First There Was 9/11; Now There's a 7/7

Well here we go again - another banner week for Islam. Kidnapping and killing diplomats in Iraq. Bombing a subway system and a bus in London. The cycle of violence continues from people who follow what some claim to be a peaceful religion. Sorry, but I really have to question that.

But this time there seems to be at least a little outcry from the Muslim community. It's about time. We'll see if it leads to any action or if it's just more lip service.

These Islamic radicals remind me of another group of thugs from history - Nazi's. They're a small group of people trying to bully people to their point of view. They have utter contempt for common decency. Unfortunately, Adolph Hitler and his henchmen succeeded in creating the Third Reich and nearly succeeded in conquering the world. Today's thugs have the same evil designs. Political correctness must be put aside and these people called out on the carpet for what they are and dealt with. What are the British calling them - even publicly? Monsters. Bastards. Yep, I think they get it.

It's not even been four years since 9/11. Yet the world seems to have grown complacent about terrorism. Well, look out now. The British are really pissed.

I can't imagine what the whole Islamic jihad is supposed to accomplish. All it's done so far is invoke suspicion, fear, and more hatred. What I hate most are the evil thoughts of my own mind. Keep me strong, Jesus. Remind me of my hope in you, no matter what happens. Amen.

Reflections On the Prodigal Son

Today our associate pastor preached on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). This is an interesting passage because you can find yourself relating to a different character in the story each time you hear it. I once heard this story described from the point of view of the older brother (in reality it was a young woman describing the trials and tribulations of a certain prodigal - her older sister).

Today's perspective was also rather unique, and required some extra interpretation. The pastor played the part of the father, an elderly man who climbed a hill on his property every day to look and see if his lost son was coming home. He followed this routine every day for over five years, rain or shine, healthy or not - until his son returned home.

In the Bible account, we really don't know what inspired the prodigal son to up and leave like he did. In today's interpretation, he and his older brother had had some sort of heated dispute, and he feared that one of them would end up dead if he didn't get away. The father reluctantly agreed.

What made the biggest impression on me was how the father kept vigil all of those years. It reminds me that our Father in Heaven keeps watch over us - even when we stray from him.

It also reminds me that it must break God's heart to see his children act like the two brothers in the parable. Our feeble minds cannot fathom the depth of God's love; yet he loves all people - even the ones who stray, regardless of how far they have strayed.

Cave Creek Complex Fire

Yesterday I took a little excursion up I-17 and over to Mingus Mountain to get some pictures of the Cave Creek Complex Fire.


Looking in a southerly direction from Mingus Mountain, you can see the haze of the smoke. The wind was still fairly light at this time, but you can almost see a plume of smoke in the center.








By the time I got back to Prescott Valley, the wind had picked up speed. Looking east you can see a significant plume of smoke.











At Cordes Junction, the view was most spectacular. There was smoke pretty much along the entire horizon from the northeast running south to Black Canyon City, with heavier plumes to the northeast and east.

































Looking toward Black Canyon City from Cordes Junction.













Looking northeast from the Sunset Point Rest Area.












This is part of the burnout operation going on in Black Canyon City. Backfires were set about a mile away from I-17 in order to save the town. There were plenty of firefighters and sheriff's deputies keeping an eye on the fire.

Today it is reported that the burnout has been successful.

At last report, the fire has consumed 214,000 acres and is 45% contained.

That's Just Wrong

This week the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of allowing local governments to sieze private homes and businesses for private economic development [more].

Not that I have a problem with Walmart, per se. But this allows your city to come in and bulldoze your neighborhood and build a Supercenter. And you don't have any say in the matter.

That's just wrong.

Yeah, But Is She Any Wiser?

Our daughter E had her wisdom teeth taken out today. She's laying on our couch and taking it easy. We had planned on having her over today and overnight to make sure she's okay. Right now she is having a little trouble eating, drinking, and putting on chapstick as she still can't feel her face. But otherwise she's doing just fine. Prayers for continued healing.

Winter Rains, Spring Flowers, and Summer Wildfires

Winter rains bring spring flowers. And those bring summer wildfires. Unfortunately that's the price we have to pay around here.

As predicted, we're having a bit of a rough time here in the desert Southwest. Since May, there's usually been a small brush fire or two every day in the Phoenix metro area. Now that we're into summer, the fires are getting more frequent - and bigger.

At the beginning of the week there was one in the high desert that closed down I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff for a bit. Since there were no thunderstorms around and the fire started right along the highway, everyone knows it was some yutz who tossed a cigarette out his/her car window. What - is your ashtray broken? Idiot.

But by midweek, it was nature starting the fires. Our weather pattern has changed a bit this week, allowing for the formation of thunderstorms in the desert. Unfortunately, there's not enough moisture yet to produce much - if any - rain. Just lots of lightning.

There's now a 46000-acre fire complex on the north and east fringes of the Phoenix metro area. Many homes were in danger, but that seems to have passed for now. We've been fortunate to have a little rainfall on some parts of the fire.

On Wednesday the plumes of smoke were quite spectacular. They looked to me like the pictures of pyroclastic clouds from volcanic eruptions. Now and then, despite the distance, you can smell the smoke. Last night was rather odd - I could smell the mixture of humid air and smoke.

It's supposed to clear up, dry out, and cool off (into the low 100's) this weekend, but the winds are supposed to pick up, too. Could be dicey.

Meanwhile, we are about two weeks away from the average start of our monsoon weather pattern. This sometimes causes more fires initially, but eventually our fire danger here should taper off. Pray for rain.

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Above photo by Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic, June 23, 2005

Best Laid Plans

It's funny that, no matter much planning you do, there are unexpected incidents that come up at the most inappropriate times. Such was the case today in church.

Our bishop came to preach today; she also took part in celebrating and commissioning our confirmation class. It was quite a big hoopla.

The sound system was not working right (either by human or technical error) and the organ was having problems with one of its pipes (purely mechanical problem). God was putting the planners in their place.

By the way, I offered to bring a can of WD-40 to our organist to fix the organ. He was only amused to be polite.

Reflections: Michael Jackson Trial

I don't want to talk too much about the whole Michael Jackson thing - frankly, it bores me. But I guess I should comment on it at least a little.

The verdict did not surprise me. It wasn't so much that the defense had a strong case, but that the prosecution really had a weak one. I thought that was evident when Jackson's ex-wife was called in to testify against him. Instead, she pretty much testified for him.

Jackson's accusers, at least in my mind, did not have a whole lot of credibility. Apparently, the jury shared that opinion as well.

Did he do it? I'm not convinced one way or the other. Is he strange and eccentric? You betcha. But that proves nothing. So now Jacko can go about his business and go back to the freak show he calls his life.

I ran into someone who seemed disappointed by the verdict. I told her that whatever crimes Michael Jackson may have committed, he will have to answer for them in the hereafter. She appreciated my comments.

Those judged by man often do not have all the facts. One can be convicted or exonorated on too little evidence. But God knows all the facts, and we all stand convicted. Only when we plead the Blood of Jesus Christ can we be made clean and whole.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Different Preacher on Sunday

I got to hear a different preacher than I normally do yesterday. I have a friend who, last year, decided to answer the call and go into the ministry. He's been doing all kinds of things to get prepared (I just sent of a recommendation letter for him to go to seminary). Once in a while his pastor lets him preach at his church. Yesterday, he was the substitute preacher at another church.

Being in the choir I usually don't get a Sunday off. But I had yesterday off. So I went to hear my friend preach.

His preaching was confident, articulate, and interesting (the sermon was based on the Prodigal Son). I must say I was encouraged and uplifted by this up and coming preacher.

Amazing What A Little RAM Will Do

As I mentioned on Friday, I was having a few issues after installing Windows XP. Like not having any sound. I ran every troubleshooter I could find out there, but there was no reason why I shouldn't have had any sound. I mentioned this to a friend on Saturday. He asked how much RAM I had on my machine. Duh!. With only 128 MB, XP was probably using most of it. 90% in fact. No wonder the machine seemed a little slower. So I installed another 128 MB RAM chip, and voila! I had sound. And other stuff! Amazing what a little RAM will do.

Hotel Rwanda

We watched Hotel Rwanda today - an excellent film. It depicts the story of one man (a Rwandan Hutu who's done pretty well for himself) at the outbreak of the genocidal attacks in Rwanda in 1994. As the country falls into disarray, this man - a hotel manager - shows incredible bravery and decency by housing hundreds of refugees (from both sides of the conflict).

Ethnic conflict has always been an appalling part of human history. That fact is underscored in this film dealing with the Tutsi/Hutu conflict. I doubt that most people could tell the difference between a Tutsi and a Hutu. It was mentioned in the film that the differences were defined by the Belgians based simply on the width of the nose. In reality there really is no distinction between Tutsi and Hutu [more].

The other question that stuck out in my mind was this: What in hell do we have United Nations peacekeeping forces for? The UN was unable - or worst yet, unwilling - to do anything to prevent the murders of a million people. When things got hot in Rwanda, the UN pulled its peacekeepers out. And the rest of the world stayed out of it.

Hotel Rwanda is a film brilliantly acted and directed. I've noticed Don Cheadle in other films lately, and this certainly is a stunning performance (I believe he was nominated best actor if I recall correctly). The violence, always in the background, was never over the top nor gratuitous. This is not a film about violence, but of fear and hope. I give it my highest recommendation.

Close Call

As I was driving home from work today I had a rather close call. A man was driving his Caddy east on a quiet residential street and was crossing a busy six-lane street. He didn't even bother to check that I was coming south at 45 m.p.h. If I hadn't slammed on my brakes I would have T-boned him and would have found myself face-first in my own airbag. I'm sure my skid marks will be there for a while. Thank God we're all okay.

The Holy Spirit: How It Empowers Us

I have to share an amazing story, but first I have to give you a little background.

Tuesday was National Hunger Awareness Day. A local food bank set up shop in six local area churches here in the Valley, including ours. Usually people come with coupons handed out in the neighborhood beforehand and pick up food boxes from the parking lot. We had never participated in this event, so we did it a little differently. They actually came into our fellowship hall where we offered them breakfast. We had also collected clothing, shoes, books, and a few toys to give away.

I observed one young man going through the clothing and was somehow drawn to him. He was looking for something nice to wear for a job interview he had that day. L was quite thankful as it was just to be there. He changed into a nice clean shirt (after I had directed him to the restroom) and came out looking pretty sharp. He also had come to the book table which I was in charge of looking after. We also had about a dozen or so reading glasses that were donated. He was looking for a pair for a friend - specifically 2.75 magnification. We didn't have any - the strongest we had was 2.25.

Later, one of my fellow choir members came by with a bag she had forgotten to bring in on Sunday. There were quite a few books, some clothing, a few toys - and a pair of reading glasses. As D and I talked, I noticed that across the room that L was about to pick up his food box.

I excused myself because the small still voice in my heart reminded me that I hadn't checked the reading glasses that D had brought in moments before. When I checked them, I confirmed what I somehow knew - they were 2.75's! I practically ran across the room to give them to L. He had been thankful before; but this time his joy really showed as he hugged my neck pretty good there.

It is amazing how God uses us and empowers us through the Holy Spirit. He used it to put this event together. He used it to bring L to our church. He used it to tell D to go ahead and bring her bag to church anyway. He used it to draw me to L. And He used it to bring joy to a man's heart - through a pair of reading glasses - that he himself would give away.

Amazing. Amen.

Busy With Technical Stuff

I haven't been posting much this week because I finally got fed up with Windows Millenium and upgraded to XP. I'm still having some minor issues (like no sound) but I'm otherwise pretty happy with XP. Probably the biggest pain was reinstalling Norton Internet Security (which required a few uninstall attempts - of which only one succeeded). But it was totally worth it as I don't have the system issues I was having before.

Popular False Teaching

¹But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ²Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. [2 Peter 2:1-3]

A late friend of mine once commented that he didn't care for Christian fiction. He was concerned that it would somehow alter his perception of the Gospel.

We were speaking then of the Left Behind series. My friend did at last start reading the first in the series and begin "eating them up" as quickly as the rest our small group. The appeal to Christians to fiction like Left Behind is that it is solidly grounded in biblical truth.

Then there is fiction such as Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code. While in itself a fascinating murder mystery, impressionable Christians could be suckered into believing a theology which is just as fictional. And Dan Brown is not shy about sharing his theological beliefs.

This link will take you to the home page that discusses seperating fact from fiction in The DaVinci Code. Feel free to explore more on the subject.

Meanwhile, as Christians, we need to be prepared to discuss the subject when it comes up - and it probably will. Next year, the motion picture based on this book starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard will no doubt stir up a lot of interest - and spread a lot of non-truth. Especially when you consider that Hanks and Howard are both squeeky-clean and considered trustworthy.

Keep watch, my brethren. Stay vigilant.

Independence Day

As I write this, I'm watching - for the umpteenth time - Independence Day. In my opinion, this is a sci-fi classic with some of the best cheesy dialoge in cinematic history (especially between Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, and some great lines from Dennis Quaid).

The pep talk before the final battle given by Bill Pullman - albiet fictional - is one of the best Presidential speeches ever given, including Lincoln's Gettysburg address and FDR's speech to Congress asking for a declaration of war on Japan.

What can I say? As many times I've seen it, I just can't tear myself away when ID4 is on.

Runaway Bride Followup

Looks like my prayers for the Runaway Bride have been answered. Besides the restitution she's already agreed to pay, she got probation, community service, and she'll continue to get the help she needs (see full story).

Finally Some Peace and Quiet Around Here

A Boy and His [Grandparents'] Dog

Pets on Parade

Can I come in, too, dad?      You just had to let her in, didn't you?


I think kitties are fascinating!      The feeling is not mutual.


Big dog, little dog.

Sleeping In

Ahhh...so nice to sleep in this morning. One of those nights where I didn't have to set an alarm. I don't get to do that very often.

Star Wars Fan Since 1977

We finally got to see Star Wars III - Revenge of the Sith today. Wow!

The special effects were outstanding, but I must say that some of the battle scenes seemed a little too busy (but maybe after giving George Lucas some more repeat business, I will be able to process them a little better). However, I really enjoyed seeing the story of the two trilogies come together. Some people who don't care for the Star Wars saga haven't really taken the time to understand the story - and it is fairly complex. Then again, as a Star Wars fan since its opening in 1977, I've had 28 years to digest the story line.

Revenge of the Sith in my opinion is probably the most anticipated prequel of all time. Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi allude to the events leading up to the trilogy. Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones set up the story, and Revenge of the Sith completes it. This film answers a lot of questions. We pretty much see how the characters of Star Wars got there in the first place.

Remember the holographic message of Princess Leia in Star Wars? She was seeking help from General Kenobi, the same man who helped her [adoptive] father during the Clone Wars. We see now how that happens.

Remember in Star Wars when Obi-Wan Kenobi gives Luke his father's light saber? We now see how Obi-Wan ended up with it.

But the focus of this film is on how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, and believe me, it wasn't pretty. Fortunely he finally redeems himself in Return of the Jedi.

Although each episode - with perhaps the exception of Star Wars - is not necessarily the stuff of legend by themselves, one must consider the whole. The Star Wars saga is an epic adventure in American mythology, comporable to the Oddysey and Ilead of ancient Greek mythology. It is a morality play. Good beats evil.

It's odd to see a story that takes 28 years to play out, especially when the happy ending was revealed after only six years. But as with many happy endings, there is a long struggle in the middle leading up to it. That part of the story is just as crucial as the end. As for me, I'm quite satisfied with how it all played out.

But Seriously, What's Up With All the Prescription Drugs?

I don't know about you, but I think we really need to be concerned about all the new designer drugs coming out these days. It doesn't matter what I'm watching on TV or reading in a magazine - I'm bound to be broadsided by a pharmaceutical company trying to sell their newest wonder drug.

I think it's immoral to be pushing these drugs onto a society where health care costs continue to skyrocket at rate that rivals that of a barrel of crude oil. Advertising in itself helps drive these costs up.

The other thing that really concerns me is that we keep hearing about drug recalls. Vioxx is a prime example - and it probably contributed to my wife's pancreatitis.

The drug companies claim a lot of the money they charge goes into research. If that's the case, then you had better get your research right.

If You Take Viagra You'll Go Blind!

Boy, here's an interesting twist to some old locker room humor. NBC was reporting tonight that certain impotence drugs have been linked to blindness.

You know, with the increased libido, maybe the blindness isn't caused by the drugs themselves (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Actually, that's probably quite true. Some of the same diseases and conditions that cause impotence also can cause blindness. But it makes for an interesting headline, doesn't it?

States Ranked by Dumb Driving

CNN/Money released the results of a study conducted by GMAC Insurance. Drivers were asked questions similar to what you would find on a drivers license test.

The six places (in order) scoring the lowest were Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, District of Columbia, and Maryland. Oregon and Washington scored highest.

I was surprised to find Arizona right about average. I was even more surprised to find New Mexico scored better than Arizona (I must have witnessed the worst of New Mexico drivers). California (no surprise here) scored seventh lowest. Then again, we have a lot of ex-Californians driving around here, thereby dragging down our score.

Click here if you want to see how all the states and DC scored.