Cooling off from the heat

BACK TO THE FUTURE

There was a time centuries ago when large areas of California were hot, parched for lack of water, with few ways for indigenous peoples and Spanish settlers to cool off. But back then, temperatures of 110 degrees F. may very well have been rare. Not anymore. The children in the featured photo are trying to stay comfortable during a heat wave. But take away the water from the fountain given the current California drought. Then, shut down the air conditioning...

Bear in my driveway

AND SPEAKING OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS…

In my essay from earlier this week (Are we alone in the universe?), I speak of close encounters of the first kind (“visual sighting of an unidentified flying object seemingly less than 500 feet away”); close encounters of the second kind (“a physical effect, such as electronic interference…”), etc. This incident on my driveway would be called a close encounter of the seventh kind (“lovestruck bear looking for mate crashes Fourth of July barbecue in the Catskills”) I call the...

Second coming of the Bronco and Jesus

SECOND COMINGS

The second coming of the Bronco and the second coming of Jesus. A week or two ago as my wife and I were planning our move to a mountain house where we’d live for the next twelve months, she casually mentioned to me that it would be nice—and fun—to have a Jeep or four-wheel drive OTR/GOAT vehicle (in case I wind up in the ditch again, if not in traction.)  But she was actually thinking about the snow we’d encounter next...

Sin, like a strangler fig, can choke the life out of a host

WHAT I’VE LEARNED ABOUT SIN

[Sometimes, I believe I have valuable insight on sin and how the Devil can trip you up. Other times, I think I’ve learned absolutely nothing about sin at all.] The world in which we live is not the world that God created for us. Unless we’re at a tropical resort on a sandy beach, in the mountains, or at some other breath-taking destination, few of us would call our world a paradise. Forces of nature and the destructiveness of people...

Viola signifying the voice of God.

HEARING GOD’S VOICE

One of the “life hacks” I want to leave behind has to do with hearing God’s voice.  Is it possible that God still speaks to us, and how can we know it if He does?  Psychotic patients firmly believe He speaks to them and hearing such a voice is a hallmark of some diseases. Are Christians psychotic if they believe God has communicated with them? It is my belief that God does on occasion speak to us in some way or fashion,...

Cancel culture stamp

GOD AND THE CANCEL CULTURE

The Veiled Prophet’s Ball: A few days ago, I read a story about Ellie Kemper. She was apparently raised in the Midwest and had the opportunity to compete in a debutante pageant at an event called the Veiled Prophet’s Ball when she was a teenager. I first saw a magazine article on the Veiled Prophet’s Ball, held annually in St Louis, many, many years ago (possibly before Ellie was even born.) I read the story and glanced at the photos....

My Cancer Journal

MY CANCER JOURNAL (6/2023)

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023 (C DAY +125) This is my cancer journal for 6/2003. I’m ten days away from meeting my urological oncologist again. After she scopes me, I may see what is on the immediate horizon. It will likely be either be surgery or more chemo. Meanwhile, Deena and I have decided to move forward with our lives, subject to what may or may not be confronting us during the last part of this year. Deena is planning to...

Boy reading as gallery image for book reviews.

PASTELS AND PEDOPHILES: INSIDE THE MIND OF QANON

Note: Some material in this post and/or linked material in this post may be inappropriate or offensive. The QAnon Conspiracy has been around for several years now. It did not take long for major media outlets to become convinced of the threat that Q presented. The first Q drops (or coded instructions) were published on October 27, 2017. Here is a good, succinct overview of Q and the movement. Now there is an easy-to-read and understand book (Redwood Press; 1st...

Jesus loves you, bruh

JESUS LOVES YOU, BRUH!

One of the most frequently quoted Bible verses is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The Greek word for “perish” is apollumi, and it refers to the loss of well-being in the next life (the hereafter.) The words “eternal life” (aiōnion) refer to the condition of joy and well-being in the life in Heaven which is endless in terms...

Hungry like the wolf

IS THIS WHAT WE ARE BECOMING?

Global warming with rising, tempest-tossed oceans and perilous heatwaves continuously make the news.  Deadly viral variants drift across the country like smoke as cautious people uneasily try to resume their lives while others argue about the efficacy of masks, vaccines, and medical advice.  Stewards and stewardesses are assaulted with increased frequency while trying to keep their passengers safe.  Paranoia and xenophobia grow daily.  Fear-crazed random acts of violence in department stores and on street corners occur daily in a nation where “civil blood makes...

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