The value of money

Sorry to those of you that read my blog, but the reason I have not written anything in a while is because I haven't really had anything to say on any particular subject until today that is. I was thinking earlier about the value of money. What is money anyway? It is the currency that is used to exchange goods and services between one another. But is there really any value in that ink dyed, green, piece of paper? I mean, the bill itself doesn't hold any value, does it? It is actually the representation of it's value. In other words, we all know that the bill represents a value of currency, based on it's amount. For example, a fifty-dollar bill is worth more that a one dollar bill. But the paper itself, is meaningless. I've read that this concept is what caused the stock market crash of 1929. Some people lost hope in the value of money and panicked. The point that I'm trying to make is that we all value something. Whether it be money, goods, our car, our loved ones. It is the belief in those things that are really worth anything. There is a push by some to do away with money all together. Making our society a moneyless one. With debit cards and credit cards being used more and more, it does seem possible that this could become a reality someday. There is even a push by some to get rid of pennies. They feel that pennies are to much trouble to deal with and that by somehow getting rid of them, our cash society would be benefited by their removal. I don't know that I agree with that idea. I happen to like using cash in certain situations. I also still like taking the time to write out checks and using them to pay bills. But then again, I guess our checks will be the next thing to go.

Baseball season, tax rebates & Sunday

I'm a big baseball fan. Baseball spring training has begun. My favorite team is the Anaheim Angels. But, this year, with Joe Torre (former Angel) as manager of the Dodgers, I may be inclined to check out some Dodger games, even though I am not a fan of their team. But Joe Torre at 67 is going strong and is a proven World Series Manager.

Tax rebates will be out in May so I've heard. They will given to those who had at least $3000.00 in income and have filed a tax return for 2007. So make sure you get yours returned.

The funeral for Randall Simmons, the LAPD SWAT officer that was killed in a shootout last week, was held yesterday. Thousands of officers from around the country including Canada, came to honor the fallen officer. I understand that he was also a reverend and help children in the poorer areas of Los Angeles. Rest in peace, my brother, you will be missed, but all that you did while on earth, will be fondly remembered.

Tomorrow,Sunday, Feb 17, is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Bet you didn't know that. I sure didn't. So be nice to someone on Sunday and perform a random act of kindness. Just make sure the person you do it for is chosen at random. It could be something as simple as visting someone you don't know in the hospital. I'm sure you can come up with something to do. Have a great Saturday.

Mike

Artistic Talent

I have always admired people with artistic talent. I believe that God gives every person at least one talent or more to share with others. I'm glad that he does, because this world with be so boring if we all had the same talent i.e. like the abiility to sing, and that would be it.

My good friend Scott Cuzzo, who I have written about before, is a very talented graphic designer and web designer. http://myllustrationblog.blogspot.com.


ABC news tonight's person of the week was a man by the name of Stephen Wilshire who lives in London. What makes him special is that he is autistic, but since the age of 12, he has been able to look at a landscape, and then draw if from memory. Now that's amazing. He studied Picadilly Square for 10 minutes, and then drew it for the ABC reporter in about an hour. I was totally blown away. Like I've mentioned before, I can't even draw a circle.

So you people with talent, please continue to share it with the world. Whether it be drawing, sports, singing, writing, or whatever. We needs the arts to make our busy lives just a little bit brighter.

Oxnard Jr.High school shooting in a sin filled world

As if the Oxnard junior high school shooting just 10 minutes from Ventura, wasn't bad enough, I just heard on tonight's news that there was another shooting at a University in Illinois. What is going on with people that they can just pull out a gun, and take a life without even thinking twice about it? There is something seriously wrong in our society. Parents should be able to send their kids to school and not have to worry about their safety. Lawrence King, the young man who was shot in the head at the Oxnard, Calif school is now brain dead. He didn't make it. I wonder what was the beef between him and the shooter that was so bad, that he felt he had to kill his victim. I'm sorry to sound so bleak, but come on, we are talking about fourteen year old boys! Face it people, we are living in a sick, sin-filled society, and unfortunately, things are only going to get worse.

At least young Mr. Lawrence's organ's will be donated to others. Even in his death, he was able to help others live. And what about the shooter? Brandon McInerney, will probably end up with life in prison. His life will be wasted at such a young age. I realize people die everyday, but when something like this happens, it is so senseless. It breaks my heart. I lost my daughter Christina, who was only 24, to illness, so I know all about losing a child. But I take comfort knowing that I will see my girl again in heaven one day!

I thank God that Jesus is returning soon, to take those of us who are rightfully his to heaven, and this world will just go on and destroy itself. I personally believe the Rapture will occur soon. The Bible says that this world will be destroyed by fire and recreated the way God intended it to be before sin entered the world. A world where this is no more pain, worry, fear, or bad things happening. At least there is hope. Listen, God does not want anyone to go to hell, but he cannot go back on his laws or his word. If you go to hell, it is because you allowed it to happen. You have to make a choice. A life in heaven living in eternity with God, or living in eternal torment, suffering in hell.

I urge you who are not saved, don't miss out. People, don't get left behind. Romans 10:9 says that "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus if Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." All you have to do is repent of your sins, and ask him to be Lord of your life. Start living for God!

For all of you that don't believe in God or Jesus, and His word, or any of this I am saying, I can only tell you this. If myself and millions of Christians are wrong about the end of the world, then you have nothing to worry about. But think about this- what if we are right and God's word is true? Stay healthy and love one another.

UFO's

Last night, the History Channel ran two great programs on UFO's. I have always been interested in whether they exists or not, and last summer I went to a UFO conference here in Ventura. Preston Dennett, a local UFO researcher since 1986, was one of the speakers. He showed the crowd photos of UFO's and told us many stories about different sightings. Mr. Dennett has written several books about UFO's. It appears that California for some reason has the most sightings by UFO's. They started in the 1940's and the number has increased up until today.

Capt. Robert Salas, another local UFO researcher, who was the second speaker, spoke about being in the air force and he had a UFO appear overhead and 20 nuclear minuteman missiles became inoperable. He wrote a book about it "Faded Giant."

If you do a search on the net for UFO's, you would be astonished by the amount of hits that come back. My questions are: Do you believe in UFO's? Why does the government and the military continually deny their exsistence? They always seem to have some sort of explanations whenever a sighting occurs (which I don't believe).

Whatever they are, I believe they exist. There have been way too many sightings by too many people to deny it. Let's just all be glad that so far none of them have attacked the earth and caused any damage. Are we alone in this universe? It would seem we are not. Until next time, take care of yourself.

Mike

Hot Weather & Crazy Week

This past week has been somewhat crazy for me. I did income tax returns for two people, and working on a third for my daughter. I use the free tax sites from IRS website, http://www.irs.gov. Usually they are very easy to do and follow the instructions, but because my daughter started her own business last year, it is somewhat complicated and causing me headaches. Things like capital gains, losses, etc are beyond me, but I will get through it. Besides, it is good to learn new things.

What's up with this crazy weather we are having here in Ventura? In January it rained, which was nice and we needed it. But the last two days have felt like summer. I believe it was 83 yesterday. I mean hot! I guess I shouldn't complain. The weather is going to do what it is destined to do and I can't change it anyway. Just as long as it doesn't get too hot. I don't like hot weather. My thinking is if the weather is cold, you can always do things to warm up, like using a heater or weather a jacket. But when it is hot, it you have to do things to try and cool off and it usually takes longer, even if you have air conditioning.

I was able to get some reading done this week which is always good. I need to discipline myself and work harder on my writing everyday. I have not been doing that. I need to remind myself to make time everyday to do it. I've heard it takes something like two weeks to develop a habit, the good ones anyway!

Have a great week. Let's hope the weather remains cool. Stay healthy and be kind to one another.

I am trying something new today on my blog. Please take a moment and vote on my question about hot weather. Thanks!

Mike

Tornadoes devastate, but there is hope!

My heart goes out to the people that were affected by the recent tornadoes last Tuesday. I heard at least 55 people were killed. Webster's defines a tornado as "a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped that progresses in a narrow path over the land." Some people call them " an act of God." This could not be further from the truth. It is true that God created this world in six days, however, we are bound by evil satanic forces that control this world for the time being. Adam gave satan rule of everything on this planet when he and Eve sinned against God in the garden of Eden. The good news is that Jesus Christ died for your sins and mine, and by doing so, he regained what was rightfully his-ownership of us and everything in this world! The bible says that Jesus will return to claim what is his at the appointed time. I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait! It is exciting to me. Although I live in constant pain-also attributed to satan and his evil cohorts- I look toward the day described in the book of Revelation. Rev 21:3-5 ESV And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be nor more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former thing shave passed away.

I don't know about you, but that sounds awesome to me. I look forward to a day, life, minute, without any pain anymore, and nothing but people loving one another and worshipping God, the father. It gives me hope. Until next time, stay healthy and happy.

Mike

Another dead whale on our coast

So what is up with all these deads whales washing up on our shores here in Ventura? The lastest one was a gray whale about three days ago. Last year, three whales did the same thing. I believe one was a larger blue whale. Experts who study these animals could not come up with an explanation as to what was causing their deaths. Some possible explanations were the animals were stuck by large ships, or even that sonar used by the U.S. Navy might have been responsible. These were just guesses. I do not know for sure, but I think it is a shame if their deaths are being caused by man. Natural causes, I can understand, but it just all seems so strange to me.

This whale will be moved from the shore, cut up into smaller pieces, and buried in the Santa Barbara dump. Last year, they buried one of the whales along the beach, but the sand eroded and they had to eventually bury it in a dump also. This involved a major costs, but I guess they learned this time not to repeat there mistakes and just putting the remains in a landfill. Let hope that there is a logical explanation for their deaths, and not some sort of disease that will wipe out most of them on our coast. Nothing compares to the sight of watching these beautiful animals as they swim along our coast. Until next time, take care of yourselves.

Mike

Forgetfullness

Oops! I was so busy these past few days that I completely forgot all about my blog! Man, I mean the last time I wrote in it was the day before I was going to the hospital to have my heart checked out. Thank God the doctor told me that everything was fine and that I had no blockages. I am happy about that. My good friend Scott Cuzzo, took me to the hospital at 5 in the morning! What a trooper. I can't say enough about how great a guy and talented he is. To know him is really a treasure.

But today I want to write about forgetfullness. Everyone forgets something at times. It all depends on certain factors. Mine happens to be all the prescription drugs I have to take for my pain. I know this because my doctor told me so. Age is another factor, but I am not that old! Also, a person can get so busy in this life, and have so many things they have to get done, that sometimes we just down right forget simple things. But whatever the reason might be, I hope you truly take the time out of your day to let those close to you know that you love them. Make it a priority. Sometimes people get sick and pass away suddenly and you didn't get a chance to tell them goodbye or even to say," I love you." Don't let that happen to you.

My son is a great example of kindness and love to me and those who know him. He always tells me that he loves me whenever he leaves my apartment after visting me. Or when we talk on the phone, he makes sure he says it before he hangs up. I always respond with I love you, but it is just so nice to hear, and it doesn't cost you anything but a moment of your time. So go on. Make someone's day today, and tell them that you love them, and really mean it. This world would be such a better place if we all practiced this. Besides, Jesus commanded us to do it. He is the perfect example of love. God bless you in everything you do and stay well.

Mike