This and That

About the worst thing you can hear in a doctor’s office is this advice: “I think it’s time you got your affairs in order.” That’s “doctor speak” for: get your bill taken care of because you aren’t going to be with us much longer. It will also be helpful to your survivors.

As Christians we hear much the same message from the pulpit every Sunday and it’s really good advice. If you are putting off repentance for a later date, the “use by” date on the package might just expire and pass you by. Being prompt to admit error, seek immediate forgiveness, and make restitution is vital to the process of keeping our moral inventory up to date. Why in the world do we procrastinate on these issues? Do we have the notion that God isn’t aware of our wrongdoing and will somehow forget the whole thing? It is we who are careless and forgetful and not Him. Given His level of mercy and His promises in John to forget the sins of the repentant we make a grievous error in not confessing them immediately.

Very interesting

In an amazing coincidence (?) my attention was drawn to the results of the Illinois lottery for November 5, 2008. I realize you are not really interested in the outcome of the “Pick Three” but in this case it may be worth a look. It is real; that is to say, it is their website and has not been doctored up in any way. Check it out and then chew on it for a while.

A taxing situation

I lifted this in whole from IMAO and claim nothing other than being alert to clever analogy.. It may enhance your understanding of some of the projected tax proposals and how they possibly apply to you.

“It’s making the rounds again. The parable that explains the tax system. It’s been credited to several people, mostly professors at UGA or U of South Dakota. But the earliest reference I can find is from 2002, and it credits Moon Griffon:

Suppose every day, 10 men go to dinner. The bill for all ten comes to $100. If it were paid the way we pay our taxes, the first four men would pay nothing; the fifth would pay $1; the sixth would pay $3; the seventh $7; the eighth $12; the ninth $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

The 10 men ate dinner in the restaurant every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement until the owner threw them a curve. “Since you are all such good customers,” he said, “I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily meal by $20.” Now dinner for the 10 only costs $80.

The first four are unaffected. They still eat for free. Can you figure out how to divvy up the $20 savings among the remaining six so that everyone gets his fair share? The men realize that $20 divided by 6 is $3.33, but if they subtract that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would end up being paid to eat their meal.

The restaurant owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so the fifth man paid nothing, the sixth pitched in $2, the seventh paid $5, the eighth paid $9, the ninth paid $12, leaving the tenth man with a bill of $52 instead of $59. Outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. “I only got a dollar out of the $20,” declared the sixth man pointing to the tenth, “and he got $7!” “Yeah, that’s right,” exclaimed the fifth man. I only saved a dollar, too. It’s unfair that he got seven times more than me!” “That’s true,” shouted the seventh man. “Why should he get $7 back when I got only $2? The wealthy get all the breaks.” “Wait a minute,” yelled the first four men in unison. “We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor.”

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night he didn’t show up for dinner, so the nine sat down and ate without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They were $52 short!

And that, boys and girls and politicians, is how the tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up at the table anymore. There are lots of good restaurants in Switzerland and the Caribbean.

There’s a message in there somewhere. I’m sure of it.”

A ruler?

A minion of the Obama staff had a TV interview and indicated that “The One” would be ready to “rule” when he took over. I immediately went to nearby copy of the Constitution and was unable to locate the word “ruler” as part of the job description for President of the United States. When that document was written, that word carried a pejorative connotation as well it should have. We have inaugurations and not coronations. As usual, the interviewer let it slide with no further question.

This careless use of words does little to engender confidence in the coming administration. If ever our leadership needed our prayers it is now.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday Morning Rant 63

So soon after the election I must admit to suffering a bit of a let down but not to the point my “ranter’s broke.” Through it all, I still find enough things irritating that I am capable of sustaining some high dudgeon. I concede though that buying gas again for less than a king’s ransom has elevated my spirits quite a bit. I’m surely happy I didn’t make the decision to start selling off our herd of Explorers. What does bother me is that even having a clear notion of the cause of the housing/mortgage/bailout/meltdown mess and not finding any big surprise in any of it, I still can’t seem to fully understand the collapse of the fuel market.

I knew that a change of posture on drilling would lead to reduced prices. What I didn’t anticipate was the drop to near 2003 pricing. I distinctly remember buying gas in Missouri in ’03 for $1.599 and enjoying the thought of living in a place with cheap gas. I haven’t had to buy any since the 2nd but I only paid $1.819 then and that’s only a 22 cent difference. That’s a far cry from the $4.099 I saw in Chicago in January. And they say there is no God! I do feel rather bad for those who watched their stock portfolios take the same plunge.

Who’s the new guy?

The biggest advantage to driving a tour bus is the opportunity to visit America’s greatest shrines on an almost daily basis. When I planned a tour, I made sure that no place of the least significance was overlooked. In the summer of ’96, we made a series of trips which started in Seattle, covered the Olympics, went into Canada, through Banff, down to Glacier Park, Yellowstone and wound up at Mount Rushmore where a fresh coach was waiting and that driver returned the party to Milwaukee and I returned to Sea-Tac to start the identical trip all over again. Each trip was two weeks and exposed the group to some of the finest sights and experiences available in North America.

Soaring mountains, coastal rain forests, the British tinged charm of Victoria, BC, great forests, endless herds of wild animals, great glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, and all that makes the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains so fabulous were on our trip plan. With that background our last touring day was appropriately to Mount Rushmore and the classic work of Gutzom Borgland. Here the heroic visages of four outstanding figures in presidential history gaze in a south easterly direction to meet the eyes of tens of millions of visitors from every state and all the countries of the world.

Additions to the monument have been variously proposed over the years and I encourage you to view this recent video to get a feel for the reactions of the existing figures to the possibility of a new addition. Who knew the presidents were such an exuberant group?

Buyer’s Remorse

As we move closer to the inauguration, we will be exposed to the potential cabinet, and other miscellaneous appointments which the new president will have to make. I really don’t envy him the job. It is an assignment fraught with error and endless opportunity for mis-steps. It is also a duty where “present” doesn’t cut it. If you want to duck a tough vote in the senate, that is an option but not in the oval office. It is the hour of decision. I shall be anxious to see his priorities exposed by the choices he shall have to make.

For all his claims of expertise gained on the campaign trail he will find this a bit more demanding and requiring actual leadership. One of the devices which is stock and trade for the community organizer is the business of stirring the pot and waiting until someone seizes a project and runs with it. You pick your leadership from the most excitable among your group. If you want a rabble-rousing lead man for a project that may work but I’m not certain how that will stack-up for the management of a functioning government agency with a huge budget.

His greatest potential problem may well be the compliant press which has provided cover for every utterance. Now that the election is behind us, the goal accomplished, and news has slowed to a trickle, they may discover that fuller coverage of the “messiah” will be an attractive alternative to fill the gap. You do have to sell newspapers and TV ads you know. Their “white guilt” has been assuaged by his successful election; therefore they may be able to do some actual reporting and investigation. That is of course, if they haven’t forgotten how.

I shall be very interested in following the future careers of those opportunists who waited until the last minute to jump on the bandwagon and support “The One’s” candidacy. Shall they be embraced as true believers or as that part of the “CYA” bunch that always shows up hollering, “me too, me too!” Fortunately for Colin Powell, he has a good (well-earned) pension and, I’m certain, other opportunities and probably doesn’t need yet one more government job. This is a case where “early bird gets the worm” meets “too little too late.”

A More Important Question

The gold finches which were my first visitors to the new bird feeders have absolutely taken over. Although tiny—5” top—they are dominating the feeders. I have grown concerned that their constant presence has supplied them with enough food that they may be unable to fly one of these days if they keep on eating. I assume they migrate somewhere and fear that they may have some difficulties. In any case it is a pleasant problem to contemplate rather than that steady diet of politics we have just endured. It pleases me to know that God has His eye on them as well. I think I shall probably trust Him for the solution.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Some Make it, Some Don't

Almost every sport has a hall of fame. We go through a lengthy round of offerings each year for candidates to receive those coveted spots in their related sport. Since my bride was born and raised in Cooperstown, New York, we have a special attraction to the ritual there. On this August occasion, the tiny town is turned on its ear. The traffic is unbearable but it doesn’t dampen the excitement of either the locals or the visitors. Related baseball merchandise is featured in every store window and anecdotal conversation is readily available since every resident becomes a baseball expert at that hallowed time.

Thousands jam the single “main drag” and the local ball park hosts a ceremonial game which generally features a couple of major league teams. The cries of the officials calling balls and strikes and the roar of the crowd for a well hit ball fill the air. It’s old time America all over again. That morning, on the steps of the Baseball Hall of Fame on Main Street, the choice of inductees is announced and players generally too old to beat out a bunt single gratefully react to being recognized for their heroics of an earlier day. It’s easy to find. From the flag pole in the intersection of Main and Pioneer Streets go past Augur’s Bookstore (it belonged to Jan’s dad for decades) about a block.

Over beer and hot dogs, the die hard fans criticize the committee for failing to recognize their personal favorite as this year’s nominee. Others maintain that a player named today couldn’t have made it in the past without his lively bat and steroids. The script is pretty much the same from year to year as it has since in inception in 1936.

I’m not certain that Cooperstown represents the “granddaddy of them all” but I am sure it’s close. Given the place in the hearts of Americans for our national pastime, this hall of fame has a special place. As a result we now have over 270 halls of fame in eleven countries. They celebrate every sport from archery to wrestling and odd lots of nearly every category of human and animal endeavor. Victor J. Danlov published a book, “Hall of Fame, Museums” to help you locate them all. If your interest is in bowling, Barbie dolls, or burlesque, he has you covered—or uncovered. There is even a guy in Dallas, “Cockroach Dundee,” who maintains a Cockroach Hall of Fame for that irritating species. He claims to be the third biggest attraction in the D/FW area.

The prompting for this post was supplied by a recent article with the exciting news of the latest nominee for placement in the Toy Hall of Fame in Syracuse, NY—not surprisingly, close to Cooperstown. This venerable institution has decided to honor, in addition to Mr. Potato Head, the bicycle, crayolas and the cardboard box; the stick! The stick, a childhood companion to which each of us may relate. Whether a piece of scrap wood or cut from a willow branch, it inspired us to assign endless imagined identities; spear, ski pole, rifle, baton, lever, sword, or even possibly the basic material for a bow. As children, we found them available in abundance and ever ready to test our imagination. Do kids today still play with sticks? With the inventiveness of the child’s mind, I’ll bet they do.

On my next trip to New York, I think I’ll drop by and see if any other stalwarts from my childhood have shown up to be so honored. Surely they must have a worn out tire, a piece of frayed rope, or the ever venerable fall favorite; a pile of leaves. If the gray beards at this institution can meet in solemn assembly and recognize the value of this enduring child’s toy I must applaud their efforts. Oh for the joys of childhood and the sheer pleasure of a stick.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

I Was Wrong

That’s not an apology but rather an observation. An apology need only be offered if you have a demonstrated harm and your intention was to render it. We just experienced a period ruled by concepts, perceptions, and conjured reality. I confess only to seeing through much of the mist surrounding the issues and reacting in opposition. My principal error was not realizing that the majority of the people did not understand.

As is so often the case, I credited the electorate with adult capabilities to also recognize the legerdemain and act accordingly. I was wrong. I truly believe that most readers of Zion Beckons understood and did the right thing. But, compared to the tens of millions who did not share your advantage and your personal character we wound up in our minuscule collective effort as a “spit in the ocean.”

Like many of you, I have spent the morning staring at the computer screen in stunned disbelief. Our evening prayers included a request that God’s will be done for the benefit of the nation. This would not be the first time I failed to understand the full impact of “Gods will.” But my trust is ever in Him and I remind you that He continues to be in charge. To ignore His many responses to my selfish desires for healing, improved relationships, relief from alcohol addiction, and other self-recognized problems because they fit my desires should convince me that I can’t always be aware of His will for me—and for that matter the nation. Just because it doesn’t fit my template does not mean He isn’t listening.

Therefore, I shall not attempt to make sense of the matter and continue to fight the good fight and search for comments and opinions which you might not otherwise see.. This is not the first battle I have lost; nor shall it be the last. I have an anecdote for you which I see as an indicator of God trying to elevate my spirits.

I have often mentioned that I converted the porch to an extended office wed to our third bedroom; I also mentioned that I built a covered porch (deck?) which overlooks the Spring River Valley. The design allows me to sit at the computer and compose or move my eyes slightly to the right and look through the window over the expanse of the valley. At the roof line of the deck, I installed several hanging birdfeeders. I installed them so that they are not readily reachable by the predatory cats which we live with. They have been there for a month and I have yet to see the first bird take advantage of my largesse. Amidst cries of “ungrateful wretches” they just haven’t come.

At the depth of my funk over the election this morning, I noted three gold finches enjoying a morning snack. What I take from it is simply this: some things are just more important than others. The world continues to spin, they have located a food source for the winter and this earth does not exist for my personal pleasure and agenda. We shall, however, continue to fight the good fight and since we know the final outcome, shall enjoy every battle.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Today the Fat Lady Sings

I have pled before that I truly believe Christianity has a stake in this election. It is vital to our Lord that we raise our voice and assert the truths which we hold so dear. I have occasionally felt guilty over devoting so much verbiage to the contest and my feeble efforts to counteract what I feel is stacked deck by the media and their mavens.

Today, I arose early (5am) and was rewarded by the discovery of a brand new website, written by a man of obvious intellect and far greater experience and perception than I could ever muster. In a mad, mad world, he actually makes sense. In self-defense I should note that I have been upbeat and continued to avoid accepting opinions of people who are trapped in the urban jungles of blue state influence. Possibly, I see his genius in his total agreement with me. If you read what he has to present, I think you will not only agree, but also be enervated by his analysis.

True believers in the fundamental worth of our God-given Constitution and the nation which sprang from it, occasionally suffer from pangs of doubt over the possible outcome of this plebiscite. We have fallen victim to an intentional set up provided by the zealots of Obamunism. So, at the end of the day, let us pray that his evaluation is correct.


In His abiding love,


Cecil Moon


P.S. Don’t just think about it, get off your hands and GO VOTE!!!!

Monday Morning Rant 62

So what has been the cost of the presidential campaign? I don’t mean the dollars which have reached absolutely ridiculous heights. So high in fact, that alone, it could provide the spending impetus which the economy needs to bring us back to normal. My back of the envelope figures suggest a figure in total of well over a billion dollars. Given the projections for each candidate at the moment, I’m rather pleased that so much of it has come from foreign entities. They obviously see some advantage to the candidate which they endorse which escapes me. Assuming an electorate of 160,000,000 it would come to about $6.25 per voter.. That of course does not include the expenditures for state and local office seekers.

The real loss has come from a collection of other matters which I believe are more important than the money. The first casualty has been “truth.” We use euphemisms like “spin” and “shading” to occlude the facts and then toss in a huge dose of critical thinking to produce outright lies. To avoid relating positive aspects of a candidate is as much a lie as striving to conceal one’s own favorite’s bad associations and stated plans. It is a matter of morality and one’s religion to measure each man’s willingness to bend the truth to his own ends. People of faith have little doubt about that which is and that which isn’t. Any failure to embrace honesty is first of all an offense against God inasmuch as He has commanded that we not bear false witness.

The second serious casualty of the campaign has been “civility.” I fully realize the importance of what is on the line in this race but that is no excuse to deeply penetrate the personal lives of spouses, children, and other innocent bystanders. The biggest target has been Sarah Palin and her family. They are admittedly, an imperfect family, just like yours and mine. What it has to do with one’s ability to govern escapes me. We have discarded any sense of decorum to advance political goals. Some of us find that admission of imperfection an endearing quality; others, just one more opportunity to manufacture false truths.

Another victim of the election efforts is transparency. The rule appears to be more in favor of concealing records and data than sharing it with the American people. Would you, as a future employer, consider hiring anyone to a sensitive position who would be reluctant to share information about his academic history, circumstances of his birth, his full military record, health records, his voting record in various assemblies or full information on his associates? We are asked to blindly accept as fact a multitude of claims which could be easily verified if the candidate were willing to have the data released.

So, past the money, we have sacrificed truth, civility and transparency for the opportunity to follow our own selfish reaction to promises and pie-in-the-sky programs which are inconsistent with the Constitution and common sense. God help us all.

The Presidents Speak

I found this thing and decided to share it with you in the interest of keeping a sense of light-heartedness. Click here and you will be up to date on the doings at Mount Rushmore. Go ahead, it would be funnier if it were not so true.

Someone Gets It

Regular readers are aware that I have nearly boundless admiration for Thomas Sowell and his cryptic commentary. The man is a genius in addition to having a perspective which I could never aspire to. Take the time to read his observations; you won’t be disappointed.

Aunt Zeituni

I know the Obama campaign is beyond embarrassment, but this little jewel is too precious to let go. Mark Steyn for the Corner at National Review has some remarks about the emergence of the fugitive aunt.
“Re: Different party, different rules [Mark Steyn]

Mark Levin is right. The Undocumented Auntie isn't even one of the 12, 15, 30, whatever million run-of-the-mill Undocumented-Americans who just wander into the country and decide to stay. She's one of the far more select number—half a million or so—who've been served a deportation order. She is, in law, not merely an illegal immigrant but what ICE call a "fugitive alien".

So when John Conyers gets huffy about "leaks", is it even possible to "leak" that someone's a "fugitive"? When regular boring US citizens are fugitives, they get pasted up on Post Office walls and written up in the papers. And, in the event that someone discovers that the guy on the lam is holed up at 27b Elm Street, there's not usually a wave of outrage on the appalling breach of the fugitive's privacy rights.

If I were Joe the Plumber, I'd ask Aunt Zeituni if I could move in. It's his best chance of a quiet life.”

And Finally

This is it! The hew and cry is nearly over and it’s our turn. We’ve heard it all; the promises, the platitudes, the twisting and the turning and now it’s up to us to sort it out and make a decision. There is much on the line which will have ramifications far beyond the results tomorrow. The future of the republic hangs in the balance and we have the choice of two men. By definition, they are men and as a consequence, have imperfections which we must either embrace or ignore. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, neither one is a “Messiah.”
As I rank those things which I feel are most important, I have made a clear cut decision. In consideration of the unborn and a desire to offer them the protection which God would have me insist on; to continue the war on terror for the benefit of my grandchildren; to protect my rights for self-defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment; and the furtherance of the enjoyment of liberty; I have no other choice but to vote for McCain/Palin.

If the above issues are important to you as well, I would encourage you to do the same. Either way, it is important that you be counted for whatever attitudes you hold.. Please join me tomorrow and—VOTE!

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Rev. James David Manning

I offer this link without apology for anything Rev. Manning says. This is a remarkable sermon and for the most of us, very unusual. It is refreshing even though it does have its coarse moments. As they say, it’s a cultural thing.

This link will take you to Pat Dollard’s website. When it comes up, scroll to the second picture and click on play. Settle back and enjoy listening to a preacher “tell it like it is.” I predict you will find this a singular event in a campaign which has lasted forever.

I became more comfortable watching when I scrolled down and eliminated the comments and tags. That of course is up to you. I found it easier to concentrate on what he had to say. If you have any interest in comments, after you view the video, you may continue to scroll and there they are.

I’m pretty well convinced you will have an idea of how Rev. Manning feels about things before it’s over.

http://patdollard.com/?p=49484

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon