Truth Be Told

Everybody keeps looking for a “sign.” We know it’s a “wicked and adulterous generation” that looks for a sign, but we keep doing it anyway. We all want more clear direction from God as to what we are supposed to do in our lives. The economy, unemployment, and general stress of the times makes us even more desperate for a light for our path.

I’ve always wanted to do one great thing in my life… to leave a mark… a legacy. On the other hand, I can’t quite seem to settle on just one thing to do. Most of the time I am just looking for the next thing. Not that I cannot be content where I am, I just haven’t been content for very long before I feel the pull to move on. So I look for a sign to show me where to go and what to do.

Others try to point out things that happen to me as “signs” in my life. I know God is all knowing and all powerful, but I just can’t accept that He micro-manages every detail of our lives. I know He protected me last week because I don’t know anyone who has blown out a front tire of a motorcycle and not crashed, and I know it was good for me to be back home to deal with the offer on our house, but I’m not prepared to say that He blew out my tire because He wanted me back home.

Truth be told, I think God wants me to make up my own mind about where I live and what I do and do it in a way that honors Him.

I’ve always wanted to take my motorcycle on Highway 49 north of Auburn, so, when I had the need to go north to look for jobs I decided to pack my suit and dress shoes in the garment bag and load up on the bike. Despite the unseasonable weather for June (I got caught in a steady rain just north of Downieville and saw snow by the side of the road as I crossed the summit at around 7000 feet), the scenery and the road did not disappoint.

Whether winding through the redwoods or through a high altitude valley. This farm was right next to the 5000 feet elevation sign. This is a prefect motorcycle road.It’s well maintained and just twisty enough to keep it interesting without tightening the knuckles too much. I could have stopped every mile or so to take pictures, but then I would never reach my destination, would I? So I continued 0n 49 until I reached 70 and then 395 North.

That’s where it got interesting. Hwy 395 is a nice, smooth, fairly straight road, so I took the opportunity to open her up a bit. I was cruising along at a comfortable pace, when the road starting feeling a little rough. I looked down at my front tire and noticed it seemed low… no, suddenly flat! I don’t personally know anyone who has blown a front tire on a motorcycle and stayed upright… and that’s the first thought that came to my mind… “I’m going down, this is going to hurt.” I pulled in the clutch and held on tight. I applied the brakes, lightly, and immediately recognized that the FRONT brake was a bad idea, so I let it go. It pulled me hard left, across both lanes and almost off the bank on the other side. Fortunately, there was no oncoming traffic at that moment. It then pulled me hard right and came to rest on the right shoulder. There was a car behind me and they slowed and then stopped as I came to the shoulder. I’m sure the look of shock and disbelief on my face was at least as much as theirs. They offered me water and a ride. I accepted the water and decided to wait for a tow.

So the first leg of my journey is a little more adventurous and a little more costly than I anticipated, but I am safe, warm and dry in a Best Western in Susanville… waiting for Les Schwab to open.

Truth be told, that’s probably enough for today anyway.

I’m not quite as anarchical as some of the people in this video. However, it is critical for us to realize that it may be too late to save our economy and, perhaps, our nation. The government is NOT our friend. After hyperinflation destroys our monetary system as we know it, those who have a tradable skill or the ability to produce a necessary product will be the ones who survive. Everyone else will be forced into a life of servitude and absolute poverty like we have never seen. I am not talking about a great depression – I’m talking about the absolute and complete collapse of our economic system. The government strategies are NOT working. They cannot work.

It’s true that the education system we now live and work in is actually a propaganda machine whose largest purpose is to create more people dependent on that very system.  On the other hand, we live in that system so we have to learn to work within it. There are exceptions, but, in general, higher education still leads to better jobs, but so does more practical experience. While a college degree does not set you apart, because everyone has one, NOT having a college degree puts you well behind those who do for most career paths. You have to have both. Get as much education as you can without debt. Get as much experience as you can. Learn to think creatively. Realize that owning a home is not, necessarily, the key to the American Dream. Invest in your future (real estate is not a good investment) and live within your means.

Truth be told, the student who is able to work and gain experience while putting themselves through college, graduates with true value in the real world and in the job market place.

It has become somewhat trendy among more liberal Christians to make a comparison between Osama Bin Laden and Paul (as in wrote half the New Testament). The thinking is that, before he became Paul, Saul was a really bad guy and then God changed him and he became the most prolific evangelist of his time and, perhaps, since, and that by killing Bin Laden it may have cut short his opportunity to be converted to following Christ and thus change the world as Paul did.

Let me first say that I am not a war monger. I do not support killing and wish that we could all live together in peace. However, war has always been a part of this sin filled world and death has always been a part of war and, in particular, holy wars have always been especially bloody. This post, however, is about my objection to comparing Bin Laden with Paul. We can discuss what makes a war justifiable another time.

Saul was a religious zealot persecuting a specific religion because of their beliefs that threatened his own. Bin Laden was a terrorist using religion in order to destroy a culture and economic system that threatened his own. I’ll concede that he may have seen himself as a religious zealot, but that is where the comparison ends due to the fact that his target was not a specific religious group, but anyone who disagreed with him.  In this, he is much more similar to Hitler that he is to Saul.

Saul was corrected, by God, and shown the error of his ways. He changed his name to Paul and devoted the rest of his life to correcting his error and showing all that he could the truth that he had found. Some may argue that Bin Laden may have changed his ways had it not been for some Navy Seals, but I propose that if God had intended to use Bin Laden in the way He used Paul that God would have protected him from those Seals and he would still be alive.

Truth Be Told, to suppose that the US Government killing Bin Laden messed up God’s plan is to suppose that the US is somehow more powerful than God and diminishes His very essence.

I have a couple of thoughts on these people and, I promise, and it’s not political.

First, they are despicable people and they will have to answer some day for they way they treat people, for the hatred they spread and the hurt they cause.

Second, they are not really a church, but a group of 11 people who seem to all be related.

Third, they maintained a distance of 1000 feet and the family did not know they were the target of the protest until later.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the first amendment. People have a right to say what they want as long as others can avoid listening and, in this case, the Court ruled that they could.

Jesus taught us to love one another, to forgive each other, to be patient and understanding, even… no… especially… towards those with whom we disagree. I don’t believe the Westboro Baptist Church represents the teachings of Christ very well.

I know that not everyone believes the same way I do and I can allow for others to disagree with me without feeling ill will towards them. I’m not quite vain enough to insist that everyone think exactly like I do, nor so altruistic as to think that the world would be too boring if everyone did.  As Paul said to King Agrippa, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am.”

Truth be told, the world would be a better place if more people were nice to each other. We need more love, not more hate.

It may be true that there are more questionable choices available in Vegas then in a lot of other places – well, perhaps it’s just more readily available… there is prostitution in any city in the world, there are alcoholic drinks available anywhere (and for less than in Vegas), card rooms and bookies work everywhere, not to mention the betting that goes on in TV rooms and bars on every game of every sport world wide. Somehow, Vegas gets the reputation for having all the ‘sin’ available.

It was interesting to see that more and more families are taking vacations in Vegas… bring the kids, there’s lots of fun to be had. But the gambling still gets top billing. Fortunes are lost. Some say that fortunes are won, but they aren’t really. Oh, sure, some few win a car and I’ve seen stories about people hitting it big, but most of them end up losing. There is a reason that casino owners are among the wealthiest people in the world. The ‘house’ always wins in the end. If you choose, you can get ‘free’ drinks while you play. The casino figures that if they give you alcohol you will play longer and are more likely to make poor choices, but that just leads to other issues and you will not drink enough to make up for your losses at the table… I’m just sayin.

Roulette is my favorite. I like the wheel and the fact that I can see everything out there. In general, you bet that 1 of 36 numbers will come up. The odds aren’t very good, but there are ways to increase your chances. You can pick all odd numbers, or all evens, or all black or all red or numbers by groups or numbers in pairs or quads. Of course this increases your odds, but decreases your winnings if you win. I play conservatively… and I still lose. I’ll pick odds or evens and black or red. Usually one hits and the other doesn’t so I lose one and double the other and just move it over to place the same bet again. Every once in a while I hit both and double my money… or hit nothing and lose it all. Sometimes I’ll spread it around and, often, I’ll set my original chips aside and only play with my winnings until they are gone or I have won enough to quit. I’ve watched some people bet on individual numbers and hit. They win big but usually end up losing over all. Very few people walk away from the table with any chips.

My rule: set a budget of entertainment money… don’t lose more than that. Never Play with money you need or because you ‘need’ to win. Play for fun, not for profit. Final rule: Don’t go very often.

Truth be told it’s not gambling if you know you are going to lose.

So, I was in Vegas this week for The International Stone Expo and Surfaces. You can read more about why I might do such a thing by checking out CapStone Brazilian Imports on Facebook or on Twitter or at our website. Anyway, I have a couple of observations.

I like the Luxor. I think the architecture is fascinating and the shops and restaurants at Mandalay Place (the bridge between Luxor and Mandalay Bay) are excellent. However, the Luxor seems to be losing its luster to retailers. The shops on the tower side of the Pyramid are almost completely empty.

Everything in Vegas is 3 times as expensive as it is in the rest of the world. On the other hand, once you check in, you don’t really have to go outside at all, and, as I mentioned the restaurants are amazing. I highly recommend Tender and Tacos & Tequila in Luxor, Burger Bar and RM in Mandalay Place and China Grill, the Red, White and Blue Cafe and (my favorite) The House of Blues in Mandaly Bay.

There are at least three Starbuck’s in Luxor and three in Mandalay Bay. They charge 65 cents for water and the Perfect Oatmeal comes with two toppings instead of three (the 3rd is offered at an extra fee – unless you whine ) and they do not have free wireless internet.

Truth be told – that makes it a little less than perfect, if you ask me.

The people of California have said it, loud and clear… Politics is more important than leadership. Unions are more important than jobs. Entitlements are more important than financial security. We are out of touch with the rest of the country.

While the rest of the nation recognizes the damage being done by the socialist wave and put a stop to it (or at least a significant slowing), California’s solution is to lean further left. We have placed the “leaders” of San Francisco and Oakland in charge of the entire state. We have returned the highest spending senator back to Washington to continue her part in destroying our state and nation. We have looked at the problems caused by out of control spending and special interest entitlements and chosen to spend more.

Truth be told… I don’t want to live here anymore! I need to take a break from writing about politics.

The other day I was talking to a friend of mine and said that I really would like to get away from political commentary. There are so many bloggers out there covering the ridiculous antics of politicians and the deceptive methods of the mainstream media outlets of covering political issues. However, every time I think I am ready to break away from politics, somebody does something so insanely stupid that I just have to talk about it. The CTA is usually on the top of the list of ignorant, stupid and deceptive, even coercive, political propaganda.

The latest is that they want us to support Jerry Brown for governor and Barbara Boxer for senate, because they support education. Really?

A little history lesson for those not paying attention… When Jerry Brown took the leadership of our state, he inherited the number one state in education, the best state for starting and growing a business (filled with entrepreneurs), a surplus budget and the most popular place to move to in the country. When Jerry Brown left office he left us with a failing education system that has continued to decline. Higher taxes with so many entitlements that our budget has been in perpetual decay since, now approaching bankruptcy. Businesses and citizens are leaving California in droves. Boxer and Feinstein have combined for the highest tax and spend policies of any state, yet the money that has gone to education has been largely ineffective.

Truth be told, California now has the highest illiteracy rate in the nation. Our state is close to bankruptcy and we have some of the highest tax rates. It all started with Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer. At least we still have great weather.

Like many of you I am struggling with the economy and, in particular, with keeping my home. I am a school teacher in a public school with a wife and three elementary age children. Furlough days and salary cuts combined with the economy and the collapse of the housing market have put me in a situation where I can no longer afford my mortgage payment.

Fortunately, there is a home loan modification program for which I qualify. Unfortunately Bank of America home loans is so caught up in inefficiency and corruption that they are not completing the process. A year ago I was current on my mortgage, I had a credit score in the 700’s and no other debt than my home and a car payment. I saw the writing on the wall and applied for the Making Homes Affordable program. I was told I qualified and given a trial payment to make. Each month I paid my trial payment and was told that my loan was in the review process until April when I was told that no application had ever been filed. I was re-entered into the process and given a new trial payment which I have been making. Last week I was told that I was no longer in the program because I had declined their offer. However, I never received an offer. Now I have an appeal that is pending and then it will go back into the review process.

This entire process was supposed to take 30 to 90 days (depending on which operator answers that question) and it has been almost a year. Meanwhile my credit score has plummeted and my mortgage is in default. At the very least, B of A in inefficient and disorganized, but they may be dishonest, corrupt and fraudulent. At the very least, B of A in inefficient and disorganized, but they may be dishonest, corrupt and fraudulent.

Truth be told, I already knew that about Bank of America and I did not apply for a home loan with them, but theybought my loan from another lender, so here I am. I told them they can have my house and it can sit with the other half-dozen homes on my block that have been foreclosed on that the lenders can’t sell. I hope they don’t really want it.