Opportunities….

‎”Opportunity is missed by most people because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work”– Thomas Edison Thomas Edison certainly wasn’t one to shy away from work. Another of his famous quotes was. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. People, no matter the period, have always dreamed of striking it rich; we want instant wealth with the least amount of work possible. That is … Continue reading Opportunities….

Almost as Good As an iPad….

Source: Windows 8: We kick the tyres on Redmond’s new tablet wheels • The Register. Why is it that the once innovative start-up companies turn into stodgy of slow-moving monoliths? Of course in my mind Microsoft is currently at the front of this pack. I remember when Windows first came out to compete with Apple products.  They were a young and brash bunch back then. They … Continue reading Almost as Good As an iPad….

Its About Time — Whites Account for Under Half of Births in U.S.

source: Whites Account for Under Half of Births in U.S. – NYTimes.com. After years of speculation, estimates and projections, the Census Bureau has made it official: White births are no longer a majority in the United States. I bet the racist blogs this morning are white-hot, pun intended, talking about this article! But for myself I say it is about time. I think that our strongest … Continue reading Its About Time — Whites Account for Under Half of Births in U.S.

Rummage Sales

Before I get into the “details” I wanted to throw out another unique way of looking at church history.  Here is the way  author Phyllis Tickle describes church history in her book entitled The Great Emergence : The only way to understand what is currently happening to us as twenty-first-century Christians in North America is first to understand that about every five hundred years the … Continue reading Rummage Sales

Worriers….

My wife is a worrier. That is just who she is. I have learned to accept that part of her character over the years.  Sometimes when she is not worrying she worries about not worrying enough. 🙂 I only bring this up here to say I see the same thing in the U.S. stock market. They are just worrier who worry that they might miss … Continue reading Worriers….

Gaming The System……

Source: Get personalized help to max out Social Security. Social Security Solutions’ optimization plan calls for my wife to file for her own benefits at age 67 but immediately suspend her payments — a perfectly legal strategy known as a file-and-suspend. We start getting some Social Security benefits immediately when I apply (at age 66) to receive a spousal benefit based on her earnings record, half … Continue reading Gaming The System……

Free Speech….

Source: Democrats, GOP debate political non-profits’ donors – USATODAY.com. Conservatives in Congress have mounted an aggressive drive to block new proposals aimed at unmasking anonymous donations to groups such as Crossroads GPS— which is spending $2 million this month alone on ads targeting McCaskill and two other Democratic Senate candidates. Crossroads GPS, affiliated with Republican strategist Karl Rove, does not have to reveal its contributors because … Continue reading Free Speech….

History of the Church — More Details …

I realize that due to trying to keep the last post brief I did not fully explain the three ages (Age of Faith, Age of Belief, Age of the Spirit) very well so I am taking another shot at it here. As a quote to explain it further I am using one from Diane Butler Bass in her book entitled Christianity After Religion. I realize … Continue reading History of the Church — More Details …

On-The-Road Washington DC Day 2

We got into our hotel room early today at 5:00pm. It, like yesterday, was pretty much a road day but we did get in two sites. We made an unscheduled visit the Flight 93 Memorial in central Pennsylvania this morning. There is really not much there to see but the placards strategically placed around the site gave it a serious feeling. For those of you who might … Continue reading On-The-Road Washington DC Day 2

A History of the Church (but whose history??)

I proclaimed when I started posting this study a couple of weeks ago that I would be giving you a history of the church. In studying this topic I was quick to learn that there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different versions of the history of the church. If you are a Calvinist your history is quite different than if you are a … Continue reading A History of the Church (but whose history??)

Ashamed Not to be a Heretic…

Source:Ashamed Not to be a Heretic: Harry Emerson Fosdick – QuakerQuaker. “If the day ever comes when men care so little for the basic Christian experiences and revelations of truth that they cease trying to rethink them in more adequate terms, see them in the light of freshly acquired knowledge, and interpret them anew for new days, then Christianity will be finished.” Here is an … Continue reading Ashamed Not to be a Heretic…

Bob Dylan…

msnbc.com Entertainment – Bob Dylan is honored by president with Medal of Freedom. I must admit that I was a big fan of Bob Dylan during my hearing years. I was a teenager when I “discovered” Bobby Dylan’s first album. He like me, at least in my mind, was somewhat of a rebel. His songs frequently railed against the establishments of the day. I learned … Continue reading Bob Dylan…

I Just Don’t Understand…

Source: Charles Taylor Sentenced to 50 Years for War Crimes – NYTimes.com. I just don’t understand why the continent of Africa is so prone to these types of things.  Taylor was found guilty of atrocities committed in Sierra Leone during its civil war in the 1990s. I am ashamed to say that I only vaguely remember the Sierra Leone slaughter. I can make excuses like “I was just … Continue reading I Just Don’t Understand…

Facebook followup

Source: Stock futures up ahead of hopes of ECB stimulus: Fidelity. Facebook Inc is making it easier for advertisers to reach the growing ranks of users on smartphones and mobile devices, taking a significant step toward addressing one of investors’ most pressing concerns and broadening its appeal to marketers. Just a quick aside to update my previous post on Facebook entitled If You Are Not Paying … Continue reading Facebook followup