Depressing?

One of my customers told me this morning that by the time the world ends, we will all be old and be dependent on pills.
You know I have had this conversation before - sort of similar anyway.
I have had the "depressing world" conversation with many types of people and in many different forms.
Some say "God is the pill. He is all you need."
Some say "Even Christians need medical assistance sometimes."
Some say "We are all depressed and we need something."
I say "blah blah blah."

After the brief conversation this morning I thought about things. The human frailty is what really drives us. When your happy and everything is going good, then you are probably positive.
When they crap is all around you and you see no end. You will probably feel depressed.
From the Christan view, we should always be happy and have faith that God will see us through. We should thank God for all things good and bad because it is in His plan. Hey, I have even said this publicly.

But, sometime, when the crap is all around and you know the truth, it is still extremely hard to overcome it.

I have been where I am at - at this very moment of typing this - several times. And every time, I have come out of the dark and into the light.

But, sorry to say that in this moment - the moment sucks!
And I do know the truth. But again, the moment sucks! The moment smells! The moment is almost enough to buy into the first statement on the crappy post. That maybe we really do need certain "happy" pills to cope, to get by, to survive!

Practice what we preach is a statement I hear often. I tell myself I need to practice what I preach.

I just had another thought - If we all practice what we preach, we wouldn't need to preach.

So today - in this moment - I am depressed!

Hopefully the light will come on and maybe - just maybe - a happier - more positive post will come in the future.

Adios!

Wednesday Quit Hits

Wednesday Quit Hits


 I am deeply disappointed. The cut may be too deep to heal. So please bear with me. When we received our latest issue of Hispanic (a magazine geared toward our Hispanic and Latino people), I was shocked and appalled. There on the cover was a picture of Perez Hilton. He had a “grinch – esq” smile like he was saying “Ahhhhhhh Senior Cortez, I got the award and not you.” A tear ran down my cheek. First – I didn’t even know who Perez Hilton was. My daughter told me (and then I knew – teens watch too much TV) he is a gossip guru. Lord help us all! Well, I really thought I was going to get that award. The award you ask? Hispanic Magazine’s HISPANIC OF THE YEAR. Oh well, Maybe next year.
 Pills. I am 42 and I have come to the realization that I take too many pills.
 Drivers – there are some great truck drivers out in the world. I can speak on this since I am in the transportation industry. But I will tell you the truth. The few that are _______________ (fill in your word here)…for them the General public should be VERY afraid.
 NYC’s Tavern on the Green – no more. And we never had a chance to eat there.
 Stress – I got too much of it.
 Crystal Ball Football Challenge – I missed 2 this year so far, but I am in good shape to win it!
 My pre-season football picks – NCAA and NFL – Stunk. I will do the recap when both seasons are over.
 Wade’s Top 100 Songs and Albums of all time. The lists are coming – be patient.
 Facebook – boring. I don’t want to aggravate the 1 or 2 people who actually read this and do Facebook, but I don’t get it…really…I tried but when I get on there all I want to is Blast off!

Well that is it for today. But since today is also Wednesday Quote Day let me quote that great philosophical singing group.
“It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.” REM

Feliz Navidad

or.....




Albanian:
Gezur Krislinjden


Basque:
Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!




Choctaw:
Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito




Czech:
Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok




German:
Froehliche Weihnachten




Hawaiian:
Mele Kalikimaka




Hebrew:
Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova




Italian:
Buone Feste Natalizie

Japanese:
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto

The Three Wise Men

This is a message from my Uncle Manuel Symour.

Wonderful message for Christmas.....or in my opinion - anytime!

thanks Uncle Manuel - for the message and for allowing me to post it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Three Wise Men
Ez. 13:2-3; 14:1-3, 12-20

1. They were SURVIVORS through righteousness in the face of total collapse.
They were VICTORS in the midst of trial by obedience, patience, steadfastness, & faithfulness.
They were HOLY MEN true to God and upright in their lives.
They were FAITHFUL MEN daring to stand alone in isolation when everyone else chose the popular way.

2. NOAH – Gen. 6:5,8,9,12; Heb. 11:7 – His righteousness could not save the world.
(( Even of Abraham it was said that he believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.))
Noah believed God and was obedient to Him.

DANIEL – Dan. 1:8; 10:11-12 – His righteousness could not save his country.
Daniel believed God and purposed in his heart to be steadfast in the purity of holy living.

JOB – Job 1:1,5,8 – His righteousness could not save his family.
Job was faithful to God in prayer, sacrifice, and patience. When God said to Satan, “Hast thou considered my servant Job..” reveals that God held Job in high esteem.


3. But a greater than these three wise men has come!
A. John 1:29 – “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
B. Romans 5:17,21 – the gift of righteousness – grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus
C. II Cor. 5:21 – that we might be made the righteousness of God in him
D. Phil 3:9 – not having mine own righteousness…Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith
E. Heb. 9:12 – by his own blood … having obtained eternal redemption for us
F. Rev. 5:8-12 - hast redeemed us to God by thy blood … hast made us … Worthy is the Lamb
G. Rev. 19:7-10 – the fine linen is the righteousness of saints (the righteousness of Christ imputed to us) …
for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

From Genesis 1:1 to Rev. 22:21 is the prophetical testimony that only the righteousness of Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, is worthy enough to save us from our sins and to give eternal life.

Praise be unto God that my salvation does not depend upon my righteousness for it is but filthy rags in the eyes of God. Man’s righteousness cannot save, but the righteousness of Christ saves to the uttermost and for eternity.

Wise men believe the testimony of God that salvation is in the righteousness of Jesus the Christ of God!

Music Monday.....Susan Boyle

Music Monday is back (and hopefully will stay- at least until "Wade's Top 100" hits the Blog).
I don't always follow what everyone else listens to in music. If you know me then you know my musical tastes stretch the spectrum of the music world.
But like much of England, Scotland, the USA and probably the world, I was blown away by Susan Boyle's first performance on Britain's Got Talent. As a fan of America's Got Talent, I still enjoy watching her clip on you tube.
Well, from what I see and hear, Susan Boyle's CD is selling many copies.
I can attest that it should! It should be a Hot seller that is.
Quite frankly, the lady has a breathtaking voice.
Where has she been? Why did it take a TV show for the big break? And, after this debut album, will she sustain what she has now?
I wish I had time to go into my thoughts on these questions, but you can read other's thoughts on her and the many sites that discuss her.
I want to quickly talk about her album.
I Dreamed A Dream.
When I listen to this record, I hear all sorts of influences, changes in pitch, movements in voice, and emotion.
All of the songs are beautifully done and enjoyable to the ear.
The arrangements put down for her really help the listener to be captivated by her voice. She proves her worth though by that same voice. She can go high and go low and the flow between each is incredible.
Her cover of The Rolling Stones "Wild Horses" and "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables kick the record off with tremendous hooks - in other words - after you listen to those two songs. you will be hooked!
She does some awesome classics like "Cry Me A River," "The End of the World," and "Who I Was Born To Be."
She included 2 spiritual favorites on the record: "How Great Thou Art" and "Silent Night" and "Amazing Grace."
Her rendition of Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" is truly breathtaking. As is Madonna's "You'll See."
I love all of the songs on the record, but my favorite two are The Monkees' "Daydream Believer" and her version of "Proud".
As you can see I like this record.
Out of 5 stars?..............it gets a 5.

check it out for yourself.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Too busy to Blog...

I was going to get on here and write a quick blog about being too busy to blog.
Then I noticed my previous blog on "What am I..."
The title "Wjat Am I..."

so here is a quite by me...... "Wjat the heck. Don't I know how to spele?"

later

Wjat am I...

WHAT AM I…Reading – Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and Talking The Walk by Marva Dawn. What’s in the (ever-growing) stack? Cornelia Funke's Inkspell and Inkdeath, The Fugitive Menno Simons by Myron S. Ausburger, Walking East To West by Ravi Zacharias, William Pitt The Younger by P.W. Wilson, Amazing Grace - William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas, Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker, Martin Luther - Selections from His Writings - Edited by John Dillenberger, Secret Germany by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, Sense and Sensuality - Jesus Talks With Oscar Wilde by Ravi Zacharias. (All of these books will get read sooner or later).
What’s on the wish list – or Possible Future reads: DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons and The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown; The Twilight books, All of the James Lee Burke books I haven’t read – I used to read all of his books, but got sidetracked. I need to catch up. Especially with the Dave Robicheux novels. The latest John Grisham - I can't remember the name. After visiting a local Barnes and Noble yesterday, I want to read or re-read some Hemingway and Truman Capote.
(I guess I should get cracking on the reading!) I need to retire!

WHAT AM I…Watching – on TV - Dancing With the Stars is over for the Season. Still love Extreme Home Makeover (AKA The Sunday Cry). Greys Anatomy, Castle (Castle is a really good show that I didn’t think I would like, but it is a remarkable show). Ghost Whisperer reruns and if we catch it on Friday.
Movies – recently have seen: InkHeart – great movie. Race To Witch Mountain – ok. The Game Plan – good.
Nothing else really.


WHAT AM I…Studying – The Play Clueless at Christmas. I play Jim. Have to study study study those lines.


WHAT AM I…stressed about – Learning all of the lines for the play.


WHAT AM I…anticipating - Ketchup - GET IT?


WHAT AM I…happy about – I’m livin!


WHAT AM I…thinking about – issues that in the greater Mennonite Church and the local church that bother me.


WHAT AM I…listening to – at the moment – Sugarland. Have been listening to a lot lately. Too much to list. But here is the short list: Owl City, Clyde Hopkins, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z (just that one song Empire State of Mind), Miley Cyrus (I aint kidding), Susan Boyle, Hurricane Bells, 3 oh! 3, Band of Skulls, Lights, Lady Ga Ga, Bebo Norman, Chris Tomlin, Tenth Ave. North, etc etc etc.



WHAT AM I…down about... Phil John's passing. Real good man! Always enjoyed talking to him.

Some random pics

What a Trip! or Wanna Trip - depending on your view.....

Strike a pose

Clyde Hopkins

On a recent Memphis trip, we were strolling up and down Beale St. Before we left the downtown area we walked into Memphis Music. This is a remarkable store with just about everything from the Memphis Music scene (plus more). Whatever you want from the Blues to Cash to Elvis to King, they have it.
When we walked in, there was a little elderly gentlemen sitting at a rectangle card table with some CDs in front of him. Curious, I looked down and noticed the picture on the CD was him.
He looked at me and spoke a few words and handed me a CD. I didn’t really understand him (due to the loud music in the store) so I understood the CDs to be free. I did understand when he said he would autograph the CD (that and the fact that he was holding a sharpie). So I asked, How much? (Good thing) and he said $17.00. I thought about it and figure I probably wouldn’t get one. Then he said the music playing is him.
I am not that big into Blues but this stuff coming from the stores’ speakers was astounding. So I had him sign the CD and then I took a picture with him. I didn’t intend for him to stand up but he did. I watched him labor at standing up when other people took pictures with him. He stood up and we took the picture.
We have the CD and it is a regular listen at my office while I work.
I had no idea who Clyde Hopkins was before we walked in that store on Beale St. and I still don’t know much about him. I searched the web for information but there isn’t really much on him. But now – at least - I can listen to his music, and the music in my soul is better for it.
Note about the picture: I “RARELY” put pictures of myself on the Blog – in fact this is the first time. IF this shows up on facebook, I will go pick up Clyde and we will hunt you down!

Seriously, if you get a chance, check out Clyde Hopkins’ music. Blues fan or not, you will enjoy.

Wednesday Quote (on Thursday)

Busy Busy Busy Day, so I only have time to put this quote on the blog...but it is a good one!




"We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive." Albert Einstein

Son of Sam....Child of God

Son of Sam is now a Child of God
Something about serial killers interests me. You have to admit, something about the process – whether it is the acts themselves or the search and capture – peeks interest in people.
If it were not true, you wouldn’t see it on the news. You wouldn’t see movies – fact or fiction – about the subject.
I think what really fascinates me about these troubled people is the fact that like the adulterer, the idolater, the gossiper, the liar, the stealer, the evil dictator – they too (gruesome – no feeling serial killers) have a chance to make good and turn their lives over to Christ.
A While back I did a speech on Loving Your Enemies. In this, I said that very thing. No matter how hardened the heart, if a person is still breathing, they have a chance to be saved. I can’t remember, but I may have put that speech on this blog or the past blog. If not, I will post it in the future.
Anyway, this very morning, I was reading my daily devotional and low and behold, the subject was "Free Behind Bars."
David Berkowitz was sentenced to consecutive life sentences for killing 6 people (and wounded many others) in New York City. He was known as "Son of Sam." He was captured in 1977.
He did confess to the crimes so he could avoid the death penalty. Since then he has been denied parole several times.
About 10 years after his capture, a fellow inmate talked to him about Christ. He gave David Berkowitz a Bible.
Berkowitz said that the book changed his life. He said, "Everything seemed to hit me at once. The guilt from what I did…the disgust at what I had become…I got down on my knees and began to cry out…I asked Jesus to forgive me… A peace flooded over me…I knew that my life, somehow, was going to be different."
You can get some CDs and videos of his conversion through Focus on the Family.
A question for you to ponder.
Why should I accept that someone like David Berkowitz could be a genuine Christian?

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18323/son-of-sam

WCC is Back

I am Back…What a long and strange trip is has been.
I have not BlogD in a long while. As you can tell. All 3 of you who read this junk.
So, Where the heck have I been?
I can tell you now. Couldn’t tell you before. Sorry.
I have been away.
I have been on a top-secret mission. A project for the British Government with my good friend, Coleus Bond 0022. He is James’s cousin, twice removed.
Anyway, in my absence I had lined up 2 of my dearest friends, Maenad T. Smothers and Jimmy J. Jackson, to do guest posts. But I noticed when I posted this note, they didn’t do jack!
They had some great ideas lined up. Maenad planned on expounding on his love of Rap music and the TV show Ghost Whisperer. He had a huge 5-part essay on why Ghost Whisperer and Cool Moe Dee go hand in hand.
Jimmy; on the other hand had a twelve-part essay on why Hillary Duff should run for President (when she is old enough). He also planned on a 3 part session on the healing powers of Shanaia Twain’s song, Come on Over.
Sorry (or maybe I am not sorry) you missed these guest Blogs. I will check on them to see why the heck they didn’t post.
Well, I am back. I will post a proper blog soon.
While I was gone, I barely read. I rarely wrote. I didn’t watch any movies.
Pretty uninspiring, I know.
My goal to Blog everyday was really shattered. So I will try to make up for lost time. At the same time I don’t want to put crap on here that is worse than what I already put on here. Oh by the way – while I was gone, my English and my grammar got worser.
Well, I didn’t blog, but the Brits were quite happy with my work.
Would you like a spot of tea?