Resonator

Thinking back to my V-8 days of yore, I am reminded that a "resonator" is a near-empty tube containing only baffles through which hot gases run before being spewed into the atmosphere.
(Reference previous post.)
Kyuk, kyuk.

God's Gifts

Sunday November 2, 2008

I Corinthians 16:1,2

Pastor Doug's sermon this morning was on stewardship which was defined as "the biblical subject of how well we care for the people and resources given to us." God has entrusted us with goods and blessed us with people in our lives. We will eventually give an account for our management of these gifts.

100% of our financial resources are God's. Discussion of 'tithing' or procedure is not the thrust.

Why has God given to us?

1) To meet our physical needs. 2) Maybe to bless past or present obedience. 3) God wants to reach others.

4) God wants to receive glory and honor.

God in His sovereignty doles out on three levels: much, less, a lot less. Be faithful with what you have.

In your current situation, what does God want to reveal about you and about Himself? God is less concerned with your "happiness" than he is about your joy, your gratitude, your thanksgiving.

Our giving reminds us that all we have is of God.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

5 cents

That great American vice-president from North Manchester, Indiana, Thomas Marshall, has been credited with having said, "What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar."

Fast forward a century. What this country needs is a good nickel such that twenty of them make a dollar which might actually buy something. e.g., a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas, or even a loaf of good bread.

Unfortunately, looming ahead of us is an economic policy guaranteed to further devalue that nickel. Stop minting pennies? Heck, we might just as well quit with the nickels and dimes, too, while we're at it. Imagine the savings to the USMint if all our money were printed on paper. How did I get here? I was on the subject of cigars.

So back to cigars. Don't use them or any other form of tobacco. It'll kill you. But you know that.

Endorsement

Not since GHW Bush vs. WJ Clinton has the choice been so difficult.

Americans know that our congress is the major problem in our government. Every cycle we hear the refrain, "Throw the rascals out." Yet time after time we re-elect the same rascals because our rascal is o.k. It is everyone else who is responsible for sending irresponsible people to congress.

Had I faith enough in the American people to believe that they would actually vote for no incumbent, regardless of party, I would not be so concerned about this presidential election. But that won't happen. Therefore it is my considered opinion that we must assume that the democrats will control both houses of congress and thus it is critical that a democrat must not be elected to the presidency.

There. Even-handed as I have been throughout this seemingly interminable campaign, I have made an endorsement of sorts. And I am serious about this. *

Abraham Lincoln was "The Great Emancipator" and Ronald Reagan was "The Great Communicator." Whoever our next president is, he must surely be "The Great Resonator." The talking heads incessantly tell us what "resonates" with the electorate. I'm tired of that, too.

Pressing on to Real Life

Pastor Doug's sermon this morning was based on Paul's letter to the Philippians 3:12 - 4:1. This letter is a thank you note from Paul to the church at Philippi in response to their gift to him while he was in a Roman jail.
Amusing us with several famous Yogi Berra quotes, Doug launched into his sermon with "It ain't over till it's over," asserting that our spiritual walk with the Lord is not over until it is over. Sanctification is a work in progress, completed when we are glorified in death. Real life is to be used of God in the work of expanding and enhancing His kingdom.

Paul as Example
1. Paul saw himself as incomplete. (Phil. 3:12)
2. He saw that what was before him was more important than what was behind. (v. 13) We must not live in the past.
3. Paul saw himself as an example to others. (v. 17)
4. He saw a definite difference between holy living and the world. (v. 18)
Conclusion: Paul saw himself as encouraging others to stand firm. Phil. 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Fiscal Responsibility

Received my IRA statement for the third calendar quarter.
The graph looks like this:

]_*
]____*
]_______*
]__________*
]____________*
]______________*
]_______________*
]________________*
]_________________*
]__________________ *

So much for fiscal responsibility,

Election Coming Soon to a Precinct Near You!

In less than two weeks E-Day will be upon us. The candidates continue their frenetic travels to titillate their followers with their presence among them. Yet there are probably not fifteen people in the country who have not yet decided for whom they will vote. But there are probably fifteen million (or more) who will lie to pollsters about this.

The candidates will have expended a billion bucks stumping for a job that pays less than half-mil and requires full-time attention, day and night, weekdays and weekends. And we think one or the other of them is smart enough to lead the country.

And someone attempts to raise a big stink about wardrobe expenditures by the national committee for a candidate. Well, la-di-dah. Please, don't let me go on with this.

Other than to drive the wedge deeper between the factions (parties) what is the overall result of this whole mess?
There will be plenty to dislike about an administration by either candidate. So when the heck are we going to start seeking to accomplish good things in concert with one another?

Pick Your Candidate

Andy Rooney, America's curmudgeon, made his election preference known. He said he didn't know who he would vote for. He likes them both, as they seem to be honest and honorable men. It is an election, he said, in which we, the people, cannot lose.

How close to that position are those who don't know who they'll vote against, because they prefer neither of them? Would this mean it is an election we cannot win?

And a great American four-star hero made a specific endorsement. For some reason, it looks like he traded the endorsement for a seat at the table should his endorsee win the election. This is probably not the case. Notice that I merely said that it has that appearance, given the manner in which his candidate recognized him.

All We Need is Love?

This morning's worship service started with the congregation singing "Since Jesus Came into My Heart."
I have ceased from my wanderings and going astray
Since Jesus came into my heart.
And my sins which were many
Are all washed away.
Since Jesus came into my heart.

Floods of joy o'er my soul
Like the sea billows roll
Since Jesus came into my heart.

The title of this post is the title of Pastor Keith's sermon which he introduced with a video of the Beatles' "Love, Love, Love." Then a short, romantic clip in which a young man declares his love for his lady and her response is "You had me from 'Hello.'"
The point? Love as social concern is good, but falls short. Romantic love is good, but falls short.
The scripture lesson is I John 4: 7 - 21.
Perfect love is of God, for "God is Love." The Bible is God's love letter to us. It reveals God's power, God's truth, but most of all, God's love.
14: And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15: Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
We can have perfect love.
Perfect love is made complete in us when we love one another. "Love isn't love until you give it away."
Love one another.
Love of God and others is a commandment.
20: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21: And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

After church the BBBH (Beloved Beautiful Better Half) and I went to Jim Dandy for the breakfast bar. We made sincere effort to love the Methodists and Presbyterians who were there also.

On Being Presidential

Thursday night at the Alfred E. Smith Charity Dinner the presidential candidates for one evening laid aside incivility and became human. Both men were funny, self-deprecating and yes, likable. They traded jabs, but in good fun; and for a few brief moments, each seemed to be the sort of person one would like to have as a dinner guest in his own home.

But Friday it was back to the harsh reality of nasty personal attacks that seem to have become the standard of political discourse, making even their performances of the previous evening nothing more than lies.

Promises of bread and prosperity along with the daily proffering of circus-like spectacles will inevitably cloud the judgment of the electorate. Thus, for the candidates, Mission Accomplished.

To Blog or Not to Blog

I have been a fan of half dozen blogs for several months; but I have not ventured to engage in the activity by publishing my own ramblings. My sister suggested that I might give it a whirl and one rainy evening a few days ago I set up a blogsite.

Sis describes my style as "sardonic" which I had to look up. I guess I thought "sardinic" and that that might somehow suggest small fish. Smelly small fish. The dictionary definition doesn't make it seem much better. At any rate be assured that any sarcasm you note in STSTT is intentional. And it is meant to be taken as humorous. Sardonic.

Traveling Life's Road

In Missouri at the end of a very rainy day on I-44.
Watching the 'debate' between two pretenders to the seat of power.

There will be a tomorrow; but what are we going to do with it?

For myself, I plan to get back on the highway and head on to Indiana.
But that's not what I mean.