Karma, Angels, and other Instances of Biblical Ignorance

I am appalled at the number of my FaceBook friends who regularly reference Karma, or talk about becoming angels when we die.

Karma is NOT a Christian concept. It is defined thusly on google.com:

(in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.

In American culture, we have the saying, which could be loosely related to Karma, "what goes around, comes around."

In essence, this speaks to a cosmic force that comes back to get you when you do something bad. You certainly won't find the word "karma" in the Bible and you will never find proper reference to God and Karma.  (You might find a reference to a "god" and Karma, but not the Living God.)

There ARE consequences for your actions; this much is true. The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death." But the whole idea of karma is that the universe (which is attributed with some of the characters of God) must keep things in a balance of good/bad. This is a counterfeit of what God has ordained. And remember, ALL religions (other than Judaism and Christianity) are counterfeits created by the devil to deceive and confuse people from worshiping the True and Living God.

Then, we come to the idea of becoming angels when we die. We see this most often when someone passes away and someone (with good intentions) say something like "Heaven needed another angel."  Dear friends, people DO NOT become angels when we die. Angels are created beings that are a whole different class than humans. Angels CANNOT be saved. The angels that sided with Satan will never be redeemed. Jesus died for people, not angels.

There is no indication in the Bible that we will have wings when we get to Heaven. In fact, the Bible talks about the role of angels in Heaven that is separate from the function of the redeemed.   Frankly, WE ARE BETTER than angels!

Why does this make any difference? What is the big deal if people talk about Karma or about becoming angels?

The big deal is that when CHRISTIANS talk about these things, it confuses people. We are called to be light in the darkness. Truth comes from God; lies from from Satan. When we perpetuate lies, we are unwittingly doing the will of the great deceiver. We are called out of the world. We can't just pick and choose what we like from the Bible and what we like from the world.  It's "all or nothing".

Please, followers of Jesus, KNOW THE DIFFERENCE between God's Word and what the world teaches. Please don't "mix and match" to suit your own needs. That's how cults (like Mormonism & Scientology) get started.

Read and STUDY your Bible! BE light in the Darkness! Live a life of TRUTH in a world of lies!

Serendipitous Ruminations

There have been several thoughts banging around in this empty head of mine; I need to get them in print. Here they are in no particular order:

• Any attempt to gain revenue by normalizing or legalizing a vice has proved counter-productive in the State of Oklahoma. First it was "Liquor by the drink", then para-mutual horse racing, then Indian casinos, then the lottery. They are looking at legalizing marijuana. What's next legalized prostitution?
• I visited the Jewish Art Museum in Tulsa yesterday. In their holocaust exhibition, they noted that Henry Ford was antisemitic and for a time, place antisemitic literature in the glove box of each new car he sold.
• The birth certificate that the White House presented as Obama's ORIGINAL birth certificate doesn't look anything like my original birth certificate. (He was born two years before me) It does, however, look like a copy of my birth certificate that I got back in the 1980's. We are being lied to.
• I am appalled at the attempt to normalize homosexuality.  Anyone who stands against this abomination is labeled as a homophobe or a bigot.  I have felt more hate directed at me for my views on homosexuality (which are in line with the Bible) than for any of my other opinions. For those who tout tolerance, they aren't very tolerant of me.
• The gun control issue isn't about guns; it's about control. The cities with the highest homicide rates are those with the strictest gun control. I really think they are afraid that they might lose their tyrannical power by allowing us to maintain our 2nd Amendment right. Wait a minute! Isn't that what the 2nd Amendment is all about?
• If it wasn't so pitiful and sad, I would find it hysterically amusing that homosexual "couples", especially lesbian couples, must have one partner who assumes the male role and one who assumes the female role. I've seen numerous "wedding" pictures where one of the women is dressed as a man and the other in a bridal dress. 
• Islam is NOT a religion of peace. It is a religion of hate and violence. Allah is not the same as the One true God of the Bible. It embodies the spirit of the antichrist. 
• I find it interesting that Hollywood's portrayal of lesbians is very very different from reality. Hollywood shows two slim, hot women who are extremely feminine and sensual; Walmart and the news show two obese decidedly butch and unattractive women. Then again, Hollywood has never been good at portraying reality.
• National Democratic politicians scream "racism" at every opportunity, but their own policies and programs are extremely racist, especially against African Americans. Their support of Planned Parenthood has killed more African Americans than the KKK could have ever imagined.
• I don't trust anyone in the current administration. Something is afoot.
• GENERALLY, churches with the words Liberty, Grace, Free, or Abundant are filled with anything but grace. It OFTEN denotes extreme legalism.
• I'll bet that the missing Malaysian Airlines plane is in Pakistan.
• One of the things that irk me most is church people who do something wrong, get caught, then lie about it, usually implicating someone else (often the preacher). Pride is so evil.
• Smokers are generally, some of the most selfish people you will ever meet. There is nothing worse than an angry militant smoker who demands their right to smoke, no matter the place or present company. They don't recognize that their addiction truly makes a slave of them to nicotine. And there is no way to hide it. You can't smoke at home or in the car and then cover it up with perfume; that doesn't work.
• I believe the Return of Jesus is eminent. Possibly by the end of next year.  Are you ready?

How to Leave a Church the WRONG Way

DISCLAIMER: I have NOT written this post with any individual or incident in mind; it is a general observation only!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I've been attending church since 9 months before I was born. I've seen church attenders come and go. I've seen church splits. I've witnessed people leaving with grace and I've witnessed people leaving with their panties in a wad.

Here's how to leave a church the WRONG way:

• Make a scene - be sure to damage your witness, the church's witness, and the pastor's witness with everyone within earshot. OR - 
• Don't tell the pastor your leaving. Just quietly quit coming.
• Talk about the pastor - pretend to be his friend, then stab him in the back with everyone you meet for the next couple of years.
• Take as many people as you can with you - whether they were involved or not, make sure they never set foot in church again, ANYWHERE.
• Financially cripple the church - make sure they know you were a giver and you're taking it all away.
• Keep friends with the newer members of the church - and try to drive a wedge between them and the pastor.
• Call the pastor all kinds of names - "sticks and stones" is only a nursery rhyme anyway.
• Hold a grudge -  eventually, the taste of bile in your mouth won't taste as bitter; at least that's the story going around.
• Make snarky remarks to and about the pastor's family - that's the best way to get back at the preacher.
• Blame everyone else, especially the pastor - he's an easy target anyway and, after all, dodging personal responsibility IS the American Way!
• Be the victim - your behavior had absolutely NOTHING to do with the problem.
• Take your problem with you to the next church - after all, running away solves everything, doesn't it?
• Call the pastor and tell him off - he doesn't have anything better to do than to listen to your rant, and he probably had it coming.
• Completely ignore the pastor and his family - especially if you see them in a restaurant or Walmart.
• Exaggerate and embellish your story to others - be sure to leave out the parts about how you said or did this or that; that might make YOU look bad.
• Don't pray about leaving - just do it on impulse.
• Stop going to church completely - never again enter a church building; that'll show 'em!

I, personally, have left 13 churches in the past nearly 50 years. Only one of them was over a disagreement (theological in nature), and that's when I changed denominations to become Southern Baptist. (during college) The rest were because I moved away.  Even when I didn't like the pastor or when I had disagreements with other members, I never once considered leaving.

I have not experienced each of the above scenarios, but I have been on the receiving end of several.

From a pastor's point of view, it isn't fun. Not fun at all.

Pastors take a hard rap for everything that goes wrong in the church. Quite frankly, it's like trying to herd cats. With a few bobcats thrown in for excitement.

Believe it or not, but pastors are NOT perfect. I know a few of them THINK they are, but they aren't. Most of us are WELL acquainted with the fact that we are indeed fallible. We make bad decisions. We make decisions on what we believe to be God's will for the church as a whole.  We make people mad by not giving into their silly whims or even sillier arguments.  We make people mad by not kowtowing to their every beck and call.  And God FORBID that you don't go visit someone in the hospital or miss greeting them at church!

Undoubtedly, this post will upset some people. Some people will immediately think I've written it about them.  Well, I haven't..

Part of the problem with people getting mad and leaving a church has to do with the fact that they've lost their focus. They start believing church is for them and about them, instead of having anything to do with serving God and serving others.

There is, indeed, a time to leave a church. I certainly understand this. There is a proper way to leave a church, too. Don't burn bridges! You never know when you just might need your church family, especially if you haven't found a new church to attend.

Can you add any more wrong ways to leave a church?

Pulling Out the "Hate" Card (and the "Victim Mentality"

I think the "Hate Card" has become the new "Race Card." You know, conveniently declaring everything else someone says is "Hate Speech" because you disagree with them and can't come up with any other good answer.

I've had the "Hate Card" pulled out twice on me in the past 24 hours on Facebook.

Interestingly, it had to do with religion and politics.

People who run out of things to say and end up saying, "You're just so full of hate" have essentially given up. They've fallen into a "Victim Mentality" that they aren't able to argue so they'll just insult the person instead.

How very sad.

Just because I disagree with you doesn't mean I hate you!

Just the same, just because I lose an argument to you doesn't mean that I'm gonna hate you or say that you are full of hate speech or insult you!

I find it so interesting that simply standing up for God's word brings so much ire from people who say they follow Jesus.

Let's face it: abortion is anti-biblical, anti-God, and anti-Jesus; homosexuality is anti-biblical, anti-God, and anti-Jesus.

How can it be hate to declare what God says???

God loves us SO MUCH that He sent Jesus to deliver us from abortion, homosexuality, immorality, porn, gossip, murder, hatred, divorce, gluttony, addiction, promiscuity, gambling, drunkenness, grudges, (and a host of other sins).

Does God love the person who has an abortion, practices homosexuality, practices immorality, watches porn, engages in gossip, commits murder, harbors hatred, gets a divorce, etc?  Of course He does! He does not discriminate in His love for the sinner.

HOWEVER, He detests the sin! He abhors it. He cannot and will not tolerate it. In fact, He calls EVERY PERSON to repentance.

Ahhhh... repentance.  Therein lies the rub.

Everyone wants to be forgiven and go to Heaven, but no one wants to do what God wants you to do.

I remember when I was 10 or 12 years old and put my hand down on a sand bur. (It's a thorny bur with barbs that is painful going in and horrific coming out).   It was right in the palm of my hand and was very deep.  I cried out in pain and my mother came to my aide. She told me to show her the bur, but I didn't want to because I knew that she would want to pull it out.  I didn't want her to. She did anyway and it HURT!!!  I called her "mean."  If she hadn't done it, it would probably still be in my hand all these years later.

Was my mother mean? No. She did it out of love. Did I want her to do it? No. Am I glad she did?  Of course.

Now, it's obvious that I'm not your mother. And I don't want to be. You're most likely an adult, if you are reading this post. Or at least an adolescent.  You should have the skills to extrapolate the meaning of this post and use it in your own life.

It doesn't give me a feeling of superior morality to think "I'm right and you're wrong."  I'll be the very first one to admit I'm not even CLOSE to perfect.

Some have even called me "judgmental." I've mentioned that I'm like a speed limit sign. I don't make the laws or write the tickets; I just tell you what the speed limit is so that you DON'T get a ticket....

Truth should NOT BE the new "Hate Speech."

Angry People

Over the past week, I've encountered several angry people.  Some of them have seemingly been angered by things I've written; others have been angry over things I don't have anything to do with.

Those who have expressed their displeasure with me, have done so because I've simply expressed the Truth of God in a way that wasn't directed at anyone and goes against the so-called "political correctness."

Those who have expressed their displeasure with someone besides me, but whom I had the "opportunity" to hear out, seem to be angry with organizations or institutions.

What I've seen in common, at least with these people in the past couple of weeks, is that they are so angry, they aren't being reasonable.  Instead of responding in a thoughtful manner, they react like a shotgun going off in a crowd.

One person who was angry with something I wrote, wasn't able to respond immediately and wrote a note several days later.  I was expecting a measured rational response, but instead, I got a litany of criticism, attacking me personally, instead of the Truth of what I had written.

99% of the time, it doesn't bother me.  I realize that, many times, people are convicted by God's Truth and are rebelling against God, not me. 

I honestly don't mind being politically incorrect if it means that I am pleasing God.  But I'm not going to be be politically incorrect just for the fun of it.  If I'm not standing on the side of God's Truth, then it just isn't worth it; especially when it comes to hurting friends. 

Some of these angry people's ramblings, however, are worthy of some sort of creative writing award.  Completely ignoring facts and Truth, they spew ridiculous statements that only enforce their perverted and/or skewed perspectives.  Something along the lines of "Professing to be wise, they became as fools." (Romans 1:22)

I wouldn't intentionally write something targeting anyone; that doesn't make sense.  But I'm not going to compromise God's Truth, either.

9 years ago

9 years ago a bunch of cowards hatched a plan to kill innocent people. 

When they arrived in the afterlife, I'm sure they were a bit confused as to why they were in Hell instead of Paradise.  I'm sure they were wondering where all the virgins were and why they weren't being treated as heroes.

Honestly, I don't want any person to have to spend eternity without God.  But the 22 men that hijacked those plans are not basking in the Glory of God.  Unfortunately, they also took a lot of people with them. 

We must realize that not all the people who died on 9/11 went to Heaven.  Just because they were victims doesn't mean they had a free ticket to Heaven.  Just because they were Americans doesn't mean they went to Heaven.  Only if they had placed their faith in Jesus Christ did they go to Heaven. 

9 years on, we are still in a war.  9 years on, they still haven't caught the mastermind behind the attack (Bin Laden).  In fact, 9 years later, I fell less safe than I did just 5 years ago, now under a president who seems to have a personal agenda that goes against (at least in my opinion)  the way I think it should be going.

I find it troubling that our president has so many ties to Islam.  I find it interesting that many American Muslims consider him to be Muslim.  I find it disconcerting to see the attitudes in the mainstream media favoring Islam over American traditions.

I'm tired of our American forces being limited in what they can do.  War is war.  Let's "git 'er done."

Finally, to those (foreign and domestic) who seek to destroy America:  you can try, but the American Spirit is too strong to be trampled by a bunch of cowards.  You say you hate us and think we are the "great Satan", but why do so many of your people want to leave your lands and live in America?  Not because they want to destroy us, but because they are sick and tired of living under your oppression.

God Bless the United States of America!

Extremist Activities

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Burning Korans.  Burning Flags. Suicide Bombers. Terrorism.

Just a few personal thoughts on the subject.

Our liberal mainstream news agencies are denouncing the burning of Korans in Florida, but won't even cover a group of foreigners who desecrate our flag right here in America.

Both burning flags and burning Korans are supposedly covered by the First Amendment.  I think both are gross abuses of the First Amendment.  Add in pornography for good measure.

I don't believe for one minute that the people who want to build the mosque near Ground Zero had any good intentions.  They don't understnd how angry Mainstream America still is about the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

I understand the anger felt by the "church" in Florida towards radical Islam, but don't think they are thinking about the negative ramifications it is having towards Americans and Christians.

You don't see Bibles being burned in Arabic countries because their Islamic governments have basically banned the mass distribution of Bibles.  This "church" is free to burn Korans without fear of governmental retribution because America is free.  At least for now.

Personally, I'm very concerned about how Islam and liberal values are gaining sympathy in the media while traditional American values and Christianity are being maligned.

For me, the antics of the Dove World Outreach Center is just as bad as the demonic activities of the Westboro Baptist Church lunatics.

Questions for Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

Recently, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has been in local news a great deal, mostly concerning questions regarding the recent raising of tolls.

Most Oklahomans would agree that the OTA is a necessary evil; that is, the roads are necessary, but the OTA and their profit scheme is evil.

I could go on about how the OTA broke its promise to Oklahoma by not making the Turner and Will Rogers Turnpikes free when they were paid for. Or I could go on about how they build unnecssary roads.  Or I could go on about how they continually raise tolls simply to build other turnpikes.

But the purpose of this post is to raise a question that needs to be raised.

My family was returning from Branson, MO, to Oklahoma via Joplin.  We had been driving on I-44 out of Joplin on nice smooth free road.  As soon as we arrived in Oklahoma, where the road was no longer free and we had to pay a toll, the road condition deteriorated. 

The surface was no longer smooth, but rough.  And we had to pay to drive on it.

That got me to thinking.

I called the Missouri Department of Transportation and asked to speak to someone who could answer my questions.  After a few moments, I spoke with Mike Middleton, District Materials and Construction Engineer.

He was quite helpful and didn't hesitate to answer my questions.  I asked how much MoDoT spent on resurfacing I-44 between Joplin and the State line.  He told me that it was about $400,000 per mile using an asphalt overlay.  He said they used Apac Missouri as the contractor and it was by competitive bidding only.  He said it usually lasts 7 years.

I then called OTA.  I spoke with Jack Damerall, director of public relations.  He seemed rather hesitant to answer any questions regarding cost related to the turnpikes.  I must have caught him on a bad day because he seemed like he flat didn't want to talk to me and I had a hard time getting information from him.  In the end, however, he said that it gets resurfaced every 5-8 years at a cost of $3-4 MILLION DOLLARS PER MILE!  He said in certain circumstances, it could be as much as 10 million dollars per mile.  He said it was by competitive bidding, but wouldn't give me a contractor's name.

Something is VERY wrong with this picture!  $400,000 per mile of free road in Missouri and $3-4 MILLION per mile of toll road in Oklahoma!

FOR THE SAME STINKING HIGHWAY!

I have contacted KOTV Channel 6 twice about this, but evidentally no one is interested in stirring up a hornets' nest.

I have waited patiently for them to break this story, but have decided it is time for me to report the information I have.

WHY does it cost 10 times the amount per mile in Oklahoma for toll road than it does in Missouri for free road?

I'm not accusing anyone of anything, but it appears that someone, or someones, have their hands in the turnpikes' pockets.

I say, ENOUGH!

Everyone, contact Channel 6, or the other channels, or the newspapers!  Let's get this information public so that someone will have to answer this!

I'm sick and tired of what appears to be corruption.

Where's the state senators?  Where are the state representatives?  What about the Governor? 

Why is everyone silent?

Why?

End Times in Action

Well, it looks like religion is becoming one, ushering in a "one world religion" as eluded to in the book of Revelation.

As of today, Claremont Seminary, Claremont, CA, has introduced  clerical training for Muslims and Jews, as part of their regular theological cirriculum.  They hope to add training for Hindus and Buddhists in the near future.  Here is the LA Times article for more detail.

The school is one of thirteen associated with the United Methodist Church.

Considering their rich theological heritage, dating from the 1890's
they should know better!

Mall Shooting in Muskogee, OK

Saturday afternoon, just after Audrey's birthday party, 3 men entered Arrowhead Mall in Muskogee, OK, and opened fire.  When the shooting was done, a total of six people were hit, one fatally.

The police say it was "gang related."

Gang related.

How stupid can you be?

Supposedly, it is a turf war between the Northside Boys and the Southside Boys.  The mall is in the South and evidently, some from the north were "trespassing" for the Chili Cookoff for the Azalea Festival.

They came to murder another human being because they were protecting their turf.

They ended a life for the pride of the gang.

They ruined lives because of some messed up values.

There is a whole generation that has lost their way.

It isn't just in the big cities.  It touches our whole country.

I think every law enforcement officer in NE OK came to the mall that afternoon.  They had all three "suspects" in jail by yesterday afternoon.

GOOD JOB, POLICE, SHERIFF, and STATE TROOPERS!

The Bible says that in the last days, lawlessness will increase. 

How true.

SHAME on RNC!!!

Shame on the Republican National Committee!

Listen guys.  We all know that you waste our money (both sides of the aisle).  We know that most of you are as corrupt as the day is long (both sides of the aisle).  We know that you have no morals. We know that all you care about is yourself and your career (and your executive Congressional healthcare reserved exclusively for you).

We know that most likely you spent money that didn't belong to the American taxpayer when you went on your perv-fest.

SHAME ON YOU!

We know parties are nothing but a big show and all you care about is your agenda.  We know you care nothing about us or America.

SHAME ON YOU!

That is why I put my faith in Jesus, not in our political system.

YOU ARE ALL CORRUPT!  YOU ARE ALL SNAKES! 

WE ARE TIRED OF THIS! 


LET'S CLEAN HOUSE THIS NOVEMBER!!

Obama Lied

During the campaign, then candidate Obama promised health care reform stemming from open bi-partisan effort.

What we got was a closed door hidden agenda crammed down our throats.

Effectively, the bill is illegal.  It is illegal because it is unconstitutional. 

While (obviously) I am not a Constitutional lawyer, a cursory examination of the Constitution reveals, to me at least, that it violates Article 4 Section 4 and the Tenth Amendment.

Furthermore, it provides for incredible spending and false-accounting savings over the "life" of the bill.  Unfortunately, it is open-ended and could literally bankrupt our country.

Obviously, it violates the common sense of several state's attorneys-general as they have already file lawsuits to protect their state's citizens from illegal federal mandates.

Now, let's get this clear:  I am totally one-hundred percent in favor of health care reform.  Greedy lawyers, greedy health care providers and greedy litigious patients have broken our current health care system. 

We need reform.

We DO NOT need reform in this particular underhanded way.

Ergun Caner, James White, & Tom Ascol

Did that get your attention?

In the past days, the blogosphere has been abuzz with people questioning Ergun Caner's past, James White's credentials and Tom Ascol's motives.

GOOD GRAVY, PEOPLE!

I thought we were all on the same team.

I have only had the privilege of meeting one of the men mentioned. I enjoyed our conversation. I have not yet had the privilege of meeting the other two men mentioned. I am sure I would like to get to know them, too.

What I am very concerned about is the way in which supposedly "Christian" blogs writers are blasting one or all of them with no regard to any one of them being brothers in the Lord!

What was it Jesus said, oh yea, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

HELLLLLOOOOOOO

Jesus also said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

The world is watching. I don't think they are benefiting from what they are seeing.

(I refuse to link to blog posts that I feel are in grievous error, but you can do a Google search and see for yourself.)

ADDED LATER: And you should be ashamed of yourselves for writing some of the junk you guys have written about these men. Take down your yellow-journalistic posts immediately!

Senior Pastor?

I get tickled when I see young preacher boys calling themselves "Senior Pastor". Did I say tickled? I meant bothered.

Why do preachers instist on being called anything other than "Mister"?

"Reverend Wills" or "Pastor Greg"

Are they in it for the title?

I realize that some people have problems with calling their pastor "Rick" (especially if their name is Bill, but I digress), so my suggestion is: if you have to give your pastor a title, call them "Brother".

Brother is the great equalizer. Brother puts your pastor on the same spiritual level as you.

Your pastor may have a doctorate (earned, honorary, or bought over the internet). So what?

Are we not fellow laborers in God's harvest?

By a differentiation of titles, we subconsciously begin to think that the pastor is more important than us to God or to God's work.

Uh, hello.

We are a royal priesthood of BELIEVERS. Each of us are saved by grace. God didn't give you a title, He gave you salvation.

Preacher-boys, get rid of your high faulting self-puffing titles. Senior pastor? Yeah, right.

Who voted for "CHANGE"?

For all of you who voted for "Change", well, we got it. All most of us have left in our pockets is "change".

Thanks a lot. Our children's children will appreciate paying for all this "change".

Muskogee Regional Medical Center Stinks!

Back when I was sick, I had to go to Muskogee Regional Medical Center for a CT Scan. Had I known it was there, I would have requested another location.

While the actual person who did my CT Scan was professional and personal, the rest of my experience was less than stellar. The woman behind the outpatient desk seemed more interested in talking to her coworkers than helping me and I didn't get back to the CT until one and a half hours AFTER my appointment.

After all this time, I finally got a bill for my part of the CT Scan LAST WEEK. My part of the bill is more than the entire bill for a CT Scan in Thailand. This is absolutely absurd to be paying these kinds of medical bills WITH INSURANCE!

I got a phone call just now from some bill collector outfit in Ohio asking me when I was going to pay my bill!

OHIO!!!

MRMC was sold to some "for profit" health care conglomerate in Tennessee or Kentucky; Capella Health System, or some such name, and has probably been sold again.

I'll do everything in my power to make sure no one I know goes to Muskogee Regional Medical Center. It just isn't worth it.

I just can't wait to see what Obamacare does. I'll bet it makes them even better.


/rant

Ft. Hood Shootings and Domestic Terrorism

My heart goes out to the families of the soldiers and civilian police officer killed by Nidal Hasan yesterday at Fort Hood, Texas. We should be in prayer for their families and the others who were wounded.

It came out this morning that Hasan was not killed as previously reported.

According to news reports, Nidal Malik Hasan has recently been under investigation for extremist Islamic views and has been reported to have been happy when an American soldier was recently killed on a military base in Arkansas. He had reportedly said that "suicide bombers were like a soldier that threw themselves on a grenade to save their comrades" and that "maybe people should strap bombs to themselves and go to Times Square."

What is alarming to me is that very quickly after the shootings began, the FBI declared that the shootings weren't terrorist related.

Let's see...a Muslim in a military uniform with extreme Islamic views killing American soldiers on American soil. How can they call it ANYTHING but terrorist related?

I've read some tweets from some bleeding-hearts who are sad that this "will turn into an Islam thing instead of being a mental health thing that it is." Gimme a break! We have got to wake up and quit being so politically correct! We must understand that Islam IS NOT a religion of peace. We are allowing our enemies to quietly infiltrate our country and even our military and perhaps even our government. We are handing it to them on a silver platter all under the pretense of trying to not offend them. How preposterous!

AND, quite frankly, many are scared to say anything about it because of the new "rules" of our own government. They are afraid to criticize Islam for fear of "hate speech." They are afraid to criticize our government or the FBI for fear of being on some sort of "domestic terrorist watch-list".

Well, baloney! I'm tired of being afraid in my own country! I lived under oppressive regimes overseas where I couldn't say anything. Well, this is my own country. I pay my taxes. I stand up and place my hand over my heart when I SING the National Anthem. I vote. I do not break the law. I am a responsible member of society and do not condone violence in any way (except, of course, in protecting your family). I support our government and our policies, for the most part. We pray for our elected officials at church every Wednesday evening. I don't hate anyone. I certainly don't hate Muslims. Many are good folk (and good Americans) and deplore the violence.

However, I'm tired of politically correct liberals telling me that I can't speak out against the things I oppose. Uh, did they not ever hear of a little something we like to call the First Amendment!?!

I know that some of you who read this are going to disagree with me. That is completely Okay! We are in America. You have the right to your opinion. I have the right to mine. That is one thing that makes America great. Some of you will think that my views divide and separate us from Muslims. Sorry to tell you, but we are already there. Some of you will think I am a closed minded bigot. You have the right to think that of me, even if you are wrong.

However, if we don't stop the tide of Islamic extremism right here in the homeland, we may soon lose the right to even have our own opinion.

Early Christmas

I updated my Facebook status last night with "some goober down the street already has his Christmas lights on!". I was amazed at how quickly I had responses and how many I had! Two of the commentors mentioned that there are radio stations that are already playing Christmas music 24/7. One mentioned that we should celebrate our Lord all year long. (good comment, btw)

Here's my deal. First off- I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I really do. I always have. I'm a whole lot like Clark W. Griswold in that respect. Second- let's get through Thanksgiving first! (not to mention Halloween) Third- I don't understand the motivation to have your Christmas lights up and on in early November. Most (or at least many) people I know use Thanksgiving weekend to put the lights up. I know I'm usually itching to put them up about that time. Fourth- the motivation for Christmas music on the radio this early IS TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY! At least that's what they said on the news this morning. We all have known for a long time that Christmas in America has ceased being a religions holiday and is widely used as a marketing tool. BUT IN NOVEMBER???

I'm only half-way joking when I say that it is a sign of the last days.

Marantha, Lord Jesus!

My Letter To Nobel Prize Committee

The email below was sent this morning. There is nothing else to say that I didn't say to the Nobel Prize Committee.

From: Rick Boyne
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 10:27 AM
To: 'postmaster@nobel.no'
Subject: 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

Please forward to the appropriate committee members:

Dear 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Committee: Thorbjørn Jagland, Geir Lundestad, Kaci Kullmann Five, Sissel Rønbeck, Inger-Marie Ytterhorn, Ågot Valle
I am shocked and outraged at your selection of US President Barak Obama as the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination deadline was a mere two weeks after this man assumed the office of President. What on earth could he have done in those two weeks to merit receiving this prestigious award?

This year’s prize is a slap in the face to all previous award recipients who deserved the award. It diminishes the award’s value and meaning. It is an insult to brokers of peace who truly have earned this award.

Perhaps if you had awarded Mr. Obama after he had proved himself, you could have preserved the integrity of your award. But, alas, you have corrupted its meaning, value, and future desirability and have turned it into something akin to a teen-aged popularity contest.

Sincerely,


Rick Boyne
XXXXXXXXX Ave
Wagoner, OK, 74467
USA

www.RickBoyne.com

SDG

Stay Away from Keystone Chevrolet

Last Friday, Sally and I both had the day off and the kids were with my sister, so we decided to do a little window shopping/test driving of used cars. We had seen the TV ads for Keystone Chevrolet in Sand Springs, OK. Their ads should have told us what they would be like.

It was, perhaps, the worst car shopping experience I have ever had. Under no circumstances will I ever step foot on their car lot again and highly urge you to do the same.

The young salesman, Bentley, was nice enough and I am sure he was just following mis-directed company policy, up to a point. However, he would not give us a price on the used car we were looking at. We asked what they were asking for it and he said he'd have to go inside to get it. We went for a test drive and he told us all about his personal problems. (Sally and I get that a lot) As we pulled back in the lot, he suggested we pull into the first parking place and come inside with him to get the price.

I can handle myself with car salesmen. The more experience I gain with them, the less I put up with their antics. He herded us into his cubicle, sat us down and proceeded to fill out some sort of "contact form". I protested and said all we wanted to know was the price they were asking for the car. He said it was company policy to fill out that form and he would get our price right after it was complete. (This is where I should have gotten up and left, but I learned that for next time). He went and got the price for the car, which was about $3000-3500 more than what it should sell for. Then the dumbest question that car salesmen ever came up with was asked: "What's it gonna take for us to get you into that car TODAY?"

I explained, as I have with most car dealers in NE OK, that we were just looking and never bought a car without time to think and pray about it. This is when the young man got indignant and began to rant about our not being serious and why would we test drive the car and ask about the price if we weren't serious about buying that car. That's when I stood up, said "thank you" and walked out the door. (BTW, they never offered to drive us to the far side of the lot where our car was parked)

I cannot believe that the sales manager didn't see what was going on and how Sally and I were shaking our heads in disbelief as we exited the showroom. I cannot believe that the sales manager didn't follow a couple out of the showroom who were visibly upset by the transactions of the sales staff. Even more, I cannot believe, that since they have my name and phone number, the sales manager has not called me to see about that episode.

So, due to their sales techniques and tactics and their lack of concern for disgruntled potential customers, I now say to you, "Stay as far away from Keystone Chevrolet as you possibly can. Don't step foot on their lot even if they say they are GIVING their cars away because there will be a catch."

Oh, and don't forget their exorbitant "Documentation Fee", whatever that is.

For pity sakes.

PS: I sent this post to GM Corporate Headquarters. I seriously doubt they will do anything either.