Time to start packing...
I've gotten to a place on the farm where It is time to start packing things into boxes. My first item on the agenda is to remove all of my possessions off the farm. Most of my possessions will be moved to my future place of residence. I will have my desk which I will be able to hook up my computer and use to study. My books will probably have to go into storage but I'm sure I can swing one bookshelf, which will do just fine.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
7-28-06
This Dog Will Hunt!!!
I checked the Cleveland Plain Dealer website today and got horrible news. Pro-Bowl Center and free agent acquisition LeCharles Bentley is out for the entire season for the Cleveland Browns. That is a serious blow to the offensive line and the offense in general. My first reaction was to throw in the towel on the Brown and the season hasn't even started. But then I read something by coach Crennel. He said that it is a blow to the team but that there are still good players there and they will not use Bentley's injury as an excuse to not win. After reading that I felt better. Since the Browns came back in 1999, is seems that every coach and player has found a way to make excuses for the teams losing. First is was that they were an expansion team. Then it was bad luck or nothing broke their way. They're are no more excuses. I like Crennel's attitude. You keep on playing and you find ways to win. For the longest time the Browns have played NOT to lose. I do believe that this year, even if they go 8-8, these dogs will hunt..
I found out how much my books will cost for this semester. I do believe that the price I will pay is equivalent to the national debt of the country of Morocco. So I went internet book hunting and have priced my books at almost a 10th of what FSU wants to charge me. I am an avid book reader and have an extensive collection of books ranging from politics, religion, fiction, non-fiction, reference and comic books. I have become the master of finding hardcover books that are expensive and buying them at cheap prices. FSU ain't gonna git more monie frum mee!!!!
Eye update....still the same. I probably won't have any new news until I schedule the next surgery.
Oreo update. He's doing better. He doesn't like being cooped up in one small room. He's using the litter box and his wound is healing nicely.
My brother and his father in law flew into town the other day. They just came to take care of some business and then fly back. It was nice to see them for the brief time they were here.
I hung out with my friend Ryan last night. I hadn't sat down with him and talked for a while. We went for a Denny's run at midnight and then checked out the 5 buck DVD section at Wal-Mart. Unfortunately we didn't find any bargains but I did walk away with the first season of ANIMANIACS!!!!! If they put all 5 seasons of Animaniacs on DVD that will free up over 75 VHS tapes I own. You have no idea how much I loved that show. Pinky and the Brain....sheer genius!!!!
SOMEBODY HAS GOT TO WANT SOME TADPOLES!!!!!
I have a permanent place to stay now. A friend from work recently divorced her husband and has a large upstairs bedroom that she said I could stay in. It's large enough for me to put my desk and computer in. Closet space is limited but I could put my dresser in with no problems. That's the thing about Cracker Barrel employees. There more than people you work with. They're an extended family. I appreciate everything Tabby is doing for me with this place to stay. So if she needs me to babysit her 10 year old boy sometime. I won't mind. I just don't know what condition the house will be in when she comes home. hee hee.
BOB IS SPEAKING ALERT!!!! I will be speaking at South Ridge Church this coming Sunday. Pastor Seth is doing a lesson on "If God is so good, then why do bad things happen?" Seth felt that I was a prime candidate to answer that question. So if anyone isn't busy at 10:30 in the morning on Sunday, swing on by. We have cookies in the lobby too!!
For some reason my e-mail isn't letting me know when people are sending me MySpace messages. For those people that sent me e-mails, I apologize for not responding as of yet. Gimme some time and I will get back to you.
Thanks
The Management
Almost forgot. I just read an article that the kid who plays Harry Potter will be in a play where he will be naked. I'm sure parents will have fun explaining to their kids why they can see Harry's dumbledore. Or better yet, he could bend over and show them his goblet of fire!! This is almost too easy. The puns could go on and on.... Somebody stop me!!!!
I checked the Cleveland Plain Dealer website today and got horrible news. Pro-Bowl Center and free agent acquisition LeCharles Bentley is out for the entire season for the Cleveland Browns. That is a serious blow to the offensive line and the offense in general. My first reaction was to throw in the towel on the Brown and the season hasn't even started. But then I read something by coach Crennel. He said that it is a blow to the team but that there are still good players there and they will not use Bentley's injury as an excuse to not win. After reading that I felt better. Since the Browns came back in 1999, is seems that every coach and player has found a way to make excuses for the teams losing. First is was that they were an expansion team. Then it was bad luck or nothing broke their way. They're are no more excuses. I like Crennel's attitude. You keep on playing and you find ways to win. For the longest time the Browns have played NOT to lose. I do believe that this year, even if they go 8-8, these dogs will hunt..
I found out how much my books will cost for this semester. I do believe that the price I will pay is equivalent to the national debt of the country of Morocco. So I went internet book hunting and have priced my books at almost a 10th of what FSU wants to charge me. I am an avid book reader and have an extensive collection of books ranging from politics, religion, fiction, non-fiction, reference and comic books. I have become the master of finding hardcover books that are expensive and buying them at cheap prices. FSU ain't gonna git more monie frum mee!!!!
Eye update....still the same. I probably won't have any new news until I schedule the next surgery.
Oreo update. He's doing better. He doesn't like being cooped up in one small room. He's using the litter box and his wound is healing nicely.
My brother and his father in law flew into town the other day. They just came to take care of some business and then fly back. It was nice to see them for the brief time they were here.
I hung out with my friend Ryan last night. I hadn't sat down with him and talked for a while. We went for a Denny's run at midnight and then checked out the 5 buck DVD section at Wal-Mart. Unfortunately we didn't find any bargains but I did walk away with the first season of ANIMANIACS!!!!! If they put all 5 seasons of Animaniacs on DVD that will free up over 75 VHS tapes I own. You have no idea how much I loved that show. Pinky and the Brain....sheer genius!!!!
SOMEBODY HAS GOT TO WANT SOME TADPOLES!!!!!
I have a permanent place to stay now. A friend from work recently divorced her husband and has a large upstairs bedroom that she said I could stay in. It's large enough for me to put my desk and computer in. Closet space is limited but I could put my dresser in with no problems. That's the thing about Cracker Barrel employees. There more than people you work with. They're an extended family. I appreciate everything Tabby is doing for me with this place to stay. So if she needs me to babysit her 10 year old boy sometime. I won't mind. I just don't know what condition the house will be in when she comes home. hee hee.
BOB IS SPEAKING ALERT!!!! I will be speaking at South Ridge Church this coming Sunday. Pastor Seth is doing a lesson on "If God is so good, then why do bad things happen?" Seth felt that I was a prime candidate to answer that question. So if anyone isn't busy at 10:30 in the morning on Sunday, swing on by. We have cookies in the lobby too!!
For some reason my e-mail isn't letting me know when people are sending me MySpace messages. For those people that sent me e-mails, I apologize for not responding as of yet. Gimme some time and I will get back to you.
Thanks
The Management
Almost forgot. I just read an article that the kid who plays Harry Potter will be in a play where he will be naked. I'm sure parents will have fun explaining to their kids why they can see Harry's dumbledore. Or better yet, he could bend over and show them his goblet of fire!! This is almost too easy. The puns could go on and on.... Somebody stop me!!!!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Israel, Palestine & The Middle East
Isreal, Palestine, and the Middle East
Here's a decent representation of my view on Isreal. This is excerpt from a sermon given by John Piper. You can read more of John Piper's work on www.desiringgod.org
Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East
March 7, 2004
Romans 11:25-32
Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob"; 27 "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Today I would like to address the issue of Israel's relation to the Promised Land in the Middle East. This is not primarily an expository message from Romans 11, but an effort to draw out implications of Romans 11 and the rest of Scripture for a very vexing problem in the world today. The existence of Israel in the Middle East and the extent of her borders and her sovereignty are perhaps the most explosive factors in world terrorism and the most volatile factors in Arab-Western relations.
The Arab roots and the Jewish roots in this land go back for thousands of years. Both lay claim to the land not merely because of historical presence, but also because of divine right. I won't try to lay out a detailed peace plan. But I will try to lay out some biblical truths that could guide all of us in thinking about peace and justice in that part of the world. What we think about this, and what we say, does matter, since politicians are influenced by their constituents in these religiously super-charged situations. And we need to know how to pray. And we need to know how to talk to others in a way that honors the truth. So for all those reasons, and for the reason that God is very much involved in this situation, we should talk about it in the context of Romans 11.
What we've seen in Romans 11 is that Israel as a wholethat is, as an ethnic, corporate people enduring from generation to generationhas a root in the covenant promises made to Abraham and his descendants. Verse 16b: If the root is holy so are the branches. We interpreted that picture in the light of verse 28: As regards the gospel, they [Israel] are enemies of God for your [Gentile] sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. The forefathers here correspond to the root in verse 16. So the promises to the forefathers imply that some day the whole tree, with all its branches, will be saved.
Some day. Because verse 28 says, for now they are enemies. Verse 28a: As regards the gospel, they [Israel] are enemies of God for your sake. In other words, they are rejecting their Messiah and thus putting themselves against God. This is what Jesus said to Israel in John 8:42: If God were your father you would love me. Jesus is the litmus test whether anybody's religion is worship of the true God. But Israel does not love Jesus as God's son and her Messiah. So they are, for now, enemies of God.
So when verse 16 says, If the root is holy so are the branches, we take it to mean: If God chose the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for himself, and set them apart and made to them covenant promises, then someday (after this present time of enmity and hardening are over) their descendants are going to return to God through Jesus Christ, and become God's set-apart, holy people. Unbelief and ungodliness will be banished from Jacob forever (v. 26).
So now we ask, is the so-called Promised Land part of the inheritance and salvation that all Israel (v. 26) will receive? And if so, what does that say about the rights of Israel today to the Land?
In developing the answer to this question I would like to maintain seven truths which are based on Scripture.
1. God chose Israel from all the peoples of the world to be his own possession.
Deuteronomy 7:6, The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
2. The Land was part of the inheritance he promised to Abraham and his descendants forever.
Genesis 15:18, On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.'
Then in Genesis 17:7-8 God says to Abraham, I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.
Then God confirmed the promise to Jacob, Abraham's grandson, in Genesis 28:13, And behold, the Lord . . . said, I am the Lord , the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. And when Jacob was dying he called Joseph to him and said (in Genesis 48:3), God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you and . . . will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.'
This, of course, creates a huge cleavage between the Islamic view of God's covenant and the Jewish and Christian view of God's covenant. But we believe that this is God's word, confirmed by the Lord Jesus, and so we say, The land is destined to be Israel's land.
But it's not that simple. This is not an issue that can be dealt with in soundbites.
3. The promises made to Abraham, including the promise of the Land, will be inherited as an everlasting gift only by true, spiritual Israel, not disobedient, unbelieving Israel.
This was the point of Romans 9. When Paul grieved over the lostness of so many Jews who were rejecting Jesus and were perishing, he said in verses 6-7, It is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring. In other words, the promises cannot be demanded by anyone just because he is Jewish. Jewish ethnicity has a place in God's plan, but it is not enough to secure anything. It does not in itself qualify a person to be an heir of the promise to Abraham and his offspring. Romans 9:8 says it clearly: It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. Being born Jewish does not make one an heir of the promiseneither the promise of the Land nor any other promise.
This was plain in the Old Testament, and it was plain the teachings of Jesus (which we will see under truth #4). For example, in the terrible list of curses that God promised to bring on the people if they broke his covenant and forsook him was this: And as the Lord took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to take possession of it (Deuteronomy 28:63). Throughout the history of Israel, covenant breaking and disobedience and idolatry disqualified Israel from the present divine right to the Land. (See also Daniel 9:4-7; Psalm 78:54-61.)
Be careful not to infer from this that Gentile nations (like Arabs) have the right to molest Israel. God's judgments on Israel do not sanction human sin against Israel. Israel still has human rights among nations even when she forfeits her present divine right to the Land. Remember that nations which gloated over her divine discipline were punished by God (Isaiah 10:5-13; Joel 3:2).
So the promise to Abraham that his descendants will inherit the Land does not mean that all Jews inherit that promise. It will come finally to the true Israel, the Israel that keeps covenant and obeys her God.
4. Jesus Christ has come into the world as the Jewish Messiah, and his own people rejected him and broke covenant with their God.
When Jesus asked his disciples, Who do you say that I am? Peter answered, You are the Christ [that is, the Jewish Messiah], the Son of the living God. And Jesus responded to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 16:16-17). And when the high priest asked Jesus, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus answered, I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:61-62).
But even though Jesus was the Messiah and did many mighty works and taught with great authority and fulfilled Old Testament promises, nevertheless the people of Israel as a whole rejected him. This was the most serious covenant-breaking disobedience that Israel had ever committed in all her history.
This is why Jesus told the parable of the tenants who killed the Landlord's son when he came for his harvest, and ended that parable with these words to Israel in Matthew 21:43, Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And it's why he said in Matthew 8:11-12, after seeing the faith of a Gentile centurion and the unbelief of Israel, Many [Gentiles] will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Israel has broken covenant with her God and is living today in disobedience and unbelief in his Son and her Messiah. That is why Paul says in Romans 11:28, As regards the gospel [the good news of the Messiah] they are enemies of God.
5. Therefore, the secular state of Israel today may not claim a present divine right to the Land, but they and we should seek a peaceful settlement not based on present divine rights, but on international principles of justice, mercy, and practical feasibility.
This follows from all we have said so far, and the implication it has for those of us who believe the Bible and trust Christ as our Savior and as the Lord of history, is that we should not give blanket approval to Jewish or to Palestinian actions. We should approve or denounce according to Biblical standards of justice and mercy among peoples. We should encourage our representatives to seek a just settlement that takes the historical and social claims of both peoples into account. Neither should be allowed to sway the judgments of justice by a present divine claim to the land. If you believe this, it would be helpful for your representatives to know it.
We are not whitewashing terrorism and we are not whitewashing Jewish force. Nor is there any attempt on my part to assess measures of blame or moral equivalence. That's not my aim. My aim is to put the debate on a balanced footing in this sense: neither side should preempt the claims of international justice by the claim of present divine rights. Working out what that justice will look like is still a huge and daunting task. I have not solved that problem. But I think we will make better progress if we do not yield to the claim of either side to be ethnically or nationally sanctioned by God in their present conflict.
6. By faith in Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah, Gentiles become heirs of the promise of Abraham, including the promise of the Land.
In the words of Romans 11:17, You [Gentile], although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive treethat is, they become part of the redeemed covenant people who share the faith of Abraham. The reason, as Paul put in Romans 4:13, is that the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. So all who are united to Christ, Abraham's Offspring, by faith are part of the covenant made with him and his offspring.
Here's the most sweeping statement of this truth Ephesians 2:12, Remember that you [Gentiles] were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. . . . So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Therefore Jewish believers in Jesus and Gentile believers will inherit the Land. And the easiest way to see this is to see that we will inherit the world which includes the Land. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians will not quibble over the real estate of the Promised Land because the entire new heavens and the new earth will be ours. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the futureall are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. All followers of Christ, and only followers of Christ, will inherit the earth, including the Land.
7. Finally, this inheritance of Christ's people will happen at the second coming of Christ to establish his kingdom, not before; and till then, we Christians must not take up arms to claim our inheritance; but rather lay down our lives to share our inheritance with as many as we can.
You recall that all-important word that Jesus spoke to Pilate in John 18:36: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. Christians do not take up the sword to advance the kingdom of Christ. We wait for a king from heaven who will deliver us by his mighty power. And in that great day Jew and Gentile who have treasured Christ will receive what was promised. There will be a great reversal: the last will be first, and the meekin fellowship with the Lamb of Godwill inherit the Land.
Therefore, come to the meek and lowly Christ while there is time, and receive forgiveness of sins, and the hope of glory.
Here's a decent representation of my view on Isreal. This is excerpt from a sermon given by John Piper. You can read more of John Piper's work on www.desiringgod.org
Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East
March 7, 2004
Romans 11:25-32
Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob"; 27 "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Today I would like to address the issue of Israel's relation to the Promised Land in the Middle East. This is not primarily an expository message from Romans 11, but an effort to draw out implications of Romans 11 and the rest of Scripture for a very vexing problem in the world today. The existence of Israel in the Middle East and the extent of her borders and her sovereignty are perhaps the most explosive factors in world terrorism and the most volatile factors in Arab-Western relations.
The Arab roots and the Jewish roots in this land go back for thousands of years. Both lay claim to the land not merely because of historical presence, but also because of divine right. I won't try to lay out a detailed peace plan. But I will try to lay out some biblical truths that could guide all of us in thinking about peace and justice in that part of the world. What we think about this, and what we say, does matter, since politicians are influenced by their constituents in these religiously super-charged situations. And we need to know how to pray. And we need to know how to talk to others in a way that honors the truth. So for all those reasons, and for the reason that God is very much involved in this situation, we should talk about it in the context of Romans 11.
What we've seen in Romans 11 is that Israel as a wholethat is, as an ethnic, corporate people enduring from generation to generationhas a root in the covenant promises made to Abraham and his descendants. Verse 16b: If the root is holy so are the branches. We interpreted that picture in the light of verse 28: As regards the gospel, they [Israel] are enemies of God for your [Gentile] sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. The forefathers here correspond to the root in verse 16. So the promises to the forefathers imply that some day the whole tree, with all its branches, will be saved.
Some day. Because verse 28 says, for now they are enemies. Verse 28a: As regards the gospel, they [Israel] are enemies of God for your sake. In other words, they are rejecting their Messiah and thus putting themselves against God. This is what Jesus said to Israel in John 8:42: If God were your father you would love me. Jesus is the litmus test whether anybody's religion is worship of the true God. But Israel does not love Jesus as God's son and her Messiah. So they are, for now, enemies of God.
So when verse 16 says, If the root is holy so are the branches, we take it to mean: If God chose the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for himself, and set them apart and made to them covenant promises, then someday (after this present time of enmity and hardening are over) their descendants are going to return to God through Jesus Christ, and become God's set-apart, holy people. Unbelief and ungodliness will be banished from Jacob forever (v. 26).
So now we ask, is the so-called Promised Land part of the inheritance and salvation that all Israel (v. 26) will receive? And if so, what does that say about the rights of Israel today to the Land?
In developing the answer to this question I would like to maintain seven truths which are based on Scripture.
1. God chose Israel from all the peoples of the world to be his own possession.
Deuteronomy 7:6, The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
2. The Land was part of the inheritance he promised to Abraham and his descendants forever.
Genesis 15:18, On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.'
Then in Genesis 17:7-8 God says to Abraham, I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.
Then God confirmed the promise to Jacob, Abraham's grandson, in Genesis 28:13, And behold, the Lord . . . said, I am the Lord , the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. And when Jacob was dying he called Joseph to him and said (in Genesis 48:3), God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you and . . . will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.'
This, of course, creates a huge cleavage between the Islamic view of God's covenant and the Jewish and Christian view of God's covenant. But we believe that this is God's word, confirmed by the Lord Jesus, and so we say, The land is destined to be Israel's land.
But it's not that simple. This is not an issue that can be dealt with in soundbites.
3. The promises made to Abraham, including the promise of the Land, will be inherited as an everlasting gift only by true, spiritual Israel, not disobedient, unbelieving Israel.
This was the point of Romans 9. When Paul grieved over the lostness of so many Jews who were rejecting Jesus and were perishing, he said in verses 6-7, It is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring. In other words, the promises cannot be demanded by anyone just because he is Jewish. Jewish ethnicity has a place in God's plan, but it is not enough to secure anything. It does not in itself qualify a person to be an heir of the promise to Abraham and his offspring. Romans 9:8 says it clearly: It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. Being born Jewish does not make one an heir of the promiseneither the promise of the Land nor any other promise.
This was plain in the Old Testament, and it was plain the teachings of Jesus (which we will see under truth #4). For example, in the terrible list of curses that God promised to bring on the people if they broke his covenant and forsook him was this: And as the Lord took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to take possession of it (Deuteronomy 28:63). Throughout the history of Israel, covenant breaking and disobedience and idolatry disqualified Israel from the present divine right to the Land. (See also Daniel 9:4-7; Psalm 78:54-61.)
Be careful not to infer from this that Gentile nations (like Arabs) have the right to molest Israel. God's judgments on Israel do not sanction human sin against Israel. Israel still has human rights among nations even when she forfeits her present divine right to the Land. Remember that nations which gloated over her divine discipline were punished by God (Isaiah 10:5-13; Joel 3:2).
So the promise to Abraham that his descendants will inherit the Land does not mean that all Jews inherit that promise. It will come finally to the true Israel, the Israel that keeps covenant and obeys her God.
4. Jesus Christ has come into the world as the Jewish Messiah, and his own people rejected him and broke covenant with their God.
When Jesus asked his disciples, Who do you say that I am? Peter answered, You are the Christ [that is, the Jewish Messiah], the Son of the living God. And Jesus responded to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 16:16-17). And when the high priest asked Jesus, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus answered, I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:61-62).
But even though Jesus was the Messiah and did many mighty works and taught with great authority and fulfilled Old Testament promises, nevertheless the people of Israel as a whole rejected him. This was the most serious covenant-breaking disobedience that Israel had ever committed in all her history.
This is why Jesus told the parable of the tenants who killed the Landlord's son when he came for his harvest, and ended that parable with these words to Israel in Matthew 21:43, Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And it's why he said in Matthew 8:11-12, after seeing the faith of a Gentile centurion and the unbelief of Israel, Many [Gentiles] will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Israel has broken covenant with her God and is living today in disobedience and unbelief in his Son and her Messiah. That is why Paul says in Romans 11:28, As regards the gospel [the good news of the Messiah] they are enemies of God.
5. Therefore, the secular state of Israel today may not claim a present divine right to the Land, but they and we should seek a peaceful settlement not based on present divine rights, but on international principles of justice, mercy, and practical feasibility.
This follows from all we have said so far, and the implication it has for those of us who believe the Bible and trust Christ as our Savior and as the Lord of history, is that we should not give blanket approval to Jewish or to Palestinian actions. We should approve or denounce according to Biblical standards of justice and mercy among peoples. We should encourage our representatives to seek a just settlement that takes the historical and social claims of both peoples into account. Neither should be allowed to sway the judgments of justice by a present divine claim to the land. If you believe this, it would be helpful for your representatives to know it.
We are not whitewashing terrorism and we are not whitewashing Jewish force. Nor is there any attempt on my part to assess measures of blame or moral equivalence. That's not my aim. My aim is to put the debate on a balanced footing in this sense: neither side should preempt the claims of international justice by the claim of present divine rights. Working out what that justice will look like is still a huge and daunting task. I have not solved that problem. But I think we will make better progress if we do not yield to the claim of either side to be ethnically or nationally sanctioned by God in their present conflict.
6. By faith in Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah, Gentiles become heirs of the promise of Abraham, including the promise of the Land.
In the words of Romans 11:17, You [Gentile], although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive treethat is, they become part of the redeemed covenant people who share the faith of Abraham. The reason, as Paul put in Romans 4:13, is that the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. So all who are united to Christ, Abraham's Offspring, by faith are part of the covenant made with him and his offspring.
Here's the most sweeping statement of this truth Ephesians 2:12, Remember that you [Gentiles] were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. . . . So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Therefore Jewish believers in Jesus and Gentile believers will inherit the Land. And the easiest way to see this is to see that we will inherit the world which includes the Land. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians will not quibble over the real estate of the Promised Land because the entire new heavens and the new earth will be ours. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the futureall are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. All followers of Christ, and only followers of Christ, will inherit the earth, including the Land.
7. Finally, this inheritance of Christ's people will happen at the second coming of Christ to establish his kingdom, not before; and till then, we Christians must not take up arms to claim our inheritance; but rather lay down our lives to share our inheritance with as many as we can.
You recall that all-important word that Jesus spoke to Pilate in John 18:36: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. Christians do not take up the sword to advance the kingdom of Christ. We wait for a king from heaven who will deliver us by his mighty power. And in that great day Jew and Gentile who have treasured Christ will receive what was promised. There will be a great reversal: the last will be first, and the meekin fellowship with the Lamb of Godwill inherit the Land.
Therefore, come to the meek and lowly Christ while there is time, and receive forgiveness of sins, and the hope of glory.
7-25-06
SO MANY TADPOLES!!!!!
I'm feeling good right now. I know that there will be some tough times ahead but right now I'm high energy and continuing to get the ball rolling. I have split my work into two categories. The first category is what I call the "paperwork" category. This consists of phone calls and filling out papers needed regarding the estate or victims benefits. The second is what I call the "liquidation and renovation" category. I am currently juggling the two quite well. In the morning I take care of the paperwork and when I'm done I then go with friends to the farm and take care of the second category. So far our projects are mowing and upkeep of the farm, cleaning out the swimming pool to get ready for sale, and cleaning out the RV to get ready for sale.
In my spare time I find pictures and other family items I want to keep for me and my brother. I store them in the storage shed I'm renting. Tonight I found my senior picture scrapbook and mine and my brothers grade school report cards and class pictures. There are some pictures of me and my brother from when we were a year old that are fading. I will have to scan them and restore them with Photoshop before they get too bad. Then I plan on taking the digital copies to Wal-Mart and making copies of the restored pics so both my brother and I can have them to hang up in our homes when we finally settle down. The picture project is something I will do in my spare time If I have any. Right now I just need the pictures secure and safe.
I have to take Oreo to the vet tomorrow. He has an parasite on the left side of his face. I think it's called a Worble. If it's left unchecked it can be quite serious. Out of all the cats I care for Oreo the most. That was my mom's cat. I'm gonna bite the bullet and take him to the vet to get him well again. I'm already paying 75 bucks a month to take care of my mom's dog. I guess going in the hole for Oreo isn't much to ask. I need to check online and see if Charley's medicine can be bought cheaper than 75 bucks. I'm sure I can find for cheap somewhere.
I have to give mad props to my friend Jessie Battin. She's been a real trooper and has helped me with some of the odds and ends on the farm. We caught tadpoles today in the swimming pool and put them in the duck pond. We had a blast. We're gonna go back tomorrow morning and work on catching the rest and cleaning out the pool. I've never seen so many tadpoles in one place before. You can reach your hand in the water and pick out a handful. It's amazing.
I'm getting up early. Gotta lot to do. Feeling good about it though.
I'm feeling good right now. I know that there will be some tough times ahead but right now I'm high energy and continuing to get the ball rolling. I have split my work into two categories. The first category is what I call the "paperwork" category. This consists of phone calls and filling out papers needed regarding the estate or victims benefits. The second is what I call the "liquidation and renovation" category. I am currently juggling the two quite well. In the morning I take care of the paperwork and when I'm done I then go with friends to the farm and take care of the second category. So far our projects are mowing and upkeep of the farm, cleaning out the swimming pool to get ready for sale, and cleaning out the RV to get ready for sale.
In my spare time I find pictures and other family items I want to keep for me and my brother. I store them in the storage shed I'm renting. Tonight I found my senior picture scrapbook and mine and my brothers grade school report cards and class pictures. There are some pictures of me and my brother from when we were a year old that are fading. I will have to scan them and restore them with Photoshop before they get too bad. Then I plan on taking the digital copies to Wal-Mart and making copies of the restored pics so both my brother and I can have them to hang up in our homes when we finally settle down. The picture project is something I will do in my spare time If I have any. Right now I just need the pictures secure and safe.
I have to take Oreo to the vet tomorrow. He has an parasite on the left side of his face. I think it's called a Worble. If it's left unchecked it can be quite serious. Out of all the cats I care for Oreo the most. That was my mom's cat. I'm gonna bite the bullet and take him to the vet to get him well again. I'm already paying 75 bucks a month to take care of my mom's dog. I guess going in the hole for Oreo isn't much to ask. I need to check online and see if Charley's medicine can be bought cheaper than 75 bucks. I'm sure I can find for cheap somewhere.
I have to give mad props to my friend Jessie Battin. She's been a real trooper and has helped me with some of the odds and ends on the farm. We caught tadpoles today in the swimming pool and put them in the duck pond. We had a blast. We're gonna go back tomorrow morning and work on catching the rest and cleaning out the pool. I've never seen so many tadpoles in one place before. You can reach your hand in the water and pick out a handful. It's amazing.
I'm getting up early. Gotta lot to do. Feeling good about it though.
Monday, July 24, 2006
7-24-06
What a lovely weekend!
I went to Pennsylvania and visited my Uncle John and Aunt Pauline for the weekend. We had a great time. The whole family is conservative and that was a great bonus. I even got a Club Gitmo t-shirt that I can wear to upset libs that think that "real" torture happens at Guantanamo.
Sunday was even better. We went to church together in the morning and them went out to a Chinese restaurant afterward. I think it was called the Giant Panda. It was probably called that due to the giant panda statues and stuffed animals that were all over the restaurant. I was supposed to leave and go back to Fairmont but I stayed to hear my Uncle John speak at evening services. I'm glad I did. It's always encouraging to hear a lesson or sermon that pumps you up or strikes an emotional chord, but what really gets me encouraged is when I hear someone speak that leaves you with a desire to grow and learn more. That's how my Uncle John speaks. He engages the mind and challenges your faith to go deeper (black jelly bean!). I returned to Fairmont with a stronger zeal and desire to study and learn more of God's word.
All in all it was good to spend time with everyone. I had a great time and I look forward to spending more time with them in the future. It's kinda sad to think of lost time that we weren't in touch with each other in the past, but I don't try to dwell on the past that much. The future will take care of itself and we have each other now. That's what matters. That and I have family to hang out with when the Republicans retain control of the house and senate!!! That's right! I said it!!! You heard it right here folks...
Today I went to Cracker Barrel and got my old job back. I start Wednesday. I'm excited and dreading going back. I think I'm happy to work with everyone but I don't want to put up with their bad working habits. My eye still prohibits me from doing simple things like set up food but I will do my best. Gas is starting to kill me financially. I've been in denial about it for a long time.
I'm using a computer at Fairmont State to write this blog. I'm gonna price my books after I'm done writing. Can't wait till I get into class. I'm a SENIOR!!!! YEAH!!!! One more year left.
I went to Pennsylvania and visited my Uncle John and Aunt Pauline for the weekend. We had a great time. The whole family is conservative and that was a great bonus. I even got a Club Gitmo t-shirt that I can wear to upset libs that think that "real" torture happens at Guantanamo.
Sunday was even better. We went to church together in the morning and them went out to a Chinese restaurant afterward. I think it was called the Giant Panda. It was probably called that due to the giant panda statues and stuffed animals that were all over the restaurant. I was supposed to leave and go back to Fairmont but I stayed to hear my Uncle John speak at evening services. I'm glad I did. It's always encouraging to hear a lesson or sermon that pumps you up or strikes an emotional chord, but what really gets me encouraged is when I hear someone speak that leaves you with a desire to grow and learn more. That's how my Uncle John speaks. He engages the mind and challenges your faith to go deeper (black jelly bean!). I returned to Fairmont with a stronger zeal and desire to study and learn more of God's word.
All in all it was good to spend time with everyone. I had a great time and I look forward to spending more time with them in the future. It's kinda sad to think of lost time that we weren't in touch with each other in the past, but I don't try to dwell on the past that much. The future will take care of itself and we have each other now. That's what matters. That and I have family to hang out with when the Republicans retain control of the house and senate!!! That's right! I said it!!! You heard it right here folks...
Today I went to Cracker Barrel and got my old job back. I start Wednesday. I'm excited and dreading going back. I think I'm happy to work with everyone but I don't want to put up with their bad working habits. My eye still prohibits me from doing simple things like set up food but I will do my best. Gas is starting to kill me financially. I've been in denial about it for a long time.
I'm using a computer at Fairmont State to write this blog. I'm gonna price my books after I'm done writing. Can't wait till I get into class. I'm a SENIOR!!!! YEAH!!!! One more year left.
Friday, July 21, 2006
7-21-06
Spent the day on the farm!!!
I was on the farm all day today. I was there from 8:30am to 10:00pm. My friend Carrie's dad Jim came up to help until about 4:30 and a close friend of my dad at church named Fred came up for the rest of the day. We got a lot done. We mowed the lawn around the house and the barns. We started draining the swimming pool to get out the tadpoles that are growing in there. We cleaned up all the clutter that was around the farm. I can honestly say that the farm looks better now than it did when me and my parents lived there. Our biggest project was cleaning out the garage. There was a lot of wood and clutter that needed to be burned. Now you can actually park a car in the garage.
I haven't worked that hard since May. So I can say that I'm gonna be pretty sore tomorrow. But we got a lot done. That's what matters. Now that the outside looks nice. I can focus on packing up things and sorting through what to keep and what to sell or throw away. I think that will be the hardest thing to do.
Does anyone need any tadpoles?
I was on the farm all day today. I was there from 8:30am to 10:00pm. My friend Carrie's dad Jim came up to help until about 4:30 and a close friend of my dad at church named Fred came up for the rest of the day. We got a lot done. We mowed the lawn around the house and the barns. We started draining the swimming pool to get out the tadpoles that are growing in there. We cleaned up all the clutter that was around the farm. I can honestly say that the farm looks better now than it did when me and my parents lived there. Our biggest project was cleaning out the garage. There was a lot of wood and clutter that needed to be burned. Now you can actually park a car in the garage.
I haven't worked that hard since May. So I can say that I'm gonna be pretty sore tomorrow. But we got a lot done. That's what matters. Now that the outside looks nice. I can focus on packing up things and sorting through what to keep and what to sell or throw away. I think that will be the hardest thing to do.
Does anyone need any tadpoles?
Thursday, July 20, 2006
7-20-06
I couldn't sleep.
I sometimes have trouble sleeping. Mostly due to too much on the brain and my mind racing. I think tonight it's because I went to a midnight showing of Clerks II and had a box of raisinettes and a medium Mountain Dew. That might keep you up till 5 in the morning.
I would give a movie review of Clerks II but I can't. I'm still in shock over what I saw. I do remember Jason Lee's character sticking up for Transformers though. I felt dirty after seeing this movie. The fact that I laughed till I cried makes it even dirtier. Kevin Smith, you are a filthy filthy man!!! Snoochie Boochies!!!
Now that I got my go ahead to exercise I plan on getting back to what I was gonna do before my life was tragically changed. I do remember blogging on the Bob Blog about running at the track that my dad ran on. I plan on returning. I'm gonna start slow and work my way back though. My body has been through a lot and I haven't worked out since May 16th. So I have to ease into it. I'll probably work on my workout schedule tomorrow. I will probably just run and not lift until I start classes again. I'll probably give my brother and Becca a call to get their advice on what to do first. I just need to do something productive right now to ease some stress. Getting back into shape is the best way I know how.
I gotta get back into the word of God too. I've been really busy most days and then totally vegged out others. I've watched too much television and I haven't taken the time to truly get into the Word. I've been running on prayer power as of late but meditating on the God's word daily does wonders. I upset with myself about this. No excuses! I gotta make time to study and meditate.
I just realized from what I've been writing about that I think I'm ready to put myself back together. I've been so busy consoling others and dealing with my parent's estate that I haven't dealt with putting me back together. If you read my "About Me" you see that I care about three things in my life. That is my health, spirit and country. I plan on jumping back into my health and spirit ASAP and my country probably later this school year.
I'm gonna try to get some sleep. Continue to pray for me and my brother. My prayer request is that the personal decisions I make are done with wisdom and that I return to good health.
I have many friends who read this blog who are of different faiths or of no faith at all. I want to let you know that your support and friendship to me is appreciated. Don't ever think that I perceive you as second class. You all mean a great deal to me (even If I procrastinate about calling :-))
Nighty night! I just hope I don't dream about Clerks II!!!
I sometimes have trouble sleeping. Mostly due to too much on the brain and my mind racing. I think tonight it's because I went to a midnight showing of Clerks II and had a box of raisinettes and a medium Mountain Dew. That might keep you up till 5 in the morning.
I would give a movie review of Clerks II but I can't. I'm still in shock over what I saw. I do remember Jason Lee's character sticking up for Transformers though. I felt dirty after seeing this movie. The fact that I laughed till I cried makes it even dirtier. Kevin Smith, you are a filthy filthy man!!! Snoochie Boochies!!!
Now that I got my go ahead to exercise I plan on getting back to what I was gonna do before my life was tragically changed. I do remember blogging on the Bob Blog about running at the track that my dad ran on. I plan on returning. I'm gonna start slow and work my way back though. My body has been through a lot and I haven't worked out since May 16th. So I have to ease into it. I'll probably work on my workout schedule tomorrow. I will probably just run and not lift until I start classes again. I'll probably give my brother and Becca a call to get their advice on what to do first. I just need to do something productive right now to ease some stress. Getting back into shape is the best way I know how.
I gotta get back into the word of God too. I've been really busy most days and then totally vegged out others. I've watched too much television and I haven't taken the time to truly get into the Word. I've been running on prayer power as of late but meditating on the God's word daily does wonders. I upset with myself about this. No excuses! I gotta make time to study and meditate.
I just realized from what I've been writing about that I think I'm ready to put myself back together. I've been so busy consoling others and dealing with my parent's estate that I haven't dealt with putting me back together. If you read my "About Me" you see that I care about three things in my life. That is my health, spirit and country. I plan on jumping back into my health and spirit ASAP and my country probably later this school year.
I'm gonna try to get some sleep. Continue to pray for me and my brother. My prayer request is that the personal decisions I make are done with wisdom and that I return to good health.
I have many friends who read this blog who are of different faiths or of no faith at all. I want to let you know that your support and friendship to me is appreciated. Don't ever think that I perceive you as second class. You all mean a great deal to me (even If I procrastinate about calling :-))
Nighty night! I just hope I don't dream about Clerks II!!!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
7-19-06
It's really hot!
I wonder if people know that the earth goes through warming and cooling phases or do people really think that Al Gore is right?
Today I pretty much hit a wall with some things. I've been trying to get the ball rolling on a bunch of stuff concerning my parents estate but finances and time are running out. I'm trying not to stress over the sense of urgency and keep a cool head. I do believe this will all work out it's just difficult with what I have to work with. It also doesn't help that I'm the only one in West Virginia dealing with all of this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking my brother. If he were here he'd be in the same boat as me. It's better that only one of us deal with this than the both of us twiddling our thumbs. It would just be double the frustration. I can handle this end and give him some time to relax (if that's possible). He did so much while I was in the hospital. The least I can do is tie things up on this end.
I had to deal with anger yesterday. I've been pretty good with it but yesterday was difficult. All the Eagles are at their homes mowing their lawns, sitting out on their porches and having a good time. I guess it was a win/win all around for them. Dale is in jail so they don't have to deal with the idiot relative. My family is dead so the horrible Slatt's aren't bothering them by going down the road and they can live life peacefully. They live care free while I have to have an escort up to my farm. I go up to my farm and it hasn't been mowed in months. It looks like no one has been there in years. It's almost like a ghost town. I don't think it's fair that they get to enjoy their lives and homes while mine sits and decays. That's what made me angry.
But I guess that's life. Everyone goes on with theirs.
I wonder if people know that the earth goes through warming and cooling phases or do people really think that Al Gore is right?
Today I pretty much hit a wall with some things. I've been trying to get the ball rolling on a bunch of stuff concerning my parents estate but finances and time are running out. I'm trying not to stress over the sense of urgency and keep a cool head. I do believe this will all work out it's just difficult with what I have to work with. It also doesn't help that I'm the only one in West Virginia dealing with all of this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking my brother. If he were here he'd be in the same boat as me. It's better that only one of us deal with this than the both of us twiddling our thumbs. It would just be double the frustration. I can handle this end and give him some time to relax (if that's possible). He did so much while I was in the hospital. The least I can do is tie things up on this end.
I had to deal with anger yesterday. I've been pretty good with it but yesterday was difficult. All the Eagles are at their homes mowing their lawns, sitting out on their porches and having a good time. I guess it was a win/win all around for them. Dale is in jail so they don't have to deal with the idiot relative. My family is dead so the horrible Slatt's aren't bothering them by going down the road and they can live life peacefully. They live care free while I have to have an escort up to my farm. I go up to my farm and it hasn't been mowed in months. It looks like no one has been there in years. It's almost like a ghost town. I don't think it's fair that they get to enjoy their lives and homes while mine sits and decays. That's what made me angry.
But I guess that's life. Everyone goes on with theirs.
Monday, July 17, 2006
7-17-06
Good day....Bad day....
The good day stuff! I went to my eye check up. Let's just say that it's encouraging when the eye doctor is excited over the positive progress of my eye. He said that I'm healing remarkably well and that I can get the oil out of my eye in October. He also said that it's a very good chance that I will get full vision back in my eye. Doctor Hall also said that I can exercise again. Thank goodness. All I've been eating is junk and I swear I gained 15 pounds!!! Keep praying folks!
I was able to spend time with my friend Courland's family today. Courtland is my best friend and he is currently a missionary in China. His sister Ginger is home from her missionary trip to Brazil also. Ginger and her parent and I had a good dinner together and then sat in some lawn chairs under the big oak tree in their back yard and talked. I had a great time hanging out with them.
Later on that night I spend some time with my friend Kathleen. She just tranfered branches. She was a Marine but now she's in the National Guard. She likes the Guard better of course. The bad thing is that she may be deployed next year.
The best news of the day. President Bush showed me why I voted for him. At the G8 Summit his mic was still on and the world heard a conversation between Tony Blair and Bush that wasn't for rated G ears. Bush pretty much came out and said what all of us have been thinking. That is that Syria and Hezbollah should cut this S#!t out and the situation is over! Way to go Dubya!!! If he would only apply that same shrewdness to the rest of his agenda in the US our country and the world would be a better place. It was nice to see Bush show some nads.
I almost forgot. My uncle Rusty called me the other day and scored some tickets to the Browns/Falcons game this fall. Excellent. Now we're just waiting on tickets to be sold for the Browns/Panthers game. I'm so excited to go to these games.
Now the bad news. My cousin Rochelle's boyfriend Ziad (Zee-ahd) was in a bad car accident. He was flown to an Atlanta hospital for heart surgery. Luckily enough, my uncle called me a few minutes ago and told me that the doctors there didn't see the need to do surgery but are keeping him in ICU just in case. Please keep Ziad in your prayers. He's a great guy. There's been so much tragedy this summer. Please pray for a happy ending with this one.
I'm heading back to West Virginia tomorrow. Pray I have a safe drive back.
The good day stuff! I went to my eye check up. Let's just say that it's encouraging when the eye doctor is excited over the positive progress of my eye. He said that I'm healing remarkably well and that I can get the oil out of my eye in October. He also said that it's a very good chance that I will get full vision back in my eye. Doctor Hall also said that I can exercise again. Thank goodness. All I've been eating is junk and I swear I gained 15 pounds!!! Keep praying folks!
I was able to spend time with my friend Courland's family today. Courtland is my best friend and he is currently a missionary in China. His sister Ginger is home from her missionary trip to Brazil also. Ginger and her parent and I had a good dinner together and then sat in some lawn chairs under the big oak tree in their back yard and talked. I had a great time hanging out with them.
Later on that night I spend some time with my friend Kathleen. She just tranfered branches. She was a Marine but now she's in the National Guard. She likes the Guard better of course. The bad thing is that she may be deployed next year.
The best news of the day. President Bush showed me why I voted for him. At the G8 Summit his mic was still on and the world heard a conversation between Tony Blair and Bush that wasn't for rated G ears. Bush pretty much came out and said what all of us have been thinking. That is that Syria and Hezbollah should cut this S#!t out and the situation is over! Way to go Dubya!!! If he would only apply that same shrewdness to the rest of his agenda in the US our country and the world would be a better place. It was nice to see Bush show some nads.
I almost forgot. My uncle Rusty called me the other day and scored some tickets to the Browns/Falcons game this fall. Excellent. Now we're just waiting on tickets to be sold for the Browns/Panthers game. I'm so excited to go to these games.
Now the bad news. My cousin Rochelle's boyfriend Ziad (Zee-ahd) was in a bad car accident. He was flown to an Atlanta hospital for heart surgery. Luckily enough, my uncle called me a few minutes ago and told me that the doctors there didn't see the need to do surgery but are keeping him in ICU just in case. Please keep Ziad in your prayers. He's a great guy. There's been so much tragedy this summer. Please pray for a happy ending with this one.
I'm heading back to West Virginia tomorrow. Pray I have a safe drive back.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
7-16-06
Today my parents have been gone two months.
It seems like forever though. Before everything happened it seemed like time was passing bye so fast. Now it seems to drag on and on. I get times when I'm a little bored or I have something cool to tell and I want to call my parents. I often times find myself in the middle of calling the phone number to the farm. But then I stop because I remember. Then I scratch my head and let out a long sigh. I also make a face that I can't really describe because it's a face that only I make. I guess you'll just have to see it. I call it the "I wish I could talk to my parents face." I plan on patenting it.
Other than mildly moping in SC I have spent some time watching Fox News and the turmoil in the middle east. I would watch CNN but they only care about how the deaths of innocent civilians in the middle east might ruin the chances of Democrats winning elections this November. CNN makes me want to vomit sometimes.
The other thing that troubles me is how certain people in the Christian community are willing to make big bucks off war in the middle east. You know who they are. They're the ones that say that every time something blows up there it's a fulfillment of prophecy. They've been spinning the same bible verses for 30 plus years trying to say we're in the end times and such nonsense. They're about as accurate as weathermen who predict the end of the world through global warming. Weatherman aren't accurate with a 7 day forecast let alone projecting temperature 200 years from now.
In case you were wondering I don't believe the nation of Israel is special. Nor do I believe that the Jews are still God's chosen people. To go even further if Iran wound up wiping Israel off the map, the world will not end. Jesus's return has nothing to do with Israel no matter how much Lahey, Jenkins, Hagee, Van Impe and every Pentecostal preacher in the world want to spin it.
Gosh I miss Jim Baker and PTL!!!! Life was so much simpler then...
I'm sure I'm gonna get some comments on this one....
It seems like forever though. Before everything happened it seemed like time was passing bye so fast. Now it seems to drag on and on. I get times when I'm a little bored or I have something cool to tell and I want to call my parents. I often times find myself in the middle of calling the phone number to the farm. But then I stop because I remember. Then I scratch my head and let out a long sigh. I also make a face that I can't really describe because it's a face that only I make. I guess you'll just have to see it. I call it the "I wish I could talk to my parents face." I plan on patenting it.
Other than mildly moping in SC I have spent some time watching Fox News and the turmoil in the middle east. I would watch CNN but they only care about how the deaths of innocent civilians in the middle east might ruin the chances of Democrats winning elections this November. CNN makes me want to vomit sometimes.
The other thing that troubles me is how certain people in the Christian community are willing to make big bucks off war in the middle east. You know who they are. They're the ones that say that every time something blows up there it's a fulfillment of prophecy. They've been spinning the same bible verses for 30 plus years trying to say we're in the end times and such nonsense. They're about as accurate as weathermen who predict the end of the world through global warming. Weatherman aren't accurate with a 7 day forecast let alone projecting temperature 200 years from now.
In case you were wondering I don't believe the nation of Israel is special. Nor do I believe that the Jews are still God's chosen people. To go even further if Iran wound up wiping Israel off the map, the world will not end. Jesus's return has nothing to do with Israel no matter how much Lahey, Jenkins, Hagee, Van Impe and every Pentecostal preacher in the world want to spin it.
Gosh I miss Jim Baker and PTL!!!! Life was so much simpler then...
I'm sure I'm gonna get some comments on this one....
Saturday, July 15, 2006
7-15-06
Oreo came home...
It's been a very long week. I'm about to just sleep until winter. The greatest thing I did was go back to West Virginia. It's quite overwhelming but I got a lot of things done and in the process of doing since I've been back there.
My brother and I decided to have my parents ashes buried next to my Grandpa Slatt. I went and oversaw the burial. I believe it will be good for bother me and my brother to have a place where we know my parents are resting.
Let me explain my opening phrase. We have a tuxedo cat on the farm named Oreo. He's one of the coolest cats I've ever been around. No one has seen him since the shooting. I thought that he may have left the farm and found a new home to hang out at. I was up on the farm the other evening with some construction workers from a local gas company. While we were looking at some construction work that is being done on our property I heard this loud meowing coming from the field. Within seconds I saw Oreo come out of the field and literally jump into my arms. I was so happy to see that cat! We took him to the garage on the farm and I fed him. He didn't quit purring. Now that Oreo knows that I'm still here I hope he stays around the farm a bit more. Then I can take care of him when I have a chance to go up there and until I can find a real home for him. Welcome back Oreo!!!
Now I'll explain the construction on the farm. After the gun brandishing trial with Dale my dad made a decision to get an alternate road put in place to get to the farm. Luckily Lynn gas company wanted to go though our property to get to some gas well they had. My dad made the deal and we were waiting for them to put the road in. It's two months too late but they started construction on the alternate road. Now I can go up to the farm without any of the Eagles knowing I'm there. I'm still taking someone with me though. I still don't trust those people.
I had to go to Ohio to pick up my birth certificate this past week. Then I had to pick it up and drive back almost immediately because I scheduled someone to come see the alpacas for a possible sale on the same day. I left yesterday for South Carolina and drove all night because I have an eye appointment on Monday. Plus I still have calls to make and things of that nature. I can honestly say I'm a very busy person. I'm not rushed...just busy.
Well, I have to take a shower. I've driven all night and checking out that new road made me all sweaty yesterday. I'm starting to itch.
It's been a very long week. I'm about to just sleep until winter. The greatest thing I did was go back to West Virginia. It's quite overwhelming but I got a lot of things done and in the process of doing since I've been back there.
My brother and I decided to have my parents ashes buried next to my Grandpa Slatt. I went and oversaw the burial. I believe it will be good for bother me and my brother to have a place where we know my parents are resting.
Let me explain my opening phrase. We have a tuxedo cat on the farm named Oreo. He's one of the coolest cats I've ever been around. No one has seen him since the shooting. I thought that he may have left the farm and found a new home to hang out at. I was up on the farm the other evening with some construction workers from a local gas company. While we were looking at some construction work that is being done on our property I heard this loud meowing coming from the field. Within seconds I saw Oreo come out of the field and literally jump into my arms. I was so happy to see that cat! We took him to the garage on the farm and I fed him. He didn't quit purring. Now that Oreo knows that I'm still here I hope he stays around the farm a bit more. Then I can take care of him when I have a chance to go up there and until I can find a real home for him. Welcome back Oreo!!!
Now I'll explain the construction on the farm. After the gun brandishing trial with Dale my dad made a decision to get an alternate road put in place to get to the farm. Luckily Lynn gas company wanted to go though our property to get to some gas well they had. My dad made the deal and we were waiting for them to put the road in. It's two months too late but they started construction on the alternate road. Now I can go up to the farm without any of the Eagles knowing I'm there. I'm still taking someone with me though. I still don't trust those people.
I had to go to Ohio to pick up my birth certificate this past week. Then I had to pick it up and drive back almost immediately because I scheduled someone to come see the alpacas for a possible sale on the same day. I left yesterday for South Carolina and drove all night because I have an eye appointment on Monday. Plus I still have calls to make and things of that nature. I can honestly say I'm a very busy person. I'm not rushed...just busy.
Well, I have to take a shower. I've driven all night and checking out that new road made me all sweaty yesterday. I'm starting to itch.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
7-09-06
Welcome to the People's Republic of West Virginia!!!
I'm back and taking care of business. It feels good to be actually doing something. I felt a bit helpless in South Carolina but now I have a sense of completion when it comes to some things. My spirits are up :-)
I went to church today! It was a surprise to everyone that I was there. I wanted it to be a secret. So I was bombarded by a bunch of old friends. It was great to see all of them again. We had a church picnic afterward and I got to talk and spend time with everyone. I really missed them a lot.
Later on today I went to help put up fences at John and Barb's. They are currently taking care of our alpacas. The new fenced area is where they will be boarded. The fences look really nice. I'm beat though.
My eye is getting back it's vision. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm supposed to have my vision obstructed by the oil. But yet I see more and more every day. Maybe it's leaking slowly just like the blood was supposed to in my eye? I dunno. Maybe I should call the doc? Anyway I'm enjoying the extra sight.
Last night I went and saw the Pirates of the Carribean 2. The Quest for Curly's Gold....sorry...that was City Slickers... It was a good movie. I liked it better than the first one. It got long in a few areas, especially when you watch Orlando Bloom and company roll down a jungle hill again and again. I'd watch it again if I had to.
I also watched Seabiscuit. What is a sea biscuit?
I would love to share more about what I'm doing in West Virginia with things involving the farm and such but I have to keep certain things to myself right now. Mainly for my own protection right now. I'm still on edge and don't trust anything in this state. Considering my circumstances I do believe you would all agree. Bobby has to stay in one piece so he can testify against his parent's murderer. Unfortunately there are those out there who may not want that to happen. If you think I'm being paranoid or overboard, Well, then you've never lived in West Virginia. If I had to choose between living in Baghdad, Iraq and West Virginia, I'd take my chances in Baghdad.
With that said, I sleep with one eye open!! HA HA! Get it! One eye open???? OK...I'll stop...
Continue to pray for mine and my brother's safety. May we have the courage and resolve to get though this.
I'm back and taking care of business. It feels good to be actually doing something. I felt a bit helpless in South Carolina but now I have a sense of completion when it comes to some things. My spirits are up :-)
I went to church today! It was a surprise to everyone that I was there. I wanted it to be a secret. So I was bombarded by a bunch of old friends. It was great to see all of them again. We had a church picnic afterward and I got to talk and spend time with everyone. I really missed them a lot.
Later on today I went to help put up fences at John and Barb's. They are currently taking care of our alpacas. The new fenced area is where they will be boarded. The fences look really nice. I'm beat though.
My eye is getting back it's vision. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm supposed to have my vision obstructed by the oil. But yet I see more and more every day. Maybe it's leaking slowly just like the blood was supposed to in my eye? I dunno. Maybe I should call the doc? Anyway I'm enjoying the extra sight.
Last night I went and saw the Pirates of the Carribean 2. The Quest for Curly's Gold....sorry...that was City Slickers... It was a good movie. I liked it better than the first one. It got long in a few areas, especially when you watch Orlando Bloom and company roll down a jungle hill again and again. I'd watch it again if I had to.
I also watched Seabiscuit. What is a sea biscuit?
I would love to share more about what I'm doing in West Virginia with things involving the farm and such but I have to keep certain things to myself right now. Mainly for my own protection right now. I'm still on edge and don't trust anything in this state. Considering my circumstances I do believe you would all agree. Bobby has to stay in one piece so he can testify against his parent's murderer. Unfortunately there are those out there who may not want that to happen. If you think I'm being paranoid or overboard, Well, then you've never lived in West Virginia. If I had to choose between living in Baghdad, Iraq and West Virginia, I'd take my chances in Baghdad.
With that said, I sleep with one eye open!! HA HA! Get it! One eye open???? OK...I'll stop...
Continue to pray for mine and my brother's safety. May we have the courage and resolve to get though this.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
7-04-06
Happy 4th of July everyone!!!
I'm hanging out with my Uncle right now in the A-T-L. We just got finished watching the Yankees get it handed to them by the Cleveland Indians 19-1. Oh it was great! I hate the Yankees more than I hate the Steelers. I don't care if the Indians stink this year. They beat the Yankees BAD!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!
Last year my Uncle Rusty came up to the farm and we went to Cleveland and watched the Indians lose to Detroit on July 4th. Which is odd because the Indians won 93 games last season and failed to make the playoffs. How do you do that?
I must say that my fondest memories of July 4th involve my parents and I going to an Indians game to watch the fireworks at the end. When my brother used to play baseball we did that a lot. I think we went 5 years in a row to watch the fireworks at Municipal Stadium. The old stadium had bleacher seats that were cheap. We didn't really care for the game because the Indians were horrible at the time but the bleachers were the best seats for the fireworks. I remember one year my brother brought his friend Rob Sproule (who always injured himself coming over to our house). The popular song that summer was the Humpty Dance.
Yeah! We have a lot of good memories for July 4th. I do believe that is should still be a family tradition that we try to make the July 4th Indians game for fireworks in the future. It's too bad the Indians moved to the Jake and there are no more bleacher seats.
Well. Enjoy your freedom today everyone. It's worth fighting for.
I'm hanging out with my Uncle right now in the A-T-L. We just got finished watching the Yankees get it handed to them by the Cleveland Indians 19-1. Oh it was great! I hate the Yankees more than I hate the Steelers. I don't care if the Indians stink this year. They beat the Yankees BAD!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!
Last year my Uncle Rusty came up to the farm and we went to Cleveland and watched the Indians lose to Detroit on July 4th. Which is odd because the Indians won 93 games last season and failed to make the playoffs. How do you do that?
I must say that my fondest memories of July 4th involve my parents and I going to an Indians game to watch the fireworks at the end. When my brother used to play baseball we did that a lot. I think we went 5 years in a row to watch the fireworks at Municipal Stadium. The old stadium had bleacher seats that were cheap. We didn't really care for the game because the Indians were horrible at the time but the bleachers were the best seats for the fireworks. I remember one year my brother brought his friend Rob Sproule (who always injured himself coming over to our house). The popular song that summer was the Humpty Dance.
Yeah! We have a lot of good memories for July 4th. I do believe that is should still be a family tradition that we try to make the July 4th Indians game for fireworks in the future. It's too bad the Indians moved to the Jake and there are no more bleacher seats.
Well. Enjoy your freedom today everyone. It's worth fighting for.
Monday, July 03, 2006
7-3-06
Superman Review
Yay! The man of steel is back on the big screen. Too bad it was a continuation of a bland story from the late 70's and early 80's. Personally I would have loved to see a reinvention of the Superman franchise that stuck with the original story.
Bryan Singer is a great director and again he is able to juggle multiple characters and flesh them out so that everyone plays an integral part in the story. The problem is that the story is boring. Superman comes back to earth after 5 years and tries to find himself a place in a world that seems to have passed him bye. That is a great premise for a good movie but it was just boring.
I only got into the movie when Superman did what Superman does. Of course that is stopping a 747 from plummeting back to earth. This was by far the best part of the movie. Kevin Spacey brought Lex Luthor to life in a way that outdone Gene Hackman. The guy who played Superman did a great job of acting like Christopher Reeves. Which made it worse for me because I didn't care for Christopher Reeves. So someone imitating Reeves instead of making Superman his own for me was quite distasteful.
The love story or lack thereof between Lois and Superman fell flat. Mostly because Kate Bosworth was the most unconvincing Lois Lane since Margo Kitter. Bosworth just looked like Dorothy from the Wizard Of Oz with an attitude.
This may upset some people and hardcore fans but I liked the bastard son of Superman. It's too bad that Supes is relegated to the most powerful deadbeat dad in the universe but hey, he left for five years and didn't pay any child support. The kid did a great job acting and was a bright spot when his mom Lois was boring the entire theater.
Now we have this problem. Lois is able to tell Superman that he has a kid, but Superman isn't able to tell Lois that he's Clark Kent? Gimme a break. You'd think that a bombshell like a kid would make Clark Kent's secret identity irrelevant.
The special effects were amazing. They made Superman totally believable, especially the sonic boom Supes made when he was in a hurry. Again, the movie is worth seeing for the 747 scene. You can pretty much leave after that.
Superman Returns isn't on the same level movie-wise as Spider-man, X-Men or Batman Begins but it's still nice to see Superman again. It has it's highs and lows and extreme dead spots that coincidentally include Lois Lane in all of them. I give the move 2 1/2 stars out of 4.
Almost forgot. Special mention for great acting is the guy that played Jimmy Olsen. Great Job!!! Plus Madsen for playing the fiance to Lois. He did a great job with a secondary role.
Yay! The man of steel is back on the big screen. Too bad it was a continuation of a bland story from the late 70's and early 80's. Personally I would have loved to see a reinvention of the Superman franchise that stuck with the original story.
Bryan Singer is a great director and again he is able to juggle multiple characters and flesh them out so that everyone plays an integral part in the story. The problem is that the story is boring. Superman comes back to earth after 5 years and tries to find himself a place in a world that seems to have passed him bye. That is a great premise for a good movie but it was just boring.
I only got into the movie when Superman did what Superman does. Of course that is stopping a 747 from plummeting back to earth. This was by far the best part of the movie. Kevin Spacey brought Lex Luthor to life in a way that outdone Gene Hackman. The guy who played Superman did a great job of acting like Christopher Reeves. Which made it worse for me because I didn't care for Christopher Reeves. So someone imitating Reeves instead of making Superman his own for me was quite distasteful.
The love story or lack thereof between Lois and Superman fell flat. Mostly because Kate Bosworth was the most unconvincing Lois Lane since Margo Kitter. Bosworth just looked like Dorothy from the Wizard Of Oz with an attitude.
This may upset some people and hardcore fans but I liked the bastard son of Superman. It's too bad that Supes is relegated to the most powerful deadbeat dad in the universe but hey, he left for five years and didn't pay any child support. The kid did a great job acting and was a bright spot when his mom Lois was boring the entire theater.
Now we have this problem. Lois is able to tell Superman that he has a kid, but Superman isn't able to tell Lois that he's Clark Kent? Gimme a break. You'd think that a bombshell like a kid would make Clark Kent's secret identity irrelevant.
The special effects were amazing. They made Superman totally believable, especially the sonic boom Supes made when he was in a hurry. Again, the movie is worth seeing for the 747 scene. You can pretty much leave after that.
Superman Returns isn't on the same level movie-wise as Spider-man, X-Men or Batman Begins but it's still nice to see Superman again. It has it's highs and lows and extreme dead spots that coincidentally include Lois Lane in all of them. I give the move 2 1/2 stars out of 4.
Almost forgot. Special mention for great acting is the guy that played Jimmy Olsen. Great Job!!! Plus Madsen for playing the fiance to Lois. He did a great job with a secondary role.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
7-01-06
"They are a good people kal-El, if they choose to be. They only need a light to show them the way. That is why I have sent them you, my only son." Jor-El
I saw Superman today with my uncle. I was impressed with the movie effects but not much else. I was never a fan of the first two movies with Christopher Reeves so the fact that this is a continuation of that story was unimpressive to me. What did peak my interest is the Christ-like references to Superman in particularly the one involving Jor-El his father.
The other day I spend talking to a close friend. She knows me well and I was able to make heads or tales of a lot of things. My brother also e-mailed me and we talked over the past couple days. So I've been able to clear my head and heart of a lot of things. I'm still passionate about keeping the farm but I understand the situation we are in and there is another element which is my safety.
The Eagle family is still out there. There is still a brother to Dale that is more than capable of finishing me off. Who knows what plans they have in store for me in the future if I went back to my farm. Some people may think I'm overreacting. My response to them is that your parents weren't murdered in front of you and you shot and left for dead. This is not a nice family and if one of them is capable of murder, what else are they capable of.? It's not just one of them. It's a family effort when it comes to them.
Due to some turn of events that I do not wish to speak of I will not be blogging as much. Mainly because I won't be at a computer and I will be traveling. I have places to go and tasks to finish.
Before I go I wanted to say that if I painted my brother in a bad light in my last blog posting I would like to apologize to him. That was not my intention to give that perspective. My brother and I are two different people and we're trying to make heads or tales of all of this. We've never done this before and I'm sure we'll have to sit down and talk about things and come up with solutions just like everyne else. There's just things that I'm dealing with and my brother has his own things to deal with. But as brothers we will work together to get through this. We're all we have now.
My brother and I are what's left of my parents. Through our strength of character we let people know what type of people my parents were. Through our kindness towards others we share the compassion my parents had towards others. We were raised well and we will get through this. And when we do we will have our parents to thank. Their faith in Christ and kindness taught to us makes life in many ways easier to deal with.
I saw Superman today with my uncle. I was impressed with the movie effects but not much else. I was never a fan of the first two movies with Christopher Reeves so the fact that this is a continuation of that story was unimpressive to me. What did peak my interest is the Christ-like references to Superman in particularly the one involving Jor-El his father.
The other day I spend talking to a close friend. She knows me well and I was able to make heads or tales of a lot of things. My brother also e-mailed me and we talked over the past couple days. So I've been able to clear my head and heart of a lot of things. I'm still passionate about keeping the farm but I understand the situation we are in and there is another element which is my safety.
The Eagle family is still out there. There is still a brother to Dale that is more than capable of finishing me off. Who knows what plans they have in store for me in the future if I went back to my farm. Some people may think I'm overreacting. My response to them is that your parents weren't murdered in front of you and you shot and left for dead. This is not a nice family and if one of them is capable of murder, what else are they capable of.? It's not just one of them. It's a family effort when it comes to them.
Due to some turn of events that I do not wish to speak of I will not be blogging as much. Mainly because I won't be at a computer and I will be traveling. I have places to go and tasks to finish.
Before I go I wanted to say that if I painted my brother in a bad light in my last blog posting I would like to apologize to him. That was not my intention to give that perspective. My brother and I are two different people and we're trying to make heads or tales of all of this. We've never done this before and I'm sure we'll have to sit down and talk about things and come up with solutions just like everyne else. There's just things that I'm dealing with and my brother has his own things to deal with. But as brothers we will work together to get through this. We're all we have now.
My brother and I are what's left of my parents. Through our strength of character we let people know what type of people my parents were. Through our kindness towards others we share the compassion my parents had towards others. We were raised well and we will get through this. And when we do we will have our parents to thank. Their faith in Christ and kindness taught to us makes life in many ways easier to deal with.
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