tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64929597173181411692024-03-18T20:08:45.993-07:00Representative's WeblogRepresentativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-65878231292537825662023-03-14T14:43:00.001-07:002023-03-14T15:20:33.817-07:00Church?I'm utterly done with modern churches. I think what we have come to see as a typical modern church today was what probably started out as'seeker sensitive' "churches." What were those seekers actually seeking? Most of these churches, if I didn't see the $12K+ flashing, multi-color, programmable marquis that gave the church's hours and said, "Jesus will be here at 6:30 Wed. night," out front before I went in, I'd never know I was in a "church" at all. Even the ones that can't have all that because they are small and don't have the funds, are trying hard to catch up. They have all the Church Growth Formula books, colored lights, and the right paint colors. Ask me how I know. <P>
They look and feel like clubs. There's no real difference except the whole family goes and there's (usually) no alcohol or drugs... maybe, and they see themselves as morally superior for punching the Sunday timecard again. The music "ministry" is doled out to anyone who has a flair for music or can carry a tune. They have "worship practice" as if there is such a thing, and half the time they get a mic and bloviate on their great spiritual understandings, as if they are fulfilling some kind of great calling, ignoring the fact that they were drafted by a "ministry team leader" who was desperately seeking to fill the menu with the just right items in the first place. The same guy plays secular music in a garage band the rest of the week and think it's cool, man. <P>
Then the peddlers set up their booths to sell coffees and snacks, bottles of water with little Bible related lables slapped on them. They hark Bibles, covers, book marks, pens, highlighters, book lights, shawls, lap blankets, handbags and backpacks, little tins of mints, home decor, you name it; all with cutesty phrases and generally poorly paraphrased scriptures that have been satisfactorally bastardized so as not to offend anyone who is still participating in their prefferred sinful behaviors. All these are printed artfully on their items for a nice virtue display so they can leave it sitting, arranged carefully so as not to look too artificially placed in their seat-- THEIR seat-- before church starts, so no one else can sit in there while they wander around and "fellowship" until the right song plays. These vendors charge about 25-50% more than anyone else would dare try to get away with on the "secular" market. <P>
The people in these "churches" have justified what they're doing, found like minded people with whom they share their weird ideas, excused it all, made it acceptable, until finally making it a requirement to qualify as a good church. The first question people ask when they move into a new community about churches is almost always, "Where is a church with a good kid's program?" or "Where is a church with good music?" It's all about how THEY feel. What can this church give to ME? What about, "Where are they studying God's Word?" Or "Where are the churches that are seeking God's presence?" "Where's the church that is still a light on a hill?" <P>
You can have all that child care/club atmosphere. It may have started out with good intentions back years ago, but the thing's gone off the rails. There was a church in Lake Worth, TX that had a big sign painted right on the wall of their building out front with their church motto on it, that pretty much summed up what's wrong. It said:<P>
"The Church With You In Mind."<P>
Nuff said. I get it. <P>
Now, the pastors think they need more and more accoutriments, then they need more and more money to pay for them, so they hark for more and more butts in the seats, so they have to please more and more people -- or paying customers, as I like to call them. Then they have to keep making more and more excuses as to why they let this crap continue. I guess they must wake up every morning and go down the list as to why this is happening under
their noses, and why they should continue doing it. They probably have to override a lot of personal conviction to decide to continue it all again yet another day. They've invested so much time, energy, and money they are unsure how to untangle the web. So few ever jerk the slack out of themselves and see it, and put a stop to it. So very few. <P>
I'm out. I've been out a long time now. How hollow and numbing! Screwtape would be proud. I'll never go back. If I wanted to associate with that trashy lot of Godless, self indulgent meat sacks I might as well go to the real club and get the real buzz from real alcohol. There's a reason they call alcohol "spirits." In the world, it's all faked to replace the Truth: Spirit, soul and body. Now the so-called allure of the godless world is faked by churches to replace the One True God. <P>
This is what I want:
2Cor. 2:17 (Amp) "For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God's Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity {and} the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight {and} presence of God." <P>
Be Godly. Be the church. Jesus preached The Kingdom of God and repentance. When you find a church that reflects that, get in it. If they never sing a note, if there's crying babies and fidgetty kids, stay there and contribute. Power up. Reach the lost. Don't settle for entertainment.
Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-37993534651186788752021-08-29T10:59:00.000-07:002021-08-29T10:59:39.824-07:00I Hope You Have Prepared<p>I had a vision of sorts back about 8 years ago. It was of America in chaos, created and carried out by our own government, when suddenly something of natural origins occurred (I saw fires and crumbling structures— could have been anything, I don’t know), causing them (the Powers)to cascade out of control. The results were absolute mayhem. </p><p><br /></p><p>Prepare as best you can, keep your loved ones close, if you can, and above all, draw nearer to Jesus. God kept Israel safe in the floods, fed in the famines, and when all was dark there was still light in the land of Goshen. He can keep us through the mad stumblings and bumbling of this world’s evil. <br /><br />He laughs at their feeble attempts.</p>Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-39427578757196072112020-11-04T13:15:00.006-08:002020-11-04T13:23:55.784-08:00Another Sign on the Road<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJSTv-kIyCu4UdioJLetGtBTP2jKvoUfStnkAYTF5baQFjii3AdEkh9iPKusRmegBQrvYphhd9XkiY6NwgMJNorhWC0KjWGIJ9pwEPfQWlxyKFfu0HffWqm6r6fVoJ8sPu7H8u17pPYM/s474/sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="474" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJSTv-kIyCu4UdioJLetGtBTP2jKvoUfStnkAYTF5baQFjii3AdEkh9iPKusRmegBQrvYphhd9XkiY6NwgMJNorhWC0KjWGIJ9pwEPfQWlxyKFfu0HffWqm6r6fVoJ8sPu7H8u17pPYM/w400-h316/sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fffefa;"><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">I'm not some great expert, but I'm just putting in my 2 cents.</span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">I know everyone is sick of politics. I am, too. However, I think this situation we find ourselves in has less to do with right/left politics, and Dem/GOP parties. This is a good vs evil sort of an ideological battle. If you are looking around you can see that the internal struggles are at the tipping point. In the natural world of human beings, things are about to get ugly. <br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">As for me, I'm a believer in Jesus, I believe that we are in the last days. We know what kind of mayhem is coming upon us at some point, no matter the political scenarios. We've seen this coming for a long time. So long, in fact, that some of us (I) got complacent. I consider voting a duty to my country and the least (literally) that I can do to try to accomplish things I can never accomplish on my own. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">Our part in this world is to do what we think is right and to do our best, and when we are at the end of our own abilities, to enable those who are in positions to make the changes we want to see made, happen.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">I know these are just politicians, and that there are globalist overlords and evils unspeakable, all that, but if my teeny vote can spare one innocent life, help one unfortunate person, change one unjust law, even for just a short time, then I feel obligated to vote intelligently and faithfully. That's just my personal convictions on the matter as it stands.</span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">This election has been highly charged, probably, truth be told, since the outcome of the last one was known. The further we went through this last four years, the wider the gap and the deeper the rift between the factions. We know a lot of it was by design, and we can see what's happening to some degree, but the lines are clearly drawn. </span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">If President Trump wins with a squeaker, or if courts find in his favor, the left will explode with insane levels of rioting and brutality because he "stole" it. If they win, they will think it's a mandate, and they will use the opportunity ALSO to riot in some twisted sort of celebration. It won't stop with celebration. They will use it as a mandate to march into communism. They will think they do the country a favor to punish the rest of us "n@zis and fascists" who have "ruined their democracy"... yada, yada. Life will be intolerable for anyone who's not with them. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">No matter how it ends up they will not be easy to live with. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">In all likelihood, Trump will win, probably in litigations all the way up to the Supreme Court. It would be naive to think the left would somehow be satisfied, appeased or that they might change their ways in the four years leading up to the next election. Things are not going to improve over the next four years and have us find them magically content to abide by our laws next time around.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">My take on this particular election is this: we have a few weeks to see how things go, but EITHER WAY I think we are only going to have a few months, and God willing, up to another 4 year window of time to get ready. I have to say, I will take every day and every year I can get, because we're never really ready enough are we? But I think this is truly the BIG wake up call. If you've been looking for a sign for when to pull the lever and go full bore into prep/survival mode, I think now we're seeing that sign. I'm not a panic monger or a fearful person, and I'm not trying to spread more stress or anything like that-- I just see the writing on the wall. We are far past my personal "red-line." It's time to go now. </span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">If you aren't ready, it's time to up your game and go into 100% efforts. Personally, for me, it's always been an "out there somewhere" thing that I felt the need to prepare for. I took it seriously, but til now I never really felt the urgency or the certainty that it's truly right upon us. When I really started seeing it (and became aware that this reality is very, VERY close) I also realized I am not where I need to be in order to make it. <br /><br />At my house, this is not going to be treated as a drill, or an exercise. I am older, and we have very little to work with, we were robbed of our meager savings a few years ago and will be starting over. Time and resources are key for us, and we'll have to play our cards like masters, but I'm making the move before the end of the year to find a small piece of land, take my stash, and GET THERE. The details will play out and the day to day struggles will test us, but the decision is made... late, but just skinny-ing in before the balloon goes up, I think.</span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">*IF* this isn't *IT* then I think it's the cue to make the move and get established. Could be that God wants to wake up a bunch more folks and He'll give us more time in His mercy. I hope that's the case, but, like a good prepper, I'm going to be ready in case I was right in the first place. </span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;">Anyway, heads up, friends. Stay calm, and stay ready.<br /><br /><i>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." -- Proverbs 3:5-6</i><br /></span><br /></div></span>Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-67482855137763771112019-12-05T07:16:00.000-08:002019-12-05T07:18:13.391-08:00A Glimpse Into Our Future<br />
I wrote this quite some time ago and thought I'd posted it. Turns out it was in the drafts. Better late than never, I guess.<br />
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<br />I was reading the comments on a controversial article today. Actually, it wasn't controversial, or rather it shouldn't be, but the comments were easily ten times longer than the article and they were hostile and very highly charged. What was the topic? Someone had a display of posters set up at a public event, and someone else who disagreed with what they were trying to support came up and destroyed them, one at a time, deliberately and angrily; it was not an accident or a misunderstanding. Clearly this was some sort of a criminal act. Maybe it was not on the level of a burglary or a murder, but a crime none the less. Last I heard, destruction of private property was a crime. Maybe it being "aggravated" or in a public place should factor in, I don't know. She should have probably been ticketed or charged, and then fined and assigned some public service hours or something.<br />
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THIS person is a product of the public education system. It's exactly the result they wanted. He (she?) truly believes this and seriously thinks the rest of us are wrong and evil or even part of a cult. He believes it because it's been force fed to him for 12 years with little or no parental or church input, or any other alternate input to show him any other thing contrary to what they've been taught in their classrooms. <br />
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THIS, the product of the public school, is where the end begins. Unfortunately it's been going on for a long time. A generation has come up through this intensive indoctrination and they literally think like the writer of that comment. They are literally unable to see the truth. They fight against hearing the truth because it's contrary to everything they have read in their books and been told by their trusted teachers.<br />
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This person and the rest of his graduating class are the ones who will vote in the next election -- for socialism -- because it's normal to them. They are the ones who will vote against Christianity, because Christianity has been represented to them as a cult. They are the ones who will be giving our gun rights away because they've been taught they are evil and private gun owners are dangerous. Once they have the given up the gun rights all the rest of our rights will be gone. We must step up and get involved with the schools in our districts. <br />
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Thankfully, it's not too late as long as we wake up now and stand up in the face of this corrupted government indoctrination system. Be ready for some eye rolls, some opposition, some full on assaults.<br />
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Even if you homeschool, even if you have no kids, you are a taxpayer, therefore you can voice you opinions on what goes on in your district's schools. Learn what they are doing. Find out what they are producing in your local schools. Search it out on the internet. Ask around your community. Arm yourself and be informed and get involved. You can contact your representatives and senators. It's easier now than it's ever been to voice your opinion with your state and federal representatives in congress. You can attend meetings in your district. You can do something. If we all do something, just some little something small, we can turn the thing around. We're going to have to do it soon, though, because it's going to take a lot of track to slow the momentum of this fast moving train before we can actually get it going in the right direction again. We must act now. We MUST.Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-52795849705584517032019-04-08T13:29:00.002-07:002019-04-08T13:32:22.191-07:00Keep a Knife and Keep it SHARP. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRgKR3qVWle5r80UMY9aasPuCwg5xIq3OKfUx8fz4kAI4Wa9fkjdNa0KE0Wauaud6RheGeDAgLMIFRXDBzyJoMOg2-wCRk37zRwiYPaNF_gjy0rq03G1npXNf_YROM9_jb3T1Q14EAcY/s1600/sharpener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRgKR3qVWle5r80UMY9aasPuCwg5xIq3OKfUx8fz4kAI4Wa9fkjdNa0KE0Wauaud6RheGeDAgLMIFRXDBzyJoMOg2-wCRk37zRwiYPaNF_gjy0rq03G1npXNf_YROM9_jb3T1Q14EAcY/s400/sharpener.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you aren't someone who normally carries a knife I suggest you start. You'll get used to having it with you and you'll be surprised how much you use it.<br />
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We could get into what type for what situation, etc... but for this post I'm just talking about a nice pocket knife or maybe even a multi tool of some kind. I'd call it "every day carry" gear, but, first, I hate the catchy phraseology used by niche groups, so I rarely use it except for quick references in blog posts like this, and second, it's more than just an every day carry piece of equipment. My EDC would be readily handy to me, like my purse, but my pocket knife is in my pocket. Are your car keys EDC? Is your wallet EDC? Technically maybe, but, no, not specifically. They are just always there. My pocket knife is just in.my.pocket.<br />
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Open packaging, remove tags, cut, divide, slice: I don't always use it many times a day, or even necessarily every day, but I do use it often, and when I need it, if I don't have it, its a drag.<br />
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Any knife is better than no knife. A better knife is-- well-- better, but don't let lack of finances stop you. You can pick up a five dollar knife at almost any outdoor or hardware store. Start there, then when you can manage it, get a better one. Getting the five dollar knife will help you learn what you want out of a knife before you spend more buying a better one.<br />
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Keep that sucker sharp. A dull knife is a frustration, a bad tool, and a danger. I will probable get "educated" by people about this, because people will say, "You are going to ruin your blade like that!" and explain how I SHOULD sharpen a knife, but get one of these small knife sharpeners (link below) or something similar for quick use.<br />
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I've had one just like the one it for close to 20 years. I paid 3 bucks for it at the grocery store. All these years later and they're still only four bucks. I recently ordered an extra for my "EDC" and my "B.O.B." They are cheap, light, easy to stow and easy to use. It has a course/carbide and a fine/ceramic side. I have my old one in my kitchen drawer and I use it all the time. I have had some pretty crummy knives do a fairly decent job for me just by keeping them sharp. I have acquired better knives over the years, and I still use it, probably daily.<br />
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I don't endorse many products, but I give this one my stamp of approval. Why? Because it works and because I use it. If it works but you won't (or can't) use it, then, in reality, it's it's not a good tool for you. I have other knife sharpening tools, but this one is the go-to, every day tool that I use. I think you would, too.<br />
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I suppose if you have a thousand dollar hand crafted pocket knife you might not want to do it this way, but, it's not likely you're using that as your every day knife. If you have something like that, learn to use a wet stone or an oil stone, use it on the nice knife, then go buy a pocket knife you can pick the rocks out of your shoe tread with for carrying in your pocket.<br />
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Carry on.<br />
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Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-CCKS-2-Step-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B00032S02K/ref=sr_1_22?crid=3VF7VHQLLSHM6&keywords=knife+sharpener&qid=1554755451&s=gateway&sprefix=knife+sharpener%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-22" target="_blank">link</a> to knife sharpener, or copy/paste:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-CCKS-2-Step-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B00032S02K/ref=sr_1_22?crid=3VF7VHQLLSHM6&keywords=knife+sharpener&qid=1554755451&s=gateway&sprefix=knife+sharpener%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-22">https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-CCKS-2-Step-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B00032S02K/ref=sr_1_22?crid=3VF7VHQLLSHM6&keywords=knife+sharpener&qid=1554755451&s=gateway&sprefix=knife+sharpener%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-22</a>Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-39534203464114106902019-02-25T19:01:00.000-08:002019-02-25T19:50:20.160-08:00Turning Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFmM0EBq7O2YDnMJwfTadQ8Wv1n2QeBs9vnFfW_vKYgs83vuMDSoPWxns1_Smq9ZiLZzyxGB5wOSwNwuPLGJFv_85IsO3l2yJbSycuR_P-yTaipqPPqiRwlUEahnuO_k9ISMrI636zms/s1600/doesn%2527t+flush+itself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFmM0EBq7O2YDnMJwfTadQ8Wv1n2QeBs9vnFfW_vKYgs83vuMDSoPWxns1_Smq9ZiLZzyxGB5wOSwNwuPLGJFv_85IsO3l2yJbSycuR_P-yTaipqPPqiRwlUEahnuO_k9ISMrI636zms/s1600/doesn%2527t+flush+itself.jpg" /></a></div>
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OK, here's my 2. It's a little long, but it's my summary of current events as I believe it could possibly shake out. I hope I'm right. Tell me what you think.</div>
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The Deep State is a festering boil on the butt of America, and it's just about to be popped, and they know it. If you don't think they're scared, watch the news... any legacy news: interview, presser, anything. Kill the sound. Cover their mouths with your hand so you can only see their eyes. Look at them. They have the look of panic in their eyes. It's obvious.<br />
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It's GOING to hit the news. Sooner or later it's going to hit, and it's going to start going all the way up the ladder. They know the people are starting to wake up, so they are resorting to crazier and more extreme measures to deflect attention off themselves and toward something-- anything else. </div>
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Ginsburg is probably dead. Sure, they don't want to give President Trump a chance to appoint another judge, but I think they're holding out for more reasons than just that. They're buying time, hoping for the last ditch, Hail Mary, headlining Ginsburg "news" when they need it most. They'll likely take her out of the freezer and roll out her corpse for a huge state burial that will dominate the legacy media outlets for days. Never mind that when Justice Scallia was bumped off they just flushed the evidence and got him in the ground ASAP. <br />
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They'll use Ginsburg just like they rolled out G.H.W. Bush during the Comey testimony, and like they did that crazy, run-on, Papal style memorial/burial of someone as non-impressive as John McCain. Really? He was a crappy guy, and a failure at most of what he did. He was a corrupt senate lifer with a (very) shady military run, not a head of state. Sheesh... what was it-- 5-6-7 days of that guy? They didn't even go to that much effort for Bush and he a was at least a president! <br />
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They needed a big distraction, the time OUT of the headlines. And they'll do it again. There are grave changes for them in the offing. Watch what's going on behind the scenes. Not just at the next false flag school shooting, emergency, disaster, justice's funeral: watch all of it. If it is a dominant story, a day in and day out, sort of frenzied feeling story, it's probably a cover.</div>
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Also, I think they're running all these insane far left socialist candidates as a hopeful last hurrah because they know they'll never get another chance. They sunk their own boat and they're bailing as fast as they can, but the damage is just to great. They think to make hay while the sun shines... but they're too late. Their sun ain't shinin'. These stinkers are circling the drain. </div>
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Now there's all this chatter about "soft coup" going around. Do you honestly think that this kind of accusation can make it to an adversarial "news" media, that there can be headline discussion about a topic this dire, or that the senate can address it as a coup, and there's Presidential acknowledgment, and nothing happen as a result? Hardly.<br />
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There are new investigations underway, and once they begin federal investigations there is no end to them until they are declared closed by the chief investigator. There was a mountain of information gained during the Mueller investigations that can be used in these open investigations The info is already known, gathered, documented. They nailed all of it down tight because they wanted to be SURE all the I's were dotted and all the T's crossed when they nailed President Trump. But, it didn't implicate President Trump, did it? No, no. It made an airtight case against the Deep State. </div>
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The never-ending probes and investigations have illuminated the dirty deep state and their connections, and exonerated President Trump. The exposure is opening new investigations, and the all evidence is sitting there. They're making clumsy mistakes, now. That's a sign that their lies and stories are unraveling and they can't keep them straight any more. Although lots of the big turds have already been flushed via resignations and firings, that's just not the kind of the justice I was hoping to see. I think we'll see many more flee, die, be "suicided", or fake their own deaths, etc... I actually believe we're going to see some of the big's get their just rewards, too. I can't wait! </div>
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The best part, for me, will be having the truth about these horrible people come out, dead or alive. Oh, I want to see them tried, jailed, hanged or whatever, as the treasonous enemies they are, but just having the general population see with their own eyes that the big, bad "conspiracy theories" were true the whole time, will be wonderful. Their heroes were monsters. That may sound small and petty, but it's honest. Yes, I'll be glad to see these ignorant people realize they were totally duped. It'll be a big, fat, "WAKE UP!" slap in the face for those who stood and pointed fingers at all the crazies and deplorables. Willful ignorance tastes like crow, in the end, doesn't it comrades? <br />
<br />It will be gratifying for us who have seen the lies, who endured their belligerence and smug confidence. It will be a real breath of fresh air. It will be vindication for the ridiculed, de-platformed, and de-personed front-liners. It can't come soon enough for me.</div>
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Oh, and on a side note, for what it's worth: the penalty for treason? Hanging. Remember the likes of Camilla Harris and Crazy Aunt Nan and a whole host of socialists who flooded social media because of the Jussie "Fake Noose" Smollet, great friend of the Obama administration, debacle? Before he was found out to be the lying, race baiting, small minded criminal he is, they proclaimed him victim! They had to DO something! So they hurriedly tried to pass "anti-lynching" laws. What? Lynching is already illegal, so what's up with that? Maybe it's just the "hanging" part they are concerned about....? Hmmm.... Curious. Just sayin'. Probably just a CONSPIRACY THEORY.</div>
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So, keep your head above the waterline... we're about to see the drain open. It could go to stinkin'.</div>
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Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-16514195448996358502019-02-15T17:52:00.001-08:002019-02-15T17:54:14.411-08:00I Knew You In Your Mother's Womb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4yIh4LffnBMVUc14OsW0PPdZRzosqvyrPxwqqXCzDvwfwb68MSR-jSKZlrB3WUWf04SwcPKCiBxttjC7vNXrKnZ1WmXvRx5claq-gSfxcUcO8kjbyFgVi3DZcvrXcLG6X5DocLoZS1k/s1600/13-Smiling-Preemie-Babies-Who-Are-Happy-to-Be-Alive-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4yIh4LffnBMVUc14OsW0PPdZRzosqvyrPxwqqXCzDvwfwb68MSR-jSKZlrB3WUWf04SwcPKCiBxttjC7vNXrKnZ1WmXvRx5claq-gSfxcUcO8kjbyFgVi3DZcvrXcLG6X5DocLoZS1k/s320/13-Smiling-Preemie-Babies-Who-Are-Happy-to-Be-Alive-13.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.feedfond.com/smiling-preemie-babies/" target="_blank">(photo credit)</a><br />
2.2 lbs. Happy to be alive. 25 weeks. It is legal to brutally kill a baby like this in many states. It is legal to brutally kill even older babies in some states. There are monsters among us.</div>
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<br />
Sorry this isn't my most professionally written blog. I'm not the greatest writer anyway, and this one is just sort of off the cuff.<br />
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EVERYONE should be forced to see an abortion happen, then only real monsters would still be in support of it, and the line would be clearly drawn. <br />
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I know decent people who are so blinded, so hoodwinked, so indoctrinated by the "pro-*choice*" rhetoric that they will do and support truly monstrous things. Being made aware of the barbarity, aware of the fact that these babies <i>feel </i>what is being done to them, would bring a sane human being to their knees. They think they understand, they claim they know the truth, and blindly support the greatest evil of our time. If they saw it, they would know.<br />
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If you are NOT fully aware, how can you claim to support something, anything, that is so controversial and potentially terrible? You are hopelessly lazy if you can't be troubled to find readily available information and decide based on knowledge instead of propaganda. Shame on you!<br />
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I choose the sanctity of life. I choose to protect the most innocent of all victims. I choose sanity. I choose to be the enemy of those who are aware of what they do and choose to do it, or support it, once they are aware. They are monsters.<br />
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So very few abortions are actually performed for medical reasons. My friend had a baby at 24 weeks back in 1999. The girl turned 20 in 2019. That was TWENTY YEARS AGO. Doctors have been performing surgeries on unborn babies for decades. There was very recently a baby cut out of it's mother's womb for a surgery, then replaced back into the womb. Teeny-tiny, but otherwise it was fully and perfectly formed in every way. The surgery was successful. You KNOW they have technology and medical skills now that can save babies, and that they can go on to and live normal lives from much earlier stages of pregnancy.<br />
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There are SO FEW "health" reasons, for mother or baby, that require abortion as a solution. There are so many possible mistakes in diagnoses. My youngest grandbaby was going to be in a medically fragile, compromised or dependent state at birth, and they suggested abortion. My poor son and daughter in law were nearly catatonic for the rest of the pregnancy after hearing this news. Lo! He was born healthy has a horse. No problems whatsoever. They were DEAD WRONG, but they were willing to murder him in a torturous fashion because reasons. But, muh docters! Muh science!<br />
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VERY few abortions are medically necessary. They are almost all for the convenience of the mother. She chooses abortion because she doesn't want it, doesn't want to be pregnant now, or because she'd be embarrassed by it or in trouble with someone because of it, doesn't want to make the necessary sacrifices, doesn't want to be responsible: because she IS SELFISH. It all boils down to selfishness.<br />
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The opposite of love is not hate, as so many would say. The opposite of love is selfishness. The driving force of the day is selfishness, and babies-- innocent, tiny, dependent, beautiful babies-- are paying the price.<br />
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2 Timothy 3:1-4 - "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."<br />
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God IS love. Selfishness is the opposite of God and Godliness. Godless people do ungodly things.<br />
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If I can't stop them from this atrocity, which I WOULD, then they should at least face what it is that they do, confess it as the murder that it is, and do something a bit more humane, like lethal injection. The same people protest when convicted murderers are given lethal injections as a sentence for heinous crimes, but they'll (let someone else) rip a baby into bits or chemically dissolve it without a peep, and defend their right to do so. It's hellacious.<br />
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Draw the line. Choose your side. Stop making ridiculous arguments and covering your activities with medical terminology and clever excuses. Just pick your side and get on it.<br />
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I will never abide a killer or his supporters.Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-40664289502561457662018-12-21T13:54:00.001-08:002018-12-21T13:54:39.829-08:00Old Magazines To Peruse <div>
Here's a link to some old magazines. Interesting info and a little trip back in time a few decades. Fun to look through.</div>
<div>
Downloadable.<br /><a href="https://digitalmaine.com/farmstead_magazine/?fbclid=IwAR1-Tj3KhdX55XWr7K-2-JbN1K-0Kvgq24xvpxJjt23VYgOZLRGy4jk0EQQ" target="_blank">Here</a><br /><br /><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFl3TFQ2dkQxwFcPU9mPlQvYuky0NSJoepCyRz3wHGfBkrtcE8BmzFdMBXLk7ZPnLKIMIX1jG4gPUIYhq9JP_XGFCO7dSTMNWSpNEB1kgTri2zla2gSJrOGqyxZKTneUj8PyYzk6vfrw/s1600/farmstead+magazine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="640" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFl3TFQ2dkQxwFcPU9mPlQvYuky0NSJoepCyRz3wHGfBkrtcE8BmzFdMBXLk7ZPnLKIMIX1jG4gPUIYhq9JP_XGFCO7dSTMNWSpNEB1kgTri2zla2gSJrOGqyxZKTneUj8PyYzk6vfrw/s320/farmstead+magazine.png" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></div>
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<a href="https://digitalmaine.com/farmstead_magazine/?fbclid=IwAR1-Tj3KhdX55XWr7K-2-JbN1K-0Kvgq24xvpxJjt23VYgOZLRGy4jk0EQQ">https://digitalmaine.com/farmstead_magazine/?fbclid=IwAR1-Tj3KhdX55XWr7K-2-JbN1K-0Kvgq24xvpxJjt23VYgOZLRGy4jk0EQQ</a></div>
Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-18621702848427184582018-12-17T13:23:00.000-08:002018-12-17T13:23:03.089-08:00A Little on Bartering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQspRmkmd8RfDQczBMaJUbJBcE3YrZTSrHGWod1m00X6EMvneNxQ_gg7Q6Y_CmV1-Qxu1OnDzuOek08BsDnIGauJ1m2KkgtnlLUisyFUUirlk80Uscq5HHRlfOp0fmAdOMxK6M4MW7Tw/s1600/Shaking-hands-1320x742.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQspRmkmd8RfDQczBMaJUbJBcE3YrZTSrHGWod1m00X6EMvneNxQ_gg7Q6Y_CmV1-Qxu1OnDzuOek08BsDnIGauJ1m2KkgtnlLUisyFUUirlk80Uscq5HHRlfOp0fmAdOMxK6M4MW7Tw/s400/Shaking-hands-1320x742.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />Bartering. There's tons to be said... more than I'm going to say here and now, but I'm always considering bartering. It's been around for a jillion years. I think it's "the thing" for hard times. I think most of us have considered bartering. We learn what items are the best to have in store for post SHTF just for the purpose of bartering. That's great! but...</div>
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Who will you be bartering with? Do you have a network? Do you have any idea who will have what you need, and whether or not you'll have something they want in trade? </div>
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Bartering is true free market economy, but it will be useless if you can't get what you need or if you haven't got the right trade goods. It might not be easy to access goods or people who want to barter. There may not be a big marketplace. This is where tribes, groups, clans come in.</div>
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NOW is the time to find prep groups, to establish relationships with neighbors, and to build tribes, or clans, with close friends. Make NEEDFUL contacts and build on them NOW before the balloon goes up.</div>
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If you're one of these "lone wolf" types, sorry... you're not prepping, you're hoping, and you will lose. Don't come around my place being G.I. Wanabe and think you're going to get my stuff. You are officially the first bad citizen of the new normal, and you're not welcome.</div>
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SO-- prep and be ready, but don't leave contacts and groups out of your plans. You'll need them, and they'll need you.</div>
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On that note; Have skill sets that are helpful to a group, keep (and learn to make/produce) items that will be valuable for barter. Have something to bring to the table.</div>
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Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-72145928356688094232018-12-07T13:47:00.001-08:002018-12-07T13:48:55.015-08:00Emergency Water Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWJKVay43FDneob1aiVcrdplJf0rCFh9sFq0oqc8WejU7yoaTx9lmzJZ3cSX0KutSGB5e9d76hfY01d0o9GpIlz-AsR0NcotVpp-Z5c93Afv3hyphenhyphenst_HP_0sEUpwztJwV854MYljxkPl8/s1600/41tQrTIoNFL._PIcountsize-6%252CTopRight%252C0%252C0_AA500SH20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWJKVay43FDneob1aiVcrdplJf0rCFh9sFq0oqc8WejU7yoaTx9lmzJZ3cSX0KutSGB5e9d76hfY01d0o9GpIlz-AsR0NcotVpp-Z5c93Afv3hyphenhyphenst_HP_0sEUpwztJwV854MYljxkPl8/s320/41tQrTIoNFL._PIcountsize-6%252CTopRight%252C0%252C0_AA500SH20_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the things, if not THE #1 thing, we should be most concerned about storing for emergencies is water. I'm dangerously, woefully behind on realistic water storage, so this is my current area of research.<br />
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We live in a very small home (450 sq ft? 3 people, 2 pets) and storage is a difficult, continuous issue. Some things I can squeeze into little nooks and crannies. Some things I can repackage or redistribute to save space, but water is water, and you can't compress it, and you can't squeeze it into the cracks. Yet, it's vital to have it on hand in an emergency.<br />
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You need water available, independent of "the grid", municipal, or shared sources. Shoot for outdoor tanks. Water catchment would be awesome. You can survive if you have a 1500 gallon tank outside, but can you access it? If you're in an emergency situation things are already uncomfortable and strange. Wouldn't it be nice if you planned ahead so that the most mundane tasks don't turn into an additional burden?<br />
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The general rule is to have 1 gallon of water per occupant per day. That adds up, and I think that's a conservative estimate. Multiply your daily use by how many days worth you would feel best about having on hand and you'll see, it adds up fast.<br />
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That 1 gallon rule probably just means drinking water. You will NEED water for sanitation and hygiene. It's really not optional. Hand washing, dishes and even showers are important, and become more important the longer the emergency situation drags on.<br />
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There are lots of reasons to have, and ways to stash, emergency water, but have you considered how you will access it? If you have barrels outside or some other way that you store larger quantities of water, do you have a way off accessing it with relative ease if you need it? Have you ever siphoned before? It's not hard, but have you done it? If you need to, can you do it? Can you pump it? Can you transport it to your house?<br />
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One of the pics I added to this post is of a product called Water Bricks. I'm NOT promoting them. Like I said, I'm researching, but I do like the idea and the design. There are lots of different kinds of products on the market for water storage, some are cheaper, some just as good, some just cheap knock offs, different sizes, etc... I chose to picture these because of their ready-to-go functionality. By observation alone I can see:<br />
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A. They stack neatly and interlock securely.<br />
18.5 x 18.5 x 18.5 inches ; 18 pounds<br />
B. They hold 3.5 gallons per unit, which makes them portable. Incidentally, most toilets will flush with less water than that... just thinking out loud here.<br />
C. They seem well constructed and durable.<br />
D. You can get an optional spigot to fit the opening. Big plus.<br />
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This last feature would be great in the kitchen. Think about it. If you've ever done any primitive tent camping where there's no running water and you didn't have a faucet, you instantly understand what a benefit it would be to sit one of these blocks along side the kitchen sink.<br />
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There are some good looking, but costly and bulky equipment you can get for camp kitchens and water, etc... but it wouldn't be practical in a house. I've tried to figure out how to fashion a similar system and adapt it for indoors in case of emergency. Think about a camp shower. The pic I chose was the cheapest, simplest one I saw. They are very portable, lightweight (when empty) and stowable. You pop them out of the box, hang them up, and you have a gravity fed faucet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QccfFlxdgHQoUGbn6PJVMjGQ5jjBKd-nJ2bh5G-poePIOG0TPWz2jsBK7naGbmUzbneNRsZzdH67nD8nVOW2FPOtTbQo_cB-vhpLJ1GD4aOjBjAEF0LI_MNS45dnlGJ57Bv5VRtzxwU/s1600/81g%252Bqcha%252BBL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QccfFlxdgHQoUGbn6PJVMjGQ5jjBKd-nJ2bh5G-poePIOG0TPWz2jsBK7naGbmUzbneNRsZzdH67nD8nVOW2FPOtTbQo_cB-vhpLJ1GD4aOjBjAEF0LI_MNS45dnlGJ57Bv5VRtzxwU/s320/81g%252Bqcha%252BBL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of a camp shower, after a few days without water you will be pretty gritty and grim. It won't kill you, but "survival" would be nicer with a few simple preps. Hang one in your shower stall, or outdoors in a tree, rig a curtain... You will be surprised how good a shower will make you feel, and how morale will improve.<br />
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You can buy a pop up shower stall for around 30-40 bucks if you want to go that route. There are even portable propane water heaters for around a 100 (and up). On the cheap end, my husband used to drive for the oil field and he'd be out for WEEKS with no access to showers. He used baby wipes and a 7 dollar pump up, pressurized type sprayer like you'd use for bug spray or weed killer. lol Innovative, but if you're gonna prep for comfort and "homey" familiarity, that ain't it.<br />
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I'm just sharing my thought as I'm having them. These things might not be life saving preps, but they are life improving preps, and probably time/labor saving preps. They aren't for your B.O.B. but if you're bugging in through a power outage, a natural disaster or something like that, they're worth a look.<br />
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These are just a few considerations concerning water and it's usage in an emergency. Feel free to point out things I've missed that are needful. I'm sure I'm not hitting them all. I need to learn, too.<br />
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My 2.<br />
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Addendum:<br />
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It turns out, the Water Brick also has a water filter that fits in the opening. Like I said, I'm not promoting this product at this point, but it has given me some great ideas. It's pretty cool, and pretty well thought out. You could probably be innovative and McGyver your own equipment if you already have water containers. There's no reason not to just adapt something to them if you have them. I don't have any real stash supplies for water yet, so this is looking pretty inviting. It's a bit pricey, though, all together. I'm going to shop it and see what I could cobble together myself before I commit. Just cogitatin'.Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-63368623887922044182018-12-04T14:50:00.000-08:002018-12-04T14:50:08.844-08:00Shifty...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9BkXpZq6fVEnHhuFZC0GUyiRD2jRH3F5WoNLpSt8C_cZ0ZW4N79UKSV210xBT7Ix8RMl2UfeDzjRgPZJgeOpCxZjOsoNFb0PBBtvqJMjgEAcLE696346O5vPNUaXIxy4Rn56WsVLWdE/s1600/slide+rule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="864" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9BkXpZq6fVEnHhuFZC0GUyiRD2jRH3F5WoNLpSt8C_cZ0ZW4N79UKSV210xBT7Ix8RMl2UfeDzjRgPZJgeOpCxZjOsoNFb0PBBtvqJMjgEAcLE696346O5vPNUaXIxy4Rn56WsVLWdE/s320/slide+rule.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br />What if I decided 1 foot could be 11 inches just this time for this one build, because I have a good reason, and it's just easier- .just.this.one.time.<br />
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NO, 1 foot = 12 inches. It's the standard. You start changing the standard and nothing will fit, and whatever you try to build will be horrible, ugly and unstable. Trust me: your "one time" easy way out will catch up one day, and the fall thereof will be great.<br />
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Keep to your standards. If you don't, don't come crying to me, don't think you can convince me to change mine because my emotions are pricked. Don't expect me to feel anything for you but pity for your foolish, stiff-necked ways. You made your choices and now you have consequences. The way of the transgressor is hard.<br />
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To the rest of us: learn from the ways of those who suffered by thinking that changing their standards could ever help them. DON'T CHANGE YOUR STANDARDS.<br />
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I'm stunned at how many people will lower their own standards because of their feelings, as if emotion had any bearing on the truth. Shaking my head, for real. How can you trust people like that? Their foundations are like sinking sand. Maybe that's what it means to be "shifty." Just ponderin' life.Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-8891217831818523572018-12-03T13:25:00.000-08:002018-12-03T13:25:54.786-08:00Learn Some New Skill Sets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxrieVb7zNg3bOGT34yFbAjHqDl3mpQyUr0tFR5WclZIx7zRQ1waECl6h38Y2naVCmMW7NEU0_bNhO0MKkiHZ3uv_IB00hHrH9Z80iPDv_4IDCTDB5yRk4qIMjLAHtXo7ijHqq9biL90/s1600/books+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxrieVb7zNg3bOGT34yFbAjHqDl3mpQyUr0tFR5WclZIx7zRQ1waECl6h38Y2naVCmMW7NEU0_bNhO0MKkiHZ3uv_IB00hHrH9Z80iPDv_4IDCTDB5yRk4qIMjLAHtXo7ijHqq9biL90/s400/books+pic.png" width="390" /></a></div>
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So much of what "preppers" teach and study is just stuff our grandparents did as every day practices. Some of us older folks remember it. It's not magic, and it's not some mystical lore. It's just practical things that have been bred out of our culture by the onslaught of industrial farming, big box stores, electronics, and our convenience oriented age.</div>
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Most of what we want to know is really easy to access without buying gadgets or gear or even taking classes. Just study up, practice and build up some skill sets. It's easy and fulfilling, and it gives you a great sense of accomplishment along with the knowledge that you have gained another needful skill.</div>
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Check out some of the free resources. There are MANY, but I recommend starting with these three, just because they are MASSIVE:<br /></div>
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<br />Internet Archives<br />https://archive.org/<br /></div>
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<br />Project Gutenberg<br />http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page<br /></div>
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<br />Google Books<br />Google Books>tools>any book>free ebooks<div>
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In order to get link I had to do a search. I typed in farm buildings so that's what will turn up in this particular link:</div>
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https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=889&tbs=bkv%3Ar&tbm=bks&ei=PpEFXPyxHYeH8AP9iaWYCQ&q=Farm+buildings&oq=Farm+buildings&gs_l=psy-ab.3...6253.9314.0.9886.14.14.0.0.0.0.137.1482.7j7.14.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.7.746...0j33i299k1.0.P7HFbrEK8DM<br /><br />Or, just go to google and search what you want to learn, then go to the top where it says "more" and choose books. After you do that you can click "tools" and it'll let you pick several things. Go under "any books" and choose what you think you will want to see. I usually go to free google ebooks, or however it's worded. Most of the free ones are old books. FASCINATING stuff.</div>
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Books: old, out of print, past the copyright dates, and chock FULL of valuable, timeless information. Just go to one of these, type in the subject you're interested in, and strap in. You can read for yourself what people used to do everyday before we found ourselves so dependent on our modern systems. You can learn steps, how to's, materials; the list is almost endless. I can spend literal HOURS reading once I get on one of these sites. You'll have so much info you'll be swimming in it.<br /><br />Enjoy!</div>
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Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-86273455160951572222018-11-17T08:12:00.001-08:002018-11-17T08:35:26.394-08:00$15.00 Minimum Wage?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VZ2ClzEobsVjKeBawMDuQL2QAqt3mIVDt5N37rNPSUw9DBwp-J1y-4oOUpG0pDgw86lrJjCEGsa0HyV-YlbNG_hlWt0xJJi-zf6KGqmNPFvUJoboghP34nI6kfGK48dNlXLXbW7dyGk/s1600/LtSusHatch2.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VZ2ClzEobsVjKeBawMDuQL2QAqt3mIVDt5N37rNPSUw9DBwp-J1y-4oOUpG0pDgw86lrJjCEGsa0HyV-YlbNG_hlWt0xJJi-zf6KGqmNPFvUJoboghP34nI6kfGK48dNlXLXbW7dyGk/s1600/LtSusHatch2.JPEG" /></a></div>
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I really thought this through and hope you read it. I don't expect to change you viewpoint. That's not my job. Time and experience will teach you just like it teaches everyone. What I WOULD like is to show you that others aren't evil schemers or cruel or unkind because we see a different solution to a problem. I hate, h.a.t.e. HATE this one-sided blind arguing. It isn't Us vs. Them, no matter what we've been taught to believe.<br />
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Hot button issues are designed to incite division. The only reason it works is because the problem is real. Pretend you are in my kitchen having a nice conversation. Perhaps it will help to stop that "Us vs. Them" mentality, and possibly end this horrible divisiveness and hatefulness.<br />
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Let me start by saying, if you were at my house I'd offer you coffee or tea and we'd sit at my kitchen table and eat toast and smile a lot and joke and probably like each other, because we're decent folks. I'm a roundish gramma lady who loves to chat and feed people, and I make folks comfortable. I am kind, fairly intelligent, most who know me would probably tell you that I'm very nice. I'm just a no nonsense, cut through the crap kind of a person.<br />
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So, on with it. I strongly disagree with an enforced $15.00 an hour minimum wage law as a solution to economic struggle among our nations' poor. Generally skipping past the financial problems and inflation and whatnot, lets get straight to the conflict point: caring and kindness<br />
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No one is saying that the wage to cost of living gap isn't growing or that life isn't a financial strain on some more than on others. Discerning the situations on a personal level and offering help to people who sincerely need it is generally not a problem for anyone from either "side" of the argument. No decent human being wants to see others struggle under prolonged financial pressures. I simply don't see an inflated minimum wage as a viable solution in any of the arenas that will be affected by enacting such a law.<br />
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I believe that people, like butterflies, or baby chicks, no matter how they struggle or how it hurts our hearts to see their hardship and seeming agony, if we help them escape the trials of emerging from their shells we doom them to catastrophic failure that they will never overcome. It looks so impossible, but they can do it. It's how they are made and it is necessary to their existence.<br />
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People grow, become strong, and get the beautiful opportunity to experience life and have a wonderful sense of accomplishment through hardship and struggle. Forcing others to intervene is a way to pass the buck and salve pricked emotions without doing anything of lasting value to helps anyone including yourself. In my mind, it's a terrible thing to do to them, to yourself, as well as being a bad thing to do to those who are forced to pay for it, which, by the way, is not going to be the corporations. It's going to be you and me, the consumers. I see it all as unhelpful, unkind, and unjust.<br />
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If we personally involve ourselves and our OWN resources in charity, which we are all responsible to do, we will quickly learn where the line between charity and entitlement is drawn in our own minds, and then no amount of argument or shouting will sway our conviction. As long as we aren't hands on and invested personally, we have no skin in the game and it's easy to point fingers and look accusingly at other people, but we CAN NOT pawn off our personal responsibility.<br />
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We can never legislate our responsibility for personal charity away. We will always have the poor among us, and we will have to see it and deal with it on a personal level. To try pass some legislation to relieve us of the burden of responsibility only further involves government into corporations and further restricts individual liberty. Government + corporations = bad. I would rather keep them totally out of it.<br />
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I hear all the cacophony about, "it's not charity, it's about living wages..." but, actually, it is about charity. It's about misplacing your charitable feelings of wanting to help someone by forcing someone else to do it instead. That is a vicious and never ending cycle. It will never be enough to fulfill you or satisfy them. Ever.<br />
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"But, the evil corporations!" No doubt corruption is rampant and profit to the top levels and the politicians is hair raising. I doubt we know the depths of it all, but who will hire you if not those who can create jobs? Will someone magically create employment if actual people and their businesses stop employing you? Even if those people are scamming and cheating, or whatever they may be doing, they are providing millions of jobs that will not be replaced if we "rid ourselves of this evil!"<br />
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"It's about appreciating employees!" Well, firstly, employees agreed to the terms when they accepted the conditions of hire. Secondly, maybe a little thankfulness for a job and some appreciation to the employer is in order. Not all appreciation has to be directed at the employee. In fact, that's a fairly recent view to have. Thanklessness is, in my view, the biggest part of the problem anyway, but that is a different blog for a different day.<br />
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Change you viewpoint and attitude about your job. Be the guy people LIKE to be around. Anyone can stand around and gripe about their job, and draw a crowd doing it. Contrary to popular belief, that crowd, those numbers, do not represent a movement and do not indicate the rightness of their argument. It usually represents the easiness of the path. There is no strength or growth there.<br />
<br />Some NEED charity, and are usually the last to say anything, let alone DEMAND. There is no experience like providing that to them for y.o.u.r.s.e.l.f. There are many life lessons in giving and receiving charity. Dot miss out on either. <br />
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Some seek an easy path: help breaking through their shell. Don't help them. It may seem cruel or uncaring but quite the contrary. It will make matters worse. They simply need to work: hard and long. Work, think, learn logic and reasoning, break through and grow up.<br />
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Still others are horrible, freeloading layabouts, masterfully scamming the system and robbing hardworking taxpayers. Whether few or many is debatable, but they are there and anything they are receiving as a handout, a charitable gift, or an entitlement needs to be stopped.<br />
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Also, money is rarely the real issue. Again, a different blog for a different day.<br />
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The moral of the story: A kind heart is manifest in many ways. Please don't assume that people aren't kind because they see solutions in different ways.<br />
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My 2.<br />
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #0e5b44; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">GOOD TIMBER<br /><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;">by Douglas Malloch</span></strong></div>
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The tree that never had to fight,</div>
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For sun and sky and air and light,</div>
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But stood out on the open plain,</div>
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And always got it’s share of rain,</div>
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Never became a forest king,</div>
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But lives and dies a scrawny thing.</div>
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The man who never had to toil,</div>
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To gain and farm his patch of soil,</div>
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Who never had to win his share,</div>
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Of sun and sky and light and air,</div>
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Never became a manly man,</div>
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But lived and died as he began.</div>
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Good timber does not grow in ease,</div>
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The stronger the wind, the stronger trees</div>
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The farther sky, the greater the length</div>
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The more the storm, the more the strength,</div>
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By sun and cold, by rain and snow,</div>
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In tree and men good timbers grow.</div>
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Where thickest lies the forest growth</div>
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We find the patriarchs of both.</div>
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And they hold counsel with the stars</div>
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Whose broken branches show the scars</div>
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This is the common law of life.<br />
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Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-86203975634251729772018-11-08T15:57:00.003-08:002020-09-04T13:46:22.181-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzYIUrIROgwpeGLh2Wl8IB85ws8jCmWmK5FHKdz5kFRbfmz50pLVwHChyVAsytxf0wrFTqS_XDyVaQ12ZMYU1pG4YpCQWkUhuPuQFb7ftjooUyNrj4v8x1cHA9PQg_9ZLmQJRLwgzpWM/s1600/bob.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzYIUrIROgwpeGLh2Wl8IB85ws8jCmWmK5FHKdz5kFRbfmz50pLVwHChyVAsytxf0wrFTqS_XDyVaQ12ZMYU1pG4YpCQWkUhuPuQFb7ftjooUyNrj4v8x1cHA9PQg_9ZLmQJRLwgzpWM/s320/bob.png" width="256" /></a></div>
B.O.B.<br /><br />Do you have a Bug Out Bag? I'd like to know what you consider you're MOST ESSENTIAL items. I welcome any and all intelligent input.<br />
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For all my prepping and big talk, I don't have a ready bag. I'm going to remedy that ASAP. I don't hold the popular view of a B.O.B. Read on and I'll explain why.<br />
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First, I don't think you need MOST of what is being hard sold to the modern "prepper" market. If it says prepper, survival, any of the "cool" catch words in their advertising, I'm immediately suspect, and looking at that particular item with a wary eye. It might be a good product, but marketeering is a BIG red flag (and a turn off) to me.<br />
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It's my belief that B.O.B. is to get you from point A to point B. It's not a camp out bag or a spend time in the woods bag... whatever. If you're bugging out, #1. You'd better have a destination planned, and #2. You only carry the essentials to get you there. You should have preps stashed at you B.O.L. enough to keep you a few days until it is safe to move on, go back, or go to a contingency location.<br /><br />Honestly consider and assess your skill level. Pack accordingly. If you haven't already practiced starting fires with sticks in the rain you will probably need a lighter or some sort of other fire starter. Don't try to be Mr. Bushcraft when your safety is on the line.<br />
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1.) Weight: Be smart. You are only as fast as the slowest person in your group, and you have to know your own capabilities. DO NOT over pack. Bug out bags are for emergency travel. FOOT travel. The more you have the harder the trip. Think it through.<br />
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2.) Water: Take water. Have water ALREADY IN YOUR BAG. Don't wait til you're bugging out to say, "Oh, hang on while I fill my water." You can't make it without water. A life straw or something to purify water would be a definite plus.<br />
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3.) Tarp for shelter. You need it. Elements claim more people than most other things in a survival situations. There are some pretty nice mylar foil type blankets that are very compact that might be a good thing to have in case of a drop in night time temperatures. The prices vary greatly, but if you shop it you can find them at a fairly reasonable price.<br />
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4.) Clothing. I'm not going to carry much for changes of clothing. Lightweight things to change into while you dry or clean the ones you are wearing is about all I will have. Having a separate small bag attached to the outside with additional clothing in case changes in the weather require it would be smart. Then if you need it you can take it, and if not you can take it off and spare yourself the additional weight and bulk. An extra pair or two of socks might be smart. If your feet hurt or get wet, it's the makin's of a horrible trip.<br />
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Additions to clothing: I know a guy who has a "naked bag" stuck right to the outside of his B.O.B. He says it's in case he's in the shower and something happens and he has to run for it-- RIGHT NOW: NAKED. Then he'll have clothes at the ready. Pretty good idea, actually. If you don't use it, you can jettison it later to lighten your load.<br />
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5.) Food. I'm not going to carry food that has to be cooked, only fuel for the trip, and as lightweight as I can find. No pans for cooking, no using water to boil dried foods. Just energy bars, calories/carb dense foods. Remember, B.O.B. is for MOVING, not for being Grizzly Adams. B.O.B. implies S.H.T.F. and what is generally considered to be a hazardous time, so I don't think starting fires would be a good idea unless it's absolutely necessary. <br />
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6.) Gear. What's essential for me may be different from what is essential for you, so think and plan-- then pack. A good multipurpose knife, a multi tool, some paracord, a couple of disposable lighters and maybe a fire starter puck, flashlight, a small first aid kit, fishing line... essentials is all you should have in a B.O.B. <br />
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7.) Bag. I chose this pic, because I'd take that rig in a heartbeat, but truth is, you don't absolutely need any particular type of a bag. Some are made better than others and are tried and true, made for the job, and have very functional components, etc... but if you don't have one, don't be deterred. Just get something sturdy that you can easily carry for long periods. Fill it with what you NEED. Don't buy every top dollar item that's out there. A ten dollar Morakniv would be as good as any knife. A kitchen knife is better than NO knife.<br />
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8.) Special Supplies: People who need medication or have some special need that can't be ignored had better have a ready bag with that stuff, and you'd better schedule rotation for it so it's as up to date as possible at all times. Considerations for children, elderly, women's needs, anything peculiar to your group... address it and provide.<br />
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Just think about it long and hard. What is essential? What is not? What does it weigh? Can the weakest/smallest person in your group manage their bag? Are you able to operate the things in your bag successfully?<br />
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Pipe up, jump in. I'd like to hear what you think.Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-22053097690895659082016-11-10T18:25:00.003-08:002016-11-11T19:53:54.318-08:00I Think We Dodged That First Bullet<br />
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<b>"Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted. Give us the child for 8 years and it will be a Bolshevik forever." - Vladimir Lenin </b></div>
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We have a newly elected leader, democratically elected by the citizens of the United States. There are so many things that we could talk about, most of which have been discussed to bits, but I want to talk about something at which I believe we should seriously take a closer look.<br />
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These political demonstrations are showing us all something. NOT that we have a great divide, much unrest, and a group of improvident young people, although we do have these things. I suppose you can even chalk up the level of intensity to the great divide in ideologies, but let's look underneath.<br />
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Here, we have a group of people, products, Bolsheviks if you will; indoctrinated from the day care through twelve years of public school and then segregated into a college system that is rife with liberal divisiveness and anti-American, anti-white, anti-everything-you've-grown-up-with sentiments, who are steeped in the credo of the system, and are now despondent at the prospects of having to face defeat in the real world. Their teachers and professors and the prophets of their dogma have left them nothing: no explanations, no alternative views, no "next step," no stability.<br />
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Everyone wants to sort of excuse them due to their lack of understanding, their immaturity, their young idealism, and the fact that they honestly feel abandoned, or orphaned in the wake of this upset, but are they leaderless? <br />
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No. <br />
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Did you know that these '<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/11/10/trump-protests-intensify-as-doubts-swirl-about-spontaneity.html" target="_blank">organic, spontaneous demonstrators</a>' were bused in with fleets of buses? Did these idealistic and passionate youth 'spontaneously' rent these buses? No, in fact, they 'spontaneously' answered ads on twitter and other social media to show up at these things, and were transported by these buses, right into the middle of it. <br />
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How about this: Why is the BM (aka: the Big Media) coverage about this particular group so salient? Are the youth the only important people? Are college campuses the only places where one's opinions are important? Are these <a href="http://www.returnofkings.com/36915/what-humans-can-learn-from-the-mice-utopia-experiment" target="_blank">beautiful ones</a>, these urbane and au courant people the only newsworthy group? No. The news herd has been told to be there, that something is about to take place. By whom were they told?<br />
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These nameless leaders are now inciting these demonstrators to call for the deaths of other citizen human beings, calling for the deaths of those who simply disagree, calling for the deaths of others because they didn't get their own way. CALLING FOR THEIR DEATH. Allow that to register for a minute. Indoctrinated American citizens are mindlessly, obediently taking up the call. <br />
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Who's calling these instructions to these pitiable, comfortless, ignorant, "leaderless" young people? <br />
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Big money. Big political establishment sources and big globalist sources are paying big bucks to foment this hysteria and these increasingly hostile "demonstrations." <br />
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We should be considering something far more sinister than just this veneer: this thin little covering of young people venting their sense of abandonment by demonstrating. There are people seeded into these crowds to fan the flames of discontent, paid for by money from seditious sources who have agendas: plans for a desired outcome. <br />
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I'm no scholar, but I'd wager that great empires have been toppled and terrible things have begun in this way. Little Jimmy and Little Sally's immaturity and lack of self control is gross and embarrassing, but far more than that. It is a distraction from the real issue and a vehicle for the furtherance of their agenda. They are just a convenient channel for power mongers to exploit. <br />
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My best advice is to maintain a heightened level of attentiveness, personal DEFCON level 4. I think they just tipped their hand again. Stay vigilant, friends. <br />
Just my 2.Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-34927168312585374992016-11-03T15:17:00.000-07:002018-05-29T10:09:02.303-07:00SHAME ON YOU!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(I originally had a picture here of six prosperity preachers and their annual incomes with some harsh criticisms and accusations thrown in at the end. Somehow, the picture disappeared and the post doesn't make much sense if you can't see the photo. I'll see if I can find it again. This picture is a substitute. Meanwhile, it should be understood that the idea was to paint a bunch of people as heretics and liars. I *think* it was Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer and one other that I can't remember.)</div>
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SHAME! I really hate this. Please READ what I have to say. I'm sorry it's long. I'm just SO sick of this sort of thing. THINK, people. Think for yourselves. READ your Bibles yourselves, not just the parts that your favorite preacher reads to you. READ THE WHOLE THING.<br />
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We don't know these people or their lives, what they do or think, what their callings are or their relationship to God. YOU DO NOT KNOW. No matter what you think you know, YOU DON'T KNOW. I've followed some and not others, I made a point to listen to them (and others) purposely to "catch them" in their great misdeeds, and you know what? I never heard any of them say anything heretical when heard in context, except for maybe T.D. Jakes, who said some things I found questionable, but I'd give him another listen before I judged him so harshly. </div>
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I'm the first to say I don't agree with all they say, but perhaps their calling is far different from mine. I certainly don't have the heavy burden of that kind of responsibility to carry around, a blessing for which I am thankful. They glorify Jesus and name him ONLY as Savior and Lord, every time, without fail. Can we not disagree with the point by point stuff? Maybe, just maybe there are things we don't understand. If I were studying to be a bus driver everything I would learn from a culinary school would be foolishness to me. Just go back to your driver's training and leave the cooks alone. Let them do what they are here to do. <br />
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Where is that mercy and grace that we're always talking about? Their FRUIT is what we are to judge them by, not their money, not the press, not video snippets, not what a bunch of do-nothing armchair critics have to say, not what other preachers have to say. I'm FAR more suspect of a preacher who would use his very pulpit to point fingers and call out others by name. They feign mercy to outsiders and crucify their own over matters of money.</div>
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I can tell you three of them (probably all six) give things away all the time. Their charitable outreach is enormous. Partner gifts without donations are common among them. Some of them don't ask for money but to say pray about it, and then if you feel led to give they will receive it, but not to let it diminish your tithes and offerings to your own churches. I have HEARD them. I sat through hours of sermons just to be sure I wasn't getting things out of context or missing anything. (Jakes is an exception. I heard him say some things I didn't think were good, but, as I said, I didn't listen long enough. His topics were not something I like to listen to, and I lost interest. I'm immediately suspicious of his affiliations with Oprah Winfrey, maybe he can help her, but we shall see.)</div>
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I did the research because it's so distasteful to me to constantly be hearing "Christians" trying to destroy other people because they disagree with means or methods or some point of doctrine. WE did not call them. WE are not the Holy Spirit, and WE will not be responsible before God for their lives, only for what WE do. Even if they are "the tares" God will sort them. He said let them alone til HE deals with them.</div>
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Money just pisses people off, and if God blesses a minister we assume he's on the take. We don't know ANYTHING. We have NO RIGHT to persecute them for it. We don't know the details, no matter what we think we know. They made most of their personal money by way of personal accomplishments-- hard work and time, such as book sales and businesses-- just like any other successful American. They sell their own books and their guest speakers books and teaching series and the like. Should they not? That's a legitimate question.</div>
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Wouldn't you want to keep what you worked for? Maybe you should not be allowed to, and you should never live a lifestyle any greater than the local homeless, by the standards you have set for others. No? Then at what point does it become "too much?" It changes with your situation, and is unstable as water. Of course, we don't value the "work" they do, since they are "just" preachers, so in our hearts we don't believe they should prosper. I guess they should do all they do with no money. Have them make bricks with no straw?</div>
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Now, if YOU start making money, suddenly your sliding scale of what "wealth" is changes. Sickening. It's so poorly thought out. It's NOT scriptural. It's always a bad interpretation of scripture that takes people to the place where they condemn other people that they don't know, based on suppositions and hearsay, with wrongly interpreted laws to govern them that they would NEVER apply to any other people group, and to which they would never hold themselves accountable.</div>
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If you *really* believe what you say you'd better not prosper! Never mind these guys in the picture... YOU! Don't seek a raise or that better job. No investments, new cars, better clothes or upgrades for you. That would make YOU a hypocrite. STOP TRYING TO PROSPER NOW before you become a heretic!</div>
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Your local missionary takes offerings and donations to stay in one village or town. They send newsletters and ask for pledges so that they can do their work and not have the burden of living and travel expenses. They take on work for income and give of their time and effort, but they ask others for MONEY. They operate with MONEY. If they grow into a mission that feeds the hungry, has an orphanage or expands to new villages, even cities, they will need MORE MONEY. Is that bad, too? Why not? Then, how big IS too big? Joel Osteen big? How much is too much? T.D. Jakes much? Your sliding scale, the abundance vs. opulence scale, is something YOU have created in your mind, that YOU have judged to be true based only on relative, temporary things. Gods is not so limited. </div>
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But it goes on from there... </div>
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Some of these guys gave the proceeds from their personal gain back into their ministries. These guys (and gals-- most of them) do more giving and humanitarian work than most organizations that were created for that purpose. They sent plane loads and bus loads and truck loads of relief to disaster areas, foreign and domestic. They stay on after the rest leave, past the photo ops and news coverage. Did you know about that? No, because their detractors don't want to address the good things they do. They reach MILLIONS. M.I.L.L.I.O.N.S. of people for Jesus in every continent on Earth. Did you? </div>
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Did you know that four of these six (along with a few others) were investigated by a senate committee? One senator just couldn't stand these prosperous preachers and he got it in his craw to bring them down. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa headed up a senate finance committee investigation into whether they had mishandled funds. Though CLEARLY a hostile adversary, relentlessly trying to catch them in some extortion, theft or misappropriations, he was unable to produce ANYTHING. The probe found no wrongdoing. Their records were crystal clear, and their ministries were above reproach. Why is that never a part of your argument?</div>
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Don't just get angry at me and have the old knee jerk reactions you've learned. THINK about what I'm saying. Do your own research. It's just as available to see as this negative stuff. Why are you so excited to find all that negative stuff and overlook the rest? That's a question you should answer for yourself.</div>
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I did my homework and I can tell you that I may not agree on every point of doctrine, I may not like their messages much, maybe their mannerisms bother me, and sometimes that's the case, but they are NOT "selling the gospel" any more than Zondervan or CDB, or any other pastor who is in full time ministry. Full time ministry SHOULD be successful. Maybe they simply seek God. Hebrews is clear, "God is a Rewarder to those who seek him out." Maybe you simply don't approve of certain levels of success and how God chooses to reward His own people. I call that attitude judgmental, and all that is, is manifest symptoms of jealousy and greed on your part.</div>
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Why don't Christians chose ENEMIES to target? There are some REAL bad guys out there infiltrating, they don't even PRETEND at the Truth of the Bible-- but everybody wants on the ol' "televangelist/rich guy" bandwagon. Benny Hinn acts weird. Joyce Meyer's clothes are too fancy. Creflo Dollar's car is too nice. As often as I hear the name of Joel Osteen being trashed and thrown about, you'd think he was the stand-in for the Devil himself. They name his name more often than that of the enemy of God and man. Ridiculous. Jealousy and greed have infiltrated the church and they don't see it for what it is as long as the "other guy" is there to indict. YOU, Christian, are creating strife. And where there is strife there is every evil work. Shame!<br />
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On a final note: If, having done your research, you still don't like these folks, is it good for the Kingdom and pleasing to God to publicly behave in this manner? We are to be known by the love we have for one another. If the answer to that last question is yes, because you feel compelled to expose them to the world, first, where are your scriptural instructions to do that? Second, are you absolutely certain that you are correct in your assessment? You had better be. You had better be.</div>
Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-80607487826555920422016-09-09T03:21:00.000-07:002016-09-10T00:14:44.732-07:00A Church With *YOU* In Mind?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Church. <br />
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I'm sick of the program. They all have the same format... everybody filters in somewhere near start time. They sing one fast song while everyone finishes their coffee and cashes out of the book store with their mints and gum and trinkets with scriptures on them, and find their Bibles which they had earlier placed in their "regular" seats. The band does an extra repetition of the last verse so everyone can stand where they belong long enough to signify that they silently acknowledge church has, in fact, started. Next, they break from the music and everyone once again wanders about, inside the sanctuary this time, giving each other hugs (that I generally don't want) and exchanging pleasantries. Intro: Check.</div>
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It's now time to do announcements about all the upcoming fundraisers and entertainment and such, conveniently affording the emcee an opportunity to bring the audience back to order, and, once again, have them ambling to back their seats. Somewhere along in here you'll get a semi-apologetic plea for money mingled with a touch of guilt for those attendees who don't freely and happily give. Then one more fast song while they pass the plate and to get people's attention back on the show. Offering: Check. Follow this with 3 slow, moody, minor chord songs-- repeat, repeat, repeat -- to cultivate an atmosphere where people can be whipped into a more emotionally sensitive frame of mind. </div>
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(Oh, slightly off topic, and for the record, I really think if you need "worship practice" you've crossed over to a place I don't want to go. What even can that be?? I don't practice worshiping, and I can't imagine it. Let's call it what it is- entertainment rehearsal, just like any 'show.') <br />
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Cue the pastor.</div>
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30-45 minutes of a 3 point sermons, probably inspired by, if not downloaded straight from Sermons.com, followed by a felicitous prayer in their best "holy voice," then hurry off to lunch at Denny's with your friends before the church up the street gets there and moves all the tables.</div>
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OK, so I get it-- lots of the people there are doing all this with good intent and for basically the right reasons, but they are still following this pre-programmed "outline" of how we "do" church. I can NOT do it, anymore, at all. I can't. I understand it, because I did it for years. I've been sick of it for years, too, but like so many, I just tried to make the best of it. I.can't.do.it.any.more. </div>
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It's getting worse instead of better, and the whole production is like any other social club or gathering or group: clique-ish, shallow, desperate to seem sincere, trying to mean it, and having a carefully crafted image to sell to the public. More and more pandering to a devilish culture is turning modern churches into festering boils on the butt of Christianity. Standing back and looking at it from the outside now, after years of seeing the inner workings, I can see that it's circling the drain. </div>
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There are some who mean for it to work. They are clinging to the shreds of what once was, hoping to build revival on the back of something long past. They are being stripped of their freedom to speak truth by fear of what price they will have to pay at the hands of an increasingly hostile society, or by threat of governmental interference. Many are caving in to the pressures and "embracing diversity" at the cost of The Truth. And the will of the people rules. </div>
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Where is God in this? I mean that as a serious question. I can't get a good answer. In my case, I know that God was with me and a few others in my church. He was there, because He came with us, but NOT because of "the church" I attended. Not because they said, "Come to church Sunday and Jesus will be there to meet your need!" Not because He was billed as a healer on Wednesday night service. Not because the special speaker promised something new from God. Where is God in this? I have to say I don't think He's in it much at all but for the sake of a few sincere die hards that just don't know what else to do.</div>
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I think it is time for His people to come out from among them. I've thought for some years now that the true church will be driven underground and that we'll be meeting in homes and other smaller, private locations. I thought it was a bad thing, and it saddened me to see it on the horizon, but now that it's here I don't feel that way. I know that the church grows most when it is persecuted. I see it as a purge and a cleansing. I see it as a time to truly seek God and a time when He will reveal Himself to us. </div>
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We need to be prepared. We need to have wisdom and knowledge given by God in this hour. I believe that we are going to see great things that we haven't seen in the church since the days of the Book of Acts! This is a time that the Bible spoke of and all mankind has anticipated. God Almighty saw fit to place us here, now, so I am certain He has equipped us for the task. <br />
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Guard your heart! Stay in The Word! It will be your guide and keep you safe. Cast off all the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Disentangle yourself from the affairs of this life. Gird up your loins, saints! Be prepared. And look up! Lift up your heads because your redemption draweth nigh!! </div>
Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-62386110413651787162016-04-16T11:45:00.000-07:002018-05-29T10:17:17.770-07:00Can I Get a Witness?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I read several articles today about intelligent, educated, well traveled people who really want nothing to do with God. They weren't necessarily part of the hateful anti-god crowd we usually see in the media, but they were just woefully, sadly, heartbreakingly ignorant of who God is. On top of that, they don't want to hear anything more about it. They are worn out with the discussions and have closed their minds and hearts to the whole thing.<br />
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So many people base their lives and eternal destinations on wrong assumptions of who God is and what sort of a being He is. If they think of Him at all they think He's brutal and cruel and unjust and they want nothing to do with such a God. Who can blame them? They have no concept of the One True God except what they've been sold by the big media, Hollywood, pop culture and other sources who are basically hostile towards God. Little bits and pieces from any old source are cobbled together by under-informed people to produce a bloody and vengeful god. When they find a Christian to ask it's usually one of the ones I call "Jerry Springer Christians" who let their mouths run way ahead of their intellect.<br />
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These people don't dig and do research until they think it's worth their effort. Those who are sincerely interested and seeking a Christian source to inquire of, are often stuck listening to people who are just as ignorant of who He is as anyone outside Christianity. They watch some of the ridiculous displays by these unlearned Christians and then begin to formulate their ideas about God and Christianity based on that. Once they've been exposed to what the world offers about God, and, sadly, what the bulk of the Christians have to say, they don't really care to search any further. They reason that their initial concepts of God must be true... a God like that is not for them.<br />
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"Well, if they wanted to know they'd ask a pastor, not just any ol' body!" Oh, you think just because a guy has "Pastor" before his name that he's got it all right? I don't care if it's Pastor or Pope, ANYONE can mislead others. Some do ask pastors about things they don't understand. Often, I'd say usually, either they don't have a decent answer, they offer a wrong answer, or they become arrogant or condescending, or even hateful sounding in their response.<br />
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Why would we we expect these people to behave any differently or be open to us? Christians are doing the same thing! Christians have some ridiculous ideas of who God is. We've taken the word of other confused people, well-intentioned or not, and created our God in that image. STOP IT! LEARN for yourself! IF God is real, then isn't it far, far too important to leave the research to anyone else? Christians-- YOU need to know your God! For Him! For yourself! For your witness! We don't need to know what the movies say about God, not what mama said about God, not what pastor says about God. We need to know God. Then, lift HIM up. HIM! Not your doctrinal points. People don't need highlights of your superior intellect or your deep understanding. They need Jesus. <br />
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Now, I realize some so-called interested parties are really only asking questions in order to start an argument, but we really shouldn't let them drag us down to that level. Recognize that for what it is and walk away. However, for sincere questions, we, of all people, should have some real answers or at least the common sense to simply say, "I don't know. Let me try to learn the answer to that and get back to you." Unfortunately, many will say any old ignorant thing in order to <i>not </i>look stupid. It doesn't work. They already know you don't know everything. All you are doing now is providing the fuel in which they will burn your argument and giving them ammunition to aim at the rest of Christianity..<br />
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You can't show Him to anyone if you can't see Him yourself. You can't see Him if you are constantly bolstering your own argument. You won't search for Him if you feel you have arrived. You haven't. Keep seeking Him. You might even be right about a lot of things, but, if you always feel the need to prove it, then you need to press into Him a little closer. The closer you are to Him, the more He "shows" in you-- the Light that shines. Then you'll see there's no need for all the arrogant and combative behavior.<br />
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Then, PLEASE stop running your mouth until you know what to say! So many people are headed for eternal damnation and all you want to do is trade blows with one another about petty doctrinal points! Nothing like muddying the water for the whole world see. There are people watching that are just waiting to see this kind of thing and use it against us. Most importantly, they are being repelled by your clever arguments and heading for an eternity without God because of you and your need to be heard and proven right. <br />
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Are Christians not supposed to be known for their love for one another? We are supposed to be the salt and the light, and yet when I look at a crowd I generally can't tell the Christians from the rest world except they fuss amongst themselves more than most. Sickening.<br />
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YOU-- KEEP seeking HIM! It will change, fulfill and complete you. When you reflect Him the world will run to you!<br />
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Ending on a positive note: there is ALWAYS hope. People close their minds and hearts all the time because of hurts, misunderstandings, ignorance, weariness and countless other reasons, but the Holy Spirit can still reach in. Please, don't make His job more difficult by helping to harden the walls people erect. Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-46092526085314037302015-08-22T17:44:00.000-07:002015-08-22T18:25:09.112-07:00Order in the Ranks Part 4: Equality ≠ Sameness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I agree with equal pay for equal work. I don't agree with some of the stupid arguments I hear about that AT ALL. I see it all the time. Under educated, ill-informed people use the latest popular talking points and ignorant arguments while trying to support good and valid points. For instance: equal pay for women. First off, the wording spins the topic to sound a certain way. It should be "equal pay for equal work." The truth is, women who write like this are wording it in order to make an unsubstantiated claim in just a tagline to infer that there's already an inequality at work based solely on the fact that they are women, and what they are actually trying to convey is that women should be given preferential treatment. This is a dishonest treatment of a valid subject. That is not equal treatment of women.<br />
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Women can be capable, intelligent, educated, good workers, even the best workers in many situations. Just because "women can
have babies, run a household and do it while they look good in
heels" is NOT a reason women should get equal pay. What a ridiculous argument. I've seen people use witty and cute statements such as these, as though they were actually reasonable or a valid talking points. Obviously it tripped my trigger. Here's a reasonable talking point for you: We women should get equal
pay for equal WORK. <i>That</i> is why women should get equal pay. Anyone who's doing the job well should get equal, baseline, starting pay. <br />
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If we are BETTER at something we should get MORE pay. If we are NOT AS GOOD we
DON'T DESERVE equal pay. I realize that last part is unpopular, but it's
true.<br />
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If I own a business and am spending MY OWN MONEY to pay my employees, and I hire a
man and a woman to carry bricks I will pay them the same. If it turns out he can carry more bricks
further and faster than she can, then guess what? I'm going to give him a raise, and yes-- pay him more than I pay her. He
deserves it. She does not. I might even fire her and save myself
and my business some money. If I hire a man and a woman to manage my personal affairs I will pay them the same. If she, as women are typically able to do, can multitask and
get things done faster and in a more efficient manner than he can, I'm going to
pay her more and give him his two week notice. (OH! here's my disclaimer: I didn't say "all women and no men" or anything like that, yada, yada... I HATE that everything has to be clarified for all the immature people!) </div>
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I'm sick of the "men and women are the same" argument. We're
not the same. AT ALL. Making us the same detracts from both of our strong
points, puts pressure on us in areas that should be able to flow from us with
ease, and creates a stressful work environment. It kills healthy, ambitious
competition and creates hostile, aggressive competition, which is NOT
the same thing, and damages the work environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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People confuse "equality" and "sameness." My grandchild, a baby, expends great
effort trying to grasp things with his hands. My son, his daddy, a full grown man, expends
great effort operating machinery with his hands. They are equally expending energy and
effort. They may be getting equal results, but they are not getting the same result. Why? They <i>are not </i>the
same. I will pay the same wage for the same work, not for the same effort. It is not unfair. It is intelligent and expedient. Their effort may be equal and I may appreciate it, but in business, results
are what matter. If I don't get the results from one of my employees , that <i>employee of mine</i> is getting fired. <i>MY</i> employee. Did you get that? </div>
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When we attend orientation classes or meetings for a new job with a new company, they generally refer
to us as "their employees." Why is that a great thing when
we're happy, but if we become unhappy with our situation, suddenly we view ourselves as something
other than <i>their employee</i>. Suddenly we start making comments about how we're "just a number," and <i>they </i>don't care about us. <i>They </i>don't see us as people. We are suddenly entitled to something
that was never agreed to and we want to demand that <i>they </i>do something for us
that <i>we</i> did not earn. Now <i>we </i>don't even plan to earn it, but we still feel <i>they </i>owe it. We don't want to be treated like <i>their employee </i>any more, even though that's what we agreed to when we hired on.<br />
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What if <i>you</i>
hired a gardener to tend <i>your</i> garden and mow <i>your</i> grass. Then, what if <i>your </i>gardener
came over and decided he didn't have to mow <i>your </i>grass in
order for <i>you</i> to give him <i>your </i>fifty or sixty bucks?
Would you pay him? What if all your neighbors who never worked hard to
build themselves a lawn or garden, and don't have or need a gardener, told you
you have to pay yours even though he won't do the agreed upon work? Would you pay him now? Maybe
you are weak and cave in to your neighbors. Will you pay? Does that make it right,
now?<br />
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This brings us to an additional problem of the day: if you hire someone at any wage, and then
they turn out to be sub-standard workers, you can't just fire them. You have to
jump through a hundred hoops for fear of being sued for being a racist or for
gender inequality or some other unequal, or dare I say nor non-preferential
treatment. You run the risk of having public opinion destroy you even when you are justified in your decisions. <br />
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You have to safeguard your company and insure it's survival, so you hire people at a lower starting wage. For this lower wage you've been squeezed into paying in order to be able to absorb the cost of the lawyer you are now forced into keeping on retainer, you get one of two things: unskilled workers that might compromise the quality of your product and eventually your reputation, or you get the government trying to
force the minimum wage higher. <br />
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(So you take your business out of this neighborhood and move it across town to get away from the neighbor's demands and strong-arm tactics, and now everyone blames you for sending the jobs away and not caring about the old neighborhood!)<br />
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Then... if this isn't all a big enough hot button, try this:
ANY "other" minority, 'protected' religious group, or special interest, can run a business and hire people based on what they believe and support
and it's perfectly acceptable, even endorsed ...just not men. More specifically, not white men. Women
can hire disproportionate numbers of women. Hispanics can hire disproportionate
numbers of Hispanics. LGBTQ can hire disproportionate numbers of LGBTQ. The
list goes on. They can pay members of their own group disproportionately if they choose to do so. Let
white people, men, and evidently Christians try that and the government will
get all wrapped up in it and mandate quotas, wage requirements, benefits and
allowances. We won't even start talking about the "refusal of
service" issues here!</div>
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I'm old school. I think that if I created a business, worked hard myself and built
it, I alone should decide who I will hire. I think that I can pay them as much or as little as I choose if they
have agreed and taken the job for that wage. I don't care if I run a two man diner or a two million man
corporation. If I am in the USA, the land of the free and the land of
opportunity, I should do what I want with what is mine. I should not be
punished IN ANY WAY for becoming a success in this country, no matter popular
opinion or loudmouths, community outrage, or any other thing. </div>
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I believe that's true if I am benevolent and charitable, and I believe it's true if I am a total jerk. If I'm doing things poorly I believe that a thriving free market economy will either pull me into line or run me out of business. I don't need bureaucratic paper pushers, government micro-managers or social media popularity polls to tell me what to do.<br />
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People have a choice: work for me or don't. Those used to be, and still should
be, the only choices they have in this situation. You are doing me NO FAVOR by working for me. I am doing you a favor by giving you a job and by compensating you according to an agreement we made going in. We can benefit each other, grow and increase one another and improve our incomes and standards of living, or we can terminate the agreement. Period. <br />
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I also believe that IF a business belonged to you (or anyone as an
individual) and you worked hard to succeed, you would feel exactly the same
way. If you pull it down to a small scale it becomes clear. Start as a mom and pop
hair salon and you're cute, and quaint and you and everyone else believes that
whatever you earn is yours. People are happy for your success. If you hire someone, they agree to your wage or they don't take the job. If they take the job, they like you and stay or they don't and they quit. The
end. Everyone is clear, everyone is happy, no problem. <br />
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Raise that to a new level,: Mom and pop hit it big, They
wind up with many shops across the country. They reputation is good and they
become so popular that they start selling franchise licenses. Did they create
this? Did they do the legwork? Did they do the research and take the risks? Is it still theirs? Are they still the owners, beginners, founders,
hardworking mom and pop? No, not according to the masses. Now they are greedy
business owners who should be forced to hand over certain percentages of their
OWN EARNINGS because people they never met and probably never will, don't like
it, and are probably just angry about the same age old argument whose root
is in class envy. <br />
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It sucks, but it's true.<br />
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If we were playing a simple board game and changed the rules as often as we do for things like this in our lives it would be completely unplayable. There are rules for a reason. We have GOT to stop, bending, changing, "reinterpreting" our rules every time we don't like or understand them, or something offends us or make us feel bad, or is too hard. Grow up, citizens. Carry your weight. Stop whining.<br />
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My 2.<br />
Let the butthurt commence.<br />
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"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24<o:p></o:p><br />
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Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-55717784824064439102015-05-01T10:59:00.000-07:002015-05-01T20:46:07.263-07:00Order in the ranks: Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=289&page=3" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=289&page=3" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I need everyone to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">continue performing admirably</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">." - Mr. Spock</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellence, responsibility, reputation. </span><br />
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When I was young I worked at a chain restaurant. Denny's, it was, and I worked for them for a long time. I did most every job they had available. I was a waitress, a cook, a bus person, and I was in management. I left them several times only to go back again. Why? It certainly wasn't for the pay or the benefits or the wonderful hours. No, it was because I liked it. I really did. I particularly liked waiting tables.</span><br />
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I enjoy being busy, and anyone who has ever waited tables knows, you stay pretty busy. I liked, that to some degree, I was able to affect the amount of money I earned above my hourly wages by earning tips. I also enjoy people. I like to interact with them. I like to read them, their moods and attitudes. I like to make people happy. When stopping in at a Denny's, most people I served probably just sort of eeny-meeny-miney-moe-d and popped in without a lot of planning, but I'd pretend that they all had a special reason for being there. I would think, maybe they've had a tough day, maybe this is the only day they get to go out, or maybe it's all they can afford, and it's up to me to see to it that they have the finest experience they can.<br /><br />I had other jobs. I even ran my own businesses, but in every case, I looked at the people I worked for as folks who really needed for me to be there and do great work. In all cases I was always aware that I was being paid for my services. That payment meant that, at least for this agreed upon time, they are sort of "renting" me and my skills to do a job. I'm on their time, their dollar and I owed them a good job. Anything less was akin to stealing in my mind, and would be substandard and unacceptable.<br /><br />I never forgot about who I was. I always knew that my good name and my reputation were the only valuable things I possessed in this world and I was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and still </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">am EVER vigilant to keep them sterling. Even when I was not a person of good character I strove to keep my professional reputation intact. As a result I was always fairly compensated, treated well and received all the benefits most good employees receive. As a result of that, I was happy, motivated and I liked my job. I enjoyed working for Denny's.</span><br />
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Then they hired a guy. I'll call him Bill. Bill didn't really mind the idea of working, but he was never happy to do his job. I know, everyone has a tough day or even a tough series of days for one reason or another, but Bill just wasn't ever happy. He was punctual, presentable and accomplished his tasks as they were explained to him: no more, no less. And he griped.</span><br />
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The equipment was old and didn't always work. The co-workers were difficult. The pay was too low for him to have to work so hard. The required clothing, the long hours, the <i>short </i>hours, the holiday requirements... "It's unfair! The boss is...." <br /><br />And so it begins: dread, dissatisfaction, resentment. Set your alarm. Get up. Head out to your job. Another day another dollar. Work-a-day world goes right along punching the time clock. Working for the weekend. TGIF. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I don't like my job." <br />"I can't stand my boss."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Unfortunately, in most any job you work, there's going to be ol' Bill: the guy who is always unhappy for one reason or another. He's just going to gripe. It boils down to him being thankless, immature, or both, and it means that you are going to have to deal with him, because he is probably not going to change. You can let him dictate the atmosphere, or you can step up and take charge. Be what the military calls the Chief Morale Officer, or the CMO. They recognize how essential good morale is to a good operation. You don't have to do it for Bill's sake, or even the boss' sake. Do it because it's right. It will benefit you and everyone around you in the long run.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assess your situation. Are you unhappy in your job, or in your life? Check your heart. Are behaving childishly?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Are you being thankless?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Maybe you are allowing 'Bill' or your grumpy supervisor to have way too much control over your state of mind. Come on now, be honest with yourself. Pray. Think it through. Form a plan of action as you would with any situation, and with the help of The Lord, follow your plan. Remember, you are your CMO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I know, this is pretty old fashioned advice. I realize it's not cool. I'm not offering mood altering drugs or group counselling sessions, or even a late night chat over coffee to vent and let it out. I don't offer any advice on coping with your problem. I'm telling you to overcome it.<br /><br />God made you to be the light in a dark place. You are responsible for keeping that light bright. He also said for you to do <i>everything</i> as unto the Lord. You are not allowed to indulge yourself in this destructive mindlessness. Believe it or not, you, by yourself, are able to change your world into a place you can enjoy again. This puts you back in the position of leader in your own life, and you will be surprised how quickly you can bring about a significant change. <br /><b><br />C</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ontinue performing admirably.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-80721345487001718372015-03-30T22:34:00.001-07:002018-05-29T09:48:22.512-07:00Order in the Ranks - Part 2<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">"I reject at once an idea which lingers in the mind of some modern people that cultural activities are in their own right spiritual and meritorious—as though scholars and poets were intrinsically more pleasing to God than scavengers and bootblacks </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">...The work of Beethoven and the work of a charwoman become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly 'as to the Lord.'" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">~ C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />"Rule Number One: Never Be Number
Two."</span></div>
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"Second place is first loser."</div>
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"No guts, no story."</div>
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Cute phrases.</div>
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Funny taglines.</div>
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Motivational sayings.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For people who are leaders, born or made, these are valuable
motivational tools. They are quick reminders that we can draw on in our personal lives for our own counsel or for us to use to help those around us. It's good to know
yourself and your calling and gifts. Train yourself. Train others. </span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Many times I have said,
"Always be training your replacement," assuming I'd get
promoted and there would be a need to have someone ready to fill my shoes when
I move on. I always felt as a leader that I should produce more leaders
rather than more followers. It's also good
to surround yourself with people who motivate or teach you and help prepare you for promotion and advancement, so I look among my peers for like-minded leader types with whom to
associate. </span></span></span>These are smart strategies. <span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Do whatever is right and good to fulfill your calling. There's absolutely no problem with improving your leadership
skills.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">We've
taught these winning goals to our children and our society as
though the only goal in the world is to be the leader, number one, top of the heap,
KING OF THE HILL! It seems like a good thing to teach and we have believed that by doing so we are awakening them to a better life of success and </span>fulfillment<span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">. To people who are not natural born leaders, people who are called to other things in life, people who are satisfied in their
lives, who are dedicated workers, passionate servants, steady, dependable,
everything else-- <i>except leaders</i>-- we have passed along the idea to them that they are, or that we see them, as losers. Rather than empowering them, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it only serves to discourages and embitter them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Leaders tend to be competitive, and we struggle, as anyone else does, to understand a mindset that doesn't work in the same way as our own. I am a winner. I don't lose. I am ever in a contest to be better. I will beat my old record. I will improve my old results. I will build a better mousetrap. It's how I think and it's what makes me tick, however, not everyone thinks that way. Whether I understand that or not, it's true. Whether I'm comfortable with that or not, it's not wrong. It's only different.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><br />I believe many leaders have the notion that these other mindsets are wrong; they see them as lazy, undisciplined, dull, unenthusiastic, unimaginative, uninspired, etc... Whether it's because
of unrestrained, blind ambition, whether it's because we are simply unable to fathom the mindsets
that others possess, or that we have been indoctrinated in our "everybody wins" generation to believe that leadership is the only legitimate goal, we as leaders have adopted these misconceptions as truth. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Believe me when I say that people can tell when they are viewed in this way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Are all people leaders? </span>Absolutely<span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> not. There have to be people for leaders to lead. Does that make them substandard? Lesser human beings? Less desirable to have as part of your team, group, staff, congregation? </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like to quote Pastor Joe Cude who said to me once, "A leader with no followers is just going for a walk." People need leaders, but leaders need people, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">These
are the under-valued people who are given a "C" rating at their
yearly evaluation because the leaders don't understand the value of anything
besides leadership potential and ambition. They are constantly overlooked
and go about their business day to day never being thought about by those in
charge because they don't make a racket, for good or for bad. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />These
people are the people who <i>make</i> leaders. Without them
leaders would become obsolete; leadership would be unnecessary. <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">These are
the people leaders should be taking notice of, </span></span></span>utilizing their gifts and from whom we should be gleaning valuable information. A<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; font-stretch: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">s leaders,
these are the ones we<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">should </i><span style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">be
grateful for,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span>caring
for, and recognizing. These are the people who would faithfully go on without
us. Leaders are important, but not as important as those they lead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />I don't believe in teaching people they should be leaders. I understand, support and preach the absolute necessity of being excellent. It is my goal in life. I suggest we
promote excellence and not hold up one position in life, or one gift, or one
calling, as the only one to have without somehow coming up short or having a sub-standard life. I
suggest we stress integrity. I suggest we stress personal best. I
suggest we teach personal responsibility and accountability again. I
suggest we go back to rewards for a job well done. Stop handing out
prizes for every mundane bit of effort. Stress doing work that we'd be
willing to sign our names to and on which we would willingly lay our
reputations. <br /><br />I suggest we recognize excellence in others whose callings are not at all like our own, whether we understand them or not. Leaders are not placed over men to put a value on their lives, but to be wise and recognize their callings and to be skillful in utilizing them for the greatest benefit to the Kingdom of God. In this there is fulfillment for everyone, humbleness, and honor to God.<br /><br />Jesus brought out the best in people. He helped them discover their potential and built them up in it. He didn't coddle or pander, nor did He belittle or insult those who were given to Him. He loved them. He was always "moved with compassion" by those who came to Him. He instructed, corrected, and eventually trusted them to carry on in His place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span>He is Lord of all, Master, King of Kings, yet He came as a servant. He called us friends, and He treats us like friends. He praised His servants for their faithfulness and gave them promotions and increase. Is this how we treat those who are "under" us? The only time He suggested that we were "under" Him was when He said He wished we'd let Him draw us "under" His wings. Can we claim that this is our motivation?<br />
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Leaders: Let's stop acting like we are the only ones with purpose. Let's stop believing that we are the only ones with smart ideas or who are capable of any real meaningful accomplishments. Let's stop thinking of our position as a some sort of societal rank and start looking at it as a blessing entrusted to us by God for the benefit of His children. Stop looking at accomplishments as personal victories and realize that without God we could never have done it and there'd be no need for us at all. These people with their problems and difficulties and foibles are not stepping stones to greater advancement or notoriety among men. They are God's favorites. His. He's given us a very humbling charge and an awesome ministry, not an opportunity to be a celebrity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's humble ourselves. Real humility sees God's hand in it all. He is filling needs and dispensing blessings through us. Any real accomplishment is His. Being in a position to be able to do what we do is His hands extending into our world. It's our calling and a great blessing. I'm thankful for it and in awe that He chose me to have any part in His marvelous plan.</span></div>
Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-10236414864612054622015-03-28T13:05:00.000-07:002015-08-22T20:18:37.136-07:00Order in the Ranks: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNnRUdEhQgNrTZfqzwDIJZQ3N-8P70ASYfdjWpYHSi3onMvPe-lBvBxDCVTrSi4hhhQTBPnbdRkmV8_s-8eGz1pL5ykMXqquIbxU7jmBOFNs4uyTdkg0c4JvdBE7pGw8IIlvmpnu2DX4/s1600/fish+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNnRUdEhQgNrTZfqzwDIJZQ3N-8P70ASYfdjWpYHSi3onMvPe-lBvBxDCVTrSi4hhhQTBPnbdRkmV8_s-8eGz1pL5ykMXqquIbxU7jmBOFNs4uyTdkg0c4JvdBE7pGw8IIlvmpnu2DX4/s1600/fish+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.addongyan.com/blog/if-you-judgea-fish-by-its-ability-to-climb-a-tree" target="_blank">(photo credit)</a></span></div>
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Fairness. Inclusion. Tolerance.</div>
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Are we all good and sick of this stuff yet? </div>
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Their goal, I believe, is this: Sameness<br />
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People all want to be viewed as the same. I'm sorry. We are not the same. We were created uniquely and wonderfully, and should not strive to be the same at all! We should be striving to be our personal best.<br />
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Sameness does not equal Equality. It will not bring fairness or tolerance. It can't. We are all equal, but we are not all the same.<br />
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If we were not so insecure we would not be seeking to be like someone else. If we knew who we were created to be we would be fulfilled in and by our diversity. We would embrace others in their diversity. <br />
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No one can ever legislate it or force us to accept others. We tend to rebel against such things, and even if we didn't, even if we tried to be tolerant and fair, we would always have an opposing force, an enemy to vent our frustration on. They want no groups, and you can't be in their group unless you feel that way, too. Hoo boy. <br />
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Strange... the same people love to revel in their uniqueness. They wan't attention for their efforts because it makes them stand out from "The Same." Hmmmm... see any conflict here? <br />
<br />Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-72146022129535196222014-12-11T13:59:00.000-08:002014-12-11T14:01:52.222-08:00The Best Gift Ever!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Guess what we got this Christmas season? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjufwkNe69HsHVvansS4ybPnITjGxV2bESX5gGccbMa4FnWziXPmZM07f27qtIv1DsyQm_5Ah-c7Otoy_e4nvvIWfjOwNHgjXFv33gmX0JZECcN5RchLyx72cBPOYMxJdwB6WOSYcmKXE/s1600/proud+parents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjufwkNe69HsHVvansS4ybPnITjGxV2bESX5gGccbMa4FnWziXPmZM07f27qtIv1DsyQm_5Ah-c7Otoy_e4nvvIWfjOwNHgjXFv33gmX0JZECcN5RchLyx72cBPOYMxJdwB6WOSYcmKXE/s1600/proud+parents.jpg" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">A bright, beautiful, perfect little grandbaby! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nq9-8n7SFBPKsKNtDE7p7ERwSqGx-l-9tYSczEH-qfolaobaX3egSRbg5MagoX99X8YoJbdNuTKeUemxzDyxRO6pDufUyAwjifhLQJkrteoKwPzuOmALHGOO9D3dtoki5T3MGEjH1Mw/s1600/Thane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nq9-8n7SFBPKsKNtDE7p7ERwSqGx-l-9tYSczEH-qfolaobaX3egSRbg5MagoX99X8YoJbdNuTKeUemxzDyxRO6pDufUyAwjifhLQJkrteoKwPzuOmALHGOO9D3dtoki5T3MGEjH1Mw/s1600/Thane.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Thane Gabriel Pence - December 8, 2014<br />7 lbs 3 oz. 20 inches long. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7tCuG28jQ7ypajqsKzsH3yeog4U5iv2Y-mnsKvguL0TFdY_leR323sh8TLqdraykGW6kJsgOHD9r9u_2GTEagqCEufqDaUelr6QVFpqcH7JX581t-Z_ZtZrFpfTc9new-4uV9Pgzz50/s1600/Baby+Nose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7tCuG28jQ7ypajqsKzsH3yeog4U5iv2Y-mnsKvguL0TFdY_leR323sh8TLqdraykGW6kJsgOHD9r9u_2GTEagqCEufqDaUelr6QVFpqcH7JX581t-Z_ZtZrFpfTc9new-4uV9Pgzz50/s1600/Baby+Nose.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">An angel straight from God!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dTUDqEKKrJdXhye4ELaWdBD8aIc4h8sTu5I8z-w7yqbt1ymxWsLTUJxq6xVKHh0oaDWK9Y3aKWr2pPiGat2j0Zs6VlgvW0MNI9ooMv_5cPFeYaigof6bPyLDOlXIW3soEFmE44iF5ao/s1600/the+new+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dTUDqEKKrJdXhye4ELaWdBD8aIc4h8sTu5I8z-w7yqbt1ymxWsLTUJxq6xVKHh0oaDWK9Y3aKWr2pPiGat2j0Zs6VlgvW0MNI9ooMv_5cPFeYaigof6bPyLDOlXIW3soEFmE44iF5ao/s1600/the+new+family.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
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And we're all so totally, completely overwhelmed with love for him. </div>
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Praise God!!</div>
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<br />Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-90716707446029456392014-12-01T18:00:00.000-08:002018-05-29T10:22:14.249-07:00Hearing Hard Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYQp6snuQmAhyV6qniL-b5_9hBV0kZ9c3nJomR8k7uh3jJ_5DDwDrcLRf5E2sFUU15WIt3Xib7dEoYkcxbGTILFXAeyxGkoIj6BDBMlb6kyS5_l1jVmqiFGDr2fq4FOdmLwtpl4iWFzM/s1600/kirkfit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYQp6snuQmAhyV6qniL-b5_9hBV0kZ9c3nJomR8k7uh3jJ_5DDwDrcLRf5E2sFUU15WIt3Xib7dEoYkcxbGTILFXAeyxGkoIj6BDBMlb6kyS5_l1jVmqiFGDr2fq4FOdmLwtpl4iWFzM/s1600/kirkfit.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"People hate the truth. Luckily the truth doesn't care." - Unknown</span></div>
<br />Truth may not be pleasant, but it's always the best thing, so why is it so hard to hear sometimes?<br />
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I will not debate the fools who say things about how maybe truth isn't always best, or there are circumstances in which... blah, blah, blah.... That's ridiculous. Take your lukewarm, whiny, noncommittal, ignorant, indecisive, weak little au courant self to a different blog post. You could be offended here.<br />
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There actually is a right and a wrong, a true and a false, a yes and a no, a black and a white, and (*GASP!*)
moral absolutes. Not everything has an answer you are going to like, but it does have an answer. The point is you must learn to know and accept the truth.<br />
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All of this bogus business about situation ethics and personal morality is crap. This "my truth and your truth" is crap. Logic is helpful, but don't confuse it with truth. Science is impressive, but don't confuse it with truth. People are persuasive, but don't be convinced that their words are the truth. Educators are not "knowers" or special because they teach, they are people with perspectives and ideologies of their own. Do not accept everything they say as truth simply because they are paid to say things.<br />
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Stick to truth. No one knows all the truth but if you will stop running your mouth and stop letting your brain and your imagination do as it pleases, and stop indulging your ego, you can stick to the truth you have and try to increase it. It's the difference between building strength into your life and soul or scattering it to the four winds. Use your will! Remember that thing? Dust it off and use it. One day you will wonder how you got in the position you are in in life, and when you do I don't want to hear one single "why me" or who's fault you think it is, who taught you wrongly, or all about your underling societal position. The truth is available to one and all. You will have no one to blame but yourself.<br />
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I can hear all of the deep, philosophical questions and all of the high pitched rants already, and I'll tell you right now, I'm not going to address them. Truth is true. Deal with that.<br />
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Truth may not be pleasant, but it's always the best, right thing. <br /><br />"People hate the truth. Luckily the truth doesn't are." - Unknown<br /><br /><br />
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<br />Representativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05811793207369399757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492959717318141169.post-40449755724185842482014-12-01T17:11:00.000-08:002016-05-14T12:39:00.135-07:00Year 3: Livin' Large in Our Tiny Abode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJUEzqjr-Zwg50XPNVy2ErlZ17mGeoCD7Am2O30mhKJmBiw0qH4VT6CfTFUSeEdEHVIPwKPEuDJf20aQoJTU9lUvEQLm9lZI_iPOqWDgYw7t_wRHBJk0dyoJRPT0pmDmwHLObftfidjw/s1600/three-years-old-miml.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJUEzqjr-Zwg50XPNVy2ErlZ17mGeoCD7Am2O30mhKJmBiw0qH4VT6CfTFUSeEdEHVIPwKPEuDJf20aQoJTU9lUvEQLm9lZI_iPOqWDgYw7t_wRHBJk0dyoJRPT0pmDmwHLObftfidjw/s1600/three-years-old-miml.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have to say that after three years of this lifestyle, heading into four, through all the cramped conditions, added in people, added in pets, added in junk, through everything that we left and perceived that we had lost, for all we rethought or replaced, I still like my tiny lifestyle. I prefer it. I cherish it. I love it. I might someday go larger-ER, but I'll forever live small.<br />
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Living small and close causes you to rethink almost everything in your life. What's important in life becomes clearer, and what <i>isn't </i>does, too. Living this way reveals things others might go a lifetime and miss out on.<br />
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Relationships develop differently than they would otherwise. They have to. You change. They change. The important and unimportant relationship issues become clear. The simple proximity issues have shined a light on us that has revealed wonderful, beautiful things. These people we live with are amazing and intelligent and important and essential. It's easy to think your own view of reality is the right one, the logical or practical, best one, but in a situation like this, if you truly purpose in your heart to make it work, you will begin to see life as a unit, not as an individual only. You will learn that your small child with his keen mind is able to contribute, and even though he may not articulate it as clearly as you or your spouse or an older child, he is amazingly insightful and his blossoming life is happening right before your eyes! Gratefully, amazingly, you are there to see it. <br />
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It's that way with each person in the family. All of your relationships become distinct even as they meld. It's very hard to explain how we can become such a unit and yet grow more defined as individuals. I'm sure other people already understand some of these things, but this experience has caused me to know and appreciate who my family members are. We were always close, I think. Now we are closer. I appreciate them so very much.<br />
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Another thing that will change right away and forever is how you are with belongings: stuff. It becomes a front burner issue immediately and requires some serious soul searching. If you plan to live small you have to do two things right off: <br />
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1.) You will have to part with many, likely most of your possessions, even some you cherish. You should seriously work on this ahead of time. It's hard. With some items, you might try putting them in storage and living without them for a while before you decide what to do with them, as sort of a trial run. There are many things still in my storage that I thought I couldn't part with, but now I will be getting rid of many of them. I just wasn't sure if I could do it. There are a few things I'll keep forever: my baby's first outfits and blankets, my wedding memorabilia, my "good china." There are probably things that I don't even remember being in storage that I'll see and be thrilled to still have, and those I'll keep, but I doubt there's much left in storage that we'll save aside from tools and the like. We've made it this long without it. I'm glad I stored it, though, because now I know that I can live without them and I won't suffer regret at the loss of something that I'd wished I'd kept.<br />
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2.) You will have to break yourself of buying things on a whim, and you'll be surprised to learn what a whim actually is. All purchases require space in your home. A cute canister set (rationalized as practical) will take up maybe 1/3 of your available counter space. If that's a trade off that's OK with your family (yes, you have to consider EVERYONE now) then, by all means, buy it. Be sure. Think it through. It only takes a minute. You will learn what you need. Trust me. The hollow sensation of lack from leaving things <i>unbought </i>is quickly outweighed by the wonderful lack of buyers remorse and the money saved from a few extra seconds, literally, of <i>simple thought</i>.<br />
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We are so conditioned in our lifestyles to buy whatever we think we need within (or, sadly, NOT within) our budgets, simply because clever marketeers have convinced us we should. We need it, we deserve it, etc... I have learned to tune out ads and to comfortably walk right past things in the store without a second glance. It's very liberating!<br />
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Eventually we will be on our property and we'll have a shed. I'll have shelves in the shed for items I use, but just not every day. For instance, I have quite a lot of cast iron cookware that I won't be parted from, but it is heavy and takes up a lot of space in a small home. I'll keep it safely in my shed<br />
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There are a few more things you will have to change, as well. You'll probably have to change some of your personal habits, because things get messy quickly. All I can say is, "Clean as you go. Clean as you go. Clean as you go. Clean as you go." Make yourself a schedule to rotate and re-organize every week or two at least. Some things, such as pantries and shared closets and the like, will get shoved and pushed and crammed and you'll have to straighten them out every other time you get in it. Teach it to your kids. PRAY that your spouse will learn and help on that one. It's constant and essential for keeping things livable.<br />
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Holidays and birthdays and the hiding of the presents is a MAJOR issue around here. I shop early so that I have time to think about things and spend a little here and there instead of madly rushing last minute to try to find something suitable. Internet shopping has been a real blessing for me because they can drop it at the recipient's house! Sometimes, however, I have to stash things here and keep them stashed for a period of time, and I can tell you, I've done some shuffling, reshuffling and micro-shuffling in order to make things fit. In the process, other things get maneuvered out of their place and things begin to look a fright very soon. <br />
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You MUST have a place for everything and keep everything in it's place. Seriously, though, can't we all do with a bit more organization? These are great lifetime habits to teach your kids, and "Old Dogs" really can learn new tricks. Win/win. I wish I had a wise word or a handier solution than that to share with you, but I do not. I'm at a loss. I suppose I'll have to thin out more things. :)<br />
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I've also noticed that things get dirty quickly, so cleaning habits will probably change. Maybe things only seem to get dirty faster in a small home, or perhaps it's just an RV because of the way it's made, I don't really know, but the crud will just stand up and wave at you if you don't dust and vacuum pretty regularly. You have to treat it like any other home or else you will begin to view it as temporary, a lesser lifestyle, not "normal" and it would, doubtless, lead to failure. Keep up on the cleaning. <br />
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Thankfully it's much faster to clean a small house. I can give it a once over, top to bottom in just an hour or so. A really "good" cleaning can be done in an afternoon. <br />
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Also, things get lost more easily, somehow, in a small place. Even though there's less space to lose them in, things seem harder to find, too. I can't explain it. It just happens. I'm pretty sure this is a phenomenon that can only be explained by quantum physics. You MUST have a place for everything and keep everything in it's place. It's the best rule. <br />
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If you're planning on living small, whatever your reason or arrangements, my advice remains the same as always: Don't discuss it with everyone you know. People don't understand and have been taught contrary to what you have decided is the right thing to do. They will discourage you, ridicule you, cut you out of their lives, and for what? So you'd have your exciting moment where you told them your glorious plans? There are only a few who care, for starters, and then there are only a handful of them who will understand. There are only a precious few who support you while you make your changes and adjustments. As for the rest of them, when you're celebrating your 3 year anniversary, if they give you a thought at all they'll be thinking, "Oh, you remember ol' crazy So-and-so? They made it after all." That's good enough.<br />
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