PRIDE – VS – GUILT

September 14, 2026 By Leave a Comment

● PRIDE and GUILT—good, bad, ugly

Amazing, how pride and guilt can each be very bad, and each can be very good.

Very Bad
Pride can lead to idolatry—self-worship.
Guilt can lead to despair—self-hatred.

Very Good
Pride can motivate—doing good in what you are good at doing.
Guilt can evaluate—repenting, changing from doing wrong to doing right.

● PRIDE and GUILT—everyday examples

“I love my work.”

“I hate my job.”

“I’m the best at what I do.”

“I’m good, because I do good.”

“I look at what I have accomplished, and I say to myself, . . .”

“I deserve a good retirement (‘eat, drink, and be merry’—or some American version of that).”

“Trying to be spiritual, I wonder if my work could become an idol, if I feel too good about it or love it too much.”

“I feel guilty when I tell my family ‘I have to’ work late.”

“Should I feel guilty when ‘I want to’ work late ?”

“I have to ‘provide’ for my family.”

“I can’t afford, I can’t just decide to give up 14% of my week”. (Sunday—fourth commandment)

“When does hard work make me live longer ?”

“When does hard work make me live less (not as healthy, not as many years, not enjoying the years) ?”

“Hard work makes you live longer, if it doesn’t kill you first.”

“I wonder, ‘Who am I really working for ?’ “

● PRIDE and GUILT—advice, counsel, warning, commands, mandates, encouragement, blessings

Advice to pastors,
“Ministers, wear yourselves out for Christ.”

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as to the Lord and not to men . . . It is the Lord Christ you serve.”

“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings.”

“In vain (also “It is vain”) you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.”

“Six days you shall give all you’ve got and do all your work; the seventh is a day of rest, unto the Lord.”

“Don’t ‘spend all you’ve got’ * just trying to stay alive, and not live.”

  • “all you’ve got” (time, energy, money, thoughts, capital in your contacts)

Don’t prioritize preparing for retirement.
Don’t count on it.

“Do not store up treasures on earth (unsecured, insecure).”

“Store up treasures in heaven (secured by God).”

repeat: “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings.”

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

● PRIDE and GUILT—how it started

Lucifer was ‘the best in heaven’—and he knew it—or he thought so—good looks (beautiful), good gifts (music leader), ambitious ? ¿

THEN—PRIDE—REVOLUTION—KICKED OUT OF HEAVEN ! X ! X ! X
He was guilty, he knew he was guilty, he never admitted he was guilty, he has no road back, ever.

He kept his attitude of pride‐‐‐lying, deceiving and terrorizing God’s creation (man), to get back at God.

● PRIDE and GUILT—final, the end, the last word

The devil will get what he deserves, from God.
And that is the end of the story for the devil, forever.

Pride started all this, and that is a mess, in a messed up world.
But that is not the end of the story, for us, THANK GOD ☆ ☆ ☆

We can take the road back, a narrow road, with limited access, many dangers, with promised help along the way—and not get what we deserve from God.

Paradise can be regained, not for the devil, but for us (not by us), by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

That covers our pride in what we think we can do, and that covers our guilt for what we have done and for what we have not done.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Financial, Fun, Health, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time

“MANY HAPPY RETURNS”

September 2, 2026 By Leave a Comment

No, this is not about a birthday party and best wishes for the future.
But you will enjoy the connection at the end.

This is a true story, exactly as I tell it, no embellishments added.

I did extensive bobcat work for a gentleman cattleman, cleaning cattle pens and improving drainage.

His business was buying and selling cattle, meeting custom requests from buyers.
There were cowboys on horseback that sorted the cattle and handled vaccinations and medicines in the squeeze chute.
I got to know and respect several of them.

One evening there were half a dozen cowboys having some beer.
I was still scraping a pen close by.
It was not hard to be included and get a beer.
I continued driving my bobcat.

When I finished my beer I pulled up close to the cowboys, turned off the engine, got out my marker pen, and started writing on my empty beer can.
That definitely caught their interest, wondering what I was writing.
When I finished writing, I handed them the can to read.
It worked, everybody loved it, and I immediately got another beer.

On the can:
“Return For Refill”

Never realized the title above fits here:
“Many Happy Returns”

Filed Under: Fun, Inspirational

FUN TRIP

April 9, 2026 By Leave a Comment

The four astronauts on the way back from the moon have been enjoying this trip.
They seemed to have fun, from the start, taking pictures of earth as soon as they were leaving earth’s orbit.

And be sure to check out the ‘never before’ perspectives of the moon and the earth in the same picture(s).
They had unique position for that because they were so far beyond the moon, for the first time.

I’m sure they had serious work to make the trip successful, but they had fun on their loop-de-loop around the moon, with no G’s and pre-programmed navigation for a ‘free ride’ through space.

God, bring them home safely.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Fun, Inspirational, Time

WHAT’S FOR REAL AND WHAT’S NOT

March 31, 2026 By Leave a Comment

In all my interactions with others nowadays, there is an assumption and expectation of functioning like always, when I know that is simply not the case anymore.
It is difficult to reconcile life as normal, that others want to see, and still count on—and life as I know it (losing ground), that others don’t want to see and can’t count on as in the past.

So the alternative is to start pretending more and more, to carry on life as in the past as long as possible—all the while knowing it isn’t real, and it’s not real living.

There comes a dreaded or feared reality when others finally recognize and label you with some “condition” so they can talk about “it”.
That is worse because you become the “it”.
The worst is awareness of talk about you, which most surely will feel demeaning.

And all along you just want[ed] someone to believe you, accept you, and relate with you where you are—not what they hope, wish, expect, pretend, so they can cope with (or ignore) their their own life issues.

And, you certainly want to avoid turning inward and focused on no one understanding—when your heart’s mission is to unselfishly make a difference in others with your wisdom from living.

Nowadays it seems no one under 50? has time or patience to step in the shoes of seniors, with struggles—and with much to offer.

It is much harder for over-busy, over-loaded, over-scheduled younger generations today to be content spending time—TIME—with older folks just to absorb good stuff gained through decades of living.

Rather, they are more likely to apply the lense of their ‘got it together’ generation and ‘much too fast life’—wanting quick answers that they will accept by pre-set default.
They don’t have time to wrestle through issues in life like older folks did, to come to convictions and foundation principles to stand firm on, through difficult, rough, hard times, like today, and the uncertain days ahead.

Where is there room for those in 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, to find change in their life, from time spent with seniors ?

Wisdom is so much more than just an interesting story of someone who has lived longer.

The Bible is full of wisdom, and so are the older ones among us who have walked with the Lord and His Word.

Mary chose “the one thing needful”, sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening.

I urge the reader to do the same, and sit with a senior, and listen.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Fun, Health, Political---Cultural, Time

NOT A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE . . .

December 25, 2025 By Leave a Comment

. . . IN TEXAS

Christmas Day 2025 – – – 80°+

Filed Under: Fun

THE DEVIL’S DEVICES

December 1, 2025 By Leave a Comment

I observe – – –
The most effective device the devil uses to keep us from putting our problems, our troubles, in perspective is this:

Continuously (over and over and over again) plunging us into the next ‘job’ that we M U S T do immediately—so we can’t/don’t deal with the big issue that troubles us ongoing.

Combined with this:

Relentlessly, repeatedly making us so weary that we HAVE TO sleep (crash) !
So very tired that we can’t even work, let alone figure out why we can’t get enough done.

We may have some friends who remind us of a Bible verse on a sincere, warm fuzzy poster that should fix us (at least for now)—so they can feel they’ve done their part and move on without our burden on them.
Where is the Christian friend that actually knows how to “bear each other’s burdens, AND BY DOING THAT FULFILLS THE LAW OF JESUS.” ?
And that is what makes a difference, more than the correct theological answer.

Question:
++ Who do we know that deals with the bottom line, the real hard question, the big WHY ?, the WHY ME ?, the WHY THIS AGAIN ?, the WHY OTHERS MOVE AHEAD, AND I’M WAYLAID, BLINDSIDED BY ONE MORE SURPRISE AFTER ANOTHER ?

Question:
++ Who do we know that sees this, but offers nothing, except to communicate or imply, “What’s wrong with you ?”

Question:
++ The bottom line question is, “Are there any real answers, anywhere ?”

YES, THERE ARE ANSWERS.
But–
— not in trying harder.
— not in more of what isn’t working
— not in advice from others
— not in my own new ideas
— not in better tools, techniques
— not in better doctors
— not in copying others
— not in blaming others
— not in blaming myself
— not in excuses
— not in some ‘power’ of thinking

The Bible says, “. . . lest satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Satanic devices such as:
XX– “I can’t ‘get anything done’ on the list I felt so positive about before THIS happened !”

Satanic devices such as:
XX– “I can’t afford to stop and think about it—I can’t afford to waste the time, if it doesn’t fix the problem now, so I can move on.”

Satanic devices such as:
XX– “I can’t slow down, with the backlog hanging over me.”

Real answers – – – available ? or not ?

Hmmm !
Stop ?
STOP !
S T O P ! ! !

You say you can’t afford to stop ?
You say you can’t——except when “something happens”——and you do stop ?

OH !—Here’s another thought, to pile it on:

Is it the same as this:
XX- “I can’t afford to stop working on Sunday (all day Sunday, every Sunday) when I’m so behind already.”

Like this:
XX- “I can’t afford to tithe—when I’m struggling financially already.”

XX- “Truth is, I’m having a hard time finishing reading this article, but a friend asked me to read it.”

Somewhere the Bible says,
“There’s nothing new under the sun.”
Got that right ! (As though I can say)

The Bible (only the Bible) can give us the perspective we need.
God does not change.
6000 years of history—He’s the same.
The Bible doesn’t change.

Can God’s instruction help is with
WHY ?
WHY ?
WHY ?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . .”

  • – – Should I trust Him with everything ?
    OR
  • – – Should I take care of some things that He might not take care of ?
    (Like my schedule)
    (Like my energy)
    (Like my money)
    (Like my 7-day work week)

“. . . and do not lean on your own understanding . . .”

  • – – Should I ask Him how to do everything ?
    OR
  • – – Should I figure out some things myself, as in, He expects me to use my brain ?

“. . . In all your ways acknowledge Him . . .”

  • – – Should I tell God I recognize Him in every detail, over and over and over and over ?
    OR
  • – – Should I apologize or excuse myself for getting weary of praying so much ?

“. . . and He will direct your paths.”

  • – – Should I assume, should I count on God for literally running every single last detail of my life, every day ?
    OR
  • – – Should I notice other successful people around me who don’t take God and Prayer and Bible and Family Time and The Lord’s Day so seriously ?

And, my friends, that’s just one Bible verse—MORE WHERE THAT COMES FROM !

“Be still ! ! ! And know that I AM God.”
Be Still = STOP

1 – STOP
Every morning, first thing, with God.
(How much time does that take ?—a few minutes.)

2 – STOP
Many times every day, with God.
(How much time does that take ?—a few seconds.)

3 – STOP
Every day, with your family, with God.
(How much time does that take ?—a few minutes, to half hour.)

4 – STOP
Every week, for a whole day, alone and with your family, with God, to rest.
(How much time does that take ?—14% of your life—“six days work, one day rest, for our benefit”—“Did God really say?”—He said so.)

1-STOP (includes your Bible)

2-STOP (includes memory Bible verses)

3-STOP (includes interaction and Bible)

4-STOP (includes learning, studying, memorizing Bible verses, everyone saying/reading the Bible aloud)

When you do all this, you can’t help but pray and sing, and more (like help someone who needs help, like tell someone who needs Jesus how you know Him)

Can you do this secretly, without saying something at home, at work, at . . .?
N O !

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Financial, Fun, Health, Inspirational, Time

TIME FOR ANOTHER ARTICLE GONE TO THE DOGS

August 16, 2025 By Leave a Comment

I have been very blessed with great dogs all my life, so the title is a positive tribute.
But this one has a surprise twist, that I just discovered recently, and continue to observe with my current dogs.

Some dog breeds like the border collies I have enjoyed, are known for their intelligence, and especially their relating to people.
My last two were rescues, and after a few years we certainly got closer, almost suddenly.
Then, after a few more years, we became even closer.
Indescribable, but so real, so miraculous.

This article focuses on the amazing capacity of some breeds of dogs to understand human words.
Sometimes the only limit seems to be time spent teaching a new word or phrase.
I enjoyed their sensitive, polite, effective ways of endearing me for treats from my plate.
Then I would calmly and quietly say, “That’s all”, and the dog would immediately walk away and lie down.

Now, for the first time, I have pyrenees—Goodness and Mercy, and their offspring Jojo.
Big dogs, big on love, big on 911 patrol of 32 acres, enlarged by Jojo who jumps the fence and enhances fear on the coyotes and endears herself to the neighbors.
Everything about pyrenees is BIG.
These pyrenees have a big capacity and a big need and a big demand for love and affection to match their size.
And I give it to them, and they are satisfied.

So they understand love, lots of loving.
But they don’t understand the word ‘love’.
I now observe and verify that my pyrenees actually do not learn and understand any human words—except for one word.
And they love it, love it, love it when I say that one word over and over and over while I give affection just the way they like it.
In fact, they can be lying 20 feet away (waiting for the next 911 alarm in dog code), and when I say the one word, their tale lifts off the ground.

But the word is not the same for each of them, and I often say the wrong word because they look alike.
What’s the good word(s) for my pyrenees, Goodness and Mercy ?
You guessed it—“Goodness” and “Mercy”—their names—they’ve got that down !

Simple Dogs—Loving Dogs—Profound Dogs—and I love them.
If you don’t give them enough love, the two can stand crosswise in your path until you do.

It remains to be seen if I can live out my days without another border collie.
You see, “Surely Goodness and Mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”
They’re three years old, and I’m 75.
Hmmm.

Filed Under: Educational, Fun, Inspirational

SCHEDULING TIME

June 25, 2025 By Leave a Comment

SCHEDULING TIME FOR . . .
OR
SPENDING TIME WITH . . .

Time ?
Time for what we must do !
Time for what’s important to us !
Time for people important to us !
Time for health !
Time for fun !
Time alone !
Time for God !
Time with God !
Time to GO !
Time to STOP !

Schedule time ?
Why do we need to schedule time ?
Can we schedule time ?
Does scheduling time mean we have too much in our day ?
Does scheduling time mean we are better because we get more done ?
Does scheduling time make it go farther ?

Pioneers and Us ?
Seems like they did not have to focus on scheduling like we do.
Seems like they did not try to, or think they could, get more done by scheduling better.
They just worked hard until the day was over.
Always seems to me that we could learn from them, even to counter the expectations of ‘scheduling’.

– – –

Think !
How does it make us feel ?
Is there a difference ?

+ Scheduling time for those closest to us.

+ Spending time with those closest to us.

Filed Under: Faith Based, Family, Fun, Health, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time

JASON ORLANDO’S “FAIRY TALES”

April 5, 2025 By Leave a Comment

If “The Bible is a bunch of fairy tales”, as you boldly and sarcastically claimed,
Then . . .

Then you are a fairy tale.

Then your whole life is a fairy tale.

Then your abilities are also a fairy tale.

Then your mind is also a fairy tale.

Then your reasoning is a fairy tale.

Then your calling the Bible a fairy tale is in itself a fairy tale.

Then I should treat you as a fairy tale.

Then you should think of yourself as a fairy tale.
– – –
If the Bible is a joke, then you’re a joke.

Then all your sex is a joke, a fairy tale.

Then everything in the world, everything you see and use around you, is a fairy tale.

Then all your work is just a fairy tale.

Then there is no order in the world.

Then you can’t grow anything with order, build anything with order, because there is no order.

But you (everybody) must have something to live for, something to work for, something to give meaning to life, something to give your life meaning.

Because the order of nature gives you opportunities for success, you do well in business for a time, over and over again.

But then, because you do not acknowledge God, Who gave you tremendous abilities and unlimited resources in the natural world to produce phenomenal stuff—then you are compelled to throw away your success, repeatedly—it’s all a joke, a fairy tale.

Then all your sex is a joke, a fairy tale.

– – –

What are fairy tales ?
Fairy tales are imaginary stories outside the real world, where imaginary people with imaginary experiences “live happily ever after”.
People (especially children) read fairy tales to live in a dream world for awhile, until we all face the real world.
Sex as you live it, is living in a dream world for awhile, and then again for awhile, again and again, until you face the real world one day.

When your very life is a fairy tale, then you must add more of your fairy tales of your sexual exploits to get meaning in your life, even if only momentarily.

Then, THAT’S IT !
That’s all you’ve got.
That’s all you get.
“I will say to myself, ‘Eat, Drink, and Be Merry [and have all the sex I possibly can]’, for tomorrow I die.”—–from His Book of ‘fairy tales?’

question, Jason:
T H E N W H A T ?

Call it what you will, truth is—
You know there’s more after this life of success, failure, sex, more sex, . . . [repeat]
And what’s after this life is a whole lot more than this life, and a WHOLE LOT LONGER.

– – –

At your funeral, it’s too late for you to decide.
We can only say, then,
“Here ended Jason Orlando’s fairy tale life of occasional bouts with tremendous success, while he religiously followed his endless search for sex and more sex—more that never gave his life meaning.”

– – –

A very successful young businessman/politician realized there was something missing in his life.
So he asked a risky question,
“What else do I have to do?”
Answer,
“Get rid of everything (give it away), and follow Me.”

Ironically, you have done the first part of that, getting rid of success (losing your business)—to follow your god, sex.

The end of that real story quoted above, also matches your story—the successful businessman went away sad, because he had too much ‘stuff’ at stake, to give it up.

Will you go away sad to hell because you won’t give up worshipping sex, to follow Jesus ?

So you say you tried it, and it didn’t work ?
No you didn’t—and you know it.

– – –

I don’t want you to go to hell.
It’s been quite awhile since I tried to reach out to you for Jesus.
He has the “words of eternal life” as well as words of judgment.

“It is appointed to man once to die, and after that the judgment.”
– – –
– – –
If . . .
If . . .
If you ever choose to follow Jesus FOR REAL, you will need someone to meet with you twice a week,
for honesty,
for accountability,
for praying,
for reality.

All fairy tales aside,
All your sarcastic jokes aside,
All . . . aside,
I am willing to be that person.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Fun, Inspirational, Time

DISTANCE BY NEGLECT

April 2, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Never allow neglect to start.
It will become a pattern.
A little neglect creates a little distance.
A little distance creates a foothold.
Conceding will happen automatically.

Must practice intimacy.

If doctors and lawyers do not practice their profession, they will soon have nothing to practice.

If husband and wife to not practice intimacy regularly, they will soon have nothing to practice.

Filed Under: Educational, Family, Fun, Health, Inspirational, Time
« Older Posts