7-21-2023

My Car Buying Experience

I had been looking at buying a new car for myself over the past couple of years. It’s not because I needed to buy a new car, but the Toyota Tacoma was just a bit much for me to climb into and out of, plus it protruded a bit much in the front when I parked. Otherwise it ran good and I always kept up with regular oil changes and new tires all around.

I had been looking at the new Ford Maverick pickups as they were lower and a bit smaller than the Tacoma and seemed to get much better MPG. I made my way to a local car dealer who had a couple of Mavericks and a Honda Ridgeline on the lot, next to each other. I walked around and then sat inside each vehicle, front and rear seats an decided that the Maverick didn’t have as much leg room as I was expecting, but otherwise I could probably get by and the Ridgeline wasn’t quite right for me either.

During my online searches the Hyundai Santa Cruz kept popping up in comparison to the Maverick. I never even considered the SC, as in my mind I kept seeing the old Subaru Baja or Brat and thinking the SC was along those lines. I saw listings for several SCs at a local dealership and I thought it might be worth checking out further.

The morning of July 4^th my wife and I were talking about what to do with the Tacoma if I did buy a new vehicle. We decided to sell it to our older daughter and her husband as they needed a more reliable vehicle than the two they were driving. Besides their youngest son was having car issues and kept borrowing one of their vehicles, which actually would have put them in a bind the next morning.

I called them to come over and get the Tacoma. I told them what a local car dealer would pay and said to give me what they considered a fair price. After they came and got the Tacoma, the carport seemed a bit empty. Shortly after they left and since this was Colorado we got one of those sudden hail storms. I mean baseball size hail which lasted for over 40 minutes and then it was gone.

My wife said not to get a sports car and don’t get a black truck because they show the dirt easier. So I checked one dealership and they had some black SCs and a white one listed. The next morning I headed out to see what they had and my plan was to test drive and ultimately bring one home.

I arrived and walked right past a black SC and thought it wasn’t as small as I had imagined. So I went into the showroom and over to the customer waiting area to get a cup of coffee and mosey around (snooping) to see if I could spot the white one.

I found several more black ones, but after speaking with a salesman he told me that the white one was scheduled but not yet in transit, maybe the end of August. So I climbed inside a black one and it had headroom and legroom to spare (front and back) and they even came with a lockable factory tonneau cover. I looked at pros and cons of the SC and found the major complains were the engine was underpowered and the MPG (21 city, 27 highway).

I took one for a test drive and it was a 4 cylinder turbo with plenty of power for my driving around town and an occasional trip up the freeway. I came with all sort of gadgets, (I call them bells and whistles) including remote start, driver assist lane and cruise control, backup camera and so much more. I was sold even before we got back to the dealership. With a sticker price starting in the low $30,000s pricewise it rivaled the Maverick. There are several models of the Santa Cruz from the SEL, SEL Premium and the Limited. The one I brought home was the SEL Premium. Not wanting to take any chances I purchased the extended 10 year/100,000 mile warranty and a 4 year maintenance plan at the local dealership, which comes with towing and rental vehicle (and I have AAA towing).

On July 6 I took it in to have the windows tinted and while sitting in the waiting area I heard and watched as we got another really heavy Colorado hail storm which seemed to last forever. I’m so glad I had my carport extended after the 2016 hail storm. – RTM

7-21-2023

Like Flashes in the Pan

Every time a new headline pops up I can’t help but think about the flak pilots face as they fly into battle.  I’m talking about political flak designed to take the public eye off the really bad stuff going on around us.

I read Trump this and Trump that and how scared he is about the mounting charges being waged against him. From what I know about Donald Trump is he is anything but running scared as he focuses on his 2024 presidential campaign.

The never-trumpers are so consumed in their quest to prevent Trump from getting elected again, that it has become the same kind of circus atmosphere as when Congress publicly impeached him twice during his administration.

From what I gather the charges against Trump as presented to the grand jury include mishandling of classified documents and leading a coup to take over the government and other charges as they are formulated in the TDS minds of the democratic left.

I never claimed to be a wizard or a brain trust with an extremely high IQ, but leveling charges is not the same as committing some sort of crime. They are what they are – just charges or more accurately baseless accusations which must be proven in a court of law. Don’t forget innocent until proven guilty right (unless you are a democrat).

Remember they are flak taking America’s eyes off the Hunter Biden & the saga of the scandalous Biden crime family. Lest we forget the Biden-Ukraine/China Connection which if taken to prosecution could very well include some of Biden’s very well connected Congressional/political cronies should the floodgates burst.

In my opinion the most blatant of all was the 2020 Presidential Election interference where manipulation and tampering of ballots and the way they were tabulated and controlled brought forth the “Office of the President Elect” even before there was one. January 6 was the icing on the cake where the legitimate presentation of Electoral College ballots was interrupted by a “staged” rowdy crowd which included FBI undercover agents and others disguised as Trump supporters, thereby deflecting the blame on the president’s challenge of the obvious tampering of the election results.

American’s have been bombarded with misinformation and propaganda for more than 6 years now, so much so that it is next to impossible to keep track of all the harm that has been and continues to be done internally and externally to our nation.

Outspoken voices in Congress continue to be attacked and downplayed as if there is nothing wrong in curtailing the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution.

Outspoken newscasters on main stream media have been removed and banished in order to stop the constant flow of dissenting information. Several have gone rogue by going to cable tv or hosting their own podcasts and live stream programs, free from MSM interference.

American’s have been and are still being held as political prisoners INSIDE AMERICA, without hope or guarantee of a trial (fair or otherwise) and many without official charges. This ought not to be!

I don’t know how you feel about the sinking of the United States Ship of State, but defending the Constitution of the United States of America from ALL ENEMIES, both foreign and domestic is the most important act an American can offer, our FREEDOM is in the balance. – RTM

7-19-2023

When God Calls

In 1 Samuel chapter 3 God called Samuel three times yet Samuel didn’t recognize His voice, and then Samuel said, “Speak, Lord; – for your servant hears”.

How would you respond if you felt that God called you for a really high profile purpose like being President of the United States? For me that would be such a lofty and unattainable calling that I would never in a million years think would ever happen. But what if it did?

Politics is fickle and so many times people get into it for all the wrong reasons. They say it’s to make things better, to right some obvious wrongs or to make a difference, or to make a statement. But to run for President is something altogether different.

Career politicians in Congress and elsewhere have a tendency to think they alone can do a better job than the person who is currently sitting in the Oval Office. They also think that because they meet the qualifications (age, residency and citizenship) detailed in the U.S. Constitution that all they have to do is make promises (which they won’t really have to keep anyway) to get votes. Many of those same members of Congress do it just for the publicity, knowing that when it’s all over they can go back to their elected office. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

What is really needed in a presidential office holder is someone with passion and knowledge of how our nation was founded on biblical principles and a vision for what our nation could become and the wherewithal for getting there from here. In my opinion it takes someone who responds when God calls, steps out in faith and is relentless in pursuing that calling no matter what.

The bible tells us that God rises up (appoints) kings and builds kingdoms and that He pulls down strongholds and what God creates no power on earth can tear apart.

How does God place a calling on someone? Anyway He chooses.

In 1970 it was prophesied to Ronald Reagan that he would become President and that prophesy was fulfilled in 1981 when President Reagan moved into the White House.

In 1977 Georgia governor Jimmy Carter a “born again” Christian moved into the Oval Office.

In 2012 Donald Trump had considered running for President, yet he did not run.

In 2015 Trump sought advice from Pastor Paula White concerning him running for President.

Prophesy was spoken to/over Trump by a Texas businessman Lance Wallnau from Isaiah 45 in reference to the appointment of King Cyrus, that God’s hand was on him, ‘The next President of the United States will be the forty-fifth president, and he will be an Isaiah 45 president.’ ‘Donald Trump is a wrecking ball to the spirit of political correctness.’ and to restrain evil.

In 2017 President Trump moved into the White House and into a very turbulent presidency filled with accusations and claims of misconduct while in office and the days and weeks after leaving office. Allegations that came up during his campaign, his administration and continue even now.

I don’t think that when Trump came down the escalator at Trump Tower to launch his run for the Presidency and announcing that if elected he would turn things around and Make America Great Again, he could ever imagine or expect the political firestorm which pitted the very forces of hell against him, yet I firmly believe that if Trump known what lay ahead he would have run toward, not away as politicians have been known to do. My bible tells me that the safest place to be is in the perfect will of God. – RTM

7-15-2023

On a Timeline

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:31 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day.”

As I read the book of Genesis and see reference to all which God created yet I don’t see where God created “time” as we know it and in no way am I discounting the importance of time. I see time as a foundation for life, much like a new highway with a beginning and an end. All life on this highway of time are on individual “timelines”, each with its own beginning “birth” and its own ending “death”. That being said we affect more than we humans realize as we go out on our quest to lengthen our timeline “life”.  

We often take on causes which we are told are to save the planet. We become activists for saving the whales, trees, plants, insects, birds, wild life, and domesticated animals and then when we see abuse or neglect we search for ways to make it stop and we tend to hold the violators accountable.

Why do we not look at or within ourselves first?

We were created in the image of God. We have the ability to analyze, build and create that which comes into our mind. Yet we want the freedom to do as we please with ourselves and our belongings and cannot see that our actions and how we treat ourselves and others quite often hurts or harms all who are around us.

As I said earlier we are each on our own timeline, some much shorter than others and often through no fault of their own. Abortion is the greatest killer of babies in the womb, yet we fight harder for a woman’s right to choose to kill her own offspring, while saying it is her body and her business.

We want to live longer, yet pollute our bodies with chemicals, medications, supplements and additives which may in fact shorten our timelines.

We’ve all seen those slot cars with the looping or circle tracks that can be extended. That is what we might look like on this timeline of life. Everyone going at different speeds and distances and everything goes smoothly until someone else’s track comes in contact or interferes with ours.

The bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil. It doesn’t say money is the root of evil, but the love of money is. Whether it is robbing, stealing, killing or making war in order to get money, riches, fame or power human life is often not even a consideration. Follow the money.

There are two constants in life, the first is God who created all and the second is in life on this earth there is a beginning and an end. 

Nobody gets out alive and there are no u-hauls at the cemetery.

If you want a way out, a relationship with Jesus is required. He can forgive your sin and begin that relationship. Jesus is the only way to God.

Do you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sin, and rose on the third day and now sits on the throne at the right hand of God?

Ask God to forgive you and give you eternal life. Turn away from your sinful life and follow Jesus.

Jesus came not to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved. Whosoever believes will become sons and daughters of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords – Children of God. – RTM

7-8-3034

The Battle is to Control the Mind

Our minds are susceptible to influences and suggestions seemingly from out of nowhere and to my knowledge the power of the mind has never been fully comprehended or explored. In fact creation began in the mind of God and “in the beginning” we are told it was spoken into existence by God, which is too hard for the human mind to even begin to understand.

In essence “we think – we do” is how we operate every day. When we get up we don’t say we’re going to be famous, rob a bank or make a million dollars. Instead of going out to buy a new car, television or a house, we go out looking for it. That may be why we have such a hard time finding the right one.

When women go shopping for clothes they go through almost every item on every rack in their size. Not only does size matter, but so does color. The item must be color coordinate-able.

Send a guy to the store for some milk, eggs and tomatoes – that’s probably what he’s going to bring back – some of everything, plus a few things you “forgot” like ice cream, a chocolate bar and a cold drink (once it’s in the refrigerator).

Send a guy to an auto junkyard with a pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench and a couple of screw drivers all in a tool box and he’ll bring back every imaginable part he can find after looking at every car, truck or van on the lot.

The mind is a very fragile part of the body. A broken heart begins in the mind and perception is often greater than reality. We think somebody wronged us, we react accordingly. That is how road rage incidents can turn into catastrophic events in a fraction of a second.

Humans were created by God for God, and yet we think it’s all about us. Maybe that’s why we don’t feel emphatic unless you have felt the pain ourselves and can relate.

Sin begins as a mind thing, God said don’t do thus and such, and when we do it anyway it leads to a spiritual death and unrepentant sin leads to eternal separation from God.

John 3:16 – For God So Loved Christian Standard Bible (CSV)

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.

In the overall scheme of things we should consider ourselves no more important than anyone else, no matter what “stage” of life we or they are in. God loves each of us as he created us for himself.

Forgiveness of sin is not something we can earn or buy with our good works, it is a gift from God which we can ignore or accept, our choice – your choice.

The way the world thinks, acts and operates through the mind says “I’m okay, you’re okay – we’re okay”.

God is waiting for you to believe, his words are true and while his gift of salvation is free it will cost you everything this world has to offer. – RTM

7-7-2023 (Updated 7-8-23)

Without A “Part M” Leg To Stand On

During a recent hail storm in Colorado Springs my 15’ triple canopy umbrella was shredded by the baseball size hail. Prior to the storm I folded up the umbrella and secured it so that it wouldn’t get damaged. After the storm which lasted 20 minutes or so I looked out the window and saw my poor little umbrella hanging in shreds.

Buying a replacement canopy is made easy by amazon, however there is one thing you must know for certain – the size. Since I bought it a few years ago I had forgotten was it a 14’ or a 15’ triple canopy umbrella?

Not wanting to make a fatal mistake of ordering the wrong size I headed down to the local store where I purchased my umbrella. Not seeing any on the floor or on shelves I walked around until I found someone I figured must know what’s going on.

I told him my situation and without hesitation he said it was a 15’ triple canopy, the only one that they sold. Furthermore the store had one that was missing “Part M”. If I wanted it he would see how much of a discount he could mark it down to. After calculating the original purchase price and the marked down price, he was able to get it down to slightly more than a 50% reduction. I paid for it, not really knowing what “Part M” looked like, but knowing (hoping) I had gotten a good deal – I think.

He told me to unscrew the bottom leg section from my old umbrella and screw it into the new on and then throw the old one away. Not totally taking his word I carefully unpacked the new umbrella and found out what “Part M” was (the bottom section of the leg). I followed his instructions and just like he promised I had a new umbrella. The old one goes out in the trash tomorrow.

The moral of this story is be careful what you wish for because you could be missing part “M” and not have a leg to stand on. – RTM

7-6-2023: So cocaine was found in the White House by federal agents and well known drug user HB is suspected but not arrested, versus MAGA supporters who admitted being at the Capital Building on January 6th are suspected and arrested and held indefinitely still without proof of wrong doing or evidence and it doesn’t make you say HUH???? – an RTM (short)

7-5-2023

Premeditated Coincidences

I don’t know about you but I often wonder how in the world we can have a toilet paper shortage, followed by food shortages, baby food shortages and eggs must be from free-range chickens. Are these shortages the by-product of global warming or is someone really high up in the food chain simply misinformed?

During the height of the virus while watching Alaskans living off the grid were boating in the open waters while wearing masks because apparently (I don’t know because I wasn’t there) there are villages above the Arctic Circle that wouldn’t let anyone in unless they were properly masked.

Can you say HUH?

I mean a virus that has been around for years before being mutated by humans is able to spread across vast stretches of ocean waters or icecaps and raise hoopla in the arctic regions of Alaska.

It makes me wonder if Native Alaskans were bothered by toilet paper shortages too. How is that possible? What do THEY do and they have to do do rush behind an igloo?

I could go on about the villages in the inter regions of Africa or the vast Sahara sand dunes too…..

In tropical regions there are leaves, trees and bushes, but in the desert there is…….SAND and above the Arctic Circle there is SNOW.

All I can say is there sure are a lot of premeditated coincidences or something fishy going on. – RTM

7-4-2023

Celebrating Our Nation July 4^th 2023

Where is our national pride? Has it suddenly gone missing or has this occurred over time? I’m reminded of the remarks made by Michelle Obama while First Lady that “America was never great” and “For the first time I’m proud to be an American”.

Then when President Trump began touting America First and Make America Great Again we were told those statements were un-American and patriotism was anti-American. When Trump made his remarks after observing of a military parade overseas, the fervor went even higher because “Trump wanted to parade tanks through the streets of Washington DC”.

It icing on the cake was when Trump announced a national celebration at Mount Rushmore for July 4^th 2020 bringing patriotism front and center for all to see and enjoy. The critics were all over it, and not in a good way.

Completely opposite was President Biden’s cancellation of the national celebration, but not changing North Dakota’s schedule of events that are taking place as planned.

Since when has being an American become un-American?

This is our country, love it or leave it still rings true.

The push to change America has included a push to replace July 4^th with June 19^th as our national day of celebration, not of the creation of the United States, but the so-called equality of black Americans and making “Lift Every Voice” our new national anthem, clearly placing the focus on racial division.  Publicly declaring that it is racist to be white.

Let me be clear, God created everyone equal. It is men who use racial, ethnic or region to control and limit other men and women.

It is in America where self-government of the people, by the people and for the people – called the Great Experiment draws migrants from around the globe. Do they come here to bring or continue in their state of fear and confusion?

I think not!

It is what America stands for – Freedom.

Freedom draws the masses to our shores. People want to work hard, raise their families with freedom to settle down, worship God and live out their lives in peace. They begin as migrants but have the ultimate goal of becoming AMERICANS.

To them we say WELCOME! – RTM

7-3-2023

The Hummingbird

Admittedly the hummingbird is a prime example of God’s creation at its finest. There are about 320 species of the Trochilidae family, with only 12 species found in the United States and Canada. They are small weighing slightly more than 1.2 ounce and beat their wings at an average rate 10 – 80 beats per second (depending on size). All hummingbirds are small, and many are minute (my-knute).

https://www.britannica.com/place/Philadelphia-Zoological-Gardens

In my neighborhood I have seen very few hummingbirds, yet it is common to see hummingbird-moths in the wee evening hours 7 – 8 pm doing what hummingbirds do.

Let me address briefly my thoughts on hummingbirds. I see them as somewhat hyperactive as they continuously hover around flowers, sticking their long skinny beaks inside to retrieve nectar. That’s a lot of activity without seeming to go anywhere, yet just as quickly they zip off to flowers elsewhere.

I don’t know the lifespan of hummingbirds but I get dizzy just thinking of how many times they beat those wings over their lifetime.

As I watch various people moving around non-stop from before daybreak until well after dusk I wonder if they had been hummingbirds in another life (just kidding)?

Which brings me to the real heart of this story, when we as Christians become too busy doing “stuff” for God we quite often miss the mark on what it means to tell others that God loves them, just the way they are.

Just think of it, God created EVERYTHING for a reason, and that is to draw creation to Him. Although we don’t understand why we have spiders, snakes, insects and bugs of every type, size and shape, they all serve an important part of God’s plan for creation.

In the bible we read of religious leaders striving to insure that everyone obey the letter of the law, first of God, of Moses and of Abraham. Assuming one could do that every day of their life (they can’t) there is really one thing that could prevent you from entering the pearly gates, and that is not believing that Jesus is who he said he is or that he came to do God’s will to save mankind from sin.

Something to think about. – RTM