A Draft From The Past

He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions. - Confucius

I wrote the following back in 2020 just as the plandemic was unfolding, and an evil like we hadn't thought possible from our own people was about to strike like a meteorite. I tweaked this ever so slightly for today's post, but it's essence it is still relevant today. Hopefully things will improve going forward...but only time will tell.

Here are a few thoughts for today. Some say we are living in troubled times. Maybe. Probably, but you know what? Throughout the ages, there have always been troubled times. There has always been violence, discrimination, prejudice, and unfounded hate.

This has been going on ever since the beginning of mankind and will likely continue as long as humans inhabit the earth. Some things are just a fact of life. We shall call it the human factor.

There is also unimaginable beauty, tranquility, friendship and love which will also continue as long as humans inhabit the earth, another part of the human factor.

None of this is new or news. Nevertheless, it seems we must have something to talk about, complain about or use as an excuse for otherwise unacceptable behavior. Here's a concept. Unacceptable behavior is always just that...unacceptable.

You know people, as a whole, are good and decent, but there are those who are not and they are the people (or groups) who are using violence, abuse, vulgar rhetoric and just plain misinformation (lies) to further their agendas. 

So what do we want in life? Freedom, security, health and happiness are high on my list, and I would think that would be true for most people. In years past I have not shared my political and world views with others. However, there comes a time when it just frosts my cookies to see otherwise good and decent people so caught up in the media frenzy of the day, that they blindly accept whatever is spewed forth in the name of news, reporting, or journalism, as the undisputed truth.

It seems there is no such thing as truth and honesty, or reporting the actual news. That has been replaced by instant news, 24/7 cable news channels and the internet. They're even giving us the "facts" before they happen. You saw it on TV or read it on the internet so it's got to be true, right?

NOT...I would much prefer we get the REAL facts and use our own common sense and intelligence to draw our own conclusions.

Now before you get your unmentionables in a twist, I am not saying all journalists and reporters are so biased that all you get for news is what supports the official narrative. 

Still, take everything with a grain (or shaker) of salt, do your own fact-checking - you may have to dig deep, and think for yourselves. We do not need more of the blind leading the blind, and the pots and kettles calling each other names.

Now, if you have read this far without slamming the door in my face, you have figured out that, for the purpose of this post, there are essentially two groups: the thinkers and the followers. 

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Can We Talk About It?

Barney Fife: Yes, sir, that's one subject you just can't talk enough about... SIN.

I've seen a number of articles about "Progressive Christianity" and touched on it briefly here. This seems to be an epidemic not only in our country, but around the world. I'm not a theologian, but it is my opinion that this has little to do with real Christianity, and is more a religion of modern culture.

The more progressive churches seem leave out anything regarding salvation and, dare we even say it, sin. I would say that sin is alive and flourishing in the world and more importantly, in the church. Here is a link to a recent article in PJ Media, entitled Progressive Christianity Watch: Preaching Anything but the Gospel.

Here are a few quotes:

"I'm a pastor. Of course I believe in healing brokenness, but you will never hear about shame, judgment, or even sin at this church."

"I'm a pastor. Of course I believe we should be exactly as God designed us to be, which means that queer lives are worthy, divine, beloved, and acceptable exactly as they are. No exceptions." 

Here is the video so you can watch for yourself.

So what do you make of a Christian church that refuses to talk about sin?

According to research, the word "sin" appears in the Bible approximately 427 times in the King James Version (KJV), based on data from Bible concordances and word studies available on the web. 

To me that indicates that it is pretty important that sin is discussed and preached on in church. Apparently for progressive pastors that is just too uncomfortable a topic, and who wants to make their congregation uncomfortable?

Let me know if this is happening in your church and how you plan to handle it. Stay and stand up or leave for a more Bible-based church? Feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments. 

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

When Your Stainless Steel Isn't Shiny

Hello Friends,

We're still in the kitchen today, and I have a cleaning tip for you. 

Many of us cook with stainless steel everyday, and we all thought this is supposed to be stainless, right? 

Usually, but have you ever cooked starchy foods such as pasta, rice or potatoes, then tossed your pot into the dishwasher only to have it come out with a white film on the bottom? You can't wipe it off, and you wash it again only to have the bloom, as I call it, come back as soon as it's dry.

I accidentally stumbled upon the solution, and it is very simple indeed. You have a jug of white vinegar don't you? Pour in just enough to barely cover the bottom of your pot and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse or wash to get rid of the vinegar smell and dry. Your pot will sparkle like new.

How did I discover this? I was tired of washing and rewashing trying to get rid of the bloom, so I sprayed it with my counter cleaner, which consists mainly of vinegar. Voila! I have also noted that cooking something with tomato sauce will result in sparkling pots, so I expect it is the acid that does the trick.

Let me know if you have tried this and if it worked for you.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Instant Pot Eggs

 Hello Friends,

We're switching things up today, and I'm going to share with you my new best way to boil eggs. For years, I did it this way, and it worked great. 

But now I use my Instant Pot and make the best "boiled" eggs ever, at least in my opinion.

Plug in your Instant Pot and insert a steamer basket if you have one. If you don't, there should be a rack that came with the pot. Add your eggs and one cup of water. Then set the pressure to high (I always use high for everything) and set the timer for 5 minutes. When the pot beeps to signal they are done, then set a timer for 5 more minutes.

After that, release the remaining pressure - there shouldn't be much. Remove the eggs and place them into a pot with a lid. Add cold water and let them sit for about 5 minutes. Drain the water, replace the lid and shake vigorously for a few seconds. Unless you started with really fresh eggs, which naturally are more difficult to peel, these should just about slide out of their shells.

If you note the picture above, one did actually shell itself.

I hope today's post finds you well, and gives you an alternative for boiling eggs.

For Mom's on Mother's Day

Whenever I see a lost person and think, "There but for the grace of God, go I," I realize that the grace of God was my mom. - Robert Brault

Moms do so much more for us that we realize, way beyond fixing our meals and patching up our boo-boos. They put us on the right path with their advice, wisdom and prayers.  I truly appreciate this.

Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts.