Opus 2026-352: On the Road: Turn the Coin Over

I just returned from a road trip.  At the turn-around point I spent three full days in dialogue with my MAD (Mid-Acts Dispensationalism, his acronym not mine) friend.  I use the term “dialogue” a bit tongue in cheek but it will suffice.

It was three days of frustration and well as three days of stimulation.

The frustration comes from trying to understand someone who has a very narrow understanding of the Bible and who seems at times to be bordering on heresy if not fully commited to nonsense.  We have some basic foundational differences that are hard to get beyond.  I believe that the central point of scripture is the cross followed by the resurrection.  He is adamant that the entire Bible is about the restoration of Israel in the final age.  I believe that Paul meant all scripture in II Timothy 3:16 while he maintains that if Paul did not write it then it does not really apply to us.

The stimulation comes from being forced to reinvestigate my memory and assumptions.  So far I have not found myself in error on the foundations.  I have in the process had sudden serendipity moments when I see things I had not noticed.  This usually happened as he droned on after saying, “Will you let me finish my sentence?”  Unfortunately his sentence is a run-on that sets new records in how long you can speak without taking a breath.  I also found that when he would cast some pejorative accusation I would start by denying it and, as I found out what he meant, realized that his put down was a back handed compliment.  At first I denied being into “replacement theology”.  When I learned what he meant I embraced the concept and began to explore it.

My family wonders why I continue.  I sometimes ask myself the same question.  That is because they only see the frustration side while I have both.  We all can benefit by someone who does not agree with us.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-345: On the Road: Off the Road

Home at last.  Two weeks on the road is enough to make you appreciate home more than ever. As an introvert, a road trip can be torture if someone else is with you.  There is no place to hide. The female questions keep coming and sometimes an answer is expected.  How did I feel about the trip?  How do you summarize the variety of feelings emerging over two weeks?

Two weeks on the road help to remind me of what a great country we have both in size and in quality.  At one point we had a three hour drive and most of the way we saw no evidence of humanity except for fences and an occasional cell tower and of course the road.  We saw little box houses next to spreading ranch style homes.  Macho hot dogs would try to run us down and the next minute someone is totally polite.  In short periods of time you can go from arid flatland to hilly forests.  In the middle of the sage you come across irrigation systems that hover over lush fields.

The fools that worried about over population need to get out more and drive from central Texas to central Wyoming.  Of course such people might not notice that most of it is empty.  Those who worry about the world starving would hopefully notice that the lack of food is political, not potential.  Water can make the desolate productive.

All that said, it is good to be home at last.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-338: On the Road: Vocabulary Lessons

Travel broadens.  If I had been at home I would have missed this news item of national significance.  I was taking advantage of our motel’s breakfast which had the down side that I was forced to listen to the morning news.  At least it was Fox instead of CNN.

The news had to do with a man who was chased and tossed by a bison.  Most of us would have called it a buffalo but tha is not technically collect.  Somehow Bison Bill Cody would not have the same ring.  It was full of great advice like stay away from buffalo bulls during mating season.

The greatest line was the guy from the government who told us, “You have to give them respect.”  No.  Woke choice of words.  I don’t give a bison respect.  I just keep my distance and make allowance for him being an animal.  That is a long way from giving respect.  

Our language is being attacked by the deconstructionist philosophy which is based on removing meaning from words.  It was rampannt in the textbooks I had to use when I was teaching.  It is migrating into common language.  When you take “respect” and apply it to an animal you remove the idea of looking up to values and powers that are above you.  It is a first step to removing God from His throne and sin from our voaculary.  

Respect that which deserves it.  Run away from blind animal rage.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-364: On the Road: Claim to Fame

One of the landmarks in our area is called the Moe Schwab Recycling Center.  I have noticed this repeatedly as I drive.  It has a sign on the road that looks like it official government issue.

I have no idea who Moe Schwab is or was.  I found his obituary and all I could glean from it was that he was an iconic member of our community.

I guess it is always good to have something named after you.

RIP

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-356: On the Road: So Fire Me

On my recent trip to Reno there was a pattern.  On three of the four legs of my journey we were told that they had crew members who are not there so we have to wait.  Are airline employees exempt from being on time?  Is there any penalty they pay for being late?  Have they relaxed standards because of woke policies?

When you are forced to immerse yourself in the pool of humanity you notice the results of increasing numbers of people living like the rules only apply to the peasants, not to their august selves.  My mouth stands open at the size of the suitcases being crammed into overhead compartments.  People save seats that are supposed to be open.  On boarding many ignore the expected order.  Outside the terminal people just sit in their cars blocking access to those who have travelers sitting on the curb.  You know the kinds of things I am talking about.  Because people refuse to follow the rules that are in place or ignore common courtesy, new and more restrictive rules are put in place.  Of course those are ignored by the same people.

What really digs into my soul is the awareness that I may need to join them in their behavior.  I am not sure what the benefit is if I stand back and let them run amok.  I probably need to come to the place where I accept the concept of common law based on precedent.  If our culture has declared that I can take two parking spaces so my doors don’t get scratched then maybe I owe it to society to cooperate.  I don’t think there is anything in the Bible about double parking or having 20 items in the 15 item line.

Will I be able to live with myself?

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-272: On the Road: More Government Help

If you have driven on the interstate outside of major cities, you have seen the signs telling you what is available at the next off-ramp.  The foundation is gas, lodging and food.  Sometimes they add attractions.  It’s actually very helpful because often the off-ramp comes up before you can see what is there.

We are so used to this at this point that we forget the way in which local business used to show us what they had to offer.  It was called billboards or outdoor advertising.  There are still a few that do this.  If you are into the Buc-ee’s road side stops then you will know that they start telling you 50, 60, 70 miles ahead of time that they are coming up.  On my recent trip there was one sign telling us that the next Buc-ee’s was over 500 miles ahead.

With typical federal arrogance these were frequently removed by Lady Bird Johnson as she tried to beautify America.  Every first lady has a cause, her’s was removing advertising.  She probably improve the vision at certain places, but she certainly made it harder to drive across country.  Into the vacuum created by federal bureaucracy stepped another federal bureaucracy.  Keep in mind that these signs telling you what is available at the next offramp have to be paid for some how and put up by someone and maintained by someone else. What used to be up to local entrepreneurs has become a federal program.

As in most federal programs, they tend to be the most advantageous to the big companies.  I don’t know what it cost to have your name or logo put on the signs but it’s probably the same amount for McDonald’s at is it is for Uncle Joe’s Beanery.  Who gets the biggest advantage?

The nose of the federal camel knows no boundaries. It intrudes in places that you would never think about, including your lunch stop.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-271: On the Road: Betrayed and Lied To

As I crossed into the state of Arkansas there was a large sign that informed me the speed limit would be strictly enforced and the Arkansas had a no tolerance policy.

I was willing to accept that.  As I get older one of the benefits of retirement is that I have few deadlines.  I’m quite willing to drive the speed limit or close to it.  Two or 3 miles over I don’t think of as being a case of tolerance.  It’s just that no one could measure that close.  Generally out on the open road where people can pass me, I will drive a couple miles slower than the speed limit and put it on cruise control.

I found out that they lied.  I don’t believe I saw any tickets being written.  I was being passed on a regular basis by people obviously not concerned about the speed limit.

Where are we when we can’t trust the state of Arkansas?  I wasn’t in Washington DC.  I wasn’t in New York.  I wasn’t in California.  I was headed for Illinois, but that was a problem for a future day.  To say that I was shattered, would be a big exaggeration.  But I was certainly disappointed.

I would suggest that if you have out-of-state license plates, though, that you take their promises seriously.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-259: On the road: Home on the Range

It almost seemed like Texas followed me up to Michigan.  The sun was coming up somewhere.  With the cloud cover I can’t tell which direction is east.  It’s 72° and there’s a nice breeze blowing.  Seems like what I left behind.

There are differences.  Everything is wet here in Michigan.  The grass is everywhere and is very green.  I can look between two houses across the street and see a lake.  Driving here I passed a couple other lakes. Gas costs an arm and a leg.  Of course, if you were coming from California, you might think it was cheap.

Travel broadens.  It shows possibilities.  It shows success and failure.  It reminds of how blessed we are.

Get out and take a trip while you still can.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-256: On the Road: A Revelation

The jury is in.  I am not a coffee snob.  Of course I’m the only person on the jury, but I am the only one making the accusation.  I have been on the road for two weeks.  During that time I have had much of the spectrum of coffee brews.  At one end you have a coffee which my sister-in-law makes where she puts in about half of what would be needed and let it sit for hours.  On the other end was Starbucks imitation of burnt charcoal.  I have drunk it all in good humor.  I refuse none of it.  I have generally had more than one cup.

I am not a coffee snob.  I am a coffee drinker for the nations.

That being said, I have never been accused of having a discerning palate.  That might be part of the reason why I can drink just about anything.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-252: On the Road: Off the Road

My two week odyssey has finally come to an end.  I always enjoy the open road with vistas and a variety of homes.  I try to avoid big towns.  There is something about them that stifles the spirit.  The last hour coming through Austin and into the San Antonio area were almost smothering.  

Due to my age I am not trying to make a lot of miles in a day.  When left to myself I will keep it to 250-300.  That translates into 5 to 6 hours of driving if I don’t do any side trips.  When I got word of my brother’s death I pushed on to a 12 hour day but I would not recommend it.

Now back to my regular grind and the joy of my own grandchildren.  Other people’s are nice but they don’t compare.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-246: On the Road: Complaints

I mentioned the app that my son set up for making hotel reservations.  Part of the adventure on this app is exploring the comments left by previous travelers.  Generally, I find the comments totally useless.  He told me that the comments on the app were more accurate than the ones found on the search engine because the people on the app actually paid for a night at the motel.  I’m not so sure about that.

For instance, you have one who complains about how filthy and run down the place was.  The next talks about how clean and well appointed it was.  Occasionally you get somebody complaining about bedbugs and they are one out of 400 comments.  No one else seems to have seen those pests.  I especially liked the one who complained about the managers being racist because his credit card was refused.  What was his solution?  Give him a room based on his good looks?  Then you have one person who says the check-in was pleasant, quick and courteous.  The next has nothing but complaints.

It’s still comes down to a crap-shoot.  You can’t even tell from the outside of the motel what it’s going to be like inside.  One I stayed at look like a real dump from the outside but the room was spacious, well appointed, clean, and a pleasant place to stay.

The adventure continues.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-243: On the Road: Reservations

Since I was driving cross country I decided to add to the adventure.  I had my son set me up with an app to make reservations at motels.  At present I am still learning how it works.  I hope I don’t have a lot of surprises when I get home.

As you go down all the clicks and questions they give you the option to filter what they show you be certain priorities in your life.  One of the filters involves air conditioning.  Do they really have hotels that don’t have A/C any more?  

Then I got to the part where they wanted to know if it was important that they were LGBQT? friendly.  I wonder what that’s supposed to be about.  Are there hotels that ask you if you are straight before they give you a room?  I can see concern about pets and smoking.  I could even see questions about being a serial killer.  I am not sure why I would care if they have a warm spot for homosexuals and men who wear dresses.

I guess I am just old fashioned.  I can live with that.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-241: One the Road: Off-Ramps

I am currently on the road.  It is a big, beautiful country.  The occasion is a serious illness in the family which resulted in the death of my brother.  It was not a shock that it happened but he went down hill faster than we expected.  

Traveling through Arkansas is full of double-takes.  One of the off-ramp’s had the name Gum Springs.  I assume it is the name of a town or at least a wide spot in the road.  I wonder about the history of that place.  Do you think they have a local brand of bottled water?

I was not curious enough to exit and find out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-240: On the Road: Good Day

Some excuses are better than others.

I think I mentioned I was on the road.  I was traveling up to my brothers house and I was going to try and see him in the hospital.  He died when I was still about 400 miles away.

I don’t offer this as an excuse.  It is just a way to explain why I have not been real consistent over the last few days.  I changed plans and course at 3:00 in the afternoon and ended up driving12 hours to get here.  Even sleeping later than usual I am the first one up, and I have a front porch to sit on and see a lake between two houses.

I don’t know which way I’m facing.  The sun is not quite up, but the sky is light.  In spite of my ignorance, God is here.  The entire family up here is in love with Jesus and so while it’s hard to lose someone, we are all living in the Hope with a resurrection to come.

It really makes a difference.

Opus 2024-197: On the Road: Observations

I have been driving from Texas to Kansas City.  I deliberately avoided the Interstates and managed to find other routes.  I have been far from densely packed cities and the land is green, lush and mostly overgrown.  What surprised me was the lack of wildlife.  So far the only wild animals I’ve seen are two Chihuahuas and one turtle.

Skylines are interesting.  In eastern Oklahoma I noticed that at times they are disfigured by windmills.  I guess we should be grateful for how few of them are to be seen.

Motel Six is not a universally identical organization.  The one I stayed in on my last trip in Oklahoma was clean, well run and gave a veterans discount.  The one in Paris, Texas was a hang out for local road workers.  There is nothing wrong with road workers but when I pulled in they were sitting out in front of the rooms drinking beer and the parking lot look like a destruction derby.  When I got up the next morning to leave there was a mysterious man walking around in the parking lot at six in the morning.  He waved to me so he must’ve been OK.

It pays to stay alert.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-303: On the Road: Thoughts Generated by Headlights

Sunday night we returned from a multi-generational family outing.  We went to a small town about two hours north to see a re-creation of the Biblical nativity.  It was called “Main Street Bethlehem”.  The local Baptist church had been doing this for about 30 years and had a small section of Bethlehem recreated with genuine stone buildings.  It was a real labor of love.  They had church members playing the parts of residents and Roman occupiers.  Watching my grandchildren brought back memories of taking our children to a similar event.

The globalists want to destroy all this type of thing.  

It isn’t just a war against religion.  It is a war against liberty.  As we were driving up and back it occurred to me that all those people pushing the green agenda and bug-burgers have a target on every automobile in America.  The idea behind the 15 minute city is to keep you throttled and unable to move.  They want to cut down your options so you are easier to control.  As I watched the multitude of private vehicles on the road and the number of people who had gathered to this event, I realized what is at stake.  

What that means is making serfs out of the population.  Historically the difference between a peasant and a serf was that the serf could not go more that a short distance from home without the permission of his lord.  Peasants were also at the bottom of the social ladder but had more freedom.  Groups like the WEF and Sierra Club don’t just want to keep you poor.  They want to control you.  It isn’t about money.  It is about power.

Older people remember the feeling of emancipation that came from getting a drivers license.  Eventually you got a job so you could afford your own car.  It represented freedom, responsibility and was a big step toward being independent.  The elites hate that idea.  They want you to be bound by the schedule of public transportation.  They want to be able to deny that transportation either by a digital pass that can be cancelled or a master switch which turns the whole thing off.  The idea of having your own car, run by gas you purchased from a local businessman and guided by you is anathema to them.  

I don’t know it they are clever enough to have plotted it, but the current generation seems to be more concerned with the latest phone than the independence of a driver’s license.  They would rather walk around looking at an electronic device than move in the real world.  They live in a world of virtual reality that is much easier to manipulate than the streets of the city.

All this thinking just from going on an outing with the family.  I have too much time to think.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-144: On the Road: Refreshing Question

Last night when I checked into a motel I got a blast from the past.

I was asked if I wanted “smoking” or “non-smoking”.  I was under the impression that such questions were never asked any more because tobacco had been banned from most of the civilized world.

I was wrong.

It was a nice feeling.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-143: On the Road: Highway of Hope

Yesterday I drove north through Texas into Oklahoma.  People are out and moving, at least in this part of the country.  Buc-ee’s, a Texas based maga-gas stop, was bustling.  Even the cops were out.

What encouraged me was a lack of a sense of desperation.  If we ever come to the states going their own way, I think Texas will be okay.  I saw lots of farm land being farmed and cows enjoying the rain soaked grass.  There was also a lot of land that seemed to be fallow.  I don’t know enough about farming to know if it was useful for food production or not but it was fenced and owned.  We may not be able to feed Austin if things go south, but then, I am not sure we would want to feed Austin.  A better plan would be to surround the city, load everyone in cattle trucks and ship them to California.

I think much of the country will go on as usual.  

I found that uplifting.

homo unius libri

Opus 2022-136: On the Road: Off the Road

I just returned from my uncle’s 90th birthday celebration.  It turned into a family reunion and it was of the best sort.  My brothers came and I was able to at least say hello to all the cousins I remember.  There was a constant medley of different types of foods and plenty of tables to sit at.  Someone had games and who knows what else for the children too young to care about relatives.  It was a good day and a good trip.  The whole journey took about five days.

One of the great things about events like this is I can relax and tell all my stories without worrying about whether I have told them before.  People there were too polite to correct me, to forgetful to know it was better this time or had never heard it before.  Paradise for old geezers.  A whole day without being concerned about my memory, at least as long as I keep circulating.

homo unius libri

Opus 2021-339: On the Road: Again

I am on the road again.  The grandchildren and Christmas are calling.  Last Tuesday my wife informed me that it was 3:25 A.M., yes that A.M., and she could not sleep any more.  We were on the road by 4:15.  We made about 750 miles.  It was a long day.

It was not as beautiful as the trip before Thanksgiving.  The colors had done what colors do and faded into shades of gray and green.  It is still a spectacular drive.  What a big, beautiful and bold country we live in.  The sense of freedom that comes from getting in a car and driving long distances without border checks and required ID is something that I think few liberals ever experience.  They need to get out more.  The vast tracts of almost empty countryside with obviously thriving forests and fields would disrupt their sense of overpopulation and fear of the destruction of our natural resources.  Maybe they know that and stay in their gated communities for that reason.  It makes it easier to tell people what is good for them when you are sheltered from reality.

I digress.

We took a different route this time.  Instead of heading north through Mississippi and Alabama we went east along the coast to the Florida Panhandle before we headed north.  I was really impressed by Mobile.  The city skyline was unique and the vistas presented of the bay and ocean were almost breathtaking.  I say almost because I am a hard sell.  After an overnight in the Pensacola area we headed north through the secondary roads of Georgia to Savannah.  We saw a lot of small towns we would like to go back to and roam what the tofu class would call “old town” that were still functioning.  We talked to a lot of great people and saw a multitude of small businesses and factories.  America is still alive and well when you get away from the Democrat run fest-pools.  

Signs are everywhere telling us masks are required.  For every sign there is a crowd of citizens who are ignoring them.  It was refreshing.  I almost felt like I was in the middle of a revolution.  It wasn’t until we got to Virginia that we began to see large numbers of people wearing muzzles, even when they were not required.  Virginians need a vocabulary lesson.  Recommended does not mean the same as required.  They also need to be reminded of the difference between citizen and subject.

I am delighting in my grandchildren.  It is nice being around my daughter and her husband but that pales compared to the little ones.  My granddaughter informed me that she did not put the balls on the Christmas tree but she did help hang the ornaments.  When asked if she was excited about her grandparents coming she shared that it would be wonderful.  

Merry Christmas.  Since we are now installed in our condo I may get around to writing and posting.  If I don’t do much I am sure that all of us will still enjoy the blessings of the Incarnation.

homo unius libri