THOR'S DAY RANT: They are not the same!

There is a sad habit in the United States today, of equating First Responders to the members of our armed forces. You will see "Veterans and First Responders" specials and discounts, or public accolades of our "Heroes in uniform". People organize prayer groups for the police, or even public outpourings of support to "show them we care."

But what about our men and women in uniform overseas?

For those who have never served, it's understandable that they don't understand the difference. But that doesn't mean the worship of those in blue is right. Putting on a uniform and a shiny badge doesn't make you a hero. What you do while wearing that unoform and badge makes you a hero... or a villain. 

No one can deny that just by doing their job police officers might be at risk. Traffic stops are dangerous. Responding to domestic disturbances is dangerous. Arresting shoplifters might be dangerous--if they have a weapon. The potential for danger is there, but the primary role of a police officer is to enforce the law, not to put themselves in harm's way. Our military exists to defend our borders from war--from those who seek to destroy our nation and our way of life. Military service is literally about putting yourself in harm's way, often in a foreign land, far from home.

Many men and women graduate high school and enlist in the armed forces. They are whisked away to boot camp where they are belittled, yelled at, and put through stressful training--because if they can't handle that stress, they won't be able to handle war. They are then sent overseas, to a foreign country, where people probably don't speak English, and possibly hate them being there. Those in the military can't call in sick, or just take some time off when they want. There's no Personal Time Off, or "mental health days". They can't always hop in the car and go to the mall or McDonald's. If they need support, family and friends are a continent away. 

Our young men and women in the military are alone. Yes, they have their brothers- and sisters-in-arms, but those people are strangers. The bonds they will form will take time. And even then, those serving together overseas just find themselves alone, together. 

Police officers and firemen, unless they are very unlucky, get to go home each night. They get to live in a country with the same rights, privileges, and resources they grew up with. Even on duty, they are home. In some areas, there is more danger than others, but in all areas, there are laws and rules in place that protect not only citizens, but the police. 

We need to stop putting the "thin blue line" first. We need to put our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines at the head of the line. They are furthest from home--they shouldn't be furthest from our thoughts.

Thor's Day Rant: Catholics are Christians!

Catholic bashing is nothing new--it's been going on for centuries. Before there were Catholics or Protestants, Christians were arguing and villifying each other. During the Apostles' lifetimes, it got so bad they had to step in and settle the argument over whether or not the Judaizers were correct about the need for Christians to get circumsized (see the Book of Galatians). 

It's very easy to be offended by a difference in opinion. It's easy to stomp away and start a new church--that's why we have so many denominations today. But what makes someone a follower of Christ is not what building they worship in, but whether or not they believe the Gospel (the message about Christ) that Paul summarized in 1 Corinthans 15:

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

As a child, I was not raised a Catholic, but I did attend many services with family who were members of the Catholic Church. Here's what I picked up from many services:

1. Catholics believe Jesus died on the Cross

2. Catholics believe that Jesus was resurrected

3. Catholics believe that Jesus died as payment for our sins

4. Catholics worship Jesus

5. Catholics believe Jesus is the Son of God

6. Catholics believe they regularly sin (which is why they have confession)

7. Catholics believe we can be forgiven for our sins, thanks to Jesus

The big sticking point for so many angry Christians today is that the Catholic Church teaches that Christians must do good works to be saved.

That's half right.

Yes, we are supposed to do good works, as Christians (Ephesians 2:10)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

No, we are not saved because of our good works; (Ephesian 2:8)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Jesus talked about Knowing them by their fruits.

Many christians take this to mean that Christians do good things; if someone doesn't do good things, they must not really be a Christian.

That sounds a lot like we have to do good things to prove we are saved.

Are Catholics really that far off with the claim that we must do good works?

Another sticking point for modern Christians is that Catholics "worship" Mary, Jesus' mother. Catholics say they "venerate" her (hold her in high esteem). A lot of Christians venerate Paul, Peter, John, and the other Apostles. We also hold Moses and Abraham in high esteem. Being a fan of someone doesn't really mean you're worshipping them.

When push comes to shove, yes, Catholics disagree with many Protestant beliefs. But they do still believe in Jesus as the Christ. They believe that without him, we couldn't be forgiven for our sins. Instead of mocking or outright spewing hatred at our Vatican brothers and sisters, maybe we ought to just be friends and discuss our different opinions?

Paul addressed how we should "correct" a brother in Christ--it didn't involve storming out and starting a new church.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

Jesus also talked about reconciliation:

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (Matthew 18:15)

It's easy to point fingers at someone and declare they aren't a Christian. But instead of accusing, maybe we should look inward, as Jesus suggested in his sermon on the mount:

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3)

Let's stop worrying about opinions on matters that don't directly affect salvation. Let's stop bashing Catholics. Let's embrace our brothers and sisters, and respect their right to have different opinions about what scripture means. Rejoice in their acceptance of the savior, and if you think they have something wrong, share your opinion, not your hate.

THOR'S DAY RANT: Keep Your Sticky Fingers Off My Food!

Word to the Wise: Don't order delivery of baked goods from Sam's Club... unless you want sticky fingers all over your food.

I served in the USAF many years ago and among the many injuries and ailments I got for this was back pain that has progressively worsened over the decades. With my 60th birthday only a few years away, I find that carrying around cases of bottled water is painful. My solution was to start having them delivered directly to my home. 

Of course, I don't just order water--that seems a bit silly. So I throw in things like toilet paper, paper towels, maybe a case of soda--bulky stuff that younger people with fully-functioning spines are better equipped to handle. For this service, I pay rather steep delivery fees and am coerced into paying a "tip" in advance of my delivery--something that really rubs me the wrong way because tips are rewards for extra service. 

This week, my order was just four cases of water, some TP, and a bag of Sam's Club's irresistible yeast rolls. My plans to have these restaurant-grade bread treats with my dinner were dashed though. Turns out the grubby hub driver bringing my delivery apparently couldn't resist the yeast rolls in my order and removed the adhesive bag tie, then tied the bag in a knot to conceal their theft.

Unacceptable.

I will not eat food some non-english speaking, illegal third world alien has rubbed their dirty hands over. I don't know where those hands have been before fondling my food, but I'm confident it wasn't a sink (most vehicles don't come equipped with one). My health is bad enough already, I don't want feces, South American brain worms, flesh-eating bacteria, or whatever monkey sex STD has been snuck across our borders rubbed on my food.

Yes, I know, I'm supposed to be sympathetic to the less fortunate--even those were paid to invade our country and who now drive around in brand new vehicles and make more in a month than 100% disabled veterans incapable of working. Yes, while I feel bad for lepers, I don't want them handling my food. Nor do I like theft. 

If  someone came to my door, didn't look like a scam artist, and asked for food, I'd make them a box with cans (and a can opener), drinks, etc. I'd also tell them how to get to the church within walking distance of my home that helps the needy. I'd help them because they asked. Thieves don't ask-- they take. 

And yes, I know that people handle my food in a restaurant. But I trust the Health Department to make sure that restaurants follow simple hygiene rules. As far as I know, neither Grubby Hub nor Whore Dash have any health department inspections or even training of their delivery people. I also don't recall ever seeing a waiter or waitress take a few items off my plate on the way to my table. Grazing on the customer's food is generally not acceptable in most restaurants. 

Am I being unreasonable over a $4.00 bag of rolls? I don't think so. Apparently those rolls are so valuable the whore dash driver couldn't afford to buy their own bag. 

Did I complain to Sam's? Of course. I asked for, and got, a refund of my "tip" and the $3.48 cost of the rolls. I'll hope, but not hold my breath, that the driver is banned from future Sam's Club deliveries. Not because I'm petty, but because I don't like the unscreened influx of foreigners carrying diseases into the country that most of us haven't built up immunities to. In the middle ages, corpses were hurled over city walls with catapaults to spread disease. Today, the infected were paid to come here and allowed to saunter in and spread their literal infections all across our nation. Maybe we should instead teach them some basic hygiene... and not to stick their fingers in someone else's food. 

THOR'S DAY RANT: When are you building your Ark?

 

Every once in a while, Christian words trend on X (Twitter). Normally, it's words like Jesus, God, Rapture, or Revelation. Yesterday, the trending word that caught my eye was "Dispensationalism". Wow. That's going deep into the evangelical weeds. 

Most of the comments I saw (before I got disgusted and stopped reading) centered around Israel and how dispensationilism was falsely trying to justify the modern state of Israel's existence. There were some ALL CAPS shouts and condemnations. There was the usual secular/ satannic assertions that the Bible shouldn't be taken literally. 

You may be wondering, what is dispensationalism? It involves dispensations--not the Catholic ones where you buy the right to commit tiny sins, but the evangelical kind where preachers point out that not everything in the Bible is meant for everyone. 

Take Noah's Ark, for example. Genesis 6:14 clearly states "Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch." Verses 15 and on continue with construction details and how the world is going to be flooded, and all flesh will be destroyed... except for those on the ark. 

We obviously can't take Genesis 6:14 out of context. There was one Great Flood. Noah, his family, and a sampling of the Earth's creatures survived it. In Genesis 9:11, God promises not to flood us again "...neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth." 

When Genesis was written, it didn't have Chapter numbers and verse numbers. None of the books of the modern Bible did. Those weren't added until 1555, in the Vulgate Bible (if one is to believe Wikipedia). They were added for ease of reference and study. 

The problem is, people like to treat the bible like it's a book of spells. Citation of specific verses, without the context behind them, is missing. Take for example, Matthew 21:22, which states "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." That doesn't mean God is our magic genie and we can put in orders for new cars, a sizzling steak, or tickets to the latest MCU movie. In Matthew's testimony (the Gospel of Matthew), he tells, in Chapter 21, how Jesus explains to the Apostles (who were marvelling at a fig tree that with a command, Jesus caused to wither away) that what they asked for in prayer, would be provided. The apostles. Not everyone who ever reads the bible. 

That doesn't mean that there aren't verses that can be taken without looking at the surrounding chapter... John 3:16 is a great summation of the Christian faith: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Or 1 Timothy 2:5, " For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;".

When we read the bible, we need to understand that different parts are meant for different folks. The Apostle Paul wrote epistles (letters) to the Churches in Rome, Corinth, and Ephesia. Those writings were put in the Holy Bible and are now called "books". The Book of Romans, as the title implies, was meant for Romans. Duh. However, by reading all three books, we can see how Paul communicated the same message to three different groups. It helps us to understand the message (through repetition) and how we might explain it to different peoples. 

Baptists call this dispensations--things limited to a specific time period or peoples. Like eating Bacon. Bad in the Old Testament, okay in the New (see Matthew 15:11). 

There are, unfortunately, naysayers to this. They argue vehemently that no, the whole Bible applies to everyone, everywhere, for all time. Some of these are the same people who denounce Israel, claiming that the country founded in 1948 is not the same as ancient Israel, that jews have no right to the land, etc. etc. 

My question for these people is this: When are you building your ark? After you put down that bacon? Or maybe after you smear blood over your doorway? Those are all very clearly commands stated in the Holy Bible--even the ESV, NIV, and NLT versions. 

Don't be an idiot. Read the whole Holy Bible and seek out understanding of what it teaches. Or shut up and go build an ark. It might save you from a flood... but it won't save you from the flames of Hell.

THOR'S DAY RANT: Stick to Scripture!

In the 1500s, there was this German priest who wanted to translate the Catholic bible into German, so the average joe could read it. A century earlier, the Gutenberg printing press had made it possible to mass produce bibles, printing them instead of the meticulous rewriting, by hand, that had previously been used to make more bibles. In the course of his study and translation, this priest realized that what the Church was teaching was not what was in the scripture (scripture being a fancy word for the writings of the bible). He objected to the Church's teachings, going so far as to print a letter about what the Church had wrong. This priest's name was Martin Luthor, and he is credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. 

Five centuries and countless denominations later, people are still mis-quoting the Bible, teaching ideas that run absolutely contrary to what the bible says. When modern Christians are told "that isn't what the Bible says" they get offended, responding with statements like "that's what my Preacher said" or "that's what's in my bible".

For example, you might hear many modern Christians (and their preachers) declare that Christ proved he was God by resurrecting himself. That is absolutely not what the Apostles (the guys who followed Jesus and spread his teachings after his resurrection) wrote. Their writings would later be added together to form what is known today as the New Testament--the second half of the Holy Bible. Acts 2:24 specifically states "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." Acts 2:32, 3:15, 13:30, Romans 6:4, Romans 8:11, and Hebrews 13:20 are all quite clear on this topic: God raised Jesus from the dead. Resurrection doesn't make you God. Jesus resurrected people. Even the apostles resurrected people. But, this is just one of many examples of how modern Christians refuse to read the scripture, preferring to listen to what someone else tells them... then repeat false teachings like unholy parrots. 

Imagine if you were a movie critic and instead of going to see a movie before writing a review, you instead read a short synopsis someone else wrote about the movie... or read the comments movie viewers posted online. Is your review accurate? No.

Before you reach for your bible, though--which one are you grabbing? Four hundred years ago, a group of scholars set out to make the best English translation they could, turning to the original Hebrew and Greek texts, rather than Latin, or other english translations. Today, we know this as the King James Version--which some people will say is inaccurate because "King James just wanted a divorce". Not true. King James never divorced. He had one wife, his entire life. 

If you're skeptical that the KJV is accurate is more accurate than the ESV, NIV, NLT, etc. you can actually look at the original Greek and Hebrew at Bible Hub's interlinear bible texts--letting you see the original writings, and literal english translations. For example, in Revelation 10:1, the Apostle John wrote about an angel who's feet were "like pillars of fire". The KJV gets it right, listing "feet", while the ESV, NIV, and NLT all proclaim the angel's legs were like pillars of fire. This might seem like a small change, but there shouldn't be any change. Revelation 22:19 clearly states "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

The bottom line here is that you don't know who is right or who is wrong when you listen to someone else tell you what scripture says. Two preachers with different takes, or different Bibles, both can't be correct. See for yourself. Look at the most accurate translation you can, and maybe cross-reference that with an interlinear bible to see how the Apostles themselves wrote it out. If your preacher knew better than the Apostles, his writings would be in the bible.

THOR'S DAY RANT: Subaru Sucks!

Never in a million years would I have thought I would be putting Subaru in the same category as HP. But, here we are...

Subaru makes, or at least they used to make, excellent cars. Our 2011 Forester has hung in there, providing safe, reliable transportation even after someone ran into it and we had to have extensive work done on it. I have no qualms about my wife driving it to work in the deepest snow or slickest roads our hometown can bring. Even fully loaded, it has more than enough power to safely merge onto the highway. It's a comfortable ride that has never made me worry about "what's that sound" or if it was going to break down.

However, this will be our first, and last, Subaru. All thanks to a Subaru dealer--Bachman Subaru (Louisville, KY), to be precise.

The Forester's AC had gone out--the compressor was seized, but the clutch wasn't engaged--the car was still driveable. Initially, I thought I could fix it myself, and ordered off for a replacement compressor ($180 on Amazon). Then I realized I'd need a refrigerant recovery device/pump, rather than just venting a bunch of R134 into the atmosphere. Prices for those pumps were more than the part, and nowhere locally rented one. Then I hurt my back (worse than normal). I grudgingly let the wife take it to the dealership.

The dealership was initially very nice. They were willing to install the compressor I'd already ordered. Total cost to test and install: $200.00.

Alas, things didn't stay that way. End of day, the dealership informs us that our compressor isn't working--it's making a lot of noise and smoking. They'll have to put on a $1500 OEM (original equipment manufacture) compressor!

$1500?!

A quick search online reveals that no, OEM compressors don't cost that much. I can order off for one for less than $700!!

Social media is no help... lamenting there gets answers like "buy an older car, they're more reliable" or "They have to pay their people's salaries" or "How do you expect them to make a profit?".

Uh, what? It's a dealership... selling cars is their primary source of income. Fixing them is customer support--not a revenue stream.

I get a markup--a small mark up. Like maybe 25% or so. Not DOUBLE the price. That is crazy. It's immoral, and it's just downright wrong.

I guess one commenter had it right: avoid "stealerships".

I had expected better from Subaru. given the quality of the vehicle.

What has this taught me? That, like HP, Subaru's customer support is terrible. So, no, I won't be buying a new Subaru next year after all. I may not even buy anything new... maybe I will look for an older car, and just fix it myself--assuming my back and respiratory issues don't totally sideline me from wrenching anymore. 

I may not know what the future holds, but I do know one thing:

Subaru sucks.

THOR'S DAY RANT: All of us, not each of us!

 

A lot of modern Christians will tell you that God loves you. They will say that God loves them. There's even a song that proclaims "Jesus loves me, this I know, because the Bible tells me so."

That isn't exactly correct. 

John 3:16 states that "For God so loved the world...". As in all of us. We are part of the world. When those words were written, two thousand years ago, we weren't even around yet. The writings of the apostles, in Greek (because English wasn't a thing yet), describe God living the kosmon, a word that can mean world, universe, or inhabitants of the world.

Think of "world" like "team". Surely you've heard that there's no "I" in team?

Many modern Christians will also tell you that God loves everyone. That's definitely not true.  Proverbs 6 tells us things God hates: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet swift in running to mischief, false witnesses, and anyone who sows discord among brethren. 

The bible also tells us that God hated Esau (Malachi 1:3). 

God surely hated the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)--wiping them from the face of the earth with his wrath. 

Even the book of Revelation (by the same John who wrote God loved the world) tells of what happens when God unleashes his wrath in the future. 

Maybe God does love you, the person reading this. Maybe he only hates some of the things you do: bearing false witness, lying, thinking up evil, and any other wickedness like fornication, murder, and theft. Maybe he otherwise thinks you're swell and is willing to overlook your wickedness.

It is wrong to preach that God is all about hugs and kisses for everyone, overlooking that all of us sin (Romans 3:23) and many of us are just plain evil. Yes, God loved the world so much that He sacrificed His only begotten son (Jesus) to pay the price for our sins, so that we could repent (turn away from sin) and accept God's forgiveness. 

We should never overlook sin and tell anyone that God loves them--we don't know what they do in their private lives or what they think about. We should instead tell people that God wants to love them. That He created them in love.... that He waits to love them. 

God loves ALL of us, not EACH of us. 

Unless he had some major epiphany before he died, it's a sure bet that God didn't love Hitler, or Stalin, or Jeffrey Dahmer, or even Jim Jones. There are lots of people, who, like Esau, have earned God's hatred. The good news though, is that despite what we, or they, have done (or are doing) we don't need God to love us individually to be saved. Christ died for everyone. When he returns, he will gladly accept those who reject sin and accept him as Lord and master, despite any past transgression. 

If you are now evil, or ever have been, God will love you when you accept his son and turn away from sin. Until then, don't kid yourself and keep being evil.