Sorry, Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower.

In keeping with my Bohemian heritage and Reformation Day, I thought I'd highlight one of the lesser known figures, the pre-Reformer John Huss (also spelled Jan or Johannes Hus).

Huss was from Bohemia (now part of the "Czech Republic) and was the master of the University of Prague. He preached in the language of the people (not Latin) at Bethlehem Chapel, at a time when possession of a non-Latin Bible was punishable by death.

His theological views and criticisms of the church were heavily influenced by John Wycliffe, the English pre-Reformer.

Huss (whose name means "goose" in Czech) was among the first to buzz the tower and draw the ire of the church.

He opposed the corruption in the church and was on the "wrong side" with regard to accessibility to the Bible, authority of the pope, and issues of salvation. He spoke against simony (the purchase of church offices) and indulgences (the purchase of forgiveness).

Huss was excommunicated for siding with Pope Alexander (as did the people of Bohemia) instead of the Pope who succeed him (and may have murdered him) and for failure to comply with the order to ban and burn all the works of Wycliffe, and failure to stop preaching. Part of that papal bull of excommunication forbade anyone to give Huss food, drink, salutation, discourse, purchase, sale, or hospitality.

Huss was undaunted:

Huss reminds his friends that Christ himself was excommunicated as a malefactor and crucified. No help was to be derived from the saints. Christ’s example and his salvation are the sufficient sources of consolation and courage. The high priests, scribes, Pharisees, Herod and Pilate condemned the Truth and gave him over to death, but he rose from the tomb and gave in his stead twelve other preachers. So he would do again. What fear, he wrote, "shall part us from God, or what death? What shall we lose if for His sake we forfeit wealth, friends, the world’s honors and our poor life?... It is better to die well than to live badly. We dare not sin to avoid the punishment of death. To end in grace the present life is to be banished from misery. Truth is the last conqueror. He wins who is slain, for no adversity "hurts him if no iniquity has dominion over him." In this strain he wrote again and again. The "bolts of anti-christ," he said, could not terrify him, and should not terrify the "elect of Prag."
-Phillip Scaff, History of the Christian Church, §45.

Even though the Council of Constance had condemned Wycliffe and ordered his writings burned and his bones exhumed, burned, and sprinkled in the river, Huss did not distance himself from Wycliffe.

"I indeed confess that I hold the true opinions propounded by Master John Wycliffe, professor of sacred theology, not because he taught them but because the Scriptures taught them."
-Matthew Spinka, John Hus at the Council of Constance (New York: Columbia University Press, 1965), pp. 69-70.

In the face of trumped up charges and imminent death, Huss was able to express joy to Christ while being burned at the stake as a heretic in 1415. As Huss stood before the stake he reportedly said, "In the truth of the Gospel which I have written, taught, and preached, I die willingly and joyfully today."

584 years after Huss experienced a humiliating and cruel death, Pope John Paul II apologized to the Czech people on December 17th, 1999.

"Today, on the eve of the Great Jubilee, I feel the need to express deep regret for the cruel death inflicted on Jan Hus and for the consequent wound of conflict and division which was thus imposed on the minds and hearts of the Bohemian people."
-The Vatican Information Service (VIS)

Incidentally, Huss proved to be a prophet at his execution when he said, "You are roasting a poor Bohemian goose, but in 100 years there will arise a swan whom you will neither roast nor boil."

I don't know if any would refer to him as a swan, for Pope Leo called Martin Luther a "wild boar" (i.e., pig) in his papal bull of excommunication, Exsurge Domine. ("Rise up, O Lord, for there is a wild boar loose in your vineyard.")

I have every confidence that this "pig" would find kinship with "the goose" and wouldn't hesitate to say, "Ich bin ein Hussite."

"A cantionale, dating from 1572, and preserved in the Prag library, contains a hymn to Huss’ memory and three medallions which well set forth the relation in which Wyclif and Huss stand to the Reformation. The first represents Wyclif striking sparks from a stone. Below it is Huss, kindling a fire from the sparks. In the third medallion, Luther is holding aloft the flaming torch."
-Phillip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, §45.

On the 490th anniversary of Luther's nailing of the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenburg, we also celebrate John Huss, an early advocate of sola Scriptura, who was willing to die a martyr's death for the One who had died for him.

Do not seek the treasure!

This is the time of year when I am inclined to share some thoughts on the incompatibility of Halloween and Christians. I did that last year, however, and I'll summarize with the notion that the American holiday of Halloween typically does one of two things, or both. It either sucks Christians into the glorification of evil and death (e.g., imagery such as witches, black cats, haunted houses, and other slooge that is either superstitious or blatantly deviltry) or into the consumerism whereby they spend lots of money on costumes and candy for no redeeming reason.

But ... what I wanted to talk about was another form of deviltry incompatible with Christianity, Freemasonry. A good buddy recently asked me for some Cliff's Notes on the subject since he knew it was the subject of a consuming study for me for about 1.5 years in the mid-1990s.

Back before the days of the Internet's proficiency, one had to work harder at research. So, I would visit Christian bookstores and gobble up every book I could find on the subject, always in the "Cults" section, mind you.

I've actually been meaning to whip up a little something about Freemasonry, so this was a good catalyst. There are a great many books and even a few good videos on the market that implicate Masonry as deviltry in varying ways and in varying degrees.

There are some good websites (e.g., Saints Alive in Jesus and Ephesians 5:11), though some are a little on the "fighting fundy" side (e.g., The Curse of Baphomet).

(FYI: "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." -Ephesians 5:11, ESV)

The gist is that Freemasonry is essentially a religion and not merely a club or a hobby. It uses religious language, meets in a temple in meetings led by the Worshipful Master, requires initiates to proclaim they are in darkness but want to be in light, etc.

And that's the trick really, Masonry is a source of light and it helps the initiates to navigate through the various light-givers (Jesus, Confucius, Lucifer, etc.) to learn the secrets of the craft and the world.

In fact, I just say this piece recently that the courts have provided Masonry religious protection. Pike would be proud.

"Every Masonic lodge is a temple of religion, and it teachings are instructions in religion...this is the true religion revealed to the ancient patriarchs; which Masonry has taught for many centuries, and which it will continue to teach as long as time endures."
-Pike, Albert. Morals and Dogma, 213-14.

Even my SBC has put forth some criticism of the Masonic religion, though its been muted by the many Masons within the SBC who serve on deacon boards, etc.

They ordered a study in 1992, which was pretty tame, but even it found "many" tenets incompatible with Christianity and they didn't even really get into the writings of the higher ups like Mackey or Pike. Of course, we're a non-binding association/denomination anyway, but they couldn't say "Don't do it." The pressure they got from the masons within forced them to soften the conclusion to "examine in light of your conscience," but it's better than nothing.

Most denominations, however, actually have statements against Masonry and many even forbid lodge membership for its members.

I've read the primary sources and finally had to break down and buy them (e.g., Mackey's Lexicon of Freemasonry and Pike's Morals and Dogma). There's no denying that in them they say stuff like "Sure Adonay is god, but Lucifer is also god" and "we recognize only the light, not the light bearer." For those Masonic authorities, Lucifer is the supreme lightbearer.

I know, it seems far-fetched. We have an organization that bills itself as a bunch of good ol' boys and which encompasses the Shriners, who also do many great things. Many grew up as Rainbow Girls or Job's Daughters or in the DeMolay.

Either you or your relatives have probably been affiliated with Freemasonry in some way. Surely, Grandpa wasn't dancing around in goat leggings and toasting goblets of blood. Probably not, but he did wear an apron to protect his "generative principle" and he participated in an organization that is even less compatible with Christianity than Mormonism is, and membership for Christians is a "compromise and a contradiction" (Rice, John R. Lodges Examined by the Bible, 47).

But there's worked into the system a bit whereby they intentionally deceive the younglings so that they don't really understand all that they do, they just think they understand.

"The average Mason is lamentably ignorant of the real meaning of Masonic symbology and knows as little of its esoteric teaching"
-Steinmetz, George H. Freemasonry-Its Hidden Meaning, p.5

So, they give their money and it looks like a good philanthropic organization, but it's very similar to the Mormons in that regard whereby you call yourselves Christian and use some of the same terms, but give different meanings.

This is no surprise, especially when you realize Joseph Smith was a Mason and he brought much of that with him to the Mormons, who also have secret ceremonies and levels of advancement, etc. Also no surprise, Mormons are not allowed to be Masons. My assumption is that they don't want folks to gain "knowledge" prematurely or learn the overlap, etc.

Many writers have written about the influence Masons have had on our government, including the layout of Washington, D.C. and its monuments. Others have drawn connections to the Klan, and having had a relative who was public about one and very secretive about the other, I'm not surprised.

In a sermon entitled, "Freemasonry and Christianity" Alva J. McClain (Founder and 1st President of Grace Theological Seminary) shows why a Christian cannot be a Mason. He offers four (bad) reasons why a "professing" Christian might stay, but lists men of faith who have fought against Masonry (John Adams, John Quincy Adams, James Madison, Millard Fillmore, Daniel Webster, Charles Sumner, Charles Finney, D. L. Moody, R. A. Torrey, for example).

There's a good video I have entitled, "Freemasonry: From Darkness to Light" that essentially shows just how similar Masonry is to witchcraft in its ceremonies and incantions, including the initial initiation ceremony and both ending their prayers with, "So mote it be." You can watch a portion of the video here.

There are many books and articles that can be read and I'd be happy to share with you an annotated Bibliography, though somewhat dated now. Most Christian bookstores will have some slooge on Masonry in their "Cults" section. You can also watch a video on the secret history of Freemasonry here.

G.A.O.T.U. (The Great Architect of the Universe) is not the same as the God of the Bible. If nothing else, I hope you come away knowing that.

Many Masons never make it out of the Blue Lodge, the first 3 degrees. Many never branch off into either the York or Scottish Rite. Many never get the fullness of the secret words like Tubal Cain, Boaz, "No help for the widow's son?", Mahabone, Hiram Abiff, Jabulon, the sexuality of the "square & compass," Jachin, the "point within a circle," the obelisk, and the Luciferian nature of Masonry.

So, I don't want to give the impression that every Mason worships the devil in spirit and falsehood. But I would say that any professing Christian serious about his commitment to Christ should prayerfully examine the organization. But, it's inconceivable to me that one could not have the eyes to see the conflict with Christianity.

Bob Jones III, President of Bob Jones University (in a letter to Thomas D. Resinger) wrote, "It is a Luciferian religion. We are fully aware of its diabolical origin and purpose. I believe than any born again Christian, when the facts from the lips of the Masonic writers themselves are presented showing that Masonry is a religion and is the worship of Satan, will immediately withdraw."

Masonry treasures light, but that light is not the Light of the World, but a false light. Do not seek the treasure.

Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays.

Buy this. Ligonier Ministries is commemorating Reformation Day this Wednesday by offering their (hardcover) Reformation Study Bible for ONLY $15.17. If you don't have one, you'll be hard pressed to ever find a better deal, but they must be purchased on 10/31.

"Not for retail ... while supplies last"

Read as Adrian Warnock shares 12 Literary Features of the Bible, a portion of the ESV Literary Study Bible.

"1. A unifying story line. Although the overall genre of the Bible is the anthology of individual books and passages, the Bible possesses a unity far beyond that of other literary anthologies. The technical term for a unifying superstructure such as we find in the Bible is metanarrative (big or overarching story). In the Bible, the metanarrative is the story of salvation history—the events by which God worked out his plan to redeem humanity and the creation after they fell from original innocence. This story of salvation history is Christocentric in the sense that it focuses ultimately on the substitutionary sacrifice and atonement of Christ on the cross and his resurrection from death. The unifying story line of the Bible is a U-shaped story that moves from the creation of a perfect world, through the fall of that world into sin, then through fallen human history as it slowly and painfully makes its way toward consummation and arrives at the final destruction of evil and the eternal triumph of good."

Could your fellow Christians be lying to you? Read about the findings that "more than half of Christians admitting telling a lie within the last month."

Others only admitted to telling small white fibs and felt that these did not constitute lies, "I have only lied about meaningless and insignificant things, I don't think that God cares about those."

Read about my kind of town, a town that banned "saggy pants."

"With a councilman saying underwear "is called underwear for a reason," another Cajun-country town has banned saggy pants from its streets."

Read Dr. Hansen's article, The Politics Of Rape: Debunking The Feminist Myth.

"“Rape isn’t about sex!” That’s what feminists proclaim. And they’ve declared it so continuously and persuasively over the last few decades, most of our society have come to believe it. The fact is, it’s not true—it’s a myth."

Read John Piper's 11 Benefits of Biblical Manhood (or you can listen).

"5. Men are awakened to their responsibilities at home to lead the family and protect the family and provide for the family. A clear definition of manhood helps a man take responsibility."

Read about the letter the police chief in Brussels had to write because his officers were distracted on the job. Rumor has it that being a police officer is now going to be about more than just visiting the brothels and bars while on duty.

""These officers think their duty hours are to be used to drink alcohol in bars, practice sports..., visit brothels or massage parlors, and entertain (intimate) relationships with residents of the neighborhood during their patrol," said the letter from a local police chief."

Read as Joe Thorn shares 6 Rules of Cultural Engagement.

"I am a fan of that three-fold approach to engaging culture: reject what is evil, receive what is good, and redeem what is broken/lost. I think this is a healthy way of thinking about how we should respond to our culture, because our culture(s) is not one thing."

Read as William F. Buckley Jr. considers why Roman Catholic Rudy Guiliani will not automatically get endorsement by other Roman Catholics or the Roman Catholic Church in the National Review article, What about the Faithful?

"Which is to say that a candidate holding out his affiliation with a religious body as a reason to presume harmonious values with other voters of the same faith has to prepare for a likelihood of resentment among coreligionists if he appears lax in the practice of his faith. Members of a club can be relaxed about the member who does not pay his dues. But there is the risk there of continued neglect gradually understood as disloyalty. The way things work in modern times, under modern pressures, more people’s attention is attracted by defiance of a protocol than by inconsistent attention given to it. The guest who neglectfully fails to bow when the queen enters the room is not especially conspicuous, but becomes so if it crosses the mind of others that he is challenging the legitimacy of the sovereign, rather than merely to being absent-minded about protocols."

Read as Generous Giving offers responses to a myriad of excuses people give in order to not give.

1. I am up to my ears in debt. I cannot give now.
The Christian in debt has an obligation, not only to his creditors but also to God, to pay off his debts and, what is more, to stay out of debt in the future (Roman 13:8). But the responsibility to pay off debts does not cancel out the responsibility to give to the Lord. Specifically, the Bible tells us to give to the Lord from our “firstfruits,” that is, the first and best of our income (Proverbs 3:9). As Larry Burkett has said, the first check we write belongs to the Lord and no one else, not even a creditor. Perhaps it sounds harsh, but in fact, giving like this turns out to be in our own best interest. We refrain from giving because it feels financially insecure. But in fact, God promises that giving to him is the most secure financial move one can make. If he gave up his own Son for us, surely we can count on him to give us all things (Romans 8:32). For those who give, he will provide all they need at all times, even making them rich so that they can keep on giving (2 Corinthians 9:8-11). We should make it a high and immediate priority to pay off our debts, but we should also give whatever we can in the meanwhile.

Read about the devastating quandary in which college students find themselves due to the jump in the cost of birth control.

The 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh filled the rest of her yearly prescription at the old price, but she finally ran out this month and will have to come up with an additional $360 a year. "That's the cost of my yearly electric bill or half my books for a semester," she says. "I haven't yet figured out what I'm going to do."

Now, anyone who's tried to have an intelligent conversation with me would affirm that I'm no rocket scientist, but I'm thinking I have a solution to her problems. Uh ... either go without electricity and/or books or ... stop having premarital sex.


Read about 5 Ballpark Promotions that Went Wrong.


Read as Aaron addresses the phenomenon of A Caveotic Blogosphere. (*CAVEAT: I don't necessarily endorse everything ever written by him or those who know him or those he knows, nor do I endorse everything ever written by those whose stuff he has read or will read in the future, nor does he necessarily endorse everything I've ever written, though he probably should.*)

"But why do we feel the need to add the caveat any statement of support for another's ministry? Because we fear the guilt by association that so often comes with forays into the Christian blogosphere minefield. If we say one good thing about someone else (and we are deemed worthy of a takedown), many of the watchdog "ministries" or individuals spring into action and play six degrees of separation from heresy."

Read Dr. Hanson's argument that Love Isn’t Enough: 5 Reasons Why
Same-Sex Marriage Will Harm Children.

"Proponents of same-sex marriage believe the only thing children really need is love. Based on that supposition, they conclude it’s just as good for children to be raised by loving parents of the same sex, as it is to be raised by loving parents of the opposite sex. Unfortunately, that basic assumption—and all that flows from it—is false. Because love isn’t enough!"

Apparently I'm not alone. Read Pat Buchanan's attempt to tap the brake on the global warming "scare and scam" tactics. Incidentally, am I the only one who remembers the concern over global cooling in the 70s? I bet you a dime to a donut that in your lifetime there will be those who propose that we should be concerned about global cooling.

"Whether it's hunger, poverty or homelessness, in the end, the poor are always with us, but now we have something else always with us: scores of thousands of federal bureaucrats, and armies of academics to study the problem and assess the progress, with all their pay and benefits provided by our tax dollars."

Read as the assistant editor for the Jena Times speaks to Media Myths about the Jena 6. (also here)


Read Dan Edelen's list of 100 Truths in 30 Years with Christ, things he's learned from the Lord in his tenure as a Christian. There's some good stuff here and it has prompted me to work on my list of 93 things I've learned from the Lord as my 20th anniversary is coming up relatively soon. I encourage you to work on such a list as well.

"I’ve kept my eyes, ears, and spirit open over that time, storing away what I’ve learned. Obviously, what I share here isn’t the sum total of all I’ve learned, just some basic truths God taught me that inform my every day."

Read as Paul Lamey asks Did Jesus spiritualize the OT? Check out the dialog in the comments section sparked by his answer and his chart making his argument.


Check out Gunny's recommendation with regard to Christian counseling at Conservative Reformed Mafia.

"I'm a big fan of Nouthetic counseling and I've also been a fan of this therapist, including his television work over the years. As such, I thought it might be helpful to share his words of wisdom, though they be few, in this taping of a counseling session."

Read about how southerners give more to religious organizations, particularly to their churches.

The numbers prove it: Southerners are more generous to their churches, while lagging in other categories of giving.

Carl Trueman was recently speaking on various topics as part of the Luther and the Reformation themed Reformation Heritage Conference. Give a listen.


"When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other."
-Eric Hoffer

If I'm here, and you're here, doesn't it make it our time?

There are some moments in your life that you know you need to savor and enjoy. By the grace of God I have been keenly aware that I need to appreciate the moment, for it will soon be gone.

I've been blessed with many such moments, where I wanted time to stand still, for I knew it was an experience that I would one day look back upon with great nostalgia. They've all involved my children and I've had at least one with each child.

The first was when I took Sarah on a "Daddy-Daughter" day when she was less than a year old. Much of the time was spent with her asleep in the stroller as I pushed her around the pond at the park. But sitting on the park bench with her snuggled up on my chest I was overcome with emotion. It was as if I could see her going to school and graduating and dancing with her at her wedding. I knew in an instant that she wouldn't be a baby for long and that I needed to absorb the moment as best I could.

Rachel has always been a "Daddy's girl." She's always been the one most inclined to like what I like and to care about the things I care about. She would always run to me at full speed when I'd pick her up from preschool. I was doing some church work on the computer when Rachel was 4 years old. She had come in to visit for about the 93rd time and I really didn't have time and wasn't interested in small talk. She had come in and wanted me to show her my pipes, explaining which country each one was from. She had come in to talk about what I was doing at church and she reminded me that I was the pastor of the church and that it was important because I helped people learn about God. None of this was helping my efficiency.

However, when she came in and I gave her a curt, "What is it now, Rachel?" and I got a sheepish, "I brought you a Cherry Coke" time stood still. I looked at her and the thought hit me like a ton of bricks, "She just wants to spend time with her daddy." I knew there would come a day soon that dad would be much further down on the depth chart and that I would have a hard time getting time with her. With tears in my eyes I gave her a hug and then held her at arm's length just to look at her. She asked, "What's wrong?" I responded with, "Nothing. I just want to remember this moment forever."

Eric Jr. is my only boy and with that comes certain blessings and curses. One such mixed bag occurred last January when he and I made a road trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to get our picture taken with the World Series trophy the Cardinals had won a few months prior. We had a great time and pulled off to the side of the road so I could take his picture in the snow. Doing so I was overcome with the realization of the uniqueness of the event.

Though the Cardinals have been a good team, this was only their 2nd championship in my lifetime. I thought, "We're in Oklahoma standing in snow wearing Cardinals gear as I'm making a road trip with my boy to get our picture taken with the World Series trophy. There's a greater than zero chance this will never happen again. Enjoy it." I recorded the moment with the camera, but I savored it in my heart. What's more, so did my son. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Dad let's go back to Oklahoma, just you and me." He starts kindergarten in August of 2008. We'll definitely have to get in another road trip before then.

TONIGHT I had another one of those moments.

Victoria had fallen asleep on our bed and after midnight it was my job to carry her up to her own bed. She is 2 years old. As I started up the stairs I had the distinct feeling of Déjà vu, particularly since I had done this same thing recently, but with my 8 year old daughter, Sarah.

I had a flashback to when Sarah was 2. I was stopped in my tracks as I realized that in the blink of an eye Victoria would be 8 years old.

I got a call this past week from my boss at Southwestern Seminary, checking in on my PhD progress, which has not been impressive, to say the least. He encouraged me to keep plugging away at it, though it may take a while.

But, as only a brother a little further down the journey can do, he gave me some advice. He said to "enjoy your kids," to enjoy them while they're young, because you'll never get that time back.

Walking down the stairs tonight, I thought of two things.

ONE: the words of a song by Kansas that was playing on the radio as we left my Uncle Terry's funeral in 1979:

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone ...
It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy.
Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind.

TWO: the words of James:

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
-James 4:14, ESV

I enjoyed taking the family to the Plano East high school football game tonight, but even more I enjoyed standing there beside Victoria's bed, holding her in a horizontal position.

I committed that I would hold her and enjoy the moment until my arms or my back gave out. My arms gave out before my heart was done.

Sometimes late at night when I check on my kids before going to bed I will just kneel down by their beds and watch them sleep. I'm overcome with love for them and can't help but thank God for them and pray for them. Sometimes I lose track of time, but I know our time together is short and I find myself repenting of every moment with them that is wasted.

Because if I'm there and they're there, that makes it our time, and I'm going to savor it.

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.

Okay, some of us might have to turn in our "Man Cards."

Popular Mechanics has a list of 25 Skills Every Man Should Know.

Oddly enough, bow hunting skills and computer hacking skills didn't make the list.

Every man should know how to...

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

How well did you fare on this exam?

I have to argue with the list, at least a bit. They've overestimated the value of some, but neglected others. My additions:

• Change a car tire.
• Swim.
  
• Open a tight lid on a jar.
• Make coffee.
• Skin a buck
• Run a trout line.
• Live off the land.
  
• Catch catfish from dusk 'til dawn.
• Spit some Beechnut in that dude's eye.
  
• Cook steak on the grill, having created a charcoal fire.
• Make an omelette.
  
• Tie a bowline & taut-line hitch.
• Tie a tie (bow tie is for the advanced class).
  
• Make chili.
• Unclog a drain or toilet.
  
• Use jumper cables.
• Change his child's diaper.
• Balance a checkbook.
• Change spark plugs.
  
• Set up a tent.
• Talk intelligently about religion & politics, arguing a point without shouting or fisticuffs.
  
• Train a dog.
  
• Ride a horse.
• Ride a Harley.
• Water ski.
  
• Drive a car with a standard transmission (stick shift).
  
• Cauterize the wound from an arrow using only a knife, gun powder, a stick to bite, the heel of a revolver, some whiskey, and a cheap cigar.
  
• Exterminate fire ants ... with extreme prejudice.
• Use duct tape to fix any and all broken things.
  

What did I miss?

It was a McDonald's hot apple pie. They're not kidding. It was hot.

Without the Cardinals in it, I've not followed baseball much this post-season, expect to watch the Cubs get swept in the first round.

However, I've been quite impressed with the Colorado Rockies, who have won 22 of their last 23 (including the end of the regular season). They are a RED HOT team, I mean they're like McDonald's hot apple pie hot!

But they're starting a 7 game series on the road against the Boston Red Sox.

Can the Rockies, the hottest team, beat the Red Sox, perhaps the best overall team?

I think they can, but Game 1 plays a key role in the outcome of the series.

I don’t want to overstate the importance of Game 1, but I really think it could crush the Rockies if they lose it.

They didn’t expect to get to the playoffs, let alone the World Series.

When a team already feels it has overachieved, losing Game 1 could be tragic.

Remember STL in 2004? If they beat Wakefield in Game 1, that thing is a whole other series. They lost a close game and got swept in the series.

If STL would have lost in Detroit in Game 1 in 2006, I think they go out with a whimper, already stoked and shocked to have beat the Mets. Instead, they win Game 1 and head to St. Louis having secured a split on the road. They never went back to Detroit.

My prediction: If the Rockies lose Game 1, they AT BEST lose the series 4-1.

BUT … if they win Game 1 in Boston … I think they win the whole thing.

Shoot! And I said I wasn’t going to overstate the importance of Game 1.

Stop whining! Take it like a man!

*The following is an article I wrote that will be appearing in the Wylie News and Murphy Monitor this week.*

Stop whining! Take it like a man!

The older kids were at school, so dad duty was limited to my younger two. This included lunch, which is always an adventure. This was no exception.

Mom left sandwiches for each child in a plastic container, one white and one purple. Upon seeing that the purple container was designated for him, my four-year old son remarked, “But I don’t like purple.”

To this, the sympathetic Victoria blasted, “Stop whining! Take it like a man!”

From this two-year old I learned a few things: First, kids are great at parroting lines from movies they’ve seen (e.g., “Night at the Museum”).

Second, complaining is unattractive to others. Even kids hate to hear other kids being childish. How’s that for ironic?
We all love to complain, but the complaints of others do not inspire us.

But … Why do we complain? We complain because we think we deserve better than what we’re getting. We think our desires deserve to be satisfied.

But … Why is complaining unattractive to others? They wonder, “Who does he/she think he/she is?” Those aren’t complaining, but that’s because their desires have been met, and in that light a complainer just looks selfish and childish. The complainer can give the impression that his/her desires are more important than those of anyone else.

But … Why is complaining so unattractive to God? God is the one who is running the universe and doing so in a way that seems best to Him. Complaining is in essence criticism of His management of the planet, including our own little universes.

The Bible says to “Do everything without complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:14, NIV).

I think that can be done, with God’s help, but only if we really understand Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV).

If you are a Christian, one who loves God and had been called according to HIS purpose, you can be confident in God’s promise that all you encounter will be for your own good. You may see how things work out for your good with the 20-20 hindsight, but other times you may just have to take it by faith, taking it “like a man,” that is.