The City of Boston was probably thinking itself fortunate as the trains and buses stopped in NYC. Little did they know it was a ruse put into place by none other than George Steinbrenner. Yes, while the buses and subways were not running in or out, George stole the King's Jewels from Boston: Johnny Damon. I think the Sox earned themselves another curse.

While the battery is being charged fresh from the box, our tri-colored cocker spaniel -Traveler- has locked herself in the main bathroom. For the life of me, is that the hair dryer I hear? She has always been the one to primp. Good thing we have another full bath. Like very few females, she has a gaze that melts the hearts of hardened criminals.....a local lockup is nearby. Hinky, our chocolate and white stud cocker, acts disinterested but if the truth were known - he has always been suspicious of technology ever since he met MR SPARKY.

Mr Sparky is the name we have provided to a shock collar he has had to wear in the past. While in Alaska it proved handy in keeping him from tracking wolves and bear. It works off a proximity sensor, so when he gets too far from the unit, he will hear a rythmic beep from his neck. If ignored, if he does not retreat several paces, Mr Sparky taps him not so gently. It works every time.

My wife of 35 years showed an interest in the camera herself. First the camera, then the invoice. Although she did not say so, she wanted to know if the Camera with lens and accessories exceeded the price I had told her. As always she fully expected that it had. I did not disappoint her.

Many conservatives are totally mystified by the question of what encourages liberals to take political positions that are obviously off the beam. It’s a thorny proposition to explain it without, at the same time, falling upon obviously wrong thinking like “liberals are just slow”, or “they want to tear down our country”, but sometimes we resort to those explanations out of pure frustration over how far off the bearing they are found.

After all, when they govern this nation, they bring her by the lee and only the level headed conservative nature taking charge can get her to sail with bone in her teeth.

Their presidential loses become the jetsam of Congress or some other political post, perpetuating the wrong thinking regionally.

But what is the reason? Why do seemingly good, intelligent people take a bend of mind that cause so much harm in the face of all the facts?

Today, John E. Jones III ruled that a Pennsylvania school board's policy of teaching intelligent design in high school biology class is unconstitutional because intelligent design is clearly a religious idea that advances "a particular version of Christianity." The crux of the article concerns the book "Pandas" which explains to students that intelligent design suggests there are two kinds of creation, natural and intelligent. Intelligent creation must then be supernatural. THE CASE

The particular Christian organization behind Intelligent Design is "Christian Fundamentalism" which pointedly teaches its theological doctines within intelligent design.
Please note the fundamentalist. He is the minister bending over.

The Judge determined from the evidence and confirmed by IDs "Wedge document" who the backers of ID are and the Christian intent of their efforts. Their stategy is to eventually replace the natural with their brand of supernatural. Christian fundamentalism is a part of the new Christian orthodoxy. They propose as all Othodox Chistians do the inerrancy of the Bible....a laughable standard to defend.

Let it be known that there are a world of Christians not aligned with these folks who do not go before the courts of this land as wolves in sheeps clothing. We are direct, instead of devious; we are certainly in your face about the truth.

The truth held by all the real sheep this Christmas season is that Christ is the Creator and as Creator, He set the rules; And the rules are science. Those who do not believe this message, we leave you to believe what you will. But, please do not confuse us with those who use slight of hand and deceit in the courts, putting a stain on the rest of us.

Being an experienced certified public school principal, I have come to know public school law. To the extent that intelligent design "is clearly... a particular version of Christianity" or any other religion, and where a school board gives preference to it, the case is made against intelligent design.

Try to understand that Judge Jones can be right in stopping the the favored influence of the Christian Fundamentalists and at the same time uphold the US Constitution in this matter.
Again: THE CASE

An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than
he knows. by Dwight Eisenhower.

This is the third installment in a four part series dealing with the ever present dangers of apostasy from true Christian faith.

There are, of course, many forms of relativism (one would hardly expect relativism to be absolute). Although my illustrations depict the wayward Christian within a Church of absolutes, they would apply equally as well to the sea of wayward Christian churches as compared to what must have been originally, one faith - and remains one faith.

One form of relativism encourages enjoyment of the Church social organization without getting strongly considering personally theology or religious commandments. Another kind of relativism asserts that the commandments are grand but certainly open to broad private interpretation. A third form of relativism is a particular favorite in acknowledging that there are commandments or certain elements of theology, but allows indulgence in sin since "nobody's perfect." A fourth version says that the commandments or points of theology were okay at some time in the past, but they have become superfluous in our enlightened age. A fifth kind of relativism suggests that the commandments or choice of scripture were bad from the first; they are unnecessary restraints on the soul of man, preventing the achievement of happiness. A sixth type suggests that since one act cannot be differentiated from another,(all sin is equal) it doesn't matter what we do.

The great influence of all relativistic paths allow the practitioner to judge his own actions. This is why almost any approach brings a responsive, sympathetic chord in all other relativists. I is obvious that the most popular blogs in blogstream tend to preach versions of relativism. In general, people are delighted with those who preach relativism, even if they are inclined to reject much of everything else that is stated by them.

In stark contrast to the virtually infinite number of paths in the broad way of relativism is the way of the Savior. That strait and narrow way is to do as the Savior did: not to seek our own will, but to do the will of Him who placed us here for that reason. It is to know and study the word through the Spirit, obeying him in all things and in his word, which is his absolute law. The law remains absolute as it is freshly written in our hearts from revelation to revelation. The outward manifestation of the law will change over time. But the law, itself, will now change. It is to rely solely upon his merits, back during his walk, counting him as the only fountain of righteousness. We are under the obligation to study and know his truth. Because we must be willing to die for his sake, burying the old person with worldly desires in order to be born again "as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19.) and many biblical parallels.

So, the one true gospel teaches a way that is absolute-absolute in that the blueprint for righteousness is always the unchanging for every person, for every time, for every situation: take the name of Christ to yourself, always remember him, keep all his commandments. He has told us that there is no other way to righteousness. Whatsoever is not of faith in Christ is sin.

However, for many the effort is hard, the price too great. Whether they leave the Church or not, they abandon the narrow way and settle for some variety of relativism.

A certainty about relativism: One who subscribes to any version will never (unless he sincerely repents) be brought to those sacrifices that will prepare his soul to spend an eternity in blessing others. The fact is, relativism will never purify heart and mind, or transform the countenance into the image of the Savior.

God has provided a way, strait and narrow though it be, to learn and live with a pure love! But the price is great. We must place all of our heart, might, mind, and strength into his hands. We must count as meaningless everything of this world, including ourselves. This does not mean to deny our own lives, but to live fully. We can then enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost, proving ourselves through self denial and works of love for others.