Take it like a man, and repent

The other day I was perusing my news feeds on my “favorite” social networking site and came across a feed that someone posted about how they were upset with the new vote in the senate for the new health care “reform” bill. My first though is okay; they have a right to be upset. Then I got to thinking about it. Why? Why be upset when we (as a country, and even conservative Christians) are getting what we asked for.

How many times have a run into the average conserve Christian voting for people like the Bushs, Regan or even McCain/Palin. Even people who are calling them selves more conservative like Doug Wilson, Doug Phillips and others have changed their tune from something that once was conservative to something that is neocon. This new healthcare is really just what Mike Huckabee would have voted for. His campaign was characterized by such an agenda. It sickens me to hear all my “conservative” friends buying in to this crap hook line and sinker and than have to listen to them complain when they get something a little more extreme than they asked for. Why are they upset? This is just the natural progression of what they wanted in the first place. More “health care,” more government run education, more wealth redistribution, more stealing, and more state worship (idolatry). I really would like those who supported such candidates to quit whining and take their spanking like men, apologize, and change their ways. Stand up for what’s right for crying out loud. Stand against something even when it’s not popular.

This situation reminds me of ancient Israel. They were seeking after other gods just like we as Americans are. In our case it’s a little more subtle. Our god is the state, the republican party, redistribution of wealth, etc. Regardless it’s idolatry, the very thing that God judged his people for. Why would we expect anything different from God when his people walk away from him and seek after another God? God is a jealous God and loves is people enough to chastise him. This is exactly what we are getting.

Interesting Thought

“Some reject the idea that regenerating grace is irresistible. But nobody objects to the fact that our physical birth was irresistible.”

Doug Wilson’s Twitter

I don’t follow twitter, but this was shared by someone I do follow on Google Reader. It got me thinking. What a wonderful example we have of a spiritual concept illustrated by a common physical picture we all understand. Throughout scripture the concept of physical birth is used to explain to the unbelieving (and believing) this glorious truth.

After a few moments of pondering this I started thinking about the assumptions that went in to this statement and it brought me to this point. Which came first, the regeneration or the salvation? Having previously been an Armenian their argument might go something like this. “I believe that God’s grace is irresistible, but in order for God to give me this grace I must first choose to accept it.” In some sense this argument may lead to this person thinking they believe in one of the points of Calvinism. This is why the assumptions of one’s faith (presuppositions) are vitally important. Throughout the bible it is told of us that there is no one good, no not one. Or, the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Choosing good would be a good thing right? Fundamentally this individual cannot choose something that is good because of their depraved state.

Getting back to the original quote. Digging in to it a little I would like to add the doctrine of election. Election could be considered the spiritual parallel to physical conception (which is also not voluntary on behalf of the one being conceived) and perhaps irresistible grace should be paralleled to physical birth. In a sinless world, one would follow the other. Both election and regenerative grace are independent of the will of the child. This brings another doctrine to mind. If this person was elect before birth, it would follow that this child is considered a member of the family of God before even coming to the cognitive realization of this fact. This opens a whole other topic that I am not equipped to get into at this time, but it’s interesting to see how this one thread starts to unravel the whole coat.

In a sinful world where things change the plans of men constantly, it is comforting to know that if we are spiritually elect there is nothing that is going to stop us from being spiritually born.

I do not wish to detract from or contradict Doug Wilson’s writing in anyway. I welcome comments about my observations, positive or negitive.

July Experimental Photo Shoot - Chicago IL

On Saturday the 18th of July I was invited to go on an experimental photo shoot with David Price of Black Olive Studio. This month's shoot was held in Chicago IL. I didn't want to drive because I didn't know where to park and even if I did find some place to park the fee would be more than I wanted to pay. I discovered a train that went from South Bend IN (about 45 miles from Three Rivers) that would take me right down town to about the place there David and some other friends were going to be shooting.

After barely making my train I made it to Chicago at about 11:00 am. After calling David and finding out their location I managed to meet up with them in short order.

Here are a few shots I took while I was there.

I think this is the first picture I have taken with lens glare.

(I don't know what the technical term is)

I started playing around with just the basic color alterations on my camera.

I think this one turned out well.

My favorite type of photography is spur of the moment.

Anna Price (David's sister)

This is another example of changing the basic settings.

A little more saturation and contrast.

It started to sprinkle, that's why there are a few drops on the lens

A neat picture of the train

Random people waiting for the train.

Slower shutter speed to capture the moving train.

I had a good time hanging out and shooting pictures. Although I took over 400 and only got about 50 that turned out decent, it was still worth it.

Thought's about the Weather

It probably has something to do with "Climate Change."

I am upset that I was deceived (not really, I'm not that stupid) that our globe is getting warmer. It's disappointing because I was looking forward to warmer weather year round. Last month I had to turn on my heater. What's up with that?

My trip to visit my family in IA - Summer 09

This past week and a half I was forced to take a few days of vacation because of a plant shutdown so I decided to take a few more days and make a trip back to visit my family. One of the goals of going back home was also to help my family put a roof on some of the house that desperately needed it. We only did one side because of funding, but the other side seemed to be in a lot better shape. It was steeper and the weather had not done as much damage to it. It should be good for a few more years.

I took the new ride back and had a wonderful (non-eventful) ride. I started back on Thursday June 25. After riding a few hours I stopped in Des Moines and visited a friend, and then continued the rest of the way home.

Before the roof project was underway there was some nice relaxing time with the family. I took a walk down our long lane and took a few pictures of the scenery.

This is me with the new ride at my grandmother's house

Mom letting the chickens out for the afternoon

Me standing next to the not so knee high corn by the forth. It's actually well over my head, but the angle of the camera doesn't depict that very well

A boring picture (part) of our long lane

A scenic picture of a hay field and grain bin

An engineers attempt at art

Joseph watering the cows

This was taken Monday morning when mom put me to work cleaning up the place. Before this picture was taken there was a very large pile of brush and other junk that covered most of where there is no grass. you couldn't see the pile on the left nor the burn barrel. Pile on the right was added to the inside edge of the old pile with other stuff we found to clean up.

The roof project.

The roof Tuesday afternoon... what a mess

What we were tearing off. Two layers of asphalt followed by a layer of cedar and another layer of asphalt. Thanks to Mylidiah for doing the work behind setting this picture up.

Mylidiah working on the roof

Jack helping out

Part of the crew

Joseph

Some of the boards below the valley were rotten and had to be removed

Myndarah cleaning up old shingles

Jack and Joseph working on the new sheeting

Self explanatory

Jordon (nuf said)

Me rebuilding the overhang

Finishing it up. Doesn't it look nice?

Camping "out." There was a chance of rain. Fair weather campers I guess.

Myliasah loading the wagon with the junk.

Thursday we had some help from some friends from church. Pictured above is David Dykstra

Thanks to David and Michael for their help.

Me posing for the camera. Jack in the background with the funny look makes this picture interesting.

I guess the cat caught a mouse and then didn't eat it. Not sure why. We thought it might make a cute picture. My sister "rescued" it. Probably just to be found by another cat at another time.

Look at those muscles ladies (or lack there of)

The final stage begins

Mylicent helping get the tar paper nailed down

Judah helping David with the roof

David

Me getting thing first few rows on

Dad helping out

Looking good folks

The twins

Um, I don't know

Loving brother and sister

Later in the day

Me attempting to weave a valley

y

More shingles please

Judah working on his house

We got most of the roof done before the rain came early Friday morning. I think my family is going to finish it when it dries out.

My trip home was uneventful, which is good. I stopped in the Davenport area to visit a friend from school and finally got home to Three Rivers about 0500 Sunday.

The motorcycle rode well. The transmission seems to be showing it's age a little, but I was told they were kind of "clunky" anyway and they were built like trucks. It's probably just me being paranoid like I usually am about things like this. Who knows, it might last another quarter million miles. While I was home I changed the transmission oil and that seemed to help a little.

Well, that's all I have for now.

Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down. Keep it between the ditches.

Over and out.

The New Addition

As many of you know (or at least those of you who know me well), I have upgraded to a new motorcycle. I liked the K100LT very much, however it had a slight defect. The faring was too close to my knees and made it uncomfortable to ride long distances. This was a common problem for most riders of this model.

After my Georgia trip I decided to start shopping around for a different bike. After looking around for a while I decided that I wanted something RxxxxRT, peferably the newer the better. What I really wanted was a 2005 R1200RT or newer with cruise, but that seemed a little out of my price range. I eventually found an 97 R1100RT at the dealership that I got the K100LT from. I had a good experience with them and after dealing with them on the price and trading in my K100 I ended up trading the K bike with a little extra cash for the R-RT.

Below are a few pictures of the new ride...

BEAUTIFUL!!!

A little more sporty than my last one

It even came with saddle bags and a trunk

Some people have criticized me for posting pictures of it on facebook saying, "you know when a guy really likes his motorcycle when he post pictures of it on facebook."

I do have to admit that I really enjoy this pleasure that God had blessed me with.

New vs. Old....

The new one is more comfortable

Seems to get better gas milage

Runs better at highway speeds

Same peek horsepower, but has slightly more torque at 1000 less RPM (which is always good)

Came with better water resistant saddle bags and trunk

It has a newer design on the drivetrain

Unfortunately it has over 139000 miles on it vs. the 65000 my other one had on it when I traded it in. It runs well and BMWs are know for high milage.

The body is in much better shape

The new one is a two cylinder rather than a four. Inline four cylinders are inherently unbalances and the old one had some bad resonance spots that were kind of annoying

Overall I have enjoy riding it and don't regret the change.

Edit to last post

It seems I took the wrong starting milage in my calculation of total trip miles. The starting odometer reading was 63277 and the final reading was 65615. This gives a total travel distance of 2338. Actually a little further than I thought.