Riding lawnmowers, automobiles, weed eaters, edgers, electric hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and on and on.  All of those things require more resources, more energy and contribute more to waste both in exhaust and the used-up item than would be contributed if we put a little elbow grease into the task. 

One of my pet-peeves is to hear about people who pay large membership fees to a local gym so they can "work out" yet have riding lawnmowers and all of the labor-saving conveniences money can buy.  It seems to me that it would be a wiser use of resources (money being one of them) to apply the physical labor to those things where we have the "labor-saving conveniences" and drop the then unnecessary membership to the gym.  Oh, well.  What does common sense have to do with anything anymore...

Yeah, I'm physically tired.  But, I'm also probably in better physical condition than most people my age.  Part of that is genetic.  Part of it is that I have never felt myself to be above physical labor.

My first job that I remember working for someone else was hoeing cotton.  There wasn't any cotton involved today, but there was a little hoeing.  Brought back some memories.  I think I used some muscles I haven't used in awhile.

Chasing Rainbows

Dreams are important.  I'm not talking about the kind you wake up from in the middle of the night.  I'm talking about those things that you want to accomplish with your life -- the big things.  Like owning your own business or writing a book.

I believe that when we quit having something to work for we start dying.  There has to be something to make us get out of bed in the morning or we will start to moulder and decay.

The "Entitlement Society" that has been created in this country is a group that has no dream.  Their dream was stolen by dependency.  They are going through the motions of living but have no purpose for their life except to get the next handout.  If it is not forthcoming they cry foul and protest the injustice.  They are decaying and it can be seen in the very fabric of our country.  The rot is spreading because it is easier to succumb than to resist.

There are exceptions.  Occasionally there are those whose fall into dependency was caused by uncontrollable circumstance.  Most that fall into that category detest their state and have a desire to escape.  Some will but many will not.

So, why did I title this post "Chasing Rainbows?"  Because it is better to chase after something that we will never catch than it is do nothing to improve our circumstance.  Somewhere along the way perhaps we will find real treasure that isn't a pot of gold at the end.  We will find treasure in the relationships and accomplishments that we garner along the path.  But, even these are fleeting unless they are rooted in eternity.  Only a few find that narrow path.

Taking Time Off

Taking time off is something I have never done like I should.  I could be considered a workaholic I guess, but I don't really see myself as one.  I work because I have to, not because I have a compulsion to. 

I do believe that when we commit to a job we should do it with all our being.  It should be done to the absolute best of our ability.  It should be something that represents who we are.  When complete, it should be something that others will see as well done.  It shouldn't be done at a minimum just to earn the pay.

Well done.  That's what it is all about.  We are here for a purpose.  We are each uniquely suited to something.  We should do whatever that is in a way that when completed we will hear, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Back to the time off.  I find myself working at things for me and my family during my time off.  I guess that makes it a "staycation" of sorts.  I do find mental rest in it though.  I am trying my best to set aside "my job" for a few days and focus on other things.  And.....I am writing again.  I think that is a sign that my mind is resting from the job.  That's probably a good thing.

When It All Comes Undone

Another shooting incident today.  Another crazy makes the headlines.  More people died.  I am not insensitive to the tragedy.  People are hurting.  But, in reality, we are all going to die someday.

Why do we react the way we do to such senseless acts of violence?  We go into outrage.  We call for retribution.  We call for prayers.  We don't address the root problem.  It is a fallen world.

Well, the straight news is that we can't fix the world.  I know there are those who call for world peace.  There are those who think we should all just come together and respect each other's differences and "love one another right now" in a world of harmony and peace.  Ummm....I will just say it like it is; those people are clueless.  They have not read or don't understand history.  They do not observe nor understand human behavior.  They do not see the disparities between the "haves" and "have nots" and they do not recognize the frailty of the human nature that succumbs to power, to desires, and to the selfish nature that is inherent to all of us.

The Bible is very clear that the troubles of this earth are due to the fallen nature of man.  That fallen nature is due purely to man's tendency to think that he is equal to God.  It is the belief that he knows best.  If you don't think so, read the story of Adam and Eve.  It isn't about the temptation, it is about man thinking he knew better than God.

We will continue to have such incidents until it is "all rolled up like a scroll" and God takes His own home.  Just like we have seen such incidents throughout history, such will repeat until Jesus returns.

Is It Reality or Perception?

I am watching the end of a movie called "Vantage Point" that shows how we see things differently depending on our relationship to events, our past experiences and our frame of mind.  Everything is clouded by perspective.

It is especially interesting to me since I had a similar experience at church this morning.  Quite simply, I disagreed with the points the teacher was making based on the Biblical passage being read.  Oh, they were valid points and a good lesson, but not what I think the passage was intended to teach.

I have an uncle who was a Professor of Psychology.  He was always talking about "truth" and how it depended on ones core beliefs, point of view, religion, etc.  He denied, or at least appeared to based on his arguments, the existence of a Truth.  It was classical moral relativism.

I think the reality is that our lives are filled with misperception.  Our thinking is clouded by our experiences, our attitude and our current frame of reference.  That makes it even more important that we recognize the existence of an overarching Truth.  It is only then that we can accept our own fallibility.  We are not perfect.  There is only One who is. 

Jealousy and Johnny Football

As I read the comments and commentary on Facebook about Johnny Manziel, I wonder how much of it is jealousy.  Do we hold the successful and talented to a different standard than we do the average?  I think we do.

I also think it is because we need heroes.  We need people we can look up to.  People who operate at a higher standard than we ourselves do.  We need the affirmation that it can be done because we are all too familiar with our own weaknesses and failures.

There are a few who occasionally appear to rise to that level.  In my lifetime I think Billy Graham and possibly Zig Ziglar might be in that category.  I would bet that both, if able to respond, would admit that they too have/had failures of moral character. 

There is only One who has ever lived a perfect life.  He paid a very high price for it.  He paid the price for all of our weaknesses and failures.  We crucified Him for His perfection.  Johnny is only human.

Rains of Biblical Proportions

That was the basic headline describing the rains in Colorado yesterday -- "Rains of Biblical Proportions".  I wonder if the writers of those headlines had a clue what they were really saying.  They likely just view it all as a myth.  The Great Flood. 

Why, according to the Bible, was there a Great Flood?  It had something to do with the fact that all, with the exception of Noah, had turned away from God.  I think we are fortunate that we have rainbows.  If you don't understand the reference, read the story.  In the Bible.  Not just some one's interpretation of it. 

Perhaps the "extreme climactic events" we are having are God's reminders to us that we are to worship Him alone.  I think this world has forgotten that He even exists.  Expect more floods until we either "get it" or He decides it is time for the Final Cleansing.

Think Time

Required
To bring order
Within the jumbled thoughts

A period of less doing
And more being
Required

Resting
Catching up with
The hyper neural pathways

Halting distraction of action
A mental exercise
Resting

Thinking
Within the different levels
Subconscious order rising hierarchically

As the tangled webs unwind
Deep in our mind while
Thinking

Sometimes What It Seems Ain't What It Is

Acts.  Posturing.  Downright Lies.

The "Bully Pulpit" is the place from which the unbelievable becomes believable to the gullible because of the office of the deliverer......Who by the way is NOT THE Deliverer.

Without discernment the sheep follow the wolf instead of the shepherd.

Discernment is not an innate gift that benefits the masses.

P.T. Barnum did quite well deceiving the gullible.

Open your eyes America.  The Self-Annointed One is deceiving you.

Deceipt is a lie.  Who is the Father of Lies??

Let's Try This Again

Last night my "It's Been Awhile" post turned into a semi-rambling-rant I suppose.  Although, I must admit that I have a hard time admitting that it was something of a rant, I guess some might see it that way. 

So, I step back from it today and ask myself if I really think the situation in the Middle East is as bad as I indicated yesterday.  Yes, it is.  The Islamist World is uniting into a Sharia State that surrounds Israel.  The U.S. is the "Great Satan" that stands in the way of the obliteration of Israel.  Maybe.  I suspect they can do quite well on their own.  But, there is Russia that seeks to be relevant again by backing the so-called "little guys" like Syria.  And don't forget China that is eagerly licking its chops over the potential to step in and gain control of a significant oil resource.  Yep, the U.S.A. is in the way of a lot of folks who crave to get their hands on the Cradle of Civilization that is anything but a civil place to live.

My money is on the Nobel Peace Prize Winner/Pretender who sits enthroned in Washington.  He will turn this farce of a crossed Red Line into a brokered Peace that will last for, oh, about 3 1/2 years which is just about enough time to finish wrecking our economy.  Hmmmm.....an interesting number.  Any guesses where it might have originated?

Been Awhile

Yep, this is the predictable "It has been awhile since I posted anything here" post.  That being said, I wonder why I started this because I really can't think of a thing about which to write!  So, does that mean I am being introspective when I continue to type about why I am writing while uninspired?  Or, does it just mean that I finally walked off the virtual cliff of reality into the unknown world of total, stark-raving lunacism?  Hmmm....is that even a word?  Probably not, but it seems to work.

But, I digress from the predictable into the unpredictable.  Unless, of course, it truly is lunacy in which case the unpredictability is predictable.  Or is it?  If it is predictable then it wasn't truly unpredictable in the first place.  Therefore, that which is presumed unpredictable is in reality predictable and therefore not lunacy, but, merely predictable behavior given particular circumstances. 

The whole world seems to have gone insane -- at least in the politico-military-mega-bank-superpower realm.  We have a President who is either completely incompetent or diabolically super-intelligent or at least dangling from the strings of a diabolically super-intelligent puppet master.  The farce of the so-called Presidential Kingdomship of the Obamaniac is driving us toward a perfect Armageddon scenario in the Middle East.  All the players are there.  Russia, China, the Anti-Christ (no, not B.O. -- Islam).  The only real wild card in the bunch is the good old U.S. of A.  But, that card will be negated when the Anointed One finishes wrecking our economy. 

I know there isn't really a role in Armageddon for the U.S.A, but, think about it.  If this nation that was founded as a Light Shining on a Hill were to fall, everything is in place for the end-times scenario to play out post haste.  Maybe it is arrogance on my part (on behalf of what this country once stood for) but, I do believe we have been a bastion of good holding the forces of evil at bay for many years.  But, we are falling and it is at the hands of the current power-brokers in Washington who I think are mere puppets to the true wielders of power who are scattered throughout the world in various corporate offices.

Am I a conspiracy theorist?  No, not really.  Merely an observer who resides in this world but is no longer a part of it.

D.O.M.A.

The Defense of Marriage Act.  D.O.M.A.

What is it really about?

One could argue that it all comes down to definitions.  What is marriage?  However, there is more to it than that.

Is it about fairness?  Perhaps.

Should governments define categories against which discrimination is acceptable?  Yes.  Criminals are discriminated against in almost every governmental system.

What determines which classes of citizens fall under categories for which it is acceptable to discriminate?  The government defines it.  Under a Sharia-based government, all who are not Muslim are on the receiving end of discrimination.

Under a Libertine government it is likely that no one would be on the receiving end of discrimination.

In the United States there is a concerted effort to redefine the basic principles of government as established under our Constitution and succeeding Amendments and Legislation.  A re-reading of those documents is in order as we consider the question.

The U.S. Constitution
The Bill of Rights
Amendments

The only item in those documents that could be construed to address the institute of marriage (as far as I can determine) is Amendment I which is the first item in the Bill of Rights which were written according to their preamble "in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers" -- i.e. to limit the power of the government. 

Amendment I:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I personally believe that marriage is an institute defined by God in the Bible as between one man and one woman.  Our Constitution's only reference is to "law respecting an establishment of religion." I don't want the government dictating to me what church I should attend or what I should believe.  We are not a country of some form of Sharia-type Law. 

According to that same Constitution, the people have the right to vote.  We vote for Representatives who we hope will promote our interests.  If we want to create a Definition of Marriage that will become a part of the Law of the Land, we can do so.  The Constitution provides mechanisms for that.  I believe the Supreme Court made the right decision in this case.  It is now up to the voters -- both individually and as Representatives in Congress and the Senate -- to take the next step -- if we truly want to define marriage.  However, I believe we must ask ourselves, do we really want to head down that slippery path?  What then is next?

Marriage IS an institution defined by religious and moral norms.  It takes many forms depending on the religious beliefs of those involved.  It is recognized as a legal contract, much like a partnership, by most governments.  There is nothing in the Constitution or the Amendments attached to it that limits the recognition of other forms of partnership in like manner.  The law should apply equally to all except for those specifically designated as subject to discrimination.

As a Christian, I recognize that the Bible clearly defines homosexuality as sin.  So is adultery.  So are many other behaviors in which Christians as well as non-Christians engage.  Fortunately, I believe that Jesus has saved me from my sinful nature which is a product of this fallen world.  Should we condemn what we believe as sinful behavior?  Absolutely.  However, our task first and foremost, is to share the love of God that he so bountifully gave to us in the form of Jesus who washes us clean.  When we have a world of believers, the question of legislating definitions will go away.

Chris

Primroses and Potholes

Life's pathways are never straight,
They twist and wind away.
And as we travel there along
Temptations make us stray.

Sometimes it's just the pretty flowers
Growing on the fence
Like Primrose blooms attract our eye.
And so we travel hence

And dwell a moment where they shine
Drawing us so near.
And for a moment set aside
Those tasks we held so dear.

At other times it's not the eye
That pulls us from the way
But bumps along the traveled road
Direction sometimes sway.

These potholes in the road of life
Force a slowing down
Before we end up in the ditch
Wearing mournful frown.

Metaphors for all of us;
Distractions from the way
That God has laid ahead of us
Until the judgement day.

A Tentative Spring and Extreme Climate Change

As I look around the countryside of Northeast Texas I see trees that are almost completely leafed out, flowers blooming in profusion and grass that is waist deep.  The birds are singing and the skies are blue, but there is definitely a chill in the air.

Just this week as I watched the weather map I saw that places like Amarillo were in the 90's on Monday and in the 30's by mid-week.  The front-range of Colorado saw as much as a foot of snow in places.  Wyoming faced a blizzard.

Is it global warming? -- well, proponents of the theory that this is all the fault of mankind polluting the atmosphere with greenhouse gasses claim that global warming is a misnomer -- it should be called "extreme climate change".  I think the answer is that yes, we are going through some extremes in climate variation but, I don't accept that it is caused by the activities of mankind.

Should we as humans be aware of the potential impact of our activities on the climate?  Absolutely.  We should always be cognizant of our role as stewards of this planet.  After all, we are certainly the dominant species.  We are fulfilling the role assigned to us in the Biblical book of Genesis to have dominion over the earth -- to conquer it.  But, we are not always the best stewards of the resources in our care.  Often, our activities are very short-sighted.  That short-sightedness is symptomatic of the corporate Quarterly Report focus that drives the activity of most major corporations.

In recent years there has been much written about the role of livestock in generating greenhouse gasses.  Many studies have been conducted that showed they either were the worst culprit or they had little or no impact.  Outcomes seem to be driven by the source of funding.  Perhaps the answer is to take a common-sense look at it.

An easy example is that of cattle on the high wind-swept plains of the central U.S.  Today it is cattle, whereas in ancient times it was buffalo, elk and other grazing species.  In total, I suspect there is very little difference in the numbers.  Historically, the grasslands were maintained through grazing activity and periodic wildfires.  I don't see much difference today except that much of the livestock is more confined and much of the land has been converted to cropland which should mean a greater amount of carbon is stored.

If there is a place where human activity has impacted global warming it is in the cities.  Asphalt and concrete are reflective surfaces that return heat to the atmosphere rather than soaking it in.  High concentrations of automobiles generate various gasses that could contribute to the warming -- just look at the smog over most of our major cities.  Trees and grass have been replaced by buildings and roadways.  Yet, we never hear of articles pointing the finger at cities as the problem in spite of the fact that temperatures in the cities are often higher by several degrees than the surrounding countryside.  No, the finger is always pointed at rural activities -- even to the point of wanting to regulate the amount of dust that can be released by the act of plowing or driving down a dirt road.

I think the problem is envy.  After all, it is city folk writing the articles.

But, as to this seemingly very tentative Spring this year?  I suspect it is part of the millennial cyclicity of our planet's climate.  Or, perhaps it is George Bush's fault since he didn't support the Carbon Tax.....  That's what the media and the current administration in Washington would want us to believe I'm sure.

Cracker Barrel Sunday

Cracker Barrel
Countrified
Sunday lunch
Fireside

Constant roar
Food aplenty
People talking
Dishes clinking

In from church
Or traveling through
Great Grandma
And babies too

Rich or poor
Suit and tie
Overalls
Satisfied sigh

Chris

Another Airport

Blue skies beckon through the pane
O'er hills all cloaked in trees,
Another week has come and gone
As Corporate gods I please.

I bounce around across this land
Once home to Liberty
As those in power do all they can
Enslaving those once free.

I wonder why I work so hard
For something with no soul
When all they ever ask is more
To meet their looming goal?

For Corporate gods and Washington
Are working hand in hand
To make us bow to greed and power
In this and every land.

Disillusioned, tired and bent
I sit and wait again
For shining bird to take me home
One night to rest and then

Again, I face the winding road
With work that's never done
Aiming for those fleeting goals
While all the while the sun

Shines on mountains, distant, blue,
Home to certain peace;
A place of refuge not too far--
Escape from this mad race.

But no, I get upon the plane
Just two short legs away
From one who waits alone at home
Wishing I could stay.

If only that was what I could
But, it will never be;
I'll suck it up and do my job
For those who depend on me.

Reflecting as I sit and brood
A calmness dwells in me.
I know that it is God alone
Sustaining all I see

Out window clear and sky so blue
And there He speaks to me
That peace and rest reside in Him
And only there I'm free

Living out His Grand Design,
For He has called me here,
Staring into distant blue
Stuck in this airport drear

Reflecting on the life I live
With hardly time at home
Where I would sit and rest awhile
Never more to roam

Chris

My Attitude

I've written before about attitude
And how it is all a choice
Yet tonight I find that my attitude
Stinks

I am not really interested in the big game
So I sit at the computer instead
And play some electronic game
Mindless

I sat down at first to attend to e-mail
From work that seemed quite insistent
And spent over an hour on that e-mail
Irritated

Tomorrow is Monday of a busy week
That includes a meeting I dread
But I look forward to the rest of the week
Excited

I know that good things are waiting ahead
And I should focus only on them
Instead of the irritations lying ahead
Distracting

So the question before me on attitude
Is what I've decided is mine
Do I really have a bad attitude?
Yes.

Haircut

This may seem a little strange
But it is on my mind
That sometimes it's the little things
That give sight to the blind

A haircut is necessity
But when too long without
I feel as though I'm not myself
In fact I'm quite the lout

It seems so simple to sit down
And have them trim my hair
But I hate to have it done at all
So I avoid the barber chair

Until it can't wait anymore
And force myself I do
And as the hair piles on the floor
I find myself anew

Facebook Birthdays

One of the most amazing things about Facebook is that it reminds everyone on your "Friends" list that it is your birthday.  It is really nice to see the "Happy Birthday" wishes come in throughout the day.  Sometimes I'm surprised at the expanded comments.  Sometimes I am surprised by who takes the time and trouble to post.  It is nice though.

I must admit that I don't always post Happy Birthday on my friends' birthdays.  If not, it usually is for one of two reasons.  1)  I didn't get on Facebook for a few days due to travel or something and by the time I noticed it was their birthday, I felt bad about posting late.  Or, 2)  I don't really know them all that well.  Hmmmm.....that brings up the question as to why they are a "Friend" on Facebook if I don't know them all that well.  Perhaps the Facebook definition is not as clear as it should be.  I think there should be a category for "Acquaintance" in addition to "Friend."  Somehow, that sounds clearer to me.

Maybe I'm being too nit-picky.....

Seeing Without Seeing

Airports and rental cars
Hotels and planes
Torrential downpours
Traveling pains

Eggs for breakfast
Poured from a box
Coffee that tastes
As if brewed from rocks

City to city
And coast to coast
Of the places I've been
There are many to boast

But often they pass
As if lacking a name
Because after awhile
They all look the same

One of Those Days

I have come to strongly believe that the greater the resistance, the greater the likelihood that I am headed in the right direction.  If there was nothing opposing me, it would indicate that I am going with the flow and the best that I could expect is average.  I prefer above average at least and exceptional even better.

I am fighting the tide.  Swimming upstream.  Going against the flow.  Whatever you want to call it.  It just seems that the obstacles to progress in the direction I am headed grower higher and more frequent with every passing day.  I hate it and I love it.  I hate the protracted fight but I love the knowledge that I must be doing something right.

In the Star Trek movies there is the Borg whose memorable line is "resistance is futile" yet, the crew of the Enterprise -- Captain Picard in particular -- fight them and win.  Resistance is NOT futile.  Resistance is life itself.  We are born to live -- and yet our entire life is one of fighting approaching death.  Why do we fight death and dying?  I believe it is because we are "wired" for life.  We are made by God to seek eternal life.  We find it only in Him.

So, my conclusion is that "the good fight" is the one that resists "going with the flow."  It fights average/normal.  It is a constant battle against the forces arrayed against.  We die when we quit fighting.  I'm in this thing to win.  How about you?

Struggling With Progress

Sometimes I need deadlines.  It seems that procrastination is part of my basic makeup.  If it doesn't have to be done right now the reasons for not doing it seem to prevail.  But, when the deadline looms, delivery is made -- often just under the wire.

This past week has seemed like one with looming deadlines.  My January 2nd "to do" list was almost two full pages long on my yellow notepad.  It was intimidating.  It is down to under a page now.  I think fear was the driver to get some things done.  The list had become so long that I feared it couldn't all possibly be accomplished before my next round of intense travel.  I feel better about it today.

Why is it that we (some of us at least) have to be pushed in order to make progress?  Shouldn't it be our natural tendency to want to be constantly growing, improving?  Instead, we seem to find excuses to not do what we should and to instead do the things we know we shouldn't.  We sit in front of the television instead of raking the leaves.  Or, we play a game on the computer instead of reading a book.  We "settle for" the mediocre when we could be moving toward the great.

I think Paul described it well in Romans Chapter 7.

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature^[d] a slave to the law of sin.
 

 It seems that even Paul knew what he needed to do but found himself doing otherwise.  I guess I'm in good company.

Johnny "Heisman" Manziel

A small-town Texas kid put on quite a show last night as the Texas Aggies beat the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl.  The more I watch him play football, the more I am amazed.  He makes extraordinary runs and passes look easy. 

The A&M Board of Regents took a big gamble moving to the SEC.  They fired a head coach and hired one that didn't quite fit the mold of previous coaches.  That new coach has sparked a revival of A&M football with the help of a Quarterback of tremendous athletic ability.

There will be "reams of electrons" written about Manziel today, just as there has been since prior to his selection as the Heisman Trophy winner.  I won't spend a lot of time doing the same here.  But, I do want to say that he seems to have a pretty good head on his shoulders.  Let's just pray that he doesn't let the hype get to him. 

It takes the entire team to win a football game.  I suspect the inspiration of playing with someone of Manziel's calibre has caused a lot of his teammates to "step up" and play beyond their expectations.  Maybe that's the key.  Raised expectations.  If you expect great things, great things will happen.  With the guidance of Coach Sumlin, the extraordinary athletic ability of Manziel and the willingness of A&M's Regents to back a gamble, Aggie Football has reached the next level. 

Keep it humble guys.....

More on Twitter

I'm kind of liking this Twitter thing.  I frequently have a "brilliant" thought in response to things that I see and read on the Internet.  They usually just evaporate like those "brilliant" ideas that I have at 3:00 a.m. that are irretreivably lost to the dreamworld.  With Twitter I can just respond instantly.  I can see how it might be annoying to someone following me.  It is the opportunity for a "gut" reaction that isn't always as considered as it should be.

I'm even figuring out how to add attribution and hashtags so that I can attract followers.  I have been doing this a little over 24 hours now and have 21 followers.  I don't know if that is good or mediocre or just downright pitiful, but, they're MY 21 followers and I'm proud to have them.  I wonder if I should set a goal?  OK, might as well.  I will shoot for 50 followers by this time next week.  Who knows?

K-State and Oregon are playing on the television as I sit here with my laptop.  I'm hardly paying any attention to it.  Oregon is leading but I think K-State will make up the deficit.  There's plenty of game left to play.

I don't even feel like Tweeting about the game.  I'm more concerned with what's going on in Washington.  I'm thinking it may be time to pull out of the stock market and convert to something else.  Any suggestions?

The Twitterverse

I have been fighting the urge to open a Twitter account for a long time.  I have struggled with seeing the value in it.  My vision for how to use it was limited to the mundane routine of my job or my "life" outside my job.  I found a reason yesterday.

With my New Year's commitment to spread the word about the fiscal and other irresponsibility of Washington and the hope that I might open a few eyes to what is going on there, I found reason to enter the world of Twitter.  I am still somewhat confused by the appropriate use of the @ sign and hash tags (#) but I am making progress.  I have Tweeted several times today -- mostly re tweets or clicking the Twitter button on an article that I wanted to share -- but I am definitely struggling with proper syntax and structure.

If any of you out there have some basic tips or pointers I would certainly appreciate them in the comments.  You can find me @PanhandlePoet.

Starting a New Year

New Year's Day is all about a time for a fresh start.  It should be positive and uplifting as we look forward.  It should be a time of reflection on things of the past that we would like to put behind us so that we can move forward. 

I've never been much for resolutions.  I didn't keep them anyway, so why put myself through the "failure" of not keeping them?!  Instead, I think we all should constantly evaluate ourselves and as we see areas that need improving we should immediately take steps to improve.....not just once each year, but every day.

I guess I have made a resolution for this year.  I have resolved to start sharing as much information as possible about what is going on in Washington and the other "halls of power" that have so much impact on our lives.  I fear for the direction our country is headed morally and fiscally.  I fear that my children and grandchildren will face a world that is vastly worse than what we live in today.  I am morally obligated to fight against those things which I believe are destroying our country and the future for my grandchildren.

I have posted a number of things on Facebook today related to the so-called "Fiscal Cliff" and I have resurrected my political commentary blog:

Panhandle's Perspective

I'm recruiting.  Help me get out the message.  There is another election in a couple of years that can make a huge impact.  It's time now to start.

No Time Like Snow Time

Snow is not my favorite kind of weather.  My memories of snow are howling winds and brown-tinted drifts piled in inconvenient places.  Where I grew up was too flat to get any good from a sled or skis.  Snowmobiles were OK as long as you could avoid the bare patches where all the white stuff had blown off and into the fence rows.  Of course, we didn't own snowmobiles.  They were the domain of those who had cabins at Ruidoso or Red River and spent portions of the winter in the mountains.

Snow meant cold, but cold rarely meant snow.  Temperatures in the teens were no fun.  Yeah, I know, many of you think temps in the teens is a warm spell.....not me.  Those temperatures were always accompanied by howling winds that dropped the chill factor below zero -- or at least into the single digits.

I grew up in town but spent many of my free hours helping my grandfather who always had cattle and horses.  The cold weather meant breaking ice for the livestock and feeding them hay.  Sometimes the challenge was just to get to them.  Breaking snowdrifts could be interesting and sometimes involved a walk to find a tractor.

The crazy thing is that often the field would be virtually bare of snow and the roads filled and overflowing.  After years and years of road graders smoothing the roads they were often lower than the fields on either side.  When the wind moved the snow from the level ground of the fields it naturally went to the lowest place -- the road.  More than once I have driven on the turn rows of fields rather than in the road.

I figured that with the move to East Texas we wouldn't see much snow.  Obviously I hadn't done my homework.  We had several inches fall on Christmas Day.  They are still with us.  The challenge here is picking up tree limbs and avoiding the vehicles driven by East Texans who are unfamiliar with snow and ice.  Their timidity on the roads seems to be a greater hazard than the snow itself.

I know this sounds like a complaint but it really isn't.  The snow is a  blessing.  It was preceded by good rain and my ponds are replenished and my pasture has a good dose of water that hopefully will start some of the winter grasses to growing.  This snow will actually help reduce the amount of hay I'm having to feed because of the drought that hopefully is breaking.  The forecast calls for moisture for most of next week.

Christmas Eve

Anticipation fills the air
And fires the hearts of men
With hope and love and family
And times without a care;

Remembrances of childhood time
With laughter, food and fun
And peeking 'neath the Christmas tree
For any telltale sign

Of what beneath the wrappings lay;
Delights of Christmas morn
So near and yet so far away
Awaiting break of day.

Jesus in the manger fast asleep,
Unnoticed on the shelf;
Mary and Joseph standing watch
With Shepherds and their sheep.

While towering o'er the manger scene
Is dancing Santa Claus
Proclaiming loudly, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"
When someone pulls his string

Somehow I think that our delight
Is empty -- without meaning
As we focus on the things of earth
Ignoring God's Holy Light.

Preparations

I am always somewhat dismayed but never shocked that the last few days before Christmas are whirlwinds of activity.  I do my best to stay at the peripheral but it seems that I am always pulled into the maelstrom.

I can cook.  But I don't really enjoy it.  So, I leave the creative cooking to others.  Frosted cookies, loaves of bread, candies and pies are not my domain.  I find it best to go rake leaves or something when such activities are in full swing. 

Then there is the inevitable last minute dash to get packages wrapped before "the trip" somewhere.  Always we go somewhere -- even when we would prefer to have Christmas at home.  Or, maybe it's just me that prefers to have Christmas at home.  I'm the one that travels all the time so when there is a holiday, I don't get especially excited about hitting the road.

Oh, I was talking about wrapping packages.  I can do so -- adequately.  But, they usually don't turn out "pretty" so I shy away from the task.  I wrap what I must wrap.  I am thankful for gift bags.  Years ago we didn't have that luxury.  I can handle gift bags.  Just put whatever it is into the bag, stuff some tissue paper in on top, put a tag on it and call it good. 

So, cooking.  Yes, I cooked dinner.  It was a trade.  I didn't wrap packages.  I can handle a basic meal of meat, potatoes and a veggie.  I even did most of the dishes.  That's a fair trade isn't it?

Life Marches On

Once upon many years ago a Mayan carved a calendar into stone.  Given the limitations of stone, he ran out of space.  It is just a coincidence that this day was the last one carved into that stone.  But, what does that say to us today?  Not that it is the end of the world, but that life marches on. 

Back in the 90's I took over management of a division of a company that developed software for feed yards.  We faced the Y2K issue.  Hmm.....someone failed to consider the fact that the software would be around long enough for that to be an issue.  It reminds me of the Mayan carving his calendar.  Y2K passed and the world didn't end then either.

On a more somber note, this week also saw another mass murder by a deranged individual.  It has become a political football.  I am saddened for those families who lost children or other loved ones.  But, in the bigger scheme of things, it is only temporary.  We all will die.  The only question that should be asked is will we be united with them in eternity.

I am not going to debate whether all innocent children automatically go to heaven.  I don't know the answer to that.  I do know that many of the adults affected by the loss will not.  Many do not believe in a life after this one.  If they don't it was all meaningless anyway if you follow the logic of their belief to its conclusion.  Our temporary sojourn on this planet is but a moment in time.  Life marches on. 

The real tragedy in the murder of those kids is that people don't see that it is only a symptom of something much bigger.  It isn't about guns.  It isn't about the mentally unstable.  It is a tiny event in the battle between good and evil.  Stalin, Hitler, the Huns, the Chinese, abortion clinics -- all have murdered many more innocent victims than the killer in Connecticut. 

Ultimately good will win.  It will be when Jesus returns.  Not before.  In the meantime, we struggle on as the Spiritual Battle rages around us.  We must choose sides.  Jesus told us that if we aren't for Him we are against Him (Matthew 12:30).  If you think you haven't chosen sides you are mistaken.....it is time to think hard about that choice.  Life marches on but, only temporarily on this earth.

Ranchers and Veterans Day

I've needed a lazy morning for awhile.  It seems like it has been go, go, go forever. 

My job sometimes causes me to work on the weekends -- this one is an example -- and my own projects keep me going when there is spare time -- whether at home or on the road.  This morning I don't have to be at the Trade Show until 11:00 so I slept late and now I'm sitting at the computer (must be an addiction).

It seems that when I have a little spare time I also have the urge to write.  Often it is just meandering thoughts strung together, but occasionally I have something on my mind that needs to be given wing -- such as the previous post on the election.  Today, I am just wandering with no clear direction.

I always enjoy the WRCA's World Championship Rodeo in Amarillo.  That's why I'm here.  We have a booth and are a sponsor.  It is refreshing to see the ranch families who are there not only to compete but to "come to town" for what is for many of them, an annual vacation.  In many ways it is like a giant family reunion.

One thing I kept noticing yesterday was all of the children.  It seemed like there was an endless line of baby strollers and little kids walking through in their hats and boots.  Young families together with joy on their faces.  I didn't see an iPod or computer game in any of their hands.  I saw simple toys that required imagination.  I saw happy faces filled with excitement.  It made me proud to be a part of the ranching community.

These are people who make their living from the land.  They care deeply about their environment and the livestock in their care.  They live simply and work hard.  They are one of the reasons that this country is still a land of plenty.  Many of the ranches where they live have been in business well over 100 years.  That's sustainability.  These are just some of the people who produce the food we eat.....and not only us -- they feed the world.  I appreciate them.

I also saw a number of Veterans scattered through the crowd.  Some carried the scars of their service.  Others I'm sure had scars that weren't visible to the eye.  Today, on Veterans Day, we need to remember those who have served to keep us free.

Ranchers and Veterans have a lot in common.  Both are willing to fight for this country and to take care of each other and to give rather than take.  The WRCA Foundation was organized to help those in need.  If you get a chance, follow the link and read about what they do.

Well, I guess my wandering thoughts found a path after all.

Election Reflections

On November the 29th of 2011, I posted my election prediction.  You can see it here.

Sometimes you just hate to be right.

Although my call of the race was correct, perhaps my reasoning was a bit off.  I've been giving thought since about 9:30 Tuesday night about the outcome.  I know, 9:30 was before the race was called, yet it was increasingly clear the likely outcome.  Even before that Sarah Palin gave an emotional commentary that reflected my feelings as well.

It would be easy to rant about the election.  I will hopefully avoid that.  But why, I continue to ask myself, is the American public so clearly deceived by what is going on in Washington?  Maybe the answer is that they are not.

Our country seems more clearly divided than at any time in our history except perhaps the period around the War Between the States -- or should I call it the Civil War or, even yet, the War of Northern Aggression.  The words we choose to convey our message can be divisive.  Today, persons at all points on the political spectrum -- either "left" or "right" -- are using very divisive language.  That language in itself further divides when what we need is civil discourse that draws us toward common ground and practical solutions for the issues that our country faces.

I think our society has taught us to use divisive language.  It has not been done overtly or purposefully, but it is symptomatic of the "culture of self" which has become pervasive.  Every message on television subtly (or not so subtly) points to the thought, "What's in it for me?"  It is that very attitude that erodes the moral fabric of our society.  After all, what is civilization?  It is coming together for the common good.  Other related words come to mind, such as civility -- being aware of others needs, or civics -- the study of citizenship, its rights and duties which leads us ultimately to citizenship -- which denotes both obligation to others and the privileges of belonging to those in whom resides the power of governance.

As we have become a society composed of individuals focused on self we have lost civility and lost the impetus for seeking common ground. 

So, how does such an attitude of incivility -- or this "culture of self" -- explain the election results?  The election is merely symptomatic of the prevailing cultural bias to look only to one's own needs without thought to consequences to others -- whether it be the unborn, our grandchildren, our neighbor or strangers and aliens. 

The "culture of self" also erodes our ability to think critically about the messages we are hearing.  People stop listening when they hear the words they want to hear.  (For an interesting perspective there are some great verses in the book of Proverbs about honey to the ear, etc.)  There is a failure to reason through the message to the consequences of behavior.  In my mind, the legalization of marijuana in Colorado is a perfect example -- not for the result, but for the messaging which led to the result.  Proponents of the measure touted legalization as a way to increase school funding.  Is there not something fundamentally wrong with connecting marijuana to our school children?  In my mind there is.

Ultimately, the "culture of self" will lead to the fragmentation of society.  We are quickly moving in that direction.  Until we change our culture we will not change our direction.  We must reinstate the value of seeking the common good into our thought processes or the "change" will only accelerate.

Just my thoughts.....

Chris

Coaching Tips

Thursday night was the annual meeting of the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO).  It is a group of ranchers, Veterinarians, bankers and livestock auction owners that came together to find a better way to market their cattle.  It is a great organization that has been very successful for many years.  Many have tried to duplicate the success of NETBIO but none have been able to.

The guest speaker for the Banquet was Gene Stallings, former coach of the Texas Aggies, the Crimson Tide and then coached under Tom Landry at the Dallas Cowboys before becoming head coach of the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals.  Coach Stallings is a rancher and lives not far from where I do.

I expected Coach Stallings to talk about his experiences in football -- as a player and then as a coach.  He did not.  He talked about ranching and overcoming hardship and maintaining proper values.  He talked about perseverance and about making a difference in someone else's life.  He is giving back to others.  Currently he is pursuing building a hospital in Haiti.  Of all his accomplishments, it is the one he seems most proud of.

During his speech he talked about taking pride in what you have been given stewardship over.  He specifically referred to his ranch.  He said, "I don't want to see a weed in the pasture or a tree limb fallen in the woods.  I want everything to be well-maintained and there is no excuse for walking past something that needs fixing day after day and not fixing it."  Well.....those may not have been his exact words, but they represent the gist of it.

I expecially found it interesting in light of my current project on the ranch.  Clearing brush from the fencelines that pass through some woods on the place.  Things had grown up into a tangle of Greenbriar, Blackberries, Dewberries, locust trees, and a million saplings of various species of tree and shrub.  There were trees fallen on the fence pressing down the wires and there was no good way to get through to fix things.  So, a couple of weeks ago I set out to change that.  I'm doing it the old fashioned way too.  A lot of sweat and manual labor.  I figure it's a good way to get back in shape and it seems much more productive than going to a gym or jogging.  There are a couple of pictures below to give you an idea....

 

Above:  Where I'm going.

 

Below:  Where I've been.

 

Realizing a Dream

All my life I have wanted to be a rancher.  I grew up following my grandfather who always owned cattle until he was almost 90 years old.  The problem with wanting to be a rancher is that it takes a lot of money.  That wasn't something that I inherited or was given so, I had to start saving what I could.

My undergraduate advisor at Texas A&M was Dr. Ronald D. Kay.  I will never forget Dr. Kay because he cared about the students and teaching more than he did about research.  He gave me some very practical advice.  Pursue what you want to do but remember, there's more than one way to skin a cat.  You may have to do something you don't really want to do in order to do what you really want to.  He suggested agricultural finance might be a good way to start working toward my dream of owning a ranch.  It was good advice.  Managing money properly is necessary to realize a dream that costs as much as ranching.

I owned cattle a time or two through the years.  But, I was never able to put much together beyond a few stocker calves or a few old cows on leased land.  I stepped away from it for awhile and decided to focus on putting together enough to do it right.

This year, we finally were able to realize the dream.  Looking back it was all obviously "God orchestrated" because the combination of things coming together could have been the result of nothing else.  There are a few pictures below....

Patience

Trusting fully
In God's timing
And not in our own
Is patience.

Knowing that
He has contol
Of everything
Is patience.

Having faith
That His timing
Is best
Is patience.

Patience
Is
Faith
In God's timing.

Adventures in Learning

We took a hike in the woods today.  Well, that's what it ended up being although that wasn't necessarily our intent. 

We've been looking to acquire a little acreage out in the country where we might be able to run a few cows.  So far, we haven't been able to find the right place or the right deal or something.  I guess it amounts to an exercise in patience.  Eventually we will find the right place.

Anyway, we went out to check out a property listed for sale that we had driven by a few times.  It's one that I have kept coming back to as other properties fell through.  I wanted a serious look and so I got the combination for the lock box from our realtor and this evening we went out to look it over.

It is grown up in weeds and brush and although it is being leased for grazing we were only able to find a handful of cattle on the place.  We drove a short distance into the property following the faint trace of a road that once was.  It wasn't even as clear as the cattle trails but it got us about 100 yards into the place before we decided that we would just walk.

My goal was to get a feel for the boundaries of the property -- how it lay and what the grass looked like.  I knew that there were a number of shallow watercourses that crossed the land because they were choked with trees and brush.  Interspersed between are areas that were once pasture but are now grown up in weeds and brush.

We hiked toward the back of the place looking for the back fence.  And we kept hiking.  And we hiked some more.  No fence.  We both felt sure we were beyond the boundary of the place when we came upon a road through the pasture so we followed it a ways.  Sure enough, it led to the neighbor's house on the place behind.  Well, sort of. 

He came out to meet us in his pasture and said he figured we must be lost.  Seemed like a nice guy and was very helpful when I explained what we were doing.  He kind of laughed and said, "You won't find many fences in the woods of East Texas -- at least not ones where the wires are up on posts and that will keep the livestock in.  You gotta look at the ground to find any fences around here.  They've all fallen down years ago."

He went on to explain that the dry creek we crossed actually belonged to the state and was considered navigable waters....remember, I said it was dry.  Then we had crossed another small tract that was landlocked and he didn't know who owned it.  It was probably claimed by the county for failure to pay taxes.  Then we had come across a portion of his land.  Not a single fence.

It's no wonder we didn't see many cows.  They are probably scattered over half the county.  I think the place would be a great project but, it would take more investment to get it into shape than I'm willing to put into it.  I guess we'll keep looking.

Chris

Two Cases of Misguided Response

Over the past few weeks there have been a couple of things in the news that actually got my attention.  I know that seems like a strange thing to say, but the truth of the matter is that I have grown somewhat immune to the news.  It is almost formulaic and highly predictable.

Two events however, have stood out to me recently.  The first was what I will call the "Chick-Fil-A Debacle" and the second was the naming of Paul Ryan as running mate for Mitt Romney.

The "Chick-Fil-A Debacle" was actually about freedom of speech.  However, it turned into a Christians bashing Gays vs. Gays bashing Christians and the media piling on.  I was actually gratified to see the support given to Chick-Fil-A in the form of a day to eat there.  I was disappointed that it became a Gay vs. Christian event.

The choice of Paul Ryan as running mate for Romney is interesting to me for a similar reason.  Ryan is seen by many as representing the values which are closely identified with the Tea Party movement.  Tea Party is really a misnomer because it isn't actually a political party, but it is a movement of people with similar values which are closely aligned with what many deem are Christian values.

This morning at church it was mentioned by someone who will remain unnamed that we Christians must stand up and confront the non-Christian values being pushed upon this Christian nation.  I have several problems with that.  1)  We are not a Christian nation.  Only an individual can be Christian.  Christianity is a relationship between the individual and God through the mediation of Jesus.  2)  Confrontation is not the answer.  How can the love of Jesus be shared through confrontation?  3)  Non-Christian values are pushed by non-Christians.  If you are a Christian and reading this, pay close attention;  you cannot expect non-Christians to have Christian values. 

So, how does the preceding paragraph align with the two newsworthy events?  I think the first one should be obvious.  The owner of Chick-Fil-A exercised his first amendment right in answering a straightforward question that was likely meant to entrap him for political reasons.  He answered the question just as he should -- according to his deeply held beliefs.  The problem lies in the Christian response.  If it was solidarity over the exercise of freedom of speech, it was a correct response.  If it was solidarity in opposition to homosexuality it was misguided.  Homosexuality is condemned by the Bible.  If you profess to be Christian it should have no part in your life -- just as you should seek to eliminate all other sin from your life.  The fact is that as long as we live on this earth, sin of some form or another will be part of our daily life.

Now, to the selection of Paul Ryan.  I think he is probably the best candidate in the field for the highest office in the land.  But, why was he selected and why is he a polarizing candidate?  I think he was selected because Romney needed to appeal to the Christian right and those non-Christians who identify with the Tea Party movement.  Evangelical Christians do not see Mormons as Christians.  I agree with that position.  Many Christians see Paul Ryan as one who will confront the anti-Christian agenda in Washington.  Again, it is a position of Christians confronting non-Christians.

Now, I ask the much abused question, "What would Jesus do?"

I think Jesus would tell us to do exactly what He told us to do over 2,000 years ago. 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” __ Matthew 28:18-20

The Coming Revolution

Yes, the title is somewhat provocative.  It is the title of a book -- or at least part of one.

I recently read The Coming Revolution: Signs from America's Past That Signal Our Nation's Future by Dr. Richard G. Lee.  It is a book that I struggled with.

In some ways, this is a book that I would write.  It is an attempt to place the backlash that has come to be identified as the Tea Party into historical context.  Yet, to call it such would be to "pigeon-hole" it in a way that is neither accurate nor completely without merit. 

Dr. Lee is obviously a thoroughly studied historian whose Christian worldview informs his interpretation of events that led to the formation of the United States.  His traditional Judeo-Christian values cause him to place emphasis on those writings and events that led the "Founding Fathers" of this country to place their livlihoods, their liberty and even their lives on the line for their beliefs.  His interpretation of current events, when placed against that backdrop, form the basis for the book.

I struggled with the book because it forced me to evaluate my own positions -- my own thoughts -- regarding those events and it caused me to closely examine the "why" of my personal beliefs regarding what is truth and what is right.  It caused me to ask questions of my own beliefs and to evaluate my positions on many issues that we as a nation face.

Is the Tea Party merely a temporary backlash among those whose values closely align with the traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs or is it something deeper?  Is it a return to the values of our forefathers or is it an outmoded way of looking at the world?  I will let you decide.  I encourage you to read the book. 

Chris

Independence Day

Tomorrow we celebrate the birth of a nation.  It is a time of reflection and a time of celebration.  It is also a time of thanksgiving for this land of unprecedented freedom.  It is a time to consider what is truly important.

It would be easy to vent my frustration at the direction that our country seems to be heading.  It would be easy to attack the very instruments of power that have made it great.  It would be a simple task to outline the erosion of the liberties that we take for granted.  It would not be constructive.  Instead, I want to remain appreciative of what we do have.

When God is forgotten by those in power, they become their own God.  Power is sought for the sake of gaining more power.  When man focuses on his own efforts he forgets that in the end, all power resides in God's hand.  God in His wisdom allows us to go along the paths of our choosing, knowing that when we have run our course, the only recourse is Him.  That is why we cry out to Him in time of crisis.  We are free to choose Him or ourselves.  That is the ultimate freedom.  That is the freedom that I celebrate.