SIPEDO SEZ

Grandpa was taking a nap in his recliner when we decided to play a prank on him.  We got some Limburger Cheese, just a little touch, and rubbed it on his Moustache.  Well, he finally woke up from his nap.  He started smelling, and he said "it stinks in here".  If you know anything about Limburger cheese, the same bacterium used to ferment the cheese is the same as on the human body that is partly responsible for body odor.  Yep, it was gross smelling for sure, and grandpa went into the kitchen where grandma was making some pumpkin pies.  He about got clobbered by her when he said "it stinks in here".  So he went into his bedroom, and said "it stinks in here", then the other bedroom, the same thing.  Then he went to the bathroom, thinking it was coming from there.  Well, of course it stunk in there.  Then he went out on the back porch, he said "it stinks out here".  Then on to the front porch, "it stinks out here too" he fumed.  "The whole world stinks" he exclaimed, and went out ot his workshop, where he went on about The Stink.  Eventually the old man got cleaned up for dinner and the stink was gone.

We were naughty kids, but there is a lesson here.  It has to do with attitude.  There are so many people that think the world stinks.  There is nothing good, everything is bad, they are looking for something to be offended by, and they are miserable.  But it isn't the world that stinks.  There are people who need to get cleaned up, and get rid of THE STINK.

I have a home.
I have four dogs.
I have oak trees.
Not dried out logs.
I have a car.
I have a bike.
I have a job.
What's not to like?

But people kill
And people steal
And people lie
Just for the thrill
So what to say?
Is it AND or OR
Do we have nothing
To be Thankful For?

I have food to eat
And water to drink
I have friends who think
Sometimes I stink
I have a faith
That when I'm down
It lifts me up
To higher ground

So when people cheat
When people hate
I still hold strong
And know my faith
Will help the poor
And downcast soul
There is something
To be Thankful For

****yes,  I wrote this, yes, it is copyrighted, yes,  you can use it

Matt 6:24 (NIV) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life{[27] Or single cubit to his height}? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matt 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

2Tim 4:2 (NIV) Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Isai 5:20 (NIV) Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Rom 1:32 (NIV) Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Levi 20:2 (NIV) "Say to the Israelites: `Any Israelite or any alien living in Israel who sacrifices; any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the community are to stone him. 3 I will set my face against that man and I will cut him off from his people; for by giving his children to Molech, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name. 4 If the people of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molech and they fail to put him to death, 5 I will set my face against that man and his family and will cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molech.

Killing babies in the womb for the sake of the convenience of the mother is the same as sacrificing your children to the pagan god Molech in spiritual terms. Obama and most of the Democrat party advocate this adhorent practice. When we vote for these people that agree with these practices, then we become guilty of approving of those who do evil, and even giving them power and authority to act and enforce more ungodly, immoral laws over us. Why would a "true" Christian want to do that?

Job 36:26-31 God provides our food. Its not the government's job to feed us.

1Tim 6:17 (NIV) Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

We are to put our hope & trust in God who provides us with everything, not to look to the government to take care of every detail of our lives.

1Tim6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

It is the command of the Lord that we are to help each other and those in need who are around us personally. When the Governent takes your money to give to others, they are interfering with this relationship that God wants us to have with eachother. It is the responsibility of the Church to take care of those who are TRULY in NEED. When the Government does it, they are interfering with God's plan, and imposing on the free exercise of religion.

1Tim 5:16 (NIV) If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

It is first the family's responsiblity to take care of their own, then the churches. When Government does it, accountability is removed from God's plan.

James 1:27 (NIV) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matt 25:31 (NIV) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 "They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

It is also against God's plan for people who are able to live a life where they do not earn what they consume.

2Thes 3:7 (NIV) For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

Those who are poor because they are lazy should not be rewarded and enabled by the Government taking money from the “rich” and those who work hard and diligently to give to those who are able to work, but don't want to, and support their sinful and unbelieving way of life.

Prov 10:3 (NIV) The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

When the Government does this, it teaches people to trust in it instead of trusting in God.

Hebrews 10:38 (NIV) But my righteous will live by faith in God our Heavenly Father.

If we depend on what the Government can do for us, and supply us with what we need, then we are not living by faith in God, we are living by faith in the Government. This makes us serve the Government and not God. The Government becomes our master.

My mother grew up during the depression.  My grandfather had a great job, so she did not experience the depression the way the more unfortunate did.  Grandpa was a politician of sorts, making a run for Congress, but losing in 1938.  My mom would cut the grass with one of those manual push mowers, and she would get a dollar for doing it.  She would go down to the corner store in the same small town where I grew up, get 5 pieces of candy for a penny and a double scoop ice cream cone for a nickel.  Then she would go see a movie and get a popcorn all for a dime.  She would save the rest.

My mother went to college and would work part time jobs from 1946 to 1955.  She wouldn't spend her money.  Then she married my father in 1960.  Dad liked to spend money, but was very generous to others, and he spent or gave away most of what she could save.  She rarely worked outside of the home, but managed to put aside enough money for my brother and I to have a small trust fund.  When my grandparents died, she put some of her inheritance into our trust funds.

Then came the recession in the late 1970's.  Dad was in his forties, lost his job with Ford, and was virtually unemployable.  We were broke, except for the trust funds she had set up for my brother and I.  When my father's unemployment ran out, my mother went to work but could not make ends meet.  She went to what was then Social Services to get help.  No Help.  Your two children have trust funds, so you do not qualify until that money has been exhausted.  We ended up exhausting those trust funds to support the family.  I did manage to get a bicycle out of the deal.

The rest of my teen years would be spent with our family on some sort of public assistance.  My brother got a job at a car wash on a per car basis.  I got a paper route and eventually at 14 got a job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant working 18 hours a week for $2.75 and hour.  When my brother was 17, he quit high school to work full time.  Because my brother quit high school, all public assistance was cut off.  My brother and I carried the financial weight of supporting our parents until they would qualify for social security in 1989.  Even on Social Security my mother was able to save money, since my aging father did not spend like he used to.  When my parents passed, despite all of the hardships, they were able to leave a combined total of over $100K to my brother and I.

I think I inherited some of my father's spending habits and generosity, and my brother got my mom's saving habits.  Funny thing though,  my brother owes ME money.

So, when I hear people say they can't save money?  It sounds to me like they "won't" save money.  So forgive me if I say: I wonder just how foolish they really are.

I find it interesting that there are many companies that have a department devoted to charitable giving.

Lowe's does.
Publix does.
Winn Dixie does
Fresh Market does
Home Depot does
and there are many more.

What surprises me is that for the most part, you don't see these companies taking credit for what they do behind the scenes.  Even more so during the holidays when they provide money and/or food and other things to help those who are struggling make it through these tough times.

There is one company however that DOES make sure that they are NOT anonymous in their giving.  It is all about publicity and bragging rights about "how much" they contribute to communities.  The fact is that this company takes more than it gives, and bullies it's way into communities across the US.  There is disdain for this large retailer in every state for it's brash tactics and it's departure from the sound business principles of it's late founder, Sam W.

So while some companies don't totally reject the credit, they don't relish it either.  It is part of their mission and their vision.

But other companies won't lift a finger until they find out what is in it for them.  How will it benefit the company and to hell with the community.

It's Wal-Mart.  Charitable only when it's convenient.

Does Alabama's Senator Shelby want to see the American Big Three fail?  He's skeptical of a bailout plan for Ford, GM and Chrysler.  But WHY?  No solid answers are given.

Some seem to think Shelby DOES want them to fail.  Alabama is home to foreign owned auto plants, Mercedes, Hyundai, Honda and Toyota.

After all, UAW employees pay some pretty hefty taxes.  So, why is 25 Billion so hard to get for the Big 3?

Would the demise of Ford, GM and Chrysler be a boost for Alabama?  Is that what Shelby, a Republican is up to?

Think about this, what auto companies contributed after 9/11?  FORD< GM< CHRYSLER

What about the others?  NOT ONE FOREIGN AUTOMAKER CONTRIBUTED to help the US after 9/11.

Do Autoworkers make too much?  If you actually lived in one of the northern states, like Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota and more where taxes are higher than in the south and the cost of living is also higher, then NO.

The auto industry is not the reason the economy is tanking.  Anybody who thinks they are is just plain stupid.   Yep, stupid is the right word.  I think I'll say it again.  STUPID.

Should there be a bailout of our auto industries on the US?  Well, if we can give AIG over 100 billion dollars in loans, which is FOREIGN OWNED, then YES!  What is the problem in Washington?

I'll tell you what it is.  STUPIDITY.  It's not a disease, it's a choice.

I received and email today about chains of stores that have either filed for bankruptcy, are in bankruptcy, or will just be closing stores.  The email said that if you give gift cards for the Christmas presents, you might want to stay away from gift cards from the following stores.  If they go belly up, then it could mean lost money.  I googled each name on this list, and all are in financial trouble, and the store closing and bankruptcy stories appear to be true.....soooo.....here it is....


Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Lowes to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores

As I was shopping for a few things yesterday, I noticed that music that seems to come earlier and earlier this year.  Soon I was humming the sound of "What Child Is This" and "Good King Wencelas".

I began to think of what is going to happen this year.  The economy is bad.  The stock market is in flux.  Unemployment is hasn't been this high since Clinton was president.  Food pantries are feeling the pinch.  Automakers are on the verge of financial failure.  The list goes on and on.  It doesn't look good right now.

That brings us to the holidays.  Thanksgiving.  Christmas. Hanukkah, New Year, Kwanza, whatever you celebrate.

It is a time for giving. But we live in a selfish society of microwave ovens, instant money, instant potatoes and the ME generation.

I know of one place in the city I live in that isn't worried about what they can get.  They are worried about how much they can give.  Pastor Dan Strength at River of Life is one example.  He's more concerned with how he and some volunteers like me are going to feed 400 people or more on November 22.  He is more concerned about providing Thanksgiving baskets for over 50 families.  He is more concerned with people who need clothing and furniture and appliances and housing and an education.  He has committed to help one young man go to college, a first for that family.

When we place our energies in the right place, the rewards always come back to you.  You can count on it.  You can be blessed, but first you have to bless others.

So, the next time you go shopping, take one of your bags of groceries and take it to someone who needs it more than you.  We're all overweight anyway, we can afford to give the food away.

Remember, if you have spare change in the ashtray of your car, you're richer than 90% of the people in the world.

Are  you a straight shooter?  Are you forthright?  Are you confrontational?  Do you send the food back at a restaurant?  Do  you speak up when something is wrong?

What about if someone lies to you?  Do you confront the liar face to face?  Or do you avoid it?

What about if someone steals from you?  Do you call the police?

What about if someone abuses you, whether it be physically, verbally, emotionally?  Do you let your voice be heard?

More and more it seems like people just don't want to face the facts.  They choose to live in this fantasy world where there is no confrontation at all.  Everything is about appeasing each other.

We don't write letters to our representatives, we're too busy to go to city council, county commission, school board and other meetings.

We have become afraid to make waves.  We have become like dead fish and we go with the flow, however wrong it might be.

So what will you do?  Will you just let the next liar, thief or abuser take you down?  Or will you face it head on with a full frontal Confrontation?

Now everybody, go to your windows, no matter what time it is, no matter where you are, open the window and yell at the top of your voice

"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore".

According to some stats, 70% of Evangelical Christians believe that Christ is one of many ways to God.  If that is the case, then they are not Christians.  Christianity is exclusive.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY way. One cannot be a true Christian if they believe that any other path leads to God other than Jesus.

Obama is NOT a Christian, as some espouse.  Obama believes there a many paths to God. He has made this clear by his refusals to answer such a question. The true definition of a Christian includes the words of Jesus, who said “no on comes to the Father but by ME”. If one does not believe that, one cannot be, and is not a Christian.  To believe that there a many ways is Pantheism, and is contrary to Christianity.

This country is in for a very rude awakening.  Yes, Change will come, but it will not benefit this country, it will be its downfall. Here are some problems, just three of many, that contributed to this.

1. Some people call it reverse racism.  I say, “what is the difference?”  95% of Black American voters according to exit and other polls voted for Barack Obama because he is perceived as black.  That people is racism.  This is just on example.  NOTE:  I do not refer to Black Americans as African Americans, I’ve found they don’t like it.  Being PC in most cases is for the feeble minded.

2. What about the people who vote straight tickets, regardless of who is running? I know a few People who do this, and that is an exercise stupidity.  Let me capitalize that STUPIDITY.  Rational people agree that voting a straight ticket shows the ignorance of a person, regardless of the party affiliation.  People who do this are a danger to our communities and our nation.  Any argument to the contrary is based upon nothing more than arrogance and a lack of education.

3. ACORN – We know of SOME of the fraud that has taken place in voter registration.  We caught stuff like Mickey Mouse.  But how much slipped through the cracks?  How many people voted twice? Or 3 Times under other identities?

This is just part of the list. But non-the-less, the people have spoken, as jaded and misled and they are.  Barack Obama will be the next President, and the Bible says that God has placed people in authority over us, AND, that he sometimes uses the wicked to carry out His will.  This time God is using the wickedness of Barack Obama to bring judgement upon a nation that has turned from God.

Am I bitter? Absolutely not! I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE is able keep that which I’ve committed unto HIM against that day. In today’s day and age, Christians have chosen to conceal their faith in this country for the most part.  But Jesus said, if you are ashamed to confess me before me, I will be ashamed to confess you before my Father.

Today is a sad day for the United States.  You can decorate it with winning slogans and celebrations, but it is still a sad day. It’s okay if you disagree with me on some of these points.  But on the essentials of Christianity, I stand firm, like a tree that is planted by the rivers of water.

I close with this, from Psalm chapter 1, in my own words: “Blessed is the person who does not take counsel from those who mock God,  and who does not do the work of the unbeliever, but HIS JOY comes from meditating on law of God day and night.”

No.  It's not Cake.  It's real Food.

Angel Food started some years ago in Georgia.  It has now spread to 38 states, including Michigan.  There are several sites that you can go to.

But it is not FREE.

You spend about $30.00 for $60+ dollars worth of good food.  Enough food to feed a family of 4 for about a week.  Try doing that at the supermarket with the kind of quality food that is distributed by Angel Food.  There other special boxes for $21.00 each that range from Fruits and Veggies to all quality STEAKS.  This month they even have a special Thanksgiving box for 30 bucks.

In this tight economy, it's not a bad idea to look into this, and try it out.  I did, and I am impressed.  The steaks and chicken and ribs and fish were top quality, and come from reputable companies you see at the grocery store.  The sirloin steak I had was outstanding..

You pay the money about 2 weeks in advance.  This month, I will pay before the 9th, and I pick it up on the 22nd.  Many locations will also accept the EBT Card/Food Stamps, other than that, they usually only take cash.  There are plans to take orders on the internet, but that may be down the road a bit.

They also have a senior box for $28.00 that has 10 meals that a senior can just heat and eat.  Specially prepared for senior citizens who have special dietary needs.

You'll still have to go to your local market for things, but this is a great way to be thrifty and still get a great product.

There is only on pre-requisite to qualify for this wonderful program.  You have to be a person who eats.

Check it out.  Let me know what you think.

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

I think you'll be glad that you did.

I know I am going to get a lot of flack on this, but I really don't care.

When I look back on history, it is apparent that men are better decision makers in a crisis.  It is only when women get involved in crisis decisions that things get mixed up, screwed up, and totally discombobulated.  They do not think clearly, and drive themselves into a frenzy over tiny things.

Yes, there are a very few women who can make some good decisions, but most are whimsical, and base their decisions at the time based upon their emotional makup.

Take Nancy Pelosi for example, and even Hillary Clinton.  I have yet to hear an original idea out of either of them.  They keep talking up the same talking points over and over again, and have NEVER significantly contributed to the well being of the United States.  Nothing in either of their records shows they have an ability to lead.  When pressed with real issues, they go on the attack and fail to give a rational response.

The same is true of women in the workplace.  When you present a women with truth who may be your superior, they go on the attack with no regard for logic or intelligence.

It is very apparent that women are the weaker sex both physically, emotionally, spirtually and intellectually.

The simple truth is that women can't lead.  It's not in their makup.

I was raised in a church that had a more Arminian theology when it comes to salvation.  In addition to that, I had a mother who acquired her theology not from others, but from reading the Bible.  She did not believe you could lose your salvation.

I have wrestled with this topic on occasion, but do not let it consume me.  I really do not believe a person can lose their salvation for one simple reason, and it's found in arguably the most popular single verse in the Bible.  John 3:16,  God loved mankind so much that gave all that he could give in the person of Jesus, His only son, and that whoever believes on Him (Jesus) will not perish but have ETERNAL LIFE.

ETERNAL LIFE.  Think about it for a moment.  What does that mean?

If it is eternal life, then that means FOREVER!

How is it then that some would teach that you can lose your salvation?

The verse does not say TEMPORARY LIFE.

There are a lot of verses that support the idea that there is eternal security in Jesus Christ.

There are some verses that might lead someone to believe they can lose or walk away from God, but I have found they are often taken out of context, or even misconstrued.

At this point, I have to reject the idea of Salvation Lost

I remember as a pre-teen, a preacher came to our church for week long series of services.  We didn't call it a revival.  Well, the preacher ended up staying about 6 weeks, and the series of meetings turned into a REVIVAL in the church, and in the community.  The church did not "plan" to have a revival, just some good preaching from an excellent speaker.

I often see churches put up signs, put up a tent, invite in a special speaker and call it a REVIVAL.  It kind of baffles me.  I look back on my pre-teen experience, and it was not planned.  How is it that some churches think they can PLAN a REVIVAL?

Doesn't REVIVAL start in the hearts of the people, and doesn't it then spread through the community?

What is your take on this?  Can you PLAN a REVIVAL?

I'm quite alive and vibrant.  Do I need a REVIVAL? Or is the term REVIVAL another misused word?

Gone are the days when a church just puts up a sign in front of their building that says "REVIVAL" and people flock to that church to hear what God might have for them.