YOU-NIQUE

 I have written several posts about how we are all You-nique. You-nique = a word I borrowed from Max Lucado. In my family, there are 8 siblings, 4 boys, and 4 girls. We had the same Father and Mother. I would actually be shocked to find out any different. We have a family resemblance to one another  Yet each of us in spite of having the same mother and father is different.  Different personalities, emotional makeup, and of course I am the most intelligent.  (SMILE), it is meant as a joke, I have no idea which of us has the highest IQ.  But each of us is different. I have one very leftist brother and a left-leaning sister judging by their posts on Facebook. I am right-leaning, conservative, most would call me a Republican.  I used to be quiet but now I am quite outspoken. Don't ask me what happened.   I think but don't really know for sure but feel that other than the two I mentioned, I believe the others to lean right.  Some more than others. We came from the same Mom and Dad and yeat each of us is so different.  Mom and Dad tried to make all of us musicians like my oldest brother but I don't know that any of the other seven kept up their music after leaving High School. It didn't work.   I wonder what we would be like if our parents had tried to find our unique individual talent as they had our oldest brother and his music. The rest of us had to find our own way.  But I understand today more than I ever have in my life that we are each very unique in the way God created us.  I could play the Trombone back in grades school but it wasn't my thing. Then when we changed schools and my parents decided I needed to play Coronet, I hated it.  In my junior year of High School,  I went to the High School to sign up for my classes and did not sign up for band.  I don't think I ever touched my instrument again.   I think I might have continued if they had let me continue with Trombone but I am not even sure about that. I love to build stuff. I get crazy ideas and will experiment with things. I attempted to build a solar water heater on my travel van.  I helped build two of my own houses. I build several sheds over the years and love doing stuff like that.  I really enjoyed Mock-up, that was by far my favorite job of all time.  I love to travel.  I am not an expert at probably anything I do but I also like to take pictures on my travels.  And shortly before I retired, I started writing this blog.  I am unique in many ways. I have learned I don't have to be the best at the things I do. I have a sister that is a much better blogger than I am and that is OK. I have a sister that is a much better photographer than I am and that is OK. I still enjoy these things.  I make a pretty big deal out of being a Christian and feel it was the most important decision of my life. But I am unique in many of these ways. Each of my family members is also very unique in many ways and completely different than me.  Well, sometimes we do end up with similar interests, like the sister that blogs and the sister that is a photographer, we ended up with some interests the same. But though similar we are each very unique just the way God created us to be.  I often think of the trees in the forest, so many of the same species and yet each one is unique. I planed three pine trees last year that started growing on my property. I would guess they came from the same parent tree, but each of the three is unique.  That is the way God created each of us and we do not have to think exactly alike or even like the same things or have the exact same interest in things. We are each unique. I think President Trump is also unique. One of a kind, abrasive and some don't like him but I thank God for him. We are each of us unique or as Max Lucado says  YOU-NIQUE.  God bless, LVZ.  

Lukewarm

 I am in Revelation Chapter 3 and I read these words: “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15-16.  How do I explain lukewarm?  There is a local advertisement that asks are you sitting on the fence? I think a look warm person is still sitting on the fence. They want to be a Christian but haven't committed themselves. They probably go to church week after week but other than that not involved in any way. God is saying you might as well be cold because lukewarm does not get you into heaven. God says He will spit us out. I think a lukewarm person acts like a Christian around other Christians and as the world around non-Christians. They will not stand up and be counted. The Bible tells us we will face persecution if we follow Christ. I think a lukewarm person wants to follow Christ but does not want any persecution. We need to be salt and light in this world. We need to stand up even when the going gets tuff. Being a Christian is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions. Sometimes you stand your ground when everyone else is of a different opinion. I lived my conscience and sometimes it seems to put me at odds with everyone around me. Even when the going gets tuff I want to side with Christ. I want to be known as a Christian. I certainly don't want to be considered lukewarm.  God bless, LVZ.

Sexual Sins

 I am reading in Revelation and am curious about the teaching of the Nicolaitans and Balaam. A warning was given to a couple of the churches against following these teachings. Eating things offered to idols and sexual immorality. Balaam had advised Balak that he could conquer Israel by influencing them to commit sexual immorality. If you go to the old testament and find the story of a donkey talking, that is Balak that is striking the donkey when the donkey refuses to go forward. The donkey sees an angel Balak does not see. Also, there is mention of Jezebel and teaching sexual immorality in this chapter of Revelation. We have seen the modern church today accept the morality of the world in many ways. Homosexuality is one of those teachings the modern world is accepting as normal behavior. We see in our society today that living together outside of marriage is commonplace. I too allowed this in my life. I married quickly often because of fornication, thinking it is better to marry than to burn. I participated in this sin of adultery/fornication several times in my life. So I don't write as one who has not sinned. It was an issue for me. It is an issue for the church at large today as it has become acceptable in our society and often it seems our society has more success at changing us that we do at changing our society. It is clear that God hates these doctrines. God tried to keep Israel from sinning and destroyed many peoples to keep Israel safe. I think we would be wise to try and understand God's teachings and not conform to the way society is leading us.  God is warning these churches in Revelation that have done some good things but have strayed in what they allow in their groups.  God hates these behaviors, Sexual immorality,  eating meats offered to Idols.  I am having trouble understanding the meats offered to Idols as the Jews did have dietary laws but I thought that the teachings in the New Testament allowed this as the dream Peter had to call nothing unclean.  But that dream also had to do with opening up the gospel to the Gentiles.  But sexual immorality as far as I see from old and new testament has never been OK.  At least in this country, I don't think we have an issue with meats offered to Idols.I think in some of Paul's writings we were advised not to eat meats offered to an idol if it caused our brother to stumble. Now immorality is a problem in the church with regards to sexual immorality.  Homosexuality is commonplace anymore as is living together outside of marriage. Casual sex between unmarried individuals is acceptable in our society. Almost any TV show today promotes sexual immorality.  I continued to attend church with this immoral behavior in my life. I struggled with it and prayed many a prayer asking to be forgiven. I married quickly because of this sin in my life. Having disastrous results in my marriages for a time.  We weren't compatible many times and I went through 4 divorces in 11 years. Talk about learning the hard way. This warning about sexual immorality is given to the churches in the second chapter of  Revelation. We would be wise to heed this warning and change our behavior because it says God hates this sin. He loves us but hates the sin. He loved me through this difficult time in my life. God helps us even in times of trouble. I will never forget the time in Tacoma when I was driving down Park street praying about divorce. I was in my shortest marriage. We had gotten evicted from my apartment in Renton after just one month of marriage. I suspected she was cheating on me. I had moved to Tacoma and my spouse had also moved to Tacoma and lived about 8 blocks from me. I was driving that particular Saturday morning praying about my situation as I drove. I felt I was being cheated on and had filed for divorce but was having difficulty getting the divorce. I knew God hates divorce, but my wife did not want to divorce and fought it. So I was confused about what I should do. Was I too hasty in wanting a divorce?  I still felt like she was cheating on me. I prayed to God I don't know what to do. I can't see what you see, but what should I do. Do I drop this divorce and try to reconcile, I still feel like she is cheating on me.  As I drove I felt impressed to drive one block over so as to not drive in front of the place my spouse was staying. I was about the fourth car in line at the stop sign at 56th and Park. I saw my spouse walking across the street in front of me at the stop sign. As far as I know, she did not see me. I watched as she got into a van at the gas station. I recognized the van and could see the license plate and knew it was the guy I thought she was cheating on me with.  This voice in my mind says I showed you this so you would know. Don't go over there and make a fool of yourself. I had peace about seeking my divorce after that prayer.  Even though I foolishly got myself into that mess God still helped me through it. God loves us in spite of our sins and will help us. That was not the end of my struggle but God continued to help me.  God bless, LVZ. 

 This prayer is like those stones Israel set up as a reminder of God's faithfulness. I think of it often how God helped me in that time of trouble and answered that prayer as I was still driving and praying about my troubles.

9.5 Years Longer

We often hear of reasons for people's long lives. I googled this myself after I heard this and you can google it also.  It seems some investigators looked at Obituaries and found that people that had a connection to a Church, involvement in some church stated in their obituaries compared to people that had no mention of religion in their obituaries lived 9.5 years longer. There were several articles that listed from 5 years to 9.5 five years in their investigation.  Proverbs 3 states: "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you." (ESV)  And in Deuteronomy 5:16 is probably one of the best known scriptures promising long and peaceful lives:  "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." (ESV)   I understand that God has days designated for each of us and it does not mean a Christian cannot have a short life. My 11-year-old Grandson lost his mother at age 34. I lost my father at age 74 while many of his siblings lived into their 80's and 90's.  As a general rule, the investigation showed this to be true.  I listed just a couple of scriptures above, but there are many throughout the Bible and although I associated it with honoring parents I found it is stated many times without that connection.  One study was done without looking at eating healthy and exercising and another study looked at both. Sometimes living a godly lifestyle will affect many areas of life other than just our faith.  I think people of faith often don't worry about normal everyday things, less stress, and that is healthy.  I think it is a good thing to remember in our current political atmosphere where we are bombarded with the fear of the Corona-virus. God already had the number of our days tabulated before the Corona-virus started. It may be that is the thing that will take us out but as I am reminded of my grandson's 34-year-old mother, it wasn't the Corona-virus that took her. I hope I remember writing this and look at it in the future. I have a lot of Bible believers in my extended family. The important thing to remember is there is another life after this one that is attained by believing and trusting in Jesus.  God bless, LVZ.

Election Coming Quickly

 I am reading in Revelation in my devotional time. I've read it before and not sure I understand fully and with the election so near I will probably end up writing something about the election. I started to read through the Bible from cover to cover over two years ago.  In the last few months maybe even a year I have read only one chapter a day. At the start, I think I was reading four chapters a day.  One thought that has been in my head regarding the election is this: Someone wrote that President Trump has not said he is willing to concede this election if the vote is against him. I have at least one reason why I feel I would have to wait and see myself. With all the changes they are doing to voting this year with mail-in voting, different than absentee voting and states trying to change the vote by the electoral college which has been established by the framers of our constitution centuries ago. Consider this, if there are more votes than registered voters, something is wrong. When we witness the enthusiasm of Trump supporters and the rage of democratic supporters, I have concerns if Trump doesn't win by a landslide.  The polls keep saying Biden / Harris in the lead but that is not what we see at campaign rallies. Biden never draws a crowd and in Arizona recently, no one showed up.  But President Trump draws a crowd everywhere he goes. The media has been biased. Since President Trump has won 4 years ago the media has been 90% negative.  The tech giants are suppressing stories about the Biden family that were the same stories about the Trump family. they would run nonstop.  We have seen the corruption, the biased main media, the outright suppression of stories by Google, Twitter, Facebook, and others. Do I worry about a fair election, yes I do? Shouldn't Trump when he has done his very best for the people of this country and the world. Other countries like Australia seem to have more honest reporting about our news than we do. Then to top it off, we lose a Supreme Court Justice in an election year. We have 8 Justices in what is probably going to be a contested election. We need an odd number to be able to break a tie. Yes, it is Trump's job to fill this seat and yes he will pick the nominee.  He has picked his nominees for qualifications above everything else, he has not picked hoping to please both sides. It is time to pray for our nation. I have seen several videos of screaming leftists worried about this election. I see the biased news reporting.  I see California making it possible for illegals to vote. I see so many things that concern me that I would be very careful about conceding this election. A National leader from the Democratic side, namely crooked Hillary has also said that Biden should not concede under any circumstances. DO I expect fraud, yes I do.  Will the fraud be enough to overturn the fair results, that remains to be seen. By just what I see of people showing up at Trump rallies, and lack of people showing up for Biden, Trump should be winning by a landslide. If he doesn't something is very wrong.  You get a feel for these things in every election. Obama was popular, Clinton was popular as was Reagan and George W. in his reelection. You get a feel for how things are going and usually, the results equal what you see. But we have stuff going on we have never seen before. Will Trump's popularity be enough to overcome the fraud going on. That remains to be seen.  If Trump wins both the popular vote and the electoral college by even a small percentage I would still expect fraud.   It should be important to both sides to have a fair and honest election.  I would concede if it looked fair but not before.  God bless, LVZ. 

The Debate

 One of the most important lines in the whole debate: Trump --We have to learn to live with the virus.  Then Biden says: We have to learn to die with the virus. For 4 years Trump has been a cheerleader for us, encouraging us, telling us we are the best country in the world. We can win, we can Make America Great Again. For longer than that the other side has been telling us we are racist especially if we are white. We have all kinds of Phobias.  Yet we see the U.S. is the most sought after destination in the world. Of the approximately 200 nations in the world, 20% of people trying to immigrate to another country choose the U.S. The second most popular destination is Canada at 6%.  But for years and years, we have been told we are racist. We are told cops are killing young black men and they make heroes out of Mike Brown and George Floyd. The stats say cops get killed by a black man 18.5 times more often than a black man gets killed by a cop. I want four more years of Trump. We have been lied to over and over again. Global warming: how do you think that is going to work? You can go to a gas station and fill up your car and be on your way in 5 minutes.  Drive your electric car to a charging station and wait for your batteries to recharge for 8 hours. Think about that. You want to go a state away to visit Grandma for Thanksgiving, how much time do you think it will add to your trip to recharge your electric car?  Solar energy and wind energy cost about $500 to produce a unit of energy equal to a barrel of oil that may cost $50. We are being sold a bill of goods that we don't have no idea what we are getting into. Of course, we have coastal areas that are supposed to be underwater for 20 years already. But that didn't happen and now they are saying 12 years from now.  I want Trump for another 4 years. I wish we could change term limits to our congress and take term limits off our President. Actually, after another 4 years, Tump will deserve a retirement. I am a Trump supporter. God help us. LVZ.

Do Actions Matter?

I am reading in 3 John 1 this morning and verse 11 stands out to me: "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God." Do not imitate evil, I hope these BLM protestors that are destroying our cities do not claim Christ. If they think they are following in the footsteps of MLK, they are mistaken.  I saw a sign recently "Christians do not vote for abortion".  I believe that is true. Our actions should imitate what is good, and taking the life of a baby is about as low as you can get. Suffer the Little Children to come onto me, Christ said in Mark 10:14; 'When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."' If we take the life of a baby before or even up to and after birth we are not following the teachings of Christ.  Look to the needs of others is a teaching of Christ. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," Philippians 2:3.  Abortion is selfish, it is making a baby pay with its life for your sin. If you commit sin and then take a life to protect your life you are not following Christ. After that baby is created it is your duty to look after it, I don't care if it disrupts the life you had planned. Abortion is pure evil.  God says all souls are mine. It is God that is sovereign and controls life or death, not you and I. Abortion is a great sin that this nation needs to repent of. It is a great evil and the battle line that has been drawn in this election has been the issue of abortion. If you are on the side of God you will vote against abortion. If you vote to keep this great evil, you do not know God. For those that have sinned, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One that will forgive all our sins, even abortion when we have been deceived by the law of the land that is contrary to God's law. There is room for repentance at the cross. Take it there and leave it there.  We see a lot of evil in our land today, this upcoming election is about right and wrong, good and evil more than any election in my lifetime. Let us follow after God.   God bless, LVZ.

Exclusiveness

 So here I am reading this morning in 1 John 5 and I read these words: "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life".  And in Acts chapter 4 verse 12 I read: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”.   Sometimes Christians are criticized for being exclusive but here it is in the word of God. The very word we are to live by. There is no salvation in any other name. You cannot live a good enough life to earn eternal life with God. That gift is given through the name of Jesus only. Then we have Christians that believe they have a special place in God because of a certain doctrine that they believe differently than other Christians and feel they have a corner on the market concerning Bible beliefs. Sometimes you get the feeling they think their denomination is the only one going to heaven. At least it feels that way when talking to them. This is the only exclusiveness I know of in the word of God. It is believing in the Son of God. We even have famous people telling us there are many ways to God (Oprah Winfrey). The only way, the exclusive way is to believe that in the Son of God is life. I grew up in a denomination that believed they were the true Church because of their bent in the way they believed. There were things like total abstinence from drinking alcoholic beverages, and speaking in tongues where you will find other Christians that interpret those scriptures differently and feel it is OK to drink a little wine for your stomach's sake.  Some feel very strongly about assembling together on the 7th day, others feel it is OK to meet on the first day of the week.   In the gospel of Mark chapter 9:38-39,  we find these words: '"Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,"' Jesus gave instructions concerning others that were not part of our little group. The only exclusiveness I have ever found in that we must believe in Jesus as the Son of God that gave his life on a cross for our sins. There is salvation in no other name. I remember as a young man asking God to give me a vision of the Church of God as they often talked about in sermons in that denomination, I wanted to have that vision like they preached about. It never happened like they said. But I believe God did answer that prayer as I believe Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostals, Church of Christ, COGOP,  and so many others are a part of the church universal. I am persuaded in my own mind how I believe about some things but that does not prevent others that believe and interpret some controversial things differently from being in God's kingdom. The only exclusiveness I find is in believing in Jesus as the Son of God. God bless, LVZ.

Decisions

 Decisions, I have made a lot of them. Some bad and some good.  Sometimes the decisions you make affect the rest of your life. I have made some bad ones. I have made some good ones I think back to the time I decided to stay in Hight School until I graduated. I so badly wanted to leave home as soon as I turned 18, but I made a decision to stick it out. It was a good decision, one of my better decisions. I knew it would be important to have a High School diploma when I went looking for a job. I enjoyed my 32 years at the Boeing Company and I wonder if they would have even hired me if I had not finished High School. A lot of people I worked with had at least two years of college. Many had an engineering degree. I bought my first home at age 21. I didn't have any idea what I was doing but I made a good decision and it blessed me for many years to come. I think God was watching out for me. I made worse decisions when I actually had more experience. Not all decisions are cut and dried, sometimes I could have gone either way and just have to live with the decision I made. I wish I had learned to pray more about every decision and wait until I had a clear answer from God. But even then the answer wasn't written in the clouds for me to see. If I had advice to give anyone about making decisions, I would say take it to God first. Even then God has not spoken to me out of a burning bush like he did Moses. Or stop me on the way to Damascus like he did Paul. I blew it many times. Once I needed a newer car and I prayed about it, I think back to that occasion and I was worried about the age of my car and taking a trip where I'd be taking mom along in North Dakota.  I prayed about it, and that night on a break I looked at the classifieds and found a low mileage car that I had enough money to buy. I called and was the first caller and got the car. It was a blessing. One of the things I noted about that prayer, it wasn't all selfish, I was concerned about taking my elderly Mom on the road far away from home. It wasn't all about me. God blessed. Many of my decisions were not always others-centered, but that time it was.   After failing in four marriages, I asked God to please help me. Help me to be the right man for someone. I changed the focus of my prayer from finding the right woman to being the right man myself. I had a lot of growing to do from my first marriage and still do. But after 4 divorces in a period of 11 years, this marriage has lasted at this time 13 plus years. I had finally asked God for help, instead of just making a decision. I remember once when I was going to get married after several failures, I talked to a minister that knew the young lady I was wanting to marry. He said something like you have a good heart but want you need is a wise heart, I hope you have a lot of patience. Or something very similar, I am not sure anymore of his exact words. I realize today that would have probably been a disaster from what I have seen in the years since. I made some bad decisions in relationships and financial decisions which I wish I could go back and do-over. It is behind me and I can't, I just have to live with the result and try to do better in the future.   Sometimes I wish God would speak to me out of a burning bush, but then I realize many times I didn't listen to that still small voice. If I could do my life over, I would like to seek God's guidance more and actually listen to the still small voice and the voices of those with more experience that tried to guide me and I didn't listen. Sometimes that was God trying to help and guide me, but I just plain didn't listen. I try to look back to the good decisions and try to repeat them. I try to seek God's direction more. He still doesn't write an answer in the clouds or speak to me from a burning bush. But sometimes I pay attention to that still small voice more than I used to. I really think God wants us to trust him. Sometimes it is not which way I decided so much as it is I tried to trust God. As Charles Stanley says so many times trust God and leave then consequences up to him, or something similar. in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5.  Maybe I am getting better, this marriage has lasted longer than three of the previous ones combined.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7.      God bless, LVZ.

The Book Of Eli

 After I thought of this title I realized there is a movie with that name. But I was thinking more in a Biblical Book. It sounds like it could be of a Minor Prophet. In reading Max Lucado's book "The Cure For The Common Life", Max talks about how each of us is YOU-nique.  Talking about how we need to understand the book that God has already written over each of us. We are not blank slates, but every one of our days is known by God before one of them came to be. Elijah is my grandson, Eli for short.  I started reading Tim Tebow's book and I was getting the same message. God has a plan for each of us, as individual as any can be.  I thought of this as Eli lost his mother at 11 years old. God took her. It doesn't make any sense. But I know that God does not do this to harm Elijah, it is in the book he wrote for Elijah.  Perhaps it is in Chapter 11 when ELI is 11 years old.  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11.  "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:15  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139:16.  I read these scriptures and I feel God knew even before Eli was born, he would only have his mother for 11 years. God did not take Eli's mother to harm him, God has a purpose. I don't understand and perhaps never will but God does. He has a YOU-nique plan for Elijah, a special purpose.  Does this cause Eli to have a greater dependency on God? I hope so. I can't imagine losing a parent at age 11. But Eli's book has already been written. God put a measure of loving sports into his makeup and Eli is good at several. Soccer, basketball, football, baseball, I love to watch him play. And God took his momma. God is doing something You-nique in Elijah. Not many face what he is facing. I can't imagine facing the same circumstances, but God is at work. I listened to a mother that lost a 17-year-old. Hurt in her voice, and not understanding it all. But a unique book was written that ended at age 17.  I went to the funeral of a 16-year-old relative by marriage a few years back. At 16 years, he had a significant influence on those that knew him. There were something like 400 at this 16-year-olds funeral. God wrote a book about Eli. He knew every day before they came to be. Eli is one of a kind as we all are. What is God doing in this young life? Someday we may understand when more of the pages of his life have been read. I think of Eli has an ear towards God in little things he has said. One day as I was praying a simple prayer or a blessing over food Eli says; "I can pray better than you Papa".  Eli desired to get baptized at a very early age. I look at what I see in his life so far and I know God is at work. I pray that God will help me to understand the book of Eli and be able to guide and influence what little influence I have in the right direction. God already has a book written for Eli. God has every one of his days mapped out. Sometimes we as parents and grandparents can do harm if we don't keep an eye out for what God has in store. I saw this in my other grandchildren, so thankful they have the mother and father they have. God only knows why he gave each child the parents they have. And in this case, grandparents that will raise Eli. It was already written in the book of Eli. I think to my other Grands, there is a book of Gio written, a book pf Callia, and a book of Rose. There is a book of Addy that has also been written.  There is a book of Brooklyn that is also in its first chapter. God has a you-nique plan for each of these. Two different books that I have read recently have pointed at the scriptures quoted above. One from a minister and one from a sports figure that and actually the third book by Ron Archer that are all pointing in the same direction. God has a you-nique plan for each of us. Let us look for the bend that God has given each of us and try to follow God's plan as best we can.  Here is a little thing from my life that I took note of; my parent I believe actually did see a bend in my life and had enrolled me in a computer school to start after High School. I wanted so bad to get away from home, I took my own road. Some years later I took Catia (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Application) classes. It really interested me and my job actually paid me to take those classes for a while.  God has a plan for each of us, we can take a hard road or an easier road if we will pay attention. The Book of Eli has already been written as has each of our books. I am still learning how to write. But I see where God put me in jobs where I had to write e-mails and procedures and make it understandable to those following after and reading what I wrote. God has a whole book written for each of us if we will try to understand the way he bent each of us. I remember a time when my next younger sister wanted to get away from daycare and children. It didn't last long and she was back, I believe she had found her bend in life, the way God had developed and written her book. She has had a tremendous impact on all the children she cared for, and probably didn't realize at the time it was the way God bent her. God has a You-nique plan for each of us. God has already written the book and we just need to find God's plan instead of fighting it. It is not a blank slate but a book already written.  God bless, LVZ.  

Election Nearing

 Some thoughts I have as we near this next election.  Remember when Vanessa Williams was treated so badly in 1984 and stepped down from her Miss America title.  The scandal involved nude photos.  The CEO of the Miss America pageant apologized for the way she was treated some many years later. It got me to thinking about a post I saw from a Christian black woman shortly after Trump was elected, condemning Melana Trump for some photos many years earlier I wonder if this Christian black lady also condemned Vannessa Williams in 1984. I doubt it as Vannessa was I believe the first black Miss America. It was probably an outrage in black circles at that time.  It's a double standard and we don't seem to be progressing.  I read an article where the RBG block (democratically nominated justices ) on the supreme court voted identically 51 times this year out of 67 decisions. Those justices appointed by Republicans voted the same 37 times. If they don't get their way they want to pack the court. Appoint enough justices to where they have a majority block. If Biden wins and it takes 11 Supreme Court justices for them to get more than half that is the plan. They have 4 now in their block, if they added two more they would be assured to have 6 out of 11 voting their way.  Sleepy Joe,  if he wins, has Pelosi looking for ways to take him out of office already before he is even elected. Pelosi says it is not about Trump. I believe there is a system already in place but it is not Pelosi, and her decision should have more power than the Vice President.  If this stuff does not concern you, it should. The lockdown is now being called a mistake and I read a report where a higher percentage of people getting the Covid -19 virus have been wearing masks compared to those that don't wear masks.  The news seems to always say Biden is in the lead. Here is another thought; how many Facebook followers does Joe Biden have? 266,000 and Trump has 1.3 million.  Twitter has been all ablaze this year, probably a place where Trump's mouth gets him in trouble; Biden followers 10,000, Trump followers 87 million.  Nobody wants to listen to the news anymore, they don't trust it. Fox has the best ratings and Tucker Carlson leads all these shows like his. NFL games are down 48% over last year and people can't go anywhere, they should be watching sports and they are not. Biden / Harris campaign in Arizona stop, 0 people. Watch any Biden event and you can almost count the people on one hand. Trump campaign 10,000. In a flag parade of cars showing support for Trump, 30,000 cars. Or did the guy mean the boat parade where we saw boats as far as the eye could see. How many times have we heard about protestors being paid to show up? How many times have we seen these moving vans pull up with signs and bricks to throw at police?  Somebody probably Soros is paying. Didn't the news media do the same in 2016, Hillary was in the lead, laughing at Trump, never Trump. Then we didn't know Trump like we do today. Fighting for Americans often having to fight both sides and the news media also. Think about all these young black upstarts like Brandon Tatum, Candice Owens, the Hodge Twins, and so many others. Brandon tells about being a liberal all his life until Trump came along. I think he has 1.4 million followers. But according to the news Biden is in the lead. He can't even follow a teleprompter and in the first debate, Trump saved him by not letting him talk enough. I went online to try and verify a report about Biden saying he was running for the senate and I had a hard time finding out if it was true 30 of Biden gaffs, 15 Biden gaffs, 50 Biden gaffs. I know Biden did say that six months ago. Just Uncle Joe, he messes up a lot. A LOT. But according to the news he is in the lead. The double standard is glaring. Remember the little boy that cried wolf, nobody believes the media anymore.  According to Biden 200 million women could get a job if they had daycare.  Half the population has been killed off by gun violence.  But this is the man they want for president. They want a woman to replace Ginsberg on the supreme court,  but they get the best there is nominated only she has conservative thoughts. Of the 19 times a Supreme Court Justice was nominated during an election year, 17 times they were seated because the President and the majority of the Senate belonged to the same party.  This is nothing new, we have been there before. A President's job is to nominate a justice during his term and his term runs for four years. The people voted Trump in for four years.  Even Ginsberg said that his term is for four years.  Of course that was during Obamas last year before an election and the Senate was controlled by the other party. Obama appointed a Liberal and the Senate did their job and did not confirm the appointment. I could go on  but I am voting for Trump. God bless, LVZ.

Tired of The Lies

 I haven't felt like writing in a few days. my posts have been old ones that have just been sitting there. The election cycle is getting old. I'm tired of wearing masks, I am tired of social distancing, I am tired of not being able to go into a Macdonalds and sit down and eat breakfast. I am tired of hearing the same lies over and over again. Lies that have been debunked many times over. What I am really afraid of the battle for the soul of our nation will continue no matter who is elected. You cannot believe anything you hear on the news or the web. I checked out a report of Biden saying he was running for the senate again. I knew he did it last February but I was curious was this a six-month-old report of that incident or something new. I was something new but in researching it I heard more gaffs, I hadn't heard before. Sleepy Joe is an appropriate nickname. President Trump has a sense of humor, he is always saying something. I did the other day sometimes I wish I was quicker and then when I am I regret it. I was at the Pharmacy picking up a prescription and one of the friendly technicians as if I had the flu shot without missing a beat I said no the wearing the mask will take care of it. I saw one of the techs in the back smiling under his mask, I am sure he agreed with my sarcastic remark. But then I felt bad for my sarcastic remark because she really is a nice lady and remembers my name every time I come in there. Trump has a quick wit and a sense of humor that gets him into more trouble than he needs, but that is his personality.  We want to be given a break for our shortcomings belonging to our personalities. I wish they would give Trump the same breaks they give  Sleepy Joe but they won't. O that just the way Creepy Uncle Joe is. It is a double standard given to the left and the right. The left can say all sorts of false info and don't get blocked but the right can express an opinion about Hydroxychloroquine and have it pulled. It is unfair, and the falsely awoke folks don't really care about freedom of speech if you disagree with them. The only freedom they want is for what they believe, anything else is off-limits. I tired of it. I love President Trump's sense of humor. Someone came into the oval office and saw a big red button sitting on his desk. He saw the person looking at it and asked if he wanted to see what it does?  President Trump hits the red button and in walks a marine with a cold diet coke. You want to see it again, I get you one?  I think my youngest brother has a sense of humor like that but is probably very critical of Trump's personality.  Back to investigating Bidens gaffs. I read the report that the latest statement of Biden saying he was running for the senate was badly edited, but as I read the report I wondered if even that was true, the media covers for all of Sleepy Creepy Uncle Joes gaffs.  200 million Americans will die before the end of his 10 minute speech.   Half of our population has been killed by gun violence because of Bernie Sanders.  The list is very long. And they want this man to be President and are already looking at how to replace him after he is in office. I think the left is insane, I really do.  God bless, LVZ.

Judge With Right Judgement

24Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7: 24 
When we look at our political scene today we see people that do not judge with right judgment. I think looking at President Trump is a good example of this. We have been criticized for supporting President Trump and people will refer to a recording that happened to catch some gutter talk some 15years ago or longer now. They criticize Melania because of some pictures that surfaced that had been taken of her as a young woman.  The same ones that judge our President and First Lady are the same ones that are now overlooking former senator and Vice President  Joe Biden. Joe's actions are worse than President Trump's.  They made up stories about justice Kavanaugh to try and keep him off the bench. Then the saying was believe the woman, now a woman has accused Joe Biden of sexual assault and they show a double standard.  They judge Trump because of his personality. I think how unfair that is. Should we not judge by actions, what I mean is by the things President Trump is doing while in office? He has been doing what is good for America with renegotiating trade deals that are in America's best interests.  He has been trying to build a wall along our southern border to stop the flow of drugs and sex trafficking, and illegals coming into our country.  He has cut regulations for businesses. We support woman of influence and here again we see a double standard from the media and the left. While First Lady Obama was celebrated for anything she did, we do not see the same for First Lady Trump. We see this double standard over and over again, this is not right judgment and I believe God takes notice. God desires honest weights and measures. And this is despicable to God when we lead a double standard. 90 plus percent of media coverage of President Trump is negative and it is undeserved. It was the opposite for President Obama, much was hidden and not reported. I do not believe God is pleased with the double standard we are showing in this country. The media in this country has not treated President Trump fairly. I think he is often judged by his personality. Every one of us has our own unique personality. Did you ever just watch something as simple as the way people smile? Or look at their eyes or the shape of their head? You will often find a family resemblance. Sometimes you will look at a kid and you see the father or the mother in them. Then there are those that look like both parents. I noticed some people when they smile you may see upper teeth and on others lower teeth, some both, some none. Our personalities are the same. We are all unique. We need to judge people by their character, and not by an isolated incident so man years ago. I remember something I said as a kid that I will never repeat because it was that bad. That one statement is not who I am today. President Trump is unique in a way that is different from every other President. In reality, we all are. I was looking at a video of myself and it reminded me of something a friend asked me in the third grade. Do you always have to be so serious? I saw in myself the same thing that third grader saw in me so long ago. That serious look. That is as much of my personality as Trumps is of him.  We are all unique, but let us judge with right judgment. God bless. LVZ.