Ale for the Soul

3  Dear friends,  this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders  to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.   2  I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets  and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3  Above all, you must understand that in the last days  scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.   4  They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?  Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”   5  But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word  the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.   6  By these waters also the world of that time  was deluged and destroyed.   7  By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire,  being kept for the day of judgment  and...

Ironically, this holiday is celebrated along with Roe v. Wade day.  How interesting!  Maybe this is a direct attempt to get people to value the worth of life inside or outside the womb.  A few years ago, a married couple in my Toastmasters group announced they were expecting.  The husband proclaimed he was about to become a father.  Immediately I corrected the young man, "You are a father already.  Your child simply hasn't been born yet!"  My comment turned a lot of heads in bewilderment, but after much thought, a lot of people agreed with me.  Life begins instantly upon conception: not two weeks after, not upon viability, nor upon _____ (fill in the blank).  The bible talks extensively about life in the womb.  "For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)  "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Je...

The heavens  declare  the glory of God;      the skies  proclaim the work of his hands. 2  Day after day they pour forth speech;      night after night they reveal knowledge. 3  They have no speech, they use no words;      no sound is heard from them. 4  Yet their voice [ b ]  goes out into all the earth,      their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent  for the sun. 5       It is like a bridegroom  coming out of his chamber,      like a champion  rejoicing to run his course. 6  It rises at one end of the heavens      and makes its circuit to the other;      nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7  The law of the  Lord  is perfect,      refreshing the soul. The statutes of the  Lord  are trus...

Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans, and people of the world: Thank you. We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people. Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for years to come. We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done. Every four years, we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power, and we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent. Today's ceremony, however, has very special meaning. Because today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another -- but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the American People. ...

When I first saw this holiday, I immediately thought about hiking in a State Park or National Forest.  Even though this may make for a more scenic walk, a simple stroll through the neighborhood may uncover wonders and treasures not aware of.  Sometimes I cheat by bicycling through the part of town in which I reside.  I suppose that is acceptable, considering I'm still getting out to exercise and the to enjoy nature.  Walking is great exercise, as well as a wonderful time to talk with a friend if one is accompanying you.  I find exercise lowers my cholesterol significantly, in addition to increasing cardio-vascular stamina.  (Of course a person can walk fast with purpose, or slowly in order to wind down and relax.)  On many of my outings, I have stumbled across places with historical impact.  One such example, is an old firehouse a few blocks over from the apartment.  Another one is a historical marker indicating a former cattle drive tr...

Over twenty years ago, almost twenty-two to be exact, I took on a management position with Gloria Jeans Gourmet Coffee.  What an experience this would prove to be.  The year was 1996, and the location was the Galleria Mall in Houston, Texas.  Working at a coffee shop during this time didn't involve all the fancy drinks people are accustomed too now: double-pump syrup, no or light froth, the explosion of different milk offerings, and so much more.  Not one for frill or flashy drinks, I stuck with regularly brewed coffee.  I learned so much, from the best type of coffee-maker, to all the different beans and how they are grown.  First is the robusto versus arabica debate.  Now that my palate is considered "sophisticated", I actually can taste the difference in all the various coffees, and indicatively the type of bean and roasting process used.   Arabica beans are grown in at least two thousand feet above sea level, and are usually hand-picked. ...

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?  T he one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;   whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;   who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;  who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.