For the past several months, I have received, on average, two survey forms per week in the mail. Usually they are from the GOP or some similar organization, requesting my opinions on various political/social matters, and then asking for a donation. Without fail they are accompanied by a postage free envelope for easy return of your completed form. Sometimes the envelope has a notice requesting you supply a stamp to offset their mailing costs.
Well, yesterday I received three (yes, 3) surveys in one day. Long ago I stopped filling out any of these surveys. Instead, I enclosed a "to the point" note in the envelope and mailed said envelope WITHOUT adding my postage. Yesterday's barrage was about all I can stand.
The Democrat Party left me years ago (circa 1980) and have continued to drift leftward until they are where they are today: far left and still moving that way faster than ever. The Republican Party began their shift away from my personal convictions in the early 90s. They, too, have shifted left though not nearly as far as the Dems. In the past I have usually voted for the Republican candidate (though not always) but, recently, have often found myself supporting the "lesser of two evils". Well, that day is over. I am no longer affliated with either party and will vote for the person who best supports my conservative views no matter from which party they come. If there is no such candidate for a given office, then my vote remains in my pocket.
Some of the GOP just don't understand this, I guess. They keep sending out the same surveys and must be having difficulty understanding the feedback they receive. No, we don't want the John McCains or the Lindsey Grahams of the GOP. We want conservatives, get it!
So, from this point forward, I am taking the survey form and writing all over it the following:
NO GOP
NO MORE SURVEYS
NO MORE DONATIONS
NO MORE MODERATES
LEAVE MY HEALTH CARE ALONE
I WANT REAGAN CONSERVATIVES
I WANT ACTION
Then, I am placing the survey form in the envelope and writing the same words on the back of the envelope. Finally, I am mailing every survey without adding the postage.
Will it do any good? I doubt it. I suspect the surveys will continue, the request for donations will increase, and the same lousy Republican moderates will be thrown our way as the solution (more government is NOT the solution; history confirms this). Strangely, though, I now find the possibility of receiving such a survey exciting! At least I get to express my feelings straightforwardly rather than answering their same old questions.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Reformer Puzzle
Ok, I know I am a geek. But, while taking a break from work, I came up with a word puzzle. The following are 10 simple statements, each contain the hidden name of a great Christian reformer (from the 14th to the 16th century). For example, the following statement contains the name of one of the solar system planets:
You ran us over with your car.
Did you find "Uranus"? If so, then give this one a try. To find the names, of course, will require either some knowledge of Christian history with familiarity of those individuals involved and some careful reading of the statements.
1. Simon saw light at the end of the tunnel.
2. In Minnesota, Bob of Duluth erred when he filed his taxes.
3. Len was anxious about the local vintage car show taking place that day.
4. The hunchbacked ogre bellowed at the crowd below him.
5. The fare leveled against the customer did not phase him.
6. Mom served hush puppies for supper.
7. Malibu certainly attracts tourists.
8. One man, zookeeper John Tubbs, was amazed at the heroism of the police.
9. Did Jacob see, at Luz, wing like beings on a ladder?
10. A small, primitive Asian deer known as a Muntjac ran merrily along the side of its mother.
Answers as a entry comment at a later date.
You ran us over with your car.
Did you find "Uranus"? If so, then give this one a try. To find the names, of course, will require either some knowledge of Christian history with familiarity of those individuals involved and some careful reading of the statements.
1. Simon saw light at the end of the tunnel.
2. In Minnesota, Bob of Duluth erred when he filed his taxes.
3. Len was anxious about the local vintage car show taking place that day.
4. The hunchbacked ogre bellowed at the crowd below him.
5. The fare leveled against the customer did not phase him.
6. Mom served hush puppies for supper.
7. Malibu certainly attracts tourists.
8. One man, zookeeper John Tubbs, was amazed at the heroism of the police.
9. Did Jacob see, at Luz, wing like beings on a ladder?
10. A small, primitive Asian deer known as a Muntjac ran merrily along the side of its mother.
Answers as a entry comment at a later date.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Anticipated Questions
Given my present skin condition with my face, I decided to anticipate some questions my students at Missouri Baptist might have as they entered the room for their final exam and saw my big, unsightly face staring at them. Here they are with my answers.
1. Do you have measles, chicken pox, smallpox, or the plague? NO
2. Are you contagious? NO
3. Did you eat too much chocolate? I wish
4. Are you reliving puberty? No way
5. Is this as bad as it will get? No, the "oozing" yet to come.
6. Has God brought the 6th plague of Moses' Day on you? NO
7. Is this the first bowl of wrath in Revelation 16? NO
8. Are you well? YES
9. Does it hurt? YES, plus it itches.
10. Was it hurting when you made up the exam? YES
1. Do you have measles, chicken pox, smallpox, or the plague? NO
2. Are you contagious? NO
3. Did you eat too much chocolate? I wish
4. Are you reliving puberty? No way
5. Is this as bad as it will get? No, the "oozing" yet to come.
6. Has God brought the 6th plague of Moses' Day on you? NO
7. Is this the first bowl of wrath in Revelation 16? NO
8. Are you well? YES
9. Does it hurt? YES, plus it itches.
10. Was it hurting when you made up the exam? YES
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Happy 36th Birthday, Sonja!
The Lord has truly blessed my life by permitting me to be the father of 10 children, 9 of whom were actually born and serving Him today. While there are resemblances among all of them ("You're a Walker, aren't you?"), each of my children is unique. God has designed them that way and I am delighted He has done so.
I love my children. There are likely times when each of them have doubted that fact. I know there were times when I was very young that I doubted my parents loved me, especially my father. But they did and so do I. Each of my children are a precious gift from God and I truly love them.
Furthermore, I do not believe my love is preferential towards any of my offspring. Oh, there will be moments when my attention may be towards one child over another and such moments should and must exist. Wedding days, birthdays, special events such as graduation bring focus upon one specific child and a parent should recognize such moments by placing their attention (and love) solely on the "child of the day". But, and God knows my heart, I do not have more love for any one of my children than I do for the other. I love each of them for who they are and am grateful to God for making them who they are.
With this said, though, I call you back to 1973 when a significant event occurred in my life: I became a father for the first time. At 11:56 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 1973, little Sonja Renee was born (her mother had her name picked out BEFORE we were even engaged!). Unfortunately, I was not permitted in the delivery room on that date (no one was in those days). Furthermore, I did not get to hold her until the following Wednesday when she and her mother were released from the hospital (no problems-they just kept moms and babies for several days back in 1973). Yet I saw her in her mother's arms and thought she was the most beautiful baby ever born. Her mom was exhausted after the delivery but beaming when she told me we had a daughter. I was so excited, so happy, I felt like crying and shouting all at once.
The birth of each of my subsequent children have had a similar effect on me. In fact, I have been by my wife's side for their births unlike Sonja's. But I must be honest and say there is nothing like seeing your first born child.
It wasn't until we brought Sonja home from the hospital that the responsibility of being a father actually hit me. There were times that responsibility would paralyze me. Learning how to be a father is a difficult task and I fear I failed so many times in Sonja's brief life. She was our first and we wanted nothing to hurt her or harm her. To be honest, I'm certain I over protected her most of her life not only in the physical realm but also the spiritual. Thankfully, the Lord has "loosened me up" a bit over the past 15 years. But, reflecting back on the type of father I was with Sonja, I do regret not having been more "loose" with her as well. Even best intentions are not always best.
But what great memories I have! I remember sitting with a pre-school Sonja in the evenings and helping her learn how to sound out words usually the books of the Bible as practice ("M-a-r-k"). I remember reading "Go Dog, Go" hundreds of times with Sonja pointing at the same pictures over and over again. I remember being so concerned about how 2 1/2 year old Sonja would respond to her newborn brother when he came home from the hospital, only to see her love him and baby him.
I remember Sonja picking up a wiffle ball bat for the first time and stand at the plate as a lefty! She always did everything else as a righthander, including throwing. But she batted lefthanded by her own choosing. I refused to "correct" her stance.
I remember her hitting a home run in her first season in Texas Little League only to have her coach burn her arm with his cigarette after she scored. I remember her always claiming to have been hit by a car in the parking lot of our apartment in New York. I remember her scoring her first soccer goal on a penalty kick only to have it waved off because a teammate was in the box too early. So many great memories because God permitted Sonja to be my daughter.
Most of all, I remember her smile, her laugh, and her sparking eyes as a youngster. Oh, how grateful I am that she still has that smile, that laugh, and those sparkling eyes even now.
So, on her 36th birthday, I want Sonja to know how much her father loves her. I always have and always will. You are my firstborn and I am so proud and grateful for you. You are a beautiful, intelligent, hard working, fun loving daughter who has become a great mom herself. If there have been moments in your life when you believed I did not care for you as much as one of your siblings then I apologize for that has never been and will never be the case. If there have been moments in your life when you thought I was disappointed in you, you are mistaken. You, pumpkin, are precious to me and I believe it would be difficult for any daughter to please her father as much as you have pleased me.
I am grateful, so grateful, that God saved you when you were younger. No one ever deserves salvation, that is certainly clear from Scripture. But, in my heart and eyes, you almost did! My prayer is the Lord would give you many more years of happiness serving Him and that He would permit you to see several generations of YOUR family come to saving faith in Christ.
Happy Birthday, little Sonja Renee. You have been and will always be a blessing to me. I do love you.
Dad
I love my children. There are likely times when each of them have doubted that fact. I know there were times when I was very young that I doubted my parents loved me, especially my father. But they did and so do I. Each of my children are a precious gift from God and I truly love them.
Furthermore, I do not believe my love is preferential towards any of my offspring. Oh, there will be moments when my attention may be towards one child over another and such moments should and must exist. Wedding days, birthdays, special events such as graduation bring focus upon one specific child and a parent should recognize such moments by placing their attention (and love) solely on the "child of the day". But, and God knows my heart, I do not have more love for any one of my children than I do for the other. I love each of them for who they are and am grateful to God for making them who they are.
With this said, though, I call you back to 1973 when a significant event occurred in my life: I became a father for the first time. At 11:56 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 1973, little Sonja Renee was born (her mother had her name picked out BEFORE we were even engaged!). Unfortunately, I was not permitted in the delivery room on that date (no one was in those days). Furthermore, I did not get to hold her until the following Wednesday when she and her mother were released from the hospital (no problems-they just kept moms and babies for several days back in 1973). Yet I saw her in her mother's arms and thought she was the most beautiful baby ever born. Her mom was exhausted after the delivery but beaming when she told me we had a daughter. I was so excited, so happy, I felt like crying and shouting all at once.
The birth of each of my subsequent children have had a similar effect on me. In fact, I have been by my wife's side for their births unlike Sonja's. But I must be honest and say there is nothing like seeing your first born child.
It wasn't until we brought Sonja home from the hospital that the responsibility of being a father actually hit me. There were times that responsibility would paralyze me. Learning how to be a father is a difficult task and I fear I failed so many times in Sonja's brief life. She was our first and we wanted nothing to hurt her or harm her. To be honest, I'm certain I over protected her most of her life not only in the physical realm but also the spiritual. Thankfully, the Lord has "loosened me up" a bit over the past 15 years. But, reflecting back on the type of father I was with Sonja, I do regret not having been more "loose" with her as well. Even best intentions are not always best.
But what great memories I have! I remember sitting with a pre-school Sonja in the evenings and helping her learn how to sound out words usually the books of the Bible as practice ("M-a-r-k"). I remember reading "Go Dog, Go" hundreds of times with Sonja pointing at the same pictures over and over again. I remember being so concerned about how 2 1/2 year old Sonja would respond to her newborn brother when he came home from the hospital, only to see her love him and baby him.
I remember Sonja picking up a wiffle ball bat for the first time and stand at the plate as a lefty! She always did everything else as a righthander, including throwing. But she batted lefthanded by her own choosing. I refused to "correct" her stance.
I remember her hitting a home run in her first season in Texas Little League only to have her coach burn her arm with his cigarette after she scored. I remember her always claiming to have been hit by a car in the parking lot of our apartment in New York. I remember her scoring her first soccer goal on a penalty kick only to have it waved off because a teammate was in the box too early. So many great memories because God permitted Sonja to be my daughter.
Most of all, I remember her smile, her laugh, and her sparking eyes as a youngster. Oh, how grateful I am that she still has that smile, that laugh, and those sparkling eyes even now.
So, on her 36th birthday, I want Sonja to know how much her father loves her. I always have and always will. You are my firstborn and I am so proud and grateful for you. You are a beautiful, intelligent, hard working, fun loving daughter who has become a great mom herself. If there have been moments in your life when you believed I did not care for you as much as one of your siblings then I apologize for that has never been and will never be the case. If there have been moments in your life when you thought I was disappointed in you, you are mistaken. You, pumpkin, are precious to me and I believe it would be difficult for any daughter to please her father as much as you have pleased me.
I am grateful, so grateful, that God saved you when you were younger. No one ever deserves salvation, that is certainly clear from Scripture. But, in my heart and eyes, you almost did! My prayer is the Lord would give you many more years of happiness serving Him and that He would permit you to see several generations of YOUR family come to saving faith in Christ.
Happy Birthday, little Sonja Renee. You have been and will always be a blessing to me. I do love you.
Dad
Monday, October 5, 2009
WWW 2010
Yesterday, my crew had lunch with Matt and Sarah at Chevys (my stomach is still reeling). Part of our discussion was on possibilities for WWW 2010. I thought I would share a few of our thoughts.
First, we recognized the need to move WWW earlier in the year. Presently, 4 Greens and 1 Livingston have school so extended weekends are out of the question for them. Furthermore, even if we simply have a weekend WWW, we face potential conflicts with school activities held on Friday pm or Saturday. So, I think we must look at June, July, and early August dates. That, of course, means more money when it comes to accomodations.
Second, I would prefer to get away from St. Louis. While we saved money by staying in town this year, there really wasn't that much time spent sitting around a table, playing games, and just having fun together. Jake had to work one evening and Mandie had a band commitment on another. If we stay in the area, these types of things we always happen.
Third, my preference concerning the beach is to wait at least 1 more year. That would put 5 years between beach visits. I'm open to changing that thought but a summer beach trip is going to take some good lead time and extra money. My vote is no beach trip in 2010 but consider (and begin planning) 2011.
Fourth, I would like to find some place out West which would be a nice week long WWW and, perhaps, enable Jessi's family to participate. Colorado is an option though I have nothing specific in mind.
Fifth, most of our discussion turned to Yellowstone National Park as a potential WWW site. Yes, folks would have to plan for at least a 2 day trek there and back. Yellowstone has a lot to see and, if we chose to, there are sites in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana within a couple of hours drive we could visit. Matt has been there somewhat recently and I was there as a kid and both of us liked the park.
That's basically where we left the discussion. I'm planning on doing some investigation of potential places to stay at the park and estimating costs. However, nothing is locked in yet. If folks are not interested in Yellowstone then I might just take my crew out there and see Mt. Rushmore on the way for an extended 2010 vacation.
The purpose of this post is to make you aware of some early planning and to solicit your feedback. If you have other places in mind, let me know. If someone is expecting a grandchild next Summer, time to confess (or announce)! Seriously, any WWW 2010 input and feedback would be very appreciated.
First, we recognized the need to move WWW earlier in the year. Presently, 4 Greens and 1 Livingston have school so extended weekends are out of the question for them. Furthermore, even if we simply have a weekend WWW, we face potential conflicts with school activities held on Friday pm or Saturday. So, I think we must look at June, July, and early August dates. That, of course, means more money when it comes to accomodations.
Second, I would prefer to get away from St. Louis. While we saved money by staying in town this year, there really wasn't that much time spent sitting around a table, playing games, and just having fun together. Jake had to work one evening and Mandie had a band commitment on another. If we stay in the area, these types of things we always happen.
Third, my preference concerning the beach is to wait at least 1 more year. That would put 5 years between beach visits. I'm open to changing that thought but a summer beach trip is going to take some good lead time and extra money. My vote is no beach trip in 2010 but consider (and begin planning) 2011.
Fourth, I would like to find some place out West which would be a nice week long WWW and, perhaps, enable Jessi's family to participate. Colorado is an option though I have nothing specific in mind.
Fifth, most of our discussion turned to Yellowstone National Park as a potential WWW site. Yes, folks would have to plan for at least a 2 day trek there and back. Yellowstone has a lot to see and, if we chose to, there are sites in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana within a couple of hours drive we could visit. Matt has been there somewhat recently and I was there as a kid and both of us liked the park.
That's basically where we left the discussion. I'm planning on doing some investigation of potential places to stay at the park and estimating costs. However, nothing is locked in yet. If folks are not interested in Yellowstone then I might just take my crew out there and see Mt. Rushmore on the way for an extended 2010 vacation.
The purpose of this post is to make you aware of some early planning and to solicit your feedback. If you have other places in mind, let me know. If someone is expecting a grandchild next Summer, time to confess (or announce)! Seriously, any WWW 2010 input and feedback would be very appreciated.
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