Girl and city settle suit over seats in theatre

ArticleThe city puts a young lady in a wheelchair at the back of the bus(theater) to save a dollar, and the story ends by costing the city $190,000.
Let’s see, in January 2008 lawyer makes administrative claim for a teenage girl in wheelchair so she could see the theater from the orchestra section. It would have cost city $80,000 to make necessary repairs. But the city let the time for reply lapse (translate- ignored it). Mother and daughter sue and the city settles the suit for the $80,000 in repairs plus another $190,000 because they let time “lapse”. One definition of lapse is “to stop doing something gradually”. It seems the powers that be are very good at stopping doing something gradually. Is this why nothing gets done in Sacramento?
The icing on the cake is they do it in response to a suit over a disabled girl’s wish to see the theater. What will it be next? Eliminating safe crossings for kindergartners.
Save some pocket change, forget the people and keep the royal kingdom of the High Council of Cronies in Ol’ Sack bumping along. One step forward and two back.

Sacramento Cronies try to keep us in the dark ages

A little background for those who don't live in Sacramento.-
In November '08 we elected Kevin Johnson a former NBA star as mayor.
Since then he has tried to move our city forward, but a bunch of old, crotchety, comfortable cronies sit and oppose everything that resembles progress that Kevin's charisma, connections and just plain chutzpah have been trying to do.
Namely a sports and entertainment complex.

This is my letter to the editor regarding this story from the front page. (It's a great story)

An expert in “hardball” is just what Sacramento needs to bang against the hard heads that have stalled Sacramento for so long. Instead of rusting rails and more manure, we desperately need a “Master of Disaster” to come stir things up. I for one applaud Mayor Kevin Johnsons efforts to build an entertainment and sports complex in Sacramento.
The looming fear that haunts me though, is that the old guard will keep guarding and never really proceed forward. I am continually amazed but not surprised at the ruling party’s rancor whenever Kevin Johnson’s connections, charisma or chutzpah are let out of the bag. The mayor has made an excellent choice and demonstrated once again that given the opportunity to govern as a strong mayor, our city would finally be given the green light to move ahead into what should be called “world class”.
Will the old guard move aside and let the people that move things, move them?
If not, we might as well change the signs at the city limits to “Here lies Old Sack-Lots of Giddy Up but not enough Go”.

A Thanksgiving Tale

I felt the sticky, crunchy crack as I opened my eyes, while my mind came to life after a night of very strange dreams brought on by too much food consumed with abandon at the church potluck.
The icy cold in the house was the kind of cold that only people in cabins are suppose know. Then I hazily remember the unwanted fact that I am without heat and have been for some seven days running. The old tired furnace it’s brain perhaps fried tries like a hero to awaken a flame but as soon as it fires it falls back to sleep. “I can relate my old friend.” But right now my bank account says you will stay cold for awhile.
When I have valiantly managed to open my eyes the argument starts.
“I think I’ll just lie here awhile” “You have many things to do” It’s a holiday take a break” “Maybe I’m missing something”. Finally the pain that is the only thing really awake in this icy chill house, wins the argument it never entered. I brave coming out of the covers and run at a slow hobble to the room everyone knows. As I read the last story in Grisham’s new book my mind starts to whir like an old factory on Monday. With well worn machinery clunking and banging and springing to life the thoughts for today begin to clock in. We’re going to Sheri and Shawn’s for Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanksgiving? It’s Thanksgiving 2009 wasn’t ’08 just the last week?
My mind ingloriously wins the battle and with groaning opposition the old body stands on it’s feet. My body cries “oil can” as it descends the mountain of carpeted steps. Set the tea pot to boil, take all your meds, the same old routine set in motion each day. Another gaping, morning breath yawn, another stretch of my quarrelling body and it’s off to the door. One of my life’s greatest pleasures awaits in the gray cold, waiting for my arrival and even calling my name. My own personal copy delivered each day right to my doorstep. I need not even take a step out the door, what great aim and delivery it’s always in reach.
I bristle with horror at what greets me this day. My black and white treasure sits strapped to the back of a grotesquely huge bundle of slick and brightly colored ads. Looking very anemic and weak and with a sign of surrender it’s even bent at the middle where a wide rubber band holds my newspaper to this bundle of ads like a cowboy on a huge bucking bull. The news and concerns of the day with really no hope are still trying to shake off the incessant need for more stuff.

Strapped to it’s back like a grotesque sucking leech draining every last drop of what’s really important sits this bundle of ads throbbing and pulsing with a faint hum. It beckons all comers with promised delight. “Just charge it” the hideous mass croons. “After all it’s your family”. With a creaky old voice it accuses “what will people think if you only get what you can afford” With the voice of a news commentator it cries “do your part” “help the economy” “these deals won’t last long”.
With a voice sweet like honey it promises glorious pleasures of PCs and iPhones(I bought mine last week). iPods and game stations, TVs with screens the size of garage doors. Would our ancestors be shocked at the size of the screens? Would they reel and faint hearing we spent a thousand bucks on it? Would they think us even bigger fools yet to know that we charged it? and continue to grow our debt. Would they really consider our standard of living better than theirs? Would we be envied by anyone over 10?
I would like a new plasma since mine was ripped off a year or so back. But after witnessing the horrible sight of my beloved newspaper’s life being sucked out by the slippery, shiny ads. I’ll go make some sweet potatoes and ham and head to my daughter’s house for a great time. It won’t cost a thousand and it won’t grow the debt. It will never wear out and it’ll be remembered for years.
We only have one Thanksgiving 2009 let’s make it count.

"The Problem of Pain" by CS Lewis

I’m reading a book by CS Lewis called the Problem of Pain. It’s about how God can be good and loving and there can still be pain and suffering.

A quote from this book-
We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something which He will not be satisfied with until it has a certain character... In the same way, it is natural for us to wish that God had designed us for a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then are wishing not for more love but for less.
-CSL

“Faith has little to do with belief”

Faith is not borne on the wings of belief,
But is held aloft by trust,
And on the wings of trust faith soars high

Applying the possibility of God to the impossibilities of man

Luke 18:27 and 18-30, Mark 10:17-31
The rich young ruler.

Educated, together and on an upward swing in his life.
Having all this he still asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. There must be in him a sense that all is not right….

That something is missing.

Jesus responding with a list of “The Commandments” telling him that he knows these already.
The young man responds that he has “kept” these things.
He has “kept” as in performed these acts, but not those acts flowing from “who” he is.
Jesus says he still lacks “one thing”.

Just “one” thing.

“Sell all that you have and give it to the poor”
“and Follow Me”

How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom.
On this “one thing” not just the rich have a hard time entering the kingdom.
Easier than a camel through the eye of a needle.
Who then can be saved? The disciples asked.
Jesus responds
"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
I hope you have read the text as I did not want to give a commentary on the whole story but rather one point or two.
We always are looking at this text as to what God can or will do for us and I think this is true to a degree, but are we not then seeing God as the Holy Butler and superman rolled into one?
I believe that it really speaks to the possibility of God to help “even a rich man” that has a hold on “his riches” even one that walked away sorrowful.
Now you have two sorrowful persons- Jesus and the man…
It is possible for God to change “even” that man.
It is possible that no matter who he is now…
It is possible that no matter what his situation is now….
It is possible that no matter what has happened in the past….
It may be impossible for man….
But
With God all things are possible…
What is the one variable in this story or equation?

Peter said “We have left all to follow you”
Jesus said “You will receive many times more than you left
in this present time and in the world to come.”
Then…
Jesus took the disciples aside and told them of His coming crucifixion….
Do you think it was possible for a man to go through what Jesus went through…
And come out the way Jesus did….
The angel of God told Mary this after telling of her giving birth to Jesus Luke 1:37
Jesus did say some things were impossible-
1. That it was impossible for you to NEVER be offended Luke 17:1
2. Impossible to please him without faith Hebrews 11:6

If I can't come up with them myself-

I rob them from my friends....
A great quote sent to me by Pastor Dale Reece
Amen
“Ours is not a fragile faith --- it is tough stuff.”

A.W. Tozer said, “My flame may be small, but it is real.”

Whatever happened to the word "Religion"?

In my younger days the classics of literature were mostly pressed on me, forced on me or required as part of a daily balanced diet that I abhorred. Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Moby-Dick, Little Women, The Call of the Wild, Animal Farm (which I actually liked). For all but the first and the last I had to go to Wikipedia to find because I couldn’t even remember the names.
I remember my Aunt Mina who was a good Christian, giving this then drug using wild child “The Chronicles of Narnia” hoping it might inspire me to consider “religion”. I actually tried it (the book) and found it too mild for my tastes. Today I applaud her attempts at my conversion. Still I spent the next twenty years swirling down the drain of human dysfunction.
Don’t misunderstand, I was an avid reader even then. Tolkien, Orwell, Bradbury, Castaneda and many others. Dysfunction, drug addiction and being misguided do not necessarily mean lack of intelligence or depth of knowledge. The last an anthropologist with a cult following that studied the Yaqui Indians sorcery and use of Peyote and other “natural” drugs. That in itself tells some of the scene. I actually read most of Louis L’Amour’s books but that started in jail.
Now I find myself at 52 years of age, perhaps even older than many of the ones who were my teachers and leaders and possible role models who pushed some of this literature on me, with a deep desire to read these classics and more. I have read at least three of Mark Twains novels and started “The Brothers Karamazov” I am a huge fan of C.S. Lewis but have yet to read The “Chronicles of Narnia” I have read half a dozen other of his books, deeper more theological stuff I suppose. I have reread “Animal Farm” more than once and I hear they still assign it in schools. I have gone back to Bradbury and even read a book on writing of his. My dad gave me Leon Uris novels and for a real sweet treat I read Grisham (it’s a shame he can’t write as fast as I read).

Right now I am taken by “Pilgrim’s Progress” regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature. Not only Christian literature mind you, but “English literature” and has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print since 1678.

When I say taken by it, I mean it can consume a great amount of my disposable time. Making my disposable time very well used. What sticks out to me is the author’s use of the word religion. It seems that in Bunyan’s time and for many years after the word “religion” was a very grand word. In my time religion it seems is despised and ill spoken of. Even in Christian circles and even in mine. Such a negative connotation is drawn that whole sermons, discussions and teachings can be spent deriding religion until at last every speck is cleaned from our presence. Maybe it’s only me, but I think not.
Religion in Bunyan’s time seemed to mean a person committed to the way of Christ and that being evident to the people around. The people could tell by the change in behavior and commitment to holiness and the way of Christ. Truly leaving all to follow the way, enduring difficulty and doing without. The only complaint about religion in his day was that they were missing the fun of it all at Vanity Fair. Well maybe some points of view are still the same. Just shared by the church more now than back then.
Often religion is used by those on the outside of spiritual circles to describe those inside. While we on the inside are screaming “No, Noooo!!” Ever try to explain to a non-believer that says you are religious, that you are not? Have you left as confused as I? Have you felt very futile? Even that you have betrayed your mission? Me too!!
As I read through the Pilgrim’s Progress I am saddened and almost grief stricken at how the word “religion” has fallen. Where did we lose it? When did it become an almost ugly word? When did Christians start saying they weren’t religious? How did the saying “I’m not religious, I have a relationship with God” come into being? Why did the meaning have to become separate?
I am not an expert on the nuts and bolts of these things? I don’t really know the history, dates and societal evolutions that have taken place. Nevertheless I think it is a valid question to ask. Why did we have to lose the grand old meaning to the word religion?
It leaves a bad taste to the world as a whole. But the blame lies with the “religious” community. It has become like a brand of toothpaste. It promises to whiten and put a smile on your face, all the while excluding those whose teeth are the wrong shade of gleaming. This was never intended but then good intentions never got anyone home. We have ended up with the actions that come from intent. Aha! This may be where it’s lost. Religion has become an epitaph for those with intent and no actions or perhaps those with the actions but no good intent. Both smell the same.
With intent and no actions you get plenty of “religious” words, books, tapes(CDs), bumper stickers and shirts and the one that consumes these, is so often the one that pushes his cart right in your way. To be the first one to have it is now the main goal. To recite the words, to recount the sermon by the great name. To reminisce about the great conference. In Ezekiel’s river where the water goes in and doesn’t come out it will become swampy Ezekiel 47:11 and will not be healed. Where the river flows out it will teem with life and be healed. It will be pleasant and people will flock to it, not just be a flock.
With actions and no intent or good motive it becomes obvious to all. Where’s the payoff? What’s in it for me? I’ll do the good deed as long as it works out well for me! If I’m not the hero why should I do the good deed? This one smells bad to even those that are like this. Come on now confess along with me. I’ve had these thoughts but my prayer is real different. Lord, help me be like you! He gave us His Son whether we wanted Him or not. He said Father forgive them, they know not what they do.
Perhaps both can be summed up by James’ words “I will show you my faith by my works” James 2:15-18Oh, I thought of one more. I think I might have it, where religion got it’s bad name. It’s the big conferences with big names to make big churches and make us better people. The really sharp suits, the special effects. The sea of people in mega churches with mega star pastors. Yes, Jesus preached to thousands but check this out. Without electricity He fed every one and He was the special effect!
Ah religion, such a grand old word. Let’s resurrect it and breath into it life. Let’s act on our faith and pray when no ones looking. Help people that can’t or won’t help back. Let’s ask someone’s name that we don’t really want to know. Let’s lose our lives for sake of the Gospel. Let’s give when it hurts and believe what Jesus said. Let’s not only teach them but let us observe all the things that Jesus commanded and then maybe just maybe we will be disciples indeed. Let’s stop wagging our fingers and noses at the world as a whole, decrying it’s evils especially this perhaps our greatest sin of all, disliking religion and trying to ban it from every nook and cranny. Let’s just go live it and see what can happen. Let us embrace those who hate us and leave our politics home.
Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. James 1:26-27 (MSG)

Who gets to pray at Obama's Inauguration?

Here's my opinion after I say this. It is Obama's inauguration and no matter what I think. He get's to decide who prays.
Here's my letter sent to sac Bee again-
RE: Prayer issue preys on many minds Sac Bee 1/15/09

Regarding the issue of who gets to pray or not pray at the inauguration.
Why am I reminded of when my children were young? One of my four daughters would come running in the house to complain to me how “so and so” was doing “such and such” and what am I going to do about it? Or in observing my children’s play times how often one would tell one of their playmates “John” that if they were going to play with “Jane” they would no longer be their friend. Then “Jane” in retaliation would no longer play with “John” and on and on it would go. All the while us adults, who were children once, would be shaking our heads at the silliness of it all.
My children are all grown now and perhaps over time these will grow up too, but alas I think not.
It seems the only ones not entering the fray are the ones doing the praying.

Wish I'd a wrote it....

"Everything that happens to us is the result of the choices we make. We choose to act or procrastinate, believe or doubt, help or hinder, succeed or fail. I've never encountered a person who achieved anything that didn't overcome obstacles. Expect them."
One of the top 15 winningest coaches in college football history. - Lou Holtz