Top Of Your List

Not because I say so.
Not as a last resort when your world goes to hell.
Trust God
Because He deserves our trust at all times while MAN
deserves our mistrust at all times.
It's really that simple.
But it doesn't happen unless God makes it happen.
Appeal to God to make it happen for you.
We have cookies, too.

Good Ink

There's ink and there is ink.
I'm not into tattoos, but I get it. Expression, definition, body as canvas to declare to the
world "This is me." 
That is cool and fine-I've seen some exceptional artistry, and so have you.
I'm watching football tonight (shock-I'm a guy) and I see some college players who could give Lydia the Tattooed Lady some lessons de arte.
My mind, being what it is, collates data and recombines bits to make connections. Here's what I came up with.
Tattoos/Football/beer commercials/alcohol/emotions jacked by game/loss/loss of temper/abuse/need for the black dot program.
Real cheery, right? You should see me at a funeral.
I appreciate this black dot idea, as no one should live in fear of someone they live with.
Alcohol causes more problems than politicians, and that is saying something.
But this isn't an anti-drinking screed. We are now in the NFL season, college football running hard, emotions-highs and lows-are heightened during this season.
Some of the nicest sober guys wouldn't want to be in the same room with their drunk selves.
But oftentimes others are there, and now...black dot.

But Why Bernie Sanders?

This isn't going to be a screed aca-political-just a few questions to clear away some fog.
Why Bernie Sanders, and why now?
Politically, Sanders is what he terms a 'democratic socialist'. From the wiki page, which may be 100% wrong, but here goes: "Democratic socialism rejects the social democratic view of reform through state intervention within capitalism, seeing capitalism as inherently incompatible with the democratic values of freedom, equality and solidarity.".
Does that sound like a fair assessment to you?
Here comes the 'why Bernie' stuff.
If you live in America, you are involved in a capitalist society. If you are earning money, living in a home on which you pay rent or mortgage (or own outright-miracles do happen!), if you are putting money away for retirement, paying your bills, getting that coffee at the bistro...you are a Capitalist.
The very life you are living is what Bernie Sanders preaches against.
I saw a man wearing a Bernie For President shirt...working the counter at a hardware store.
I get part of it-most people think that the world is unfair, so someone coming along calling for change to improve the world will get a lot of listeners.
I personally think that the world is unfair in a lot of ways, but I differ greatly with Sanders in that I do not believe Mankind capable of fixing what he has broken-I look to God, for Christ to return and wipe away all human messes.
Here's a litmus test for you who emotionally/socially/politically agree with the positions Bernie Sanders holds:
If Mr. Sanders were right in front of you holding a piece of paper which states, "I ____________, do on this date promise to do my part in helping Bernie Sanders succeed by monetizing all I own, my house, my car, my 401k, EVERYTHING...and giving it to the poor. I hereby reject Capitalism, and will no longer partake in that evil enterprise."
Would you sign it?
I get that your heart may be with Sanders...but your wallet?
As for 'why now'...would Bernie Sanders even get a headline if the Democrats had  solid candidates leading their field? Clinton and Biden and most other 'established' Democrats are multi millionaires-I would love to see Sanders in a debate with them. Whatever happens, I continue to pray for God to Bless this country. Join me in that if you will.

Amazing Progress

These are amazing times, and I am particularly amazed at the advances in technology we enjoy which might have seemed like magic to our earlier selves.
Above is a picture of what Grandpa used to call "Records" with the latest generation iPod superimposed for a good reason.
I have a "Record Player" which has indeed played records which would revolve 78 times a minute.
I can also 'burn digital files' of those old analog 78s.
Today while working in my living room I tried and enjoyed more "magic" technology-that same record player is "Bluetooth enabled" and I listened to my iPod through its speakers.
Amazing.
As I've mentioned before-my Dad didn't have electricity in their house until he was in his teens.
At that time, '78's' were the main form of recording audio. Now I can listen listen wirelessly to a device I carry on my belt.
That device also has two digital cameras, all kinds of helpful applications, plays videos/movies and has enough 'storage' to hold thousands of albums.
Amazing.
Appreciate what we have, things which our previous generations couldn't dream of.
I've heard it suggested that the poorest Americans are rich compared to some other populations.
Rich or poor, good or bad, cell phone/wireless technology is balancing the scales globally.
I don't apologize for being born into a wealthy country-I had no say in it-but I am glad that the tech advances we enjoy are benefiting everyone. Very cool.