Mainline Florida: Link to Mainline Florida.
Indian art, purchased about 20 years ago.
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| My last Preserve for a while |
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| New style, subject, design, etc. 20 x 16” oil |
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| Neighbor’s tree |
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| Sometimes we just don’t have enough news, still a small town😬 |
Metallica 
Earl Kluge
I guess I shouldn’t laugh…Watching it, I smiled through the whole 3 minutes, even if it is supposed to be melancholy.
Amarillo by Morning
Amarillo by mornin'
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I've got on
When that Sun is high
In that Texas sky
I'll be buckin' at the county fair
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo I'll be there
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I'll be lookin' for eight
When they pull that gate
And I hope that
Judge ain't blind
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo's on my mind
Amarillo by mornin'
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I've got on
I ain't got a dime
But what I've got is mine
I ain't rich
But Lord, I'm free
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo's where I'll be
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo's where I'll be
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Can you find Gambia on a globe? Either way, it is the only nation on Earth that is successfully living up to its commitments under the Paris accord on climate change.
That's how serious the Paris Agreement is — no one is living up to their commitments except for Gambia. Aren't you glad President Joe Biden's first act in office was to rejoin the accord?
According to a new report from Climate Action Tracker, the United States and Germany are doing an "insufficient" job. China, the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, is doing a "highly insufficient" job in curbing those emissions.
But that's not the most striking thing. What is most striking is the arrogant idiocy of the world's leaders, who believe they can change the weather by signing treaties and talking to each other. It isn't so, and all past experience in this regard has demonstrated that it isn't so.
Simply find and glance at a chart of the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the last 50 years. From the straight diagonal line, it immediately becomes obvious that no treaty, agreement, or accord, from Kyoto to Paris, has had even the slightest effect in causing carbon dioxide to change its steady rate of accumulation in Earth's atmosphere.
Fortunately, climate change is not a crisis. It is an easily solved problem. If you want to reduce greenhouse emissions from electricity, there's exactly one proven way to do it — do what France did. Begin a long-term project to convert all or nearly all of the grid to nuclear power. No other method has ever worked or come close. (Well, except maybe in Gambia.)
Natural gas, including the new technology of zero-emission natural gas, is still helping the U.S. reduce its emissions. It is a cheap and useful fuel, and it will be the best bridge to nuclear, perhaps along with certain economically useful carbon capture technologies. Nuclear can, in turn, become the bridge to fusion, which will come online in a demonstration capacity at MIT within five years and should be everywhere within 30 years. Fusion has all of nuclear's advantages, but without any of the danger or radioactive waste. Because the products of fusion cannot be weaponized as with nuclear fission, it is a technology the U.S. and its allies can share even with enemies such as China, Russia, and Iran.
That's the answer to carbon emissions — everything else is already a proven waste of time. Those who reject nuclear, including most of the American Left, are not serious about the issue and should not be included in any conversation about the climate. They are just looking for new ways to hinder the economic growth that limitless energy will give humanity and new excuses to "tax the rich."
Given that effective and economically feasible options already exist for solving climate change, Biden should immediately abandon expensive pie-in-the-sky Green New Deal projects — and also stop signing silly treaties that let China pollute as much as it likes.
When I was a Protestant seminarian, I thought I had good reasons not to venerate or pray to Mary. The mother of Jesus, however holy, was only so because of Christ, and thus any special honoring of her necessarily detracted from the unique, unparalleled honor due to our Lord. That’s certainly what the Reformers thought. As John Calvin writes in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, “one who takes refuge in the intercession of saints robs Christ of the honor of mediation.” It wasn’t until reading Manfred Hauke’s Introduction to Mariology that I realized the ecumenical stakes regarding Mary are quite a bit higher than avoiding “idolatrous worship.”
The early Reformers revolted against the Catholic Church preeminently over salvation. Whereas the Church taught that man’s cooperation was required for his own salvation, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, among others, rejected this as undermining both the doctrines of grace and God’s sovereignty. Salvation must be wholly and entirely the work of Christ, they declared, asserting the Protestant doctrines of sola fide (faith alone) and sola gratia (grace alone). As Luther wrote in The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, “all works are measured before God by faith alone.”
Nevertheless, first-generation Reformers maintained a view of Mary that most contemporary Protestants would blanche at. Martin Luther continued to believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary and her immaculate conception. Calvin was willing to accept her perpetual virginity as at least possible and criticized other Protestants for rejecting the Catholic doctrine out of hand. One may speculate as to whether these Reformers’ retention of certain Catholic conceptions of Mary was motivated more by residue from their own upbringing or their reading of Scripture.
Over time, Our Lady’s star dimmed among Protestants, to the point that any honor of her seemed to smack of “Romanism.” That was certainly the brand of Protestantism in which I was educated as an evangelical and later as a Calvinist seminary student. Veneration of Mary, or any of the saints for that matter, obscured the exclusive worship and honor due to Christ alone (though, ironically, reverence for Reformers like Luther and Calvin could be quite effusive).
The modern “Neo-orthodox” Reformed theologian Karl Barth, however, offered a helpful articulation on Protestant suspicions of Marian veneration. Barth writes in Church Dogmatics:
Marian dogma is neither more nor less than the critical, central normative dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, the dogma from the standpoint of which all their important positions are to be regarded and by which they stand or fall. The “mother of god” of Roman Catholic Marian dogma is quite simply the principle, type and the essence of the human creature cooperating servant-like (ministerialiter) in its own redemption on the basis of prevenient grace, and to that extent the principle, type and the essence of the Church.
This is a pretty remarkable claim by Barth. Granted, Catholic theologians and clergy would disagree with his first description of Catholicism, instead placing the Incarnation and the Resurrection as the centerpieces of Catholic dogma. But there are some valuable (if incomplete) insights in Barth’s latter observation about Mary as she relates to soteriology.
God’s providential plan required Mary’s fiat. At the Annunciation, Mary’s “yes” is required – and is given: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Hauke explains: “Mary, virgin Mother of the Savior, is closely united with the work of salvation. God made the Incarnation depend on the ‘yes’ of this woman, who deeply becomes part of the mystery of the Covenant.” Without Mary’s consent, there is no messiah.
In Mary, we also see a perfect model for ourselves. We too are chosen by God, manifested either through infant baptism, or through a later recognition that Christ is calling us unto Himself and His Church. Yet our cooperation is required. We can reject the baptismal promises made by our parents on our behalf. We can spurn His gracious overtures later in our lives, through willful ignorance and explicit disobedience. Even for the faithful this battle must be fought each day, as new temptations and trials present themselves.
Christ our Lord declared that our failure to obey Him and fulfill our calling as Christians can result in eternal condemnation. (Matthew 25:1-46) St. Paul teaches much the same: ‘Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain.” (2 Corinthians 6:1). Of course, this participation in our own salvation is not accomplished solely through willpower as the heretical Pelagians taught, but by God’s grace operative at the beginning, middle, and end of all our actions.
Nevertheless, Barth is correct in describing Catholic teaching as upholding Mary as the “type and the essence of the human creature” cooperating in his own redemption. Catholics aim to imitate Mary in being entirely submissive to the divine will. Hauke explains: “Mary is like a focal point in which the central truths of the Catholic faith can be seen.”
This clarifies the gradual Protestant repudiation of Marian dogmas. Inasmuch as Mariology illuminates human collaboration in our salvation, it violates Protestant principles of sola fide (“by faith alone”) and sola gratia (“by grace alone”). Mariology becomes, in Barth’s words, “a tumor, i.e., a diseased construct of theological thought. Tumors must be excised.” For Protestantism, Marian devotion is not merely a matter of idolatrous distraction from worship of God. It vitiates the salvific economy.
Mary’s witness, as the Church teaches, reminds us that our wills are not so deadened by sin that we require irresistible grace (another Reformed doctrine), but remain sufficiently intact that we are truly culpable for responding in faith and love to the overtures of divine grace. For Protestants, Marian dogma is not simply a distraction, but an attack on the very heart of Protestantism, and thus a serious obstacle for conversions.
But as I discovered in my own conversion, Mary – whom many Catholics prayed to on my behalf – is instead a great remover of obstacles.
What ministries does the Church offer for women who have had abortions?
FATHER FRANCIS HOFFMAN
2 MIN READ
To be forgiven, tell God that you are truly sorry and then go to confession as soon as possible. After that, commit yourself to a life of service toward others, supported and strengthened by a life of prayer and frequenting of the sacraments. And have hope. Remember the great good that Dorothy Day did after her conversion? Remember the great good that St. Paul did after his conversion? Remember the great good that St. Augustine did after his conversion? Yes, there is conversion. There is redemption. There is a second chance, because Jesus who made you loves you and died for you on the cross to redeem you from your sins.
There can be life and there can be hope after abortion for all who have been involved in something so sad. The Church wraps her arms around all of her children, offering the grace of forgiveness and mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the supernatural strength and sustenance that our soul needs through the Eucharist and prayer.
There are a number of programs that reach out to those affected by abortion, and a few that come to mind are Project Rachel, sponsored by Catholic Charities, and Rachel’s Vineyard, sponsored by Priests for Life. All those who have been directly or indirectly involved in an abortion can be forgiven by going to confession. In most dioceses of the United States not only does the priest/confessor have the power to forgive the sin, but he has the delegated ability to lift any canonical penalties such as excommunication. I know the very mention of the word “excommunication” can terrify people, but it just shows how committed the Church is to upholding the dignity and sacredness of life, from the moment of conception until natural death.
For the record, only a person who is aware of the canonical penalty incurs it, and only if they are 18 years or older and fully aware of what they are doing.
Rev. Francis Hoffman, J.C.D., is Executive Director of Relevant Radio. Follow him on his Facebook page “Father Rocky.”
*****
This column will take no prisoners. Nor will it evacuate anyone. No, what I am writing needs to be said and I will say it.
President Biden is not able to effectively run the United States of America. He is directly responsible for the death and destruction in Afghanistan as well as thousands of poor migrants being brutalized in Mexico at this very moment.
These are humanitarian disasters on a massive scale.
Mr. Biden is a diminished man living in a world of delusion. And now the entire world knows it.
No one really understands who, exactly, is running the Executive Branch of the U.S. government. It is certainly not Joe Biden. But the President hired his staff and the cabinet members and the woke Generals, who are embarrassing the military and putting them in grave danger.
The corrupt corporate media is also responsible for the incredible mess Biden has caused in seven months. Its destructive hatred of President Trump has led us to this point. The press did everything it could, including peddling rank falsehoods, to demean and destroy Mr. Trump. The result: perhaps the most incompetent leader in American history today works in the Oval Office.
Even now, anti-Trump fanatics like Juan Williams and Matthew Dowd spew incomprehensible gibberish about what a great job old Joe is doing.
The Democratic Party is also responsible for the madness that’s on vivid display. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not answer questions about Afghanistan. Why should she? The Congresswoman can’t even explain why her own San Francisco district is overrun with criminality and social chaos.
In addition, every single American who voted for Joe Biden is indirectly responsible for America’s dramatic decline. And it’s not just overseas or at the border. Inflation is galloping, the individual work ethic is being destroyed - right along with important American traditions like due process and self-reliance.
( So, I say because…)
Yes, most people who voted for Biden did so to get rid of Trump. But casting a ballot on emotion almost always leads to disaster. And that’s what we are now facing as a nation.
Like many Americans, I cringe when the President of the United States has to answer questions or read the teleprompter. I’ve been around long enough to know when a person is not able to do a job. There is no debate about this - Joe Biden cannot run the country and the damage he is doing is incalculable.
As for a comeback, come on, man (as Biden might say)! Biology is a definite science. Every person ages. All of us are slaves to time.
Joe Biden’s time has passed. He is not capable of complicated decision-making. He and his band of enablers are not going to improve.
That’s the truth. I’m glad I told it.
WHAT'S AN INFIDEL?
The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States, especially in the minority races.
Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who each explained their beliefs.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Muslim gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.
After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Muslim and asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven.
If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?’
There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers!'
I responded, 'so, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?’
The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.' He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.’
I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine The Pope commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!’
The Muslim was speechless.
I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question: Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?’
You could have heard a pin drop.
Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic Imam, and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.
In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President. I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference.
Russia donated $0.00 to the Trump campaign. Russia donated $145,600,000 to the Clinton Foundation. But Trump was the one investigated!
Bill Clinton paid $850,000 to Paula Jones To get her to go away. I don’t remember the FBI raiding his lawyer’s office.
Maxine Waters opposes voter ID laws; She thinks that they are racist. You need to have a photo ID to attend her town hall meetings.
President Trump’s wall cost less than the Obamacare website. Let that sink in, America.
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