Connie took the week off, but because of her work, still had things that needed to be done at times. Monday was open. Neil had to work, but Marisol was off, so we three decided to go visit my Aunt Audrey, my Mother's sister, over by Daytona.
We took the long way out, going SR-40. It went through one of the various forests. Pretty drive.
When we got to Audrey's we were greeted by Barb, her daughter, and Barb's husband Lou. It was good to see them again!
Connie had planned on us going to "Over Under Sideways Down" for lunch, but due to circumstances and time decided to go to "Pickles". "Over Under Sideways Down" is what Connie called the place, since I don't think she can actually remember the name of it. Pickles was cool. They have a salad bar with quite a variety of pickles. The meal was excellent, and the portions were HUGE! Great place to eat.
Audrey had asked Connie for something of Mom's that she held near and dear to herself. Connie and I wracked our brains trying to figure out what to take to Audrey. A sweater? No, Connie had told the nursing home to dispose of all of Mom's stuff. A book? The Scrabble game? We had even considered jewelry, but Mom wasn't one to wear much, if any. There was nothing we could think of. So at lunch Audrey asked Connie again if she had brought something of Mom's, and Connie told her "Us"! What else is there? Audrey looked forlorn, but I piped up and told her that Connie had intended on leaving me there with her. That broke the mood, at least for the moment.
Barb and Lou had to leave, and we did shortly thereafter. We drove out to the beach in Daytona, and I went wading in the Atlantic. I wanted to go swimming, but we didn't have time. We then went back to Audrey's and visited for a while, looking at olde pictures of her and her sisters. The older sister, Flo, died a number of years ago. Now Mom. Audrey is the last one.
Audrey has a cat, Tootsie, that she dotes over. "I brush her every day", she proudly told us! Cute and soft, a real companion to her.
We had to go as it was getting late, and Connie took us back via I-4. Lots of rain along the way.
The visit was nice, and we fulfilled our family obligation, so to speak, but bitter sweet. I couldn't help but notice how lonely and sad Audrey looked as we drove away.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Florida Vacation, June 2012, Part 1
I had scheduled my vacation WAaaayyyy back in February, to be in Florida for Mom's Birthday June 9th. And of course while there visit my Sister Connie, Nephew Neil, and his wife Marisol. When Mom passed away on May 16th, since she didn't want a funeral or memorial, we decided not to change the plans.
I got into Florida Saturday afternoon and was met at the Sarosota/Bradenton Airport by Connie and Marisol. From there we went to Neil's and Marisol's new place, where we had a barbeque and chatted about family and what we were going to do Sunday.
Sunday we got started somewhat early, and head down towards the Everglades. Along the way we detoured to a back road that led us into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. From what I understand, it is the longest and widest Cypress forest in the United States. Neil and Marisol had been on a hiking path that led way back into the olde forest and persuaded us to take a hike. It was Beautiful! Lots of animal life and heavy growth. The path at a couple of points had boards laid over cinderblocks to traverse marshy areas, which made for a fun obstacle course. We used a full container of OFF mosquito repellent!
From there we went down to the Everglades where we went on an airboat ride at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours. What a kick! Captain Scott is obviously somebody who really enjoys his job! It was only half an hour, and I say "only" because it went too fast. Pun intended. Next time I'll opt for the hour tour. We had gotten a package deal that also included a (?) swamp buggy tour of the Cypress swamp. It was interesting, in that our guide knew his stuff, but slow. I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe it was a let down after the excitement of the airboat ride?
While waiting for the airboat ride, a very LARGE alligator came up to the airboat docks side, and just laid there in the water glaring at us. I was thinking about tossing Marisol in to see who could swim faster, but she was being nice to me so I didn't. On the other side of the ticket office was another inlet where we were feeding some fish. Some of the fish were over three feet long! Big Fish! All of a sudden an alligator came splashing up out of the water towards us! Scared us! Then he just sat there glaring at us. We were told that since we were feeding the fish, he wanted fed also. Just so you know, it's 'legal' to feed the fish, since they have a dispenser there where you can buy fish food (cat food) to throw to them. It's like a candy machine at a grocery store, where you put in 50 cents, turn the knob, and the food falls out. It was fun.
From there we went to the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk. It is what the name implies: a boardwalk into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. There were signs along the way explaining some of the various things that you can see. From one end to the other it's 3/4 of a mile long! Nice walk. Big Trees!
After we got back to the car, my sister had to wait for another tourist to move his car out of our way. She then said, "Look Scotty, an alligator!" I looked out on the road thinking it was a Colorado 'gator', that being a tire tread from a truck. I didn't see anything. She then mentioned that it was behind us. Duh me! I was wondering why there was a tire tread behind us! Then she told Neil and I to get out and take a look. I noticed she didn't invite Marisol to go...! So Neil and I got out, and Lo and Behold, ther WAS an alligator about ten feet behind the car! He was about eight feet long. Too big for me to want to go and wrastle with, but Michael might... After a couple of minutes the gator moved up and slowly worked his way into the water alongside the road.
I cannot figure out the fascination about alligators. Is it because they're living dinosaurs? They're deadly nature? They make great boots and handbags?
We then head back towards home, found a Chinese buffet, got stuffed, and waddled our way home. After a shower to get the bug spray and sunscreen off, I slept good.
I got into Florida Saturday afternoon and was met at the Sarosota/Bradenton Airport by Connie and Marisol. From there we went to Neil's and Marisol's new place, where we had a barbeque and chatted about family and what we were going to do Sunday.
Sunday we got started somewhat early, and head down towards the Everglades. Along the way we detoured to a back road that led us into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. From what I understand, it is the longest and widest Cypress forest in the United States. Neil and Marisol had been on a hiking path that led way back into the olde forest and persuaded us to take a hike. It was Beautiful! Lots of animal life and heavy growth. The path at a couple of points had boards laid over cinderblocks to traverse marshy areas, which made for a fun obstacle course. We used a full container of OFF mosquito repellent!
From there we went down to the Everglades where we went on an airboat ride at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours. What a kick! Captain Scott is obviously somebody who really enjoys his job! It was only half an hour, and I say "only" because it went too fast. Pun intended. Next time I'll opt for the hour tour. We had gotten a package deal that also included a (?) swamp buggy tour of the Cypress swamp. It was interesting, in that our guide knew his stuff, but slow. I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe it was a let down after the excitement of the airboat ride?
While waiting for the airboat ride, a very LARGE alligator came up to the airboat docks side, and just laid there in the water glaring at us. I was thinking about tossing Marisol in to see who could swim faster, but she was being nice to me so I didn't. On the other side of the ticket office was another inlet where we were feeding some fish. Some of the fish were over three feet long! Big Fish! All of a sudden an alligator came splashing up out of the water towards us! Scared us! Then he just sat there glaring at us. We were told that since we were feeding the fish, he wanted fed also. Just so you know, it's 'legal' to feed the fish, since they have a dispenser there where you can buy fish food (cat food) to throw to them. It's like a candy machine at a grocery store, where you put in 50 cents, turn the knob, and the food falls out. It was fun.
From there we went to the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk. It is what the name implies: a boardwalk into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. There were signs along the way explaining some of the various things that you can see. From one end to the other it's 3/4 of a mile long! Nice walk. Big Trees!
After we got back to the car, my sister had to wait for another tourist to move his car out of our way. She then said, "Look Scotty, an alligator!" I looked out on the road thinking it was a Colorado 'gator', that being a tire tread from a truck. I didn't see anything. She then mentioned that it was behind us. Duh me! I was wondering why there was a tire tread behind us! Then she told Neil and I to get out and take a look. I noticed she didn't invite Marisol to go...! So Neil and I got out, and Lo and Behold, ther WAS an alligator about ten feet behind the car! He was about eight feet long. Too big for me to want to go and wrastle with, but Michael might... After a couple of minutes the gator moved up and slowly worked his way into the water alongside the road.
I cannot figure out the fascination about alligators. Is it because they're living dinosaurs? They're deadly nature? They make great boots and handbags?
We then head back towards home, found a Chinese buffet, got stuffed, and waddled our way home. After a shower to get the bug spray and sunscreen off, I slept good.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ramblings, 02/29/2012
Happy Leap Year!
My Daughter, Tanya, was married on Leap Year 2008, so today is her anniversary. Yay! Her FIRST anniversary. She did that so that What's-His-Name could remember, and would only have to buy her one gift (instead of 4). Isn't that wonderful! Lol Robbie is a Great guy, and I am proud that he is a part of the family.
Moving: ugh! I moved from a studio apartment into a two-bedroom mansion! Well, it's still an apartment, but it's SO much bigger than the other place. Had to move; the owner was making life unbearable, with bugs, safety issues, over charging, etc.
Thank God for friends! My boss and friend, Brad, helped me move, as well as my son Michael. I did hire movers to move the big stuff, since I'm no longer a spring chicken, and I didn't want my new queen sized bed to get dirty on the floor of the other place. The movers did a great job, too.
I've let my hair grow out since September of last year. It started as an experiment to help me stay warm in the cold Colorado winter. But I've gotten so many positive comments about it, I've decided to let it grow. I am thinking about going back to Ohio this summer, and letting my daughter cut and color my hair. Whatcha think of that idea? I had forgotten how much fun long hair was. I now have to deal with hair in the sink, shower drain, floor, etc. My blue tooth doesn't fit well if my hair gets too long.
In my journeys up to our gas station in Avon, I have gotten caught in two blizzards so far this year. Yes, I said "So far". I do expect more. I had a panic attack a few weeks ago about driving a fuel tanker in the snow, but by the Grace of God I've gotten through that and can deal with it now.
Brad and Troy helped me yesterday to move my crate out of storage and up to the new apartment. "Helped" is a misnomer; they did almost all of the work! Thanks again guys. The crate contains three cut and polished pieces of rare marble that's pinkish in color, with white and black through it. I got that marble 30 years ago, and am only now able to have a place to set up my coffee and end tables. So if anybody tells me I don't have patience....
I got my newest book cover prototype back yesterday. Charity did an EXCELLENT job of photoshopping! I have the manuscript done (?) and will be getting it in E-book format soon. After that, then the printed book. Hopefully by June.
Terence is still in the Army, doing well. Can't say much about him due to security issues.
And, oh yeah, almost forgot: I finally hit the speed limit for trucks in Ohio, as of 2/11/2012. I don't feel any different now than I did a month ago, but my kids seem to think I'm getting olde. What do they know anyway?
Keep the rubber side down and the bugs off your windshield.
My Daughter, Tanya, was married on Leap Year 2008, so today is her anniversary. Yay! Her FIRST anniversary. She did that so that What's-His-Name could remember, and would only have to buy her one gift (instead of 4). Isn't that wonderful! Lol Robbie is a Great guy, and I am proud that he is a part of the family.
Moving: ugh! I moved from a studio apartment into a two-bedroom mansion! Well, it's still an apartment, but it's SO much bigger than the other place. Had to move; the owner was making life unbearable, with bugs, safety issues, over charging, etc.
Thank God for friends! My boss and friend, Brad, helped me move, as well as my son Michael. I did hire movers to move the big stuff, since I'm no longer a spring chicken, and I didn't want my new queen sized bed to get dirty on the floor of the other place. The movers did a great job, too.
I've let my hair grow out since September of last year. It started as an experiment to help me stay warm in the cold Colorado winter. But I've gotten so many positive comments about it, I've decided to let it grow. I am thinking about going back to Ohio this summer, and letting my daughter cut and color my hair. Whatcha think of that idea? I had forgotten how much fun long hair was. I now have to deal with hair in the sink, shower drain, floor, etc. My blue tooth doesn't fit well if my hair gets too long.
In my journeys up to our gas station in Avon, I have gotten caught in two blizzards so far this year. Yes, I said "So far". I do expect more. I had a panic attack a few weeks ago about driving a fuel tanker in the snow, but by the Grace of God I've gotten through that and can deal with it now.
Brad and Troy helped me yesterday to move my crate out of storage and up to the new apartment. "Helped" is a misnomer; they did almost all of the work! Thanks again guys. The crate contains three cut and polished pieces of rare marble that's pinkish in color, with white and black through it. I got that marble 30 years ago, and am only now able to have a place to set up my coffee and end tables. So if anybody tells me I don't have patience....
I got my newest book cover prototype back yesterday. Charity did an EXCELLENT job of photoshopping! I have the manuscript done (?) and will be getting it in E-book format soon. After that, then the printed book. Hopefully by June.
Terence is still in the Army, doing well. Can't say much about him due to security issues.
And, oh yeah, almost forgot: I finally hit the speed limit for trucks in Ohio, as of 2/11/2012. I don't feel any different now than I did a month ago, but my kids seem to think I'm getting olde. What do they know anyway?
Keep the rubber side down and the bugs off your windshield.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Florida Vacation, 2011
I was able, by the Grace of God, go to Florida for a short vacation. This was precipitated by the news that my nephew, Neil, was going to be graduating from college. It was also a welcomed respite from the Colorado cold and snow!
Neil graduated from the University of Southern Florida with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I told him if he needed a job I'd teach him how to drive a truck.
His lovely (and especially rambunctios) wife, Marisol, is expected to graduate in May from USF as an RN.
Of course, while in Florida, I got to see my dear olde Mother. Nursing home living does not do a person well. She has dropped in weight to under 100#! It's no wonder that my Lady friend took care of her Mother at home for the last few years of her life. But, it was good to see Mom again.
My other nephew, Stephen, was in from Columbus, Ohio, along with his lady friend. And the boy's dad and his wife were there also. At the graduation party there were about 20 family members and close friends of Neil's. It was nice. The balloons sucked.
The weather was warm, in the 70's all week, down in the 50's at night. Got to go down to the Gulf, had lots of great food, and went swimming. All-in-all it was a great week.
On the way home I got to see, from the air, Anna Maria Island, Rotten Ralph's restaurant, the pier, the Sunshine Skyway bridge, Tampa, and St.Pete. The airplane back to Denver circled around downtown Atlanta, so we got to see it from the south, east and north. There was some turbulence coming into Colorado, but nothing the pilots couldn't handle.
Now I get to go back to work. Goodie.
Neil graduated from the University of Southern Florida with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I told him if he needed a job I'd teach him how to drive a truck.
His lovely (and especially rambunctios) wife, Marisol, is expected to graduate in May from USF as an RN.
Of course, while in Florida, I got to see my dear olde Mother. Nursing home living does not do a person well. She has dropped in weight to under 100#! It's no wonder that my Lady friend took care of her Mother at home for the last few years of her life. But, it was good to see Mom again.
My other nephew, Stephen, was in from Columbus, Ohio, along with his lady friend. And the boy's dad and his wife were there also. At the graduation party there were about 20 family members and close friends of Neil's. It was nice. The balloons sucked.
The weather was warm, in the 70's all week, down in the 50's at night. Got to go down to the Gulf, had lots of great food, and went swimming. All-in-all it was a great week.
On the way home I got to see, from the air, Anna Maria Island, Rotten Ralph's restaurant, the pier, the Sunshine Skyway bridge, Tampa, and St.Pete. The airplane back to Denver circled around downtown Atlanta, so we got to see it from the south, east and north. There was some turbulence coming into Colorado, but nothing the pilots couldn't handle.
Now I get to go back to work. Goodie.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Abraham's Sacrifice
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”,
1Thessalonians 5:21
“Question everything”, Einstein
It started out as a curiosity.
You may know the story, but follow this compendium as it is written to get the full impact of the point I wish to make.
I remember reading in my Bible in the book of Genesis about Abram wanting a son by his wife Sarai, but because she was “barren” she could not bear one. So she reasoned that if she was going to have a son, that maybe she could have one by her Egyptian handmaid Hagar (Gen 16:2). “…And gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.” So Abram went in to Hagar and she conceived.
Then, because of strife between Sarai and Hagar, Hagar fled from Abram’s camp to get away from Sarai. Resting by a fountain of water in the wilderness, an angel of the Lord had an exchange with Hagar, and told her “Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.” (Gen 16:9) “And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.” (Gen 16:10)
Hence Hagar bore Abram a son, and they named him Ishmael. Abram was 86 years olde.
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram…“ (Gen 17:1) “And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.” (Gen 17:2) “…my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.” (Gen 17:4) From that point forward, Abram was called Abraham.
“As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah (princess) shall her name be.” (Gen 17:15) “And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations:…” (Gen 17: 16)
So when Abraham was 100 years olde, Sarah bore him a son, and they named him Isaac.
This is where my curiosity started. In the process of researching this subject I came across lots of interesting information. In the end I didn’t get the answer I was looking for; I got something better!
There are going to be overlaps, so I will take this part by part.
In Genesis chapter 22, God calls to Abraham to take Isaac to a designated mountain and sacrifice him. For Abraham to take his son and sacrifice him would set an undesirable precedent: that is being human sacrifices. So then, “why would God "test" Abraham to sacrifice Isaac while prohibiting child sacrifice to the god Molech?” (ref 1) Which begs the question: “Why did God punish the Canaanites for child sacrifice, when He personally ORDERED Abraham to do it?! See Glenn Miller” (ref 2)
One of two things would have to happen: either God would intercede and the son would not be sacrificed; or if Abraham did as he was told, then God would raise the son from the dead. As you probably know, the former occurred, for if the latter had, that would have justified the Canaanites child sacrifices, and lessened the impact of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Ishmael was Abraham’s firstborn. God always demanded the first fruit of the faithful’s labors. So I wondered, if Ishmael was the first-born of Abraham, why didn’t Abraham take him to sacrifice?
I was talking religion with a tanker driver trainee, Marwan, who is Muslim, and he told me the story about Abraham’s sacrifice as he knew it from the Quran. Abraham heard God, and went to Egypt to get Ishmael for the sacrifice. Abraham did this because Ishmael was the firstborn.
Here are John Gill's comments on only son: "thine only son Isaac; for, though Ishmael was his son, he was a son by his maid, by his concubine, and not by his wife; Isaac was his only legitimate son, his only son by his lawful wife Sarah; the only son of the promise, his only son, in whom his seed was to be called: " (ref 2)
But in Genesis 16:2, it says: “…And gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.”
This got me wondering about the veracity of the King James Bible. But as Glenn Miller put it: “Actually, you are missing what we ALL are – most of the story!
“The story in Genesis 22--The "Binding of Isaac"-- is a classic case of a narrator selecting ONLY the details needed to make his point--and ONLY addressing his own authorial question. The passage is so focused on the teeth-gritting commitment of Abraham and his absolute confidence that he would NOT lose his divinely given son Isaac, that the explanatory details are stripped out of the bare events to drive his point home. There is virtually NO dialogue or background given in the passage--highly unusual.” (ref 1)
The Answer: Muslim, Christian or Jew, the story of Abraham’s Sacrifice is NOT about which son was sacrificed, but God’s covenant with Abraham! It is about God making a promise to a man, and keeping it! It is about a man, Abraham, having faith, listening to God and obeying what He tells him!
The Better Answer: God made a promise to our Forefathers that they would get their religious freedom in a land that would become the United States of America!
From the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—(ref 3)
Bill of Rights, Amendment I:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; (ref 3)
The point here being, considering the condition of our country at this writing, “We The People” need to accept the Gift that God has given us, that being our country, and the freedom and blessings associated with it. He upheld His end of the deal to allow us to live where we can have religious freedom. Now it is up to us to uphold our end of the deal and exercise our right to religious freedom.
Muslim, Christian or Jew, we are all descendents of Abraham, united by faith in the one God. All persons that believe in God need to unite together in prayer and ask Him to correct the mistakes that we as a country have made, and to restore that which He meant for us to have. We need to humble ourselves before God.
Statistically, 84% of our country believes in God; that means 16% don’t. So why are we, the majority, succumbing to the rantings of a overly-vocal few? We have bent to the will of man, instead of obeying the Will of God. We have allowed God to be removed from our public offices and schools. We have turned our back on God! Politician or commoner, it is high time for us to obey God’s commandment(s) or face the consequences. Ever hear of Sodom and Gomorrah?
As Abraham had faith in God to fulfill His covenant with him, “We the People of the United States” need to be like Abraham, to have and exercise our Faith in God.
And pray that we aren’t too late.
Addendum: Wisdom that was left off from the original.
Part of the problems that we are experiencing in this country is because the people that we have elected into office over the years are more interested in fulfilling the wants and needs of either their peers, or of their constituents. They have forsaken the teachings of their parents and of the Bible to satisfy their own cravings.
If decisions by the lawmakers were based upon Biblical teachings, then we would not have Roe Vs Wade, welfare, and a slew of other undesirable after-effects of their actions.
The politicians that are running our country need to now embrace the one true God. The time is coming that those who shun God will have to answer for their insolence.
“We The People” need to elect only those who fear God and will act accordingly. Beware the decisions you make at election time.
References:
1) http://christianthinktank.com/qkilisak.html
2) http://www.apocalipsis.org/Abraham.htm
3) http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/
1Thessalonians 5:21
“Question everything”, Einstein
It started out as a curiosity.
You may know the story, but follow this compendium as it is written to get the full impact of the point I wish to make.
I remember reading in my Bible in the book of Genesis about Abram wanting a son by his wife Sarai, but because she was “barren” she could not bear one. So she reasoned that if she was going to have a son, that maybe she could have one by her Egyptian handmaid Hagar (Gen 16:2). “…And gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.” So Abram went in to Hagar and she conceived.
Then, because of strife between Sarai and Hagar, Hagar fled from Abram’s camp to get away from Sarai. Resting by a fountain of water in the wilderness, an angel of the Lord had an exchange with Hagar, and told her “Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.” (Gen 16:9) “And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.” (Gen 16:10)
Hence Hagar bore Abram a son, and they named him Ishmael. Abram was 86 years olde.
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram…“ (Gen 17:1) “And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.” (Gen 17:2) “…my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.” (Gen 17:4) From that point forward, Abram was called Abraham.
“As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah (princess) shall her name be.” (Gen 17:15) “And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations:…” (Gen 17: 16)
So when Abraham was 100 years olde, Sarah bore him a son, and they named him Isaac.
This is where my curiosity started. In the process of researching this subject I came across lots of interesting information. In the end I didn’t get the answer I was looking for; I got something better!
There are going to be overlaps, so I will take this part by part.
In Genesis chapter 22, God calls to Abraham to take Isaac to a designated mountain and sacrifice him. For Abraham to take his son and sacrifice him would set an undesirable precedent: that is being human sacrifices. So then, “why would God "test" Abraham to sacrifice Isaac while prohibiting child sacrifice to the god Molech?” (ref 1) Which begs the question: “Why did God punish the Canaanites for child sacrifice, when He personally ORDERED Abraham to do it?! See Glenn Miller” (ref 2)
One of two things would have to happen: either God would intercede and the son would not be sacrificed; or if Abraham did as he was told, then God would raise the son from the dead. As you probably know, the former occurred, for if the latter had, that would have justified the Canaanites child sacrifices, and lessened the impact of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Ishmael was Abraham’s firstborn. God always demanded the first fruit of the faithful’s labors. So I wondered, if Ishmael was the first-born of Abraham, why didn’t Abraham take him to sacrifice?
I was talking religion with a tanker driver trainee, Marwan, who is Muslim, and he told me the story about Abraham’s sacrifice as he knew it from the Quran. Abraham heard God, and went to Egypt to get Ishmael for the sacrifice. Abraham did this because Ishmael was the firstborn.
Here are John Gill's comments on only son: "thine only son Isaac; for, though Ishmael was his son, he was a son by his maid, by his concubine, and not by his wife; Isaac was his only legitimate son, his only son by his lawful wife Sarah; the only son of the promise, his only son, in whom his seed was to be called: " (ref 2)
But in Genesis 16:2, it says: “…And gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.”
This got me wondering about the veracity of the King James Bible. But as Glenn Miller put it: “Actually, you are missing what we ALL are – most of the story!
“The story in Genesis 22--The "Binding of Isaac"-- is a classic case of a narrator selecting ONLY the details needed to make his point--and ONLY addressing his own authorial question. The passage is so focused on the teeth-gritting commitment of Abraham and his absolute confidence that he would NOT lose his divinely given son Isaac, that the explanatory details are stripped out of the bare events to drive his point home. There is virtually NO dialogue or background given in the passage--highly unusual.” (ref 1)
The Answer: Muslim, Christian or Jew, the story of Abraham’s Sacrifice is NOT about which son was sacrificed, but God’s covenant with Abraham! It is about God making a promise to a man, and keeping it! It is about a man, Abraham, having faith, listening to God and obeying what He tells him!
The Better Answer: God made a promise to our Forefathers that they would get their religious freedom in a land that would become the United States of America!
From the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—(ref 3)
Bill of Rights, Amendment I:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; (ref 3)
The point here being, considering the condition of our country at this writing, “We The People” need to accept the Gift that God has given us, that being our country, and the freedom and blessings associated with it. He upheld His end of the deal to allow us to live where we can have religious freedom. Now it is up to us to uphold our end of the deal and exercise our right to religious freedom.
Muslim, Christian or Jew, we are all descendents of Abraham, united by faith in the one God. All persons that believe in God need to unite together in prayer and ask Him to correct the mistakes that we as a country have made, and to restore that which He meant for us to have. We need to humble ourselves before God.
Statistically, 84% of our country believes in God; that means 16% don’t. So why are we, the majority, succumbing to the rantings of a overly-vocal few? We have bent to the will of man, instead of obeying the Will of God. We have allowed God to be removed from our public offices and schools. We have turned our back on God! Politician or commoner, it is high time for us to obey God’s commandment(s) or face the consequences. Ever hear of Sodom and Gomorrah?
As Abraham had faith in God to fulfill His covenant with him, “We the People of the United States” need to be like Abraham, to have and exercise our Faith in God.
And pray that we aren’t too late.
Addendum: Wisdom that was left off from the original.
Part of the problems that we are experiencing in this country is because the people that we have elected into office over the years are more interested in fulfilling the wants and needs of either their peers, or of their constituents. They have forsaken the teachings of their parents and of the Bible to satisfy their own cravings.
If decisions by the lawmakers were based upon Biblical teachings, then we would not have Roe Vs Wade, welfare, and a slew of other undesirable after-effects of their actions.
The politicians that are running our country need to now embrace the one true God. The time is coming that those who shun God will have to answer for their insolence.
“We The People” need to elect only those who fear God and will act accordingly. Beware the decisions you make at election time.
References:
1) http://christianthinktank.com/qkilisak.html
2) http://www.apocalipsis.org/Abraham.htm
3) http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Gary is gone
A tribute to Gary Agee
Way back when, the Boss told me that he had hired a new driver, Gary. I almost never get to see the day driver(s), so I thought the Boss was yanking my chain about hiring a new guy. A figment of his imagination, if you will. Eventually, Gary appeared. He was real!
As I understand it, Gary had worked with the Boss at another company years ago, and then later worked for the Boss. He then went to work in the oil fields, hauling crude oil. Eventually he got tired of that, we needed another good driver, so Gary came to work for us.
He was a driver’s driver: confident around trucks, willing to learn, and very capable.
Then his son-in-law died. About a month later the family all decided to go up into the mountains. The stress of his son-in-law’s death, smoking, and the high altitude probably all contributed to Gary having to be rushed down out of the hills to a hospital. He was diagnosed with pneumonia. He almost died.
Seven arduous weeks later, Gary was permitted last Thursday by his doctor to come back to work. Yay!
I caught up with him at one of our stores and he sounded and looked good! Optimistic and happy to be back at work. I encouraged him to enjoy being back, and to take his time until he got back into the swing of things. I also told him that God had given him a second chance and to not blow it. He agreed.
Sunday evening, according to reports, Gary was north-bound on I-25 when he exited to US-34 east-bound. It is said that he took the corner too fast, the truck flipped on its side, exploded and burned. Gary didn’t make it. Makes me wonder.
Fuel Haulers mourn the loss of another one of their own.
We’re going to miss you Gary. Take care and God bless.
Way back when, the Boss told me that he had hired a new driver, Gary. I almost never get to see the day driver(s), so I thought the Boss was yanking my chain about hiring a new guy. A figment of his imagination, if you will. Eventually, Gary appeared. He was real!
As I understand it, Gary had worked with the Boss at another company years ago, and then later worked for the Boss. He then went to work in the oil fields, hauling crude oil. Eventually he got tired of that, we needed another good driver, so Gary came to work for us.
He was a driver’s driver: confident around trucks, willing to learn, and very capable.
Then his son-in-law died. About a month later the family all decided to go up into the mountains. The stress of his son-in-law’s death, smoking, and the high altitude probably all contributed to Gary having to be rushed down out of the hills to a hospital. He was diagnosed with pneumonia. He almost died.
Seven arduous weeks later, Gary was permitted last Thursday by his doctor to come back to work. Yay!
I caught up with him at one of our stores and he sounded and looked good! Optimistic and happy to be back at work. I encouraged him to enjoy being back, and to take his time until he got back into the swing of things. I also told him that God had given him a second chance and to not blow it. He agreed.
Sunday evening, according to reports, Gary was north-bound on I-25 when he exited to US-34 east-bound. It is said that he took the corner too fast, the truck flipped on its side, exploded and burned. Gary didn’t make it. Makes me wonder.
Fuel Haulers mourn the loss of another one of their own.
We’re going to miss you Gary. Take care and God bless.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime
A Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.
You never know when your guardian angel will be there for you so I have to try...
After you have finished reading this, you will know the reason it was given to you.
Here goes:
People come into your life for a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a Reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a Godsend and they are.
They are there for the Reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do
something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a Season, because your turn has come to share,
grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a Season.
Lifetime relationships teach you Lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a
solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life. . . .
. . Whether you were a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.
Origin and author unknown.
You never know when your guardian angel will be there for you so I have to try...
After you have finished reading this, you will know the reason it was given to you.
Here goes:
People come into your life for a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a Reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a Godsend and they are.
They are there for the Reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do
something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a Season, because your turn has come to share,
grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a Season.
Lifetime relationships teach you Lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a
solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life. . . .
. . Whether you were a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.
Origin and author unknown.
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