Sometimes I wonder.....

How’s Your Soul?

2009-10-27T14:28:00.003-05:00

"Hey Mark, how's your soul?" That's the question that greeted me the other night at group.

"Dark and dismal.", were the words that I replied. WHAT?!

"Why, what can we do to help?"

"I don't know", was all I could say.

Even as I said it I knew the truth. And the truth was and is, what makes me feel that way is the loss of someone loved... lost too soon, she was only 24. And the feeling of justice needed. Justice that I can't provide.

It's been the last few weeks that I been feeling like someone took something from me that can't be replaced. Strange thing to me was that she was not even blood kin. I called her my niece, I refer to her mom as my sister to anyone who doesn't know me. Strange also, is that I never really expected to see her again when she left our house the last time. But knowing now that I can't ever see her again creates an emptiness that I've never experienced before.

She had lived with us for awhile when she had no other place to go. She was part of our family. She was a part of our lives. She was our niece.

A few days later a very good friend of mine lost his son to illness. His son was only 30 years old. In 2 weeks he was to be married.

Nobody should have to bury their child.

My "sister" shouldn't of had to bury her daughter.

There are three kids who will grow up without their mother.

My friend shouldn't of had to bury his son.

There's a young lady who will have to reshape her life… without the one she loves.

Their brothers and sisters shouldn't of had to deal with death like this.

Death is for "old" people who have lived full lives, not for young folks with all their lives in front of them.

To even think of burying a child of mine brings a heaviness that I…. I can't even begin to explain.

I am confident that I will see my niece again, and that the circle of family will be rejoined with my dad and Uncle Bobby. But somehow that only takes the edge off the pain, it doesn't remove it.

As far as my soul goes?... I've decided the condition of my soul is up to me. If it dark and dismal, that's because I've let it become that. If it's full of light, then that's because I've allowed it to be. I believe we do have that control, but in the living of life we tend to forget. We let ourselves become overwhelmed. So we need to be reminded now and again with a simple question…

How's your soul?

Thanks,bro.

How Long Do We Give?

2009-10-07T10:49:00.006-05:00

I don't know...but, I feel like I could have done more.

A few months ago I was contemplating how long or how much should be given before we should stop and say, "Enough! Until you try to care for yourself, I'm through giving!!"

Well, I still don't no where that line is, but I find myself wondering ,why, when we convince ourselves we have to say "That's enough", do we find ourselves thinking "I could have done more" when it is too late to do more.....

I'm no theologian or doctor of anything that would suppose me to know all the ins and outs of God's word. But to the best of my knowledge Jesus did not preface "Love your neighbor as yourself" with "as long as he is helping himself".

So I find myself at the end of a chapter and second guessing all my decisions that lead me to this point.... To late to do anything else and so sorry that what I did do wasn't enough.

2009-06-15T15:49:00.007-05:00

As Fathers Day approaches I find myself thinking of my dad and remembering how he was always sure to make sure we knew how proud he was of us. I'm sure that many times he was not proud of the decisions I made or the friends I kept, but I am very sure he was proud of me and the fact that I was his son. I loved my dad and I know without a doubt that he loved me.

As I think about this I wonder about my own journey as a father. I am sure that I have made my fair share of mistakes as a father. I am sure that I have been at work when I should have been at a game or a party. I am sure that I have sat down on the couch at the end of the day and went to sleep when I should have played a game. I am sure that I should have taken more time reading books or pushing swings or wrestling or any number of things. I am sure that I have made my fair share of mistakes as a father.

As equally as I am sure of these things I am sure my kids know that I love them. I try to remember everytime I talk with them, to tell them how much I love them. However I must learn to take the time to tell them how proud I am of them. And so that brings me to the point of this ramble. Each of my children hold a special place in my heart. From the oldest to the youngest and all 5 in between, I could not be more proud. Failures or success, good decisions or bad each one of them bears my name, they are my children, and I could not be any more proud.

2009-05-09T22:54:00.005-05:00

OK,

whoever said being in God's Will will make you happy and content

was off their rocker,

and obviously forgot to read the Bible.

So,

where does that leave us??

I know there are several guide lines to determine

whether or not we are in God's Will.

I suppose the first one to check is whether or not it is bilblical.

So now,

where does that leave us??

Well,

I reckon I'll have to look into this a little deeper.

Tomorrow

2009-04-24T11:23:00.010-05:00

My spanish teacher is from Venezuala. She always likes to talk about family and things going on in life in order to introduce new vocabulary and phrases and such.

A friend of her family past away recently and she was asking about funerals procedures and what people wear and so forth. In Venezuala if someone dies one day they are buried the next day and a Mass is performed seven days later for that person. As we compared rituals and timing she said something that made me stop and think.

"Americans work and plan for the future. They save and prepare for what they don't know. In Venezuala it's not like that. I live for today. I don't think about growing old, I only think for today."

Well, while I'm not sure throwing it all to the wind and living only for today is such a good idea for me and my family, I do think there is some merit in that school of thought. I do think that we as a society have become....ok, me as a person has become somewhat consumed in saving and/or planning for tomorrow. While that's not totally bad we do tend to miss some of the blessings or opportunities of today when we only focus on tomorrow.

I'm sure we all know this, but sometimes I wonder.

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.

What is your life?

You are a mist that appears for a little while

and then vanishes.

James 4:14 NIV

Give me a hug....

2009-03-21T23:06:00.004-05:00

My daughter, the world traveler, came back from Amsterdam this evening. I got the privilege of picking her up at the airport. I love picking her up when she travels because I'll go sit in the baggage claim and people watch till she arrives. I wonder where they are going to or coming from. But you know my favorite thing in the world is giving my girl a welcome home hug. I'd sit there watching people come out and meet family or friends and the hugs were all around, everyone smiling and laughing. I feel for the folks who have no one there to greet them with a hug.
A hug is like a bridge that spans the gaps of time you've been apart. At Rhonda and my anniversy party an old friend came whom I hadn't seen in about 15 years. I gave that man a hug and it was like we were brought back together, like the lost time was found. When my friend Juli came home from her travels I had to give her a big ol bear hug. If I hadn't it would be like she was not back yet. Same as with my daughter-in-law and my sons when they come into town.
It doesn't matter if it's a side-to-side "arm around the shoulder" hug or a leaning over "pat on the back" hug, a hug is very comforting. Maybe it's like Time.com says... the hug is the new hand shake. The first time I saw a "Free Hug" sign I thought it was kind of silly. But the more I think on it the more I realize the impact of that free hug on that person and the people they'll meet.
So hear this, both of you who read this blog, go out and hug someone. Hug your mom or your spouse or your boyfriend or girlfriend. Hug someone you haven't seen in a while. hug someone who needs it, hug someone who doesn't. You might just have a God size impact on someone.

How long do we give?

2009-01-03T11:28:00.004-06:00

......

"Give to every man that asketh of thee;

and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again."

Luke 6:30 KJV

......

"Give to everyone who asks you,

and if anyone takes what belongs to you,

do not demand it back."

Luke 6:30 NIV

......

"If someone takes unfair advantage of you,

use the occasion to practice the servant life.

No more tit-for-tat stuff.

Live generously."

Luke 6:30 The Message

......

How long are we suppose to keep giving?

When do we draw the line?

When do we say enough is enough?

Am I wrong to even ask these questions?

One scripture, three versions....

"ask them not..."

"do not demand..."

"no more..."

It seems to me that this idea of giving of our lives or possessions is intended too be a continuous way of life. Not just something to make us feel good at Thanksgiving or Christmas, but something that should be at the front of our minds on the 19th day of May, or the 23rd day of January, or the 8th day of November.... you get the point.

But that leaves me to wonder, where do we stop? Is the lesson here that we are to give until we can't give anymore? (That doesn't set well with my conservative nature.)

Yet I suppose that this was similar to the predicament the rich young ruler was in. Jesus told him to sell everything he had, give to the poor and come follow Him. I can imagine his sorrow, I'm not anywhere near to being rich, and I certainly don't think I'd like the idea of selling everything and giving it all to the poor.

I think the lesson here is the last statement in The Message translation:

"LIVE GENEROUSLY"

Auto Makers Bailout or UAW Bailout?

2008-11-20T20:34:00.003-06:00

Dear Washington D.C.,
I am concerned about the government assistance being sought out by the Big 3 auto makers. I don't want my tax dollars being sent to private corporations at all, much less to corporations that are operating to satisfy Unions and their ridiculous contracts. I understand that the impact will be quite a hit to our already devastated economy. However, the UAW must be held accountable for the damage they have done over the years of negotiating entitlements for unmerited labor. How can any business continue to grow and advance in a 21st century market when they are required to support non-productive labor?

Sincerely,

Merit Shop Electrician

2008-10-15T19:36:00.004-05:00

December 2, 1985 started as a day like any other. The next day my son would turn one year old. We had his party the day before. And sometime around two o'clock in the afternoon I made a near fatal mistake.

I tried to install a disconnect bucket in a 480V/4000A switchgear without any supervision. It nearly cost my my life and set me on a path I could never have imagined and wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I only remember the sound of a frieght train running over me leaving me 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 42 % of my body. 32 days, 4 surgerys and 1 helicopter ride later I was sent home. I can't imagine what my family was going through. I had a hard enough time processing what I was going through. In the process of all that, there were several pictures taken of me at different stages of burnt-up recovery (thanks mom). 10 1/2 months later I was back to work.

I am still an electrician, and in the process of getting some company required certifications we are shown several graphic pictures of people in much worse condition than I was. The first time I saw these pictures I felt like I was in a sacred place that shouldn't be disturbed. A very personal place that only the victims could inhabit. Almost like being in an Indian burial ground or something. I felt almost embarassed for the victims we were looking at. Somewhat ashamed of invading their tragedy. Of course I put on my toughest face and passed through, knowing others around me were aware of my past and were looking for my reaction.

I had looked for the pictures of my recovery and couldn't find them. But recently the pictures were found and brought out for a specific purpose and I was wierdly disturbed. I've looked at them before and didn't mind them. I don't know why I can't look at the pictures now. I've told my story to quite a few people and I really don't mind talking about it. I suppose that's because I can control the conversation and most people are respectful when in my company. But pictures let people into an area that no one normally goes. Pictures let people into my burial grounds. Pictures expose us to others interpretations of that event and leave us very vulnerable.

You would think that 23 yrs would be enough to be able to put this aside, but sometimes I wonder...

KAT

2008-10-11T22:33:00.003-05:00

I do believe that this is one of the prettiest little girls I know. (Of course I may be biased) Little Miss Katarina is our first grandchild and Grandpa and Nana Topping are as pleased as punch.

Blessing?

2008-09-16T09:35:00.002-05:00

I guess an $800.00 car repair bill can be a blessing when you consider 3-days without power, mile long lines at gas stations and empty grocery store shelves. Some folks looking at 2-3 weeks without power. Some folks staying in a shelter or away from home for who knows how long. Some folks with no home to get power to. I guess a broke down car is not much to complain about right now. Especially when I'm comfortable while I wait. I'll be back at home soon, with gas and groceries from Killeen. Blessings come in all shapes.

If you doubt, check this out!!!

2008-06-27T21:38:00.002-05:00

If you wonder whether slavery is still going on here in the states then check out this story.

http://www.star-telegram.com/190/story/723015.html

The FBI is making a dent, well maybe a scratch, in the trafficking going on in the US. After reading how politicized all the traffick inforcement is throughout the world and the US it's refreshing to see comments like this from the FBI director. "We together have no higher calling than to protect our children and to safeguard their innocence," FBI Director Robert Mueller said Wednesday.

How do you walk with Christ daily?

2008-03-25T08:30:00.004-05:00

That was the question my buddy asked me during our commute to work yesterday morning. I didn't realize it then, but it was a question that would carry me through the rest of the day.

My answer was a simple, "Shoot, I don't know."

We continued to discuss it as we went our separate ways to work. We finally decided, as hard as it might be, that to walk with Christ daily you should keep Christ and His ways in the front of your mind all day. If the GC comes at you and is hollering about something you have no control over, having Christ in the front of your mind may keep the blood from boiling over. The only thing I know for sure is that it's hard and it takes continual practice and commitment.

After I had completed the safety meetings my Gen Supt called me into the office, the Ops Manager was there also. The words spoken were simple and politically correct. "Mark, it's come time that Mark Topping and Walker Engineering part ways." (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

What do you say? "It's not fair!!"......"It's not my fault!!"......"Why me?"....."What about him or them?" (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

I said,"OK."

I went to my office and started packing. With the Gen Supt looking over my shoulder to make sure I didn't take anything that didn't belong to me. (How do you walk with Christ daily?) It's amazing how unimportant things get when you just want to get out.

As I drove away from a 21 year job it wasn't resentful thoughts or 'what if' thoughts going through my head, but more like I couldn't believe it was over. Even though many of us knew something was going to happen and I was a prime candidate for DTR Electric there is still the thought of disbelief. (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

I called my wife on the way home and broke the news to her. That was probably the hardest thing in the world for me, even though I know I can go get a good job any time, there is still that thing poking and prodding a my pride. That little gnawing at my side that says I'm less of a man because I lost my job. (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

The news spread through my small sphere like wild fire. The standard questions were, "What are you going to do now?" and "Are you going to the other company now?". I just want to figure out "How do you walk with Christ daily?".

I have to tell you the truth here. There is a big since of relief in all of this. Knowing something is going to happen, but not knowing when or to who, is extremely stressful. Especially when you are trying to run two jobs.

Later on my wife was mentioning to me how relaxed I seemed to be about it all and was wondering why I wasn't mad or upset about it all. I asked her the question that had been on my mind all day, "How do you walk with Christ daily?". That question was the thing that helped me through it all (thanks, buddy).

The good news in all of this is that new doors are opening and opportunities are plentiful. Have you ever noticed that when things are good the "How do you walk with Christ daily?"thing is a whole lot easier.

Lord, help me to make the right decisions in the things to come and continue to teach me "How do you walk with Christ daily?".

2008-01-05T17:15:00.001-06:00

What a year!!

Finished with the homecoming of both my boys. That was pretty special since they will both be deployed through the holidays next year. All the family for Christmas dinner and a surprise visit from Wes and Ashley for New Years Eve.

On the last Sunday of the year we were challenged to write down some things we did or changes we made in our own lives this past year that we believe had a positive impact on ourselves or others. And then we were to write down what we intended to do or change in the next year.

After deciding that I had no significant impact on anyone outside of my immediate family(thanks for pointing that out for me) I looked inward and discovered in myself a new appreciation for what I believe. And a new sense of ownership of those beliefs. What I mean is I believe what I believe because it's something I've became aware of instead of something I was told was the right thing.

And with that realization came a desire to lead others to that point. So I'll tell my kids, or whoever, that what their beliefs are should be based on what they know and not what I tell them. If someone says the something is one way then they should look into it before they buy into it. If any of that makes any sense, that's my resolution.

Then just when I think all is right and rolling along good, the explosion comes. Who knows why or when but it comes and he's gone again. Happy New Year, huh? The shame of it all, is that it's happened so often I could hardly care less. How can I live in the kingdom with this in my life and those kind of feelings in my heart? It will be interesting to see how God works in this.

Bobby Dale

2007-11-06T20:43:00.000-06:00

We buried my uncle today. After a long battle with cancer he has gone to be with our Lord. I was honored to be a pallbearer.
I'll never forget the first time I met him at Granny Collingsworth's house. I was the newest boyfriend of the first granddaughter and was there to meet the family. Bobby Dale and his brother-in-law told me in no uncertain terms that if I hurt their niece in any way they would have to "talk" with me. I never had that talk, thank God, and over the years I have grown to admire and respect him.
He was a carpenter by trade who left many of his own projects incomplete so that he could help others with theirs. I remember him telling me about how he cut his leg with a circular saw because he had pnned the guard back. After we discussed the safety that the guards provide we'd swap stories of crazy stuff that had happened on job sites of the past.
I guess my favorite memories are of the family reunions. Both in Witchita and here in Houston. He was our auctioneer and designated story teller. When we had our local reunion in Conroe we would sit around the campfire till 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning and talk about whatever came up. He'd be the last one to bed and the first one to rise.
I cherish most the couple of times I spent sitting on his porch talking of dogs and horses or kids and family. He will be missed.

***************************************

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Phillipians 4:8

Educated Minds

2007-10-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

"It is the mark of an educated mind

to be able to entertain a thought

without accepting it."

Aristotle

Forced to Learn English??

2007-09-09T20:23:00.000-05:00

I can't believe a story like this comes from England. From the land of government health care and gun control is a law to force immigrants to learn to speak English.

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, said: "Those who we welcome into the UK to work and settle here need to understand our traditions and feel that they are part of our shared national culture. (he's absolutely right here)

"They need to integrate into our country, learn English and use our language." Under the government's new "points" system, there are three main categories of immigrants coming to Britain from outside the EU to work: highly skilled, skilled and low-skilled workers.

The first two groups can eventually settle permanently in Britain; the third cannot. (He's not here)

I know mine is not a popular stance among many of my friends, but I really do believe our country would be much stronger and unified if there were less multi-culturalism. I believe what Jacqui said about learning traditions and sharing one culture. I was right there with them until I saw that they weren't going to allow low-skilled labor to settle permanently. To not allow someone to settle permanently on the bases of job skills, intelligence or any reason short of criminal background is prejudice and absurd.

Here's the whole story. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/09/nmigrants109.xml

And of course our Democrats are on the other end of the spectrum. http://www.nbc6.net/politics/14076638/detail.html?rss=ami&psp=news

Black Magic E-mail

2007-09-03T16:04:00.000-05:00

I'll tell you the truth. I don't mind getting forwarded emails that tell stories of faith and hope or courage and patriotism. As a matter of fact I like to read them.
That is until the end comes. You know what I'm talking about, they usually end something like this...
"Forward this to 10 of your friends and you'll have 10 years of good luck. Forward it to 7 friends to get 7 years good luck. If you delete it you'll have 20 years of bad luck."
The first thing I do is delete it. It doesn't matter how good the story is, it's going to get the big D. What a waste of a good story.

Or how about the fake Amber alerts that find the sweet little girl that was suppose to be missing is working as a waitress at a truck stop in Odessa. But it doesn't matter what Snopes says we still need to help the distraught father, who has spent his life savings searching, find his little angel. What kind of cad wouldn't forward a simple email to help in the search?

My all time favorite is the email that tells a beautiful story of struggle and trials overcome only by the faith of an extraordinary person. The ending challenges you to declare your love for Jesus by forwarding it to as many people as possible, because if you don't do this you really don't love Him at all.

Now really...does anyone honestly think Jesus measures our love for him, or His love for us by the forward of an e-mail?

Sometimes I wonder....

2007-07-22T21:44:00.000-05:00

The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement

"May we live long and die out"

This is just unbelievable. These folks want humans to stop breeding for the sake of the planet. And all along I thought God created the planet for the sake of humans. I guess the thing that caught my attention was the way they used the word 'breed' like we are just dumb animals getting in the way of the earth and the earth has some agenda of its own. Now I know and completely agree that we should take care of Gods creation but this is way out there.

Independence Day

2007-07-04T12:24:00.000-05:00

Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

That is quite a read. Can you imagine the courage it took to sign that paper? 56 men... no, 56 patriots signed their death warrant when they signed the Declaration of Independence. Many of these men lost their families and homes in the quest for freedom. The interesting thing to me is they also signed a pledge of community (the last line).

Texas History

2007-06-27T20:38:00.000-05:00

I heard something the other day that disturbed me. A guy on the radio said that the United States took Texas from the Mexicans and therefore they deserved to inhabit it undisturbed. He was talking about ILLEGAL immigration.

It made me wonder how many people really don't know how Texas came to be. Now I certainly don't claim to be a history major but, if I'm not mistaking, the Texicans fought for their independence against the tyranny of the dictatorship of Santa Anna. Just like the colonist fought against the tyranny of the King of England. I'm sure there was more to it but that's the gist of it.

I'm also sure that before someone goes tying Texas up in some cockamamie crapola, they should study just a bit.

Pray for Prevention (and Lost Hair)

2007-06-11T16:47:00.000-05:00

Have you ever noticed how you (or me) call on God alot more in the mist of trouble? Yeah, me too. I'm finding myself in the mist of a struggle that I can't seem to get an appropriate response from the proper authority. (I'm being vague on purpose.) I've called all the right people and have even talked to some. But there is no immediate assistance. If I cross the line I can get immediate assistance but that would be the negative kind and would only create more problems. I haven't been on this side of things and it gives me a whole other perspective of some of the families I've seen in my past affiliations.
I'm telling you folks, proactive is the proper way to be, but reactive is the way things seem to be done. It's a durn shame. I'm praying heavily and constantly (or consistantly- whichever is the proper word) that the "prevention services" get here in time.

D-Day

2007-06-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

Today is the 53rd anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. We went in as "liberators not conquerors" were the words FDR used. As many as 6000 men died on D-Day and it was a success. The whole thing cost the lives of somewhere around 425,000 Allied and German forces.

I heard someone ask today, that if our media were to have been around on June 6, 1944, do you think that they would be asking President Rososevelt for an "exit strategy" or hollering about how the cost of American lives wasn't worth it?

I wonder...

The Unholy Trinity

2007-05-26T14:53:00.000-05:00

"He has studied the Western postmodern mind and has devised a strategy based on its unholy trinity of multiculturalism, moral equivalence and cultural relativism."

I saw this statement while reading an article titled "Nuclear Iran?" by Victor Davis Hanson. It first caught my attention because of the phrase "western postmodern mind". Mainly because I'm not sure i fully grasp the definition of the word 'postmodern', but yet I feel some connection to it. Then the rest of the sentence "unholy trinity of multiculturalism, moral equivalence and cultural relativism" put to words something I've thought about quite often but didn't know how to say.

It doesn't seem that multiculturalism is helping our great nation a bit. Many will attempt to say that we must accept all cultures in this country because that's what this country was built on. That is no doubt a grave misunderstanding. The people that came to this country and made it great did not come here and say "my culture is great and I will continue living it in this country." They came to this country to live free of the ties and burdens set on them by their own countries. They came and assimilated to the culture of this new nation. A culture that singled no one people out but included all who would take hold of it. They came and learned a new language and new laws and customs. They came with the thought of being a part of a new nation where they were free to worship, teach, speak and to pursue their dreams without fear of a government or dictatorship that would keep them from a better life.

This nation is great because it leaves open the door for any individual to excel and create and invent without fears of retribution or domination or control by the government. This nation encourages self-reliance and independence. You can be as great as you want. If you try hard enough you can be a professional athlete making millions of dollars or you can create a new software and become one of the wealthiest people in the world. This country is great because it rewards hard work and personal effort and the government doesn't take your reward and distribute it where it pleases.

This great nation has made mistakes and, for the most part, I think it recognizes them and attempts to correct them. I am sure that being such a young nation that there will be other mistakes made. But I am equally as sure that, as long as this nation recognizes independent thoughts and ideas and the rewards continue to be worth the effort, that there will be great people who grow up here or come from foreign lands to pursue their dreams, that will continue to make this a great nation.

We must get over this idea that we have to accomadate every nationality that crosses our borders looking for a new life. We must get beyond multiculturalism, moral equivalance and moral relavance and see this nation as ONE NATION with one goal to become one people.

I'm sure I haven't said everything I wanted to say about all of this, but there will be more to come.

Travelers

2007-05-26T00:09:00.000-05:00

We're all travelers in this world.
From the sweet grass to the packing house.
Birth 'til death.
We travel between the eternities.

-Prentice Ritter

I'm indeed blessed to have traveling companions

such as I do. I can only hope that God uses me in these travels

and that all I do can be to glorify Him.

The Not-so Merry-go-round

2007-05-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

My general superintendent asked us to come to our next meeting with a list of our strengths and weaknesses. So I started contemplating on what mine would be and discovered one blaring weakness that tends to be a strength, that tends to start the Not-so Merry-go round.

My weakness is that I expect that everyone is honest and hard working. I like to think that if I treat all my men like men and that if I respect them and their position and situations, then they'll respect me and earn their money instead of look for opportunities to screw me and milk the job. Unfortunately that isn't how it always happens. So I rely on my foreman to counterbalance any of my mis-judgements. Then I have to wonder (especially now that all my old guys are gone) if I correctly assessed them and their abilities enough to rely on their judgement. That's where the not-so merry-go-round begins.

My strength is that I expect that everyone is honest and hard working. Everyone gets a clean slate when they come on my job and everyone gets the benefit of the doubt. My men don't have to worry about being bird dogged and hopefully that helps them to relax and be more productive. Obviously I'm not always correct and therefore I return to the previous paragraph and begin the not-so merry-go-round.

The Last of the M H-icans

2007-05-17T22:03:00.000-05:00

I've been working at the "same" shop for twenty years. I don't know why except that I always seem to find something to commit to so I can't, with good conscience, leave the job undone. I say "same" because the company has gone through four names and a complete upper management turnover so technically it's really not the "same". I haven't gone anywhere but everyone else has. All the guys I came up in the trade with are gone. All the guys I worked for are gone. There is only me and one more left and he's received an offer that I don't think he can refuse. So here I am, hard headed and not going anywhere till they run me out. I'm the last of the M H-icans.

My Pride, My Heart and My Life

2007-04-29T20:52:00.000-05:00

My sons are my pride.

Wesley is the oldest at 22. He is a Marine serving our country, as a field radio operator, in Iraq. He left in January and will be home for r&r in August. We talk to him every now and then and we can email him. We miss him a great deal but we know he is part of a very noble task. His wife Ashley is waiting anxiously for his return in North Carolina.

Michael is the next oldest at 18. He has completed basic training in the Army and has started his MOS school. He is going to be a meteorologist for the Army. He is now stationed in Oklahoma so he's not to far away and we talk regularly.

Jason is next in line at 15 years old. He is finishing his freshman year in high school and is on the drill team of the JROTC. He is enjoying this very much and is looking forward to serving our country as a Marine.

The youngest of the boys, at 4 years old, is Cody. He has ambitions of driving his mom crazy and being the White Ranger (because his sword shoots arrows).

My girls are my heart.

At age 20, Lindsay is the oldest of the girls. She is in college taking the basics while deciding which way life will take her. She is working full time at a law firm as a receptionist and assistant.

Sarah is 11 yrs old and is currently home schooled. She enjoys seeing her friends at church and having her cousins spend the night. She is a great help to mom.

Amy is the last of the Topping tribe. At two years old she has single handedly removed any desire to have anymore kids.

My wife is my life.

Rhonda changed my life 23 years ago when she became my wife. We've been through many of life battles together and with God's help we've came through stronger and better than we could have ever imagined.

2007-04-28T21:24:00.000-05:00

Shouldn't we try to win the war we're in? I'm pretty sure we're there for some very good reasons. Why would we get started in this if we didn't think we could win? The answers are yes we should finish, and win, this war we're in, yes we are there for some very good reasons and no one would go into a war that they didn't think they could win.

If we listen to the mainstream media you will hear lots of stuff about why we went to war with Iraq and who is winning and why we should quit and come home. Most of the negative comments and rhetoric (not all, but most) is from the Liberals who are afraid we'll hurt someones feelings if we win.

The thing each person should do is look at the news from all sides. Right, left, Fox, CNN and any other views you can find and decide for yourself what YOU think. That's what I have done. I'm not beyond changing my mind about one thing or another but it will be because I decided to, based upon what I think.

As for me I believe we're doing a good thing in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are taking the war to the terrorist instead of waiting for them to bring it to us. We have saved thousands of lives by taking down the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Yes, there are more rouge nations out there that need our attention like Iran, Syria and North Korea and of course we should try diplomacy first. Perhaps we should be in Sudan or some other Third world country where people are being slaughter by their leaders.

I wonder if our military can handle anymore right now. They're spread pretty thin. That could be fixed by the draft. I know no one wants that but a program such as that in Israel could be very helpful.

A Ranger Speaks Out

2007-04-27T18:35:00.000-05:00

Listen to this video. It's an Army Ranger who seems to know what he's talking about.

Click To Play

A Ranger Pours his soul out about the situation in Iraq...

SaveTheSoldiers.comÂ Â Â Â

No Man Needed???

2007-04-13T21:08:00.000-05:00

The feminists dreams are about to be realized. Professor Karim Nayernia of the University of Newcastle has said it is theoretically possible to create a sperm cell from the bone marrow of a women. Of course they could only reproduce females. Read this: The Prospect of All-Female Conception
The thing that caught my attention is that the Professor said he didn't think there was any ethical problems as long as it was safe.
I'm thinking there is the same ethical problem that there is with human cloning.
I guess we're getting closer to not needing God or His creation. I don't really believe this could ever not need God, but it sure feels like the people building the Tower of Babel.

Words Worth Repeating

2007-04-12T18:39:00.000-05:00

"To reflect on history
is not to dwell on hard feelings,
but to remember and learn from the past
in order to open a better future,"

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

Flight

2007-04-10T20:32:00.000-05:00

I like to fly. I've only flown a few times and I've enjoyed all of them. Especially since I have been fortunate enough to be able to take my whole family.
I love the way people look at us when we come up to the gate with a stroller packed with carry-ons, a two year old in the seat and a three year old in tow. You can see it in their eyes. They're thinking 'Oh my lord, please don't let them have a seat by mine'. They look up and then down, like if they don't see us we won't get on the plane. It's really very funny :).
Even though the kids aren't always quite, they have always been better than we gave them credit for. I know this because we were sitting across from a two year old, on the way to California, who was too tired to go to sleep or couldn't because of the pressure on her ears. We helped mom with books and colors to try to calm the little girl since we knew all too well it could have been ours. She finally went to sleep and her mom got some rest too.
I don't know who I felt sorry for the most, the little girl who couldn't get comfortable or the mom who was feeling the burning thoughts of many of the passengers.

Grace

2007-04-02T19:15:00.000-05:00

GRACE

Recieving what you don't deserve.

MERCY

NOT recieving what you do deserve.

I heard a story about grace last weekend and the reality of it really came clear. I'll try to tell it:

It starts with a man in prison. There is no explaination why he's there, his guilt doesn't seem to be doubted by anyone but he has been there for 14 years and he has constantly been appealing to the governor for release.
Finally the wardon comes to see him and gives him the news he's waited on for years, he has been granted a full pardon. The wardon, expecting a joyful or at least a somewhat happy response, was surprised by the indifferent attitude of the inmate. The wardon explains that they had called his sister to pick him up. When he left he had the cell unlocked and the door opened, though the inmate made no move for the door.

A little later the custodian came through to clean the cell and was surprised to find the inmate still in the cell.
"Why are you still here?"
"I'm a prisoner, I belong here."
"But you've been set free you don't have to be here."
"Yes, I know. I have the paper right here. I just don't know if I can believe it."
The inmate returned to the bunk that had been the center of his world for so many years.

When his sister shows up she greets him with some question about why he's still in his cell. He explains he doesn't understand why he has been pardoned now after so many years of trying to get through to the parole board and he's not real sure it isn't some big joke. He confides that he really doesn't know how handle his new found freedom so he opts for the comfort of familiarity. Even though it is a prison cell.
She tells him that she doesn't know why or how, only that he is free. She suggests they just take a walk and he leaves the cell with her hand in his arm.

I'm sure I didn't do the story justice but seeing it brought tears to my eyes.
I wonder how many people don't accept Gods grace just because they don't understand it. Maybe they just can't they can't believe it could be for them. Since it can't be earned or bought it couldn't possibly be meant for them.

Well my friends (and readers of long boring blogs), it IS for you. Gods grace has set you free from the prison of sin if you only accept it. His grace shown to you through his son Jesus dieing on the cross, some 2000 years ago, and rising again three days later. He beared it all. All our sins, all our short comings, all our faults.
That's what Easter is all about. New life through Gods grace through Jesus Christ.

P.S.- I really didn't intend for this to become a sermon, but there it is.

Buy a Carbon free consience

2007-03-31T17:25:00.000-05:00

So if the Carbon Neutral company is correct I can spend 89.71 euros on a project in India providing solar energy to some neighborhoods or a project in Mexico doing some similar thing, and I can go ahead and drive 600 miles a week to and from work.
This is too weird. Why don't they just ask for money or solicit funds for their projects. I don't know about others but watching celebrities fly their jets around the world and be driven around in limos while stopping to champion global warming or some other cause of the moment isn't a very appealing sale to me.
Yes, I know there's an issue about global warming. I'm not so sure it's as big a deal as Al Gore wants us all to believe but we do need to do our part and be conscious of the environment around us and around the world. We also need to do our part to support and protect the third world nations that are being held back either by world circumstance or tyrant leaders.
I think we can do this without buying carbon credits to satisfy our conscience.

What about history?

2007-03-28T21:07:00.000-05:00

I don't understand why we can't seem to learn from history. Maybe I'm just hearing one sided news. But didn't thousands of Vietmanese get slaughtered when we pulled out of Vietnam before the job was finished. It seems like I heard something about thousands of Cambodians died the same way. Slaughtered by the tyrants that we left undefeated, because congress wouldn't fund the war effort.