Thanksgiving

I really enjoy this time of year. I would have to say it is my favorite time of the year. This year has a different meaning and I'm sure it was the same as the years before but I just didn't get it. Kind of like trying to get TV cable out in the sticks.
Two weekends ago we moved into our new home. On that Saturday, 5 men from the church helped my family and I move all of our big stuff into the house. I feel so blessed to have a church family like that. I would like to thank Bobby, Brian, Brad, DJ, and John for the help that day. I would also like to thank my family for having the patience to put up with me. It was definitely a blessing to see our beds, dressers and furniture get move in by 2pm. Thanks again, guys.
About 2 weeks ago my 12 year old came down sick and went through a series of different stages of illnesses. Right now he is in the hospital recovering from an infection that was in his hip. His white blood count was real high, he had a fever and his right leg hurt real bad. He is doing better now and update as time goes on.
I have had a lot of people praying for him and I want to take time to thank each and every one of you. I know he has been on several different prayer list and I can see God's healing hand at work.
I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and remember to thank our heavenly Father.

The Death of Common Sense

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.

Obituary
Common Sense


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Author unknown

Socialy Acceptable

Those two words ring true. When the Columbine shootings happened, we were shocked, everybody was talking about it, we couldn't believe this could happen. Now, eight years later, we don't make as much of a big deal about it. Have we become immune to what the world offers. Like the frog in the kettle of water, we are slowly becoming tolerant and we are acceptive. I can't speak for the others out there but I can speak for myself. I lack the ability to witness and the knowledge of the bible to actually have a foundation in my beliefs. I can't even stand on what I believe in.
As Christians, we need to let others know the good news. We need to embrace the youth and let them know there is someone out there who loves them. It start's with us.

More School Shootings

I'm sorry for the long vacation from the blogs. This story out of Cleveland kind of woke me up. My friend John at The Daily Detour has mentioned that it could be a number of things. The day after the shootings took place I was listening to the local radio station, who had their ABC Cleveland affiliate on. This man was describing the shooter; Gothic, wore black clothes and especially Marilyn Manson t-shirts. I have seen enough video on Marilyn Manson to know the message in his music and whom he serves. I know it is not just the music. The fact this boy, and that's what he was, came from a broken home. Without a full-time father in the house, it is very hard for a boy to be a boy without some sort of rebellion.
My two oldest boys are growing up without a father that's there full-time. I'm trying to spend more time with them and at the time have custody of my oldest. I see the behavior change in boys when they come from a broken home. In Steve Farrar's book King Me he talks about the feminizing of our society when boys are raised by their mothers alone. I don't want to get to deep in this subject but this also confuses a boy. Don't get me wrong, a boy needs his mother but he needs father to show him how to be man.
We need to pray for our families that we raise our children the way God wants us to.

We need more Mrs. Greens

One of the things I do, for now, is deliver the Indianapolis Star. One of my customers, who takes the Sunday and Thursday editions, is a sweet lady by the name of Mrs. Green. She lives in a small apartment building at the end of my route. She is usually awake and at the door when I show up. She always says "God Bless you" when I give her paper to her. Last Thursday she gave me a sack of tomatos and also a Gospel track, which had a church address on it. The note that was attached with it said that if I didn't have a home church, she would like me to come to hers. It was a very nice invitation and in better words than I can put it in. The bottom line is, not knowing who I was, she was witnessing and reaching out. All it took was a kind note and a Gospel track (and a few tomatos). You never know who's life you can reach. For me, it let's me know that I can be more like Mrs. Green.

PK 2007

Last weekend, Friday & Saturday, I had the privilege to attend Promise Keepers in Cincinnati. There were 16,000 men and their sons in attendance. Men were coming up to the front, broken, to receive Christ. The theme this year was "Men of Integrity" and how we should not be passive; standing up for what we believe in.
We need to care for our families, spiritually lead our families and protect our families.
I have never attended a Promise Keepers event before but I do plan on going back next year. There were men there who shared their testimonies and how they overcame. It reassured me that no matter what your going through God can get you to the other side. I would highly recommend to anyone that hasn't attended one of these conferences, to go. As men we need to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight the good fight.

Elvis has Left the building

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis. Thousands flocked Graceland to pay homage to the "King of Rock". People cried, laid flowers, took pictures, reminisced.
I can still remember the day and where I was and what I was doing when my neighbor yelled from her window that Elvis was dead. One thing I noticed in the pursuing weeks, he was still dead. Elvis, like all of us, was only human and made up of flesh and blood but yet there are still people who look to him as a god, little "g". As a society, we have taken certain celebrities and put them above us. The bible warns us about worshiping idols, see Exodus 20:4.
Elvis can't save us, or any other celebrity for that matter. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, the one true King.

The Need of A Father

A lot of you know that I'm reading a book called King Me by Steve Farrar. The one thing I've learned the most from this book is the importance it is for a boy to have his father. Recently I read an e-mail that had a quote from Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a four-term senator who recently passed away.
He said “From the wild Irish slums of the 19th century Eastern seaboard to the riot-torn suburbs of Los Angeles, there is one unmistakable lesson in American history: a community that allows a large number of young men to grow up in broken families, dominated by women, never acquiring any stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any set of rational expectations about the future -- that community asks for and gets chaos.”

Be Prepared to give an answer

One of the things I keep saying that I'm going to do is study the Bible more, or actually at least open it. My study time has fallen due to other things crowding that has crowded out God and His word. I was once again faced with the chance to witness to someone but wasn't sure the answer to his comment. He is Jehovah Witness and was quoting scripture from his bible. I know where to look to show them the scripture where Jesus is God. I need to know more. Our time is short here and our task is to try and lead people to Christ. I have nobody to blame but myself for not sharing God's word and witnessing. There are several different studies found on the internet, at the bookstore, and our church. We spend enough time in front of the television, on the internet, at a game and just hanging out but we can't give God half an hour of our time. I'm not excluding myself and I know there are people out there that are deep in His word; I commend you. Please, someone challange me. Ask me when the last time was that I spent with God.

An Evil Man 2

Before I get started, I want to say that I just read my friend John's post, Reflections Of Morality: Part 4 and I really enjoyed this four part series. I would highly recommend this to Christians and non-Christians alike. It also compliments the things that I'm writing about and sheds a little light on some subjects. I'm still learning how to put my thoughts in writing.

Aleister Crowley was noted for getting kicked out of Italy for molesting and sacrificing over 100 children. He has experimented with several different drugs and also has practiced different rituals of the occult.
To know of all the different musicians and celebrities that are either direct followers of this man or inderect followers of this man, makes me raise a red flag.
There was a time when I didn't know who Crowley was and what he stood for. I had the first two albums by Ozzy Osbourne which had a song on one of them called Mr. Crowley.
Now, that I have done my research I know the truth behind the name.
There is a new generation out there that is listening to the music that came out in the 70's & 80's, that doesn't have a clue of what they are listening and who these artists serve. We need to reach them before they head down the path of destructiond. The sad thing is, we have lost a lot and alot are traveling down this path.

What Can Country Music Promote?

Not all country music is bad. I think it's neat that Alan Jackson has put out an album with hymns, and there are others who have faith in God and show it. But I'm going to talk about the other side. My best friend's daughter went to see Kenny Chesney a couple of weeks ago and said there were a lot of drunks there including a woman in her early 60's smoking pot with a girl, 4-5 years of age with her.
She said most of his songs were about sex or alcohol, which after an evening of drinking can really make things tempting. A few years back, I was one of those drunks. A friend of mine and I caught a Kenny Chesney show at the same venue back in the summer of 2001.
My friends daughter was telling me that there was a young lady dancing seductive with quite a few different men at different times.
It's ironic that I saw 60 Minutes the other night to see that they were interviewing Kenny Chesney. In the interview he referred to his concerts as "fun".
I stopped listening to country music a few years ago so I really don't know the content of the newly released songs but I do know that some still promote alcohol and promiscuity. I have heard that if you play country music backwards you get your wife back, your dog back and you sober up. It's funny but also sad. I wouldn't want to take my kids to a show if they were a fan and wanted to see him. I'm looking at this from a Christian perspective but I was there for several years as a DJ in a country club and as a fan. I wouldn't want to go back to that life for nothing. I pray for the people that live that lifestyle because I know it can take you down a road of destruction.

King Me

The other day I was thinking about all the books I have and decided I needed to start reading again. King Me was one book I recieved on a men's retreat. I started reading it today and I found it to be very educating. Steve Farrar talks about fathers mentoring their boys and leaving behind a legacy. He opens the first chapter in describing haw an evangilist gave up everything to spend time with his son. Now, when I say everything, I mean he gave up his career to help mentor his son in the late teen years. I don't want to give the story away so I'll ask you to check out the book for yourselves.
I have always heard that a boy needs his father. So many times in a broken marriage, the son will rebel because their is no father to lead him in the right direction. I can say this with experience because my boys are struggling. There is a song that says "Boys are the only thing that God can use to make a man".
Dad's, we have a manual to mentor our boys and it's called the Holy Bible. This last year I have shown more effection to my boys and had more one-on-one talks with them than I have, probably, ever. I'm still working. My prayer is that all the dad's will come to God's calling.
We need to take lessons from the greatest Father of all, our Heavenly Father.

Can Christian Music Be Bad? 2

A few years ago I worked at a Christian Book store. I really enjoyed working there but the sad thing is that my paycheck went back to the store because of the purchases I made from my own thinking. Most of the things I bought there was music. I probably bought the majority of my collection that I have now at that store.
I also deprived my family of getting bills paid on time, missed car payments, mortgages past due and almost lost my family.
I still struggle with temptations but I'm doing alot better than I was. For years I served the "money god" and never was fulfilled. There is only one true God that can fill your life with happiness, meaning and purpose. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. All we have to do is cry out to Him and repent of our sins.

Bob Barker's Exit

Like the frog in the pot that is gradually getting cooked so is the way we view television, with the audience being the frog. So many things are "socially exceptable" these days. The thing is, it didn't happen over night.
Recently Bob Barker said farewell in a string of prime time episodes on The Price Is Right. My family and I were watching one of those shows on a Wednesday night, as they were reminiscing about Bob's adventures that he had been in. They showed a clip from Happy Gilmore where a fight broke out between Happy (Adam Sandler) and Bob Barker. One of the phrases that was said was "The price is wrong bi**h" and Bob returning with a comment of his own also using the word bi**h.
At that instant, I looked up at the clock, noticing it was 8:30pm, and then at my twins, who are 3, and couldn't beleive what I just heard. Primetime and children are still up.
My, we have come along way. I'm sure Mr. Barker wouldn't have even of airing that 35 years ago.
I learned a valuable lesson that night; monitor everything your kids watch, even if it is a talk show host that has been on for 35 years.

Can Christian Music Be Bad?

A few years ago I had a lady come up to me at work and said that God had told her that I was listening to much music. I was pretty upset and really didn't say anything at first but in my heart I was saying, "How dare you, I listen to Christian music." She went on to tell me that God wants me in His word more. I told her I didn't have any bible audio or I would listen on my cd player. Of course, since it was from God, the next day she handed me a brand new KJV Bible on cd that had never been opened. She said she bought it and was holding on until God told her to give it away. Bottom line, satan can even use Christian music to keep us away from God and his word. Lately, I've been listening to alot of Christian music and believe it's time to tap into God's word, audio or written, and set the music aside.

Starting An Evil Legacy

One of the first followers of Aleister Crowley was a gentlemen by the name of L. Ron Hubbard. For most people, including myself as of a couple years ago, this name was not recognizable. L. Ron Hubbard took alot of the teachings of Crowley and used them for his own cause, The Church of Scientology. Today this cult has a large number of followers including several Hollywood actors and actresses. These are the same stars of the silver screen that get on talk shows and talk about the Church of Scientology and how great it is and the public eats it up. It can't be all that bad if Tom Cruise and John Travolta are in it, wrong. John 14:6 states 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. That means scientology or any other way can't get you to heaven, but Jesus. L Ron Hubbard was following a false, evil prophet and now that has spread.
One of the things I heard about is a website called prayformedia.org. As christians, we need to pray for those that are following a false god. I used to hate the entertainers after I started studying the secular music and movies. I heard something a while back stating that we should pray for these people.

An Evil Man!

Back in the summer of 1986 I was introduced to Aleister Crowley while listening to an evengalist on some tapes I had. I never heard of this man until I was told of the association he had between himself and a lot of the entertainment industry. He was considered the father of satanism. A lot of the things in which he practiced were homosexuality, drug use, black magic and human sacrifices. There are many artists in the music industry who claim to follow his works and teachings. One of the infamous sayings he had was "Do what thou wilt." He set the stage for the things to come in the way songs have such an effect on people.

Judging the music

Good Fight Ministries uses John 7:24 to explain the purpose of them exposing the true meaning of the secular music industry. Good Fight has recieved alot of hate mail over the years and that has made me realize that I'm going to step on a "few toes" also. The passion I have to protect our children from the evil things that come out of the television and the radio, makes the hate mail, I'm sure to get, a little easier to digest.
John 7:24 says, "Do not judge according to appearance, BUT JUDGE WITH RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT."
There is a spiritual battle going on over our children's souls and the radio and the silver screen are the battlefields.

At The Crossroads

Robert Johnson, who is considered to be the father of rock-n-roll, is said to have sold his soul in Clarksdale, Mississippi at the crossroads. Robert sang songs like "Hell Hounds On My Trail" to show the fear he had of Satan collecting. Robert would often get drunk and curse God. Right before he died, he went insane and started barking and howling like a dog. The people that new him best said there was a time where he couldn't play guitar or sing and then he disappeared for several months only to return with extra ordinary talent that could be defined as supernatural but supernatural from Satan. During this time, he was said to have sold his soul to Satan.
Sadly, there are a lot of famous rock stars who have followed Johnson. Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin has stated that he has gone to the same crossroads and put dirt in a jar. I'll save that for another story down the road.
Robert Johnson started the trend that would lead to the paradigm of early death syndrome in the rock-n-roll world.

Head To Christ

Recently, Brian "Head" Welch, former guitarist for Korn, gave his life to Christ. He addressed a radio station in Bakersfield, Ca of his resignation and new found faith. Brian stated in an article that "he had a list of reasons incdluding increased moral objections to Korn's music and videos." Brian is coming out with a book titled "Save Me From Myself" July 7, 2007. I encourage everyone to check it out.
I pray for Brian and that he can touch youth in a positive way. God bless you, Brian.

It's all about the music!

I've always believed that whatever a person does, they're either serving God or serving satan. The same also goes with what we take in with are eyes and ears. You need to ask yourself' "Would I listen to that song or watch that movie with my Pastor beside me?" or better yet with Jesus beside you. The Bible talks about garbage in; garbage out. If you listen to something repeatedly, will the messege be in your brain. One reason I do not listen to country music any more, is the negativity. Not all of it was bad. I look back now and realize how depressed I was when I would listen to the songs. Starting with this blog, we will take a journey from Robert Johnson, the father of rock-n-roll, all the way to the music of today. We might get off the beaten path to write about currrent events in the entertainment industry but we will eventually stick with the story at hand. Please feel free to comment on any blog.

Axe Body Spray

I had to stop in at wal-mart today to get a prescription filled. It was going to take awhile so I decided to take a look around. The body spray Axe had a display and their slogan was "Make nice girls, naughty." I noticed that just about everywhere I go there are promotions of promiscuity. Our society has seen the coming of different types of sexualy transmitted diseases and unwanted children. Not only does the entertainment industry promote this but also the things you buy in the store.

Apology

I apologize for the interuption on my web site. I plan on getting it going soon.