Less than 24 hours after officially declaring himself a candidate for the White House (again), Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden has already said something stupid. What’s doubly stupid is that he chose blue state pretty-boy Barak Obama to talk about. Read about it here.
In an oddly similar story, a most unfortunate dog got his tongue caught in a paper shredder. What in the world is the dog’s owner putting through that shredder that would make the dog want to lick it, anyway?
I’ve mentioned previously that our new puppy weighs under 2 1/2 pounds. Our seven-year-old cat weighs between 10 and 15 pounds. In other words, Chloe (the cat) could body-slam Calvin (the puppy) any time she felt like it. Calvin got a little frisky today and, in their closest encounter yet, began barking at Chloe. Chloe looked at the puppy, looked at me, then walked away. Great example of turning the other cheek.
Most of the little annoyances in our lives are just that….little annoyances. Though we probably possess the where-with-all to deal physically and dominantly with these little annoyances, why waste the breath and sweat to do so?
Take it from a cat. Just walk away.
Another lesson from the cat is this: if you’re ever laying on the back of the sofa and you happen to fall off of said sofa during REM sleep, make sure that when you get yourself up off the floor that you are able to convince everyone else in the living room that you actually meant to fall off the sofa.
OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH! This should scare those junkies right into submission. It reminds me of the parent that threatens their delinquent child with the “if you do that one more time….” speech for the 80th time.
The second full night of being a dog owner wasn’t nearly as fulfilling as the first night. I guess Calvin (all 2.3 pounds of him) was totally wiped out after making our acquaintance on night 1. Night 2, however, brought notes to my ears that American Idol cast-a-ways only dream of. So while I was up with the little guy for about the 4th time (the 3rd time was taking him outside in the middle of the night, er uh early morning, on arguably the coldest night of the season so far), I did some pastoral soul-searching. My conclusion? At least Calvin acts this way becasue he’s only 9 weeks old. Pastors have to deal with church members who whine and cry all the time who don’t have Calvin’s excuse (a predisposition of extreme low-end chronological advance). So here is a “baker’s dozen” list of church membership stuff that Calvin and I worked out in the wee small hours. Enjoy. Some of it may not be strictly covered under the “church membership stuff” category.
1. If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem (okay, this isn’t original with me but it has come to bear on many church challenges I’ve faced).
2. If you’re not faithfully and generously (i.e. proportionately) participating in the church’s program of financial stewardship, keep your mouth shut during the treasurer’s presentation at the monthly business meeting. A lack of participation in this regard trumps your “right” to speak up.
3. Since we’re on the subject of church business meetings…If you are able to come to church on the Wednesday night that your church conducts business meeting once each month, then you’re very likely able to come the other Wednesday nights as well. Start getting there on all the Wednesday nights. Who knows? You might even be blessed as a result!
4. Puppies have very sharp teeth. Not really a part of the church membership discussion, I realize, but Calvin just created a “vent” hole in my big toe.
5. See #4…addendum…please replace “pinky toe” for “big toe”. C A L V I N ! ! ! ! !
6. Withdrawing your attendance and/or your offerings to “make a point” is childish behavior. It’s also passive-aggressive behavior. Please Google “passive-aggressive behavior” to learn whether or not you need to see a professional person about your possible passive-aggressive behavior.
7. If you are upset with your pastor because he hasn’t made a visit to “John Smith” in quite a while, but you yourself haven’t made a visit to “John Smith” for quite a while, you have no grounds to be upset with your pastor.
8. Puppies chew stuff.
9. A laser pointer may be the best $5 you’ll ever spend on a dog toy.
10. God is available to talk to about church challenges in the middle of the night.
11. Every challenge I have ever faced in ministry up to today is directly spoken to in Scripture. Any future challenge I will face is sure to be covered in there as well.
12. You are going to be too busy today to NOT spend some time with The Master. Decide right now that you’ll say “no” to something or someone other than God in order to make time for Him today.
13. The Word of God, the abiding presence of The Holy Spirit, your spouse, your kids, and a 9-week-old puppy are wonderful resources when you face church challenges in ministry.
We are now the very happy owners of a Schnoodle (Schnauzer / Poodle mix) puppy. He’s mostly black with a white soul patch on his chin. He got us with the soul patch! He was born on November 26, 2006. His name is Calvin. We thought about naming him Arminius, but he chose to walk away from that name to the name he was predestined to have. Grandma and Grandpa (Cheryl and I) are doing fine. No gifts please.
Could Algore possibly be mistaken? Uh…yeah! Check it out.
What is this fascination our country has with Barbaro?
Barbaro is a horse, people. It’s a horse! Not a human being. Barbaro is a horse.
I hope people cry this much for me when I shatter a hoof.
I reluctantly tag this post about horse racing as “sports”.
UPDATE: Barbaro was euthanized late this morning. For those of you who don’t know what “euthanized” means, Barbaro is now headed to the glue factory.
This video shows scenes of 9/11 docu-drama that landed on the cutting room floor due to pressure of Clinton staffers.
Democrats were calling portions of this program “revisionist history”. In this video you will also hear FIRST HAND accounts of an interview that this producer had with the very first CIA operative on the ground in Afghanistan following the World Trade Center attack. In his explanation for how the show depicts actual events, he quotes the CIA operative saying that Clinton / Burger had 13 opportunities to take Bin Laden out and passed.
Not sure what to make of this one. Read all about it here.
The more disturbing part of this story, and there are many disturbing aspects of this story, is the apparent lack of moral foundation on the part of the clergy involved. I get the sense that the ministers who helped make this decision determined that God owed this kid a pass since God apparently didn’t create him properly. What do you think?
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