Author Archives: bfrhodes99

A Little Story

Posted in Important things, Religion by

I have a little story.  Very few have heard it.  I hope you’ll take a minute or two to read it.  By the way, I guess I should tell you, it’s fiction.  As an author, my stories are almost all fiction.

It is an interesting fact that fiction stories can sometimes illustrate things even better than true stories.  Jesus frequently used stories we call parables.  He was expert at it.  Sorry.  I am not one bit as good at stories as He is.  I’m not even very good at writing.  I’m sure most have figured that out by now.

Nonetheless, I’m writing this story because I do believe it needs to be told.  It needs to be told over and over until all have heard it, or something similar.

It seems a number of decades ago; a man was stranded on a desert island, sort-of like “Robinson Caruso.”  Only my story isn’t as good.  I’m no Daniel Defoe.  On the other hand, it will not take as long to read.

I’m not going to explain how the man was stranded.  I don’t know.  It matters not anyway.

What really matters is what he did after he was stranded.  The first thing he managed to do was to chop down one many trees on the island.  It had some kind of fruit on it which provided him food.

Then, he chopped the tree into two halves.  With one half, he built a fire as it was it beginning to cool.

The other half of the log, he carved into an idol.  The night was long and he simply had so little to do in the dark.  He certainly didn’t want o go wondering off in the night where some dangerous animals might attack him.

So now, from the same tree, he had both warmth and a god.

He sat the god up and saw how nice it looked.  So he began praying to the large piece of wood.  He asked the wood to save him from his predicament.  He fell asleep while praying.

In the morning, the fire was just embers and the idol remained.  It said nothing.  It saw nothing and it did nothing.  As would stand to reason, it just sat there like… well, like a big piece of wood.

Some might say the man was stupid.  On the other hand, some would say my story is stupid.  There is simply no way a person can express how ludicrous it is to expect a piece of wood to do anything but sit there.  Well, if the tide came up high enough, it just might float away.  That might be the best end of this little story.

Those of you that are Bible readers might have figured out that I borrowed parts of the story, I mean besides the Caruso thing.  I would suggest that you read the passage in the Bible, Isaiah 44:9 to 20.  If you don’t want to; or if you don’t have the time, let me quote one chapter from it, verse 10:

Who but a fool would make his own god – an idol cannot help him one bit.

It seems so casual to the most obvious observer that a living gods cannot be made from wood, or gold, or silver, or bronze.  My question is, why do men keep trying?

I have heard a number of preachers say that we don’t see anything in the Bible about idols until after the flood.  Personally, I remember the mention of idols while Jacob is running from his deceptive father-in-law.

Of course, idols might have existed before the flood, but, for a few reasons I suspect not.

As an aside, I might mention, the first two commandments deal with idols.  The first says that we are not to have any other gods before God.  The second, that we should not make idols and that we are not to worship them.

If worshiping idols is so stupid, why is it that people do it?  Just what prompted God to include the first two commandments?  I mean, men are reasonably intelligent beings.  Why should any of us be so dumb that we think we can form things with our hands that can hear us and do things for us?  Why is it that people think that the sun, moon and stars can do one single thing for us?

They cannot hear or see.  They certainly have no empathy or sympathy for us…or any emotion.  In the case of our little story, if the stranded man must rely on the idol to be rescued, he’s going to have to wait a long time.  He would be better off using the thing as a floating device and try for another nearby island.

Yet we find that mankind has worshiped idols on every continent but Antarctica. (Maybe there too.  Maybe before the flood.)  And, oh yes.  Some have worshiped volcanoes, tides and the earth itself.  Indeed, the modern green earth movement is a form of earth worship—mother earth, really?

In order to really understand this desire for men to worship idols, we really need to go back to when Cain’s offering was not accepted by God and why it was rejected.  This gave me problems for a long time, until I really understood it.  Cain was not satisfied with the religion God set up.  He had requirements for the offering and Cain decided to ignore it.  You see, he wanted to start his own religion.

From that day until now and it will continue on, man has never settled for the way God set things up.  Throughout known history, men have been trying to set up their own religion, which, of course, did not include the one true God.

As I have said before, manmade religions have an advantage.  Man gets to set up all the rules.  Naturally, in the past, many of these rules were for the benefit of those making the rules, like multiple wives.  This can easily take me off on dozens of rabbit trails.  However, in this case, it is the concept I want to center on.  I mean all the rabbit trails are different and yet they’re all the same.

Unlike proper worshiping of God, men following manmade religions end in one thing, death, eternally and forever.  I believe the redundancy serves the purpose to drive the point home.

Now let’s change the story a little.  Let’s pretend he is stranded on the island for a year or so.  Someone comes along in a ship or yacht and finds him.  He’s saved, right?  Wrong.  He does something else that’s really dumb.

The island is surrounded with really hungry sharks and the man wants to swim the first ten miles.  That way he can brag that he helped with his salvation.

I don’t think the man will make it ten miles.  I don’t think he will make it one mile.  Besides, he will slow the vessel, which will have to wait for the would-be survivor.

Of course, no one would do something so stupid.  Yet, every day people do something far worse.  They try to help Jesus Christ with their salvation.  They like the idea of swimming the first 10 miles (or add their good works toward their salvation) and as such, they destroy all chances of their salvation.  It demonstrates a lack in faith that Jesus ability and desire to do it all.  Faith alone is the only thing that Jesus will accept.  Everything else is as filthy rags.  Do you really want to offer God filthy rags?  That’s dumb

My hint to one and all, don’t try to help Jesus.  He can do it without your help.  You can’t and He will not accept anything you have to offer.  God only accepts the blood sacrifice of Jesus’ blood for your salvation.  If you try to add to it, you will nullify it.  More than that, why should you even try?  It is far more ridiculous than our stranded man relying on that chunk of dead wood to save him.

New Word

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Cancel Culture, Christian values, Communism, Controllers, FOC, John Kerry, Kamala Harris, Lawyers and Representation, Liberals, Lobbyists, News Anchors, News media, Obama, Pelosi, Plutocrat, President Trump, Reporters, Socialists, The Clintons by

Recently I learned a new word. Allow me a correction? It’s not a new word at all. It’s hundreds of years old. I just heard the word recently so it’s new to me. I looked it up to insure I have the meaning right. It seems the word is based on the two Greek words: ploutos meaning wealthy and kratos meaning power or ruling.

When I first heard the word, I was silly enough to wonder if it was somehow tied in with the name of the Disney dog, Pluto but it would appear that I was as far as the east is from the west. All right. Some of us aren’t so bright. At 73, I still like to refer back to my boyhood days when one of my favorite TV programs was Disneyland.

The word, plutocrat might easily be confused with other words with similar meanings such as astocracy (generally associated with nobility) or oligarchy as would seem to be the case in Russia.

The important thing about the subject, it would appear that, in one way or another the rich do affect our government at every level. In the past we had those who built the big monopolies, also referred to as robber barrons.

Of course these are all poor replacements for democracy, that is government by the people. It would appear no nation can be completely dissociated from rule by gold. Even in nations that brag of their wanders of communism, also called socialism.

I’m sure there are experts in our nation who can call out those who rule other countries by and for their weath. As for me I turn my interest to the USA.

However, I would like to point out that there are 4 basic groups of the wealthy in these parts. Some simply wish to do business. Of course, they do have interest in the government but only to permit fair and proper business practice.

There are those that seek power for the sake of gaining wealth and power. The dems are well peppered with this type. If you doubt, consider Pelosi, Biden, and the like who have no wealth other than what they gained in office. I believe these are most accurately described by the new word, plutocrat.

Lest you think I’m more interested in politics than truth, let me say the Republicans also have their share of plutocrats. They are also known as RINOS, Republicans in name only. The current minority leader in the Senate and a couple of the former speakers of the house. The plutocrat can easily be found. One not need search too deep. They have great wealth and they gained almost all from their government position.

Then, there are those who had their wealth before being elected to office and, if they gain wealth in office, it is incidental. Although the Kennedys meet this criteria, i hesitate to put them in this category being as their wealth was obtained by illegal methods. Indeed, they maintained their connection with those still practicing such things. Moreover, John and Ted Kennedy continued to take advantage of their power and wealth after being elected to office. Consider the cover-ups with Marilyn Monroe and Mary Jo Kopechne. (Oh, if only they could take the witness stand.)

Some, perhaps millions would say the same about Trump. It is not the point of this post to defend the former president. However, I will quickly say this. During his presidency, his wealth decreased, the vast majority of those with the least wealth gained the most. And, last but not least, no former ladyfriends ended up dead under suspicious conditions.

Then, there are the ones such as George Soros. There are a few of them. They have billions of dollars to throw around and they seem to want to use it for destruction of our nation and our way of life. For what purpose, I simply have no idea. Perhaps it’s idealism gone astray. My guess is he has the same idea that men have throughout history; world domination. He, and those like him, want to use their fortunes to rule the world. It has been a dream of the Pharoahs, the Babylon kings, and so forth.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want a power hungry plutocrat ruling the world. I don’t even want one ruling our country.

I know of no way of limiting the power of plutocrats, robber barons or whatever you want to call them. But perhaps it might start when the news media, dems and RINOS stop helping them.

As an aside, I have written a group of books I call The Floater Group. In them, the floaters are the protagonists and the controllers are the villains. The controllers bear a resemblance, of a sort, to plutocrats. It’s a shame I didn’t know the word plutocrat back when I began writing. Maybe instead of The Controllers Organization, I could have called it The Plutocrat Association.

Jesus Alone Saves

Posted in Christian values, Communist Takover, law enforcement, Lawyers and Representation by

There is a church on a corner, which has a sign that clearly says, “Jesus alone saves.” I’m told that, from time to time, the preacher of the church gets a phone call complaining about the sign. I suspect maybe one or two of the complaints were a little threatening.

I really don’t get a kick out of the complaints but it does illustrate a point. There is no person on earth who gets more angry at such a sign as them that need it. Such a sign causes no harm, no damage. Yet, many atheist fear the signs as if they will hunt them down and instantly convert them, regardless.

The thought is, of course, ludicrous. God does not force salvation on anyone. He does provide us with the information, the opportunity and a little encouragement from time to time but he never forces anyone to accept salivation.

The question comes to mind, just why is the devout atheist afraid of 3 words to the point that it drives them to such hate? Just why is it that it drives a man to complain and even threaten.

Actually, it goes further than that. It can cause strife between brothers or sisters. Should a son say a word to his father, the father might banish the son from his presence. It’s not something that might happen. It occurs, possibly, daily.

We who try to help our fellow humans are in danger of, figuratively losing that part of us that thinks simply for trying keep a man from something worse than physical death.

You doubt me? Here’s one for you. Sometime when you’re at an office Christmas party, try mentioning something about the birth of Christ and why He died for us. Must I explain, it is His birth we are celebrating. On the other hand, could it be the birth is an excuse to drink and get drunk?

For my aside today, maybe I can take this opportunity to remind one and all of the 1st amendment. That sign is on church property and the church has every right to put it there, at least for now. Just as we can change TV channels, no one is required to read the sign, though it would likely be a better world if people would read it and head it. As I mentioned, the atheists are the ones who need that little piece of truth the most.

ObjectiveReporting

Posted in Advertising, Lawyers and Representation, News media, Over Advertising by

The other day I took note that Scripps is now on the Newsy TV channel. I saw an ad claiming they only report the news. Considering what Newsy called the news, you can imagine my doubts.

Nonetheless, I switched it over there a time or two to see what they wanted to call news. I was not impressed. The other day they had what was, at the least a biased documentary. They called it news.

Truth be told, it was a lengthy infomercial advertising solar cell energy. If the solar cell companies didn’t pay for it, they should have. The spokesperson spent the whole time talking of the advantages, completely ignoring the disadvantages. Considering most of our solar cells are made in China, I’d guess China got some free advertising.

It is the way of the liberal media and democrat politicians. It has gotten so much so that they are more than joined at the hip. Indeed, they are joined at the mind. If one is struck, they both recoil and cry out in pain. If one has a success they both cheer. It appears that Scripps is no different. They have their favorite party and they support it without shame.

Proof Positive

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Controllers, Deceit, FOC, Going Green, Lawyers and Representation, Politally Correct by

The dems say we are ruining the planet by the emissions of CO2, all while spewing out exhaust with their big cars, big houses, private jets and big yachts.

They claim the oceans are rising while they buy beach front homes, frequently in Florida. They do this while they claim that all of Florida will be under water inside a decade or two. It might almost be wishful thinking. It would tilt the Electoral College in their favor.

The question is, just what does this prove? Just think about it a while. You just might figure it out. I can’t, but I’ve narrowed it down.

If what they claim is true, they cannot be too bright buying land that will soon be well submerged. If they are so afraid of carbon dioxide, they’d not spend so much of their ill gotten gains to generate it.

To me, it looks as if it’s proof positive that they don’t believe what they preach.

On the other hand, it might just be outright stupidity. You take your pick. Sometimes I think the one way; sometimes the other. Sometimes, I think it’s a little of both. Sometimes I think it’s just to keep folks like me guessing. I mean, really. What sane person would buy land that they know will soon be useless?

Everyone Knows

Posted in Christian values by

In light of events during the last couple of decades, I have become well aware of something. It would seem prayer is far more acceptable after a disaster.

Prayer is never acceptable in school until some of the students are killed by someone, conceivably under control of a demon. Then, suddenly, it is encouraged by… everyone. This, of course, includes all reporters, law enforcement agencies and who knows how many that call themselves atheist.

A storm comes through. Trees are toppled. Streets turn into rivers and houses are either flattened by the wind or washed away by the flooding. Suddenly, those in the media become great proponents of prayer. Naturally, the last time they prayed was when they were invited over to their aunt’s for turkey and yams.

An explosion occurs at a big industrial plant and someone somewhere says, “Let’s please pray for the victims and their families.”

It would seem everyone knows that prayer is far more effective after the fact. Who would ever think of saying any kind of prayer before the disasters.

I don’t suppose it occurred to everyone that, sometimes, prayer just might have prevented some of these disasters. Just maybe, some of tho

se killed in these disasters are dead because prayer in schools before disasters is not permitted.

On the other hand, after people, sometimes children, die, it is fervently encouraged.

The deaths might be prevented. However, they just simply they can never be replaced.

Brilliant Strategy, Joe

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden by

Who would think to look in an unguarded garage for highly classified documents. I’m sure it woked very well.

There is a hitch. The proper thing to do at this time is to assume that they were all compromised. Moreover, there might have been secondary compromises. Every message that was transmitted with a code compromises the code; and thereby, any other message transmitted with that code.

Besides all that, who in their right mind stores highly classified documents in their garage?

Oh, yes. Mrs. Clinton did store her classified emails in a bathroom. That was a little odd, too.

Let’s Risk A Little Common Sense

Posted in Christian values by

The Ten Commandments, and God seem to be under attack from about every corner of society, dumb as that is. Oddly, society is in turmoil in every direction. Do yo suppose that the one thing just might have something to do with other?

Maybe we could compromise. The libs love the concept of compromise. They also love the idea of keeping The Ten Commandments out of the courts, schools and colleges. Why can’t we allow some of them back in? What would be wrong about teaching one and all, Thou shalt not murder?

Just maybe it should be required to be posted in every courtroom, every classroom and every lecture hall. Just what would that hurt. Why should anyone fear those words.

While we’re at it, maybe we could also post Thou shalt not bear false witness. Is there anyone who is openly in favor of murder and false statements. It is truly divine common sense to be against those things. Truly, if these evils are discouraged, how can it cause harm.

While we are at it, maybe we should be taught from our childhood that theft bad. What is the harm of posting virtually everywhere, Thou shalt not steal? Are we really afraid that it would destroy anything but evil.

Indeed, maybe it’s a good thing to rethink this idea of banning the posting of The Ten Commandments. Do you suppose that the real common sense approach to fixing all these recent day’s problems is to put The Ten Commandments back into our society.

Then again, maybe we can’t do that because it makes those who prefer the darkness over light uncomfortable. After all, what liar would want to see, “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” everywhere they go. What adulterer wants to see, “Thou shalt not commit adultery, ” everywhere look.

You see, no one wants to look in the mirror and see the ugliness in their life. The pain in the conscience is just so, so great.

Keeping Kitty Busy

Posted in pets by

I noticed a simple inexpensive way to keep my cats busy, that is besides putting an empty box down for them to play with. The other day I was getting some ice out for myself and decided to toss one in the water dish.

The big advantage was that the kitty began entertaining me. The disadvantage was that after he provided several laughs, the ice melted. Maybe I need to make a larger ice cube.