Thank God (part II)

God blessed us with a new home! I included the link here in case you care to look at pictures or info. I thought it looked nicer in person, plus we get to get a dog. Katie was really happy about it, so that helped sell me. We have been praying for months that one, we'd get out of our lease, two, that we could get a specific dog (that still hasn't been "adopted" yet), and three, that would could find a place that pretty much fits the description that this place does. Prayer does work, even when it's just for things we want. Anyway, thank God again for blessing us so much!

Our new home! (Go to "Property" and search for MLS #317731)

Thank God

No, there wasn't another Dictatorhanging (yes, one word). This time I wanted to thank God for blessing us with something we've been praying about for a couple months: that we can break our lease. Our landlord company finally capitulated and will allow us to move closer to Whiting Field (my new base, which turns out is about a 40 minute drive with no traffic, and since I'll be flying and need to be alert, and I may have really long [up to 12 hours cause they're not allowed to schedule us for more] days away from my wife, a 40 minute drive both ways kind of... sucks)! So thanks to anyone and everyone who prayed for this. But mostly, thank God that he worked this out for us.

If anyone desires to keep us in their prayers, you can first off pray that we have godly wisdom and discernment in this move. Also, pray that we find a really nice house for a reasonable rent price (we're looking ~$1000/mo) in a good neighborhood near friends, that we can find it soon, that the move will be smooth and not adversely affect my training or put undue stress on Katie, and that we can get the dog that we looked at months ago and have been praying about getting since then.

Thanks in advance for your prayers. But mostly, thank God for his glorious blessings in Christ Jesus.

It's Funny When Liberals Fight

Bono a hypocrit? So says liberals.

Note: This was originally sent to me by Mike Mellema.

Preambles

This was sent to me by my Father. I thought it was worth posting (I truncated the intro and some of the end, and edited a little of the format, otherwise the email verbatim is reprinted).

The Preambles of all 50 States Of The United States:

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble . We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.

Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble . We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble . We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance... Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana 1921, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity... And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble . We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe... In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction...

Michigan 1908, Preamble... We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble . We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness... Establish this Constitution...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...

Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom... Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution .

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty

New York 1846, Preamble . We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those

North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble . Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ...

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble . Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man...

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .

Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility

Wyoming 1890, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties... establish this Constitution.

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!

Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn

GOD BLESS AMERICA

I predict Bears vs. Colts in Super Bowl

So I may eat my words, but I'm predicting/hoping the Bears and Colts will be in this year's Super Bowl (added early afternoon, Jan. 21: Not to brag... well, actually I am bragging here - I predicted the Bears and Colts in the Super Bowl during week 4 or 5 or so of the season). Here's a quick list of reasons why I like these teams versus the others:

1. The Patriots have already won a bunch and there's little excitement in another Patriot Super Bowl run.

2. The Patriots are from Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states - they even have gay marriage there. Also, New England culture sucks. They are arrogant, left wing, self-righteous prudes.

3. The Colts have a great coach in Tony Dungy. He played (and I believe coached a bit) for the Univ. of Minn., coached for the Vikings, is a committed Christian, and a great manager of the game.

4. Indianapolis is a city of nice people in a good part of the country. The culture is one of genuine, conservative, hard working Americans who actually know how to drive. I lived near there in Dayton, too.

5. Peyton Manning is a phenomenal player and has deserved a Super Bowl shot for the last couple years. It would be great to see him there.

6. The Saints are from New Orleans. New Orleans is a "wretched hive of scum and villainy," in the words of one Obi-Won Kenobi. It deserved to be flooded, and they don't deserve to go to the Super Bowl. (Otherwise, I have nothing against the Saints - actually rooted for them during last week's game... well, that was more anti-Eagles rooting, but still...).

7. The Bears are from the NFC North (as are the Vikings), and as such, get "home field advantage" in my preferences.

8. The Bears have turned around from being an awful team to a really good one in just a few years. I like watching them.

9. The Bears have a good defense that helps them win, which is a sign of a solid team. That's a point in my book.

Here's to a few good games tomorrow!

Added: I changed the title so that it's clear that I was predicting these two teams prior to the games, versus just talking about the teams that won.

Hilarious

Here.

Baby is sent through X-ray machine at LAX

Found this while browsing my Internets (originally linked to from here):

A woman going through security at Los Angeles International Airport put her month-old grandson into a plastic bin intended for carry-on items and slid it into an X-ray machine.

The early Saturday accident — bizarre but not unprecedented — caught airport workers by surprise, even though the security line was not busy at the time, officials said.

A screener watching the machine's monitor immediately noticed the outline of a baby and pulled the bin backward on the conveyor belt.

The infant was taken to Centinela Hospital, where doctors determined that he had not received a dangerous dose of radiation.

Officials, who declined to release the 56-year-old woman's name, said she spoke Spanish and apparently did not understand English.

She initially didn't want the baby transported to a hospital, but security officials called paramedics and insisted that the child be examined by a doctor.

The grandmother and the child were subsequently allowed to board an Alaska Airlines flight to Mexico City...

So I have a few questions:

1. What was she doing in the US and why does she know no English?
2. Does this speak to how screwed up California is?
3. How would speaking English have kept her from putting a baby through an x-ray machine?
4. Do we now need to put anti-baby indicators on x-ray machines (such as a crossed out silhouette of a baby)?
5. Why is this "bizarre but not unprecedented"?
6. Why is she flying Alaska Airlines to Mexico City?

Anti-me?

This was the entire "About Me" description on the Facebook page of someone I know:

i care about a lot of things... pro-choice, reproductive rights of women and men, feminism, human rights, gender equality, environmentalism, anti-discrimination/racism, amnesty international, anti- death penalty, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender rights, atheism, healthcare, democracy, anti-homophobia, anti-hate, pacifism, publicly funded elections, autonomy, freedom of speech, separation of church and state, right to privacy....and much more..

I don't know her well - just who she is. Save but 2 or 3 things, is this the perfect anti-me description?

Selfishness Clothed in Humility

If I find that, despite my selfish heart, it is a burden to ask God of things I desire - I don't mean necessities, like praying for a friend to heal from cancer, but rather things that I don't need at all - then it seems to me that it is not out of selfishness that I ask these things. I rather find these requests to be an act of worship and submission, which comes solely from faith. Thus, to not make requests of God for even little things is a form of selfishness and a rejection of faith, although it is often disguised as humility. How is it not selfish to respond to God's command to bring all our requests to him by not doing so? I see no other explanation.