CatHouse Chat

Oh, this is cool... OMINOUS, but very cool!

Yeah, haven't updated in a month or more (I'm going to TRY to sit down and actually WRITE something today), so this is just a little something to remind myself that CatHouse Chat is NOT dead... ;-)

Anyway, this is a duststorm in Phoenix:

 

Our first snake for 2011

This king snake is about 4 1/2 feet long, and we let him go out back byour storage shed so he can gobble up all the mice and such to his tummy's content!

Thoughts on the END OF THE WORLD that, well, wasn't

It has been rather amusing - and somewhat painful - to watch all the sturm und drang that Harold Camping's prediction of the world's end on 21 May stirred up. I wasn't too surprised when the media et al. hyped it because that's what they do - and God forbid that they should bring in, you know, an actual biblical scholar or theologian to discuss the matter and provide a real, non-sensational rebuttal to Camping's non-biblical bid for attention.

So, basically, my main reaction was amusement at the gullibility of 'most everyone who opined on the matter in their quest to sensationalize a topic that is really quite serious.

Which point brings me to the painful aspect of all the hoopla: you may not believe it, but the Bible - God's Word - does speak of the end of the world. Jesus, in fact, speaks more of unsaved man's fate in Hell more than any other person in the Bible; if He spoke of it so much, simple respect for His character should make us take a look at our eternal destination and the end of the world.

Since I've written about salvation a few times on this blog but not about the end of the world (not that I recall, anyway), I thought I'd toss in a few of my own thoughts on the matter as my blog-brother, Michael, has.

Full disclosure time: while I hold to the premillennial rapture view of the end times, it is not something which I hold with a "closed hand." What I mean by that is, since

1. I have not personally done a dedicated study of end time prophecies and the history of that doctrine as held by the Christian Church, and
2. while I consider it an IMPORTANT doctrine, I don't believe it's a doctrine (generally) that is an essential of the faith (i.e., if you don't believe in the premillennial rapture view, you're not a Christian), so we should view the subject through the lens of Christian charity and liberty, and
3. several Bible teachers who I hold in great respect and honor for their diligence in the study and proclaimation of Scripture have opposing views, each with biblical reasoning that, at least, requires me to give them careful consideration, even if I don't think I agree with them, and
4. finally, remember that in any discussion, positions A, B and C (or however many), when they are in opposition, cannot ALL be right... but they CAN all be WRONG! We are still imperfect humans, and "see through a glass, darkly." We have not yet been glorified with the Son and thus do not have perfect knowledge untainted by sin. Even when we do enter Eternity to be with our Savior, there will always be things we do not - and will not - know: finite creatures such as ourselves are incapable of fully comprehending the infinite God who created us.

Due to these points, I cannot be dogmatic on what Christian view of the end times is the "right" one - except, of course, for the fact that Jesus said He would return to judge the world, condemn the unrighteous to eternal punishment, take His Church to be with Him in Eternity, and to bring a "new heaven and a new earth" in which there is no sin and no tears (see Revelation 21).

OK, so what's the big deal about the end times, then? Why did I feel saddened by all the posturing and pontificating and derision heaped up on Camping and his deluded prediction?

Simple: because Christ IS coming back! When, we don't know - but it could be before I finish this post, or it could be hundreds of years from now: we just don't know. However, God knows. He has set the year and the day and the hour and the very minute that He will bring history to an end and usher us all into eternity.

Look, folks, you don't even know if you'll be alive five seconds from now, much less what the date is for the end of the world. Yet the Bible makes clear that NOW is the time for salvation, NOW is the time to repent of sin and turn to God for forgiveness. Once you die, there will be no second chance, and your eternity is fixed. There are no second chances!

So, Christian, while we wait in anticipation of Christ's glorious Return, we should be diligent in being committed disciples of Christ. We should be earnestly working out our salvation by immersing ourselves in His Word and rooting out sin in our lives. We should be loving and nurturing our families, working to support them and training our children up in the love and admonition of our Lord. We should be gathering together as a Church family to worship and praise the One who is our Salvation and our Strength, committing ourselves to proclaiming His name to all the earth. We should be dedicated bosses and employees, working honestly and fairly at our jobs as a witness to the character of Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

We should be living lives of faithful service, forsaking indolence and foolishness, so that when our Savior returns, He will not find us idle or behaving shamefully.

Unbeliever, what about you? The End of the World™ has become rather a joke, hasn't it? I am sorry for that, but I do urge you to take a sober look at your life and at the reasonableness of the Christian faith (yeah, I know, you've been told it's all smoke and mirrors - but have you actually read any Christian apologists with any semblance of an open mind?). Christ is not narrow - "whosoever will may come" (John 3:16, naturally) and be welcomed. Christ is not a killjoy - "I have come so that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Christ does not ask you to come to Him blindly, but to count the cost carefully.

You know, there's a famous challenge given by Blaise Pascal, known as "Pascal's Wager." It basically says that, if you are an atheist and there is no God, you have lost nothing - but if there is a God, you lose EVERYTHING. However, if you are a Christian and there is no God, again, you have lost nothing.

But if you are a Christian and there is a God, you gain EVERYTHING.

Atheist futures: either neutral annihilation or eternal loss.

Christian futures: either neutral annihilation or eternal gain.

It's a poor reason to accept Christ, but perhaps it will put your feet on the path to understanding the depths of your own sin and the infinite love, grace, and forgiveness that Christ offers with an open hand.

At Pentecost (Acts 2), Peter stands up among the people in Jerusalem and quotes the prophet Joel. In Joel 2, God calls for Israel to repent and return to Him and then promises:

And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved.
& For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the LORD has said,
Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.

NOW is the day of salvation; you do not know know the hour of your reckoning. NOW is the time, before it really is the End of the World.

(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)

 

The END OF THE WORLD!!! .. Well, maybe....

Harold Camping, as everyone knows and that I can't link on my mobile device, is certain that tomorrow is the END OF THE WORLD!!!!!!

To which I say: No one knows but the Father.

In preparation for Resurrection Day (also known as Easter *grinz*)

You know, technology can be a pain and it can be dangerous - but it can also be a blessing. I was listening to my Christian "channel" on Pandora today, and a song by Shane and Shane came up that was PERFECT for today: "Before the Throne of God Above."

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

Isn't it amazing that the God who created all the "infinite" universe - all the stars and galaxies, all the cells and atoms, all the people and animals that exist - would care so much for humanity that He came down to us and lived among us? Isn't it incredible that the God we sin and rebel against every day would still love us so much that He, in the Person of His Son, stands before the Father every moment, interceding for His children? Doesn't it fill you with awe that this perfect, holy, transcendent God would still be so involved with His creation and so desiring to reconcile us to Himself that He would bear all the punishment for our sins and pay the penalty in full on our behalf?!

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

Christian, do you realize that nothing you do can ever make God love you more? Do you realize that nothing you do can make Him love you LESS? Do you realize that He has loved you with an everlasting love and has chosen you as His child from the foundations of the earth? Do you - and I - really understand that no matter how intensely and truthfully Satan may accuse us and bring up all our sin, the sacrifice of the only begotten Son of God as a propitiation for our sins has completely removed all the filthiness of sin? We stand efore God clothed in the perfect righteousness of His Son,m who loved us and gave Himself for our salvation.

Unbeliever, do you understand that God's mercy is deeper than the depths of the sea and more vast than all the heavens, and that He is willing and eager to gather you into His family and into eternal joy - if you will only listen to His Spirit calling your name and repent? The Perfect Father is waiting with open arms and will hold you close in His arms and pour out His love upon you if you will only come to Him!

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Satan is no longer my master; I have a new Master who desires only my eternal good. Satan has been defeated, and my new Master will no longer allow Satan to steal, kill and destroy me. Satan's power over me is broken forever, and if I resist him, he will flee. Instead of a callous slavemaster, I am now under the care and authority of the Loving Father who holds me in His hand and will never leave me nor forsake me. Though the devil may accuse me, I look upon the Author and Finisher of my faith: Christ Jesus, whose Spirit dwells within me... And greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world!

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Jesus cried out on the Cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" The very Son of God, who always did all that the Father commanded and in whom the Father was well-pleased, prayed to His Father for my forgiveness - for your forgiveness! How could God not have heard His Son's prayer and granted it with all His heart?!

Jesus cried out, "IT IS FINISHED!" All the infinite debt for our sins has been completely satisfied - paid in full. Jesus' work on the Cross has fully appeased the just wrath God had toward us, and now His resurrected life brings us into the very presence of His Father. We are now clothed in the spotless white of Jesus perfection and are presented before the Throne of God without stain or blemish.

No further sacrifices, no other acts of atonement are required of us - they would, indeed, be blasphemous! Since Jesus' perfect, complete, and finished work of atonement has been accomplished, Christians are now free to live before Him in grateful love and joy. We can now follow Him in liberty, desiring to do His will out of love rather than fear. We have been loosed from the terror of the penalty of the Law and follow the Spirit of God because the Law is now written on our hearts.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace!

One in Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God

So I look back to yesterday, Good Friday, and can mourn: it was MY sin that nailed Him to that Cross. But I also look back to Good Friday and rejoice, because Jesus knew my sin before I ever lived - and He loved me enough to provide the only way to gather me into His eternal kingdom.

I contemplate the stillness of this Saturday, when Jesus' body lay in the Tomb and Satan had apparently defeated God... I see that sad stillness and I look forward to Sunday, Resurrection Day, when Jesus rose from the grave in triumph over sin, death, and Satan. Jesus' resurrection is the proof of His completed work on the Cross - proof that God the Father had fully accepted the sacrifice of His Son on our behalf.

It. Is. FINISHED!

He is risen - He is risen indeed!

Christ has triumphed over my sin, and I can only live a life of loving gratitude and joy for all He has done for me.

Do you know Him? Have you bowed before Him to say "thank You"? Have you laid your life and hopes and dreams at His feet, knowing that He will remake them into an everlasting hymn of praise and glory to His name? Do you understand that though you give up your life to Christ, He will give it back to you transformed into holy perfection and multiplied to an eternal expression of His abundant life?

All I can do is echo His praises and point you to His perfection and love...

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)

Passover

Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover.

‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you.

So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’”

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. It will come to pass when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. (Exodus 12:1-28, NKJV)

A few thousand years ago, God called His chosen people out of Egypt - but not before He had brought a series of judgements upon the land where they lived. Most people think that these judgements were only against Egypt, but here you see that the Jews who did not listen to and obey God's command would also suffer the consequences of the wrath of God.

The blood on the doorposts pointed to the sacrifice required to pay for the consequences of sin "for without shedding of blood, there is no remission" of sin. (Hebrews 9:22) Someone, something, must be given up to placate the wrath of the Holy and Perfect God against the sins of man.

This past Sunday, Christians celebrated Palm Sunday commemorating  Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

God presented His perfect, unblemished Lamb - His only begotten Son - to His chosen people. At the exact right time, in precisely the right manner, Israel's rightful Lord and King entered Jerusalem to the shouts of praise from thousands of people:

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

       “ Tell the daughter of Zion,
      ‘ Behold, your King is coming to you,
      Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
      A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

      “Hosanna to the Son of David!
      'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
      Hosanna in the highest!”

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11)

God had returned to Jerusalem!

But only a few days later was Passover, the reminder of God's mercy in sparing the firstborn of Israel - and this time, God had provided His own Lamb, His judgement fell on that Lamb, and the Wrath of God wase poured out upon His Son who had offered Himself up as a propitiation for us all.

I would ask my brothers and sisters in Christ to keep His willing, loving sacrifice before us each and every day of our lives. Because Jesus suffered the full wrath of His Father in our place, we now walk in joyful freedom and loving obedience - or, we SHOULD. Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our salvation, and run with perseverance the race He has set before us - looking only unto Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

And I would ask - humbly, with earnest love - that my Jewish friends would turn their eyes upon Jesus and see that their long-awaited Messiah has come! He awaits them with open arms, longing to circumcise their hearts as they have circumcised their flesh. Just as God provided Abraham with the ram, so He has provided His own Lamb for the sins of His people so that the Law will no longer be a curse but a blessing!

As Paul - a Pharisee of Pharisees, a persecutor of Christ, and finally Christ's chosen apostle to the Gentiles - says of his people the Jews:

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:1-13)

And in the meantime, I wish everyone a Passover and Easter filled with thanksgiving and joy, friends and family, and prayerful contemplation of all that our generous, loving and sovereign God has done for us.

SHALOM!

Testing, testing - it will be so cool if this works!

Testing the new Written on His Hands font in Open Office – I'm wondering in particular if I will be able to transfer this over to Typepad somehow...

This is the Sunshine In My Soul script. I think it's rather pretty..

And the is the Prophecy script. Very nice!

UPDATE: Well, drat. The Beloved Husband just checked via his laptop, and since he doesn't have these fonts installed, they show up at regular type on his computer. Hm. I guess that means I'll have to find a script font that is likely to be installed on most laptops....

 

Well, D'UH!

There are many arguments for a flat tax: Compliance costs are lower, it’s easier to understand, it doesn’t create a divide-and-conquer dynamic with regard to the tax brackets, it aligns taxpayers’ incentives, etc. But there’s a practical moral argument, too: The tax code is corrupt. Using the tax code as a cookie jar full of special favors for friends and supporters is corrupt. It does not matter that it’s legal, it is immoral. The purpose of taxes is to raise revenue for the government, not to repay political favors or to bribe voters with their own money. I do not think our tax system probably is really salvageable: Obamacare is not the only thing that should be repealed and replaced.

via www.nationalreview.com

Kevin D. Williamson, over at The National Review wrote this article, "Our Tax Code Is Corrupt," from which I quoted. Mr. Williamson's main point is that our tax code is corrupt (D'UH! again - believe me, I know!), and pulls out General Electric as an example.

Now, Mr. Williamson favors a flat tax, whereas I am leaning more toward the Fair Tax, but I agree totally with his main point about our corrupt tax system (and for the third time: D'UH!!!!!)

"Leveraging" my Kindle

This past week, life (at least as it relates to my reading and book buying habits) has been quite interesting. On Monday, my Beloved and Awesome Husband forwarded a link to this blog post. It is a conversation between Barry Eisler (here on Amazon) and Joe Konrath (here on Amazon), discussing self-publication and the attractions and benefits of not using the traditional publishing house route. The conversation was sparked, at least in part, by Mr. Eisler's decision to turn down a two-book-$500,000.00 advance in favor of striking out on his own. It's very long and there's a little bit of off-color remarks, but it's a fascinating read.

This article inspired me to take a look at some of the self-published authors on Amazon and see what was available in that $0.99-$4.99 sweet spot that Eisler and Konrath discussed - and there are a LOT! As a matter of fact, if you look at the Top 100 Kindle Bestsellers list, you will actually see TWO lists side by side: one for the top 100 PAID, and one for the top 100 FREE books on the Kindle. There is an embarrassment of riches available here, and I note that a very, very significant portion of the top 100 paid books are in that low priced sweet spot.

Which leads me to point out a couple of books that I really, really WANT on my Kindle, but that I will either borrow or wait on because the price is now, in my opinion, simply too high. I would love for publishers to "get" that I am far more likely - now, especially - to impulse buy a book I'm interested in when it's priced at $5 or lower (and especially if it's been out for more than 6 months!). Higher than that, and I have to think about it.

Now for the books:

• I saw mention of Andrew Brietbart's book Righteous Indignation over at Pajamas Media, and thought "Ooooooo, DO WANT!" - but the current pre-order price is $14.99 for the Kindle edition, and $14.73 for the hard copy. Whose brilliant idea was that?! For this story (read Dr. Helen Smith's brief review linked above at PJM), I'd pay more than $5 - but not that much more!
• I'd like to buy Randy Alcorn's book, the Grace and Truth Paradox, since my Adult Bible Study class will be finishing up a quick review of it tomorrow, but the Kindle edition is $9.99! The hard copy is only 96 pages long, and the book has been out since 2003. Sorry, I'll pass that up or maybe buy a used copy (from $0.87 plys $3.99 shipping).
• This book, Introverts in the Church, published in 2009, interests me and is on my Amazon wish list, but I wasn't sure if I really wanted it. If it had only been $3 or $4, I would have grabbed it and taken the risk.

On the other hand, I've purchased several books by authors I'd never heard of, but who had well-reviewed books with intriguing plot synopses - all $0.99, and none of which I'd have purchased at $6 or more:

• The Righteous, by Michael Wallace
• The Solomon Scandals, by David H. Rothman - this was suggested via Facebook by my darling blog-brother, GM Roper, and Mr. Rothman even responded to me in the comments there!
• Seven Days from Sunday, by M. H. Sargent
• Take the Monkeys and Run (I mean, really - how could I resist a title like that?!), by Karen Cantwell
• Live Free or Die (the Granite State Mysteries), by  Jesse Crockett
• Invisible, by Lorena McCourtney. OK, I lied. This one wasn't $0.99 - it was offered FREE to entice you to buy some of her other books in the Kindle store, many-if-not-most of which are priced in that sweet spot.

I've also taken advantage of purchasing low-cost collections of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, Rudyard Kipling, and James Fenimore Cooper (of The Last of the Mohicans fame) as well as the Conscience of a Conservative (Goldwater), and classics like Plutarch's Lives, de Toqueville's Democracy in America, the Arabian Nights, Milton's Paradise Lost, Dante's Divine Comedy, a complete Shakespeare, and the Ultimate Mythology Collection (including Homer, the Illiad and so on).

Every. Single. One. of those books were less than $5. That's almost TWENTY books, purchased in the last week. None of those books went on my wishlist to languish into oblivion. None of those books' prices made me stop and think or decide to wait and see if the price would come down.

I want to buy books. I LOVE to buy books! And with my new Motorola XOOM with WiFi tentatively scheduled to arrive (from Amazon - yep, total Amazon fangirl, here!) on Wednesday (and the Kindle app is smokin' hot on it - I've tested it on my hubby's 3/4G XOOM), I'm going to be buying MORE ebooks.

But not at the prices you seem to want to sell them! Not anymore, anyway...

Publishers, you are in the business of selling books! Let me give you some advice: stop resisting the digital revolution, stop pushing paper sales at the expense of digital, lower your prices, and get those books moving off the shelves (virtual or otherwise)!!!!

Related articles

• NYT Best Seller Barry Eisler turns down $500,000 advance in favor of Self Publishing (myliteraryquest.wordpress.com)
• The Big Authors Begin To Bolt (andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com)
• Free Kindle Books (livingrichwithcoupons.com)
• Best Selling Author Turns Down Half A Million Dollar Publishing Contract To Self-Publish (techdirt.com)
• Best-Selling Author Refuses $500k; Self-Publishes Instead (news.slashdot.org)
• The self-publishing frenzy : a view from this side of the pond (davidhewson.com)

People still wear watches?!

I MENTIONED MARKDOWNS ON WATCHES THE OTHER DAY, and I now wonder if they’re desperate. Reader Duke DeLand emails: “April 20th 2009 I removed my wrist watch and it still rests on my bedside table. With my phone always there I found it less-than necessary. Many with whom i talk say the same. Have most of us abandoned watches?”

via pajamasmedia.com

I haven't worn a watch since I started regularly carrying a cellphone... It's got to be, oh, 8 or 9 years at least since I've had one of those annoying contraptions on my wrist.

But, then again, I've never cared for bracelets, either!

Hi, I'm Gomer, the sheep...

Yeah, a weird title, I know. But it came out of listening to two different Christian programs today that really run together quite well. The first program was from Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church:

The second program is from Ravi Zacharias' program, "Just Thinking," from a four-part series called "Worship: A Clue to the Meaning in Life."

Pastor Mark speaks of the parable of the Lost Sheep, wherein the Good Shepherd leaves 99 sheep who are not lost to go search out the one who is lost and carries it home. Dr. Zacharias mentioned the prophet Hosea, who God called to marry a harlot named Gomer as a picture of God's relationship with Israel.

So, hello - I'm Gomer the sheep.

Sheep are dumb. They're weak, they're not very tough, and they often like to wander off and get lost. They're really too stupid to find their way back home, and when they're out away from the flock and the Shepherd, they tend to get into trouble and get beaten up, abused and into some really bad situations. Fortunately, if they belong to the Good Shepherd (in other words, if they really ARE a sheep and not a goat), He always searches them out, puts them on His shoulder and carries them back home. My Shepherd is always on the lookout for me, ready to rescue me from danger, clean me up and get me back with the flock so I can be safe, close to Him.

Gomer was a harlot. Hosea married her and loved her and had two children with her - and she left a happy, secure and loving home and went back to her prostitution. Pretty confusing, isn't it? Why would she leave a good situation to go back to the filth and degradation of whoring herself out? Certainly one could understand if Hosea threw up his hands and had nothing else to do with her - but he doesn't. In obedience to God's command and as a beautiful picture of God's love for His wayward and rebellious people, Hosea searches Gomer out and takes her back as his wife. He never stopped loving her, and he returns her to her home and cherishes her. Just like God keeps searching out His sinful people and keeps pouring out grace into our lives, even when we don't deserve it!

So, hello again: I'm a stupid, weak, wandering, rebellious and sinful sheep named Gomer.

But my Husband, my Savior, my Shepherd keeps searching high and low, chasing after me and carrying me back to Himself, showing me His eternal love and pouring out His infinite grace upon my life. He holds me tight to His heart, and that small reflection in His eye - the one you have to get very, very close to see - that's where I am. He has clothed me in the righteousness of His Son, not for anything that I've done, but just because for some unfathomable reason He has chosen to set His love upon me!

And so, I'm happy to be a stupid sheep named Gomer - and by the grace and guidance of my Beloved Shepherd and Husband, I will get better and walk ever more closely to Him in love and worship.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)

Courage

Have you ever thought about the fact that THE prerequisite of courage is fear?

Christ has sent the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, the Comforter (from "cum forte" with strength), to encourage and strengthen us through our times of trial.

"Fear not!" Christ says, and then He gives us Someone who comes alongside and stands with us through our fears.

(Thank you to RC Sproul's ministry at Ligonier for this thought this morning!)

A very Weight Watchers-friendly cart

... even if I DO say so myself!

Forgiveness: It Ain't for Sissies

The past few weeks, I've had the honor of team teaching in my Adult Bible study at church and we've been going through the Tale of the Prodigal Son from Luke (chapter 14, vv 14-32). Last week we discussed the forgiveness shown by the father in the parable and it provoked a passionate and intense discussion about what forgiveness looks like and how it works out in real life. I think, perhaps, the one thing that really fueled the flames was my statement that forgiveness is not a feeling but an action.

I'll say that again, and even put it in bold accents:

Forgiveness is not a FEELING
forgiveness is an ACTION

Guest Post: Al Ramirez Considering Running for CA 36th District

This is a guest post from my dear friend and blog-brother, Kender [link to original post]. It's always a pleasure to open the CatHouse to help out my buddies!

Al Ramirez, who we last saw running in the primary against Cary Fiorina to unseat Barbara Boxer is considering a run for California's 36th District.  Many times in the last election I heard Fiorina was the best candidate possible as she had the most appeal to independents and could self fund, which turned out to be poppycock.  Fiorina was beaten soundly by Boxer and in fact, statewide elections walloped the GOP here in California. 

Why? Several reasons.  California has a large Hispanic population, and frankly the GOP cannot win without their support.  Al Ramirez brings the support of the Hispanic community.  The GOP, as has been pointed out ad nauseum, must also appeal to voters under 50.  Al Ramirez is under 50 and will appeal to the demographic.  Even though he is under 50 Al Ramirez is just the kind of American Success story the California Republican Party (CRP) should be backing in this race. But more about Al Ramirez and his success story later. The final thing the GOP need to do well here in California is to win in Los Angeles County. 

That's a hard thing to do, for several reasons. The county is largely Hispanic for one thing, and Hispanics tend, for some reason, to vote democrat when the vote is for a person and conservative when the vote is for an issue.  Witness the last election.  Even though democrats stormed Sacramento handily, the propositions on the ballot went heavily in favor of the conservative wishes.  The Hispanic vote had a lot to do with that, just like it had a lot to do with Prop. 8 a couple of years back.

As I said earlier, Al Ramirez is the American Success Story.  Frank DeMartini over at RedState has worked with Mr. Ramirez and has a great article on this as well here and you can read more about the accomplishments of Al Ramirez here.

Al Ramirez brings is the right person at the right time in the right place.  I for one would like to see the CRP throw their weight behind him so we can take back the 36th District and turn this state around.

Follow Al Ramirez on twitter and facebook.

Romans 8

I think that Romans 8 is the most glorious, the most freeing, the most comforting, and the most uplifting chapter in the whole Bible (well, for me, anyway!). For ten years and more, Romans 8 is where I go when I need reassurance, when I need to remember God's love, and when I need to be reminded of just why I really do want to forsake sin and obey the infinite, awesome and holy God who loves me and gave Himself for me.

Earlier today, I'd posted on Facebook (via my Android YouVersion app) Romans 8:30 -

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

This prompted a couple of "likes" and and a comment from a friend, and here is what I replied:

Romans 8 is probably my mostest favoritest in the whole Bible ;-) The picture of God's infinite kindness and mercy in forgiving all who come to Him through His Son is amazing!

And He doesn't just do that, but He also adopts us and gives us the right to call Him Father - DADDY! He promises us that He will work everything out to make it bring forth good things... He promises us that He will bring us to Himself (see the verse quoted above), and He promises that He is FOR US - and so nothing can really be against us.

Most of all, at the end of the chapter, He promises us that NOTHING can separate us from the love He has for us through His Son - nothing created, nothing above or below, no powers of angels or demons - NOTHING can separated us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

When I meditate on this chapter - and I've returned to it many, MANY times over the past 10 years - it keeps getting deeper and richer and more wonderful to me. I read it and praise the God who made me and who brought me out of darkness and into the glory of His salvation and His kingdom...

I meditate on these words and am astonished that people can refuse this glorious and beautiful eternal gift. How could anyone not see the infinite love that sent Jesus, willingly, to the Cross to die for the sins of His sheep?! How can anyone be told of this marvelous thing and NOT run to God and fling themselves at Him so He can catch us and hold us in His love forever?!

Oh, how I long for God to send His Spirit for the conviction of sin and the resurrection of some particular souls in my life! I know that I need a continual revival in my heart, and I know that I need to live a life of continual repentance and rejoicing in God's great goodness and mercy towards me, but how I long for His blessed and irresistable call to come to... my someone!

State of the Union is tonight?

Yeah, well, who really cares? It's just going to be more of teh One™ puffing himself up, blaming GWB and the Republicans for all our woes, saying that if we spend even more we'll finally dig ourselves out of this recession, encouraging us to tighten our belts and sacrifice while he and Michelle-My-Belle swan off to wherever at taxpayers' expense, and calling for a bipartisanship that he honors only in the breech.

Why should I bother to tune in for such vacuous, self-involved idiocy?

Thanks, I'm gonna get a good night's sleep instead.

God has been BEYOND good to me... and His mercy is over all the earth

Cooking dinner tonight and chatting with my Beloved about "whatever"...Teasing and joking quips bouncing between him, our daughter and me... Seeing our darling daughter make good choices with a wonderful attitude... Getting hugs and love from the BEST hubby and daughter... Being HONORED to teach Sunday School for my group tomorrow... Having good health, a job with a superior boss, a roof over our heads, enough to supply our needs and many wants, an embarrassing amount of truly excellent friends...

God has been so good!

Crystal Lewis proclaims my gratitude PERFECTLY -

God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good
God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good

I don't always say the right things
Boy I try
I don't always live my life the right way
But God is faithful to forgive me
When I fail or fall
I am unworthy of it all
Still He keeps on givin

God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good
God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good

My God has given me
More than I ever dreamed
A precious family
And friends who care for me
Why should he love me so
Oh that Ill never know
I am unworthy of it all
Still He keeps on givin to me

God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good
God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good

It would take hours and days at a time
For me to sit down and write down
All the things Hes done
Let me say this that its nothing I've done
But its the grace He gives freely to everyone

Tell everybody
Tell everybody 'bout it
Tell everybody
Everybody 'ought to know

"God's Been Good to Me" was brought to mind because I heard Crystal's version of "Be Thou My Vision," an old, glorious hymn that I pray - ONE DAY - I may live to the fullest:

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

 

 

 

Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors: Constitutional Illiterates?

My dear friend Shaun Kenney, who is a member of the Fluvanna BOS, was the sole dissenting vote - 

The owner of The Fluco Blog, a Fluvanna County-based news site, has filed a lawsuit over an ordinance limiting the use of the official Fluvanna County seal.

Bryan Rothamel is accusing the county of violating the First and 14th Amendments by adopting the ordinance, which allows use of the seal only with permission from the Board of Supervisors. Under the county code, a violation of the ordinance is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. [link]

It seems that Mr. Rothamel irritated the BOS with one of his blog posts criticizing their actions (I'm not sure which post yet, but here's a link to the Board of Supervisors category), and they have retaliated in a truly petty and childlike manner - 

The motion for the ordinance was adopted 4-1 after a Sept. 15 public hearing during which Rothamel asked about fair use of the seal during news reporting, according to the meeting minutes. Shaun V. Kenney, the vice chairman of the board, voted against the ordinance. He said that he thinks the ordinance was a “remedial action” against the blogger for writing something that a supervisor didn’t agree with.

“This seems like a simple First Amendment, slam dunk, common sense situation,” Kenney said. “I’m still appalled, with all of the other issues facing us in Fluvanna County, that somehow we chose to focus on this.”

Hey, Fluvanna BOS members? I'm going to join up in support of Fluco Blog's First Amendment rights and imitate my blog-brother JR Hoeft at Bearing Drift:

First Amendment rights: NOT just for governmental toadies!

Rejoice!

... for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!

He came in humility, leaving the glory of Ivory Palaces to come to this sad and sin-cursed world. He laid aside His glory and His honor; He emptied Himself of His reputation and power.

Because of the great and eternal love He bears for His children, He came to live among us and died to atone and pay for our sins. Three days later, He arose in power, breaking the chains of sin and death and the grave.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, for today we rejoice in our Savior's advent here on earth! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will to all men! All praise to God our Savior, come to redeem us from sin and eternal hell! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

A joy from the past - Kender podcasts the Carnival of Christmas (2009)

For those of you listening to his re-broadcast of the awesome job he did recapitulating the 2009 Carnival of Christmas, here is the original link...

Unfortunately, I could not post a Carnival this year due to the general craziness of life. God willing, I will have the opportunity to upload some sort of Christmas blessing to the blogosphere... but *sigh* no guarantees!

(UPDATE: I suppose I should link to Kender's site for the broadcast, right? You can find him here and here.)

"The Traveler's Blues"

This is a parody cover done by my dear friend, Kender - he's a very talented poet and comic, so you really SHOULD listen *grinz*

Travelers blues 2

Random acts of culture and flash mobs

SWACGirl has a lovely roundup of this phenomenon that's becoming more and more popular, which is what sparks this brief post:

I just want to say that I love this! Ever since ImprovEverywhere started doing their fun improvisational skits, I've been enjoying seeing the creative and surprising ways that these groups bring smiles to people. I really hope that this trend keeps up, especially with the simple funny things as well as the "random acts of culture."

YouTube, of course, has several videos listed under random acts of culture, or you can check out the search for flash mob. Google, of course has extensive results here and here, detailing just what these phenomena are as well as links to webpages and videos.

So, go check them out; I think you'll be delightfully surprised by the creativity and joy that this new fad brings!

One King

And now I am finally catching up with my proper Faith of Christmas posts! Hooray!

For today's offering, I present David Phelps' song "One King," from his One Wintry Night album. I'm going to embed a scrolling box for the lyrics to save space; I hope it works!

David Phelps One King lyrics

Lyrics

Only one King gave up everything to come to His people and save them. Only one King humbled Himself and left His riches to dwell among the poorest and most sinful of His people. Only one King was born in a manger two thousand years ago to begin His earthly walk to the Cross and the salvation of His people.

Only ONE KING - and His name is Jesus!

Celebrate His life and His message of grace and love by bowing to Him in gratitude. Lay yourself bare before the One who already knows everything and has His arms open wide to welcome you to His Kingdom. Submit yourself to Him and give your entire self to His loving commands - He will never betray you, and He will always be with you.

Remember that Child in the manger and all He did on our behalf... and welcome Him, yet again, into your soul!

If I don't get started today...

... I won't even BEGIN to start my annual Christmas series. I'm already on Day 4, with bupkis to show for it.

I want to use hymns and carols that are not as well known or are rather unusual for each day, but I'm not sure what to title this year's series... The Adoration of Christmas? The Praises of Christmas?

*sigh*

Well, since I'm in bed trying to kick a sinus infection before I have to resort to antibiotics, I suppose I'll have all day to work on this!

Brightest and Best

For the third day's offering, I actually have a video I can embed! One of my Cotillion friends recommended this beautiful hymn to me, and I couldn't resist! "Brightest and Best" was published in 1853, and it's definitely a forgotten gem!

 

Brightest and Best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

(The Faith of Christmas ... previous post ... next post)

 

It's True

Today's offering (yeah, I know - I posted this on the 4th, but it's been re-dated to the 2nd of December!) is a lovely song from Sarah Grove's album, O Holy Night, "It's True" - 

In your heart you
know it's true
though you hold no expectation
in the deepest part of you
there's an open hesitation

but it's true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it's true
Angels on high
sing through the night alleluia

heard it told you
think it's odd
the whole thing fraught with complication
the play begins with 
baby God
and all His blessed implications

but it's true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it's true
Angels on high
sing through the night alleluia

alleluia, alleluia

Oh it's true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it's true
Angels on high
sing through the night alleluia

(The Faith of Christmas ... previous post ... next post)

I Believe!

Welcome to the 2010 Christmas series here at CatHouse Chat! I've gotten a bit of a late start; between starting my seasonal tax job and fighting off a sinus infection, I've been a bit exhausted. But, today (Saturday 04 Dec., no matter what the post's time stamp says), I've got all day to get caught up and lift my spirits by writing about the wonderful Gift who was given to all humanity two thousand years ago.

I plan to use unusual and little-known hymns, songs and carols for this series (although one or two probably won't fit that description), because the variety of Christmas songs is so much more vast than "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!" (although I do love that hymn). I'd like to post the mp3 for each song, but will probably settle for a snippet, since I don't want to mess with copyright. At any rate, as I search out these songs, I know I will find new favorites for myself. In fact, I'm going to begin with one: "I Believe," from Natalie Grant's Believe album...

In a land far away
Time stood still
Long ago&
There were shepherds in fields
Or at least this is how
The story goes
The story goes
Woman with child
And a man with no room
Born in a manger
For telling it too
This is how
The story goes
But it is more than a fable
And it’s more than a fairytale
And more than my mind can conceive

I believe
The Wiseman saw
The Baby born the angels called the Son of God
Heaven’s child
The great I am
Born to take away my sins through nailed pierced hands
Emmanuel has come

I believe
Two thousand years
Still the story lives on
God’s gift to us
Sent to earth
Wrapped in flesh
His only Son
His only Son
And the heartbeat of heaven
Confounded our wisdom
But it’s still the simple truth
That sets me free

I believe
The Wiseman saw
The Baby born that the angels called the Son of God
Heaven’s child
The great I am
Born to take away my sins through nailed pierced hands
Emmanuel has come

And I believe
Precious child
How can it be that God’s great plan
For His story
Would send You to
The lonely tree
That You would come
For one like me

I believe
In a cross
I believe He came
For one, He came for all
Heavens child became a plan
Gave His life for me
In spite of all
I am
I believe
I believe
Oh I believe
Christmas lives in me
I believe 

(The Faith of Christmas ... next post)

Have a blessed Thanksgiving! (UPDATED)

This past year has been a very full one for me. Between my glorious trip to Israel and the sadness of my father's death, it seems to have flown by with barely a pause for breath.

Today, as a nation, we make ourselves pause to take that breath and to return thanks to our sovereign God and King. All that He has given us, both through trials and blessings, come from His hand to turn us to Him and to teach us to reflect His glory and holiness. God sheds His grace on both His children and those who hate Him; He is patient and kind in showing forth His love so that all men know His eternal godhead and power - even if they refuse to acknowledge it.

This Thanksgiving, as you enjoy your dinner or football game and the company of family and friends, I pray that you will take some time to reflect on God's love and kindness and the blessings He has poured out into your life. If you have not already bowed your head and trusted in Him with your whole heart, I pray that you will take this opportunity to do so and become His true child, destined for eternal blessing.

Father, as we come before You today, we lift up our voices in praise and gratitude to the only wise God. We offer You our thanks for the protection and provision You have given to us throughout the year, and we humbly ask that - if it be Your will - You continue to set a hedge of protection around us.

You provide for all our needs, Father, and so many of our wants! Help us to remember Your generosity so that we become generous people in response.

Thank You for this prosperous and free country we live in; please allow us to continue to grow in freedom. But more importantly, please send Your Spirit to revive our hearts and turn them towards You so that we may grow in righteousness and holiness. Help us to show our gratitude to You by obeying You and reflecting Your love and glory to the world.

UPDATE: Ah, I've been reminded of George Washington's proclamation of the first day of Thanksgiving, and am reproducing it here. President Washington says it far better than I ever could!

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleafed to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

 

Roy's Restaurant in Orlando still continues to deliver a FANTASTIC dining experience

Since my Mom lives in Orlando, we're down here frequently to visit and we usually go out for dinner almost every night. One of our favorite restaurants has always been Roy's, but - for one reason or another - we haven't been there for two or three years.

Well, last night, we took Mom out to Roy's - and I confess I was a little worried. Sometimes it happens that a favorite restaurant decides to rest on its laurels or management lets things slide or some other thing happens and you just don't enjoy eating there any more. It is sad, but it's true - and I am so glad that it hasn't happened with Roy's Orlando!

We have always loved all the Roy's we've visited for the superior service and the excellent food, a combination I've long considered to be a very good bang for the buck. No, they're not cheap, but I believe that Roy's really gives excellent value every single time. Of course, they're not quiet, intimate restaurants with classical music playing subtly in the background and waiters smoothly catfooting around your table, but Roy's are always full of boisterous energy, cheerfulness and good humor - exactly my style!

Last night we were served by two lovely and attentive young ladies: Carolyn, our server, and Elizabeth, who bussed the table. They were both very focused on providing an excellent dining experience, and they did wonderful credit to the Roy's reputation. Carolyn took care of any needs we had and struck the perfect balance between hovering and ignoring us; she never interrupted conversation, but it seemed we only had to glance up for her to be there, ready to bring us what we wanted. Elizabeth whisked away dirty dishes, filled water and iced tea glasses and kept everything running smoothly with a smile. Her friendliness and hospitality would grace any fine establishment!

There was only one bobble the entire evening (and it was only a mere bobble) - Carolyn misheard me and thought I'd ordered the signature blackened ahi appetizer instead of the dinner. However, with the typical "can-do" attitude I've encountered at each and every Roy's, she took care of the mistake quickly, courteously and very professionally - I had the proper order in front of me in about five minutes! That attitude is one of the best things about eating at Roy's: if you have a request, they can accommodate you; if there's a problem, they will fix it to your satisfaction with speed and grace - Roy's loves their customers, and makes sure they know it.

Finally, of course, my daughter and I finished with Roy's signature flourless chocolate soufflé, served with a drizzle of raspberry coulis and a scoop of vanilla ice cream; no trip to Roy's, as far as I'm concerned, is complete without this deliciously decadent flourish! Mom is a bit sensitive to chocolate (although she loves it - drat those allergies!) and truly enjoyed her vanilla crême brulée. And you can imagine our surprise and delight when the manager, Sid, came over to make sure everything went well and comped us our desserts! He was very gracious and wanted to welcome us back after our long absence - now, isn't that the aloha spirit taken to the max?!

So, if you're going to be in Orlando and want a wonderful, fun, and top-notch dining experience, I earnestly urge you to go visit Roy's - and tell 'em the kooky ol' Kat sent you!

 

Are they hypocritical? Or just willfully blind? Or simply... stupid?

The liberal love affair with Islam is perplexing.  While liberals tend to hate traditional Christianity for its more socially conservative worldview, they insist on vigorously defending Islam and its adherents.  From Jon Stewart’s moralizing, to Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg’s outrage at Bill O’Reilly, to President Obama’s recent droning about the “spirit of tolerance” in the Indonesian Constitution (in spite of Indonesia’s laws prohibiting speech offensive to Islam), we are forever sermonized that there is a gulf between Islamist extremism and the “vast majority” of normal Muslims, whom we would apparently love to have as neighbors and run into at Whole Foods.

via dailycaller.com

As they say, "Read the WHOLE thing." Very well done article that points out many of the similarities between Islam and Christianity that liberals refuse to acknowledge. It ALSO highlights some very important differences - and not to Islam's credit.

Well worth the read!

UPDATE: My friend Beth Cleaver (who used to blog at BamaPachyderm) recommended these two books on the topic: Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam And the American Left and United in Hate: The Left's Romance with Tyranny and Terror. They both look like very informative reads, and I'm considering getting them on my Kindle...

A welcome and surprise late birthday present

.... which provides still more proof that I am, officially, married to the Most Awesome and Wonderful Husband in the Universe™. (Just so y'all know, y'know?)

In January of 1987, just about 6 months after we were married in Corpus Christi, TX, we arrived at our very first duty station in Rota, Spain - VQ-2 (Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2, which is now based out of Whidbey Island, WA)). Thus began what was kind of a three year honeymoon; we both loved our time in Spain and had lots of fun during those three years. We met lots of fun people, ate lots of excellent food (it's stayed with me - but I can't regret it!), traveled, and basically had the time of our life for the Beloved husband's first tour in the US Navy.

One of the things I loved about Spain was a drink called ponche ("pohn-CHAY"), more specifically, Ponche Caballero. I've always called it "Spain's answer to Gran Marnier," but it's not quite that - it's unique to Spain. Ponche is a much "softer" spirit than Gran Marnier; they both have that intense orange aroma, but Ponche is a sweeter liquor. We'd have it in our cafe con leche, we'd drizzle it over a little vanilla ice cream, we'd sip it neat - we'd enjoy it just about any way we could get it!

Well, we left Spain in January of 1990 to begin our journey to two tours in Hawaii (join the Navy and see the world, folks - we lived it!), and I haven't had ponche since. I've often searched for it in liquor stores and asked them to check their distribution lists, to no avail. Once the Internet got up and running and Google really came online (yes, I AM old enough to remember that - I was one of Google's first search customers, LOL), I'd do the occasional search to try and find an outlet for ponche. I did find one about 10 years ago in Miami, but had no way to get it across state lines via a mail service (I didn't think of having it sent to my parents' and picking it up from them [headsmack]), but that one dropped off the results in a couple of years. About a year ago, I did find one source, but didn't think my Beloved would appreciate me spending over $300 to buy six bottles and have them delivered. The price for the ponche wasn't so bad, it was the shipping that cost a fortune! Plus, considering we used to pay about $8 a bottle in Spain, I really couldn't justify such an extravagance.

Well. Enter the Most Awesome and Wonderful Husband in the Universe™! 

SIX BOTTLES!!! Six bottles full of yummy deliciousness...!

I think, after I've put five of the bottles under lock and key (LOL), that I'm going to have to start plotting a Spanish dinner night. *grinz*

THANK YOU to my mostest awesomest wonderfulest Beloved Husband!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dead pillow...

... Evidence of the night before!
Just getting the girls up now to get ready for church. I went downstairs to build up the fire, and saw six adorsble, snuggly munchkin burritos cuddled on the couch and inflatable beds. They had a great time last night!

Democrats earn their "seal" yet again...

A staffer for a congressional Democrat who came up short on Tuesday reports that a team of about five people stopped by their offices this morning to talk about payroll, benefits, writing a résumé, and so forth, with staffers who are now job hunting.

But one of the staffers was described as a "counselor" to help with the emotional aspect of the loss — and a section in the packet each staffer was given dealt with the stages of grief (for instance, Stage One being anger, and so on). [link]

Cry me a river, baby. Cry me a river!

Oh, I am so sorry - I really ought to be more empathetic and supportive, shouldn't I?

*snerk* No, I lie.... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

TechCrunch: Why Hulu Is The OPEC Of Online Video

OPEC (the organization of petroleum exporting countries) is a cartel that was set up in the 1960′s and represents the interests of the 12 biggest oil producing countries in the world with the goal of increasing prices of oil, a good supplied in limited quantities to a world that had insatiable demand for the product.  The philosophy of OPEC has been that if they can limit the amount of oil supplied to the world they can maintain high prices in a world where demand and competition should naturally have downward pressure on oil prices.

Hulu is an online video distribution system owned by 3 of the largest 5 film & television suppliers in the United States with the goal of limiting the supply of high-quality online video available in order to defend high prices of the supply of this content on televisions through cable, satellite & broadcast TV.

Both systems are threatened in the medium run because alternative supplies of their core products will become more plentiful.

via techcrunch.com

I do love Hulu - but I am getting tired of the seeming inertia of the site. I'm starting to see more ads (granted, they're generally shorter and slightly less intrusive than on TV), and I'm DEFINITELY not seeing much-if-any benefit to "upgrading" my Hulu account.

I do love Hulu; my favorite shows - Eureka, Bones, Lie to Me, Castle - are easy to subscribe to and easy to watch (even when I'm not at home!). There are even a lot of oldies-but-goodies like the original Knight Rider and Starsky and Hutch available (although sometimes with limited episodes).

But Hulu really could be so much more - and this article does a fairly good job of outlining one of Hulu's major problems: limiting supply.

Allysia Finley: California Is the Lindsay Lohan of States and Sacramento Shouldn't Expect a Bailout - WSJ.com

Listen up, California. The other 48 states—your cousin New York excluded—are sick of your bratty arrogance. You're the Lindsay Lohan of states: a prima donna who once showed some talent but is now too wasted to do anything with it.

After enjoying ephemeral highs and spending binges, you suffer crashes that culminate in brief, unsuccessful stints in rehab. This cycle repeats itself every five to 10 years, as the rest of the country looks on with a mixture of horror and amusement. We'd feel sorry for you if you didn't constantly flip us the bird.

Instead, we're making bets on how long it will be before your next meltdown. Oh, wait—you're already melting down.

via online.wsj.com

Oh, this is just classic! You simply must go read the whole thing, because it's as lovely an evisceration of liberal idiocy as I've ever seen (and we all know that Kalifornia is Loony Liberal Land).

(found via Betsy Newmark)

Here's a good idea...

Beyond that, we need to remember that Congress works for us. We’re their employers. So really, we should set their salaries. Why is it that they get to vote themselves raises? I did the math, and even at a 40% pay cut, they would still clear $100,000 a year, not including benefits so good they’d make you cry.

Dan Proft, candidate for governor of IL in the primaries, once suggested that representatives’ pay should be tied to the median income of their state. When the median income goes up, so does their pay. If it goes down, so does their pay. Talk about incentive to help the people!

I did a little research on median incomes across the nation. Only in California in some very ritzy areas did I find a median income at $103,000. Everywhere else in the states I sampled (NY, CO, IL, AK, AL, OR) the median income was between 50k-70k. If our new congress wants to make a big impression and a move in the right direction, they’ll cut $100,000 out of every representatives’ salaries. Multiplied by 535 that equals $53,500,000. It may be a drop in the bucket in the face of the trillions in debt we are facing, but it would go a long way in keeping faith with the voters by getting into the trenches with us.

via intolerantfox.wordpress.com

I must admit, this would be a really, really, REALLY good move on the part of the Republicans to show their voters just how seriously they're taking the second chance they've been given.

But more than that, I think it would be an excellent idea if congressional salaries were tied in to the average or mean income BY LAW. (Gee, I think I've mentioned this before...)

We set our clocks back last night

... go back to sleep!

You don't tug on [Alan West's] cape..

Earlier this week, I noted that two of the incoming Republican Congressmen are both black -- and therefore technically qualified to be members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Allen West (R-FL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) are black and, come January, members of Congress, so they meet the membership standards. Practically speaking, though, membership is limited to black Democrats (especially those scandal-ridden), so I didn't see either of them getting engraved invitations. I also said that West was too no-nonsense to waste his time with the whole worthless mess, but I didn't know enough (hell, anything) about Scott, so he might try it.

I couldn't have been more wrong. I didn't take into account West's willingness to fight, to get in his opponents' faces. This is the guy who, when dissed by Obama, offered to debate both his electoral rival AND Obama at the same time. He's a highly-decorated veteran of Iraq; he isn't scared of anything Washington might throw at him. So he's notified the CBC that he would like to be considered for membership -- and woe betide anyone who tries to tell him no.

via wizbangblog.com

Oh, between Alan West and Tim Scott (plus Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, Susana Martinez, and...), the DemonRATS are going to learn that Republicans - conservatives - are not bigoted, racist hicks.

No, we just like/love/admire/adore self-sufficient, independent, Constitution-loving, law-respecting go-getters who like to challenge the accepted stereotype and get in the face of the smug, intellectually lazy, "intellectual" "elite."

I can respect ANYONE who can do what Alan West has done, and who can hold to the integrity of character he does.

... of course, they are all too few...

Alan West = hero!

Related articles

• Haley, Scott among minorities in GOP to emerge victorious (washingtontimes.com)

The Teleprompter of the United States(tm) on tour...

Obama will make history for more than one reason during the Nov 6-9 visit. This will be the first time a teleprompter will be used in the nearly 100-feet high dome-shaped hall that has portraits of eminent national leaders adorning its walls.

Indian politicians are known for making impromptu long speeches and perhaps that is why some parliament officials, who did not wish to be named, sounded rather surprised with the idea of a teleprompter for Obama.

"We thought Obama is a trained orator and skilled in the art of mass address with his continuous eye contact," an official, who did not wish to be identified because of security restrictions, said.

Obama is known to captivate audiences with his one-liners that sound like extempore and his deep gaze. But few in India know that the US president always carries the teleprompter with him wherever he speaks.

via www.hindustantimes.com

Yeah, well, this is from IndoAsian News service, which apparently also "broke" the "Obama's Trip will Cost $200 million a day!" story (that sucked me in, I admit).

THIS, however, is very credible, considering how awful Obam has proven himself to be when off the teleprompter.

And so TOTUS racks up a few more travel miles... *snicker*

Pelosi: "We brought down the deficit and created jobs"

via gatewaypundit.firstthings.com

Wow.

What universe does SHE live in? Wherever it is, it obviously corresponds in no way to reality.

Good drugs, Nancy. REALLY good drugs!

Claim that Barack Obama's India visit will cost $200m a day is 'wildly inflated' (Updated)

(UPDATE: OK, my bad - perhaps someone slipped a zero or something, because $6k per person/day is a marginally more realistic figure [even with the perceived excesses of Teh One(tm)] than $66k/pperson/day.

But, in the interests of complete honesty, I still detest Obama's attitude of arrogance and elitism, and the hypocrisy of urging Americans to tighten their belts while his wifey-poo goes swanning off to Spain [and other actions of that genre]. Frankly, 2012 ca't come too fast, and I pray the Republicans/RINOs will keep their noses clean so that we can continue taking America back from these shallow, insincere, deceitful, sanctimonious, elitist know-nothings.

Oh, and note that my concern for the benefit to the American people still stands. What is the PURPOSE of this trip, anyway?

Just sayin'. Honestly. /update)

White House officials have dismissed a claim made by an Indian news outlet that Barack Obama's trip to India would cost $200m (£122m) a day as "wildly inflated".

The claim was seized upon by rightwing talkshow hosts in the US, but the Obama administration declined to put a figure on the cost of the three-day visit to Mumbai and Delhi.

"The numbers reported in this article have no basis in reality," Tommy Vietor, a White House spokesman, said.

via www.guardian.co.uk

Oh, really?

He's going to take 3,000 people. There will be 34 Navy ships deployed to the area. He's booked the entire Taj Mahal Hotel. The US Military is supposedly going to build a 1 km tunnel to the Gandhi Museum.

Who knows what other excesses are on the itinerary?

Two hundred million dollars a day? Seems like a low estimate to me... And what, again, will be the benefit to the citizens of the United States? I mean, besides us tightening our belts while the Obamessiah proclaims "Let them eat cake!"

Even if that is an excessive cost figure, it still makes me wonder - 3,000 people, 34 warships, all the bells and whistles that go along with a Presidential visit (particularly of this size)... And the point of this all is what???

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?????

Related articles

• Obama's India SecurityTeam to Be Epic (foxnews.com)
• Fuzzy Math Dogs Obama's Asia Trip (blogs.wsj.com)
• Obama visit criticised for 'over-the-top' spending (ibnlive.in.com)

Now, WHO could have sent me these gorgeous roses?

Well, only the Most Awesome Husband in the Universe(TM), of course!
He couldn't be here with me on my birthday, and so he reminded me of how much he loves me with this lovely and fragrant gift...
See why he's so awesome and why *I* love him so much?
God has blessed me indeed!

That's right, you ARE on probation

Don't forget it.

"Rush Limbaugh will be on the air."

Obama, as Rush Limbaugh predicted, has in fact now failed. Nancy Pelosi is out of a job. And thanks to Rush Limbaugh, a new generation of Americans is learning that conservatism is not simply cool -- more importantly they are learning collectivism isn't smart. 

But lest there be any doubt, this fight will continue. Not all races were won last night -- not all races will ever be won. Harry Reid is still there. No one in all of American history has won a unanimous election -- with the solitary exception of George Washington. 2012 lies ahead. Fortunately for conservatives, for the Republican Party -- and America -- there is one certainty as this battle continues:

Rush Limbaugh will be on the air.

via spectator.org

Yep. And the Tea Partiers and the Dittoheads and the Beckheads will be on the team.

What team is that, you say? Oh, it's not Rush's team - and he'd probably be the first to say that. No, it's not Rush's team; it's America's team.

Rush may have been a focal point, and he has certainly been a leader for the past 20-odd years. But the real team is American citizens keeping a critical and skeptical eye on Washington - and finally this year deciding to move like the giant we are to shrug off the chains of oppressive government.

In United States law, the first document is not, actually, the Constitution.

It's the Declaration of Independence.

It is that same Declaration which states:

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.

Don't mess with the American people. Because if you abuse us and our trust enough, we get angry.

You liberals, politicos, and intellectual "elites" won't like us when we get angry...

And Rush Limbaugh will still be on the air!

(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)

"Now THAT'S bipartisanship!"

Barack Obama helped elect 255 Democrats to the House in 2008. This year, he helped elect 240 Republicans to the House.

via blogs.dailymail.com

Oh, yeah! I could definitely deal with this sort of *ahem, cough, cough* compromise!

For another article on good compromise, go over and read Mark Tapscott's article at the Examiner:

But there are genuine compromises and then there is obstruction masquerading as compromise. To achieve the former, congressional GOPers must have the backbone to negotiate from a position of strength so that the end result always moves the ball a significant distance in the direction dictated by the popular will.

Saying you will accept "tweeks" of Obamacare when the majority of Americans want that monstrosity repealed and replaced is not real compromise, it's obstruction. It was clear in Obama's post-election news conference that he doesn't understand such a distinction.

 

Grace vs. petulance in victory

OK, folks, here's how a real man - a person of honor and integrity - shoulders the load of victory:

Now, to see how a spineless, whiney "winner" passes the buck and shovels out blame, go on over to Hot Air, 'cause I'm not going to host that... creature's image here at CatHouse Chat....

Obama - do you hear us NOW? (UPDATED)

(UPDATE: Oh, and I forgot that Michelle Malkin has a lovely round-up of the President's hubris in her article yesterday, "Take Your Olive Branch and Shove It, Democrats." So. "Compromise"? *ak, pffft!* Fuhgeddaboutit!)

I'm wondering, Mr. President, if you remember saying this:

President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus package during a meeting with congressional leaders Friday morning - but he also left no doubt about who's in charge of these negotiations. "I won," Obama noted matter-of-factly, according to sources familiar with the conversation.

The exchange arose as top House and Senate Republicans expressed concern to the president about the amount of spending in the package. They also raised red flags about a refundable tax credit that returns money to those who don’t pay income taxes, the sources said.

The Republicans stressed that they want to include more middle class tax cuts in the package, citing their proposal to cut the two lowest tax rates — 15 percent and 10 percent — to ten percent and five percent, rather than issue the refundable credit Obama wants.

At another point in the meeting, sources said Obama told the group: “This is a grave situation facing the country.” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama would hold another economic meeting in the White House Saturday for a "broader group."

After Friday's meeting, Democratic and Republican leaders publicly wrangled over the developing stimulus plan.

 But perhaps taking a cue from Obama’s “I won” line when Democrats were asked if they were concerned about Republicans blocking the package, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had a swift one-word answer: “No.”

Mmmm? Remember that?

Well. Rush Limbaugh speaks for me - and, God willing, the new Congress - when he says this:

Every Democrat in the House, I don't care, every Democrat in the House, Blue Dogs that went out and openly campaigned, supporting Obama and health care lost.  We are two Americas.  We have flyover America and we have the coasts.  Take a look at the map.  It's 90% red.  The blue is on the coasts, a little bit in Texas, a little bit here in south Florida.  We do have two Americas and Obama is gonna do his best to continue to divide this country.  I have to laugh.  I laughed when I listened to these guys, Democrats, Obama and his aides talking about, "Well, now it's time to compromise."  No.  Compromise is off the table.  They didn't want to compromise with us and we have no business compromising with them.  They lost.  Losers compromise.  We don't.  We've got nothing to compromise. [emph. mine - Kat] Where do we compromise with this agenda?  There's not one aspect of this agenda that's worth compromising.  This agenda must be stopped.  That's what this election meant.

No. Just... NO.

American citizens are tired of "bipartisanship" meaning that people on the political right give in while people on the political left get what they want.

No.

Time for the country to come to the center right - not careen off into the far left.

 

Well, if the voting booth didn't work...

Fresh from a stinging midterm election defeat, House Democrats must quickly face another embarrassing spectacle: public trials for two of their most prominent members.

Reps. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), two senior House veterans, have opted to fight the separate ethics charges in public ethics trials set to take place later this month and extend into the first week of December.

Drawing criticism from Republicans, House ethics chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) last month announced the trials would occur after the elections. Rangel’s will commence Nov. 15 and the Waters trial will start Nov. 29.

To make matters worse for a party still reeling from their losses, Rangel, who is known for his colorful and rambling speeches, could decide to represent himself at the hearing. The Rangel’s trial would undoubtedly attract a lot of attention from the cable news shows.

via thehill.com

... perhaps the legal system will give one of the most corrupt members of Congress his just desserts.

I swear, my jaw almost broke from the force with which it hit the floor when I saw that Rangel had been re-elected. Are the voters in NY-15 really so willing to shut their eyes at this man's profound lack of character and integrity?

So it seems...

Actually, I disagree...

Today, Ezra Klein made the case that the answer for liberals should be yes. A lot of Democratic politicians will lose their jobs tonight, he conceded. But “if you see the point of politics as actually getting things done,” rather than just trying to preserve a majority for as many years as possible, “the last two years, for Democrats, have been a stunning, historic success. Whatever else you can say about the 111th Congress, it got things done … if [its members] failed as politicians, they succeeded as legislators. And legislating is, at least in theory, what they came to Washington to do." [emph. mine - Kat]

via douthat.blogs.nytimes.com

No, actually, if that means making more and more laws, increasing the burden and lessening the liberty of American citizens, then legislating is NOT their job!

But maybe, as a small-government conservative, that's just my opinion...