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.”