Imprint Non-sustaining

Try as we might, Mankind (which often isn't) has no effect on God's Creation. We can't deforest the Amazon-God keeps growing trees. We can't use up all the water-He keeps sending more rain.
Look at the picture. The building seen above the fancy car was a small cabin/sauna. All that is left now-a rectangle of cement floor. You didn't even know about the floor until just now, and would never have missed it in any case.
In Vilnus, Lithuania a mass grave was unearthed at a construction site-it turned out to be remnants from Bonaparte's retreat, when Napoleon failed to pick up Russia as a trophy for his Empire. All gone now. After Napoleon it was someone else's turn to play bigshot.
Once upon a time, Germany thought it would be darling if every country in the world was known as "Germany". Nope.
In the physical world, man fails. In Civilization, man fails. Alexander The Great may have had his likeness stamped on coinage, but his influence on the world died with him. You couldn't buy a cup of coffee with those coins today.
However:
God does hold sway over His Creation with style that turns men green with envy. Where Man cannot keep a civilization going for more than a few thousand years, God is Eternal, His Creation will last until He replaces it with one fit for Eternity. Mighty cool.

C.I.K.

Three am. As he watched the well dressed man leave the store and head back to the limousine, Paco took a sip of his coffee, getting ready for what was coming next.
Three minutes later The Man came in and walked up to the counter. Paco met his glowering stare with the ease that came from having worked graveyard at the minimart for three years.
“Carton of Camels, please.”
“Excuse me, sir, but like I told your man, I need to see some money.”
“Listen. You know who I am.”
“Yes, sir. A carton of Camels costs $42.86. Cash only.”
The Man smiled, looked at the nametag and said, “Paco-I’m just a little light tonight. How about you let me use my credit card, and I’ll throw in an autograph?”
Paco pointed to the wall behind him where The Man’s name was prominently displayed on the “Do Not Accept Checks From These Deadbeats” list.
“Already got one, sir. You may be the President of the United States, but at three o'clock in the morning in this store, cash is king.”

Grateful vs Not

Through my friend Chrystal's site I heard of something called "Wretched Radio" hosted by Todd Friel. First I went to iTunes and downloaded samples of the show, and now I get the entire program each weekday. I don't agree with everything they promote (shock), but if nothing else, Todd and company ask and answer thought provoking questions about Christianity and other subjects. I am going to add "Wretched" to my sidebar, so have at it. In the past week he explained his reasons for not voting for Sarah Palin (who isn't even running this time) and Mitt Romney (who is but shouldn't).
He also had an interesting take on Michelle Bachman's contretemps with regard to having belonged to a church which teaches that the Pope is THE Antichrist.
Duh. That's Christianity 101, people. The Pope isn't THE Antichrist, but he does 'lead' a cultic empire that is very much against Christ. Bachman's answer when asked...well, you can go to CBS News or Todd's site to find out what is what.
You might notice that I also have a link to John MacArthur's site, Grace To You. This past week I listened to a set of his sermons which deal with "Slavery" in the Bible and in our history. Good insightful stuff.
As for the title of this post, I was just thinking that the world population can rightly be divided into two camps: Christian and evyboddy else. We are grateful to God and Praise Him for all that He is, all that He has done, and all that He will do. Evvyboddy else doesn't. They aren't grateful to God; they curse Him when they can be bothered to think of Him. That's not faith, that's not being grateful, that's not right.
You are in one of those two camps-you know which one, and so does God. Don't stay among the weeds when you can become wheat. God is funny that way: He accepts sinners into His Kingdom, changing them from death to Live. Just one more thing that I'm grateful for.

Obama Is NOT Hitler!

I hope that no one construed my putting of Hitler and Obama together as my saying that they are similar. May it never be!            
I fixed the picture-now they are both looking to the left.
One major difference between the two gentlemen is that Hitler hated the Jews, and Obama merely wants Israel to disarm and commit cultural suicide. Not the same thing at all!
Hitler met with the Grand Heighdy-ho Mufti of Islam to discuss their common hatred of the Jews-Obama simply declares that Israel must make peace with their neighbors who are trying to exterminate them. Different! Night and day!
Another major stark contrast between Hitler and Obama is that Hitler had control of the media which trumpeted his greatness. We all recognize that the media in our time is scrupulous in their objectivity with regard to President Obama. They never let him 'get away' with any lies or weak attempts at propaganda.
So lets hear no more fuss about comparisons between Barry and Adolf. It's like comparing apples with apples, so there, too.

He Sure Can Give A Great Speech!

The other night I'm watching a History series on the Hitler and the Third Reich. Wow. I had forgotten how BELOVED Hitler was by the German peoples. They tripped over the doorstep of fanaticism right as they came in. He bought their allegiance with a few well-thundered points:

1: They were the greatest people in the world!

2: Everything wrong is the fault of the Jews!

3: They would rule with him over everyone else...FOREVER!

YES, WE CAN go overboard in fanaticism much as the German peoples did. They were as human (and as wrong) as the Arab nuttyboys and girls who decry Israel today, tossing bombs and venom at Jews simply because they exist. The nutties have been sold on the idea that LIFE would be much better for all involved if Jews didn't. Exist. 

I've mentioned it before-this hatred of Jews is spiritual-they (and Christians) are representative of God who is the actual object of the world's hatred. They can't find Him so they beat up on us.

Back to the failed artist. Hitler was a very unhappy man who acted out his unhappiness on the world stage.

Satan can always find unhappy people to promote.

Once upon a time, Alph made a speech and signed a law that:

Jews were no longer citizens of Germany.

That to marry a Jew or to have sexual relations with a Jew were both crimes.

According to the series I was watching, 30% of the funding of the German war effort came from seized Jewish properties.  

If you are wondering about the picture at the top:

Hitler claimed that the Jews had gotten rich at Germany's expense, so it wasn't only religious bigotry but also class warfare that Hitler was promoting.

He demanded that the German auto industry (taken over by the government) create a "people's car" which the common German could afford.

Of course, the very first Volkswagens went to the Nazi party member elite, but there it is. 

Hitler came to power when Germany was suffering a decimated economy still trying to rebuild from WWI.

Today, we are looking out over a weakened global economy-someone following in Hitler's goosestepping footsteps might come to prominence by declaring that: "We are the greatest people in the world! Nothing we do wrong is our fault! Those darned Jews (or Christians. Or Brits. Or Norwegians) got rich at our expense and it's time for some payback! We will RULE!"

Nope. God rules. And all the wannabes Satan enthrones are thrown down. Honest Adolph.

Elide

I learned a new word today. Elide. It's beautiful. Look it up if must.

P'Gell. A contraction, an elide. Will Eisner's "The Spirit" deserves to be made into a movie, a GOOD one, to wipe away the horrible film of Frank Miller a few years ago. There's another one!

MY Arrogance Is Charming!

Endearing. Affirming. Whatever.
I'm arrogant enough for two people half my size...so it all evens out, right?
I was visiting Big Hollywood website today where (once again) Liberals (with a big L) are typecast as humorless about and blind to their own faults and failings, all the while being gleeful about the supposed failings of people like me.
Hey, a laugh is a laugh, and if I can make just one Liberal chortle by stating my conservatism, I can put that in the laugh bank. Not Left Bank-that's in France. Please pay attention.
I don't really have to DO anything to rile up the un-Conservatives. My mere (and I mean mere) existence gives meaning to their empty little lives; without me and my cohort, they would have nothing and no one to oppose.
Think about it-they are so politically correct that they cannot pick on anyone with regard to race, gender, sexual disorientation, or geographical provincialism. They NEED us! The bile would blow their heads off their necks if it didn't have an outlet.
I'm arrogant enough (so to speak), in that I have no doubts about God or my place in His Creation.
A neurotic person unsure of anything can only perceive such confidence as arrogance. So, semantics.
My faith in God informs my politics, my work, my life.
A Liberal's lack of faith in our common God informs everything about them, hence the bile.
I'm going to borrow my old friend Janeane Garafalo for a moment as an example of what I'm talking about.
If Jane triggers your mirth with her standup where she goes all political on Republican targets, if you love her outspokeness with regard to what she sees as hypocrisy on my side...well and good. You know what I'm talking about. You are tuned to her mental radio.
But then something happens. Janeane get saved, meaning that God puts in her a desire for salvation and brings her into His kingdom.
All of a sudden Janeane's faith begins to inform her politics, her work, her life. Just as suddenly you begin to hate on her. The hate seems valid because she's a turncoat; a shining light of Liberalism has been extinguished.
Don't doubt that it couldn't happen. God saved a Pharisee named Saul who was actively destroying the lives of Christians. He wrote approximately one quarter of the New Testament through the inspiration of a Holy God who saves sinners.
Bottom line: Liberalism is a lie, darkness that hates the truth. It inflates man's perception of Man while ignoring God. Give it up while you're still upright. Thank me later in Heaven.

Your Arrogance Is Hilarious

Not to me, of course-I'm just a guy at a keyboard. I'm talking about ARROGANCE towards God and His children. It makes God laugh.

^"12    The wicked plots against the righteous     And gnashes at him with his teeth.
¹³    The Lord laughs at him,     For He sees his day is coming." Psalm 37:12-13 

I've quoted these verses before here at FDW...some things never go out of season.

Read this next part carefully: If Sarah Palin were an atheist, but still (somehow) holding her present political beliefs...she wouldn't face one thousandth of the vitriol she now endures.

If she were a Buddhist, we would hear no outcry that, if elected, she would attempt to change us into a Buddhist country, forcing HER moral code on the populace.  

Let's look back a few years to 2004. John Kerry is a Catholic-do you recall anyone getting riled that Kerry would attempt to enforce a 'Catholic' moral code on us if he won? Nope. Because he is the type of Catholic that protects abortion-a Catholic that even Bill Maher could love. Kerry is of the 'gnashing his teeth at the righteous' persuasion. He makes God laugh.

I don't know if Sarah Palin will run for president. I hope she does, either this time or the next. That would make me happy. That would make you happy too, even if you are a teeth gnasher-your country would be improved, and think of all the snarky anti-Palin books you could buy! How many Liberals got rich by calling President Bush an idiot? A Palin Presidency for them would be like printing money. Who doesn't like money?

Virginia Katherine McMath

Look at Ginger and Fred. They are smiling, dancing, enjoying life. They did their part to cheer us out of the Great Depression, following Shirley Temple's lead by dancing dancing dancing. Almost always with big smiles, perfect rhythm, and Art Deco production designs.
This won't be the only mention of Virginia Katherine McMath that you will see-July 16th is her centennial celebration. I may take down one of their films and watch it tonight.
Funny how these posts go astray sometimes-I was going to write about a modern actor who seems to be full of sour pickles in every interview...but more wag and less bark, and he doesn't deserve to be named in a Ginger and Fred post.
Okay, it's decided: "Swing Time" and "The Maltese Falcon". Ginger and Bogey. That's a night of entertainment!

Humbled

I came across this extraordinary photo while working on a family project-these three brothers were my dad's cousins, the picture taken during the "Great Depression". Hard times. Tough kids.
I've been following a study on the book of Hosea which seems to draw parallels between what Israel and Judah were experiencing and what we may be facing today in our age-prosperity abounding, but the peoples hearts being far from God. This led to the destruction of the northern kingdom (Israel) while the southern kingdom (Judah) was taken away into the Babylonian captivity I mentioned in this post:
http://finedrywit.blogspot.com/2011/06/when-i-close-my-eyes-im-invisible.html
Back to the boys. We had prosperity abounding during the roaring twenties, right up until 1929 when it all went bust. These lads lived the Great Depression.
Carl Sandberg had a parable of those times:
A man walking across a bridge heard cries for help; a man was down in the river.
"Help me!" He cried. "I will miss my shift down at the ironworks!"
The man on the bridge raced to the ironworks only to be told,
"You're too late-the guy that pushed him in is already on the job."
If you are prosperous, if you own your own home, have savings and retirement set...good. Great. But remember that we are only a few generations away from the world these boys experienced. One drought, such as God sent as judgement in the time of Elijah, could bankrupt our world again. Everything you have could become worthless. Dirt poor.
The difference is God. He promises to take care of His children through tough times and even during prosperity. It doesn't matter how rich or poor I am-what matters is my relationship with God. I don't worry about the future; I can see days coming, if I live long enough, when I will become feeble, old, weaker-it happens to all of us. But I don't worry-the same God who saved me loves me and will always take care of me. I pray that He will do the same for you. Hopefully He won't have to send locusts and brimstone to get your attention.

 

I Know Something You Don't Know! Nyah Nyah!

See if this fits your world view: If knowledge is power, then Secret Knowledge is secret power!
The world is suckered again and again by this trick. If I know something that you don't, then I have an advantage over you. Versa Visi also.
Great
Not
Obvious
Secret
Terminologies
Improve
Capabilities

Please Forgive me-I just had it in my head to make a gnostic acrostic. That's how my brain works.
Back to the flame. On the telly they have an entire subgroup of programming where "Secret Knowledge" is picked out like meat from a crab. Free Masons, Rosicrucians, Psychic Pets flipping houses, UFOs, and how Kathy Griffin continues to find work. Amazing! The Stuff THEY Don't Want You To Know!!!
Yeah yeah.
Back in my younger Christian days I read works by a man named Salem Kirban who supposedly had the down low on "Everything" from a Christian perspective. Nope-just another goof. If he were alive today he could make a good living as a talking head 'expert' on the cable/satt shows preposturating "Secret Knowledge".
One of my favorites: "Brad Meltzer's Decoded". Brad and his investigators track down the hidden in plain sight Mysteries of the Secret World.  They have fun. They are fun!
Secret knowledge exposed by the light of the world turns out to be no big deal.
It doesn't matter if the Free Masonist Illiterati Rosy Cross-tatians (forgive me-a crab pun) plan on taking over the world before Dec 21 2012 when it all supposedly ends.
Compare the sum total of all human knowledge against this simple truth: God knows more, and Man is less.
Every cracked pot (see Caractacus, who thumbed his knows at the Romans) thinks that he can 'rule the world'.
Hitler, Napoleon, Alexander, Ben Affl...scratch that...they all took their shot. But no one can 'rule the world' unless they are able to dispossess God, Who owns all of His Creation. And our arms too short to box with God. We're just kids playing in His sandbox. Have fun.

From OUCH!! To HOPE!!!

I just read a quote on my friend Chrystal's site: "Pride is the mother of all heresies."
St Augustine said a mouthful there, but pride is just as much a burden for non-heretics.
Do I see issues of pride in my own life? Yes-my skillset is small, but I can do some things well, and I am as susceptible to "Big Head Syndrome" as anyone.
We are admonished to "Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord." Pride makes us not want to look at God. We don't want to measure ourselves against His Righteousness.
But there is HOPE. One day, we will be transformed out of these sinful pride-ridden bodies to live in harmony, happily humbled before the throne of God. We won't care then about who has the biggest boat, or  golfed with the fewest strokes, or has bought a new car. We're supposed to be keeping up with Jesus, not the Jonses.

When I Close My Eyes I’m Invisible

Not for really, but it works on the same principle as an ostrich hiding its head in the sand.
I’m nearly invisible now, in a good way-those that knows are regular joes.
Forever grateful that God has made me His child-the older I know, the more I get, all the more I see His workings in my life, in our lives, in our world which is merely His Creation.
A few kind words about Islam. Well, not Islam itself, but the peoples who have bought into that bogus tinny ringtone rendition of religion. They are doing the Lord’s work. You heard me.
“ 5 “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days— You would not believe if you were told.
6 “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.
7 “They are dreaded and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves.”
Habakkuk 1:5-7
History lesson. God’s own special possession, Judah was behaving ver’ badly, ignoring God and going after strange idols.
For their own good God was about to punish them, sending them off into captivity for 70 years. You remember Daniel in the lion’s den? That Captivity. Those guys.
Chaldeans were Babylonians who are now, in our times, the Iraqi/Iranian/Turkish/ the Stans.
All those mentioned in the last sentence now wear the dirty turban of Islam. They are united in their hatred of Israel, a spiritual hatred not based on anything Israel has done. On the world stage, Israel is as innocent as a lamb, surrounded by Islamic jackals.
So what? What’s the big D, Doug?
Eschatologically speaking-that is, in the period known as the “End Times” God is going raise up those Chaldeans again. They will, according to Scripture, be among the nations threatening to attack Israel with the intention of wiping them out…sound familiar?
God will cause these knucklehead nations to meet together in a staging area called the valley of  Har Megiddo also known as Armageddon.
What we have witnessed in the past 1700 years is that Islam, a counterfeit religion, has had it’s proponents marching across the globe, seizing dwelling places which are not theirs. They are dreaded and feared, and their justice (sharia) and authority originate with themselves.
They are doing the Lord’s work of heating the cauldrons of hatred against Israel. Read Psalm 2 to see how that turns out.

Searching For Daynight

If the end of the world does erupt, texters will find out last.
Look at this girl, her back to Van Gogh, tweeting that she's bored. Bored.
I can't toss rocks though. There's a picture of me in a high school yearbook where I'm sitting oblivious, lost in a book.
I don't get texting, though. If it's a generational thing, I must admit to not getting kid's shoes with little wheels in the heels, either. I would fall on my back if they came in size mens 10.
As for the title-I'm time shifting, and it is part struggle, but all will be well.
If you see someone texting in public, go up to them, ask them questions in a made up language, pretending to not know english. It will give them something to tweet about.