It says in the bible, specifically, “Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. “

So, why does Camping believe that he knows something that only God can know?  Why are so many people following Camping and not the word of Jesus?

My largest fear?  That the rapture will not come, and rather than people pulling away from Camping, they will pull away from God, because they believe Camping is a direct personification of Christianity.

Please, everyone, I beg you.  Pray.  Pray for all those people that Camping is giving poor information too.  Pray that they understand that each one of them must get closer to God *THEMSELVES*, and not through someone else.  Pray that they will not lose belief, when it does not happen.

I will be praying too…………

‘Fearing the Lord’ is used many times in the book of Proverbs.  To do so, is to keep us away from sin.  In Exodus Ch 20, Moses is given the 10 commandments.  When the people below saw the thundering on top of the mountain where Moses was, they were afraid.  And Moses spoke to them:

Ex 20:20 (NIV) -

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.  God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

When I read that verse, I am given the picture of our children.  We love our children.  But, we put fear in them, so that they may make the right decisions.  To make them fear the consequences of sinful actions.  Stealing, for example.  We make them afraid of going to jail, or afraid of how they are making the other person feel, or afraid of how God sees them.  We want to make that fear so strong, to overcome the perceived reward for carrying out the sin.

I see this no different than fearing God.  We fear his power, and give him our respect, the same we expect our children to do for us.

God is love, yes.  But God does not love all things.  God cannot love sin, for it is evil.  That is why God could not look upon Jesus when he took our sin on the cross.

But, as I started thinking about it, perspective or not, it’s still “fun” to come up with things you’d like to do.  So, in short, here are mine:

** Top ** – This doesn’t even receive a number.  I need to get right with myself and Christ.  To read the word as often as I can, and above all else, Practice the word on a daily basis!  I have the faith, now I just need the wisdom.

1. More blogging – I’ve really let my blogs (both professional and personal) fall to the wayside.  I’d like to get back to writing more.  It’s January 2nd….. this is a good start, eh?
2. Photography – As I was learning with Tammy on photography back in 2009, I stumbled upon HDR, and I was hooked.  I just love HDR photography, and really want to do more with it in 2011.  My initial feeble attempts just sucked.  Don’t know what HDR photography is?  Here is a brief description, and here is an example.  I’ve got the camera to do it, the software to run it, and the hardware to support it.  Now, I just gotta DO IT!!  Plus, it’s one thing I can do with my wife *together* that we both enjoy.
3. Running – This isn’t a goal to do more running…. it’s a goal to learn how to “love” running.  I really love the aspects of running.  Nature.  Scenery.  Music.  Serenity.  Good Health.  The “good” feeling you get after the “runner’s high”.  Now, I just have to get past the whole, “I really hate running”… thing. 
4. Procrastination – Or, lack thereof.  I know, I know.  Surprised?  Shouldn’t be.  Took me 3 years before I finally wrote this one down.    (and notice, it’s near the bottom?)  I cant really list Procrastination, but put it at the top, can I?  That would be a paradox and the end of the universe as we know it!  Well, it may get to that, before I check this one off.
5. The rest is just hobby stuff.  Getting my Salt Water aquarium up to snuff, electronic circuit builds, home automation, woodworking, programming, etc.

Cheers!

1). I store my techie manuals on it. These manuals can be thousands of pages long, and are indispensable when I’m remote, working on a problem, and need some reference.

2). iBooks / Kindle: This is really nice! I can now read in bed, without having the light on, disturbing my lovely wife’s beauty rest. Turning pages feels natural. The iBook store still needs to work on its inventory, but Kindle Books is also available on it, with it’s HUGE inventory.

3). Netflix / Video: I love that during my late working hours, while I’m waiting on some long running process, I can just launch Netflix, and start instantly streaming hundreds of movies in high quality!

I would say music is nice, but, I still use my iPhone for that. Small and efficient, and hip-carry’able.

Now, that being said, I have some huge thanks to give!!

1). My lovely wife. Without whom, I probably would have never really given the iPad a chance. Yes, dear, I’m giving you the kudos for that. See, when it first came out, she was all excited, and I just brushed it off. (( big grin ))

2). My Parents. For my birthday gifts, they loaded me with iPad accessories, including the carrying case, wireless keyboard, and a handy shoulder bag. NO, it’s *NOT* a Man-Purse! Shoulder Bag! Shoulder Bag! They also gave me a few months free of Netflix, so I can enjoy instant movies on my iPad or PlayStation 3!! Thanks you guys!!

3). And finally, my company. Who gave me the iPad as an appreciation gift!

Who knew?!?

Recently, some trouble has been stirred with my actions on Facebook. In an effort to save this person (and myself) the embarrassment, I will keep it anonymous.

Everyone has differing opinions and perspectives. I believe social networking sites like Facebook, or MySpace are merely news applications from friends, groups, and favorite businesses in order to stay in touch or see the daily updates in their lives.

There is another perspective that people have. Some see these sites as a personal extension of their lives. They have such a passion, they feel it is less than an application, and more of a personal attachment.

I’m not saying this is wrong, as that would be judgemental, and I’m trying not to be. But it is my opinion, that bad things can (and do) happen with this perspective. The reason for this thinking is that status updates, like other news items, may not always be entirely accurate. Exaggerations, vague updates, and even manipulating words can confuse and change peoples minds. Bad language and hurtful remarks can result.

For example, recently, someone on my friends list in Facebook was posting updates that I would rather not see or read. Just like a news site in my online reader, if you don’t like it, you simply remove it. Unfortunately, removing someone from your friends list has the unfortunate side-effect, to those that see FB as more than an applcation, to be representative of removing them from their personal lives.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. This problem was the cause of differences of opinions on what social networking sites really are……Web applications displaying news.

In hindsight, I could have just asked that person to stop. But, then, who am I to change that person? Maybe I’m the only one? I certainly don’t want to think my parenting skills are better than others (their not, believe me). And then, who am I to say that the parents are wrong? These are just opinions, and I respect people and their parents too much.

Social networking sites are most definately useful, but can be dangerous if you lose too much of yourself in these virtual realities. Preying abusers, stalkers, and criminals also browse the sites. Putting too much of yourself and your trust on these public applications can be risky.

Am I an expert on having a good marriage?  No, certainly not.  But, I do want to give you my thoughts about it.

So, the first thing that is a good marriage is love.  I’m not talking about liking each other alot, or being able to put up with each other’s bad habits, or annoyances, but real love.

So, just what is “love”?  This is where the English language fails us.  We use that word far too often, and too often, for the wrong feelings.  I do NOT love my wife, like I love my children.  I do NOT love my children, like I love my pets.  I do NOT love my pets, like I love going camping in Autumn.

So, how exactly do I differentiate each type of love, from one another, in the English language?  By not always using that word by itself.  For most people, they use the word “love” in a casual and routine sentence.  “I gotta go to work, dear…. love you”.  “Okay, I call you later tonight…. love you…bye”.  These are routine sayings, that said enough, become more habit, than a declaration of your feelings.  For the times that you DO want to differentiate, I learned from my wife…. which is:  During the times where she wants to really declare her affection toward me, she says, “I Adore You”.  Granted, that doesn’t mean the same thing as love, but I take it like it does, and THAT is what matters.  She knows that, which is why she continues to say it.  If there is a word that works for you, then use it.  It’s the meaning you give behind it that matters.  And as long as you both understand, then that meaning can go a long way.

How do I define “marriage” love?  Everyone defines it differently, but I define it as, “When someone else’s feelings, passions, and well-being trumps your own” (to be honest, I think I heard that from Ashton Kutcher).  When you decide that someone else means more to you, than yourself, that’s LOVE.

One way to declare your love, is not just say it, casually.  Do it.  Do things that show your affection.  Often times, when Tammy goes outside to let the dogs out, she will just lean against the deck railing.  I will just simply come up behind her, and hold her in my arms.  That means alot more than just walking by the door and say, “I love you”, and walk away.

I also made her a dinner one night when she was very sick.  I added a couple of roses on the plate from our rose bush.  Now, she doesn’t really like flowers, but a smile rose to her face when I brought it out to her.  That smile meant more to me at that moment, than my own feelings and well-being.

You can also declare your affection in front of the public.  Facebook nice things about your loved one, in front of everyone.  Show everyone that you truly are grateful for that person to be in your life.  Hold hands, and hug each other in public places.  Sometimes, I’m appalled at some people that completely change their appearance or actions when going out in public alone or together.  In some cases, people take off their wedding rings.  That, to me, tells me they don’t love them.  Even a friend of mine did that.  I stopped hanging out with them afterwards, and told them why, when they asked.

One last thing I have to say about your marriage, is listen to each other.  Learn from each other.  I am still learning from Tammy to be more creative and more open to family outings, and she is still learning from me to let some things go, and not to worry so much.  Communication is key!  It may be awkward, and uncomfortable at first, if you have never talked about things before, but push through it!  It will be worth it in the long run!  I promise.

If you don’t love your partner, then let them go.  Nothing is worse than to be trapped in an un-healthy relationship, for both parties involved.

I’ve also seen a couple that disrespects each other ALOT in public.  Making fun of, or poking fun at the other spouse.  At first, I thought they were just going through an argument, but then, they joked with each other, smiled, and then another negative comment.

I’ve also seen one spouse allow their children to disrespect the other parent, and laugh about it.  I have to ask myself, “Do they really love each other, or just put up with one another for the children’s sake”.  Far too many families “put up” with one another for their children.  While I’m not saying this is wrong (I really do not know.  I have personal opinions about this, but I’ll leave that for another time), I wonder how great of a life do those people really have.

There is also one other type of couple.  This is the couple that truly do love each other, but fail to show it or talk about it.  It’s these couples, that have the most potential, but fail to see it due to lack of action.  It saddens my heart to see those couples fall apart, simply because they didn’t know how, or chose not to show it.

I do not just “love” Tammy.  I am “in love” with her.  Everything about her.  Love is an amazing emotion and gift that we, as human beings, sometimes take for granted.  Love is indefinate.  It has no ends; no boundries.  It can continue to grow.  No one can EVER take her place, and no one can EVER tell me different.  Our trust, love, and respect are endless for each other.  I know this, because we always talk about it.

I am always reminding her, that I love her more now than ever.  But the amazing gift means, tomorrow, that love will be that much greater.  I love her more now, than I did last week, or last month, or last year.

There is not a SINGLE THING that I would rather do alone, than to share it with her.  Everything I do, I want to share with her.  Sometimes, that doesn’t always happen, but it doesn’t mean I would RATHER do it.  If given a choice, I would have her right there beside me, in EVERYTHING I do.  I would have taken her to Sweden with me, each time I go, if we could afford the plane ticket!

Sharing is the greatest gift on earth, that you can give to your partner.  Tammy talks to me all the time, and THAT communication alone, is worth it’s weight in gold.

So, have I really defined a “good marriage”?  No, and no person ever can.  It’s up to you to define whats good or not.  However, if you really want me to give you some advice (i.e. if you are REALLY wanting help with your marriage and you don’t have the time/money to see a counselor), then turn to the Holy Bible.  The New Testement book, Corinthians, talks ALL about how to handle your marriage and children.  It is where Paul talks to the church of Corinth, and explains to them what they are doing wrong, and gives guidance on what God believes a marriage should be.

You can even go to a book store, (Christian book stores have the best selection), and choose a Marriage Study Workbook, on the book of Corinthians.

Do I have a perfect marriage?  Certainly not, and I don’t want it to be.  It’s the small disagreements and challenges that make us appreciate each other more, after everything is said and done.

To my wife, I say this:

“I cannot tell you how grateful and lucky I am, for the good Lord Almighty to bring my life to you.  You truly are my rock that I can depend on.  You allow me to break through my “grounded logic”, and see the creative imagination of life, that flows passed me.  Sometimes, I get wrapped up in work, or task, I life starts passing me by.  You allow me to see what life truly is about, and show me how to appreciate it.

I do not just love you, Tammy Jean Paxson.  I am in love with you.  It is NOT a question of how long I will love you, but rather, how long I can live TO love you!

You are my everything, and there is not a place in this earthly world, that I would EVER think otherwise!

As you would say, I Adore you, and everything about you!!”

If you would like to follow my tweets, then you can either choose the “Follow My Tweets” button on the right side of my blog, or click here to go to my Twitter Page.

Cheers!

Thank you guys so much for your prayers, donations, and information. Everyone one of you is very special, and we cannot tell you how appreciative we are.

We are still needing more donations, prayers, and information! You can follow up on this website, as that’s where I will keep updating everyone.

http://granny.thepaxson5.org

We have a list of acknowledgements, and other items.

Thanks so much!
God Bless!!!