💲.10 Beer, 💲 .05 Cigars & Free ❤️

Trump ( We ) has less than a fifty percent chance of turning this situation around. He ( We ) needs help. But, how many are willing and know how? Is there something badly wrong with our country? If so, what is it? Can any one put words on it? We should give it a shot. Let me hear from you. Oh yeah! Only one rule. Comments should be constructive and uniting. Reading Bill O'Reilly's book "Killing Lincoln" might help you. Read Matthew 16:17-20 if you like.

More in a day or so.

Hillary or Donald?

Who Do You Vote For?

Who is God going to place in as president of the United States? I should probably vote for that person.

There is a war going on in the heavenly realm. God will win the war and the creation will be redeemed. But, it will not happen in the way we might expect. 

What is the biggest problem in the U. S. today? Is it financial? Is it religious? Is it poverty? Is it illegal immigration and illegal residents? No, It is none of these. I think it is the decay of our moral and ethical thinking. We are expecting the government to take care of us. We are expecting the government to grant us our rights. We have forgotten the principles of our foundation. The constitution was written and put in place without the Bill of Rights. And, I believe the Bill of Rights should have never been added. We are a people who can and should govern ourselves by our own integrity and character. Now we are in conflict over the Bill of Rights. It is just insane. Are we incapable of governing our own individual actions? If so, we need to turn to a higher power? What do you think?

If we continue on this course of action we will be conquered. Who do you think the conquerer will be? Most likely, it will be the Islamic State. (ISIS) 

They are already making great inroads. 9/11 was a victory for them. We are spending millions on TSA because of ISIS. And, TSA will not save us. 

Back to the question. Hillary or Donald? If God’s plan is for us to be overpowered by the Islamic state then I should vote for Hillary. If it is His plan that they should be stopped at the border, then I should vote for Donald. At least I think he will reverse the trend. The Mexican border doesn’t bother me. But, the inflow of muslims bothers me a lot. 

What is government’s job? Maintain the borders. And keep the citizen in tow. No anarchy. Just a bit of chaos. Oh yeah, and they should build roads and dams. Who should take care of the poor, orphans and widows? The affluent should! And, we can do it. Who should have honest weights and measures? Well everybody but especially the merchants. But, if we are in charge of the Bill of Rights and take the responsibility there won’t be a problem.

There is a solution to the problem. He is called Jesus. But, not everyone is convinced of that. Some people seem to be okay with just living this life and taking their chances with the Heaven and Hell scenario. So be it. But, let’s not let some power that is bad for all of us help make that decision. Let’s protect the borders and strengthen America. 

I’m thinking the the presidential choices are not very good. But, I kind of favor Donald given the scenario I believe is most likely to affect us in the next eight years.

Maybe God intends the U.S. to fall?????

Give up what you desire most in order to receive what you desire most.

Refer to Luke 6, There is a longer version in Matthew 5.

What is our purpose in life? Why are we here? Where are we going?

How many of us achieve our life’s purpose? How many can even state their life’s purpose?

How satisfied are you with life? Mostly, I’m reasonably satisfied. But, some times I’m depressed and down. Perhaps it would be a good exercise to research these feelings and their origins with our closest friends. I wonder how many of us have similar purposes in life? Or, perceive that we have similar purposes? Or, think that we should be like minded? At least half of us cannot agree on who should be president of the U.S. United we Stand, Divided we Fall! 

Rather than characterizing the population it may be better to focus on the individual. Do we perceive ourselves to be better than others? Do we have a desire to be better than others? What’s better? Who is the judge? Pick a well know person. Pick two or three. Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Jeb Bush, Lance Armstrong (before and after). Would you be willing to model your life after any of these? Can you pick someone? Think about you best friend. Would you like to trade places? Think about your worst enemy. Do you have feelings for them? Think about an unfortunate friend. Are you able to help them? How can we become a more effective individuals(better)? 

Read Luke 6. Does it address any of these questions? How?

I would love to hear your comments about this small discourse.

Contractor (Entrepreneur) or Employee

What's wrong with the world? Why all the fighting? Why all the terrorism? Why all the shootings? Why all the racism? Why is everyone looking for more money? Drugs? Alcohol? Sex? Or are we searching for something more fundamental?

Does anyone know the answer? I certainly don't. Apparently most of what we have done on the last 5,000 years has not worked very well. Do any of you feel like your seeing progress?  

Progress toward what? Do any of you know what is alluding us? We are working very hard, trying to find something. The fountain of youth perhaps? A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? A new car? A better computer? A nice home? A spouse? A better restaurant? Why do we seek education and better jobs? What have we sacrificed to get more? Do you know anyone who has reached their goals? 

I like to ask myself four questions. They are not original to me. I borrowed them from someone I once met. 

Who am I?

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

Do you know the answers to these questions for me, or yourself, or anyone? Do you wonder? Have you asked these same questions? Or, some similar?

Do you have a life plan? Have you saved up for retirement? Who will take care you when you are not able? 

The world news headlines tell me that not many know the answers to these important questions. Governments claim the exist to help us answer these questions. How do you think your government is doing? Would you like to ask the presidential candidates some of these questions?

Today the democrats seem to want to make the contractors employees. While some of the republicans want to have more contractors. Do you want government making those decisions for you? Governments have been working on making your life better for over 5,000 years...they claim? In 1776 we attempted to form a government by the people, for the people and of the people. There is still a remnant of that attempt in place. But, it will not last much longer if the current pace continues. The freedoms granted originally are slowly but surely being taken. 

This morning I read Psalm 146. It makes more sense to me than anything I've read in the press lately. Our leaders are not taking us in the right direction. But, we can do it ourselves. To go there I must get rid of my selfish pride. I may be my own worst enemy. Think about it. Please! Would you like to go with me. I welcome the company. 

Anger and Love

If you knew I was a Christian and I was promoting the Christian religion, would you listen to me? If I said. “I love you and I’m angry with you.” would you listen to me. Our God is the only god I know who is a model of loving with anger. 

Our God can save us. He can, will and has changed our hearts. Can He change my behavior? Yes, I believe He can. But, I also believe He chooses not to change my behavior. So, how does that work for us? Think about it, it works better than all the other things we have tried and are still trying. Would it not be great if we were able to love our families, friends and neighbors even when we were angry with them? Or, if they were able to do the same for us? 

If God can and has changed my heart, what is my job? Am I to be directed by this change in my heart? Or, am I to resist and oppose the change in my heart? An effort to resist may lead me to drink or do drugs or steal or lie. If God changes my heart to be like He wants, there would be little resistance from the inside to do whatever God wants me to do. However, there might be considerable resistance from the outside. And, if that resistance makes me angry, how should I respond? My changed heart might tell me one thing but my nature might tend to resort to my past habits. 

Refer to Romans 8:28 And, we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,...

Also, read the story of Joseph in Genesis. You can start at Gen 37:1 and read through Gen 45. Especially concentrate on the first and last chapters.

Joseph forgives his brothers because he has discovered it all happened because of the will of God. The good and perfect will of God.

How is the good and perfect will of God working for you? Is it not working so well? Why? Who is in the way? 

Creation in my world

Last night my thoughts focused on creation. Think about the things we create. Several ideas came to mind. Computers, games...particularly card games, robotics and a few others. When we as humans carry out tasks or play games we use logic, trial and error and intuition. Consider playIng solitaire say the Klondike game. Let's think About the one where you turn the pile one card at a time and can go through it as many times as you wish. When we suffle the deck, is the deck random? How many possible variations are there? Do you know the answer? Is it necessary to know the answer to play the game?...to build a computer program to play the game?

When we play this game we don't know the identity and location of any of the cards in the pile. When the computer plays the game it has to know. 

When we see a possible play we may make a decision based on logic or intuition of whether or not to make the play we see. We might even miss seeing some possible plays. The computer on the other hand has to know all the plays before the game starts. The computer cannot miss a play. And, the computer has already completed all the trial and error analysis before the game starts. Why is this true? Because of the program rules. Someone has to program the computer. Question is who if anyone programs us? How do we learn to play the game? 

Is life like a game? Can a computer live life completely? Who would program it? Can the computer learn new rules by trial and error? Do you see how the operating principles of a computer are different from the operating principles of a human? Do you think a computer can be designed to drive a car successfully. Have you ever been mis-led by a GPS? How did you correct the problem?

For more insight into this subject read "The Glass Cage" by Nicholas Carr.

YES! GOD IS ALIVE AND WELL. LEWIS AND CLARK (cont'd)

Good morning from Bismarck, South Dakota. A busy place on a Thursday morning. Yesterday we continued our adventure on the Lewis and Clark trails. The "Corps of Discovery" travelled this same country early October 1804. There is wind, the country side is beautiful and bountiful. There were no farms when the corps travelled. Now farms are abundant. We began this leg of the trip last Friday. Bill and I biked from Fort Thompson to Pierre, SD (61mi). Grace drove on the Pierre and picked up Bob at the airport. Stayed at a Comfort Inn. Bob had quite a time getting to Pierre. His flight out of Dallas was delayed and he was going to miss his flight in Denver. So, he got a flight to Rapid City and Mom picked him up there while Bill and I were riding. It all worked out. Any one want a $60 travel voucher on Great Lakes Aviation?

Saturday we rode to Gettysburg, SD (66.5mi). The winds were mostly against us but we left early and they were not more than 10 mph. Sunday the winds were stronger on our trip to Mobridge (55mi). Monday we intended to ride to a point about 13 miles west of Linton. The winds were howling out of the northeast and we only made it to Pollock (37.5mi). It was a hard ride. We used the car to shuttle into Linton and back the next morning. Then on Wednesday we rode 88.5 miles to Bismarck, ND.

Just as we got to the edge of Bismarck Bob ran over a stick that lodged in the derailleur of the bike he was riding. It stop the bike causing the chain to break and the derailleur to be twisted out of the rear fork. The twisting motion bent the  end of the frame where the wheel attaches. We called Grace to come and get us. And, we also called a nearby bike shop. They said bring the bike over. So when Grace arrived we loaded up the damaged bike so Bob and Grace could take it to the bike shop. Praise the Lord Bob did not fall and was not injured.

Bill and I continued on with the tandem to our motel. There we waited for Bob and Grace. By some great fortune the guy at the bike shop had the skill and ability to repair the damage in about two hours while they waited. Amazing! How likely is it that the first and only bike shop contacted be able to make such a repair?

Grace and Bob returned from the bike shop and we unloaded for the night. We planned to eat about eight. I took a shower and Grace made a small pot of coffee. As she was bringing me a cup, she trip and fell forward into the wall and door. I saw the fall from the bathroom. It was scary the way she slammed into the door with her head while it was at a crazy angle to her body. Coffee went everywhere and she was in considerable pain. After about thirty minutes evaluating the situation we decided to take her to the Emergency Room. She could walk but was in a lot of pain. The CT scan revealed not broken bones. After four hours of observation, testing and waiting they released her and we went back to the motel. Praise the Lord nothing is broken.

Today the boys are riding from Bismarck to Hazen (70mi). I took the day off to rest a knee and drive the car. We will see how Grace is doing in the morning. Riding bicycles is dangerous. Oh, by the way, the winds are much more favorable. Our original target for this leg was Bismarck. The revised target for this trip was Dickinson. Lots like we might make Glen Ullin.

I am finishing this blog post sitting in a motel in Hazen waiting for the boys to arrive. Grace is asleep napping. We will see what tomorrow brings. We all know we can trust the Lord. He is faithful and just. We know He is alive and well. Grace and I are amazed that we are physically able to be on this trip with the boys. We will continue to do this as long as we are able and The Lord is willing. The joy of being with our boys and living these experiences is far beyond anything we could have ever imagined.