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Ok...I'm really getting frustrated with all the rising prices of things. Just within the last month or so, we have experienced some major price increases in our budget.
First, we were notified that our health insurance premium is going up by $60/month from $830 to $890. As frustrating as that is, from what I've been able to find out, that's actually a good monthly premium for preachers. There's many that I know are paying over $1000/mo for their health insurance.
Everybody is feeling the gas crunch, I know, and I'm so sick and tired of this too. Our monthly budget has had to increase by $80/mo for gas, and we only have the 1 car. I'd hate to see what our gas bill would be if we had 2 cars!
And thirdly, the great state of Texas decided a few years ago (from what I've been told) to deregulate electricity, which was supposed to make prices more competitive and better for everybody. Well, I haven't heard one person say anything positive about that change, and they've said prices actually went up as a result. Brilliant, Texas. And because of the rise in oil prices, our electric rates are going up as well. As of August 1, our rates will be going up 35%, resulting in about a $62/mo increase!
Add all that together, and that's $202/mo increase in our budget ($2424/year). I've basically taken a $2424/yr pay cut! And there's no end in sight to these rising prices. You know health insurance premiums are not going to go down, and I think the days of almost $4.00/gallon for gas are here to stay. Gas prices rarely go down very much, and they don't stay down long.
Oh, and to top it all off, I had to spend $2315 on car repairs this past month.
Aaarrrgggghhhh!!!!!
Ok. I'm through venting now. God truly has blessed us and we are a very fortunate and wealthy people. I'll continue to put my trust in him. I know he'll provide! |
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An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that evolution had created.
"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.
As he was walking along the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. When he turned to see what the cause was, he saw a 12-foot grizzly charging right towards him.
He ran as fast as he could. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closer. He ran even faster, crying in fear. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pounding and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.
At that moment, the Atheist cried out "Oh my God!" Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light and said, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?"
"Very well," said the voice.
The light went out. The river ran again. And the sounds of the forest resumed.
And then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head and spoke, "Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful." |
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First, the cool.
Last night at 9:55, Lisa and I went outside and watched as the International Space Station flew over at 17,500 mph. What a neat sight to see! It started in the SSW sky and flew directly overhead to the NNW. Flying at that speed, it's only visible for 3 minutes as it passes by. I don't understand why it would be flying in that direction...I figured orbits would be east/west direction. If any of you know anything about this, fill me in.
It basically looked like a star (just a bright light), but man, was it moving fast! We looked at it through the binoculars, but couldn't see any detail. I'd like to see it in my small telescope I have, and see if I could make anything out.
If you're interested in seeing it yourself, here's the website you can visit to know when it's flying over your location. Here's a couple of pictures others have taken of the ISS as it flew over:
Image taken:
Apr. 13, 2008
Location:
Plano, TX, USA
Details:
The ISS has made several nice passes over the Dallas, TX area in the last week. In this photo, the ISS was about 50 degrees up to the west. It is amazing how bright the ISS is even at this low angle. The image was taken with Meade 10" LX200GPS and a Lumenera Skynyx 2-1M camera. This is a single frame from the captured .avi. The scope was hand guided.
Image taken:
Apr. 4, 2008
Location:
UK, England, Kent, Chatham, Bluebell Hill
Details:
The ISS was so bright, I could see it moving in and out of the clouds," says photographer Dave Smith. "I took this picture using a Canon Powershot A540, wide zoom at 800 ASA for 15 seconds. Ambient lighting for town lights makes the clouds orange."
 
Now the funny.
FIVE BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK:
NUMBER 5: "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen."
NUMBER 4: "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time-management course you sent me to."
NUMBER 3: "Whew!? Guess I left the top off the White-out. You probably got here just in time!"
NUMBER 2: "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?"
And the NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk: (Raising your head slowly) "... in Jesus' name, Amen."
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You may have seen these before, but I think they're pretty neat:
Don't let your worries get the best of you;
Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited
Until you try to sit in their pews.
Many folks want to serve God,
But only as advisers.
It is easier to preach ten sermons
Than it is to live one.
The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose,
But mosquitoes come close.
When you get to your wit's end,
You'll find God lives there.
People are funny; they want the front of the bus,
Middle of the road,
And back of the church.
Opportunity may knock once,
But temptation bangs on the front door forever.
Quit griping about your church;
If it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
If a church wants a better pastor,
It only needs to pray for the one it has.
Some minds are like concrete
Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Peace starts with a smile.
I don't know why some people change churches;
What difference does it make which one you stay home from?
A lot of church members singing 'Standing on the Promises' Are just sitting on the premises.
We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll clean 'em.
Stop, Drop, and Roll won't work in Hell.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
He who angers you, controls you!
If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!
Prayer:
Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
The task ahead of us is never as
great as the Power behind us.
The Will of God never takes you to where the
Grace of God will not protect you.
We don't change the message,
The message changes us.
You can tell how big a person is
By what it takes to discourage him.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
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What an awesome movie! We took the kids to see it this past Saturday morning, and had a great time. AMC theatres have a special price for showings before noon on Friday, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays - $5.00! What a deal!
We have loved every Pixar movie that has come out, though Cars wasn't my favorite. I think all of them are wonderful, with the Toy Story movies probably being my favorite, though It's A Bug's Life was really good too. I read several reviews of WALL-E, and they were saying it's one of the best Pixar movies, if not the best, so I figured, "This must be really good!" and I was not disappointed.
It's very different from any of the other Pixar movies, and I was curious how a movie about a robot would be any good, but these guys know how to make a movie. We were laughing hysterically throughout the movie, as well as crying at times. Poor Casey cried a few times she was so concerned about WALL-E. You know it's a good movie when the creators/directors/writers have been able to make you care about the characters, and this movie certainly does that.
An added bonus was the Pixar cartoon they showed before the movie about a magician and his rabbit. It reminded me of those good ol' Bugs Bunny cartoons, full of slapstick comedy.
Have y'all seen the movie, and if so, what did you think? |
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