Keeping Busy

So, it's been a while. Every time I thought about writing something down I lost the muse, or something. So, the world has been spared another several blog postings. Probably a good thing.

Anyway, I'm reading my bible the other day, through the book of Exodus. Second book of the bible, old testament stuff; Moses, the 10 Commandments, all kinds of stuff. You know, the first time Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God, he was up there 40 days. God gave him the commandments at that time and some other important info.

Now, this is the same God who rescued the Jews from the Egyptian rule, poured out plagues on the land that did not affect the Hebrews, locust, frogs, gnats, darkness,etc. Then the final sign as Pharoah refused to let the Hebrews go; striking dead the firstborn in the nation of Egypt, man and animal.

This is the same God who directed the Egyptians to give their valuables to the Jews as they left Egypt. The same God who parted the Red Sea so the Jews could cross as if on dry land, then causing the water to wash over the Egyptian soldiers who tried to follow.

This is the God who blazed a trail for His people with a cloud during the day and a great pillar of fire at night, so the people led by Moses would follow. Then, Moses heads up the mountain for 40 days. While he speaks with God, the Hebrew people started partying, even making a gold calf idol to worship. They forgot about the God who led them to freedom and the man God sent to them in under 40 days.

So God dispenses judgement on the Hebrews, many people die. Moses smashes the tablets containing the commandments and basically talks God out of destroying the people. Another couple of tablets later, some repentence, and the Hebrews were saved by God's grace.

Now, God then gave very specific rules about building a tent of meeting that would be where God would hang out when the Hebrews would take a break from their travel to the promised land, Israel. He gave very specific orders on how to construct everything, how to make the robes for the priests, the rules for various ways how to minister in the temple. In the next book, Leviticus, God lays down some real specific rules, designed to keep people safe and healthy, both physically and spiritually.

We sometimes look at rules and regulations as hinderances to our freedoms, keeping us from fully enjoying our lives. I think God looks at them much differently. He gave specific instructions because He knows if left to our own desires, we're making idols out of gold, out of possessions, jobs, relationships, that end up separating us from Him.

God's rules weren't designed to hold us back. They were designed as ways to help us to remember to rely on Him. As we walk through life, we sometimes feel empty even in times of great wealth. We sometimes feel helpless, alone, or just simply "unfulfilled". Some of us deal with chronic health issues, poverty, addictions, and can't figure out why. "If God is love, why is there war, sickness and death?"

Well,let me give you my opinion. If we look at God as a quick fix, a Dr. Phil of the spiritual air waves, we're missing the boat. See, in the rules God desires us to try them out, to try Him out. As we are obedient to Him, He then knows we're serious about enjoying a relationship with Him, not just using Him as some kind of spiritual Santa Claus or other-wordly John Wayne bringing the cavalry to rescue you before it's too late.

Interestingly enough, God saw that for some reason most of us, if left to our own devices, will walk away from God. So He did send the cavalry, His son Jesus Christ. Jesus came to show us God's true nature, while as a man, he was prone to the same temptations and weaknesses of us all. Being obedient to God, He didn't follow the path of the calf-makers and self-worshipers. He stayed obedient,even taking God's punishment for sin upon Himself for all of us. He, as a sinless, blameless, spotless perfect one gave His life up so that we don't have to take God's punishment for everything we've done our way instead of His way.

It's not enough to say you believe in God, most people say that. The real way is to accept that there is one way to the Father, and that is by acccepting who Jesus is and really asking Him to lead you through this life to the next one. If the Isrealites had stayed obedient, many thousands would not have died, they would have taken a trip of about 11 days instead of 40 years in the wilderness.

What is your wilderness today? Is it lost in a mountain of debt, family troubles, or a situation that you can't seem to fix by yourself? It's time to look to the God who loves you so much He died for you. Father, Son and Holy Spirit our God is one. The one. If there are many Gods there are no Gods. If there are many ways to heaven, there is no real heaven. If the afterlife is something you have created in your mind, with your sense of "fairness" or "tolerance" you're missing out on a great opportunity to know the one who makes the rules, not to burden you with rules, but allow you to be free in this life and the next through His son Jesus Christ. He who the son sets free is free indeed.

God's Kingdom is kind of backwards compared to our thoughts sometimes. He says "obey" and you'll be free. He says "give" and it will be given to you. He has told us we only can love because he first loved us, even dying for us. Try this backwards kingdom for yourself; be obedient and be free; give to others, and see what you receive, love others, and feel His love. God Bless you all.

Venti or Grande?

So I sit here at a Starbucks in Plymouth, Mi between sales appointments. Mine is a Grande Decaf Americano, by the way, no room for cream. As I sit here sipping, I am also enjoying the parade of folks visiting the coffee shop on a 90-degree plus day with amazing humidity (the people do not have amazing humidity, the weather is humid).

Now, many of us are drinking hot beverages. There are the majority, though, with various varieties of iced tea, iced coffee, and of course the frozen concoction which has surpassed cocaine and even scotch, the famed Frappucino, (make mine a caramel mocha frappucino(sp?). Wow! These people who turn up their nose at a McDonald's milk shake or 7-11 Slurpee are lined up waiting for their frozen specialties like it's free government cheese or something. And they're laying out about $4.00 a pop! Ahhh, America.

Then I thought of last night's US Open Tennis ceremonies. Many tennis legends were marched out, fireworks were sent up into the night sky, and tennis luminaries from around the globe marveled at the site. It's tennis, folks. There's a continuing (worsening?) recession, two wars, a continuing housing meltdown, and we're in line for $4.00 coffees, tennis tickets costing hundreds, perhaps thousands, while we blog, Facebook, Twitter and the like.

We have the Tea Party, we have "psuedo tea-parties" here in Michigan set up by Democrats trying to confuse the voters, we have November elections coming up which will either bring the American Government either more toward the center or keep it careening down the path labeled either "enlightened" or "socialism" depending on your views. Although I must say, I heard a story about a free health clinic set up in New Orleans at the Convention Center. The organizer said the large turnout shows the need for health care in this area. Well, tell 'ya the truth, if I was there, I'd go for free and circumvent my deductible or office charge if I could.

I'd think there would be many hundreds of people here in the Starbucks if they were giving away frozen caramel whatzits, too. See, free is good. People like free. Except someone's gotta pay for the stuff that is given out for free. Starbucks is paying their employees and paying for all the stuff they would give out. It has a cost and someone's got to bear it. In this case, the business takes the cost. With free health care, free cell phones, free cable service, free food, the working taxpayers foot the bill. This money is not magically created, it comes from all the people working who can afford a $4.00 frozen luxury or a $500.00 tennis ticket and who have been paying for housing bailouts, bank bailouts, wars and the rest.

I fear our nation is leaning toward being taken care of by the government rather than work toward the "American Dream"...There are jobs out there, you just gotta be willing to make less than $80,000.00 a year. There was a time in my life I worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. Maybe more of us just have to consider it. I fear too many people want the $4.00 coffee while they're out of work and want me to pay for it. I'll go for the $1.00 Tim Horton's coffee, I'll even throw in the odd fruit explosion muffin, okay?

I would not want to be out of work. I would not want to face losing my home. I never leveraged my home far beyond what it would ever be worth, I did not buy a half-million dollar home with income more deserving of a mobile home. I did not think I "deserved" a house in the Dominican Republic, a time-share in Boca and a boat the size of the USS Enterprise in addition to my family home.

We as a nation must begin to support our businesses, yes even Starbucks. (How come 80% of every Honda, Subaru, Toyota, etc. have Obama stickers on them? Really. The party of the union worker buys imported, sometimes non-union, stuff. Who's shopping at Wal-Mart (China Mart)? Let's encourage business people to make stuff here, and support them with "right to work" legislation versus the very socialist "closed shops". Let's not think we're working for the "union", but appreciate the corporation that is writing the checks...

Last thing. I'm listening to the radio. Some guy is calling in and saying how Chrysler is forcing the union to take only $14.00 per hour instead of $30.00 for new hires or they would send the jobs to Mexico. He also stated how the UNION provided for his family, his dad and he worked for the UNION (at Chrysler) all their adult lives and how the UNION provided the money that allowed the family to buy a restaurant and employ people and make a better life for themselves. The radio show host had to remind the man that Chrysler provided the jobs and the money. If there was no Chrysler, there would be no union jobs. We also found out that their restaurant employees were non-union and the highest paid employee made less than $14.00 per hour, and had to pay for a large percentage of their healthcare. HMMMMMM....

Sorry for the rant, just went off in a few directions. A good rant can be fun...just a bit disjointed however.

I would encourage everyone to look at God as the Great Provider. His son Jesus gave everything for you and me. He tells us not to worry about what we will eat or wear, 'cause God even provides food for the animals of the earth and the glorious splendor of flowers. If he provides for them, will He not provide for us? God might not fulfill all your wants, but He loves you and wants to fulfill your NEEDS. Have faith, Love God, Love others, Pray to the One who is waiting for your words, in Jesus' Name, Amen. (And have the occasional frozen caramel whatzit).

No Nudes is Good Nudes?

If a blog is posted and nobody reads it, does it count? I suppose if posted via wireless the message travels out of Earth's atmosphere into space. There, I suppose it travels throughout the universe, reaching farther and farther into space, where finally it is collected by some giant radio telescope. There, I suppose even further, some race of people excitedly announce that they have received messages from far beyond their own universe. Then, a green-skinned, hairless being in a lab coat says, "Zalmanju waakuu mahpasi fuurtuu, lurtuu, grnsnazzle." This roughly translates to, "Nah, just another blog. No porn for once, though."

How much broadcast porn is being viewed by other-wordly beings? If they look like us, do they think it's art and not porn? You know, I visit the Detroit Institute of Art from time to time,www.dia.org, makes me feel "metropolitan", plus I like the pictures. (You must refrain, of course, while at the from even mouthing the word "picture" and voice only words such as "works", "masterpiece", "illuminating", "transformational" and stuff like that, less "they" think you're a boob).

So on any trip to the DIA, you end up in the sculptures area, where you stand in the middle of a bunch of naked people. This of course is art, unless you try to display it anywhere else but an art institute. Anywhere else and people would say, "What's with all the naked people?"

I look at these "works" (some even transformational works) and I think, "If the people then could see us now. These works were all probably rich guy's porn stash and a thousand years or so later, they're works of art". Seriously, there was no Playboy Rome or Penthouse Athens in those days, and we know perverts like Nero and Caligula were around. Roman orgies are the stuff of legend.

So, as I walk through the displays of naked women, naked men, naked cherubs, multiple naked people, etc., I'm thinking, "porn". You can tell me all you want about the artist's desire to capture the wonderful form of the human body, and I'll answer with, "What, they couldn't put a loincloth on this guy? You really gotta show it all? You can't modestly drape a sash or design clever use of hands, props, etc. to cover a bit of this lady?"

After many years of traveling through the DIA and other art collections, it finally hit me this past year. Most all this stuff was created for Hugh Hefner's early relatives. Let's face it; with no internet, cable or pay-per-view, where else would a pervert get a naked fix? I know many of you just think I'm Larry the Cable Guy's relative or something based on this, but next time you go, think of it. Most of these statues were not displayed publicly at the time of their creation. They were commissioned by someone for a private residence or estate, or happened to be the buxom girlfriend of the artist. "C'mon, baby, it's art, it's not like it's dirty or anything and only you and I will see it". Then the guy sells it to some Roman perv who shows it off like it's Paris Hilton's sex tape or something. Really!

Anyway, I hope I haven't ruined art for you. And I hope that any of my Christian friends don't excommunicate me because of this. But you gotta admit, the more you think about this stuff, the harder it is to think "art" and the easier it is to think "porn". Of course this has nothing to do with my collection of Roman Nudes dating back to the Sophia Loren era.

Here's to good-natured laughs, an attempt at some fun, and may even a new truth to consider. God did, after all, create humor, I suppose. And I will find out one day if He considered this in good humor, or good taste. See you next time.

EJ

Primary Concerns

So it's two days before Michigan Primary elections, and I'm sure other states around the country. We will be electing a new governor this year to replace Jennifer Granholm and dozens of people in our House of Representatives and Senate.

Republicans are drooling with the thought of dominating the State houses and the Governor's Mansion. I guess they're looking at about 14% unemployment, a state budget that is a mess, and Obama backlash as a path to victory (perhaps a freeway to victory). Methinks that they should not count any chickens yet.

Democrats are touting job creations (tough to sell here in the Wolverine State), and promising more new jobs. (Probably a chicken in every pot that the GOP can count, etc.). They are still blaming the GOP Governor from 8 years ago for this mess. Kinda like the way the White House is still blaming W for everything bad including Heidi and Spencer's upcoming divorce.

So the campaign calls have been coming to the house, and the mail has been non-stop. Sorta neat that our land-line phone is out of order due to squirrels or fallen limbs or something. Been nice and quiet for a couple of days.

Anyway, twice this past week my wife and I each received campaign literature from Planned Parenthood. The BIG headline was "Bernero the Only Candidate to Support a Woman's Right to Choose". The other Big headline was, "Dillon Says NO to All Abortions Even in Cases of Rape or Incest."

Two things about this. One, no matter your take on abortion, it is hardly the biggest challenge facing this state right now, even our nation. Second, there were no Republican candidates mentioned at all, just the Democratic candidates, Virg Bernero (PRO ABORTION) and Andy Dillon (ANTI-ABORTION). Never-you-mind the cloud of financial shenanigans surrounding Mr. Bernero, Mayor of Lansing, Mi and proud to be called a "career politician". Never-you-mind State Senator Dillon's ability to obtain bi-partisan support in a fractured state government, even willing to (shudder) compromise on a few points to pass a budget and try to have everyone act civil.

Don't even think about the high unemployment rate, the exodus of our young college graduates and young professionals to other "grass is greener" states. Don't worry that we're bleeding jobs, our homes are worth about half of what they were worth in 2007, don't let the near-collapse of our largest employer, the auto companies and supporting businesses, worry you. It's all about who will let you, ladies and gents, kill your babies.

It galls me that Planned Parenthood would tout one candidate over another based on one issue. There's not a look at a person's character, track record or apparent skills. It's not necessarily about fixing the problems of a woebegone state; no, it's about the ease of ending pregnancies.

What a sad state we're in when the tipping point of a person's vote for or against a person is because one candidate supports abortion and the other does not. Imagine campaign posters in Nazi Germany; "Hitler is the only Pro-killing Jews and Gypsies candidate, don't vote for the other guy who wants to let them live". It think that puts it in perspective for me. If you make it a one-plank campaign, I'll vote for the person who supports life. Sorry, Hitler, sorry Virg, sorry Planned Parenthood.

You know, Republicans and Christians have been reviled by the "Left" for making abortion the single most important issue in a campaign. Well, I believe Planned Parenthood has just shown that to be false. Planned Parenthood is such a misnomer. They don't want to help anyone PLAN anything. They are an abortion-for-profit company with as much desire to help couples plan as Keith Olberman desires to date Ann Coulter...

So, I'm thinking, well, I'm mad as heck and I'm not going to take it anymore. So I had to share this with you all...or anyone who is out there, I suppose. The law of the State of Michigan allows most abortions. The Governor by himself cannot change the law. Candidate Dillon said he will abide by the law of the State. Apparently, not good enough for Planned Parenthood even if he is the better Democratic candidate.

On the Republican side, they're mostly talking about jobs, schools, jobs, cutting taxes, and jobs. Sounds like a good platform for a party seeking election in this state. Now, Right to Life has backed our current Attorney General Mike Cox, who is one of about five Republican gubernatorial candidates, all of whom claim to be pro-life. I wonder if anyone at Planned Parenthood ever considered that a pro-life Republican would actually be a better governor that a pro-abortion Democrat, but I think not. And I think Right-to-Life would support a pro-life candidate from the Democratic Party if the person on the other side of the ballot was pro-abortion or lukewarm on the subject.

I am so sick of the "Pro-Choice" lobby. Who has the choice, here? Certainly not the father of the child, certainly not the child (over half of whom are female babies by the way, ladies). "Choice" is certainly an innocuous term for killing an unborn child. But when pro-life people talk about the killing of children, and the horrible thought of harvesting embryos for stem-cell research, the other side cries, "FOUL"! When pictures of aborted babies are shown, when people use the terms killing and murder, the other side shakes their fingers and says "shame on you for using such graphic pictures and terms". Well, if something you support sickens or shames you when shown in the light of day perhaps it's time for a second thought.

Shame on you, National Organization for Women, for backing Virg Bernero based simply on abortion. Shame on you, Planned Parenthood for not looking past one issue to support perhaps the better person. As a Christian, I do believe God does turn his back to people who go away from Him. He does not condone killing innocent people. He spoke out and acted out against peoples who "put their children through the fire" literally sacrificing their children in furnaces to a false god. Jesus told everyone that the Kingdom of Heaven is for those such as the children who surrounded Him.

When you look at hard-hit states, look at the moral base; see if some changes in moral attitudes might help. Our nation has left God behind for the most part. It seems we can't get God out of our way fast enough to avoid guilt, to allow any activity in which we might find pleasure, to allow the old adage "if it feels good, do it."

I can't believe that women (or anyone) can call abortion "choice". The real choice starts with a woman deciding that sex is not a recreational activity like working out in the gym, jogging, etc. I can't believe people have as little control as a couple of dogs in the street as far as sexual activity is concerned.

Our youth are experiencing sexual activity at younger and younger ages, sexually transmitted diseases are at ridiculous levels, and our response is to allow an HPV vaccine for our teen-aged girls "because they're just going to have all kinds of sex anyway". Really? You WANT your daughters to have dozens of sexual partners by the time they reach college? Is that your aspiration for your children? Because if you let your children think a promiscuous lifestyle is what you expect, they will strive to achieve it. If you take time to PARENT your children, you can make a difference. Remember the old "Baretta" television show with Robert Blake? "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." Well, if you are not ready to care for the life you help create, you probably shouldn't be engaged in sexual activity. Check out some of the information at www.nichd.nih.gov/womenshealth/research/disorders/stdhiv.cfm

God created man and woman to be perfect for each other, including sexually. How do I know? Because HE said so; and so many times, it's as simple as checking out the plumbing. Sex was created to be a pleasant way to....HAVE KIDS! It's supposed to be fun so you will be encouraged to have more children. But He created this wonderful act so a man and a woman in a loving, committed, permanent relationship could enjoy each other completely and intimately. We, in this age, have really distorted God's great gift.

Finally, to women who have had an abortion due to one mistake in their lives. Please, God doesn't condemn you, I don't condemn you. I believe most women feel some remorse or emptiness for this child whose life was ended. Men, maybe you persuaded someone to have an abortion they really didn't want, or maybe a women you were with did it because YOU said it was the "right thing to do". Don't live in guilt. The Lord is waiting for you with open arms. Talk to Him like you'd talk to a friend. Just start "Dear God", and go for it. You will find Him waiting for your words, and you just might feel His presence in your heart, lifting a weight from you, allowing you to breath easier, to once again feel whole and "right". Here's to us all who have had the guilt of abortion; to feel "right", or righteous, through the Love of God and His son Jesus Christ. Amen.

It's the Berries!

So several of my cousins and I traveled from the Detroit Metro area to the aforementioned Upper Peninsula to visit more cousins. My cousin Lois was the head of the Copper Country Strawberry Festival in Chassell, MI. (http://www.einerlei.com/community/strawFest/home.html) This is a Lion's club thing for 62 years. Chassell grows small but yummy strawberries. And it's as good a reason as any to have a festival, I suppose.

Anyway, hundreds of people showed up. My cousins and I (along with sis) made shortcakes Friday night until we were ready to drop. They bailed while I helped clean up I might add. The new Strawberry Queen was crowned, there was a fish boil (yup) and a good time was had by all.

Saturday was the big PARADE. Apparently nobody wants to be parade judges so my cousin signed me up along with another cousin's friend. Oh, we judged an hour long parade with floats, cars, bands, clowns, fire trucks, (too many) Politicians and more. Real Americana. Good stuff.

My cousin the Strawberry Festival Head (therefore the "Queen Lion" by the way), then had us over to her house, which is about 12 feet from Portage lake, which is a body of water that is connected on both sides to Lake Superior. It separates the Keewenaw Peninsula from the rest of the U.P. I know you love the geography.

Always good time and fun with family, and we traveled over 500 miles to get together when the farthest of us here in Metro Detroit are about 25 miles away. Weird.

So I started to think about family, and how family is really God ordained. He created woman and man to be together and always talks about having many children, being fruitful and multiplying, etc. He even put the genealogy of Jesus in there, to connect the family of man to the family of God.

When we tear families apart through selfishness, (divorce, petty quarrels, etc.), we are tearing apart some of the basic framework of the Father's design for us. We are tearing ourselves apart. It's easy to look at family sometimes as a burden, whether it be aging issues, responsibility issues and the like. But, gee, when we look at family as not just a gift but an ordination from God to us, it sure looks more important.

Hey! Write, email or call someone in your family that you haven't really connected with in a long time. Do it today. Don't worry about being uncomfortable, these people have some of the same blood flowing in them you do. Family is always family. They might disappoint you, or run from you , or embarrass you. But I'll bet no one cares for you more, even when years and miles have separated you.

Here's to you, in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; Bless you all in Jesus' Name...You and your families, with a special shout out to mine.

Summer Time

Ahh, yes. To paraphrase Kid Rock "it's summertime in Michigan". While I firmly believe that Chicago is about the best city in America in the summertime, I also believe you can't beat a great Michigan vacation. Miles of beaches, great woods, fun and funky cities and towns along the way, water sports, fishing, boating, you name it, you can find it here in the state of two peninsulas.

Yup, in case your knowledge of geography is limited, Michigan has a Lower Peninsula and an Upper Peninsula. Those living in the UP are called, of course, Yoopers. Yoopers call those from the lower peninsula Trolls. See, the main route from lower to upper is the Mackinaw (Or Mackinac) Bridge, a 6 mile long suspension bridge connecting our state. Obviously if you live "under the bridge" you are a troll. People from the southern part of our state are also called "Fudgies" because of the great number who head up north and partake of the famous fudge confection.

I am a natural born Yooper. Born in Hancock, MI in the heart of the copper country, where for a time about 80 per cent of the world's copper came out of the ground near where I was born. I consider myself immune from Troll or Fudgie because of my UP birth.

Yoopers sound a lot like the folks from the movie Fargo, except the accent is more pronounced. I asked a Yooper what the weather was like and if I should visit in June or July. He answered, "Badder mayk it Chooly; der's a fuddasnow onda crown and annadder fudda wet snow comin' tonight." (Better make it July; there is a foot of snow on the ground and another foot of wet snow coming tonight. Classic Yooper.

Anyway, my lovely bride and I started in Chicago, her birthplace, to visit family and celebrate both our kid's graduations from college. We also met to celebrate my daughter's engagement, which is still very recent and very exciting. She's marrying the type of guy who actually came and asked my wife and I if we approved before asking her. It killed us to wait an entire 24 hours to find out. Another new chapter in our lives.

The two of us then spent the week touring the west coast of Michigan, from Bridgman and Douglas, Saugatuck and Grand Haven, Holland and Grand Rapids. Beaches, sun, fun, relaxation, hiking and (ugh) shopping. I tell you, when we vacation it's like we're just kids dating again. Good stuff.

I'll tell you what, too. When you look at Lake Michigan, sparkling like shimmering gold in the sunshine, with an endless horizon, waves washing up on white sandy beaches, you can't help but wonder how this beauty came to be. You know, when you look at a sculpture or painting, or magnificent sky-scraper, you think of the artist or architect or dreamer conceiving of the project, and then try to imagine all the work involved in moving from concept to finished product.

Why then, is it so hard for some to believe in a Creator who did indeed separate the day from night, the water from dry land, the One who hung the stars in the sky and called them by name, as it is written? If I see a car, I know many people were involved in the design and construction, from iron ore mines to steel plants to rubber tree farms, etc. If I see a billboard or television or laptop I know it did not just miraculously evolve from some smaller, less complicated sign, or machine, or whatever; no more than the skyscraper or painting came together on their own by some evolutionary process.

Why, then, when people look around at this magnificent Earth, at the diverse people, animals, landscapes and plants, do they think all this evolved from some "primordial stew"? (Thanks a lot, Carl Sagan). Doesn't it indeed take more faith than that of any Pentecostal Evangelical Born-Again Christian to believe in simple chance as to the birth of our very universe? Really, if I say OK, I believe in man's evolution from some amino-acid laced puddle in a newly formed world, how do you explain the difference between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua? How can you explain the difference between grass, corn, apple trees and Kentucky Blue?

Any way you slice it, the fingerprints of a single creator are all over this world, and all over us. It's just not cool to speak out on behalf of One God, the master creator of everything. There is no proof of an evolutionary process, that I'm aware of. There is lateral adaptation, as in the Galapagos Finch, which is still a finch. There is the salt-water swimming iguanas, which are still iguanas. I watch old movies, look at old pictures, heck, my family has pictures from the very dawn of photography. People still look like people, animals like animals and things really haven't changed too much.

Deep thoughts for summer vacation. It's amazing when you don't have to worry about work, or deadlines. When all you have to do is look at the world around you, it's people, plants, animals, lakes, oceans, etc., you really can see the workmanship of a Creator who desires you to be friends with Him. Try it, you'll like it. Happy Summer Vacation to all, wherever you are and whenever your summer is.

Father's Day Regards

Father's day got confusing once I got married. I had my birth father who had divorced my mom, remarried and lived about 3 hours away in Indiana. I had my step-father, who dealt with me through my teen years and young adulthood, and I now had a Father-In-Law. My wife's dad was an old-fashioned old school guy who loved his family, his God and his country. He worked hard, didn't ask for any slack, and didn't like to give any. I loved the guy. My step-dad, Harold, was a great friend and father figure, though he never had any children of his own. He was the Best Man at my wedding.

My dad did everything he knew how while he was with us. The fact that he left for a single thrice-married divorcee and a penchant for drinking, smoking, partying and sex only slightly marred his legacy in my book. Let's face it, he was getting older, my mom was not appealing to him anymore, and he went for the gusto. Don't take the last statement as me venting about a childhood I missed or something. I had great times with my dad. We'd fish, he played in the father-son little league game even though he was as old as some of the kids grandfathers; we had fun and I know he loved me. I just want to be honest with you.

Well, in the vernacular of the times, "Who's my daddy?" Well, it was a card to my dad in Indiana, a call and a card to father-in-law, and a card and dinner or visit and present of some sort to Harold. My dad died in 1986, about 7 years after I got married. Harold and my Father-in-law John died in the same year, about 6 weeks apart about 6 years ago. It's tough to go from 3 dads to zero. Coming from a "broken home" both my step-father and father-in-law were key men in my going from childhood to adult. John's commitment to family and Harold's desire to do what was right were just what the doctor ordered for this guy.

Anyway, from 2001-2006 I worked with inner-city kids with my church. It was a bus ministry where we picked up kids and took them to church, introduced them to Jesus, provided love, fun and snacks. Some of the best times I had was when I'd visit the families during the week. I got to play with the kids, encourage them with schoolwork, and allow us to get to know each other. Sometimes I'd go out and get groceries when the cupboards were bare; sometimes I helped with homework, sometimes paying off an overdue electric bill to turn on heat and lights; sometimes it was just to love the kids.

One Father's Day back in 2001 we went out on our bus route to go get the kids for church. I had visited everyone the day before and reminded them what time to be ready, etc. This particular route, my route, would have anywhere from 20 to 50 kids, aged 4-17 on any given Sunday.

Well, we took our bus on Sunday and went to get the kids. House after house, either the kids were gone, or waiting to be picked up by family. All the kids that day were going to see their dads. You see, in my bus route of about 20 homes there was not one single father in the household. At least one of the dads was in jail for murdering a family member, in an argument over the wife. One of the dads was in jail for drug trafficking; a multiple time offender headed up for many years. The other men who I call "sperm donors" are the type of guy that waltz's in to a woman's life, has some kids, then finds another woman along the way. But, even a runaway dad would "demand" to see his kids on Father's Day.

Well, we brought back an empty bus that day, and I took the opportunity to go see Harold with my wife and kids and we had a dandy day. I visited the kids during the week to see how their day with dad was. I found out moms liked it the most; it was a big party day for the moms with the kids gone all day. I found that for a least two of my little girls, who I saw Sunday morning in beautiful matching dresses, new shoes, fresh hairdos, etc., waited all day for a dad who didn't show. Nice work, dad.

Most of the kids told of dads who pretty much just had them with him for the day, to take them back in the evening. But these kids were excited for the chance to see their dads. I didn't think the dads deserved this kind of devotion from these wonderful children. Then of course it dawned on me how much I missed my dad when he left, and how glad I was to see him. And it made me cry for these lovely little kids. They want so little from their dads, and receive even less.

Here's to the dads who stay. Here's to the dads who respect and love their wives, here's to the single dads, and the divorced dads who continue to be active parents to their children. Thanks, guys. In this world where the status of men as head of the household seems to decline daily, where clumsy Tim the Tool Man Taylor and Bumbling Mr. Berenstain (sp?)of the bear family along with all the single mom TV shows ( I love you Reba, but...) downplay a man's role in the household, you guys are standing up and standing tall. (Tough sentence above....read it slowly)

See, our sons need us to teach them how to be men, including how to respect women. Our daughters need us to learn how to respect themselves for who they are and to look out for the boys who are bad news. My sister has struggled at times in life due to a strained relationship with our dad; including, I believe, helping cause her divorce. Her son has struggled at times due to a similar strained relationship with his dad.

I am proud to be blessed with a wife of almost 31 years, and two (adult) children who have both graduated from Michigan State (Go Green!), she with a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, he with a Bachelor's Degree and headed for law school. I'm not the smartest, most successful, richest, best-looking guy in the world. I'm a dad who loves and respects his wife, and has made family the single most important part of life after faith. And if you don't think the Lord has made a positive impact in our household, you're fooling yourself.

Moms, we love you, too.

See you next time...Happy Father's Day.