William Byron Grover and Buddy Go on an Outing

Today, Bethany, William , Buddy, and I took advantage of the 50+ degree weather and visited the local off-leash dog area. It is a large fenced in area in South Park (Chuck and Bethany actually live in South Park, PA)

Woman Suffocates Under Piles Of Clutter In Home

local6.com - News - Woman Suffocates Under Piles Of Clutter In Home My friend Suzanne recently posted a blog entry about wanting to grow in eliminating clutter. Maybe this article will motivate Suzanne and the rest of us to keep our clutter under control.

Pittsburgh Rolls to Victory in Cincy

Official site of the Pittsburgh Steelers - Article What a game! After the flea flicker to Wilson, it was all over. Nice to see Big Ben start to play like himself again.

Child Gate

This is probably one of my more dull posts - so I am sorry. One of my great ventures as of recent has been tracking down a gate (child) for my house. I have little ones over often enough that I really needed to get one. They things is that I wanted a good sturdy pressure mounted versus one that required hardware. I have been a long time fan of the Fisher Price Step-Lock gate, but FP no longer makes it. Enter eBay! I found one today and paid a little more for it than I had wanted to, but it really was the gate I wanted. I think I know way too much about child safety products for a single woman.

Leaky Roof

2006 is off with a drip! I discovered that my office (finished attic) has a leaky roof right at the ridge. I have a terra cotta tile style roof, which means that the likely culprit will prove to be missing or loos tiles, or bad felt that lies beneath the tiles. I have a roofer coming tomorrow to look at the problem. I will also have to replace the plywood that is inside of the house. Some of it seems bad as well. Feel free to pray for a fair roofer and small problem!

Courtship Sermons for the Whole Church: Courtship Smourtship and Courtship is a Community Project

I highly recommend two recent sermons preached by Josh Harris at Covenant Life Church that deal with courtship. Josh delivers outstanding messages that are helpful to singles and married people alike. I especially appreciate the way he brings couples and families back into the lives singles in the Courtship is a Community Project message. Perhaps the most helpful element of both sermons, however, was his public acknowledge that the Al Mohler sermon at New Attitude two years ago was not necessarily helpful for all people at the conference, particularly women and men who were not single as a result of laziness or selfishness. I think Josh's sermon does much for furthering the pursuit of grace in our perspectives of courtship and single men and single women. I think that you will find, regardless of your season of life, these sermons immensely helpful in raising your vision for a fuller God-glorifying life of relationships within the local church. Carolyn McCulley also had a couple of good blog posts related to Josh's sermon. Be sure to check those out as well.

Shocking Experience

I was electrocuted for the first time tonight. It was a small shock...well I didn't get knocked out anyway. But, I must say , it was a shocking experience. I decided it was time to replace the dimmer switch in my dining room. I became impatient when I couldn't get the wires back in, so I unscrewed the box again (after turning the circuit back on) and zap. I took a second to make sure I was OK and then had a good chuckle. I always said my health insurance company's stock should have decreaed in value when I bought a house!

The Polls Agree With Me - Americans Don't Mind Governemnt Eavesdropping to Protect Them

National Security Agency: "Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States?" Yes 64% No 23% RasmussenReports.com

Check out Chuck and His Millenium Falcon

eric, bethany, and william grover

Nestle Peppermint Brownies

I discovered this recipe in November in a Nestle cookbook while babysitting for some friends. We loved the recipe and I have made it a couple times since. Nestle recommends an icing to go with the brownies, but to be quite honest, these brownies are so rich, I can't imagine adding a thing! It makes a small batch, but you only really need a small portion.

Nestle Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup of flour
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ¾ cup of sugar
• ½ cup (1 stick) of butter
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 1 ½ cups (9 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips(divided)
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

Prep Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 inch square pan (I don’t have a 9 in square pan, so I have found that a pie dish works great, but use glass if it all possible) Directions

1. Prepare flour, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and water and bring just to a boil, stirring constantly.
3. Once sugar, butter, and water reach a boil, remove from heat immediately.
4. Add 1 cup of morsels, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract and stir until smooth.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, into saucepan mixture, stirring well.
6. Stir in flour mixture until mixed well.
7. Add remaining morsels.
8. Spread into pan and bake for 20-30 minutes on 350.

Who is really upset about this so called "spying"?

Could someone please tell me, besides the liberal media and Democrats, who is upset about the President's authorization to the NSA to wiretap suspected terrorists? And, who is really fuming, that the government is monitoring properties of know Muslims outside of Washington D. C. for radioactive materials? To be honest, I have not heard anyone outside of the media or the Democratic party (I know, they seem one in the same) voice a single complaint. Perhaps, that is because most Americans feel more comfortable knowing that the government is doing things we don't know about to protect us. I for one, would rather to continue to not know. However, the NY Times, that great voice of the fourth estate, has felt its civic duty to air our intelligence to the world. So, now we all now, including the terrorists. Setting aside the fact that existing search warrant conditions do not meet the needs of modern technology, do we need to extend our rights (rights of American citizens) to those who are guests in our country, wishing to do us harm? I think the founding fathers would be sick if they could see the abuse of the First amendment that exists today ( and I do not believe that amendments IX and X apply here either), but that is a whole separate blog topic. I agree with Senator Santorum, the Constitution, does not necessarily protect our right to privacy. And I am sure there are liberals who would say,"What if happened to you?" Well, my brother and I have had that discussion and we decided that anyone wiretapping our conversations would soon be bored. So, who besides those wanting to see the President's rising approval rating take a nosedive are really unhappy with this so called "spying"?

Network of College Conservatives "Liberal Academia's Final Exam"

http://www.conservativesoncampus.com/Default.asp Check out this website that is designed to give conservative college students a head's up as to who is liberal on their college. Dean Christopher Flickinger founded the Network of College Conservatives to expose the conservative bias on college campuses in the U.S.

Steelers Enjoy Reborn Playoff Hopes

http://media3.steelers.com/article/60654/ What could have been a better Christmas gift to any Steelers fan than the 41-0 pounding that the Pittsburgh Steelers shelled out to our neighbors to the west, the Cleveland Browns? The Detroit Lions, one of the NFL's worst teams, is the only obstacle in the way of America's most followed football team snatching up the AFC's final wildcard birth for this season's playoffs.

Eating your words goes too far: | Cell phone lodged in woman's throat

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13474487.htm Check out where this woman swallowed her cell phone so her boyfriend couldn't take it from her. It became stuck in her throat. Gee, I wonder why?

Welcome to Blogger World, Little brother

My little brother, Chuck, (go ahead and enjoy the irony in that) has entered the world of blogging. Look him up at Eric Grover.

Keeping Excited Kids Busy Waiting for Christmas

Kids Martha has some "Good things" to keep your kids busy while they wait for Christmas.

White Christmas? Only if it doesn't all melt!

AccuWeather.com - Weather News Our best chances for a white Christmas seem to be if the temps on Friday and Saturday don't reach the highs that are predicted. Friday's high is fore-casted to be 42 degrees. We have around five to six inches of snow on the ground thanks to last night fresh coating, so we might skim by with what we have leftover.

Born Christmas Night

Words in verses by Isaac Watts New words and music by Eric Grover Soveriegn Grace Music BORN CHRISTMAS NIGHT Verse 1 Shepherds, rejoice lift up your eyes And send your fears away News from the regions of the skies Salvation’s born today Jesus the God whom angels fear comes down to dwell with you Today he makes his entrance here, but not as monarchs do Chorus Praise to the King who was laid in a manger Praise to the child who has brought us great light Praise to the God who lived here among us Praise to God’s Son who was born Christmas night Verse 2 No gold nor purple swaddling bands Nor royal shining things A manger for His cradle stands And holds the King of kings Go, shepherds, where the infant lies and see His humble throne With tears of joy in all your eyes, go shepherds, kiss the Son Verse 3 Lord, and shall angels have their songs And men no tunes to raise? O may we loose our useless tongues When they forget to praise Glory to God that reigns above that pitied us forlorn We join to sing our Maker’s love, for there is a Savior born

J. C. Ryle on Christmas

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1533457/posts Click on the link above to read J.C. Ryle's tract on Christmas. Although it was written for unbelievers, there is an excellent exhortation for us to live "experimentally". I was taken aback by that word at first, but then realized that Ryle was merely urging us to live our doctrine.

Christmas Posts and Snow!

AccuWeather - World Weather - International Local Weather Forecasts Accuweather is officially throwing its hat in the ring and making an early call about snow for Christmas. Stay tuned this week, as I will be eagerly checking for updates and keeping blog updated with weather and other Christmas related posts.

What Happens When Transactional Leadership Fails to Transact?

As a Verizon employee, I have been pondering the impact of yanking management's retirement benefits. And, white it is true, that we still have a 401k, what is also true, is that the company has broken their agreement with us. The rationale: we were never going to be able to keep it in the long run anyway, so lets cut our losses now. But today, I began to ponder the question, what happens to an organization that is dependent on transactional leadership, when it fails to transact? Transactional leadership is based on the notional that people are fundamentally motivated by compensation, namely money. Inherent in transactional leadership is the common inattention to other motivational factors. Hertberg would identify that in providing retirements Verizon was merely meeting a hygiene need, or the needs associated our most basic needs for safety and welfare, and that our motivational needs have not been addressed. So what can we expect to see will happen? Will employees really buy the line that "everyone else is doing it"? Will they be happy that our senior management had the foresight to cut our losses early enough to sustain and grow the business and prevent irreparable harm? Or, will employees feel embittered by Verizon's failure to transact and look for either employment with companies that will transact or will address motivation in other ways? I am not naive enough to believe that Verizon's management workforce is about to up and leave. I do however, suspect that fewer of the employees in my age bracket will pursue much of a tenure with Verizon. To the outsider, that doesn't seem like a big deal. However, to anyone who knows telecom, specifically RBOCs, you understand the significance of incumbent employee job knowledge and how difficult it can be to outsource work or hire off the street versus bringing people up through the ranks. Unless senior management aggressively pursues a leadership style that addresses other fundamental motivational needs (in contrast to transactional leadership), Verizon could find itself in a less than enviable situation as it again absorbs another company at the forthcoming close of the MCI deal. Disenchanted, disengaged are never good to work with, but try blending them with another company's culture.

Name That Tune

My my brother is a gifted songwriter. My gift seems to be in discovering where a song sounds like another song. My sister-in-law, Bethany, suggested I blog about my most recent discoveries on the latest Sovereign Grace Ministries album, "Worship God Live". My brother has long been a victim of my connection (or seeming connection) of the dots, so I thought I would let others share in the fun. Let me know where you have made similar discoveries. From the song "O God, Our Help In Ages past", the following lines are the same as the lines "a three hour tour" from the theme song to Gilligan's Island:

• "And our eternal home",
• "And our defense is sure"

From the Song, "Jesus, Thank You" you can hear the King (Elvis) singing, "I can't help, falling in love with you" in the line:

• "Lover of my soul, I want to live for you"

Christmas Blizzard?

http://headlines.accuweather.com/news-story.asp?partner=accuweather&myadc=0&article=6 Alright, well, I have refrained for a couple for days now. A couple of days ago, a meteorologist on Accuweather dared to mention the "B" word...Blizzard! Rudolph, shine up that nose. Although the jury is still, out, we have the best chance that I can remember since 1978 for a good old fashioned blizzard for Christmas. My brother says I am hopeless, maybe I am. Just think of how pathetic I will be by the time I am 80!

Store Wars: This video has been approved for all audiences

Join the Organic Revolution (Not) It is totally liberal propaganda, but once you get past that, it is hysterical. Watch this short Star Wars spoof. The kids will love it!

Me, William, and Buddy

I was taking pictures of Chuck's family for their Christmas postcard and then we took some of me and William and Buddy joined in the fun.

Cutest Dog

I have the cutest dog. Doesn't he look like Smokey?

Find the Famous Restaurant Icon In the Photo

Can you find the famous restaurant icon in this picture? Click on the photo to enlarge in a separate browser.

More snow In Pittsburgh!

I am enjoying the view out of window this afternoon as I watch the Steeler game. If you happened to catch the game you probably noticed how hard it was snowing in the second half. The pictures above were taken at my house. Accuweather is calling for a snowy December for us, and it looks good for a white Christmas in Pittsburgh.

The Grovers Take NY

I think the Grovers pretty much look like a remake of "Green Acres" when they visit NY. Nonetheless, My brother Scott's family visited the Big Apple on "Black Friday" and had a ball. They hit The American Girl Place, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Central Park, Time Square, and some other places. Since they now live just north of the city in the Hudson Valley they were able to travel by train. I am not sure anyone enjoyed the trip quite as much as Scott did. I think he is mostly happy to have his family together after having to work out of town for over 2 months. Some friends from their old church were visiting for Thanksgiving.

Most of you will be able to guess which ones are the Grovers, but in case you can't:

1. Scott (10 years older than me) - brother salt and pepper hair (American Girl Place/Armed Forces Recruiting),
2. Zach - nephew (13) (Green coat, glasses, blond, ),
3. Samantha - niece (Sam 15) (Blue-Green coat, long hair, no hat),
4. Hannah - niece (9) (Blue hat, blue coat, long hair),
5. Nina - sister-in-law (age not provided) (Redish-brownish hair, yellow coat)

Come, Thou Long Expected, Jesus

One of my favorite Christmas hymns is Come, Thou Long Expected, Jesus. It is a song that capitalizes on Jesus' fulfilment of prophecy in the incarnation, identifies him appropriately as the desire of every nation, and the true joy of every heart. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Charles Wesley Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit ,Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Woe is Tree We had a wonderful time trimming the tree as it snowed! We were blanketed with 6 inches. Above is a poor camera phone picture of my house around 2:00 AM.

You may wonder why I was awake at that hour. I wasn't merely excited at the snowfall. Read the tale below to learn why (remember to be gracious given the hour it was written):

As I stood tiredly at my kitchen sink From yon in the living room arose such a clatter I rushed from my dishes as I started to think What was that sound? What is the matter? But alas! What did I encounter? What did I find? That the hours we spent were spilled on the floor I froze in my tracks as thoughts raced through my mind What could have toppled that tree? What else is in store? I looked for a cause, I could not find one My dog had been sleeping in the same room with me But then I looked down and what did I see? My Roomba at work, humming happily It seems as though my automated friend Has climbed onto the tree skirt And pulled it clear to the end Though I know not for sure how my tree came to fall It’s once again standing tall in the corner upright If it comes down again, you might get a call But for now, I bid you a final good night.

Bush Holiday Video is a Winner

http://www.wpxi.com/family/5487725/detail.html

The annual Barneycam Whitehouse video is a real winner this year. First Lady Laura Bush took the video on the First Lady's annual visit to a children's hospital.

Click here to watch.

Trimming the Tree and a Winter Storm

AccuWeather.com - Weather News Well, it looks as though I am finally in for my first REAL winter storm of the season. We are already under a winter storm warning and are expecting to have six inches of snow before dawn on Friday according to local forecasters. The timing couldn't be better. Thursday night I will be putting up my tree and decorating it with the Calvettti clan. Talk about ambiance! If only Zerita were here to make hot chocolate and sing carols.

More Bah Hum Blog ABC News: After Verizon, Are Pension Freezes on the Way? Just in time for Christmas Verizon yanks management employees' pension and retirement benefits. Scrooge lives in corporate America.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

AccuWeather.com - Weather News We can only hope for a doosey next week. I have lived in Pittsburgh for 9 years and we have yet to get walloped since I have been here. We had more single storm accumulations when I lived in Knoxville then we have since I have moved to the 'Burgh!

Sound of Music Remake BBC NEWS Entertainment TV hunt for Sound of Music lead Can you believe it? Why would you even think about remaking this classic? I don't care how talented you are, you have to be either crazy to even consider yourself genius enough to top this Julie Andrews hit.

USATODAY.com - 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' leads TV pack After 40 years, the Charlie brown Christmas special still is the annual favorite, not only for Grovers, but evidently for millions of Americans. We could venture a number of guesses as to why that is, but I will weigh in with just one. It is the only major T.V. special with a Christmas theme actually related to the true meaning of Christmas. It is difficult to imagine that in a culture where wars are raging over the replacement of the word "Christmas" with the word "holiday" that a major network feels that it still can get away with airing a special that has such a blatant Christian message. After all, how politically incorrect for Linus to recite the Christmas story from Luke's gospel? Really, Linus, try to do better next time.

Email Sent to Fox News Dayside Program in reference to Remarks about Home Schooling

I sent the following email text to Fox News' Dayside program after viewing the show. Several remarks were made assuming that homeschooled children are categorically sheltered and poorly socialized. Since I do not have children and have no family members who home school, I felt as though I could remark with little prejudice.

I noticed several times on today’s show that both the hosts and guests of Dayside made remarks that indicated that the two teens involved in the double murder in Lancaster County, PA may have been involved in the crimes because they were home-schooled. Several times assumptions were made that because the teens were home-schooled they must be poorly socialized and overly sheltered. While I do not know if the two teens in question were poorly or well socialized, is it fair to link the crimes to the two being home schooled? Would you likewise categorically blame public schools when a shooting spree or other heinous crime is committed by teens who attend public school? The assumptions that home schooled children are poorly socialized and sheltered are merely lies propagated by liberal groups like the NEA (National Educators Association) to protect their own existence and who themselves want to control the shaping of the young American mind. I know many families who home school and the degrees to which they socialize their children vary. However, it is not uncommon for home schooled children to actually receive a wider variety of socialization than children who attend school and experience cultures different from their own at a younger age. I attended public school but lived a far more sheltered life and less culturally diverse life than many home schooled children. The comments made by the guests and hosts of Dayside were assumptions and reveal how little you know about home school families. Jenn Grover Pittsburgh, PA P.S. I do not have children myself and have no family members who home school. Perhaps you should consider inviting a home school expert to your show.

Happy

Birthday

Chuck!

How would you to deal with a gator in your living room? People cleaning up from Katrina and Rita are finding all sorts of crazy things in their house - including this poor woman who was terrified when she came "face to tail" with an aligator in her home.

Listen to

James Earl Jones

Read Lincoln's

Gettysburg Address

You can listen to James Earl Jones reading the Gettysburg Address online at Verizon Superages.

Although Lincoln is often heralded as a great advocate of the Abolitionist movement in America, it can be observed that his entry into the Civil War was for more political reason than personal convictions as to the immorality of slavery. Lincoln, did object to slavery, but was chosen by his party to run for president because he was more moderate on the issue of slavery than others in his part with stronger Abolitionist sentiment.

However, as the war progressed, it seems notable, that Lincoln himself became convinced more and more of the righteousness of ending slavery and the war became a matter of conviction to Lincoln as well.

West Virginia

Speed Trap

Tops List

A recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the infamous Summersville, West Virgina speed trap caught my attention. Back in 1996, I fell prey to the speed trap. Of course, I was breaking the law. I was going 65 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. However, I really had been doing my best to abide by the law during my ten hour drive. The thing about the Summersville speed trap is that it falls in an area where the speed limit has just dropped from 65 to 55, so it is an easy error to make. The policeman was very courteous as he handed me my ticket.

I have been amazed at how many other people I have encountered over the years who have also been targeted by the speed trap. But I was even more amazed when I Googled Summersville and speed trap, and even yet more amazed when I learned that although Summersville has some 3,500 residents, over 18,000 speeding tickets were issued last year in Summersville.

The story in the Post-Gazette was about a businessman from Summersville who is fighting back. It was quite comedic. Next time you approach Summersville, prepare to be greeted by a sign alerting you that you are approaching the world's biggest speed trap!

Hannidate: The Conservative's Choice for Dating Well, only one person responded to my post about "House with a Bride", so I thought maybe you would all find "Hannidate" a better choice for me. Evidently, because of Sean Hannity's passion for family values, the next logical move for him was to set up a FREE dating service for Conservatives. I appreciate his desire to help. We all could use the help, that's for sure. And, besides, doesn't Hannidate rhyme with candidate?

Time for Dems

To Stand Up

And Be Counted

The Dems have finally been called on their bluff by the brilliance of fast acting Republicans who proposed a House Resolution for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and have brought it to the floor of the House for a vote as the last vote before Congress takes its Thanksgiving break,

Congress Jack Murtha has been waving the Democratic banner of withdrawal for the second half of the week, rallying Democrats as President Bush and other Republicans started turning the corner on the low of criticism that has surrounded the administration as of late.

Though Murtha is "hawkish", he is still a liberal Democrat from a union heavy western Pennsylvania who appeals not to logic or strategy, but only to emotion, in attempts to manipulate his peers and the public into caving into his brand of liberal sentiment. Republican Senator Young stated it well when he pointed out that Murtha has spoken more this week than than the sum of his twenty-four year career.

But, the real question has never been raised. How can we even consider bailing out of Iraq when it is clear that Al Queda is clearly entrenched in Iraq? Why would we give Iraq to Al Queda after we have paid such a cost? What would become of not only our safety, but those Iraqis who do not subscribe to militant Islam? Would not the generations that follow us charge us with murders and perhaps even the genocide of countless if abandon our mission in Iraq now? Yes, we pay a cost for our work in Iraq, but are we must count the cost and make the moral choice.

Tropical Storm Gamma to

Turn Into Major

Thanksgiving Week Snow

Event For East Coast

The record-breaking twenty-fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Gamma, is at tropical storm status, with the possibility of reaching hurricane status and then weakening again to tropical storm status before a possible south Florida strike. Accuweather is forecasting models that call for the collision of an arctic blast and the remnants of the moisture associated with Gamma next week which should distress holiday travelers but delight those who have been waiting for their first taste of winter weather. Accuweather's 30-90 forecast also calls for a colder than normal December. Weigh in on:

• Your thoughts about the Thanksgiving snow possibility,
• Calls for a colder December,
• What you are doing to reduce heating costs, and
• If you think Accuweather's model is just another ploy of media hype.

“I, I am he who blots out your

transgressions for my own sake,

and I will not remember your sins. "

- Isiah 43:25

Our culture boasts of not forgetting when we have been injured or wronged. "Remember the Alamo", "Remember 9-11". However, our God boasts of not remembering our sins against him. Why is it we make such a practice of remembering our sins when God makes such practice of forgetting them? All through Scripture God reminds us of this: He remembers our sins no more (Jr. 31: 34), that He removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Yet we seem to think we will find some solace in recounting them. But why is that? I have yet to find a single exhortation, or even a hint of one, that would encourage us to recount our own sins after we have received God's forgiveness. Perhaps it is our pursuit of self-atonement, or a penance of sorts. We punish ourselves where we feel God has left us off the hook. Perhaps it is our misunderstanding of living "cross-centered" lives. We gravitate towards making the cross an end in end of itself rather than the doorway to faith-filled joyful life that counts on God not remembering our sins and expects grace to change. So, in our self-sufficient attempts to keep the cross at the center we hang on to our sins longer or revisit old sins. I will be so bold as to say it is unchristian for us to remember our forgiven sins. I am not speaking of when we are sharing a testimony, but rather those times when we cling to condemnation in hopes of conjuring up some deeper sense of godly sorrow. But, I say to that Christian: Do not make more of the grief of your sin than you do the joy of God's forgiveness, for in doing so, you make more of yourself than you do of your God.

A Book for

Every Public

School Library

And a Chicken

In Every Pot

I have not read this book, but the idea made me laugh. However, it is a great time for me to opine about the conceptual breakdown of liberal socialism.

Just think how liberal ideal have slowly crept into American mainstream ideology:., "A chicken in every pot, a car in every driveway." It sounds good doesn't it? Who doesn't want their neighbors to have what they both need and want? And why shouldn't we who are better off shoulder the burden?

Now don't hear what I am not saying, I believe that it is our God ordained responsibility to shoulder the burden of the less fortunate, but it is not the government's role to administrate nor impose this responsibility. Do I think people would be selfish and let others go without? Yes, I do. But, I think people tend to more selfish and less generous because they count on the government caring for the less needy. People are already bitter about what is taken from them by the government and feel no need to do more.

Secondly, I believe that if individuals and churches cared for the needy, care would extend beyond finances. If care is handled through the taxes in my payroll deduction, there is nary a second thought to those in need receiving from income. However, if I am directly connected to those receiving the benefit, I can see their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs as well, and perhaps serve them in that capacity as well.

Lastly, if government were not left as chief American philanthropist, the needy would be left with more opportunities to give back. I am not speaking mainly of financial retribution, but I am referring to being able to reciprocate generosity with generosity of spirit.

Ruler of the Waves

I was reviewing one of my favorite J. C. Ryle books (Holiness) this evening and one of my favorite chapters in the book is Ruler of the Waves. I was struck by many things, but most significantly, by Jesus kindness. The except below is lengthy, but worth the read, because it is a great reminder of the Saviors patience and compassion towards us.

But what do you see in our Lord’s behavior towards these disciples all through His ministry? You see nothing but unchanging pity, compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, long suffering and love. He does not cast them off for their stupidity. He does not reject them for their unbelief. He does not dismiss them forever for cowardice. He teaches them as they are able to bear. He leads them on step by step, as a nurse does an infant when it first begins to walk. He sends them kind messages as soon as He is risen from the dead. "Go," He said to the women, "Go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me" (Matt. 28:10). He gathers them round Himself once more. He restores Peter to his place, and bids him "feed His sheep" John 21:17). He condescends to sojourn with them forty days before He finally ascends. He commissions them to go forth as His messengers, and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. He blesses them in parting, and encourages them with that gracious promise "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20). Truly this was a love that passes knowledge. This is not the manner of man. Let all the world know that the Lord Christ is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. As a father pities his children, so He pities those who fear Him. As one whom his mother comforts, so will He comfort His people (James 5:11; Matt. 12:20; Ps. 103:13; Isa. 66:13). He cares for the lambs of His flock as well as for the old sheep. He cares for the sick and feeble ones of His fold as well as for the strong. It is written that He will carry them in His bosom, rather than let one of them be lost (Isa. 40:11). He cares for the least member of His body, as well as for the greatest. He cares for the babes of His family as well as the grown–up men. He cares for the tenderest little plants in His garden as well as for the cedar of Lebanon. All are in His book of life, and all are under His charge. All are given to Him in an everlasting covenant, and He has undertaken, in spite of all weaknesses, to bring every one safe home. Only let a sinner lay hold on Christ by faith, and then, however feeble, Christ’s word is pledged to him, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He may correct him occasionally in love. He may gently reprove him at times. But He will never, never give him up. The devil shall never pluck him from Christ’s hand. Let all the world know that the Lord Jesus will not cast away His believing people because of shortcomings and infirmities. The husband does not put away his wife because he finds failings in her. The mother does not forsake her infant because it is weak, feeble and ignorant. And the Lord Christ does not cast off poor sinners who have committed their souls into His hands because He sees in them blemishes and imperfections. Oh, no, it is His glory to pass over the faults of His people, and heal their backslidings, to make much of their weak graces, and to pardon their many faults. The eleventh of Hebrews is a wonderful chapter. It is marvelous to observe how the Holy Spirit speaks of the worthy men whose names are recorded in that chapter. The faith of the Lord’s people is there brought forward, and held in remembrance. But the faults of many of them, which might easily have been brought up also, are left alone, and not mentioned at all.

He was the Cat's Meow: Memorial Serivce for Dog To be Attended by Over 300 Cats What's worng with this picture? What sef-respecting dog would allow itself to be named an "honorary cat" and be euligized by cats? Newsday reports that's exactly what the story is with Ginny, the wonder-dog. Ginny, was a dog who had participated in in the rescue of scores of cats and now upon her death is being honored by them. This is one bizare story. Harry Carey would say about Ginny, "She was a curious dog, that's why her friends called her Whiskers".

And by the way folks, that's an ugly dog.

Bah Hum Blog

You wouldn't think a broken ankle would slow down my blog, but it has. Hopefully, I will be back up and blogging now.

The ankle is even more swollen and bruised now, but I guess that is to be expected. I have wrangled a few meals out of it and Buddy is feeling rather spoiled with Bethany walking him every morning.

America's Most Beautiful City

I realized the beauty of blogging is blogging about what you want to blog about. So, tonight, I blog about the 'Burgh, America's most beautiful, braggable, and bloggable city.

Known as the City of Bridges, The Golden Triangle, The Steel City, The City With a Smile on its Face, and a host of other affectionate titles, Pittsburgh is, in my opinion (and I make no claims to it being a humble opinion) the best city on earth. I never tire at gazing on its skyline, the trolly rides never grows wearisome, the local's accent never loose their charm, the river's keep their mystery, and the aura of what make Pittsburgh unique is completely captivating. I often wonder how I have been fortunate to live in such a place? A place where my 80 yearld home sits on a coblestone boulevard and I am just a ten minute walk to a great cup of cofee. A place where the neighbors still greet each other and ladies still ask young boys for help carrying groceries. A place where Fred Rodgers never went out of style.

This may sound hokey, but maybe that's because you haven't spent enough time in Pittsburgh yourself. Among our favorite attractions are:

• The Carnegie (Includes the museums of Natural History, Science, Art, and Science and the Andy Warhol Museum)
• The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
• The Frick House - Clayton
• Phipps Conservatory
• Mt. Washington (personal favorite)
• PPG Place - and Light Up Night
• Station Square and the Grand Concourse
• Kennywood
• Falling Water/Kentuck Knob (Frank Lloyd Wright Homes)
• Miles and miles of rails to trails
• Beautiful downtown architechture (First Presbyterian Church, Allgheny County Courthouse)
• PNC Park (Most beautiful baseball park in America and home to the 2006 MLB All star game) and Heinz Field
• Heinz Regional History Center
• Plus, so much more!!!!!

If you are trying to decide where to plan your next vacation, consider Pittsburgh. You've got a friend in Pennsylvania.

House With A Bride Why didn't I think of that? Sell your house and the bride comes with it! I am speechless. Leanne was quoted as saying, "I am not that desperate." By the way, the bride listed the opening bid for herself as priceless and the bid for her fully furnished home at $600, 000.

Personal Preparedness A Matter Of Civic Duty Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff is laying out plain and simple: "For those people who say, 'Well, I can take care of myself no matter what, I don't have to prepare,' there is an altruistic element — that to the extent that they are a burden on government services, that takes away from what's available to help those who can't help themselves," Chertoff said. "That is a matter of civic virtue." Isn't is about time someone said it isn't the government's job to provide food and water to people, especially when they have warned people to store three to five days worth of supplies? I am guilty myself, of not following Homeland Defense's guidelands for personal preparedness. It will be my goal to not only begin to prepare myself, but also to talk to my friends and family members about doing the same. It is a civic responsibility to be rpepared. When I am not prepared and I could be, I impose on the govenment and on others. To learn how you can be prepared, visit: http://www.ready.gov/index.html

Study: Male Mice Sing to Their Mates

I couldn't resist this article about male mice singing to their mates.