McCain Drives Foreign Cars

I saw this on Jalopnik, an automotive blog I read. Here's what I have to say: "Foreign car companies make better cars. They're better in every way." UPDATE: At Jalopnik there's a video. I just watched it and it says John owns 13 vehicles...only 3 are foreign. Is that the best Obama can do? Moron. 3 out of 13? So 10 then, are American? Really? That's so bad? And McCain has(had) not confirmed a bail out for the American Auto Industry. Cool. Okay, now for the rant I wrote before watching the video. Ford, GM, and Chrysler are all making crap. Wake up people! And there's a $25 billion "bail out" loan for them? Stupid. It's just like the government's plan to bail out the banks. A bank like mine, that made better investments and loans doesn't get money in a bail out plan. Why not? Their good decision making leads to a lack of FREE money like these other banks are going to get. (okay, maybe not free completely but still...) Businesses that don't have a clue about what the consumers want or that do shady business don't deserve money from the taxpayers. Hey, but our government thinks they "represent" us with the decision to bail out all these stupid businesses and their stupid decisions? I don't. I pay taxes. Let the businesses fail. They're too big? Huh? No way. So, more people lose their jobs and wealth. So what. I mean poor working stiffs at the bottom of the food chain, but all the people who are at the top, making the decisions can go live in a cardboard box down by the river (or a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge van down by the river). How about the government spends the money it has, not the money it doesn't. I pay enough taxes and follow enough laws. (Stupid cell phone while driving law...LAME) Let a business stand or fall on the good or bad decisions it makes. This age of entitlement and no accountability is ridiculous. But, now I've started one of my rants. Instead of ripping on the American Auto Industry, I've started talking about all the bailouts the government is doing. I'm just saying, is Rome about to fall? Is the USA making decisions that will eventually lead to no one being responsible for anything, which will eventually lead to the American dream being a history lesson in the next great superpower to form? Okay, I'll stop. stupid jerks in the government, american automotive industry, banking, etc. hey, i want some bail out money. my house is too expensive at my new salary. oh wait, i'm making it work because i'm RESPONSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010 VW GTI

Listen, this car is so awesome. I want one as soon as it comes out. That's it. I just want one.

The Armor of God

The armor of God is one of those "christian summer camp" things that I remember learning from Ephesians 6:13-20. We had to memorize the different pieces of armor and why Paul paired certain piece of armor with the specific attribute of God's strength. We learned that most of these pieces were defensive pieces except the sword which has become synonymous for the Word of God. In a list here are the parts:

Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the Spirit

The interesting thing that I don't remember from this passage is verse 18-20 which continue from the same thought in my Bible's translation. It says, "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplications. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me (Paul), that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I out to speak." Part of the armor to "withstand in the evil day" is prayer; prayers for our needs, for the words to say, for boldness to proclaim the truth of God.

And now I'm out of time. Darn.

Praise God for His Armor, the protection we need from Satan and the evil day.

Be Strong in the Lord, in the Strength of His Might

I actually spoke to a friend yesterday about how I felt like God did hear my cries for help lately. He reminded me that I can't allow feelings to run my life or my relationship with God. I have to rely on truth and knowledge. How true. Feelings are easily affected by situations or circumstances. And Satan would love for us to be easily persuaded to feel like God wasn't listening to our prayers.

Today, I returned to my study in Ephesians and I picked up right where I left off in chapter 6. Verse 10-11 start, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Verse 12 goes on to tell us we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, powers over this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil.

We are fighting something that is so powerful that the Bible calls it the ruler and authority over this present darkness. But we have the strength in the Lord our God. The schemes of the devil can only be thwarted by the strength of our God. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, "For the weapons of out warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete."

Praise God for His Word.
Praise God for the knowledge gained from His Word.

Work As Though It's For God

Ephesians 6:5-9 is quickly summed up by saying, "work hard at your job." I feel like I do that. I've always been known as a hard worker, a good employee. But I think there is a level I don't work at that this passage points to. I work to "please people." I work to please my bosses and the customers. I don't work as a "servant of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord."

We need to be working as though we are working and serving God. Our mind set need to be that we are doing our best for God not man. Work hard. But work for God. Don't work to please man so you can get that raise or promotion. Work to please God and glorify Him with your hard work and great performance.

Praise God for His Leadership.

Game it Up 9!!! Clan 3104 I Found Our Reunion Game

Okay, so Chappy actually found it. It's a FREE FPS. Combat Arms. It is awesome. Check out their website and download the game for free. Seriously, it's amazing. My screen name is "3104JimmyGun" so format accordingly. We need to setup some game nights. Let the Code Red flow and the 3104 Clan destroy all noobs.

iPhone camera sucks.

Proof.

Locked Up. Get Some More Memory

The iPhone has too many bugs still. Let's go Apple.

I Want to be a Good Dad and Son

As a parent and a son, the next section of Ephesians takes on two meanings for me. The relationship of parents and children is a unique picture of our relationship with God. At face value Ephesians 6:1-4 is mainly about the human relationship. Children are to obey and honor their parents. And Fathers are to bring their children up in discipline and instruction of the Lord without provoking them to anger. But there is more.

God makes a promise to us that if we honor our parents we will live long and prosper (Sorry, I worded it that way because I'm a huge Star Trek fan, which I actually watched all the time with my dad). God also instructs fathers to raise their children with discipline in a Godly home. But, this is really a picture of the rewards of being a child of God. By living a life of obedience to God we will understand and live a life of joy and happiness based on the understanding that all we do and go through and experience is for His glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. There is nothing better than obeying God and honoring Him with our lives.

I do want to mention my dad. After all, I mentioned my mom in a past entry and it seems only fair to mention my dad. He is a quiet person; slow to anger and quick to listen. Although my sister and I did make him mad at times and we were disciplined, I NEVER thought he reacted out of anger. I always knew that his discipline was deserved and necessary for the wrong we'd done. I was spanked for things and I had things taken away or suspended, but it was always explained to me in love and patience and concern for my life. My dad raised my sister and I to understand our responsibility as Christians and as adults participating in life. We both still call him for advice and help in times of struggle, and we know he will listen and always turn us back to the Word of God. I actually find it amazing how much of the Bible he knows by memory and understands to explain and apply to any situation. He also set a good example for us in how to glorify God in the things we do. Sometimes I still wish I could be under his rule and guidance more. I often feel I was held more accountable for my actions and I was less likely to make bad choices. I know that he would say God is always watching and the Spirit is guiding, but I do love my parents and the way they brought us up.

Praise God for My Parents.
Praise God our Father.

Husbands, Love Your Wives, as Christ Loved the Church

Again with the commands that seem impossible. Ephesians 5:25-33 is a long discription of how Christ is the ultimate example for husbands in how to love their wives. Not that I don't want to love my wife this much, but I don't think humans have the capacity for the amount of love shown by Christ. Although, I'd say I would die for my wife, I'm not sure it translates the same as the saving sacrifice Christ made for His chosen. How about an easier seen failure as an example...

There are times my wife wants to do something or go somewhere I don't want to. I make "sacrifices" of my own plans to participate in the things she wants. I don't; however, do this without grumbling and complaining. I whine about it; sometimes behind her back to my friends. That is not loving or respectful. That is not the love Christ lavishes on us. But, I'm commanded to love my wife.

Christ (God's Son, God as man) came to earth, lowering himself to the level of a man, releasing some of his Godly powers and abilities, to save men from sin. He was mocked, beaten, and killed on a cross for us. That is love. That is sacrifice for His bride. What are we as husbands doing to sanctify, cleanse, and prepare our wives to be presented before God in all His glory? That is love. Christ prepares us for presentation before the mighty God. We must do the same for our wives.

Praise God for Him Example.
Praise God for His Love.
Praise God for my wife.

Pepsi vs. Coke Follow-up

I think I said something about the U.S. Bank internal poll on Pepsi vs. Coke. Well here is the graph from the internal website.

Remember This?

I just saw this again, and I had to re-post it for all my readers.

ALERT!!!!! Virus Warning for MySpace Users.

I was using the new browser from Google called Chrome. I was checking my Gmail and saw a myspace friend request. I clicked to view the profile and was taken to myspace.com. Suddenly my Norton anti-virus detected and blocked 2 viruses. Here is a screen shoot of the warning of the blocked viruses: At first I was writing this to users of the new browser but then I decided to try the link again in Firefox. The same fake Windows "Automatic Update" window showed up over the website. Notice it is faded a little. DON'T click on this if you go to the link. I wouldn't normally, but it popped up right as I clicked. MySpace SUX!!!!!!!!!!! I don't even use it but thought I'd try this friend request to see how Chrome handled it. Well, a virus is how it handled it. Watch out MySpacers. Actually, it's such a horrible website, I hope all myspace users get viruses. HAHA. That's just mean.

Head of the House...Too Much for Me

Well, I almost skipped these next verses, not wanting to be considered a sexist or a womanizer. But hey, its in the Bible so it's important. Ephesians 5:22-24 tells wives to "submit to your husbands, as to the Lord." Now if the passage ended there, men could really take advantage of this passage. But it doesn't.

Verse 23 says, "For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, the body, and is himself its Savior." As a husband I look at my role from the perspective of this verse. I'm to lead by the example of Christ. Christ came to earth, lived a perfect sinless life, glorified God as His sole purpose, and then died for sinners. So as a husband I'm to live a life without sin, glorifying God in all I do, and sacrifice even my life to help my wife. Sounds like too hard a job for me alone.

As the wife submits to the husband, like the church submits to Christ, she should be willing and understanding of the importance of that duty. I remember my mom saying once that it was easier for her to submit and follow my dad's decisions because she knew that it was how God designed, and God would protect the decisions they made if they were done according to God's design. She also took comfort in knowing if the decision was not the appropriate one, God would still bless her life for submitting to my dad. Ultimately, my mom and dad worked together to make the decisions in my family but my mom was such a respectful woman. And even when my dad did things she did not agree with, there was NEVER a fight or loud argument. She knew the decision would be blessed by God if she submitted to God's will and under the authority given to my father as the husband.

I hope that in my marriage, Lisa and I can work together on everything. I am overwhelmed by the responsibility God gives to the husband. I pray that I lead my family by example. I want them to see a man who's number one desire is to glorify God in everything I do. I pray that out of that desire stems a life without sin and a love for people and a desire to fulfill my responsibility to spread the good news of God's gift of grace.

Praise God for His Son, the ultimate example of a leader.