Audra and Daryl's Wedding...

Emily and Quinton's Wedding...

Lauren and Mark's Wedding...

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Who's right? Who's wrong? (AKA, Who's right? Who's left?)

Tonight I posted a comment on Pastor Kris' blog which, after I did it, I felt might be inflammatory and possibly offensive to some Obama people. That was NOT my intent. I very much admired this post by Mike Messerli which I found by following a link on PK's blog. I agree with what Mike had to say there very much!

Election time can be a heated time for people who follow these things. My father is a prime example. He has been a die hard Democrat for as long as I can remember. The world's total ills can be blamed on Bush and all the Republicans since they came into existence in 1854 as far as he is concerned! My Dad and I have always shared the same political views (with the exception of the ONE TIME I voted Republican. My pastor at that time told his congregation we should vote our conscience and not our pocketbook...Clinton was in office and the economy, stupid, was in GREAT shape!) However, this year, Dad and I are not on the same page, politically speaking.
This year, I honestly DO NOT see any difference in the two political parties. They CLAIM they have all the answers to the problems created by the other party...They CLAIM the other party is to blame for what is wrong with this country. It just goes on and on and on, ad nauseum.

Watching the convention tonight, I was just amazed at the looks on the delegates' faces. Watching them, they just seemed to be in utter rapture at the thought of their party's innate ability to right all these wrongs. I just watched (with pity) these people who think Obama and the Democratic Party will truly be able to "set things right", not only in the US, but around the world as well. As we used to say in the 70s, "Are they stoned, or stupid????" I know that is very insensitive of me, but that is how I feel...And the ironic part is...I used to be just like them! I was looking for an answer to the injustices of the world to be solved by a person, political party, etc. Now I know God is the ONLY answer to this country's (and the world's) sorry state of affairs. He will establish His kingdom on this earth and abolish the corrupt kingdoms of this world.

"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and comsume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." Daniel 2:44

Of course, until that happens, we are commanded to pray for our country and its leaders. Ultimately, God puts in control who HE wants in control. (In the meantime, we will be subjected to more political conventions and political ads...LOTS more political ads!)

IMHO, when the Republican convention begins on September 1st, it will be pretty much a carbon copy of what we have been witnessing this week. Exceptions will be there, of course, such as what I posted about on Pastor Kris' blog. The war on terror, the economy, education, abortion, gay marriage, etc, etc, etc will be discussed. Blame will be placed squarely on the other party. In the end, everyone will have to make up their own minds as to "the lesser of two evils". At least, that is how I see it this year. My only dilemma in this election is, do I want to "make a statement" about the futility of a 2 party system, or possibly "waste" my vote by voting for a write in candidate. I haven't figured it out yet...

(I DO wish I had this button, though!)



GOD BLESS THE USA!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Anyone read this yet?



Heard some buzz about this book while perusing the net...

What's been widely hailed as the "must-read" book of the year, David Kupelian's "The Marketing of Evil" is exposing how "radicals, elitists and pseudo-experts" are conning millions of us into accepting beliefs and behaviors that would have horrified all previous generations of Americans.

and

The book, which skyrocketed up the Amazon charts upon its release, documents how much of the radical agenda that currently dominates America, from abortion to "gay rights" to church-state "separation," has actually been sold to Americans using the exact same psychological manipulation techniques employed by Madison Avenue.

sounds interesting to me. Here is the link where I got the above quotes:

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Lions 27 Bengals 10...




...and believe me, I DO NOT want to talk about it!!!!!!

But I did post, so feel free...if you must.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Not quite sure I get this...






I just read an article from an Associated Press writer which was printed in the Connersville News Examiner today. Here is a quote from it.

"Warren {speaking of Rick Warren} is an anti-abortion Southern Baptist who is nonetheless part of a shift away from the religious right's strict focus on abortion and marriage. The environment, poverty and education have also become pressing concerns, especially for younger evangelicals."

I guess it means there are other things we can focus on, and there are. But I hope he isn't "shifting away" from fundamental truths in an effort to "unite" us all...

Just asking...
Read this article here:

Friday, August 15, 2008

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Happy Birthday, Emily!



Today is Emily's birthday. I am not going to say which one. Ask her. (Emily, you ain't seen NUTHIN' yet...)

She had requested "Breakfast for Dinner", which Jim prepared and was very tasty! Here are some pics from the event...

Emily reading her card:



Emily with 3 hands:



Emily with her father and brother:



We love you!
Hope this year is GREAT for you!!!

Monday, August 11, 2008

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year (AKA - Hope Springs Eternal!)




Just finished watching my beloved Bengals WIN their first pre-season game. Bengals 20 - Green Bay 17 (BTW, could Espn POSSIBLY have mentioned Farve more than they did tonight???? I have NEVER heard such lousy broadcasting!!! I finally quit listening and turned to Brad and Lap on WLW for my play-by-play) Here is my favorite Brett Farve memory...(not really, but come on...save it for the Jets games from here on out for crying out loud!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOzJv8NlWOk&feature=related



This has been my wallpaper, both at home and at work for the past 2 years:



This has been a part of my screensaver since last year:



I was sure this prayer had been answered when Bengals owner, Mike Brown, fired the defensive coach, Chuck Bresnahan, earlier this year!


last year's coaching staff:


After tonight's game, I am not so sure. And to add insult to injury, we didn't get one first down in the whole first quarter!

BTW, For all you Colts fans out there, our first touchdown this year was scored by Ben Utecht (THANKS!!! He is gonna make a fantastic Bengal!)

Anyway, for the "Hope Springs Eternal" part. I had such HIGH HOPES for this season after the draft. We got some excellent players, IMHO. The only Bengal fan (that I am aware of) at FFC is Jeff Tharp. Spoke to him on Sunday and his hopes weren't so high. I think he said something to the effect of, "How many times can you have your heart ripped out?" Well, for me, it may be yet another heart - ripping year...or not...but I remain a Bengals fan...in SPITE of my "Bag Heads" desktop. (After 30 years of being a Bengals fan, I don't think I can be accused of being a Bandwagon fan, do you?)

One last thought. I love the Bengals, but Chad Johnson needs to SHUT UP AND PLAY BALL this year:



Oh, and Milah, don't forget to check the schedule this year. LOL!!!




WHO DEY???????????