...And Then It Hits You

I know someone who likes to say that God doesn't punish people.

Let's have a look at some of what the Good Book has to say about this shall we?

For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.--Hebrews 12:6

...Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.--Romans 12:19

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee...--Genesis 12:3

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.--Galations 6:7

...for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.--Exodus 20:5

I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock you when your fear cometh.--Proverbs 1:26

There's plenty more in the Bible letting us know the kind of things God has done. The flood, plagues, famine, what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, what happened at the tower of Babel, and what happened to King David's son as a result of King David's sin are but a few of them.

I have said it before and I will say it again...I sure want to be on God's good side.

OinK!

Over The Hill At 150mph

Death is the new 90--Bill Engvall

Recently a man, 101 years old, went and bought himself a brand new 2010 Camaro SS. I guess he figured he had better get it while he is still young.

Because after all...time flies by even faster than he drives...I think.

OinK!

Time To Make The Lemonade

Things happen.

All kinds of things. Anything you have can be lost, damaged or stolen. People you thought you could trust will let you down at times. Others will use and take advantage of you. Some see your kindness as weakness, and will exploit it to no end...well, if you let them that is.

You may be thinking, "Yeah, tell me something I didn't know already Happy Hog. Oh, and thank you sooooo much for lifting my spirits so incredibly high on this fine Monday evening! Just what I needed." Is it like I just read your mind or something? ;)

Anyhow...whatever you may be facing, you can be sure that you are not alone. Others have gone through it, and many have been through much worse. It never takes long to see that if you start to look around, or take a little time to remember things that you, and others, have dealt with in the past.

On one hand, you can complain and be upset about what may have happened, or is happening, and on the other, you can try to do something about it. What's it gonna be?

Are you going to allow what comes your way in life to become bitter...or better?

OinK!

Time To Get Off This Sinking Ship And On To That Lifeboat

True story...

One winter during World War II, a group of Jews were left on a small island to die. They were left there with nothing...not even clothing. One German soldier decided to go back to die with them and said as much to his fellow soldiers before leaving. When asked why, he said, "Because they have more to die for...than I have to live for."

Many Germans did not want to serve in the German Army during that time, but since to refuse meant to die, they did. Others hated what they had done so much that they could not handle their guilt and committed suicide. Tragic how so many lives were lost and ruined because of one evil madman.

There was a thief on either side of Jesus when He was crucified. One died doubting, while the other sought mercy and forgiveness...and died after receiving it.

I'll tell you one thing, I sure hope I'm on God's good side when my time comes.

OinK!

Fulfillment

Wouldn't it be nice if meteor showers came on summer nights?

Last night, about 1:00AM, I was standing outside to watch some shooting stars. I had read yesterday that there was going to be a meteor shower, and since I love seeing them so much, there I was.

And the temperature? About 34 degrees, give or take a degree or two.

I stood out there for maybe 10 or 15 minutes wondering why I wasn't seeing any and then...POW! One landed right in front of my feet! Imagine my amazement!

OK, not really,(hehehe!) but I did see one shoot across the sky, going from east to west, and it had to be one of the brightest I have ever seen. I stood outside a while longer, hoping to see more of them, but they were nowhere to be seen. Deciding I had had enough of the cold, I went inside, a little disappointed I had seen only one shooting star.

But only a little, because after all, I DID see one...and I had a nice warm house to go into.

OinK!

A Beautiful Song

OinK!

Changing Polarity

It sure would be a shame if you were in a desert, and deciding that you had seen one too many mirages, gave up...only to miss out on the real thing.

So many of us have what is commonly referred to as scarcity thinking. One day I was standing in line at the bank and I overheard a couple of ladies talking. One mentioned how there seemed to always be "more month than money." Most of us can certainly relate to that clever little statement can't we?

And yet, just because we may not have all the things we want at this moment, or maybe even some of the things we need, doesn't mean it isn't out there. There is far more than enough...of everything.

The earth gets only a tiny fraction of the sun rays the sun puts out everyday. We really don't think much about all the energy from the sun going in the opposite direction of us do we? And there has always been more than enough air out there to for all of us to breath hasn't there?

The Bible talks about how we hold the power of life and death in our tongues. Yesterday I wrote about self fulfilling prophecies and how many things that have happened probably wouldn't have if not for our mindset causing them to.

So...changing how we look at things, being grateful, choosing our words more wisely, and having faith are a few things we can do to help make our lives better.

Looking back and outward can certainly distort one's view. Better to look in...and up.

OinK!

Just What I Expected

Has anyone ever figured out that whole chicken/egg thing yet?

Earlier today I was thinking about self fulfilling prophecies. How often does something turn out the way it that does...simply because we expected it to? Would it have otherwise?

How many times have we limited what we achieve or receive because we just can't "seem" to allow ourselves to believe in other possibilities?

Well, I think that is enough questions for today. Try not to go insane thinking about that first one.

OinK!

Where's The Radio Dial?

"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."--Henry David Thoreau

Now that's one song I really don't want stuck in my head.

OinK!

And Now Folks, It Is Time For...The Blame Game!

Ever known someone who never seems to take responsibility for their actions?

Lying to someone is something that we simply should not do. I say "we" because I know I certainly have. A time or two. OK, maybe slightly more than that.

But it's not MY fault! I had to! He or she made me do it because of the way they are! It's THEIR fault! I had to cover my tracks to hide that mistake that THEY made me do!

Lying to yourself...just as bad, if not worse a lot of the time. Perhaps a way of getting by...for now anyway, but never a great way of ever really getting ahead. When you lay your head down to go to sleep at night, do you feel good about yourself, knowing that you have a clean conscience? When you look into a mirror...who is looking back at you?

There can be an unlimited number of lies that we tell ourselves, or others...but there is always only one truth.

OinK!

Powerful And Elegant

OinK!

Be Cool...Be Very, Very Cool

Change...happening every moment.

I'm sure you can relate when I say how unpleasant, or even frightening, change can be sometimes. Even changes for the better, and no doubt especially so at times. Some welcome it with open arms while others try to run and hide...like cockroaches trying to find a dark place after a light has been turned on. It's understandable, the light can be so intensely bright when you are used to the dark.

The Bible talks about how foolish people will return to their foolishness just as dogs do to their own vomit. You may have seen dogs do this, I know I certainly have. I have always wondered how people can stand to let dogs lick their faces knowing they do this, plus eat cat poop and lick themselves all over, but hey...to each their own, I guess.

Anyhow, moving on...

Despite how things may appear at any given time, or what may happen in the future, you will probably agree that having faith that everything will work out for the best...is simply the best way to go. Getting all worked up, stressed out, sad, angry, or depressed doesn't really serve you very well does it? Do these negative feelings ever cause anything to change for you?

So...be cool...be very, very cool.

OinK!

Getting By With A Little Help From My Friends

Where would Batman be without his butler?

In The Fifth Element and Lady in the Water, you see two heroines who need help from others before going on to save the day. It seems kind of ironic that someone with so much power would ever need assistance from others doesn't it?

And yet, by design, we all need others in our lives. Like a single piece of a puzzle, not one of us possess all of the knowledge or strength we need to make it very far all on our own. In case you are feeling really independent right now and find yourself in doubt, here are a few things to consider...

Did you make the computer you are using right now?

Are you alone supplying the electricity to operate it?

What kind of world would we be living in if not for the soldiers who went and defeated Hitler's army in WWII?

Without those in law enforcement, there would be only one law left...the law of the jungle. Would you be the strongest? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say probably not. More than likely you would just be a slave to someone else...or dead.

There's a saying, "If you bought it, a truck brought it." Unless you somehow possess an amazing ability to make things magically materialize before you, then this is just as true for you as it is for anyone else.

And, of course, it sure can be lonely when you are the only person around...

I could go on and on, but you get the picture...superhero.

OinK!

Such Great Power

OinK!

Just Between You And Me

Ever wonder what someone who you gossip with is saying behind YOUR back when you're not around?

OinK!

Today Should Probably Be That "One Day"

"One day I'm going to..."

It's amazing how time flies isn't it? Especially when looking back at things we intended to do, or changes we wanted to make. It's not like we are always at fault, sometimes the timing just isn't right for a certain thing to take place...no matter how hard we try, or how much will power we may have. Some things are simply beyond our control, and sometimes other things must take place first.

That being said, there are things we DO have control over. We can change our thought patterns, choose to dwell on different things, and if we need to, change our mind about a particular situation.

We can decide to become, or stay, positive and not let past failures and disappointments keep us down. Sticking with it and not expecting too much, too soon is one thing to remember. After all, in any given day there is only so much that can, or will, happen.

And then, of course, there are the ACTIONS we can take as a result of changing our minds and seeing things differently. No doubt we have all heard about taking that first step. So often it is one small change that leads to others, and in time, you can completely transform your whole life.

The Bible talks about us being "doers"...not procrastinators. It's not all that likely that anyone will ever come along and do it all for you, or would even be able to even if they wanted to. Some things simply cannot be done for us.

So...the sooner we get after something, the sooner it will get done. Well...most of the time anyway :)

OinK!