Thoughts from a Rambling Mind

6-30-2023

Thoughts from a Rambling Mind

Does anyone else have days when it seems that the mind is chugging away at 100 MPH with no letup in sight?

Years ago after my heart attack, my doctor told me that walking 30 – 40 minutes is enough time to get the heartrate up to a safe level. We measured a route that is exactly 2 miles and takes 38 – 42 minutes to walk. I feel good, am awake and ready for almost anything coming I encounter, except stupid – I don’t do stupid well. Life is hard enough, but really hard if you’re stupid. (John Wayne?)

My wife and I like to start our day with a brisk 2 mile walk through our unincorporated neighborhood of Cimarron Hills in the suburbs of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Each walk is usually far from boring or routine.

This morning I said to myself “I’m rich” as I picked up a shiny penny. Sometimes it’s a dime or a quarter or on 2 different mornings there were 4 or 5 dollar bills blowing across the road in front of us each morning.

Further along this morning a neighbor had put a small BBQ gas grill out on the curb. I considered dragging it home and figuring out whether to switch out my newly acquired from a family member charcoal grill.

Early yesterday morning we came across a young deer watching us as it contemplated crossing the road. We continued on past and when I looked back it was gone. Deer are quite frequently spotted in groups of 3 – 5 heading to some unknown destination.

We have come across skunks, raccoons, foxes, dogs, cats and an occasional owl or hawk perched on an upper tree branch. One morning we watched as a family of 5 raccoons ran across the road and into a storm drain – single file.

Probably the most intriguing was coming across an actual crime scene where two county sheriff’s squad cars were aimed toward a parked van just over a ½ mile from our house. Inside was the body of a woman, sitting in the passenger seat. No idea what happened or what has become of that?

A few years ago (near the same area) when we were doing morning walks there was another crime scene where a young man was gunned down the night before in front of his house, during his birthday party earlier that night. It was after this incident we decided to do our walks in the early morning hours.

Another incident occurred literally in view from our house. The sheriff’s office had sealed the street at our corner while they investigated one of our neighbors shooting another neighbor during the night. I don’t think it was life threatening but that morning we decided to just stay home.

What could have been a potential incident occurred when a young girl walked out of a dark corner of a neighborhood church building, holding her stomach and complaining of pain. I pointed to the fire station which was literally 20 steps away and told her to ring the bell and they would help her. It wasn’t until later that morning we heard on the news that some young people had stolen a car, went speeding down a street they were not familiar with and crashed into a brick wall, approximately 1 mile from where the girls approached us.

There is a saying that most accidents occur within 1 or 2 miles near the home. That being the case I guess I’ll put my house up for sale and move……… lol – RTM

The Father of Lies

6-27-2023

The Father of Lies

Jesus said in Revelations 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Satan is the great imitator, a liar and the father of lies. His sales pitch boils down to “try it you’ll like it”. His catch phrase “sin is fun” makes it look so attractive and nice in order to entice and draw man away from God.

Satan is no equal to God. He never has been. He never will be.

The Bible tells us that Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. In reality he is a tiny, puny and pitiful fallen angel committed to roam about on the earth until his appointed time into the fiery pit. Bottom line like Jesus Satan must be let into your life. You have to invite him in so he makes sin look so appealing.

Satan is that unwanted guest who never wants to leave. So remove that welcome mat and when he tempts you – just say no!

The bible tells us that “greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.”

Satan has no stronghold unless it is willingly given.

I’ve seen believers who have been so browbeaten down until they doubt themselves and God’s ability to keep his word. Don’t fall for it.

If we’ve faith the size of a mustard seed (really tiny) we can move mountains. We must believe and not doubt. We are told it’s not by might, not by power but by MY Spirit says the Lord of Hosts.

When the road ahead looks bleak and dim, we know that God will make a way. Question God, sure, but never, ever doubt that God will do what he said he would.

There are only 2 constants in life: Change is constant; and the Faithfulness of God.

Oh and nobody gets out of here alive and there are no U-Hauls in the gravesite.

Seriously, if you are not a believer that Jesus is the Son of God, his blood on the cross paid for the sin of the world, and he was raised on the third day, just as he said – you have NO HOPE. If you think it’s bad now, you haven’t seen anything yet. (Find a bible and begin reading the words of Jesus in the book of John). The very worst you can experience is to spend eternity without God. Only God is good. Without God there is nothing good. There is nothing you can do to change God’s love for you.

God loves you just the way you are. He created you for himself. You are special. You are unique and wonderfully made. There is only one you, so strive to be the best you that you can be.

Nobody else can be you.

Salvation is free, but the cost is EVERYTHING, to lay down your own life with all its burdens and follow Jesus – 100% commitment. – RTM

In Bed With The Devil

6-22-2023

In Bed With The Devil

The bible tells us the Jewish nation of Israel is God’s chosen people.

History tells us that the United States was created by men with an innate desire to worship God without hindrance or interference by government or other men. These men chose a type of government that was a Republic governed by a document called a Constitution. Thus a Constitutional-Republic was born and remains the only such government in the world even today. What is unique about the Constitution is that its premise came directly from the bible, that ALL men are created equal, not by the dictates of man but by the God who created all things.

Historically when man is in trouble he reached out to the all-seeing, all knowing invisible God of all creation by falling on his knees in prayer.

It has been said there are no atheists in foxholes. In times of trouble everyone wants to be on the side of what they feel is right.

Right isn’t always good and good isn’t always right.

Only God is good.

For years I’ve heard many Christians (Followers of Christ) praying earnestly for God to have mercy on us sinners, heal our nation and save our land. Many a prayer meeting has invoked a merciful God.

The bible tells us that Gods ways are higher than man’s ways and God’s thoughts are not man’s thoughts.

So why is it that historically when God moves in answer to prayer we are confused?

David was the youngest son when he went out to fight Goliath and God chose him to became king.

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers who sold him into slavery, yet God placed him in a position of great power to save his family and his people from a foreign land.

Noah was an old man when God said build a boat. Not just any boat, but an ark to the exact specifications from God.

God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and they murmured and complained for 40 years while God provided for their needs.

Yes historically God has moved in mysterious ways and yet we act like the Israelites in the wilderness, mumbling, always mumbling and complaining that it’s not the way God works.

Politically in the United States when Donald J. Trump felt that God wanted him to run for the presidency, he waited until he felt the time was right and then he acted on what Christians refer to as his “Calling” from God. Even before the election it was prophesied to Trump that he would become God’s Isaiah 45 President (POTUS #45), to stop evil and become a sword against political correctness. The 2016 election went just as God had said.

From the beginning the works of the devil kicked into high gear as politicians, journalists, social media and even Christians jumped on the political “Dump Trump” bandwagon, not for what he had done or said, but because of what he was “alleged” to have done or said. Every word, tweet or broadcast was dissected and examined in an attempt to find fault as he was declared unworthy by man.

None of the attacks were able to deter this man on a mission from God. His accomplishments (there were many) included moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and the signing of the Abraham Accords, were overshadowed by the Impeachments, accusations of wrongdoing and ended by the 2020 election and the events of January 6th,2021 and continue 2 years later as an insurance policy against any future reelection bid.

Do I think God was surprised at how it has turned out? No – not at all, as nothing surprises God.

I, on the other hand, am surprised at how many Christians have bought into the lies of the devil when it comes to political corruption. Do I think Trump is right for another term? It’s not up to me.

What matters is what God says.

I do know that when you are in the perfect will of God for you, nothing and nobody will succeed in coming against you, so long as your eyes stay focused on the One who sent you. – RTM

In Your Face and Not Going Away

6-21-2023

In Your Face and Not Going Away

When I was a teen I used to have bad dreams. Quite often it was vampires or zombies chasing me. In every case just as they were about to pounce I’d announce that I was one of them and lets go get someone else. And then I’d wake up in a cold sweat.

This dream didn’t happen all the time, yet when it came and ended it was always the same.

If you’ve followed my blogs you will find that I’ve written about this before, yet each new day brings a real life zombie-type dream-like setting that we can never wake up from.

I’m talking about the gender-bender nonsense of today.

We can read in the book of Genesis where God created man, male and female he created them. You believing it or not has no bearing on the truth.

This identification nonsense is another non-starter and your belief or “version of the truth” does not have any effect on God’s creation. In fact man is the only mammal who can identify with a plant, tree or vegetable and that may be a real cause-and-effect of all this genetic mutation of plant-based food that is sold through some pretty sketchy advertising.

I’ve never heard of a bear, an owl or an eagle deciding he wants to be a she or vice versa and certainly not wanting to be anything other than what they are.

I will defer to what we called it back in the day – delusional.  

Society used to place those people in insane asylums or mental institutions, but alas when the fox is in the henhouse you either have to get rid of the fox or move the henhouse (from a western movie). Anyone expressing anti-social behavior such as that should be locked up and treated, certainly not elected or appointed to public office.

The presidential election campaign season is upon us and so is the insanity of those who want us to believe their make-believe fantasy is for real.

Let me say this – if God said it – believe it.

The wages (free stuff) of sin is spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

My old saying “give an idiot an inch and he will take a mile” is still true.

This madness reminds me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 3 where King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue and issued a decree that when everyone hears the horn they are to bow down and worship him or face death by the fiery furnace. When they did not bow and worship him, he had them brought before him and they told him they would not comply. They said that God would deliver them and even if God didn’t deliver them they still would not bow down or worship him. They were thrown into the fiery furnace and God did deliver them and their clothing was burnt, scorched or even smelled of smoke.

Coming Out isn’t just limited from a closet. It’s about coming out of (losing) your mind.

Don’t believe the lie that “what they do in their own home is okay”, it soon leads from the home, community, city, state, nation and internationally until it’s globally not okay to be otherwise.

When the demented and perverted attempt to force their ungodly behavior on everyone as “truth”, know and recognize it for what it really is, nothing more than a lie.

Refuse to believe the lie. – RTM

Riding the Wave of Reverse Discrimination

6-19-2023

Riding the Wave of Reverse Discrimination

What I’m about to say will undoubtedly set some people off, but it has to be said. American’s are all too quick to jump on someone else’s band wagon. We “identify” with almost anything and is not only our choice and the consequences can be unexpected and at times overwhelming.

This nation was founded on the backs of hard working men, women and children of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. There were slaves, indentured servants, and scripted laborers picking cotton, potatoes, corn, and fruit or caring for the family needs of others, while their own needs went unmet. Laborers built railroads, highways, farms, ranches, town and cities for the enrichment of others.

Families fought and died on both sides of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars I & II for what they valued most – freedom. Yet they often came home to lives that were far from free because politicians sought to secure and keep the power and positions which served themselves – we call it racism.

In government and in industry it was thought there must be a balancing act that can give equality to all people – it was called reverse-discrimination where job and educational vacancies were filled by the color of one’s skin, without any skillset or ability. Promotions went to a handpicked few and the Peter Principle was born. Children were “promoted” to higher levels of education because it looked good on paper, yet produced uneducated graduates.

The idea that all men are created equal by their creator did not consider man is not god and therefore subject to prejudice.

I do not condone racism.

My own family history bears witness to being involved with the Underground Railroad.

I have spent my entire adult life in a multi-cultural bi-racial family setting and have taught my children to treat everyone the way you want to be treated, not how you are treated.

What I see wrong with the idea of Juneteenth is when it is celebrated by people who dishonor the mass struggle of the founding of this nation by refusing to celebrate or honor the July 4th Celebration, and then expect to force-feed June 19th on anyone else. Celebrations should unite ALL people of the community and of the nation.

No race or ethnicity is superior or inferior to another. But to demand compliance is exactly what slave owners and bosses did to their slaves and it is wrong.

Standing for the Stars and Stripes, hand over your heart during the National Anthem or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance are all symbols that should lead to patriotism and promote national unity.

Giving preference to others while disgracing and humiliating your own has never been a good idea, nor is it ever acceptable. The good book (Bible) says to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, not “before they do it unto you”. Respect freely given should be freely shown in return. – RTM

The Misfortune of the Wheel

6-17-2023

The Misfortune of the Wheel

On Monday June 12th, when Pat Sajak announced his retirement I’m sure media heads began to explode as they rushed to find a suitable replacement for this well-seasoned host of Wheel of Fortune. I’m sure they will come up with someone as they always do. Some of the top names being floated are Vanna White, Le Var Burton, John Michael Higgins, Scott Rogowsky, Wayne Brady, Michael Strahan, and I’m even seen Whoopy Goldberg’s name among others we haven’t heard about yet.

In my opinion (which counts very little outside my immediate circle of influence) I say keep race out of it and pick the most knowledgeable and likeable as the next host. If they go for name recognition or popularity or try to appeal on the basis of race or choose a certain Hollywood starlet in decline – it would spell misfortune for the wheel and the wheel would become just another memory. Either way I like what Pat Sajak said “If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy”!

I wish Pat a long and happy retirement out of the public eye – RTM.

The Head of the Snake

6-15-2023

The Head of the Snake

There are many kinds of snakes across the North American continent. Some are extremely poisonous while others are not. Whether you’re hiking across the Rocky Mountains or fishing in the rivers of central or Midwestern states there is a very real danger of encountering these venomous vipers and the question becomes what to do, fight or flight?

The same is true when it comes to the rights guaranteed to American citizens under the Constitution versus the political undertaking of select US Government Agencies whose actions and activities go beyond their official mandates.

When a law enforcement officer is determined to have gone rogue that officer is fired, and if warranted faced with criminal charges. When a city police force has gone rogue the entire force is fired and their duties are taken over by the County Sheriff’s department until a new force is in place. Should an entire state police force become corrupt or unable to function properly it may take the state’s National Guard to be activated by the governor to stand in the gap temporarily. A call from the governor could result in the Department of Justice or Homeland Security to step in and restore/maintain law and order for a set period of time.

So what happens when a federal agency, such as the Department of Justice or Homeland Security goes rogue? Does the President have the authority to declare Martial Law, active federal troops to step in and make arrests from agency/department heads, staff and/or field agents?

I ask these hard questions because it is well known and documented that the Central Intelligence Agency has a proven track record of sewing political discord in third world countries when it has been decided that the interests of the US trump the wants, needs and desires of that nation’s citizens. Whether it is crafting tools to sway an election, a coup de tat, or an insurrection the equipment, manpower and funds of the CIA are virtually unlimited.

Another very powerful agency is the Federal Bureau of Investigation with offices located throughout the free world utilizing special arrangements for the apprehension, arrest and transportation of offenders to US jurisdiction to face prosecution.

Other agencies that have been weaponized are elements of the Internal Revenue Service and United States Postal Service, among others.

And then there is the media, local, national and international news outlets, social media and the internet which have resorted to the fabrication and distribution of political disinformation or “hit” pieces which bear little resemblance to actual journalism.

The question remains – how far does this go? Every agency has upper level department heads and staff who operate independently without worrying about elected/appointed political “talking” heads. They ensure agency policies are followed and maintain a very tight reign.

When dealing with snakes it becomes necessary to separate the head from the body to insure its deadly poison is not injected into an unsuspecting hiker or fisherman.

In a recent case of a newly appointed head of a national security agency, once he announced there would be serious changes coming, he was blindsided and forced to resign. I’ll bet he didn’t see that coming?

The same thing happened when the duly elected President of the United States #45 was sworn into office in 2017 when he came under severe and serious personal and political attacks in an attempt to force him to resign. He would not and those attacks continue to this day.

Our Constitutional-Republic is at risk. Efforts are underway to topple the economy and infrastructure of the United States by any means necessary, even by those elected and appointed “Civil Servant” officials who have sworn to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, both foreign and domestic. – RTM

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

The Constitution of the United States of America

The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms.

The Third Amendment prohibits the government from quartering troops in private homes, a major grievance during the American Revolution.

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure. The government may not conduct any searches without a warrant, and such warrants must be issued by a judge and based on probable cause.

The Fifth Amendment provides that citizens not be subject to criminal prosecution and punishment without due process. Citizens may not be tried on the same set of facts twice, and are protected from self-incrimination (the right to remain silent). The amendment also establishes the power of eminent domain, ensuring that private property is not seized for public use without just compensation.

The Sixth Amendment assures the right to a speedy trial by a jury of one’s peers, to be informed of the crimes with which they are charged, and to confront the witnesses brought by the government. The amendment also provides the accused the right to compel testimony from witnesses, and to legal representation.

The Seventh Amendment provides that civil cases also be tried by jury.

The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

The Ninth Amendment states that the list of rights enumerated in the Constitution is not exhaustive, and that the people retain all rights not enumerated.

The Tenth Amendment assigns all powers not delegated to the United States, or prohibited to the states, to either the states or to the people.

Doing the Same Thing

6-14-2023

Doing the Same Thing

It’s been said that Einstein once described crazy behavior as “doing the same thing in the exact same way while expecting different results.”

Some have said it applies to bankers and investors. I say it applies even more to democratic politics which follow the flawed example set down by the darling of the Democratic Party, the late Marxist activist Saul Alinsky.

Let me remind everyone that Hillary Rodham interviewed Alinsky and then wrote her college thesis on his many virtues (must have been a short one). She then employed his tactics during her political rise to fame.

Early in the life of his community organizing Barry Soetoro used Alinsky’s model and look where that got him, from the streets of Chicago into the U.S. Senate and then into the White House.

The real test began when political outsider Donald J Trump entered the world of politics. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to recognize the tactics of identify, isolate, and attack using an anything goes approach (dirty politics) where facts have little to do with anything.

If you’ve followed my blogs you will see that I pull no punches when it comes to the down and dirty, underhanded political shenanigans of elected officials who are even to this day triggered by the real master of sarcasm.

This latest Classified Documents publicity stunt is aimed at preventing Trump from getting back into the Executive Office using exactly the same tactics as the alleged Sexual Scandals, Russia Hoax, Impeachments I & II, and J6 over the past 7 years.

Trump once said something to the effect that it’s not me they are after, it’s you but I’m standing in the way.”

One of Alinsky’s tactics during an attack of the primary target is watching to see who comes out of the woodwork and then gathering then up as collateral damage, to destroy them publicly, politically and financially so that others would remain silent.

Conservatives were warned not to react to this public outcry which could spark entrapment by the DOJ/FBI, so what exactly happened when anti-Trump protestors showed up outside the Federal Courthouse in Florida? A slap on the wrists, ice cream cones, a stern warning?

It seems to me that democratic activists have overlooked the warning of Saul Alinsky when he wrote not to overdue or it will cease to be effective.

Seven years is a bit overdue, yet there are no signs of it letting up anytime soon. Surprisingly it has not been limited to democrats as politicians on all sides of the political isle want their pictures and names in the news to be known as staunch anti-Trumpers.

The pen is mightier than the sword and the ballot box is where the political rubber meets the road. – RTM

Wave After Wave

6-12-2023

Wave After Wave

I remember wading out into the ocean and watching as the waves came in. That first one was usually a big one that took me by surprise. I was fully expecting and ready for the others so much so that they really didn’t bother me all that much.

9/11 was one of those big ones. The War on Terrorism was one of those long drawn out aftershocks, as was the war in Afghanistan. The effects of each one was like another wave coming in.

2020 was another pounding of the consciousness of America after the release of the 2019 China Virus, and the war on Trump, which was really a war to divide Americans against one another.

To make matters worse was enacting AOC’s Green New Deal, curbing fossil fuel production and development, opening the US borders (north and south) to unvetted or mislabeled foreign migrants and dispersing them strategically throughout the continental US and giving “legitimacy” to homosexuality by openly and mandatory indoctrination of school age children with “classes”, cartoon programming and popular attractions and theme parks and full length movies and advertisements promoting it as normal behavior to be accepted by all – Wave after wave after wave.  

What is more disturbing are the “churches” and organizations latching on to the “non-profit” status where perversion is fully embraced and has become god, while the Creator God has been “overruled” in man’s vain attempt to shut Him out completely.

It reminds me when God saw the condition of man’s heart at the time He commanded Noah to build the Ark and then sealed the door with Noah and his family along with all the animals safely inside and it began to rain.

After the rains had stopped, the waters subsided and the Ark came to rest on dry land and God made a covenant with Noah that never again would he destroy the earth with water and gave a rainbow as a sign of His promise to man. God has never broken that promise.

The devil has brought into the minds of men the desire to take what God has created and misuse or redefine its use in ways that God calls sin. Man has sought to remove God from daily living by putting him in a box only to be opened in an emergency. When emergencies happen it is God who is blamed and then the box is closed again.

We are told in the bible that the consequences or wages of sin leads to death, a spiritual separation from God.

There is coming a time when every man and woman will stand before Almighty God and answer for sins.

Those found guilty will be banished to a place where there is no God. It will be the answer sinful man has wished for from which there is no return.

Those who have accepted the gift of salvation (their sins covered by the blood of Jesus) will worship before the throne of God forever. It will be the answer the redeemed have prayed for and it will have no end.

Need I say more? – RTM

Defiant ‘Pride Month’ in America

(Colorado Springs-Pueblo KKTV photo)

6-10-2023

Defiant ‘Pride Month’ in America (updated)

What was first seen when a few gay lawyers began “coming out of the closet”. We now have gone to declarations of “stop the hate” commercials on television and we are led to believe that hatred against God and his law is a right. Well not to disappoint you but being gay is a choice and a really bad one at that.

Genesis 1:27

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Of all creation how is it that only man has decided that isn’t enough or that God in his wisdom made a mistake? He did not!

Genesis 1:31

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

What is apparent at this time in the history of the world is that man has defiantly rejected his creator and the rules for healthy living in order that man can control of his own destiny. When God say’s “Do Not” man says “I will do anyway” while the consequences are ignored, leading to a host of bad choices and bad decision since the fall of man in the garden.

We are continually bombarded by propaganda that tells us that not only is man on man, woman on woman, but man/woman on animals and the “trans-gender” justification of mankind is acceptable and normal. It is not!

Leviticus 18:22

22“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

God calls it sin.

God loves sinners, but hates sin.

The penalty for sin is death (spiritual separation from God for eternity).

Think about that, choosing sin over God is choosing one’s own destiny – eternal damnation.  

Know that God’s love for his creation has no limits. So much is God’s love that he sent his only begotten son Jesus to be born as a man, live a life without sin, and died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind and then raise from the dead on the third day. Jesus is alive and sitting on the throne at the right hand of God interceding for you and for me.

That is how much God loves you.

When God created mankind he gave each one the right to life. Historically man has done very badly in preserving that right for everyone through murder, war, and abortion.

It is time to stand up for what God said is right and come against what God said is wrong. No other opinion counts.

It is better to stand alone with God, than to be in a crowd headed to hell.

The bible addresses pride as a prelude to a fall.

I say it like this the bigger they are the harder they fall and that last step is going to be a doozey. – RTM