Anonther Memorial Day... and according to an Associated Press story "Nearly 1,000 American troops have been killed in Iraq since last Memorial Day, and that number is expected to rise."
Read my Memorial Day post from last year... Today I Fly The Flag
Keep praying for our leaders...
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Monday, May 28, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Bush Warned of Iraq Challenges
Here is the biggest "I told you so" that I have heard in a long time... Bush was twice warned of Iraq challenges
Too bad our President didn't heed this proverb...
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
From the Los Angeles Times
Prewar reports alerted the president to the difficulty of establishing democracy, among other assessments that proved accurate. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), said the report demonstrated that "the intelligence community gave the administration plenty of warning about the difficulties we would face if the decision was made to go to war." He added: "These dire warnings were widely distributed at the highest levels of government, and it's clear that the administration didn't plan for any of them."
Too bad our President didn't heed this proverb...
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Friday, April 06, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Draft
Selective Service System - The Vietnam Lotteries
Thank God Nixon was brining our brave men & women home so I never had to go through the process of proving my claim. I still have my draft card, I keep it as a reminder of the insanity of that day.
Now you might ask how I came to the conclusion that I was a Conscientious Objector. As a young long hair hippie Jesus freak I couldn't reconcile the mandate to spread the Gospel and killing. How could I point a weapon at someone I was commanded to share the good news of God's love with and then send him on his way to eternity with a few rounds of 5.56mm fired from my government issued Colt M-16 rifle? "Hi, I am a Christian and God loves you so much that he has a plan for your life. Have you heard of the 4 spiritual laws? Oh, by the way I am here to kill you." BANG!
This didn't mean that I wouldn't have served my country. There is an Alternative Service Program that allows COs to work in noncombat - nonmilitary jobs and I was more than willing to serve in that program.
If you need help registering as a Conscientious Objector please check out these web sites before they start up the draft...
Selective Service System - Conscientious Objection
The Center on Conscience and War
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Monday, March 19, 2007
Fourth Anniversary Of The War
On Saturday my granddaughter and I went to a local peace rally, not the first and sad to say most likely not my last. We ran into a church group handing out cold soft drinks and helped them until they ran out of sodas.
There was a lot of excitement about the large turnout, but I couldn't help but think how sad that here we are protesting the war - again! Well it's been four years of the same old stuff that I remember being served up on the 6 o'clock news forty years ago.
War always sounds good at the outset when we are told of the good and noble cause that rallies the troops to serve... then the realities set in, the photos of the destruction hit our doorstep in the morning paper and the flag draped boxes start coming home.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1Timothy 2:1-2)
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
There was a lot of excitement about the large turnout, but I couldn't help but think how sad that here we are protesting the war - again! Well it's been four years of the same old stuff that I remember being served up on the 6 o'clock news forty years ago.
War always sounds good at the outset when we are told of the good and noble cause that rallies the troops to serve... then the realities set in, the photos of the destruction hit our doorstep in the morning paper and the flag draped boxes start coming home.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1Timothy 2:1-2)
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Monday, May 29, 2006
Today I Fly The Flag
Today is Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. I have many mixed emotions regarding war, as would any thinking human being, yet this doesn't take away from my gratitude towards those who have given their lives to protect our freedom. So today I fly the flag.
There are many wonderful things about our country to be proud of, there are also things that we as a nation need to work to change. The United States isn't perfect, there is no way that it could be because we live in an imperfect world, inhabited by imperfect beings. But I would venture to say that it is one of the best countries to live in on this spinning ball. So today I fly the flag.
Today I fly the flag in memory of those who served our nation, as flawed as it may be, because with out those who have gone before us we would be living in a much different country. But I also am going to pray for our leaders and the leaders of all the nations that we might be able to live in a more peaceful world, so that we might not have to honor any more fallen soldiers.
So today I fly the flag, and I pray!
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
There are many wonderful things about our country to be proud of, there are also things that we as a nation need to work to change. The United States isn't perfect, there is no way that it could be because we live in an imperfect world, inhabited by imperfect beings. But I would venture to say that it is one of the best countries to live in on this spinning ball. So today I fly the flag.
Today I fly the flag in memory of those who served our nation, as flawed as it may be, because with out those who have gone before us we would be living in a much different country. But I also am going to pray for our leaders and the leaders of all the nations that we might be able to live in a more peaceful world, so that we might not have to honor any more fallen soldiers.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2)
So today I fly the flag, and I pray!
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Day By Day
Over Easter weekend I put Godspell into the DVD player to watch with the family. A remarkable thing occurred while we were watching this film version of the Broadway hit, our grand-daughter was crawling around the living room doing the usual things that babies do until Robin Lamont began to sing "Day By Day", that 9 month old stopped everything she was doing and went straight over to the television to watch and listen to the song. We thought this was so cool because Day By Day was such a hit back in the 70's and my wife and I just love it, but the amazing thing is that I have played the movie two more times and with out fail our little princess makes a bee line to the TV and is totally fixated during this one song.
Day By Day
by Stephen Schwartz
Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day
...well as they say "out of the mouth of babes"
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Fair Use Notice
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Happy Resurrection Day!
Paul asks the believers in Corinth to logically assess some challenges made to the resurrection of Jesus.
"Now, let me ask you something profound yet troubling. If you became believers because you trusted the proclamation that Christ is alive, risen from the dead, how can you let people say that there is no such thing as a resurrection? If there's no resurrection, there's no living Christ. And face it--if there's no resurrection for Christ, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors. Not only that, but we would be guilty of telling a string of barefaced lies about God, all these affidavits we passed on to you verifying that God raised up Christ--sheer fabrications, if there's no resurrection.
If corpses can't be raised, then Christ wasn't, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ wasn't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries." (1 Corinthians 15:12-20)
(The Message © by Eugene H. Peterson)
Of all the teachings in the Bible the resurrection of Jesus the Christ stands out as one of the most important and at the same time one of the more difficult for those outside of the Family to accept. The resurrection is the one teaching that separates Christianity from all other religions, it sets Jesus apart from every great teacher, prophet, and holy man ever to walk the earth.
I think the most compelling proof of Christ's resurrection is the willingness of his followers to die for their testimony of being eyewitnesses to the resurrection.
"If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot."
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
"Now, let me ask you something profound yet troubling. If you became believers because you trusted the proclamation that Christ is alive, risen from the dead, how can you let people say that there is no such thing as a resurrection? If there's no resurrection, there's no living Christ. And face it--if there's no resurrection for Christ, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors. Not only that, but we would be guilty of telling a string of barefaced lies about God, all these affidavits we passed on to you verifying that God raised up Christ--sheer fabrications, if there's no resurrection.
If corpses can't be raised, then Christ wasn't, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ wasn't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries." (1 Corinthians 15:12-20)
(The Message © by Eugene H. Peterson)
Of all the teachings in the Bible the resurrection of Jesus the Christ stands out as one of the most important and at the same time one of the more difficult for those outside of the Family to accept. The resurrection is the one teaching that separates Christianity from all other religions, it sets Jesus apart from every great teacher, prophet, and holy man ever to walk the earth.
I think the most compelling proof of Christ's resurrection is the willingness of his followers to die for their testimony of being eyewitnesses to the resurrection.
"If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot."
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Friday, March 17, 2006
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Oh, did I mention that I have Irish roots? My great grandparents were born in Ireland in the mid 1800's and immigrated to the USA around 1887.
Read about The St. Patrick You Never Knew.
Find Celtic crosses like the one above on the Aon Celtic Art Website.
I love this...
Christ shield me this day:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me
~Saint Patrick, from his breastplate
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Meth Madness
Why would this widely read tabloid publish in great detail the steps of meth production? Their sister publication in the next county also has a cover story on the same subject that is much more informative about the dangers of meth use and a much better use of paper and ink! Meth is no light subject for me. This wasn't a recipe for Alice B. Tokeless brownies, this is a recipe for the poison that is killing members of my family! I have seen this drug slowly destroy my loved ones and they have the nerve to publish the recipe with only a tongue and cheek caveat about the dangers of meth use. What were they thinking?
I have to wonder how many of their advertisers are rethinking their contracts with this popular tabloid? I sent the reporter and her editor an e-mail in hopes that they would correct this grave misuse of their position in our community as a source of news and information by publishing a series of articles to raise awareness about the dangers of meth use. I have not received any response yet. The local news talk radio program has spent the last two days taking calls from outraged listeners throughout the county, boy are there a lot of pissed-off folks out there!
You should check out the Mothers Against Methamphetamine web site at www.mamasite.net for the truth about meth from a medical doctor who lost her brother to this dangerous drug.
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Photo: DOJ
Monday, January 09, 2006
Crunchy Conservatism
I found some posts about "Crunchy Conservatism". Crunchy Conservatism for the most part relates to those who hold conservative religious and political views yet don't totally buy in to the consumerism mindset. Crunchy Conservatives have some Hippie ideals about the environment and natural foods, things that make most conservatives run for the bunkers.
I think that a Crunchy Conservative might be a lot like a Hippie Christian in many ways. Check out these posts...
Touchstone Magazine - Mere Comments: Crunchy Cons and Veggie Tales
The Euphemist - Far out, man! I'm a crunchy conservative!
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
I think that a Crunchy Conservative might be a lot like a Hippie Christian in many ways. Check out these posts...
Touchstone Magazine - Mere Comments: Crunchy Cons and Veggie Tales
The Euphemist - Far out, man! I'm a crunchy conservative!
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
Sunday, January 08, 2006
The Book Of Daniel
Friday I made a point of watching the new NBC show The Book Of Daniel. I wasn't sure how to take the show, there are some good things about it but I am afraid that there isn't enough to redeem the show beyond it being a knock off of Desperate Housewives.
The Book Of Daniel is about Daniel, an Episcopal minister and his dysfunctional family. In my opinion the writers went over the top in an apparent attempt to portray "real" life. With the possible exception of Daniel, most of the characters live their lives with very little impact from their faith.
The Book Of Daniel highlighted the fact that we all struggle with sin and sometimes fall, that point was brought out all too well. I feel that there was a lack of any real tension between the high ideals of a life of faith and the reality of the human condition. Only Daniel seemed to be walking the tightrope of faith, balanced on a thin line that one could easily fall from. Daniel seems to be the only one who struggles with his human nature and his desire to have a relationship with Jesus, whom Daniel has conversations with on a regular basis.
The one redeeming thing about The Book Of Daniel is the message of love and compassion that Daniel demonstrates as he works through the many issues his family struggles with and his ongoing relationship with Jesus.
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
The Book Of Daniel is about Daniel, an Episcopal minister and his dysfunctional family. In my opinion the writers went over the top in an apparent attempt to portray "real" life. With the possible exception of Daniel, most of the characters live their lives with very little impact from their faith.
The Book Of Daniel highlighted the fact that we all struggle with sin and sometimes fall, that point was brought out all too well. I feel that there was a lack of any real tension between the high ideals of a life of faith and the reality of the human condition. Only Daniel seemed to be walking the tightrope of faith, balanced on a thin line that one could easily fall from. Daniel seems to be the only one who struggles with his human nature and his desire to have a relationship with Jesus, whom Daniel has conversations with on a regular basis.
The one redeeming thing about The Book Of Daniel is the message of love and compassion that Daniel demonstrates as he works through the many issues his family struggles with and his ongoing relationship with Jesus.
Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)
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