So how do you foster peace through peace itself? Does peace come out of just being at peace? The longer I live the more I think not, and I don't feel that old yet. I was originally thinking about peace in the micro scale but I believe the more I think about it, it applies to the macro as well. So how do you create peace? How do you have peace in your own home? When the kids are at each others throat....when you are at odds with your spouse...when there is conflict from outside forces like friends...
I know I'm throwing out a lot of rhetorical questions here but maybe some of you will think about it if even for a minute. Peace does not come through peace itself, peace comes through eliminating or diminishing, as much as possible, evil. I guess the problem comes when people are not on the same page as to what IS evil. When some believe in the one true God and others believe that He is the evil they are going against. They try to eliminate us, we try to eliminate them. All to bring about peace. Doesn't everyone want peace? It's just that people do not believe that their beliefs are wrong so they will fight to put down anyone who comes against them, so that they can be at peace. So, this is where I end with the other side I guess. I believe in God that he is the one true God and that there is no other God. It has been proven over and over and will be proven as long as there is life. So, anything against God is evil. To have peace on earth or in my home or in this country we have to do what it takes to eliminate evil.
OK, so now that those of you who miss-interpret what I just said...No I don't want to eliminate or destroy anyone who doesn't believe the same as me. Jesus called us to Love our enemies too and to pray for them. I don't think that we should go out and destroy those who do not believe what I believe. However, those that fight directly against what IS true and those who actively pursue EVIL should be dealt with at some level or another.
Example...everyone would probably agree that an unwanted intruder into your house would be Evil...correct? Maybe they are there to do terrible things to you and your family, it happens probably every night in somewhere or another. So, to have peace in your house would it be best to just sit there and PEACEFULLY let them do those terrible things? NO, NO, NO! You would do everything you can to protect your family and yourself and put down the evil that has entered your house, in order to restore PEACE in your home.
I guess I'm on a rant here but you CAN'T create peace by acting peacefully and trying to negotiate with those who want to destroy you! Sure it may buy you a few more minutes of life or maybe even more that that, but eventually you'll have to remove the evil or peace will not exist. I just get tired of the rhetoric about some who think that those who want a strong military and strong government don't want peace. That is a lie! The reason we want those things is because we want peace and realize that the only way to peace is to rid us from the evil that wants to destroy our peace.
I suppose this is getting too long for one post! Thanks for reading, maybe I can continue soon if you care. Please think about it! Yes, I'm a gun toting conservative...maybe this will being to explain why?
Some things written almost 100 years ago are still appropriate for today...probably most things are.
1916 by the Rev. William J. H. Boetcker, a Presbyterian clergyman
1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
3. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
4. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
5. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
6. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
7. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
8. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
9. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.
Maybe these could be called "The Fundamentals of Two Differing Parties?"
Don't forget to Vote :)
Its getting cold! Leaves are changing or all but changed, bright yellow surrounds the drive home instead of the dark green's. Its pretty but so short lived it seems. I don't know if I'm ready for winter yet this year. This year has gone ever so slow, literally day by day, or hour by hour with uncertanty looming around every corner. It makes for a long year and its not over yet! I guess there's nothing magic about the year being "over" as it is more than the calendar that has to change.
I guess for now I'll just keep hanging on and living through the seasons. I hope your Fall and Winter are blessed and that you and I figure out how to come out on top with all of the uncertanty of this world being thrown at us.
I guess for now I'll just keep hanging on and living through the seasons. I hope your Fall and Winter are blessed and that you and I figure out how to come out on top with all of the uncertanty of this world being thrown at us.
You know, at some point you hit bottom and there is no where else to go....except I guess you could start digging :).
I feel like I'm floating just above the bottom at this point. The company is down to 4 people. Funny how when "the deal" was first presented there were 20 some people, then when it finally closed there were 11, now there are 4. I've referred to this company as an airplane sometimes and wondering how high it will fly, right now it seems that it is only flying on hope.
How naive I was to think that things were bad a year and a half ago or more, complaining about my job and having enough of it. At least I was getting paid and pretty much knew what the future held. Now, the future is uncertain...I guess all there is, is to hold on to the hope that is left.
I feel like I'm floating just above the bottom at this point. The company is down to 4 people. Funny how when "the deal" was first presented there were 20 some people, then when it finally closed there were 11, now there are 4. I've referred to this company as an airplane sometimes and wondering how high it will fly, right now it seems that it is only flying on hope.
How naive I was to think that things were bad a year and a half ago or more, complaining about my job and having enough of it. At least I was getting paid and pretty much knew what the future held. Now, the future is uncertain...I guess all there is, is to hold on to the hope that is left.
So I had to serve on Jury Duty last week! I was not really wanting to do it but then also had no good reason why I couldn't so I didn't give any real obvious indication that I could not stay. The case ended up being somewhat of a joke, although I'm sure it wasn't to the parties involved. It was a "harassment and assault" case, basically a couple guys had a scuffle and one of them got their butt kicked and decided to call the police because he lost so bad. Now, that wasn't the full story and we listened to 8 hours of lies to try to figure out what the story was...ultimately we said the guy was "not-guilty" he wasn't innocent by any means, he hit the guy and definitely caused him some pain but from what we determined he was pretty provoked and just because one guy lost doesn't make him innocent either.
I did learn that if you are ever asked to "write a statement" that you should be as thorough as possible! The accused left out a lot of important details in his statement that could have made the case even harder against him had he just taken a little more time with it. It is sad to me that people make up stories and hold back the truth on things when they feel like they are in trouble. It would have been better for both of them to just admit their faults and go on their way. I guess we all don't want people to think worse of us or whatever and our pride gets in the way of everything and we end up hurting more people in the process. Those guys "hurt" us in that we had to spend 2 days away from work and all the other things associated with getting there and such. All for nothing really. I didn't mean to get philosophical, sorry.
I bet those words "not guilty" to someone in his shoes sound pretty good! Not guilty of whatever it is that was done, whether he did it or not. He can't be tried again and will not be punished even if he was guilty...I guess that's the definition, more or less, of forgiveness. He was forgiven, in man's terms, of the accused crime and his life will never be the same because he didn't have to go through the punishment that he maybe deserved. I guess its just a little earthly taste or reminder of what was done for me. When I get to heaven Jesus is going to say "Not Guilty" and I won't have to pay a price or punishment that I could never pay, for what I've done.
Pretty good feeling really!
I did learn that if you are ever asked to "write a statement" that you should be as thorough as possible! The accused left out a lot of important details in his statement that could have made the case even harder against him had he just taken a little more time with it. It is sad to me that people make up stories and hold back the truth on things when they feel like they are in trouble. It would have been better for both of them to just admit their faults and go on their way. I guess we all don't want people to think worse of us or whatever and our pride gets in the way of everything and we end up hurting more people in the process. Those guys "hurt" us in that we had to spend 2 days away from work and all the other things associated with getting there and such. All for nothing really. I didn't mean to get philosophical, sorry.
I bet those words "not guilty" to someone in his shoes sound pretty good! Not guilty of whatever it is that was done, whether he did it or not. He can't be tried again and will not be punished even if he was guilty...I guess that's the definition, more or less, of forgiveness. He was forgiven, in man's terms, of the accused crime and his life will never be the same because he didn't have to go through the punishment that he maybe deserved. I guess its just a little earthly taste or reminder of what was done for me. When I get to heaven Jesus is going to say "Not Guilty" and I won't have to pay a price or punishment that I could never pay, for what I've done.
Pretty good feeling really!
So I've been a big slacker at posting lately! Things have just been busy and crazy and I haven't made time to do it I guess. The latest busy things happening...
My Accounting Clerk turned in her resignation! She was actually just doing my stuff part time but nonetheless she wont be doing it after about 5 more weeks. So, I'm having to learn a whole new aspect of this thing called "ownership" and having to be somewhat of an accountant, which I didn't ever know I was signing up for. My wonderful wife is going to help with what she can and that will be a big help as I'm not sure I can do it all myself at this point.
We are still searching for the needle in the haystack as far as work. Things here in the development world are very slow and it is difficult to find enough work to keep us busy. We are still hangin in there though trying to conserve as much as possible and are still believing that we will come through this too.
My daughter started kindergarten today! I am excited for her to be in school, she craves learning so much and I hope that she will be able to be continually challenged and not get beat down to being just an average student. It is a completely different world than when I went so long ago (almost 30 years ago!). Welcome class of 2021.
My Accounting Clerk turned in her resignation! She was actually just doing my stuff part time but nonetheless she wont be doing it after about 5 more weeks. So, I'm having to learn a whole new aspect of this thing called "ownership" and having to be somewhat of an accountant, which I didn't ever know I was signing up for. My wonderful wife is going to help with what she can and that will be a big help as I'm not sure I can do it all myself at this point.
We are still searching for the needle in the haystack as far as work. Things here in the development world are very slow and it is difficult to find enough work to keep us busy. We are still hangin in there though trying to conserve as much as possible and are still believing that we will come through this too.
My daughter started kindergarten today! I am excited for her to be in school, she craves learning so much and I hope that she will be able to be continually challenged and not get beat down to being just an average student. It is a completely different world than when I went so long ago (almost 30 years ago!). Welcome class of 2021.
A friend refered me to this site and I've been doing it for a while now. It has been good and probably something I will have to do again when I'm done as these things are not easy to change. It is basically a daily email that asks you to "fast" from a thought for that day. Thoughts that are not helpful but that we all do and get ourselves so messed up by thinking wrong. I hope you all do it and can apply it to your life. Pass it along if you have a friend who needs it too!
http://thinkingfast.org/
You just enter your name and an email address and they should start coming to your in-box, otherwise you can log in and read the archives on your own. I think if we all thought correctly life would be much better for us and for everyone near us!
E
http://thinkingfast.org/
You just enter your name and an email address and they should start coming to your in-box, otherwise you can log in and read the archives on your own. I think if we all thought correctly life would be much better for us and for everyone near us!
E
Psa 66:10 You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver melted in a crucible.
So I figured I should blog again. I guess for some reason I have a hard time just blogging about what I do from day to day and lately want to say something of meaning and purpose...I guess that's just the place I am at lately.
Change isn't easy. Especially when the change that you need to make or have to make is that of changing yourself. I feel like I've been in the crucible for a few months now, actually feels like I've been in and out of it for over a year now, but lately mostly in. It all started when I was done with my current job at the time, I had had enough and wanted more. I went through some difficult times trying to decide what to do, what I was here for, why I was an engineer, etc. I went all the way back to college, in my mind, and remembered that I tried to get out of engineering but felt like it was something that I was "called" to do. I struggled all the way through school, nothing in engineering came easy but I knew I was supposed to do it. So, ten years later I was doing it and felt like I was stuck, not going to accomplish what I was once called to do if I stayed where I was. Which led to the opportunity to buy the office I know own.
Now it would appear to some that I "have it all" but really I feel like I only have more responsibility and really nothing more. I'm caught up in the worries of making payroll, paying bills, finding enough work, etc, etc, and again i know that this is not what I was called to do. I think I'm on the floor in front of a big ladder trying to make that first rung but keep getting swept off my feet. I think I am just about to the point where all I can do is try to stand. Just stand, not try for the first rung, just stand. Maybe if I can master standing I'll be able to lift a foot and head for the first rung.
Eph 6:13, 14
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness...
In the midst of trying to stand I have had to make changes, realize that I wasn't perfect by any means and that I have a lot to fix and a lot that I can do better at. The slag is being burnt off and the impurities coming out in the fire. It has been anything but comfortable and downright unbearable at times, but I believe I will be all the better for it in the end.
So I figured I should blog again. I guess for some reason I have a hard time just blogging about what I do from day to day and lately want to say something of meaning and purpose...I guess that's just the place I am at lately.
Change isn't easy. Especially when the change that you need to make or have to make is that of changing yourself. I feel like I've been in the crucible for a few months now, actually feels like I've been in and out of it for over a year now, but lately mostly in. It all started when I was done with my current job at the time, I had had enough and wanted more. I went through some difficult times trying to decide what to do, what I was here for, why I was an engineer, etc. I went all the way back to college, in my mind, and remembered that I tried to get out of engineering but felt like it was something that I was "called" to do. I struggled all the way through school, nothing in engineering came easy but I knew I was supposed to do it. So, ten years later I was doing it and felt like I was stuck, not going to accomplish what I was once called to do if I stayed where I was. Which led to the opportunity to buy the office I know own.
Now it would appear to some that I "have it all" but really I feel like I only have more responsibility and really nothing more. I'm caught up in the worries of making payroll, paying bills, finding enough work, etc, etc, and again i know that this is not what I was called to do. I think I'm on the floor in front of a big ladder trying to make that first rung but keep getting swept off my feet. I think I am just about to the point where all I can do is try to stand. Just stand, not try for the first rung, just stand. Maybe if I can master standing I'll be able to lift a foot and head for the first rung.
Eph 6:13, 14
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness...
In the midst of trying to stand I have had to make changes, realize that I wasn't perfect by any means and that I have a lot to fix and a lot that I can do better at. The slag is being burnt off and the impurities coming out in the fire. It has been anything but comfortable and downright unbearable at times, but I believe I will be all the better for it in the end.
A wise older man told me and a group of guys the other day "If you want to know how you are doing as a husband, look into your wife's face and that will tell you." It is a hard thing to do in reality, and although the saying probably works both ways I think it is more important for the husband because, I still believe that the husband is the head of the family and if the head isn't doing good then none of the family will either.
I realized this morning that I haven't looked into my wife's face enough lately or have not wanted to admit that I wasn't doing a very good job. That is a difficult thing for a Man with all his ego and pride to admit. Hopefully by admitting it I can take measures to try and improve.
I would encourage you to stop and take 10 minutes today to look at your wife and even talk to her and don't be afraid to admit that you might need to change.
I realized this morning that I haven't looked into my wife's face enough lately or have not wanted to admit that I wasn't doing a very good job. That is a difficult thing for a Man with all his ego and pride to admit. Hopefully by admitting it I can take measures to try and improve.
I would encourage you to stop and take 10 minutes today to look at your wife and even talk to her and don't be afraid to admit that you might need to change.
I thought I might try to blog again even thought I don't think I have too much to say. Life has been pretty difficult in the past few weeks but most of it is my own fault and if I had chosen an different path I suppose it could be easier but would it have been better? I heard a guy on a radio program several months ago say that everything in life has prepared him for the place he is in now. He was older and had owned several businesses and ran for government and was now in a very high position but he didn't think it was any big thing because all the steps along the way prepared him for it. Like God had prepared him for what he was supposed to do late in life, not that what he had done earlier was of any less significance, just that now he was prepared for the next mission. I hope that I can say the same thing when I look back, even next year, but surely in 10 or so years.
I've realized lately that God gives us all tools (tools are just gifts, as the Bible says, from a man's perspective) and we choose to use those tools for what they were built for, or to use them for some other purpose. Sure you can use a knife as a screwdriver or a screwdriver for a lever, or a shoe for a hammer, or whatever, but in the end you usually end up breaking the tool that was used for the wrong purpose. You had something great but choose to use it for an unintended purpose and destroyed what was great.
I hope I have the wisdom to use the tools I've been given for what they were intended to be used for and end up building something that really was God's design and plan all along. A plan that I just couldn't see until i did my part with what I was given. It seems lately that my world is surrounded by people that don't realize they have a divine tool to use and if they just did with it what it was intended they would create something great.
I pray that your life becomes something of greatness and that you allow yourself to become all that you were created to be.
I've realized lately that God gives us all tools (tools are just gifts, as the Bible says, from a man's perspective) and we choose to use those tools for what they were built for, or to use them for some other purpose. Sure you can use a knife as a screwdriver or a screwdriver for a lever, or a shoe for a hammer, or whatever, but in the end you usually end up breaking the tool that was used for the wrong purpose. You had something great but choose to use it for an unintended purpose and destroyed what was great.
I hope I have the wisdom to use the tools I've been given for what they were intended to be used for and end up building something that really was God's design and plan all along. A plan that I just couldn't see until i did my part with what I was given. It seems lately that my world is surrounded by people that don't realize they have a divine tool to use and if they just did with it what it was intended they would create something great.
I pray that your life becomes something of greatness and that you allow yourself to become all that you were created to be.
New Name, New Logo! It think this one will stick as we cant find it out there. Things are progressing...keep coming back! The website has got a start page as well, Thanks James.
www.2ncivil.com
Well its official. The new company that was created as Vision Engineering is no longer. I officially made the change today and registered 2N Civil, LLC. It was pretty easy to change the name with the state actually but will be difficult to make all the changes to all of the company's and vendors that we work with. There will be a lot of expense to change business cards, signs, ect. I guess that is the way it goes and there is no point in getting overly excited about it since there is nothing I can do but move forward at this point. I believe that the new name will be better than the original one and that we will be able to really move forward now that we can focus on our actual work.
It ought to prove to be an interesting year and I still expect gerat things from this new company.
It ought to prove to be an interesting year and I still expect gerat things from this new company.
My head hurts...The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions and problems trying to deal with everything that goes on in creating a new business. I think for some reason this one has brought on more challenges and I am begining to wonder if it would have been easier to just start over insead of buying something. Oh well, too late for that!
So, Vision Engineering will soon be no longer as we've been challenged by a competitor using the word Vision. It depends on who you talk to as to if they have a case but regardless both my name and theirs are weak from a trademark perspective and therefore we are going to have to change names. I am taking suggestions so if you got something please feel free to share. I'll maybe post my logo and see what happens.
I am trying to stay positive and look on the bright side of things. Not to over-spiritualize but, I try to remember that even God re-named people as they went from one place to the next in their lives and brought them out of something and into the next. He changed Abram's name to Abraham...Jacob's name was changed to Israel. Usually they had their name longer than a few months but maybe we just sped through infantcy?
Thanks for stopping by and i'll catch you next time.
