I woke to the news that our President is once again touting his spending record as the "lowest of any administration." I've done a blog or two on the intellectual dishonesty of these types of statements, because frankly it flat ticks me off. If we are being lied to about something as cut and dried as budgetary numbers, what else is the government deceiving the public about?
In July of 2011, less than a year ago, Congress made a deal to raise the debt ceiling 2 trillion dollars. That's trillion...$2,000,000,000,000.00. As of right now the government has spent $1.2 trillion of that in deficit spending. That's not just spending, that spending money above and beyond what we have to spend. It's projected and backed up by cries from this administration to increase the debt ceiling once again, that the $2 trillion in additional debt will be spent prior to the end of 2012. Now how does any individual stand before another and proclaim they are the most frugal spender in history with that fact blaring the public in the face? Washington and our current President have spent above and beyond the country's means and additional 2 trillion dollars in a projected 16 month period.
You can play percentage games with numbers all you want. You can blame the previous administration till the cows come home, but you cannot justify spending above and beyond your means $2 trillion in 16 months. Remember that's not just spending, that's above and beyond tax revenues. It's borrowed money! Do they really think this country's voting population is that naive? Honestly if it is, we're goners!
I did a little of my own math and if the current deficit spending rate continues, by the end of the next Presidential term we will have overspent another 6 trillion dollars. That's $6,000,000,000,000.00 in borrowed money, debt! How long can we remain a solvent, independent nation at that rate?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Community Discussion Groups!
have to tout our newest endeavor The Mental Fitness Challenge Discussion Group. Last night we all assembled and watched the video, then shared our thoughts as suggested in the discussion guide. What a great example of the power of association! Everyone invited had such great input and you could just feel the group stretching it's capabilities as we studied the character topic. A great time was had by all, and frankly, I won't be surprised to see the group grow and prosper!
Another great aspect brought about by the gathering of that small community is the bonding and forming of relationships. I'm certain we all feel just a bit closer to each other after sharing our personal feelings, trials, and tribulations. It was magical to see how the evening progressed, and I can hardly wait to see how many friends they all invite back in two weeks. The power of a community, when applied in a like minded manner, with proper goals and principled thinking is a staggering force! I can see this becoming very, very popular in a extremely short period of time.
Finally, what took so long? We've had historical examples of how small groups of like minded people have altered the course of events right in front of us all along. It took the genius of Orrin Woodward and the rest of the founders of LIFE to ignite a flame that has been dormant way too long. The recent examples of how this works could be called the tale of two extremes. The Tea Party movement was exactly the same type of community gathering, joining like minded people with principled thinking and like minded goals. They were the success story side of this type of movement. The Occupy Wall Street crowd is another example, basically a failed model. There is no principled thinking, nor do they have their goals aligned, or even defined. It's community with chaos! They've gone from uniting a community to just an angry, sloppy run mob. The difference in thinking defines the difference, and the results. But then most of the movement is based on thinking that falls outside what one might call success principles. So there you have examples and results from polar opposites of community building. I think they speak well enough for themselves!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Another great aspect brought about by the gathering of that small community is the bonding and forming of relationships. I'm certain we all feel just a bit closer to each other after sharing our personal feelings, trials, and tribulations. It was magical to see how the evening progressed, and I can hardly wait to see how many friends they all invite back in two weeks. The power of a community, when applied in a like minded manner, with proper goals and principled thinking is a staggering force! I can see this becoming very, very popular in a extremely short period of time.
Finally, what took so long? We've had historical examples of how small groups of like minded people have altered the course of events right in front of us all along. It took the genius of Orrin Woodward and the rest of the founders of LIFE to ignite a flame that has been dormant way too long. The recent examples of how this works could be called the tale of two extremes. The Tea Party movement was exactly the same type of community gathering, joining like minded people with principled thinking and like minded goals. They were the success story side of this type of movement. The Occupy Wall Street crowd is another example, basically a failed model. There is no principled thinking, nor do they have their goals aligned, or even defined. It's community with chaos! They've gone from uniting a community to just an angry, sloppy run mob. The difference in thinking defines the difference, and the results. But then most of the movement is based on thinking that falls outside what one might call success principles. So there you have examples and results from polar opposites of community building. I think they speak well enough for themselves!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Eradicate The Loser Mindset!
The thought process of a loser is a delicate balance of victim and complainer. A great example is when you hear another protest about success; success that isn't theirs. They, that committee who has something to say about everything, are quick to point out that success was the result of taking advantage of others. This immediately moves them to the victim side of the fence, applying a handy excuse for their nonperformance! "They" are above using other people to rise from mediocrity.
What "they" miss is that a rising tide lifts all ships. If an athlete has an outstanding performance, it's not at the expense of his teammates. The victory is a shared event they all participate in! If a business or individual makes obscene profits, it's not because the business held a gun to the consumer's head, it's due to their ability to provide a good or service that the public was willing to pay for, and the market allowed that pricing. Both are examples of a win/win principle, yet a loser will define this exceptionalism as abuse.
Just why is that? Well in the world of the selfish that victory belonged to them. So it's mandatory to find an excuse to rationalize a lack of success. Rather than celebrate the victory, they nitpick the performance. It's how a loser maintains their sanity. After all sitting on the couch watching TV and munching potato chips should be considered success. It's easier to complain than to perform. That's exactly why only a limited number of people or businesses rise to the top. And thank God they do! What would others do if they had nothing to aspire to? Suppose there were no role models like the loser proposes? Talk about a dull life, even the loser would have nothing to occupy their time like complaining about others.
When someone you meet goes into victim mode, do them a favor and fix that! Let's stop this infection of envy and lack of achievement. Give it a dose of encouragement and point those whiners on the path to success. Let's make the abundance shift to the side of the performers, and diminish the loser population. That's what originally made this country great!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
What "they" miss is that a rising tide lifts all ships. If an athlete has an outstanding performance, it's not at the expense of his teammates. The victory is a shared event they all participate in! If a business or individual makes obscene profits, it's not because the business held a gun to the consumer's head, it's due to their ability to provide a good or service that the public was willing to pay for, and the market allowed that pricing. Both are examples of a win/win principle, yet a loser will define this exceptionalism as abuse.
Just why is that? Well in the world of the selfish that victory belonged to them. So it's mandatory to find an excuse to rationalize a lack of success. Rather than celebrate the victory, they nitpick the performance. It's how a loser maintains their sanity. After all sitting on the couch watching TV and munching potato chips should be considered success. It's easier to complain than to perform. That's exactly why only a limited number of people or businesses rise to the top. And thank God they do! What would others do if they had nothing to aspire to? Suppose there were no role models like the loser proposes? Talk about a dull life, even the loser would have nothing to occupy their time like complaining about others.
When someone you meet goes into victim mode, do them a favor and fix that! Let's stop this infection of envy and lack of achievement. Give it a dose of encouragement and point those whiners on the path to success. Let's make the abundance shift to the side of the performers, and diminish the loser population. That's what originally made this country great!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memories Of Our Heroes!
There is no greater gift than for a fellow human being to lay down his life for another. That individual sacrifices the gift God himself bestowed upon them for the benefit of their fellow man. This is the act of selflessness we honor today. Included in our remembrance today should be those who also sustained injury. While their service to mankind wasn't ended on the battlefield, they carry the reminder of conflict through the rest of their days.
I vividly remember as a young man joining my grandparents at the Veteran's Hospital every year, serving hot dogs during their annual fair. I don't think the trauma I saw, both mental and physical, could be present in any other venue. We were in the heat of the Vietnam war, so many were just teens and early twenties, but just as many were older men having served in probably the Korean War. I'll never forget a older man hunkering down as if in a fox hole, curling up in a tight compacted ball, and efficiently covering the flame created by the match he struck to light his cigarette. The action was taken so to conceal his position so the enemy snipers couldn't target him as he enjoyed his addiction. Although he was safely within the borders of the freest nation on earth, far from the horrors of war, his mind was still in the battle. He'd never left the conflict that took his mind.
Another memory that haunts me to this day was, due to dietary concerns, having to tell some of the heroes in line that I couldn't serve them a hot dog. If they wore a blue tag it was a sign that the doctors had restricted what they could eat. Funny, these brave men had faced unfathomable horrors and dangers most of us will never know, and they had to worry about a hot dog doing them in. Some of them actually had tears in their eyes when told that hot dogs weren't on their menu that day. Thank God, orderlies were there to help explain and comfort these titans of war, as that task was far beyond my youthful reach. After all the pain these heroes had endured, the last thing I wanted to do was add to their misery.
Looking back I'm thankful I got to volunteer to serve the men that served me so faithfully. It gives me special pause on this day of remembrance, an appreciation I never would have had without the experience. I know there is a special place in Heaven for these angels who fought so we can enjoy our freedom. Please protect their sacrifice by protecting your freedom and the rights our forefathers realized for us. To pervert or to compromise what these brave men and women fought so valiantly for would be an injustice to their honor.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
I vividly remember as a young man joining my grandparents at the Veteran's Hospital every year, serving hot dogs during their annual fair. I don't think the trauma I saw, both mental and physical, could be present in any other venue. We were in the heat of the Vietnam war, so many were just teens and early twenties, but just as many were older men having served in probably the Korean War. I'll never forget a older man hunkering down as if in a fox hole, curling up in a tight compacted ball, and efficiently covering the flame created by the match he struck to light his cigarette. The action was taken so to conceal his position so the enemy snipers couldn't target him as he enjoyed his addiction. Although he was safely within the borders of the freest nation on earth, far from the horrors of war, his mind was still in the battle. He'd never left the conflict that took his mind.
Another memory that haunts me to this day was, due to dietary concerns, having to tell some of the heroes in line that I couldn't serve them a hot dog. If they wore a blue tag it was a sign that the doctors had restricted what they could eat. Funny, these brave men had faced unfathomable horrors and dangers most of us will never know, and they had to worry about a hot dog doing them in. Some of them actually had tears in their eyes when told that hot dogs weren't on their menu that day. Thank God, orderlies were there to help explain and comfort these titans of war, as that task was far beyond my youthful reach. After all the pain these heroes had endured, the last thing I wanted to do was add to their misery.
Looking back I'm thankful I got to volunteer to serve the men that served me so faithfully. It gives me special pause on this day of remembrance, an appreciation I never would have had without the experience. I know there is a special place in Heaven for these angels who fought so we can enjoy our freedom. Please protect their sacrifice by protecting your freedom and the rights our forefathers realized for us. To pervert or to compromise what these brave men and women fought so valiantly for would be an injustice to their honor.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Add This Up!
Just a couple of quick things on my mind spurred on by recent news reports. The Obama administration has been trying to convince the illiterate of America that he's been the most frugal president since sliced bread was invented. Now I've said time and time again that our school program has intentionally created math impaired graduates and this is exactly the reason why. They feed us this intellectually dishonest hooey and an astounding percentage of America buys it. When it comes to statistics, Orrin Woodward has always told me that "figures never lie," but he completes that observation with, "liars sure can figure though."
So let's say I told you that I'd kept my percentage of overspending lower than my predecessor. I back that up by saying I've only increased our debt by say, 8%, just for argument sake. I quickly point out that the man who previously held my position increased deficit spending by 10%. Who's bill would you rather pay?
Of course it's a trick question, my predecessor had 9 trillion dollars in debt and to increase it 10% would mean he overspent $900,000,000,000, or 900 billion dollars. My current debt is 16 trillion dollars so if I increase my deficit spending a mere 8% it's $1,200,000,000,000, or 1.2 trillion. While the 8% overrun sounds better, I'd sure rather pay off $900 billion, than $1.2 trillion. Obviously neither is desirable, but there is an actual $300 billion dollar increase by the 8% guy. This isn't the only accounting trick they use to pull the wool over the public's eyes, but it is a great example of how we are being misled. Aren't we suppose to put our full faith and trust in our government? If you do, I'm afraid your a fool. The next time your fed the line that deficit spending is down, your warning bells will go off. They are talking percentages, not dollars.
My next ramble is about the space program. All my life, since President Kennedy challenged America to place a man on the moon in the next decade, I've been led to believe that without the government funding the process, it would be scrapped. Low and behold after government funding is cut, private enterprise steps up and continues to service the space station. There is life after government funding! Kudos to the private sector for showing us that we do best what we do for ourselves. Now if we could just apply that to education.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
So let's say I told you that I'd kept my percentage of overspending lower than my predecessor. I back that up by saying I've only increased our debt by say, 8%, just for argument sake. I quickly point out that the man who previously held my position increased deficit spending by 10%. Who's bill would you rather pay?
Of course it's a trick question, my predecessor had 9 trillion dollars in debt and to increase it 10% would mean he overspent $900,000,000,000, or 900 billion dollars. My current debt is 16 trillion dollars so if I increase my deficit spending a mere 8% it's $1,200,000,000,000, or 1.2 trillion. While the 8% overrun sounds better, I'd sure rather pay off $900 billion, than $1.2 trillion. Obviously neither is desirable, but there is an actual $300 billion dollar increase by the 8% guy. This isn't the only accounting trick they use to pull the wool over the public's eyes, but it is a great example of how we are being misled. Aren't we suppose to put our full faith and trust in our government? If you do, I'm afraid your a fool. The next time your fed the line that deficit spending is down, your warning bells will go off. They are talking percentages, not dollars.
My next ramble is about the space program. All my life, since President Kennedy challenged America to place a man on the moon in the next decade, I've been led to believe that without the government funding the process, it would be scrapped. Low and behold after government funding is cut, private enterprise steps up and continues to service the space station. There is life after government funding! Kudos to the private sector for showing us that we do best what we do for ourselves. Now if we could just apply that to education.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, May 25, 2012
The Power Of A Dream!
I found my mind wandering yesterday, (which is code for I was doing a meaningless task that couldn't hold my attention), straying back to the days of elementary school. Fifth grade to be exact, Sister Regina's class. Now you have to understand the challenges of a fifth grade teacher, even in a parochial school. The boys are just beginning to think about girls, it was the 60's so times were a bit unstable, the music that influenced us had overtones of rebellion, and we had little to no maturity. Sister Regina had her work cut out for her for sure. I think the school also realized what a tumultuous time this was as well, as they had our classroom removed from the school building to the basement of the church. Set apart from all the other children, we could experience our growing challenges without influencing the rest of the student body.
Well despite these obvious challenges, Sister Regina managed to reach us. She certainly was heaven sent, as most of our Nuns to date had little or no patience for anything but diligent study. Anything outside the assigned task was completely forboden! We had no room to dream or stretch our imagination, we had reading, writing, math, phonics, and religion to learn. There was absolutely no time for nonsense. This is where Sister Regina had a different tack. While she was no pushover, she read to us and encouraged our adventurous spirits. We read Call of the Wild, Ole Yeller, and countless classics that held our attention because the story plots involved adventure. Trust me this was miles departed from our previous curriculum. She allowed us to dream and use out imaginations, in fact she encouraged it!
Now Sister Regina had a love of science, and a hint of discipline. This was evident by her punishment structure for those who chose to disrupt the class. We were assigned to write the glossary in the back of the science book, as punishment for behavior she disapproved of. Sadly, I can still to this day recite that glossary from memory, as copying it appeared to be one of my favorite pass times. She also had a two by four she named "The Board of Education" which was used strictly for discouragement of extremely bad behavior. Sadly, it's demise was met while crossing my backside as it's grain was not as strong as Sister Regina's home run swing, nor my rock hard will. In spite of our discipline challenges, I survived fifth grade, grew from it, and now in my more mature years, appreciated it.
Sister Regina had an impact, and I don't mean her disciplinary measures. As young men encouraged to dream by her influence, we had some audacious plans. We designed and began construction on a raft we were going to set sail upon, to live out the adventures we had dreamed in our minds. We all had a purpose on this grand trip, because we had imagined it down to the last detail; and although the trip never came to fruition, it gave us purpose and direction. As part of that crew, who do you think the last person we could have, or would have invited to join our dream trip would be? Well you might be surprised to learn we had included Sister Regina in our adventure, as she was invited to share and she never discouraged our dream. Looking back it seems a little out of place for twelve year old boys to want their disciplinarian type teacher, dressed in a habit, to join them on their grand adventure; but for some reason it just seemed mandatory that the person who inspired us to dream be included on the voyage. There in lies the reason we should inspire others to dream, and build on those goals!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Well despite these obvious challenges, Sister Regina managed to reach us. She certainly was heaven sent, as most of our Nuns to date had little or no patience for anything but diligent study. Anything outside the assigned task was completely forboden! We had no room to dream or stretch our imagination, we had reading, writing, math, phonics, and religion to learn. There was absolutely no time for nonsense. This is where Sister Regina had a different tack. While she was no pushover, she read to us and encouraged our adventurous spirits. We read Call of the Wild, Ole Yeller, and countless classics that held our attention because the story plots involved adventure. Trust me this was miles departed from our previous curriculum. She allowed us to dream and use out imaginations, in fact she encouraged it!
Now Sister Regina had a love of science, and a hint of discipline. This was evident by her punishment structure for those who chose to disrupt the class. We were assigned to write the glossary in the back of the science book, as punishment for behavior she disapproved of. Sadly, I can still to this day recite that glossary from memory, as copying it appeared to be one of my favorite pass times. She also had a two by four she named "The Board of Education" which was used strictly for discouragement of extremely bad behavior. Sadly, it's demise was met while crossing my backside as it's grain was not as strong as Sister Regina's home run swing, nor my rock hard will. In spite of our discipline challenges, I survived fifth grade, grew from it, and now in my more mature years, appreciated it.
Sister Regina had an impact, and I don't mean her disciplinary measures. As young men encouraged to dream by her influence, we had some audacious plans. We designed and began construction on a raft we were going to set sail upon, to live out the adventures we had dreamed in our minds. We all had a purpose on this grand trip, because we had imagined it down to the last detail; and although the trip never came to fruition, it gave us purpose and direction. As part of that crew, who do you think the last person we could have, or would have invited to join our dream trip would be? Well you might be surprised to learn we had included Sister Regina in our adventure, as she was invited to share and she never discouraged our dream. Looking back it seems a little out of place for twelve year old boys to want their disciplinarian type teacher, dressed in a habit, to join them on their grand adventure; but for some reason it just seemed mandatory that the person who inspired us to dream be included on the voyage. There in lies the reason we should inspire others to dream, and build on those goals!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, May 24, 2012
On The Shady Side!
Okay so my mind was wandering this morning as the dog and I took our predawn stroll. For some reason the plight of the paper industry crossed my mind. This absolutely has to be in decline! We no longer write letters; they are replace by electronic communication, and back in the day that had to kill some trees! A great deal of our billing is paid by electronic means, so there are no paper bills or checks being written. Newspapers and magazines are all but extinct, again replaced by other sources of media. And books are being digitally downloaded, so they are paperless as well. The only thing that currently threatens the extinction of trees, and keeps the paper companies in business, are the massive printed bills in Congress like The Affordable Healthcare Act. I can't help but wonder how many forests were devastated to manufacture copies of that behemoth!
This has to have an affect on the deforestation of the world and the prosperity of the paper mills that used to provide for all our paper needs. Heck even paper towels are downsized and more absorbent. Frankly the only irreplaceable product the paper companies make anymore is toilet paper! Your never going to replace that with a digital model! At least not without some major technological breakthrough. I can't see them downsizing that product either, so the paper industry does have one mainstay left.
Now all these extra trees are bound to have an affect on the environment. There will be more shade and greater habitat for animals. The conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen should increase ergo the climate change people will have less to fret about. Now if they could just find a way to downsize the hot air emitted by politicians........
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
This has to have an affect on the deforestation of the world and the prosperity of the paper mills that used to provide for all our paper needs. Heck even paper towels are downsized and more absorbent. Frankly the only irreplaceable product the paper companies make anymore is toilet paper! Your never going to replace that with a digital model! At least not without some major technological breakthrough. I can't see them downsizing that product either, so the paper industry does have one mainstay left.
Now all these extra trees are bound to have an affect on the environment. There will be more shade and greater habitat for animals. The conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen should increase ergo the climate change people will have less to fret about. Now if they could just find a way to downsize the hot air emitted by politicians........
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Honestly!
One of the most distasteful acts of the political process is the act of distorting the truth. The process of running for any office is basically a relationship between the voter and the candidate. One should feel comfortable when casting their vote for someone they are empowering with a leadership position. The easiest way to damage a relationship, any relationship, is to distort or withhold the truth. Yet it seems like that issue has become an acceptable part of politics. I really don't understand why a candidate or elected official would think that a voter would entrust them with the responsibility of office when they are intellectually dishonest with the voting public. Could it be that they feel the voters are that misinformed, or that easily deceived?
How does one keep a straight face and announce to the public skewed unemployment numbers? How does one denounce another candidate's record while knowing the actions they are renouncing them for occurred while that individual was no longer involved with the company in question? How does one claim job growth knowing that they neglected to include job loss during that same period? I mean really, to claim that you created 10 bazillion jobs when you neglect to mention that 12 bazillion people lost their jobs during the same period of time is intellectually dishonest. Yet politicians seem to think they get away with this foolishness. Do they really think we are so undereducated that we can't tell the difference between net and gross? Maybe I'm self deceived, but that's not complicated math, especially when a great deal of America is out of work. To claim lower unemployment numbers because you juggled the amount of people in the work force isn't making the unemployed worker feel any better about our economy, or their own personal situation. We have a sense of reality. Then there are candidates who claim to be anti government spending, yet their record reflects they place pork projects in bills, promote the passage of the bills, then once the passage is assured vote nay as if that absolves them of increased government spending. The whole process is distasteful for anyone who yearns for truth in leadership.
Have we evolved to a society where leadership cannot stand on their record? Is it possible to admit to the public that perhaps as a politician your human and thereby capable of making a mistake or two? How difficult is it to confess a policy didn't work, but in the failure process something was learned to move us forward in the right direction? Rather, we get buffaloed with smoke and mirrors, denial, and deception. It's as if leadership has been hijacked by "not me" and "I don't know!" How does one expect to defend the truth when it's absent from their life?
America yearns for leadership that accepts responsibility, admits failure, exudes character, and integrity. Without it we are adrift on a sea of dung, and quite frankly it stinks! I wouldn't allow the current crop of politicians the responsibility of watching my dog, let alone running this great nation. What we accept, we cannot change. Why is it we have to hold our nose when we pull the voting lever? Could the finger be pointed toward the moral decline of our society?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
How does one keep a straight face and announce to the public skewed unemployment numbers? How does one denounce another candidate's record while knowing the actions they are renouncing them for occurred while that individual was no longer involved with the company in question? How does one claim job growth knowing that they neglected to include job loss during that same period? I mean really, to claim that you created 10 bazillion jobs when you neglect to mention that 12 bazillion people lost their jobs during the same period of time is intellectually dishonest. Yet politicians seem to think they get away with this foolishness. Do they really think we are so undereducated that we can't tell the difference between net and gross? Maybe I'm self deceived, but that's not complicated math, especially when a great deal of America is out of work. To claim lower unemployment numbers because you juggled the amount of people in the work force isn't making the unemployed worker feel any better about our economy, or their own personal situation. We have a sense of reality. Then there are candidates who claim to be anti government spending, yet their record reflects they place pork projects in bills, promote the passage of the bills, then once the passage is assured vote nay as if that absolves them of increased government spending. The whole process is distasteful for anyone who yearns for truth in leadership.
Have we evolved to a society where leadership cannot stand on their record? Is it possible to admit to the public that perhaps as a politician your human and thereby capable of making a mistake or two? How difficult is it to confess a policy didn't work, but in the failure process something was learned to move us forward in the right direction? Rather, we get buffaloed with smoke and mirrors, denial, and deception. It's as if leadership has been hijacked by "not me" and "I don't know!" How does one expect to defend the truth when it's absent from their life?
America yearns for leadership that accepts responsibility, admits failure, exudes character, and integrity. Without it we are adrift on a sea of dung, and quite frankly it stinks! I wouldn't allow the current crop of politicians the responsibility of watching my dog, let alone running this great nation. What we accept, we cannot change. Why is it we have to hold our nose when we pull the voting lever? Could the finger be pointed toward the moral decline of our society?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Does This Make Sense?
A few days ago an announcement was made in the news that minority births had, for the first time, exceeded those of the majority white population. The report was just kind of filed in the ole memory banks as it really didn't sink in at the time. I vaguely remember a prediction when we were growing up that at some point the entire earth would become a race of darker skinned people, because of interracial breeding, so actually the report had little impact at the time. Then I was walking the dog this morning at 0 dark thirty, and I came upon a family of young raccoons, and for whatever reason it hit me......
Had this report been made about a species other than ourselves, say the yellow bellied whatchamacallit, it would have struck terror in every naturalist heart. First a breeding pair would have been captured to preserve the specie. Then habitats would become protected and restricted areas. Industries would have been shut down for fear they might lead to the extinction of this endangered specie. Pita, the EPA, The Natural Wildlife Federation, The Sierra Club, and who knows what other organizations would have been called into action to help preserve this innocent creature from extinction. Why aren't we as concerned about a specie of the human race?
The news today is filled with how the Catholic church and other institutions are suing the Obama administration because they don't feel comfortable providing birth control and abortion procedures as mandated by the new health care edict. A great deal of the population turns their noses up at this legal action, yet will support the preservation of habitat for an endangered member of the rest of the animal kingdom. Where is the logic in that? It's been said that to preserve a race every woman has to reproduce 2.1 offspring just to maintain the population. Which makes sense as the 2 replaces her and her breeding partner, and the .1 is an allowance for those who don't reproduce or death prior to reaching breeding age. But here we are locked in a battle called the "war on women" involving contraception and abortion rights, when a race of humans are reportedly in a decline. Let's add the social acceptance of a same sex relationship how that affects the decline in population. It all just seems to be a misdirection of concern. Shouldn't we preserve the human specie with as much vigor as we assign the rest of the animal kingdom?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Had this report been made about a species other than ourselves, say the yellow bellied whatchamacallit, it would have struck terror in every naturalist heart. First a breeding pair would have been captured to preserve the specie. Then habitats would become protected and restricted areas. Industries would have been shut down for fear they might lead to the extinction of this endangered specie. Pita, the EPA, The Natural Wildlife Federation, The Sierra Club, and who knows what other organizations would have been called into action to help preserve this innocent creature from extinction. Why aren't we as concerned about a specie of the human race?
The news today is filled with how the Catholic church and other institutions are suing the Obama administration because they don't feel comfortable providing birth control and abortion procedures as mandated by the new health care edict. A great deal of the population turns their noses up at this legal action, yet will support the preservation of habitat for an endangered member of the rest of the animal kingdom. Where is the logic in that? It's been said that to preserve a race every woman has to reproduce 2.1 offspring just to maintain the population. Which makes sense as the 2 replaces her and her breeding partner, and the .1 is an allowance for those who don't reproduce or death prior to reaching breeding age. But here we are locked in a battle called the "war on women" involving contraception and abortion rights, when a race of humans are reportedly in a decline. Let's add the social acceptance of a same sex relationship how that affects the decline in population. It all just seems to be a misdirection of concern. Shouldn't we preserve the human specie with as much vigor as we assign the rest of the animal kingdom?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, May 21, 2012
WWJD?
I found posted on my Facebook account some propaganda distributed by an organization call the "Christian Left." Somehow they were trying to justify their political position by inserting the mantra WWJD, (What would Jesus do?). For instance they noted that Jesus forgave a woman caught in adultery, and suggested that we do exactly the same thing, with the air that because Jesus condoned it, it's acceptable. What they forgot is the part of the parable where Jesus says, "Go and sin no more."-John 8;1-11
The propaganda continues with how Jesus cared for the poor, implying that the left's theft of tax dollars to fund government programs is somehow related. Jesus never took from one individual to give to another, and he suggested we, of free will, do our own acts of charity. You see the left has arrived at the conclusion that reaching into your pocket to dole out money is an act of their charity. It's quite a perversion of the message, and quite frankly, the reason we need to know exactly what the message is. It only takes a lack of understanding, and a slight bending of the intended meaning of the facts, to distort the truth into a political weapon. One it was never intended to be.
A sneak attack on the church is inserted on the very last line of the first paragraph. "He prayed alone." The implication here is that faith is something to be kept in the closet and not publicly displayed. Pandering for votes from those who abhor freedom of religion?
I think you can see where this whole thing was intended to go. It's an attempt by the left to justify their actions by assaulting the truth with falsehoods, edified by a Ph.D signature. The propaganda is void of logic, and full of half truth, but then isn't that Satan's allies?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS If you'd like to read the original.... http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=398907240131419&set=a.111187555570057.11714.109200595768753&type=1&theater
The propaganda continues with how Jesus cared for the poor, implying that the left's theft of tax dollars to fund government programs is somehow related. Jesus never took from one individual to give to another, and he suggested we, of free will, do our own acts of charity. You see the left has arrived at the conclusion that reaching into your pocket to dole out money is an act of their charity. It's quite a perversion of the message, and quite frankly, the reason we need to know exactly what the message is. It only takes a lack of understanding, and a slight bending of the intended meaning of the facts, to distort the truth into a political weapon. One it was never intended to be.
A sneak attack on the church is inserted on the very last line of the first paragraph. "He prayed alone." The implication here is that faith is something to be kept in the closet and not publicly displayed. Pandering for votes from those who abhor freedom of religion?
I think you can see where this whole thing was intended to go. It's an attempt by the left to justify their actions by assaulting the truth with falsehoods, edified by a Ph.D signature. The propaganda is void of logic, and full of half truth, but then isn't that Satan's allies?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS If you'd like to read the original.... http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=398907240131419&set=a.111187555570057.11714.109200595768753&type=1&theater
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Where Does Logic Come From?
Often times we find that great thinkers disagree on fundamental issues. Have you ever wondered why? We are all prone to logical errors! We were given the capacity to reason, but are far from perfect in our reasoning ability. We've been known to make illegitimate inferences and commit errors that violate the laws of logic. These are most commonly noted in political or religious debates.
Empirical errors is one of the reasons for off base opinions.
Everyone of us is limited in the scope of our experience and perspective. No one has been capable of surveying all of the data needed to come to a logical conclusion; ergo we take shortcuts and arrogantly make assumptions based on our senses. The limitations of our sense perception adds greatly to making mistakes. Perception is not always reality! A great example is when we go to a doctor for a second opinion.
We will make errors of interpretation as a result of clouded thinking.
Sometimes we allow ourselves to be bias against the data, because it doesn't align with our world view. This is why it's critical to know what we believe, and be able to defend why we believe it. Where are your opinions formed? Are they based on the studies of classical literature, and the experiences of the great scholars who've written in history, or are they parroted regurgitation, mindlessly blathered without substance?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Empirical errors is one of the reasons for off base opinions.
Everyone of us is limited in the scope of our experience and perspective. No one has been capable of surveying all of the data needed to come to a logical conclusion; ergo we take shortcuts and arrogantly make assumptions based on our senses. The limitations of our sense perception adds greatly to making mistakes. Perception is not always reality! A great example is when we go to a doctor for a second opinion.
We will make errors of interpretation as a result of clouded thinking.
Sometimes we allow ourselves to be bias against the data, because it doesn't align with our world view. This is why it's critical to know what we believe, and be able to defend why we believe it. Where are your opinions formed? Are they based on the studies of classical literature, and the experiences of the great scholars who've written in history, or are they parroted regurgitation, mindlessly blathered without substance?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, May 19, 2012
It's Not Just Here!
A Contaminated Moral Environment!
"My dear fellow citizens, for forty years you have heard from my predecessors on this day in different variations of the same theme: how our country flourished, how many millions of tons of steel we produced, how happy we all were...
I assume you did not propose me for this office so that I, too, would lie to you...Our country is not flourishing....
But all this is still not the main problem. The worse thing is that we live in a contaminated moral environment. We fell morally ill because we became used to saying something different from what we thought. We learned not to believe anything, to ignore each other, to care only about ourselves....
If we realize this, then all the horrors that the new Czechoslovak democracy inherited will cease to be so terrible. If we realize this, hope will return to our hearts....."
Vaclav Havel 1/1/90 The freely elected president of Czechoslovakia
Apparently moral decline is not exclusive to the United States Of America. Yet in spite of the history fore warning us of the inevitable outcome associated with ignoring principles and ethics, we still move ever forward toward our demise. We would do well to look for leadership in our country that understands this problem, and offers solutions to redirect our prodigal path. This begins at the smallest level of government. From dog catcher to president, character and integrity should rule the day. Without these attributes in our leaders, it should be no surprise when we find ourselves being misled.You can't grow roses when you plant ragweed!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"My dear fellow citizens, for forty years you have heard from my predecessors on this day in different variations of the same theme: how our country flourished, how many millions of tons of steel we produced, how happy we all were...
I assume you did not propose me for this office so that I, too, would lie to you...Our country is not flourishing....
But all this is still not the main problem. The worse thing is that we live in a contaminated moral environment. We fell morally ill because we became used to saying something different from what we thought. We learned not to believe anything, to ignore each other, to care only about ourselves....
If we realize this, then all the horrors that the new Czechoslovak democracy inherited will cease to be so terrible. If we realize this, hope will return to our hearts....."
Vaclav Havel 1/1/90 The freely elected president of Czechoslovakia
Apparently moral decline is not exclusive to the United States Of America. Yet in spite of the history fore warning us of the inevitable outcome associated with ignoring principles and ethics, we still move ever forward toward our demise. We would do well to look for leadership in our country that understands this problem, and offers solutions to redirect our prodigal path. This begins at the smallest level of government. From dog catcher to president, character and integrity should rule the day. Without these attributes in our leaders, it should be no surprise when we find ourselves being misled.You can't grow roses when you plant ragweed!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Say It Ain't So!
One of the weapons used in the decline of our nation is to redefine terms and situations to fit who ever's agenda. A classic example is when the government tries to redefine marriage away from the traditional Biblical description of the union between a man and a woman. As sad an event as that is, we are not limited to being assaulted by just realignment of reality. Children can't pass a standardized test, we redefine what a passing grade is. Our leaders aren't showing any ability to lead, we redefine the term leadership. It's endless where this assault on our education can be taken. Politicians don't like the parameters of the Constitution, they change the meaning.
Since the definitions are taught to our youth by government run learning institutions, how difficult is it to change the view of society? If a teacher tells you that white is black and you want to pass that teacher's class, you best give them the answer they seek. This molds your world view and nudges society in the direction those who control the education system want it to go. While the decline is gradual and I propose by intent, we still must be aware of those subtle influences that lure people off the path and down the road to moral decline and eventually destruction of our way of life. Changing history to fit your world view, or redefining the Constitution is an abuse of power, and needs to be stopped!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Since the definitions are taught to our youth by government run learning institutions, how difficult is it to change the view of society? If a teacher tells you that white is black and you want to pass that teacher's class, you best give them the answer they seek. This molds your world view and nudges society in the direction those who control the education system want it to go. While the decline is gradual and I propose by intent, we still must be aware of those subtle influences that lure people off the path and down the road to moral decline and eventually destruction of our way of life. Changing history to fit your world view, or redefining the Constitution is an abuse of power, and needs to be stopped!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
All You Need Is Love!
"At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love"
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Non violent resistance avoids not only external violence but also internal violence of the spirit. At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love. In struggling for human dignity the oppressed people of the world must not allow themselves to become bitter or indulge in hate campaigns. To retaliate with hate and bitterness would do nothing but intensify the hate in the world. Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can be done only by projecting the ethics of love to the center of our lives."
I had to read this speech given by Dr. King several times to absorb the principle it teaches. Dr. King embraces the teachings of Mahatma Ghandhi and tries to impress upon our nation how to handle virtually every situation. Give it a major dose of love! It's a terrible shame the message given to us by this national treasure has been lost in a sea of hate. Several people have kidnapped Dr. King's aura and used it as a weapon of hate. I'm certain he would not approve.
"And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."-1 Corinthians 13:13
Apparently the apostle Paul had the same mantra. The human race keeps getting passed down the same message. It simply has to be important to our survival as a race as, "the message is repeated until the message is learned." We are reminded of this principle by great men of history, who will be next to embrace this philosophy and model it for others? Could that someone be you?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Non violent resistance avoids not only external violence but also internal violence of the spirit. At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love. In struggling for human dignity the oppressed people of the world must not allow themselves to become bitter or indulge in hate campaigns. To retaliate with hate and bitterness would do nothing but intensify the hate in the world. Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can be done only by projecting the ethics of love to the center of our lives."
I had to read this speech given by Dr. King several times to absorb the principle it teaches. Dr. King embraces the teachings of Mahatma Ghandhi and tries to impress upon our nation how to handle virtually every situation. Give it a major dose of love! It's a terrible shame the message given to us by this national treasure has been lost in a sea of hate. Several people have kidnapped Dr. King's aura and used it as a weapon of hate. I'm certain he would not approve.
"And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."-1 Corinthians 13:13
Apparently the apostle Paul had the same mantra. The human race keeps getting passed down the same message. It simply has to be important to our survival as a race as, "the message is repeated until the message is learned." We are reminded of this principle by great men of history, who will be next to embrace this philosophy and model it for others? Could that someone be you?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Lower The Bar!
Report on the news this morning....
"The news isn't good regarding the writing results from the latest round of F-CATS. The grades have dropped significantly. Things are so bad, in fact, that there's an emergency conference call scheduled for today by the State Board of Education to consider reducing the passing grade."
Why is this a concern?
This is exactly why the government should have nothing to do with education. If the children can't meet the standards, have an emergency meeting and lower them? Don't address the problem, lower the bar.
Perhaps if the children are having trouble communication with a paper and pen it's a sign our teachings are lacking. Nope, it's just like when there is a murder. The person didn't cause the event, the weapon did. Therefore we should ban all weapons, because evidently weapons are evil. This is how our government thinks, and since they ignore one of the "four essential principles of knowledge," should they really have a say in our children's education?
The principle I'm referring to is the law of causality. The simple definition is "every effect must have a cause." Here the effect is a lack of performance on an exam. The cause is a lack of understanding, which is a cause of the teaching method not reaching the student. The cause is not that the standard is too high, the cause is (once again) a lack of understanding. The pencil doesn't cause bad spelling, the lack of knowledge does.
So the proper response is to review how, and what, is being taught in our school system. The improper response is to lower the standard. Why should every child be cheated out of a proper evaluation when it's simply a matter of bringing a few up to a level of competence? It's illogical to allow our youth to slack on the written word. How is society in the future to communicate if the basic skill of communication is permitted to deteriorate? If one has trouble breathing, do we lower the oxygen requirements, or simply clear the airway?
The question here is, how much longer are the responsible parents of this nation going to allow the inefficient bureaucracy of government dictate the education standards? They've proven they cannot. When a problem arises, rather than solve the problem, the solution is to lower the bar, so the government doesn't look embarrassed. Who does that serve? Education is best handled at the lowest level of government possible. Are the needs of Miami the same as the needs of Arcadia? Why are they handled the same under a state wide control? Local boards should fund and oversee local communities.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"The news isn't good regarding the writing results from the latest round of F-CATS. The grades have dropped significantly. Things are so bad, in fact, that there's an emergency conference call scheduled for today by the State Board of Education to consider reducing the passing grade."
Why is this a concern?
This is exactly why the government should have nothing to do with education. If the children can't meet the standards, have an emergency meeting and lower them? Don't address the problem, lower the bar.
Perhaps if the children are having trouble communication with a paper and pen it's a sign our teachings are lacking. Nope, it's just like when there is a murder. The person didn't cause the event, the weapon did. Therefore we should ban all weapons, because evidently weapons are evil. This is how our government thinks, and since they ignore one of the "four essential principles of knowledge," should they really have a say in our children's education?
The principle I'm referring to is the law of causality. The simple definition is "every effect must have a cause." Here the effect is a lack of performance on an exam. The cause is a lack of understanding, which is a cause of the teaching method not reaching the student. The cause is not that the standard is too high, the cause is (once again) a lack of understanding. The pencil doesn't cause bad spelling, the lack of knowledge does.
So the proper response is to review how, and what, is being taught in our school system. The improper response is to lower the standard. Why should every child be cheated out of a proper evaluation when it's simply a matter of bringing a few up to a level of competence? It's illogical to allow our youth to slack on the written word. How is society in the future to communicate if the basic skill of communication is permitted to deteriorate? If one has trouble breathing, do we lower the oxygen requirements, or simply clear the airway?
The question here is, how much longer are the responsible parents of this nation going to allow the inefficient bureaucracy of government dictate the education standards? They've proven they cannot. When a problem arises, rather than solve the problem, the solution is to lower the bar, so the government doesn't look embarrassed. Who does that serve? Education is best handled at the lowest level of government possible. Are the needs of Miami the same as the needs of Arcadia? Why are they handled the same under a state wide control? Local boards should fund and oversee local communities.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, May 14, 2012
Listen To The Coach!
Over the weekend I had the privilege to enjoy watching my youngest son coach his first spring football game. The team he lends his talents to is his former high school, which is interesting because he gets to rub shoulders with some of his old coaches. After the scrimmage we sat down and had a review on what could be done better, and several of his old coaches stopped by to say hello and renew old acquaintances. During the conversation, my son commented on how much he appreciated what they had gone through teaching him, as now he was on their side of the fence and had a different perspective. Here's why this hit me....
As a coach, my son brings to the table a Pop Warner National Championship, he was voted Defensive Back of the decade for his efforts during his high school career, he then went on to college where he set school records, and finally advanced to the rank of a football player who was paid to play the game he loved. One might say he has the "fruit on the tree," when it comes to success on the field. Yet despite the accomplishments, there are those who he mentors as a coach that disregard what he advises them to do as a player to improve their game. Apparently, in spite of contrary input from one who has excelled at the level they are performing at, those players believe they have a better way. Interestingly enough there are also some that take the input willingly, and also find a better level of success on the field. So not only do some choose to disregard mentoring from one who has walked the path they are on, they also ignore when others listen and achieve better results. There are so many ways to apply this lesson, but here's this is where it took me....
A child was born on this earth, the son of our Creator, who walked the earth and modeled the perfect life. He knew exactly the path to take to achieve success and gain His place in heaven. Yet most of us ignore His teachings because we think we have a better way. We dismiss the little tweaks we need to make to improve ourselves in the eyes of the Lord, even though we had a mentor show us the proper technique. We own the results, just like those football players who choose to ignore input own their lack of success on the field. Jesus has the "fruit on the tree," so why would one dismiss His example?
Like my son learned this weekend, we all need to change our perspective.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
As a coach, my son brings to the table a Pop Warner National Championship, he was voted Defensive Back of the decade for his efforts during his high school career, he then went on to college where he set school records, and finally advanced to the rank of a football player who was paid to play the game he loved. One might say he has the "fruit on the tree," when it comes to success on the field. Yet despite the accomplishments, there are those who he mentors as a coach that disregard what he advises them to do as a player to improve their game. Apparently, in spite of contrary input from one who has excelled at the level they are performing at, those players believe they have a better way. Interestingly enough there are also some that take the input willingly, and also find a better level of success on the field. So not only do some choose to disregard mentoring from one who has walked the path they are on, they also ignore when others listen and achieve better results. There are so many ways to apply this lesson, but here's this is where it took me....
A child was born on this earth, the son of our Creator, who walked the earth and modeled the perfect life. He knew exactly the path to take to achieve success and gain His place in heaven. Yet most of us ignore His teachings because we think we have a better way. We dismiss the little tweaks we need to make to improve ourselves in the eyes of the Lord, even though we had a mentor show us the proper technique. We own the results, just like those football players who choose to ignore input own their lack of success on the field. Jesus has the "fruit on the tree," so why would one dismiss His example?
Like my son learned this weekend, we all need to change our perspective.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Thank You Mom!
A very Happy Mother's Day to all! It's such an incredible calling to be a mother. A responsibility like no other! You carry the seed of human life till it dawns on the new world, then you have an opportunity to mold that seed into your message to people you'll never meet! Motherhood carries with it unending worry, a lack of appreciation, long hours, and a mental toughness like no other task. Yet another child is born every second, and today we honor that sacrifice. We'd all be nothing but a dream without our mothers. So do your best to make today special for the one who provided us a path to our beginning. She did her best,(and made it possible) to make everyday special for you!
Happy Mother's Day!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Happy Mother's Day!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, May 12, 2012
What's Important Now!
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."-Matthew 6:19-21
What an outstanding reminder of our earthly purpose! We live in a world that lacks delayed gratification, instead bowing to the I've got to have it now syndrome. And for what? It'll break, rust, decay, or simply become outdated, or out of style within a short period of time. Our focus should be on what is important for the long term, not the shallow satisfaction of the here and now. How long does the memory of a baby's laughter stay with us? It never seems to go out of style. What a keepsake is the longing glance of the one you love, something that you carry forever. These are the "things" we need to strive for, and put on the top of our "to do" list.
Material things leave us, relationships do not. While the people may go, their memory is implanted on our being. Be one of those memories!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
What an outstanding reminder of our earthly purpose! We live in a world that lacks delayed gratification, instead bowing to the I've got to have it now syndrome. And for what? It'll break, rust, decay, or simply become outdated, or out of style within a short period of time. Our focus should be on what is important for the long term, not the shallow satisfaction of the here and now. How long does the memory of a baby's laughter stay with us? It never seems to go out of style. What a keepsake is the longing glance of the one you love, something that you carry forever. These are the "things" we need to strive for, and put on the top of our "to do" list.
Material things leave us, relationships do not. While the people may go, their memory is implanted on our being. Be one of those memories!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Flame Of Freedom!
Imagine yourself an entrepreneur. You have a business and no one takes the time to balance the books, or even check the register to ensure sales match income. How long do you think that business would be capable of keeping it's doors open? I have just described to you the federal government and their method of operation for the last few years. No budget, no accountability, and spiraling in debt. In a word, bankrupt!
Our founding fathers were very wise men. They put in just enough regulation to keep everything on the up and up, as long as the original design was held in tact. But they also understood human nature, see if these next two predictions ring a bell...
"Sir, there are two passions that have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
And...
"Sir, thought we may set out in the beginning with moderate salaries, we shall find that such will not be of long continuance. Reasons will never be wanting for proposed augmentations; and there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. Hence, as all history informs us, there has been in every state and every kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and the governed, the one striving to obtain more for it's support, and the other to pay less."
These were reminders from one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin. He reminds us that power and money are cruel masters, and that the temptation of the elected to abuse the fiscal responsibility ceded them is overwhelming. Power and money corrupt! Never has this been more prevalent than in today's political arena.
America's politicians have exploited the taxpayers long enough, voting themselves salaries, retirement packages, and benefits far above what a wealthy taxpayer would consider reasonable for their position of employment. They've passed out entitlements beyond what any society can maintain in efforts to secure votes, then scoff in the face of taxpayers at the thought of budgetary restraints. They condone immoral behavior, contrary to the printed word of the Bible; the very instrument that the founding fathers used to base our country's foundation upon. All to pander to specific voting blocks in the effort to maintain power. This perversion of the definition of a civil right is exactly what Franklin fore warned us about when he said...
"Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
Alexis De Tocqueville toured our fledgling nation and had this observation...
>"There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equaled by their ignorance and debasement; while in America, one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world, the people fulfill with fervor all the outward duties of religion."
Is De Tocqueville's description of Europe really where we want to be? Or is the second half of that sentence the real America? We can stand around and ask, what happened? Or we can restore the culture, find candidates that grasp the concept of leadership and morality and restore this great nation back to exceptionalism. The first step is to insure our thinking is on track. Take the free Mental Fitness Challenge @
http://www.mental-fitness-challenge.com/default.aspx
Highlight "more info" and click on the pre-challenge details. There is a free assessment and video package!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our founding fathers were very wise men. They put in just enough regulation to keep everything on the up and up, as long as the original design was held in tact. But they also understood human nature, see if these next two predictions ring a bell...
"Sir, there are two passions that have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
And...
"Sir, thought we may set out in the beginning with moderate salaries, we shall find that such will not be of long continuance. Reasons will never be wanting for proposed augmentations; and there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. Hence, as all history informs us, there has been in every state and every kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and the governed, the one striving to obtain more for it's support, and the other to pay less."
These were reminders from one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin. He reminds us that power and money are cruel masters, and that the temptation of the elected to abuse the fiscal responsibility ceded them is overwhelming. Power and money corrupt! Never has this been more prevalent than in today's political arena.
America's politicians have exploited the taxpayers long enough, voting themselves salaries, retirement packages, and benefits far above what a wealthy taxpayer would consider reasonable for their position of employment. They've passed out entitlements beyond what any society can maintain in efforts to secure votes, then scoff in the face of taxpayers at the thought of budgetary restraints. They condone immoral behavior, contrary to the printed word of the Bible; the very instrument that the founding fathers used to base our country's foundation upon. All to pander to specific voting blocks in the effort to maintain power. This perversion of the definition of a civil right is exactly what Franklin fore warned us about when he said...
"Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it."
Alexis De Tocqueville toured our fledgling nation and had this observation...
>"There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equaled by their ignorance and debasement; while in America, one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world, the people fulfill with fervor all the outward duties of religion."
Is De Tocqueville's description of Europe really where we want to be? Or is the second half of that sentence the real America? We can stand around and ask, what happened? Or we can restore the culture, find candidates that grasp the concept of leadership and morality and restore this great nation back to exceptionalism. The first step is to insure our thinking is on track. Take the free Mental Fitness Challenge @
http://www.mental-fitness-challenge.com/default.aspx
Highlight "more info" and click on the pre-challenge details. There is a free assessment and video package!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Awakening!
I have been overwhelmed and inspired by the realization of how many Americans actually are beginning to rise up and be counted as citizens that understand the problems we are facing today are not of party affiliation, but of the abuse of government in general. We need to continue this enlightenment as it becomes more apparent everyday that those elected officials in Washington, with very few exceptions, just don't yet get it.
Our founding documents, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, The Constitution, etc, are akin to a recipe of principles. Any ingredient left out spoils the final outcome. It's like baking a cake and deciding not to use eggs. Would one expect a treat or a disaster? The same applies here!
Our forefather's need to be free was guided by Judeo-Christian principles, Natural Law, and limited government. As a people we desire the God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as long as they fell inside the parameters of Natural Law, the Ten Commandments, limited government involvement. There are a few in Washington that either don't understand that, or deliberately ignore our mission statement.
Let me refresh so everyone is up to speed.
The concept of unalienable rights is based on Natural Law.
The concept of habeas corpus is based on Natural Law.
The concept of limited government is based on Natural Law.
The concept of separation of powers is based on Natural Law.
The concept of checks and balances is based on Natural Law.
The concept of self preservation is based on Natural Law.
The right to contract is based on Natural Law.
Laws protecting the family and the institution of marriage are all based on natural law. Including and not limited to the definition of marriage.
The right to bear arms is based on Natural Law.
The principle of no taxation without representation is based on Natural Law.
These are just a few examples that illustrate how the mission statement of our founders was arrived at. They are also examples of what's been forgotten in our nation. We've become a nation obsessed with the pursuit of happiness... at all costs. Ignoring the importance of following the recipe for freedom. Mainly the problem is we've forgotten or ignore another important principle.
The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders!
Because...
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."-Proverbs 29:2
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our founding documents, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, The Constitution, etc, are akin to a recipe of principles. Any ingredient left out spoils the final outcome. It's like baking a cake and deciding not to use eggs. Would one expect a treat or a disaster? The same applies here!
Our forefather's need to be free was guided by Judeo-Christian principles, Natural Law, and limited government. As a people we desire the God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as long as they fell inside the parameters of Natural Law, the Ten Commandments, limited government involvement. There are a few in Washington that either don't understand that, or deliberately ignore our mission statement.
Let me refresh so everyone is up to speed.
The concept of unalienable rights is based on Natural Law.
The concept of habeas corpus is based on Natural Law.
The concept of limited government is based on Natural Law.
The concept of separation of powers is based on Natural Law.
The concept of checks and balances is based on Natural Law.
The concept of self preservation is based on Natural Law.
The right to contract is based on Natural Law.
Laws protecting the family and the institution of marriage are all based on natural law. Including and not limited to the definition of marriage.
The right to bear arms is based on Natural Law.
The principle of no taxation without representation is based on Natural Law.
These are just a few examples that illustrate how the mission statement of our founders was arrived at. They are also examples of what's been forgotten in our nation. We've become a nation obsessed with the pursuit of happiness... at all costs. Ignoring the importance of following the recipe for freedom. Mainly the problem is we've forgotten or ignore another important principle.
The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders!
Because...
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."-Proverbs 29:2
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Facts Of Life!
It's not uncommon to encounter people who question where exactly the youth of this society are heading. Honestly, it's an age old dilemma, my parents wondered about my generation, and theirs about them. But there is a bit of a difference between now and the past. You see my parents enjoyed a stable family unit where divorce was a taboo and if your parents separated it was unusual. My generation the divorce problem became more prevalent, yet was not a normal event, something seen as an anomaly. Today's generation not only is divorce expected, a single parent family is the norm as most don't even take the time to generate the paperwork to get a marriage certificate. So what is the effect on the children?
A child has a tremendous respect and love for their mother and father, and dearly wants to please them. They have a fear or an anxiety of offending the one they love, not because of torture or punishment, but rather because they are afraid of displeasing the one who is, in that child's world the source of security and love. So consequently, if there is an imbalance of what the child relies upon for security by a dysfunctional parenting structure, would it be a stretch to expect rebellion?
Let's add top that formula some additional input that wasn't common is generations before. Single parents trying to compensate and allowing a lax discipline, or worse yet disparaging the other parent while venting their displeasure with a lack of support both financially and time wise. Excessive gift giving or privileges again to replace the missing love of an absent parent. Or an abandonment of quality time because a one parent home has income needs that need to be met.
The environment has changed that children are raised in, and not for the better in too many cases. It follows that the moral decline of this next generation will ensue. Not only is the home life in shambles, there is no spiritual guidance to set a true north on the child's moral compass. This is not a formula for success, but as bleak as this picture is painted, it's not difficult to turn the tide. We simply need to influence this dysfunction back on a path of family values. That has to be made more attractive to the masses than the current norm of a broken home. We need to highlight the value of a two parent system, and expose the woes of going it alone. Selfish attitudes need to be replaced with ones of sharing. Is it not better that three people all share a loving relationship than two, isn't four or five better yet? The loneliness of being a single parent needs to be exposed for the hardship it is. When shown all the options, don't we usually make the right choices?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
A child has a tremendous respect and love for their mother and father, and dearly wants to please them. They have a fear or an anxiety of offending the one they love, not because of torture or punishment, but rather because they are afraid of displeasing the one who is, in that child's world the source of security and love. So consequently, if there is an imbalance of what the child relies upon for security by a dysfunctional parenting structure, would it be a stretch to expect rebellion?
Let's add top that formula some additional input that wasn't common is generations before. Single parents trying to compensate and allowing a lax discipline, or worse yet disparaging the other parent while venting their displeasure with a lack of support both financially and time wise. Excessive gift giving or privileges again to replace the missing love of an absent parent. Or an abandonment of quality time because a one parent home has income needs that need to be met.
The environment has changed that children are raised in, and not for the better in too many cases. It follows that the moral decline of this next generation will ensue. Not only is the home life in shambles, there is no spiritual guidance to set a true north on the child's moral compass. This is not a formula for success, but as bleak as this picture is painted, it's not difficult to turn the tide. We simply need to influence this dysfunction back on a path of family values. That has to be made more attractive to the masses than the current norm of a broken home. We need to highlight the value of a two parent system, and expose the woes of going it alone. Selfish attitudes need to be replaced with ones of sharing. Is it not better that three people all share a loving relationship than two, isn't four or five better yet? The loneliness of being a single parent needs to be exposed for the hardship it is. When shown all the options, don't we usually make the right choices?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
It's All About You!
Well today is fishing day. Since we have a big shark trip planned very shortly, it's going to require some fresh bait. To accommodate that need a great excuse for yet another day on the water is required. So today we are going trolling to capture some oily, bloody fish; just what a big shark considers to be outstanding table fare. This my friends is a great example of specific intent. We have a defined mission and a purpose for that mission.
Now specific intent is not enough! It's mandatory that this expedition leave the dock with an expectation of success. This is where a positive attitude comes into play. All the preparation in the world cannot overcome a crummy attitude, because you might not always get what you deserve, but you certainly get what you expect. When you embark on a mission as crucial as this, a positive attitude is essential to success. No level of expectation...No success! Remember, in the words of John Maxwell,"Attitude is the difference maker!"
Now it's time for us to shove off!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Now specific intent is not enough! It's mandatory that this expedition leave the dock with an expectation of success. This is where a positive attitude comes into play. All the preparation in the world cannot overcome a crummy attitude, because you might not always get what you deserve, but you certainly get what you expect. When you embark on a mission as crucial as this, a positive attitude is essential to success. No level of expectation...No success! Remember, in the words of John Maxwell,"Attitude is the difference maker!"
Now it's time for us to shove off!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, May 7, 2012
Anarchy And You!
It's becoming apparent to me that our country is under attack by a managed confusion, designed to keep the public on it's heels while others slowly take advantage of the situation. We are moving closer to a designed anarchy brought on by frustration of the status quo. For example...
In this created confusion we are told that we have to maintain a secular pose. This means we have to hide or remove anything attack groups deem as offensive because it represents a religious inference. So basically morality is under siege as if man had no God to supply the moral compass, under that premise the last thing there would be is peace. So the only thing that maintains justice, through a moral code, is slowly being eroded by an outcry for social justice from those who claim to be offended by a moral code. Confused yet? It's by design!
If there was no God, then there would be no ultimate ground for doing what is right. All things would be permissible, because all choices would reduce to a battle over preferences. Every person would do what is right in their mind, which would create conflict and warfare between classes, races, and individuals. (If any of this sounds like the policies of the current administration it's purely a coincidence). Sarcasm aside, the law of the land would be reduced to, "might makes right," and all people would be reduced to nameless, faceless stepping stones for the one with the largest sum. (George Soros perhaps?).
So I ask you, is it prudent to remove God from schools, the public square, our courtrooms, or the Pledge of Allegiance? Does this serve the nation, or Satan himself? We cannot be a ethical society and apply justice, social or otherwise, without a moral code supplied by someone greater than man himself. Sin, unbridled, carries with it a hatred for absolute moral values. No culture can survive a void in it's ethical structure, it would cease to exist. (See history for examples). No man can escape the moral law of a righteous God, as an Atheist or Agnostic murderer soon finds out. It's time to make a stand, our very way of life depends upon our response!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
In this created confusion we are told that we have to maintain a secular pose. This means we have to hide or remove anything attack groups deem as offensive because it represents a religious inference. So basically morality is under siege as if man had no God to supply the moral compass, under that premise the last thing there would be is peace. So the only thing that maintains justice, through a moral code, is slowly being eroded by an outcry for social justice from those who claim to be offended by a moral code. Confused yet? It's by design!
If there was no God, then there would be no ultimate ground for doing what is right. All things would be permissible, because all choices would reduce to a battle over preferences. Every person would do what is right in their mind, which would create conflict and warfare between classes, races, and individuals. (If any of this sounds like the policies of the current administration it's purely a coincidence). Sarcasm aside, the law of the land would be reduced to, "might makes right," and all people would be reduced to nameless, faceless stepping stones for the one with the largest sum. (George Soros perhaps?).
So I ask you, is it prudent to remove God from schools, the public square, our courtrooms, or the Pledge of Allegiance? Does this serve the nation, or Satan himself? We cannot be a ethical society and apply justice, social or otherwise, without a moral code supplied by someone greater than man himself. Sin, unbridled, carries with it a hatred for absolute moral values. No culture can survive a void in it's ethical structure, it would cease to exist. (See history for examples). No man can escape the moral law of a righteous God, as an Atheist or Agnostic murderer soon finds out. It's time to make a stand, our very way of life depends upon our response!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Cogito Ergo Sum!
Those who've ever experience the beauty of sitting in a rowboat on a clear body of water, have the unique perspective of the bent oar. Let me describe what I'm referring to...
When an oar is place in the water it appears to the naked eye to be bent, when in reality it actually remains straight. It's a great analogy that represents how our senses can be deceived. That's why it's important that we boldly question that which we are led to be true.
Descartes said, " Maybe this world is controlled by the great deceiver, the great satanic, demonic being, who is a liar, who constantly gives me a false view of reality. Maybe he keeps bringing these illusions in front of me to deceive me. How can I know that reality is as I perceive it to be?"
This applies to so many venues in today's society! So what is the answer? Well the good news is doubt requires thought, so if your doubting you are thinking! The secret lies in logical conclusions arrived at through rational thought. This is exactly how Galileo combated the scientific and religious community and erased the wrong conclusion that the world was flat, at I might add, great personal risk.
Important in arriving at a rational conclusion is the process of verifying that your input doesn't contradict itself. One might look at governmental unemployment reports as an example here. For instance we are told unemployment has dropped, but yet there are fewer in the work force than in the last thirty years despite a larger population. Where did those job seekers go? Couple that direct contradiction with a drop in productivity and a poor economic report, you have cause to doubt. If we are going to be rational, we must also be logical. Climate change enthusiasts might also use this formula to reconsider their position. It works in so many areas of our daily life, because as Descartes eluded to; there are those who just might present us with a false view of reality for their own personal gain.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
When an oar is place in the water it appears to the naked eye to be bent, when in reality it actually remains straight. It's a great analogy that represents how our senses can be deceived. That's why it's important that we boldly question that which we are led to be true.
Descartes said, " Maybe this world is controlled by the great deceiver, the great satanic, demonic being, who is a liar, who constantly gives me a false view of reality. Maybe he keeps bringing these illusions in front of me to deceive me. How can I know that reality is as I perceive it to be?"
This applies to so many venues in today's society! So what is the answer? Well the good news is doubt requires thought, so if your doubting you are thinking! The secret lies in logical conclusions arrived at through rational thought. This is exactly how Galileo combated the scientific and religious community and erased the wrong conclusion that the world was flat, at I might add, great personal risk.
Important in arriving at a rational conclusion is the process of verifying that your input doesn't contradict itself. One might look at governmental unemployment reports as an example here. For instance we are told unemployment has dropped, but yet there are fewer in the work force than in the last thirty years despite a larger population. Where did those job seekers go? Couple that direct contradiction with a drop in productivity and a poor economic report, you have cause to doubt. If we are going to be rational, we must also be logical. Climate change enthusiasts might also use this formula to reconsider their position. It works in so many areas of our daily life, because as Descartes eluded to; there are those who just might present us with a false view of reality for their own personal gain.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Common Sense?
"We must live as if there is a God, for if He does not exist, then we could make no judgements about right and wrong, good or evil. In order for civilization to be possible, there must be God. If there is no way to differentiate between moral and immoral acts, then society will not endure; it will ultimately degenerate into anarchy." R.C. Sproul
What an outstanding display of logic! It makes me wonder why our government and school system avoids this common sense ideal. Perhaps their ultimate goal is anarchy? It's kind of crazy that we have rejected the principles of morality based on Judeo-Christian philosophy inside our education system, then in the next breath ponder the reasoning behind the irrational behavior that occurs inside those institutions. Could it be the lack of a moral compass? Is this why schools now have to have metal detectors and a police presence to simply provide our children with an education safely?
The degeneration of society is a self inflicted wound. It has been masterminded to corrupt the principles of the next generation until immoral behavior is the norm. Have we ever sat down and asked ourselves; who's agenda this process serves? It certainly isn't our Creator!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
What an outstanding display of logic! It makes me wonder why our government and school system avoids this common sense ideal. Perhaps their ultimate goal is anarchy? It's kind of crazy that we have rejected the principles of morality based on Judeo-Christian philosophy inside our education system, then in the next breath ponder the reasoning behind the irrational behavior that occurs inside those institutions. Could it be the lack of a moral compass? Is this why schools now have to have metal detectors and a police presence to simply provide our children with an education safely?
The degeneration of society is a self inflicted wound. It has been masterminded to corrupt the principles of the next generation until immoral behavior is the norm. Have we ever sat down and asked ourselves; who's agenda this process serves? It certainly isn't our Creator!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, May 4, 2012
Spock Would Be Proud!
Yesterday I watched on the news a story in which a little town was being sued for having a veteran's memorial that involved a cross. An Atheist group took exception to a public display of Christianity and backed by the ACLU decided it was important enough to take to court. The cool part of this tragedy is that local lawyers came together and offered their services free of charge to defend the memorial's right to exist as it stands. It's the only way America can defend itself from the relentless bullying and religious persecution brought fourth by Atheist groups supported by the free legal services of the ACLU.
Now I totally understand that people take exception when you question their world view, but to deny another human the right to freely express themselves, or their religious belief is exactly the reason our forefathers fled England. In my mind it's a sign of ignorance fostered by a lack of education, and it's a growing problem. Anyone educated in classic literature and gifted with the ability to apply logic understands that deep thinkers like Aristotle argued that the existence of a supreme being was necessary simply because events require a cause. To date no one has found a way to explain away that cause in a concise and logical manner other than the presence of God.
An exhaustive knowledge of God is beyond us. Us being of a finite nature, it's impossible to grasp the concept of the infinite. To deny what one cannot understand is a display of ignorance. And certainly our society today is guilty of ignorant behavior. Just turn on any news channel. Logic has escaped our thought process, and logic supplies the necessary tool to examine the relationship between premise and conclusion. Our education system was denied us the right to explore logic and understand the principles. This has led to the abandonment of God in our schools and logically a decline in morality at our learning institutions. In progression that immoral behavior being condoned at school has found it's way into society, and then we illogically complain about the results. This my friends is the logical description of a self inflicted wound.
Now the final question is....Are the actions of the ACLU and the Atheist groups beneficial to society? Apply logic..........
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Now I totally understand that people take exception when you question their world view, but to deny another human the right to freely express themselves, or their religious belief is exactly the reason our forefathers fled England. In my mind it's a sign of ignorance fostered by a lack of education, and it's a growing problem. Anyone educated in classic literature and gifted with the ability to apply logic understands that deep thinkers like Aristotle argued that the existence of a supreme being was necessary simply because events require a cause. To date no one has found a way to explain away that cause in a concise and logical manner other than the presence of God.
An exhaustive knowledge of God is beyond us. Us being of a finite nature, it's impossible to grasp the concept of the infinite. To deny what one cannot understand is a display of ignorance. And certainly our society today is guilty of ignorant behavior. Just turn on any news channel. Logic has escaped our thought process, and logic supplies the necessary tool to examine the relationship between premise and conclusion. Our education system was denied us the right to explore logic and understand the principles. This has led to the abandonment of God in our schools and logically a decline in morality at our learning institutions. In progression that immoral behavior being condoned at school has found it's way into society, and then we illogically complain about the results. This my friends is the logical description of a self inflicted wound.
Now the final question is....Are the actions of the ACLU and the Atheist groups beneficial to society? Apply logic..........
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Perspective!
As I was walking the dog this morning, I couldn't help but think of all the conveniences we have in our lives. There are children today who will never know what a pay phone is, or have no idea how to function without a microwave. It's amazing the things we have today that are simply taken for granted. How would we function without a computer to refer to, or how lost would society without their "smart" phones so grant them answers in the blink of an eye. In the past we'd have to find our information in the local library, hoping the book we needed wasn't checked out, and sifting thru volumes to fulfill our needs. Now it's a simple Google search and unlimited information is right at our fingertips.
So I took myself back to the era when there was no electricity. Candles or oil lamps lit our way, meals were prepared on a wood stove, and there was no refrigeration. Then Thomas Edison and GE lit up our lives. Can you imagine what the generation watching all that thought? "These kids of today, they'll never know what to do if they couldn't just flip a switch and presto, instant light. They'll never be able to survive without the knowledge of how to make candles, or light an oil lamp if the electric ever fails." Same observation, different era and technological advances. Somehow we survive without the knowledge our forefathers used as critical to their existence.
I guess it's all perspective. Skills and tools of the past that seemed important to that generation, are labeled as prehistoric when the technology shifts. I had a Dad complain to me the other day that his son looks down upon him as an idiot. The television has indoctrinated the young man, backed up by a school system, and a society that puts parenting and parents as uniformed. Then he said, his son hands him a smart phone or an I-pad and confirms the conclusion.
As shameful as that is it's true, but it doesn't have to be. We can be role models to our children without being technologically savvy. Character and integrity are the key, and there is nothing they can invent to take their place. Being an unwavering shining example for your children will outweigh and techy knowledge. You can call a tech support line for assistance, but you can't substitute the love and nurturing of parental love. That is the support system...1-800-I-Love-You
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
So I took myself back to the era when there was no electricity. Candles or oil lamps lit our way, meals were prepared on a wood stove, and there was no refrigeration. Then Thomas Edison and GE lit up our lives. Can you imagine what the generation watching all that thought? "These kids of today, they'll never know what to do if they couldn't just flip a switch and presto, instant light. They'll never be able to survive without the knowledge of how to make candles, or light an oil lamp if the electric ever fails." Same observation, different era and technological advances. Somehow we survive without the knowledge our forefathers used as critical to their existence.
I guess it's all perspective. Skills and tools of the past that seemed important to that generation, are labeled as prehistoric when the technology shifts. I had a Dad complain to me the other day that his son looks down upon him as an idiot. The television has indoctrinated the young man, backed up by a school system, and a society that puts parenting and parents as uniformed. Then he said, his son hands him a smart phone or an I-pad and confirms the conclusion.
As shameful as that is it's true, but it doesn't have to be. We can be role models to our children without being technologically savvy. Character and integrity are the key, and there is nothing they can invent to take their place. Being an unwavering shining example for your children will outweigh and techy knowledge. You can call a tech support line for assistance, but you can't substitute the love and nurturing of parental love. That is the support system...1-800-I-Love-You
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A Life Secret!
"Have no fear of those who would harm you, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ maybe put to shame."- Peter 3;14b-16
One of the valuable inputs I've taken away from Orrin Woodward is that when we are challenged with inquiries, even abusive ones, we answer with gentleness and respect. Even when they question our faith, we respond in a loving manner, as we are always representatives of our Savior. That's always been a sticking point for me, as when someone is malicious I've often responded in kind. It's funny how you learn to mellow your replies, especially when you have a system built around self improvement to rely upon. Age and information are incredible allies when attempting to acquire personal improvement.
We are called to make a difference, and to do so we have to behave differently. Stepping outside the norm of distortion, misrepresentation, overemphasis, and outright malicious deceit is how we win our victories. You find our strength and guidance in the Bible, and your examples in your mentors. Choose them with care. May I suggest the LIFE personal improvement program as a great start in this journey?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
One of the valuable inputs I've taken away from Orrin Woodward is that when we are challenged with inquiries, even abusive ones, we answer with gentleness and respect. Even when they question our faith, we respond in a loving manner, as we are always representatives of our Savior. That's always been a sticking point for me, as when someone is malicious I've often responded in kind. It's funny how you learn to mellow your replies, especially when you have a system built around self improvement to rely upon. Age and information are incredible allies when attempting to acquire personal improvement.
We are called to make a difference, and to do so we have to behave differently. Stepping outside the norm of distortion, misrepresentation, overemphasis, and outright malicious deceit is how we win our victories. You find our strength and guidance in the Bible, and your examples in your mentors. Choose them with care. May I suggest the LIFE personal improvement program as a great start in this journey?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Questions About Life!
Well I took the assessment test attached to the 90 Day Mental Fitness Challenge and I must say, it was deadly accurate. It gave me a graph that highlighted my strong points and showed we where to work and tweak my not so strong points. Had someone asked me, I never would have assessed myself like the questionnaire did, but after review, I couldn't argue the findings! I have to say I was amazed how Orrin Woodward and the LIFE opportunity developed this evaluation. Through a series of quickly answered questions it removed my blinders and pointed out what should have been obvious to me. Here's the best part.... The questionnaire has is free while you decide if the challenge is for you! Then if you enroll it guides you just as effectively to make your weaknesses your strengths. It's like having your own personal Life Coach, but it costs way less and the person assessing you, is you! No one is more familiar with where you need to improve than you, yourself. Your not walking into a strangers office and getting his opinion based on limited information, your presenting real time personal data. The test is simply amazing and I encourage you to take advantage of the free assessment.
Follow this link to the 90 Day Mental Fitness Challenge!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Follow this link to the 90 Day Mental Fitness Challenge!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
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