11.30.08
Posted in Family, Freedom at 12:01 pm by
The shop. It sat out back of the house. At first, in our case, it was an old wooden shed that my dad had built for storing our household goods while we were out of the country - back up north on “home service” or “furlough”. When we returned and then built our place the shed first provided living quarters for one of the workers who was helping dig the well and then other such labor. Then when we moved in it was where the generator that provided our electricity and water pumping capabilities was kept. It was full of tools and miscellaneous scrap wood and metal and old bolts and nuts and “junk” that gave us many hours of entertaining occupation as we fabricated one thing or another. Later it was replaced by a brick and mortar building that had proper wiring and a concrete floor that was easier to find things on than the old wooden boards that would let stuff drop through to the dirt below.
My uncle had one too. His had a few things that ours didn’t. Like a drill press and a vise. That was where we made some key parts for our waterpipe muzzle loaders. And that’s where I “got” my cousin when I walked in to see him tightening up the vice to ease the primer down on top of the nail that was to serve as an anvil in the exploding (hopefully) projectile that we’d been working on. Never before or since was I able to get such a “rise” out of him as when I loudly clapped my hands and saw him sprawl backwards - just knowing he’d popped the sensitive primer.
Later on dad got a Shopsmith Mark V multi tool and we too had access to some pretty cool accessories and tools to do all kinds of things with. There was oodles of scrap mahogany and “pau louro” and other amazonian hardwoods to play with and dad had plenty of accessories and fittings and tools that allowed us to learn to do some fun and even useful things.
We learned which way to tighten a bolt - and that if you OVER tighten one then you’ll just pop the head off or maybe even bust the wrench - depending on which was made of cheaper material… We learned that if you don’t watch your fingers around moving machinery that you’ll get them nicked - or worse. We learned how to look at how something came apart so that it could be put back together again. We learned that proper fitting tools make things work better and last longer. And we learned “african american engineering” - the fine art of “making do” when proper tools or materials are not to be found or are out of reach financially.
Yes, the shop taught us a lot. And having reasonably unfettered access to it allowed us to learn things on our own - and we even survived many experiments that would give today’s do gooders a heart attack if they knew of some kid venturing down that road. There were the home made “mortars” for launching huge firecrackers high into the air. There were the “pipe bomb” cannons we tested our muzzle loading barrel material with. (increase powder charges until there is a failure - then use only 25% of the last successful load was our way of “ensuring” safety) There were the cast projectiles (made in wooden “mould blocks”) of molten car battery lead (WAY before the time they started adding all the calcium and who knows what else that can make such things a lethal endeavor now) And there were also the various “things” we built for fishing or hunting or just goofing around.
I miss the shop. Oh, I’ve a few tools and such around the office, but living in rented quarters in a metropolitan area of the Colombian andean region doesn’t allow for one to have a full blown shop. I manage to piddle around with this and that, but when I start hoarding scrap wood the wife tends to get a bit testy - there’s simply no place it can be stored that doesn’t get in the way. Having observed a few “modern” teen agers I feel sorry for them. Most of them have never had a shop to play in. Most don’t seem to know how to turn a bolt or take apart something, fix it and put it back together again. Yes, there are exceptions to this - but I’m talking about the kids who live in the modern day MTV and video game world. It is sad, to me anyway, to see that so much creativity is lost since kids aren’t encouraged to think for themselves or to provide for their own entertainment. I really don’t recall being “bored” - back when we had access to the shop…
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11.29.08
Posted in Freedom, Friends at 5:10 pm by
Here’s an interesting (to me anyway) take on Thanksgiving Day. It comes from my friend Hobie’s blog “Lady Liberty Defended” and was written by Old Ironsights, another internet friend. I like the following statement especially, “I’m a carnivore, not a scavenger.” I can share that sentiment, although circumstances have lead me to the place where I more often scavenge than hunt my own food - more’s the pity.
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11.23.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:42 pm by
Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. Psalm 118:19-21
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:29
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Yes, we are once more at that time of year in which families will travel many miles to gather together to eat large meals and then sit stupefied before the “one eyed monster” hoping their alka-seltzer will kick in soon. Somehow the focus on the giving of thanks has gotten lost in the idea of “turkey day”, “t-day” and televised parades.
And yet, the idea of taking time to give thanks to the Divine Being has been a part of our history from the beginning. George Washington declared a day of thanks and so have many others over the past couple centuries. And it is fitting indeed that we set aside time to give thanks for the myriad blessings we have received. Yet I wonder, will folks remember the blessings received even in the face of the many trials of the year past? Will people remember to give thanks or will we as a people focus only on troubles and supposed perils before us?
As we come to this special day, the fourth Thursday of November, let us not focus only on the food and family traditions - let us focus on He Who gave Himself up for us so that we can stand before the Father in holiness and humility. Let us give thanks to our God and Redeemer for He has indeed blessed us with many blessings in the midst of troubles and trials. May His Name be praised for ever!
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11.01.08
Posted in Christian, Faith, Freedom, Politics, Religion at 9:56 am by
Since I’m messing around with the blog today I thought I’d take time to say a little something about the voting process. As a US Citizen the privilege of voting is something I take seriously. I know that many of my country men do not. In fact many of them will abstain from participating this year. But I urge any of you who take the time to read my comments to take the time to express your opinion at the voting booth.
Voting is about expressing ourselves and proclaiming who our choice of representative is. It’s not about a contest between the “Two Parties”, because the US was not set up as a two party nation - even though we have mostly had two parties to choose from for the most part throughout our history (although different parties at different times). Do you know who the candidates are? And I mean ALL the candidates. The mass media has forced upon us a false paradigm in that they insist that there are only two candidates. Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney, Chuck Baldwin and Ralph Nader are all on the ballot in many states across the nation. The media has sold us the idea that “there are only two candidates” - and it’s a lie. Some would say “Yes, but there are only two VIABLE candidates.” - but why would that be? That’s because as a nation we’ve allowed the media to control our way of thinking. I sure wish we’d turn back to the old paths and seek REAL leaders from amongst ourselves, men of character and wisdom. They still exist, but we need to seek them out and encourage them to join in the battle to retake our country from the grip of encroaching enslavement to humanistic socialism.
Dr. Del Tackett has a blog called “Truth Observed” and recently he posted some thought provoking articles on it. It looks like ol’ Noah Webster knew more than just how to write a dictionary… 
Political Wisdom From Dr. Noah Webster: How To Vote
Political Wisdom From Dr. Noah Webster: Political Evils
Political Wisdom From Dr. Noah Webster: Remedy For Political Evils
Political Wisdom From Dr. Noah Webster: Defining Politics
Choosing The Lesser Of Two Evils
So now the big question is: “What are we as Christians going to do?” Are we going to give up the battle to those who wish to destroy our nation? Some maintain that they “keep their religion separate from politics” - assuming that the two can be separated. But that is only true if you do not live your faith actively. If you are truly on fire for Christ you can NOT call evil “good” nor can you call good “evil”. If you are TRULY on fire for Christ you can NOT say that those who support the murder of unborn babies or the equating of abnormal, deviant sexual behavior with God ordained marriage are representative of your ideals - IF you are on fire for Christ. We are told that we are not to be conformed to the world - we are called to be transformed. That means that we as christians are neither Democrat nor Republican - that we will vote for those who support Godly ideals rather than those who actively promote submission to the corruption fleshly desire. This doesn’t mean that we seek perfect people to represent us. It means that we seek out those who strive with us to achieve God’s design for man kind.
One of our great failings as a church has been in relinquishing our call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and lift up the fallen to the government. That is not government’s sphere of expertise or duty - it is the church’s. The first hospitals were founded by christians. The first orphanages were too. Hmmm… come to think of it, even education was in the hands of the church for generations prior to government moving in to teach kids that 2+2 does not necessarily equal 4.
It is time for us as a people to take back our land. It is time to say “No more humanism - turn back to God.” Yes, there are great problems in our land and around the world, but no human government has the answer. It’s time for us to say “Quit muddying up the waters, get out of the way and let us show you the way.”
Psalm 81:13-34 says
13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
And in 1 Chronicles 7:14 it is written:
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Now although these words were written for the jewish people, they can be applied in principle to christians as well - because like the jews we are too often eager to follow our paths rather than God’s. BUT when we turn away from our stubborn evil ways to follow His paths - He WILL bless us, and also those around us.
So if you are a US Citizen, dig deep in your heart and seek to know the way that God would guide you. Go to the polls on November 4 and choose the options that are most like God’s paths. Do not vote for those who support policies that go against the Holiness of God. Send forth a loud cry “No MORE!” and lets start taking back our nation for the Glory of God.
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Posted in Christian, Faith, Family, Freedom, Religion at 9:01 am by
Yesterday was “Hallowed Evening”, popularly known as “Halloween”. The celebration of this pagan holiday has gotten pretty big down here in Colombia. Last night as I went to pick up my wife from work I was faced with teeming throngs of “trick or treaters” moving through the downtown section. Along with the little kids dressed up as a spiderman or a princess and other such “cute costumes” there were also great numbers of teenagers and adults of varying ages dressed up as everything from “Playboy Bunnies” (better known as shameless hussies) to “cats” (I’m guessing here, a black nose with whiskers painted radially around it with pointy ears on top and often a long tail seemed to be an attempt to be a “cat” and was a very popular costume this year to judge from the sampling on the street) Anyway, I was having “fun” dodging around and trying not to run over any of the revelers, not even the stoned out ones that begged for a trip to the hospital by their imprudent chemically induced behavior. And we managed to make it through with no mishaps and only a slight elevation of the blood pressure. 
I’ve long wondered why Christians would celebrate this “holiday”. The themes that prevail are dark, sinister and devoted to death, corruption and decay. Look at the “monster” masks, the one that glorify deformity and decay. What about the skeletons, those that celebrate death. And then there’s the “cute little witches” - what’s cute about the occult? Yes, I’m a “kill joy” - when it comes to getting joy from joining in with the camp of the enemy. Why should the sons of light pretend to be sons of darkness - even for one night?
You see, I serve a RISEN Savior. He did NOT undergo corruption and decay. He rose on the third day and lives today preparing a place for those who also turn from death, corruption and destruction to walk in a new life with Him. He came to defeat death. He came to bring LIGHT. He is calling us to also pass from death to life and to walk in the light even as He walks in the light. So why would we want to celebrate death, corruption, decay and darkness? This is something I do not understand.
And then comes another “holiday”. “Christ’s Mass” - popularly known as “Chrismas” - is a celebration of the coming of the Christ to bring new life and hope to those who walked in darkness. Yes, we KNOW He was not really born on December 25 but we DO celebrate the birth of a Child Who came to give His life for us so that we can walk in God’s light. And since we do not know what day He was born, December 25 works as well as any other date. I’ve no problem with that, just as I have no problem celebrating my wife’s birthday on October 30. As an adopted child she has no idea what day or hour she came into this world. A judge said “Let’s call it October 30″ and they did. So now each year we celebrate her birthday on October 30 - even though the real day could conceivably be much earlier or even later in the year. What matters is that she WAS born and this celebration is a celebration of her coming into this world - and I especially celebrate because the Lord brought her into this world to serve as my life partner, no matter what day she was born.
Now that the darkness and corruption of Halloween are behind us, let us turn our hearts and minds to the coming popular festival of Christmas. Let us prepare ourselves to put Christ back into the celebration. Why use some fat guy dressed in red as a symbol of the Savior’s coming? Why use a tree covered with baubles and lights? Let’s let folks know the REAL “Reason For The Season” this year. Let’s make sure folks KNOW that we’re celebrating the fact that Jesus the Christ came to earth as a baby and that He grew into a Man who was MORE than a man, ultimately giving His life as a ransom for many. The manger or the empty cross can equally symbolize the coming of the Christ. Yes, He came as a baby - but He came on a mission. He came to live and die and rise again to proclaim His authority and power and ability to help us too overcome the death and corruption brought into this world by the evil one.
In a way we too celebrate death. We celebrate that the “baby of Bethlehem” came to die for us, allowing us to escape the trap of the devil and to walk in the Light of our Creator. Now as we head towards “Thanksgiving” and then on to “Christmas” let us take time to encourage each other to truly walk as children of the Light. We have much to be thankful for this year, not the least of which is the opportunity to live as Christ would live in our place. We are not perfect, but we know He Who can help us to throw off the sin that so easily entangles us. We know that He can help us to live according to His will, in spite of our weakness and frailty. He is glorified through our weakness because He uses us for His glory, first by changing our pitiful lives and then by using us to help change others.
Remember during the upcoming holiday season that Christ is not necessarily glorified through the gifts we give, not that giving gifts is wrong. He is not necessarily glorified through the variety and quantity of fine food on our tables, not that preparing feasts and enjoying them with friends and family are wrong. He is not glorified through the parties and the holiday “rush and bustle” as we try to make it to this party or to find that gift. During the upcoming “holiday season” He is glorified when we put off the old man we once were and as we live in the new life to which He has called us. So, let’s not conform ourselves to the image of the worldly season of greed and emptiness, let us be transformed by renewing our minds so that we can live as Christ would live in our place. Let His light shine through us so that those who see us will glorify our Father above.
As the Apostle wrote:
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:1-17
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