finding the beauty in the storm

I've not been a regular church attender for a couple of years, due mostly to hearing issues, then falling to laziness. Along the way, however, my communication with God, has been profound. I find Him every minute of the day, looking over my shoulder, pinging me when I'm weak, encouraging me when I'm faithful. He never wavers.

This recent discrimination by elected officials against church attendance has been interesting to watch. I'll let you have your opinions, pro or con, that's not my point of this essay.

The beauty I've found has been in Zoom, and YouTube, I can now go to church wherever i desire, or not at all. A plethora of services have opened online, and the choices of style, wisdom, teaching, and foundational exposition has been fun, enjoyable, on my dime, and in my time. I'm liking it.

I do miss seeing my church family, but even there, after a two year absence, I'm reconnected with old and new family. I'm smiling.

I'm getting fed, which is the single purpose of the Christian "church", to awaken, prepare, and make disciples. I have no idea what other religions serve up in church, and really don't care. The purpose of "church", to me, is to loosen, not bind. I'm loose, and four walls are not essential to my faith.

That being said, I am strongly opposed to elected officials determined to define "essential". That's not their job, or their privilege, and, in this case, is a direct infringement on the First Amendment.

I've found beauty and spiritual feeding in the absence of four walls, but that's me. You may be otherwise inclined, seeking the freedom to "run and hug" in a church building, and I say, "Go for it!" , contact your elected officials individually, and make your voice heard. They might actually listen to a ground swell.

Reading "The Pursuit of God", by A.W. Tozer, has been refreshing and beautifully enlightening.

Look, seek, blend, bend, hearken your ear to truth and wisdom, found all over the planet.
Get loose, and seek beauty.

God loves you. I love you.

squeaky wheels

A movement started in the 70s with "the loudest squeak gets the grease".  The "feminists" and "gay rights" protests marched and shouted, and conformity began shifting, steadily, to deaden the noise.  The smallest segment of societies became the loudest and "political correctness" started to take speed.

Television and entertainment culture shifted to include all manners of perversion as normative.  The wave to silence morality grew to drown out what was once considered "right thinking".

In the eighties, MTV captured the minds of a generation, and the wave grew, in the nineties, the internet exploded  to offer overwhelming amounts of immoral and "free thinking" to the masses, cheap, unstoppable,  and ubiquitous.

By 2000 everyone, everywhere had the ability to immerse themselves in whatever manner of "comfort thinking"  they desired the minds of two generations were captured to the idea that "right and wrong" we're relative to the individual.  Those generations now "lead" us, and here we are.  It started with the removal of God from the educational systems in America, was followed with Roe v Wade", and now the minds of Americans have become individualistic and everyone screams for attention instead of listening to wisdom,  "I'm right and you're wrong".

In the 60s  God was removed from the educational systems and the marketplace , in the 70s we demanded a twisted version of "freedom" to protest an immoral war, and now we are getting what we demanded then, the freedom to "be" individuals without restraint.  And all along the way, our minds became enslaved.

Those  with "the power" are determined to keep it.  They have the generational masses trained, and an army of individuals, shouting down anyone who raises a voice to protest the insanity., Censorship through the cheapest, most effective tool ever devised, social media.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."  — 2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV

That time has long been with us.

daily bible reading

Long ago I learned an easy Bible reading plan that preceded in depth study, and avoided confusion for new learners.

There are 31 Proverbs, one for each day of the month; start there with the Proverbs of the day.

There are 150 Psalms, follow your Proverbs reading with Psalm of the Day, then add 30, then 30 again, then 30 again and again.

First, pray and ask God to show you something. Let Him guide your thoughts.

Example: Today read Proverbs 6, Psalm 6, 36, 66, 96, 126

Somewhere in there, The Holy Spirit will likely stop you and show you a particular verse for deeper meditation. Let that verse guide your thoughts for today. Mark your Bible (underline, highlight, book mark, etc.) when you see something you want to come back to later for deeper study.

“My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭6:20-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have a thoughtful day! 😊

police are not "your" employees

The police in an incorporated city do not “work for you”, they work for the city.  They are not beholden to you in any regard.  Their job is to enforce local laws as directed by their employer, the city.  You do not “pay their salaries”, you don’t.  You pay taxes, which are spent at the discretion of your elected officials, according to the laws of that city to, theoretically, serve the needs of that city, as determined by your elected officials.  Keep that in mind the next time you meet up with a police officer.  You are not “their boss”.  If that was true, no one would ever be cited or arrested.

What’s your role?  Pay your taxes, and vote wisely for your elected officials.

Should a civil servant act in a courteous, intelligent, knowledgeable, compassionate, honorable, expeditious manner, according to the scope of their employment and the laws of the community?  Certainly.

Do they owe you anything more than that?  No, in my opinion, they do not.  Take it up with your elected officials and their delegated management if you have a complaint, not with their employees.

Have a peaceful day.

good friday

I heard someone on the radio this morning wishing another a "Happy Good Friday", as if it was a day of celebration.

There's nothing to celebrate here.  Jesus died on the cross.  As a Christian Believer, I know that this was the ultimate sacrifice, purchasing my eternal freedom with His blood, and offering that gift to any man, woman, or child who would receive it. but that's no cause for celebration, it is instead a time for remembrance, for meditation, for acknowledgement, for gratitude.

On Sunday we celebrate His resurrection, but today we look deeply within ourselves and contemplate that sacrifice, the pain, humiliation, degradation, and torture that Jesus endured for us.

"As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”

And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.  But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” "

Matthew 27:32-54 ESV

care for others, in peace

For my Christian brothers and sisters, a timely message that I encourage you to watch to the end, and share the message.

Christians in Crisis - How to Respond to the Coronavirus Outbreak - March 15 - Scott Christenson

john 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  ~ John 16:33 NIV

Jesus spoke these things to His disciples, just before going to the garden, where He would be betrayed by Judas, led to the court of Pilate, and given to the Romans for crucifixion.  He knew what was to come, for Himself, for His disciples, for the world.  His thoughts were on us, to comfort us in our turmoil, even as His was to begin.

Jesus died, was risen, and reigns forevermore.  We can trust Him; He alone knows what is and what is to come, for all of us, for each of us.

If Jesus is your Lord, trust Him, lean on Him, seek peace and joy in Him.  Praise God.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, not yet received Him as the Lord of your life, He's waiting for you now.

Go here, study the text and scriptures, let me know what you think, or how I can help, or just if you want to discuss.

not eating the "pork"

Even if I considered voting for a Democrat, which would not likely happen (never say "never"), I can safely say that I would never vote for anyone who stood for stuffing a disaster bill with "pet pork". It's just wrong, and any politician voting "Yea", deserves a huge "Nay" at the ballot box. The American people deserve far better than this.

I know, I know, this is business as usual in The Swamp, but it is times like these where you see humanity either step up, or step out. IMHO, every elected official in this country, from local Magistrate to President, and everyone in between, must have their determined game face turned "on" and their partisanship posturing turned "off".

In November, remember who served you, and who wanted you to serve them. There is a difference, and it shows.

Democrats’ Coronavirus Bill Includes $35 Million for John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center

trust god

Yesterday the world changed, our lives changed, we were “put on hold”.

Everyone, everything, entered a paradigm shift; we have a new reality.

None of us like it, but here we are.

Now what?

For me, I was on the last steps of starting a new life, a great adventure that I had formed in my mind for years, the fourth quarter, goal in sight, ready to score.

Flag down, play under review.

Millions of you, billions of us, can say the same thing. Now what?

Shelter in place. What the heck is that? What just happened?

Reset the clock.

“Hey, Coach, what’s the next play?”.

That’s the hard question. What is the next play, for me, for you? What’s next?

Most of us, I think, are scrambling. The playbook has been blurred, the next play obscured, and we look around us to see confusion on the faces of our team, the other team, the fans in the stands, the folks watching remotely.

No one has a clear answer, at this point, no one can diagram a clear path to the end zone, at least not to the score we anticipated yesterday, because the opposing team just became something new, something different, something unanticipated, something we’re not ready for.

What now?

The past few days, I’ve been reaching out to my oldest Friend, asking that question repeatedly, expecting an answer, and getting nothing in response.

I try to work in logic, weighing alternatives based on facts, historical knowledge, anticipated results based on structure, design, planning, steps to achieve a desired goal, a given outcome following that course of action, a play book.

Out the window.

What now?

Take a break, gotta take the trash to the curb for pickup. Are they coming? I can't say for certain that they are, my city's on lockdown. Lockdown? What the heck is that?

Get the mail out of the box, go back inside, close the door, toss the mail in the corner (for at least 7 hours), wipe down the door knob, the light switch, my glasses that I touched, (Did I touch my face?) wash my hands, sanitize, wash, rinse, repeat, repeat, repeat. What the heck is this?

I have (had) plans, I have (had) a goal, I was right there! What now?

The A/C repairman came yesterday, looking like, and sounding like, Darth Vader, massive respirator on his face, gloves on, for his safety and mine. We had to go outside so he could talk to me, I could understand nothing he said with the respirator on, so he had to remove it, six feet away, fresh air, safe distance, for both of us. What is this?

Hundreds of movie scenarios are flashing back, we've seen this in the movies, fantasy, science fiction entertainment. "Wait, wait, this can't be real!" It's real.

I retrace the repairman's steps after he leaves, wiping down everything he might have touched, might have coughed on, might have sneezed on. Did I get it all, did I miss a spot? Missing a spot could be deadly.

My Friend is silent, unanswering.

But I had a plan! What now?

"Ask a different question."

Ok, "What would You have me do?".

"Now you're getting somewhere."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

Oh, ok, so, my first step is to trust God. What's next?

"Get your house in order."

My house.

Body. Mind. Spirit. Borders.

"God has our days numbered, how we live them out matters, that's on us"

A dear friend just layed that on me. Dead on.

OK, I have my next step.

Step One - Trust God
Step Two - Get my house in order

"Then what?"

"See steps one and two."

Got it.

old dog can learn

Good morning; it's laundry day!

A few years ago, my mom was visiting, and while I was at work one day, she was tidying up about the house, scrubbing my floors, cleaning my kitchen, doing the laundry etc., being my Mama. One of the things she did was roll up all my T-shirts in their drawer while putting them away. I asked her later, “Why?”, and she told me they fit better that way. I chuckled and after she left I went back to my normal way of stuffing them in the drawer.

I have too many T-shirts (a blessing), and when all the laundry is done, that drawer is hard to close. It only takes removing three or four before the door closes normally again, so I haven’t paid it much attention, or any. In the back of my head, I kind of know that when the drawer becomes easier to close, that I either need to do laundry, or buy more T-shirts.

Fast forward to this morning, I’m finishing my laundry, I thought, “Why not roll up the T-shirts and see if they fit better?”. They did. “Huh”, I thought , “I should roll up my T-shirts so the drawer closes easier.”. Once again, mama was right. At 66, I can learn new tricks.

Mama also taught me, that when doing my normal grocery shopping, if I see something on a good sale, that I normally use, and I can afford it, go ahead and buy it. I’m going to use it anyway, the dollar is worth less tomorrow than it is today, and I save a buck or two today.

That works. I don’t need to rush out and make a mad attempt at hoarding supplies, because my pantry, over time, is fairly well supplied. I have enough laundry detergent, bleach, salt, spaghetti, dried beans, rice, toilet paper, etc. to last me a while. I’m sure many of you shop the same way. If you regularly use mustard, and you see mustard on sale, buy an extra mustard. An old kitchen manager once said to me, during my foolish twenties, "It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.". Words to live by don't come often enough.

I learned a few other lessons about shopping from prior generations, from stories about the depression, from past fuel shortages, from the panic buying that occurs every four years (Presidential election years), from societal shifts, from history books, from past recessions (It is coming, get ready now), about global situations, from friends and relatives that live in hurricane zones, from Jaycee projects, from my prepper friends, from the firearms community, from so many sources there are an abundance of repeating lessons that warrant close attention. These lessons are common, regular, real, and we shouldn’t be caught short, we shouldn’t need to panic, we shouldn’t need to elbow our friends and neighbors out of the way, to get that last chunk of meat. The generations before us learned these lessons hard, we are wise to listen.

I know; there are millions of Americans, millions, billions of people, all over the world, who simply can’t afford to stock up, for whom day to day, week to week, paycheck to paycheck, is a reality of survival. I understand that, I’ve been there myself a few times over the last 66 years, and filed those memories in my mental cabinet for later.

This current crisis, like all crisis's before, will pass away, that's the nature of a crisis. We'll be living in a, hopefully, different world. We learn from this one, to be ready for the next. We make a decision today, that tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, we buy an extra cans of beans, an extra can of soup, or toilet paper, jug of soap, and we're ready for the next crisis, over time, little by little, step by step. We repeat that behavior week by week, and a year from now we have enough. We put back that bag of chips, high dollar coffee, designer socks, and we instead invest in tomorrow, not only for ourselves, but maybe also sharing to someone in real need. Fill your gas tank when it is 3/4 full, save $10 out of each paycheck, eat a sandwich from home one day instead of eating out, save a few empty water jugs, cancel Netflix, keep using that older computer (television/radio/tablet/phone/car) till it dies, super glue ($1) fixes a cracked $20 pot, read a book from the library.

Or, we can ignore the lessons of the past, count on someone else to "save" us, throw our hands up in despair, and point fingers. I'd rather be ready.

The same thing is going on in the firearms community. Over the past week we've seen a flood of posts, "Where can I get more ammo?", as the local store shelves were stripped, about the same time the TP rush was on. I've been buying an extra box or two, here and there, when it was on sale, when I could afford it, and my needs were met before I "needed" it. I could stop here and write a book about this paragraph, but, you've already heard that message; you either received it or didn't.

We learn from each other; old dogs can still learn. In my 60s, I discover that I’ve still got much, much more to learn from the generations before me.

"It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it."

I'm back to the laundry, or to the t-shirt store.

May Almighty God bless you, your family, and the path before your feet.

salvation comes

Today, 23 years ago, at around 10:30 am, I met Jesus. Some of y’all were there, a very few others have heard my witness of that day.

This was the single, most important moment of my life, for I was given a new life, transformed by the Power of His Spirit and Shed Blood.

I won’t lie and pretend to be other than a common sinful man in the flesh, but in my Spirit, I am reborn, seen as more pure than the whitest snow, as God sees me through His Son’s Eyes.

Lives changed at that moment, not only mine, but others that came and to come. Prayers of the faithful were answered in a miraculous way, as with all who come to know Him.

“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””
‭‭John‬ ‭16:32-33‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Take hold, be at peace, love one another.

more cool and interesting places to visit on the web

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but our brains lead us to daily discoveries as we search the world to learn HowStuffWorks. "HowStuffWorks got its start in 1998 at a college professor's kitchen table. From there, we quickly grew into an award-winning source of unbiased, reliable, easy-to-understand answers and explanations of how the world actually works. Today, our writers, editors, podcasters and video hosts share all the things we're most excited to learn about with nearly 30 million visitors to the site each month."

From repairing lawn mowers, to making the best cough syrup, one can learn just about anything at Instructables.   "Instructables became that documentation system in 2005, as an in-house project of Squid Labs. When they weren't solving interesting problems like solar panels for driveways, efficiently harnessing human power, or strain sensing ropes, you could find them sharing Instructables from the workshop. From cooking to 3d printing, to making just about anything fly, Instructables became the recipient of countless hours of tinkering, soldering, stitching, frying, and fun, making just about anything."

Looking back in time is always more fun at The Internet Archive, a wacky time machine, "non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.".   Music, great speeches, old television commercials, and a cornucopia of historical treasures can all be found here.

where can I carry a firearm in Texas

from Third Wind Firearms Training

FAQ:  When and Where can I carry a Firearm In Texas?

Please note that the information provided in this FAQ is not to be construed as legal advice.  You are personally responsible for knowing and abiding by all Texas laws and regulations, and municipal codes (some links have been provided below).  When in doubt, consult with an attorney, or local Law Enforcement officals.  Please advise me of any noted exceptions, errors, or updates to thirdwindfp@gmail.com.

Generally, any person may carry a firearm in Texas, if

• on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control, 
• inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the person's control.  Hand guns must be hidden from view in the vehicle unless the person is licensed to carry a handgun, and the handgun is carried in a shoulder or belt holster,
• the person
• must be older than 18 years of age unless under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian of the person,
• must not be engaged in criminal activity,
• must not be otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm,
• must not be a member of a criminal street gang 
• There are no State laws regulating the open carrying of a long gun (rifle or shotgun), but there may be municipal or county ordinances of which you should be aware.

You should be aware that section 42.01 (a) (8) of the Penal C0de, states "a person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly "displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm".

A licensed person may carry a handgun in Texas, concealed or open carry, and the handgun is carried in a shoulder or belt holster, unless

• on any premises where you have been given written or oral notice not to do by the owner of the property, or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner, or by posted 30.06, 30.07 or 51% sign prohibiting carry on that premises
• Stay out of bars, clubs, taverns, etc,. while carrying a firearm.
• Restaurants and businesses serving alcohol that do not derive 51% of their sales from alcohol shall display a sign in a prominent place on the permit holder’s premises giving notice that it is unlawful for a person to carry a weapon on the premises unless the weapon is a handgun the person is licensed to carry 
• hospitals, nursing facilities, or on the premises of a mental hospital, unless the person has written authorization of the facility administration,
• on the premises of a polling place on the day of an election or while early voting is in progress
• the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, unless: pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution
• Note: An institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state may not adopt or enforce any rule, regulation, or other provision or take any other action, including posting notice under Section 30.06 or 30.07, Penal Code, prohibiting or placing restrictions on the storage or transportation of a firearm or ammunition in a locked, privately owned or leased motor vehicle by a person, including a student enrolled at that institution, who holds a license to carry a handgun under this subchapter and lawfully possesses the firearm or ammunition:
• (1) on a street or driveway located on the campus of the institution; or
• (2) in a parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area located on the campus of the institution.
• on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court;
• on the premises of a racetrack;
• in or into a secured area of an airport
• on the premises of a correctional facility, prison, or jail, or within 1,000 feet of premises the location of which is designated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a place of execution
• in the room or rooms where a meeting of a governmental entity is held and if the meeting is an open meeting, and the entity provided notice
• in an amusement park
• while intoxicated
• on any federal facility (post office, courthouse, prison, office building, etc.)

Note that there are many exceptions under Texas law relating to persons engaged in certain occupations (peace officer, guards, security officers, etc.) where a fiream may be lawfully carried.

GC §411.207. AUTHORITY OF PEACE OFFICER TO DISARM.

(a) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of the officer’s official duties may disarm a license holder at any time the officer reasonably believes it is necessary for the protection of the license holder, officer, or another individual. The peace officer shall return the handgun to the license holder before discharging the license holder from the scene if the officer determines that the license holder is not a threat to the officer, license holder, or another individual and if the license holder has not violated any provision of this subchapter or committed any other violation that results in the arrest of the license holder.

(b) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of the officer’s official duties may temporarily disarm a license holder when a license holder enters a non-public, secure portion of a law enforcement facility, if the law enforcement agency provides a gun locker where the peace officer can secure the license holder’s handgun. The peace officer shall secure the handgun in the locker and shall return the handgun to the license holder immediately after the license holder leaves the non-public, secure portion of the law enforcement facility.

(c) A law enforcement facility shall prominently display at each entrance to a non-public, secure portion of the facility a sign that gives notice in both English and Spanish that, under this section, a peace officer may temporarily disarm a license holder when the license holder enters the non-public, secure portion of the facility. The sign must appear in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height. The sign shall be displayed in a clearly visible and conspicuous manner.

(d) In this section:
(1) “Law enforcement facility” means a building or a portion of a building used exclusively by a law enforcement agency that employs peace officers as described by Articles 2.12(1) and (3), Code of Criminal Procedure, and support personnel to conduct the official business of the agency. The term does not include:
(A) any portion of a building not actively used exclusively to conduct the official business of the agency; or
(B) any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk, walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
(2) “Non-public, secure portion of a law enforcement facility” means that portion of a law enforcement facility to which the general public is denied access without express permission and to which access is granted solely to conduct the official business of the law enforcement agency.

Definitions

• "Firearm" means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use. 
• "premises" 
• includes real property and a recreational vehicle that is being used as living quarters, regardless of whether that use is temporary or permanent. 
• means a building or a portion of a building. 
• The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area...
• "watercraft" means any boat, motorboat, vessel, or personal watercraft, other than a seaplane on water, used or capable of being used for transportation on water.
• "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the public that is located in a county with a population of more than one million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the premises at all times.

Links

Texas Constitution and Statutes: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/
Texas License To Carry A Handgun Laws http://dps.texas.gov/InternetForms/Forms/LTC-16.pdf

why do I need an AR-15?

Why do I "need" an Ar-15?  That's an interesting question that has been posed to me several times in the past two weeks, so let me respond here, and hopefully put this question to rest.

Why do I "need" an Ar-15?  I don't "need" an AR-15.  I "want" an AR-15.

Why do other folks "need" the things they own (motorcycles, golf clubs, boats, luxury homes, fancy cameras, canvases and paints, books, giant televisions, jewelry, art, expensive cars, monster gaming computers, giant trucks, lake front property, tats, etc.)?  Other than certain cases, none of them "need" any of these items; they "want" them.  These things bring fun, excitement, personal fulfillment, relaxation, sense of accomplishment, stress reduction, yada yada, etc.!  People "want" the things they want, for their own
personal reasons, and they are welcome to them, at least as far as I'm concerned.

So let's ask the honest question, why do I "want" an AR-15?

I enjoy shooting.  It brings me fun, excitement, personal fulfillment, relaxation, sense of accomplishment, stress reduction, yada yada, etc..  I don't hunt, I shoot paper targets.  I love putting those tiny holes in pieces of paper, cardboard, cans, 2x4s, etc.  It is the thing that makes me happy.  It relaxes me, gives me an opportunity for skill improvement and accomplishment, can be shared with friends and family (most of my circle shoots).  I look forward to shooting, read about shooting, research shooting, take classes on shooting, talk about shooting; shooting is my hobby.  I use shooting as a way of helping others by teaching safety classes.  I have used my firearms skills, and may again in the future, to protect myself and others.  When I do take my AR-15 out of the safety cabinet, I take it to the range and have big fun.

The AR-15 is an excellent shooting platform.  It is a high quality, well built (in most cases), reliable, safe, easily maintained and repaired, easily customized, economical (in most cases) firearm.  Millions of Americans "want" and own AR-15s for the same reasons. 

 How about the  "why do you need an AR-15 to hunt?" question.  An AR-15 is a perfectly viable, and widely used, hunting rifle.  Millions of Americans hunt with these rifles as it is an accurate, well performing rifle, and is highly adaptable to numerous hunting types.  The calibers and ammunition choices are wide and appropriate for hunting most small to medium sized game, and some large game as well.

The ARMALITE RIFLE 15 (not "assault rifle", or "automatic rifle", or "army rifle") is a proven, effective, valued and treasured semi-automatic civilian sporting firearm.

I "wanted" an AR-15, I got an AR-15, and I value my AR-15.  "Need" has nothing to do with the equation.  Along with millions of other firearms owners, most of whom are NOT members of the NRA (although I wish they were) I enjoy my shooting past time.  It puts a smile on my face, doesn't hurt anyone, can protect me and others if needed, and gives me a venue for self improvement and relaxation.  Some folks like yard sales, antiquing, and metal detecting; I like gun shows.  Much like golf, softball, boating, macrame, bike riding, jogging, photography, mudding, gaming, swimming, skiing, sky diving, scuba diving, painting, and reading, shooting makes my day.  I don't get many days of shooting, but range day makes it!

If you're curious, I invite you to join me for a range day, or encourage you to ask one of your gun owner friends to take you out and see for your self what shooting an AR-15 is like.  You may like it, you may not, but at least you'll have an experienced, informed opinion of what an AR-15 actually is, and what it is not.

See ya at the range!

not your everday news ...

"Fake News"!

That's a term bandied about with minimal discrimination, and becoming more prevalent targeting the more well known news sources as the online blogs rush to report with seeming minimal concern over factual content and verified accounting, Not necessarily a one sided venture,  political parties, interested financial factions (Soros, Bloomberg, Koch, etc.), and countless organizations use the media and its pundits, either gullibly or willingly, to influence public thought and opinion, rather than providing "news".  American journalism's once noble mission to gather and report facts forgotten, swallowed by a cesspool of dis-information, deceit, fabrications, and distortions foisted upon a willingly naive general public.

I enjoy casting about the world of ideas, and come across a variety of sources, some far from mainstream, that might offer a different view, a wandering perspective, a random validation or a new distortion of events reported daily.  Stepping away for a moment from CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC, Here a few you might enjoy or entertain as well, perhaps validating your own concepts, or possibly inflaming you to new heights, in no particular order:

DailyMe
Arkansas Times
OneNewsNow
HaaretzDaily
The Patriot Post
World News Network
Forbes
Channel News Asia
The Nation
The Texas Tribune
BBC News
Black Christian News
Mondo Times
The Sun
Today
Infowars
Chuck Baldwin
The Huffington Post
Worthy News
Time
World
CBC News
Al Jazeera

security between the pews

A friend asked recently for some advice on putting together a security plan for a small local church.  While I am certainly no expert on security, I have had some experience and a bit of training in keeping people safe, and in situational awareness, and am all too happy to help.    We all have a need for heightened awareness in our current troubling times.  Danger can, and does, come from every direction and from a dizzying array of personalities, and we would be foolish to entertain the thought that "It can't happen to us."; it can, and it might.  Violence may reach us wherever we are in an ever shrinking, demoralized, chaotic, and disjointed world that, more and more, reflects an individualized thinking, breaking rapidly away from the comforting past-normal of community and unity.  For many of us, "church" is a last remaining refuge of common thought, purpose and fellowship.  We have a need, and a desire, to look out for each other.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Several recent articles lead us to the inescapable conclusion that focusing on the safety and security in a church environment is a need, not a luxury.

Christianity Today highlights some of the needs facing the church in America today in  Church Security: How Do We Keep Our Churches Safe in a World Where Evil Is Present?

CNN focuses on the trend for churches to focus on training for an armed response in Security becomes a top priority for churches after Texas Massacre.

Lifeway gives us The Balance between Security and Worship at Church.

I've noted a few resources on the web that I think bear reading and exploring, for anyone, because we're all in this together.

Full Armor Church states "Our material is designed to help churches organize and operate security based ministry programs and educate their volunteers and staff on church safety protocols. Our resource kits provide valuable information, church forms, response guides, training PowerPoints, child safety guides, instructor’s guides, and fully customizable policy manuals.  We are committed to the cause of keeping churches safe and guarding the integrity and work of the Body of Christ within our communities. As part of that mission, we have promised to keep our prices affordable for ministries of all sizes."

Sheepdog Church Security offers a comprehensive array of both free and affordable paid training resources.  Reading through their training chapters will provide a wealth of insight into the need for critical thinking about security for worshipers.

Smart Church Management sends up 8 Tips to Tighten Church Security.

Brotherhood Mutual highlights a few guidelines on preparation for Church Safety and Security.

NOCSSM  "is a national organization of churches across the United States. We provide our members with educational resources to help them in their security efforts. Resources include our web site which includes written policy and procedure templates, best practices for church security and training videos from some of our national conference sessions of special interest to church security teams".


more to come

A bigger role

The recent violent weather affecting the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bangladesh, and other global communities make clear that the human condition is so much bigger than any one of us, and that the brotherhood of man includes each and all of us.

Our individual worlds pale with in comparison to the combined needs of the world as a whole.  Our personal issues reflect a microcosmic perspective, one that each of us would do well to consider in the scope of global need.

As one man, I can do some things to affect good and good will toward my earthbound brothers and sisters.  I can give, I can lend a hand, I can reach out in time of need.

As a human community, we can do much, much more, together enjoined.

But before the hand reaches, the feet move forward, the purse reduces, we must each search our hearts, for compassion, mercy, kindness, peace, patience, gentleness, and self control.

With the right leaning heart, we'll find a way to ease the burden of others, and in kind, ease our own.

By nature, I am a selfish, self absorbed man; this is a daily struggle,  But, by consideration and by practice, I can be generous.  By a daily reflection, a purposeful act of seeing beyond myself, I can step out of my individual space and begin to make a difference beyond my four walls, both real and virtual.

At my age, at any age, change is difficult, but possible and a tangible, reachable goal.  It simply takes the will to want to see through the eyes of others.  It takes practice, and for me, it takes the real Love of God.

I believe, in each of us, there exists a place in our heart where love and mercy reside.  For some that place shines brightly through, for others it abides deeply recessed.  For each of us, it may flicker on and off as the wind.

Today, the world hurts, wet, cold, hungering for mercy, for shelter, for a bit of sunshine and hope.

Today, you can make a difference in the life of some who hurt.

Many of us are blessed beyond measure, others not as much, some with nothing but the breath in their lungs.

Today, if my message finds you, reach inside and discover or re-discover your heart.  If you have not contributed lately to alleviate the suffering of others, do so now, before another hour passes.

Set aside any malingering disjointed attitudes and preconceptions about your world, and enjoy a new or revisited role for yourself and for your family, that of a giver.  It is a contagious attitude that not only changes your world, it changes you.

I Pledge Allegiance

As a Sunday School teacher at Wayside Chapel, I began every class with a prayer and The Pledge of Allegiance To The United States.  I talked to my students regularly about our country and their role in it.  If we're not purposefully teaching our children about citizenship and allegiance, they'll not learn it.

It is shameful when any public institution denies, denigrates, or in other ways turn from the flag, our symbol of unity.  If this simple, yet profound symbol, doesn't serve as the visual glue that binds, as the one thing we can all agree on, what then will?  Our own Civil War, that so many want to hide from site and mind, an inescapable fact of history,  should serve as our greatest reminder of the possibilities that present themselves when we turn away from the American Flag, when we deny our common bond.  The horror that is now in the south that is Harvey, has served to demonstrate the might and heart of an American people united for a common cause.

I'm proud to be an American citizen and continue to believe that The United States is the greatest nation on earth.  The reason so many risk everything to come here from other countries is freedom and opportunity to live the life of their dreams.

Together we are strong, divided we are weak and ineffective.

Stand your ground for your beliefs, but let your mind be guided toward unity, not division.  If you protest, let your actions be firm, but peaceful.  These are your fellow Americans that you face in protest.  They have the same American right to their beliefs, as you do yours.  Shouting down a fellow American, visiting violence upon him because you disagree, is never the right thing to do.  Hatred always causes division, hatred is the face of evil, the one thing we should all be united to overcome.

The one thing we all must join to defend is the American right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  If not that, then why are we here, and where shall we go?i

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

The flag of the United States of America flys as the symbol of that "self-evident", long  may she wave.

Erasing history

All things considered, I think I'll go ahead and survive the great water and gas shortages of San Antonio 2017.

In other news, the San Antonio City Council removed a monument of The Confederate Soldier under cover of darkness last night from Travis Park.  It's sad to see the folks who are supposed to be working for the betterment of San Antonio  reacting to a minor issue, spending taxpayer dollars, to get a bit of personal glory.  A minor controversy existed until our Mayor and Council expanded it.

This monument to the southern soldier does not glorify slavery, the Confederacy, or the rebellion.  It marks a place in history, of a time that our nation endured, passed through, and recovered from.  It gave pause for consideration and contemplation.

The South is a wonderful place, filled with a rich history, some good, some bad.  Our history makes us who we are and gives us a roadmap of improvement and positive change, where needed, for the future.

The causes and justification for the American Civil War of 1861 have been and will always be discussed and debated by those who view history with interest, and it would be wonderful if our educational institutions would teach history as fact instead of fiction.  We learn from our mistakes, but when the lessons omit the facts, the realities, we learn nothing.

Jan taught our children the truth (plug for homeschooling) and allowed them the opportunity to consider and develop their own opinions based on that truth.

Revisionist and erased history serves no one faithfully, and denigrates us as a people.

I encourage you to pick up a history book, preferably one written before the sixties (you can almost always find them in Library book sales ) and read a historical account of America not twisted by social frenzy.

I have to scratch my hairless head when I encounter those who claim to be offended at the mere sight of a historical marker.  I shake that same hairless head in sadness for them.  Life is far too short to spend it in destructive thought.

Our past, unchanging and unyielding, marks the passage of time.  Our energy will be better spent on thoughts of self, group, and community improvement.

Our nation needs healing, not continued divisiveness.  Tearing down history serves no one.

Disappointed

To say that I'm disappointed would be an understatement.  NEISD, our home for Rachel's high school career, has caved in to social media bias and are removing another vestige of history.

When educational institutions use their erasers on history, we all lose.  It's bad enough that revisionist history might be taught to our children, when, instead of using history as a lesson for future change, they just blot it out.

How will future generations learn to avoid the mistakes of the past, when the past history of our nation is not even presented to them, when simple discussion becomes "racist", when our predecessors become stamped as "evil"?  What false narrative will be given to our children and grand children twenty years from now when they aren't even presented with the opportunity to ask, "Who was that guy and what mark did he make on our nation?"?

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  George Santayana

The current wave of the destruction and removal of historical monuments amid the social frenzy inspired by our national media and various intolerant groups and politicians is disturbing and I cringe to think of the inspired ignorance that our future generations will endure.

Do these names and monuments glorify our slave owning past?  I say, to most of us, they do not.  They mark the passage of our nations turbulent history and give pause to question.  When these markers are erased, the questions will not be asked.

That so many, and I suspect that it is a marginal number, are "offended" by a statue, by a name, by a reference, is, to me, proof of ignorance, blind hatred , and a callous disregard for the truth.

In my own past, I have done "evil" acts.  Will my future generations blot me out, or will they use my failures as lessons, catalysts for positive change and avoidance of "evil" in their own lives?  I hope the latter holds true, but I have endured the label of "bigot" too many times from my own family, when simply stating my opinions on various issues.

Did America condone the slavery of human beings in the past?  Yes, she did.  Will the caterwauling of our citizenry change that inescapable fact?  No, it will not.

The irony of the current movement to erase the past is magnificent in its volume.  Giving in to the hate speech and actions of groups like Antifa, BLM, KKK,  divisionist politicians,  and the proliferation of "sound bite" journalism, continues to give rise to violence and the separatism that divided our country in 1861.

I cry that our nation must endure another civil war if we, as a people, continue on this course.  I will likely be gone before it happens, but I call out the possible inevitable, that if we continue to give in to hate, regardless of its source, we surely will fall as a nation, a nation founded on the very unity that so many seek to destroy.  My grandchildren will likely endure it, because we give in to it.

That's a lesson from our turbulent past.