Taking a stand.

Well there I was, enjoying being a member of Facebook like so many people I know. I was playing a game on there minding my own business and bam, an offensive ad showed up. Why was it offensive, well it showed 2 people kissing. What's wrong with that? They were 2 girls! And being a Christian, yeah, you would say it's offensive to me. It might even be offensive to people who arent Christians. At any rate, I thought, can I, knowing what goes on here, actually still be a part of this social network? I decided I couldnt. Not because I'm "super spiritual" or over religious, etc. It's just that I dont like supporting something that goes against the laws of God. How am I supporting it by being a member? Well these internet companies get their funding by the amount of people they have as members. I'm sure my being gone will not make a bit of difference but maybe if enough folks who think that the ad I mentioned was offensive, would take a stand, social networks like Facebook would change how they do things. It's pretty sad that our society has come to the point of blatantly being anti-God in so many ways. When the Bible says perilous times were coming, it meant now I'm sure. Addendum: I decided to go back to facebook for one reason: I miss being in contact with people, and now during these times, I want to be able to be in contact.

Happy 25th Birthday Costco! You've come a long way baby!

Having already blogged about my favorite store, I thought it would be fitting at least to wish Costco a happy 25th.  And without even planning it, to celebrate, I bought a new clock radio. Before I tell you about the "bells and whistles" of the latest and greatest clock radio, I'll tell you why we got one in the first place....We had been waking up to my loud ringer on my blackberry and unfortunately, that was draining the battery, so clock radio shopping was in order.  It wasnt until we got it home that I realized that 25 years ago, clock radios were one of the first things Costco sold. How appropriate! And wow, has technology did a number on the simple clock radio. Ours is now smaller, has an MP3 jack, projects the time on the wall and we can even wake up to nature sounds. Are you impressed? Of course, after 25 years, you'd think it would be able to tell you your blood pressure, balance your brain waves, cook your breakfast, order a taxi...oh well, maybe we should give it another 25 years.

Garbarge In, Garbage Out

Computers have become such an integral part of our lives. What started out as a piece of machinery that filled a whole room now can fit in someone's pocket!  So many times, people refer to our brains as "computers" and they very well are, but on a much higher level I would presume. After all, we do so many things without even "thinking" of it....we don't ponder about our blood cells exchanging oxygen and waste products, we dont even meditate about how our lungs work......we just go about our business while all these amazing processes go on. As I was reformatting the hard drive on our computer, I was thinking how easy it is to just erase everything......to start from scratch, get rid of every bit of junk that has been bogging down the processes of the computer. And there you have it, a clean slate, ready to go about its "business" like it was fresh from the factory.
What if we could do that with our brains? With a click of a button, we could get rid of all the temp files, all the junk that has been hindering us from operating at full capacity! Being a Christian, I know in "theory", of course I know its fact.......but what I'm trying to say is......I know that is exactly what happens when you are Born Again, in the Spirit, all things become new.....why is it that for most Christians, the garbage is still there? The old habits, the old ways of thinking? The Bible says, be renewed in the Spirit of your mind. I guess if we are falling short of our potential in Christ, it's our own fault. The problem is, there is a delicate balance between resting in God, and working out your own salvation! On one hand, God is the one who is working on us and working through us, on the other hand (I sound like Tevya), we are to draw near to Him, we are to resist the devil, there are things WE have to do. How do you know when you are making progress in God? Do you reach more of a level of contentment and joy? I've been thinking about the fruits of the Spirit....if they are operating, then the roots are planted firmly in the SOIL. I dont know about the rest of the Christian world out there, but lately, I've definitely been wanting to see more fruit in my own life. And out with the garbage!

Dr. Mr. Obama

Sunny side of truth

George Carlin, the decline of a really funny guy

Anyone who has lived through the 70's and 80's or has listened to their parent's albums has heard of George Carlin. In my teenage years and early 20's, I was amused by his humor. Yes it got raucous at times, but for the most part it was pretty pure in some sense. What really grieved me was after all these years of not listening to him, I found out that he totally got bitter, resentful and angry, actually blasphemous against Christians, against God Himself. He even admitted in one of his spiels that he not only had issues, he was full blown psychotically insane about things...and it showed....you heard it from his own mouth. I even prayed and asked God about the situation and I believe He told me that George Carlin got very bitter towards life! Yes his eyes were opened to things, he noticed the human condition and instead of having compassion, was angry! But he wasnt always that way.... He was always able to talk about things that people dont take the time to ponder, like his whole spiel about blue food. That has always been in my memory. "how the heck is it there is no blue food, he asks, there is food in every color....oh I know, the rich people are saving it because it brings on immortality"
Or his spiel on the fact that we have so much stuff. And we have to find houses to hold all the stuff.
But my all favorite George Carlin Routine is the one about time. If you search for it on you tube, you'll find it.
I love how he explains that the clock face is so dramatic. It seems that the minute hand has an easy time going down the numbers from 12 to 6, but struggles when it has to defy gravity and go from 6 to 12.....how true that is. Have you ever noticed that? LOL. But what is so eerie is that in that same sentence, he mentions: if I die, I want it to be on that side of the clock from 6 to 12 so the hand goes slower, and wouldnt you know it, George Carlin died at 5:55 PM.

The Inspiration that is Costco

What started out in the early '80s as a place to get wholesale alarm clocks and some office supplies has grown to be one of the most lucrative businesses around. Ok, I'm biased because I do an independent contract at alot of their stores so I watch how they operate but I have to say I'm a fan!!

Costco knows how to survive the economic crunch. As I talk to various managers, I get the same story....people are still buying, they just are not loading up on as much or buying as many big box items such as tv's, etc. But of course, that doesnt apply to many who are in the 70,000 a year range..which costco states is the average income of their members. Maybe I'll get there someday or maybe not, who knows....but the point is....things rise and fall in this world, but Costco stands on its own two feet consistently. What is their secret? It's simple: quality items at a decent price....doesnt that make sense? It did to the founders! And it sure does to all their members. Now I know that there are people who protest Costco because of the small shops and mom and pop stores. BUT what you don't know is that many of those stores buy their goods at Costco and resell them, that is what Costco aims at: businesses...wholesale. I never have a problem with competition in the marketplace, the more the merrier....I think places like Costco force the little guys to not be as expensive.  Anyway, this member is totally glad they are as successful as they are!! Job security! LOL. And good deals as well.