Why I Blog

Our Front Door
Why do I blog? I‘ve been pondering that for several months. You know, we all have our sack of rocks to carry around. Mine is I’ve been dealing with the now imminent loss of a much beloved miniature schnauzer, Maxie. She's been my almost constant companion since she was about 4 months old. If she survives long enough, she’ll be 15 years old next October. Her deterioration has been excruciatingly slow. At the risk of being overly dramatic, it‘s hanging over my head like the sword of Damocles because I know she‘s “doomed“. She’s really going downhill, some days faster than others. Every day I keep expecting to find her lifeless body in the yard or laying in her bed. It’s tearing me up inside and I lost sight of why I blog.

But back to why do I blog. I started blogging to help keep me fresh, creative, and to learn from others. I blog to share ideas. I blog to maybe even make a few “virtual“ friends along the way. Lo and behold, I found I enjoy writing even if it’s about mundane every day stuff like “I cooked a new dish today". If I want to have topics to write about, then I must get off my over 55 year old duff and create. My blog is about my faith in Jesus Christ, motorcycling, my pets, family, my homemade creations, the garden, my digital photos, my (feeble) stab at decorating on a budget, Libertarian politics and whatever floats into my fluffy noggin. I’m not an expert in any of these areas, they are only the view of the world from my perspective.

The blog was started many years ago just for me. I also wanted a record of my existence. I wanted a way to share My Thoughts with that big cyber world out there. I didn't care if anyone read it but me and I lost sight of that. I am not a professional writer, and my grammar, I’m sure, leaves a lot to be desired, but I wanted to put my life down in words and photos.

So, pull up a cyber rocker and join me on the porch if there’s time. There’s plenty of beer or tea or whatever to go around, depending on your propensity. If not, that’s OK too. I just appreciate y’all stopping by for a spell. Thank you for your patience and for putting up with my Irish temper tantrums.

Have a blessed day folks.

~ Ride Safe ~
Sparky

Hiatus. 1. A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break

I don't get it.

I have over 80 followers but very few readers or comments. This has left me feeling a little disgruntled, miffed, depressed, disappointed. Truly, though, I may be simply bored with blogging. Or maybe I am boring. Therefore I have decided to stop for awhile.

For my blogger friends that do bother to comment and visit I will be visiting your blogs as usual. And do feel free to e-mail. Anytime.

Thank you and God bless,

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Remember, Freedom Isn't Free ~ Memorial Day Tribute

 

In spite of all the crazy things going on in the world. In spite of our once (real or imagined) noble government officials who seem to be comprised of entirely scoundrels, cads, heels, thieves and monstrously outrageous liars. In spite of an overwhelming fear of the future, the corruption, the rampant inflation, the dangerous atmosphere if you disagree with the officials and the ever multiplying scandals, I am still proud to be an American. I still wouldn't live anywhere else.  And it's mostly in part to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day, at home and abroad, who vow to protect the Constitution of the United States.

Besides, I truly have faith that things will get better here, for as Queen Elizabeth I said in 1583 after several failed assassination attempts, "They are seeking to take my life but it troubles me not. He who is on high has defended me until this hour, and will keep me still, for in Him I do trust."

So dear military, I humbly thank you for the sacrifices you've made for all Americans. I will remember that freedom isn't free. You are very appreciated by me today and every day. I support the troops but not the pointless wars, which is why I want you all to come home. I will always with every breathe of my body remember and honor our heroes and patriots who died for our country and our Constitution. You are here to protect Americans, not whatever worthless butt is occupying the Oval Office seat at the moment.

SO LET'S BRING THEM ALL HOME SAFE NOW!

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Funny Friday ~ Biker Bar

I called your house the other day and was told you were down at your favorite biker bar with some friends.

I wasn't sure where that was, but was told I wouldn't have much trouble finding it.

Sure enough, I drove just a couple blocks

and there it was ... 

 There is nothing like the feel of the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, is there?

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Dead Works

Dead Works

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
Printer Friendly Version

Twice in Paul’s epistles he refers to “dead works”. In Hebrews 6:1 he writes about “repentance from dead works”, while in Hebrews 9:14 he declares that the blood of Christ avails to “purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God”.

Mark well, these references are not to wicked works but to dead works. These “dead works” are the so-called “good works” (whether moral or ceremonial) which men did — and still do — to make themselves acceptable to God. They are “dead” because they are not the product of regeneration or spiritual life, but the mere attempt on the part of unregenerate sinners to justify themselves before God.

Paul himself, once zealously religious, but wholly unsaved, had to repudiate his “dead works” and count them “loss” to find salvation in Christ, through whom alone he could produce good works which God could accept. (See Philippians 3:4-9).

This is why he later declared by divine inspiration: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” (Eph.2:8-10).

“Dead works” are not only unacceptable to God, but an evil substitute for the faith He desires, “for without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6). But “he that believeth on the Son of God hath life” and this life is bound to bear fruit– the good works with which God is truly pleased.

The difference between the “good works” of the unregenerate man and the “good works” of a true believer, then, is that the former are “dead works” while the latter are the precious fruit of life possessed.

No man can please God while he denies the truth of His Word or rejects His Son, so graciously given to die on the cross as our Saviour. To try to win His favor by “good works” while rejecting Christ is like sending a gift to a man whose beloved son you spurn and despise.

“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hands. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:35,36).

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Tea Party IRS Protests May 21

On behalf of Tea Party, Patriot groups, 9/12, liberty activists, and the American people, we are calling for anyone and everyone to protest the IRS’ complete abuse of power on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at noon local time. [link]

Will you attend? Will you protest now while you still can? Or will you live under tyranny and lose all your liberties instead?

The choice is ours. For now.

h/o Legal Insurrection

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

A California To Texas Translation Guide