Tandem Vincitur

by Olivern “Olie” Dithmar Isaacson
(Jan 8, 1926 - Jul 17, 2007)

My most sincere wish for this Christmas day,
is that souls that are lost may find their way.
And that the hungry around me somehow be fed.
For the weary, I wish a pillow for resting their head.

For the hungry of spirit, I would seek as my goal,
that they should find satisfying food for their soul.
And for those who would long for a child today,
I wish them the laughter of children at play.

For those without love, who need love to find,
I wish someone to love them, who is thoughtful and kind.
And if there is someone without a song in their heart,
I wish that a melody within them would start.

For the homeless among us, who are sad and alone,
I wish them friendship and love, in a comfortable home.
And I wish the satisfaction of unselfish giving,
for those with a surplus in their daily living.

May the love that’s within us be spread all around,
and our spirit of giving in abundance be found.
Then, because we’ve responded in this positive way,
the Christ of Christmas will be honored today.

A few days ago, I received an email that was forwarded with a message from a pastor. I do not remember his name, so we will call him Pastor Salvation Only. His message was he never gets involved in political issues because his mission is the gospel of Jesus Christ. According to him, the people sent a message loud and clear in this 2008 election, they are looking for Jesus Christ. He gave two examples, one was we have abused credit and now the people voted for Obama in repentance for their financial excesses. The other example I do not remember. He then went on to rebuff pastors that get off the track of preaching salvation through Jesus Christ and that now, because the people are truly looking for Jesus Christ, that is our only mission.

Pastor Salvation Only is very wrong. In fact, he is part of the problem. The Bible tells us clearly that man is not looking for God, as Pastor Salvation Only claims (Isa 64:7, Rom 3:11). While there are several admonitions to seek after God, the Bible tells us man may tip his hat to God while seeking his own way (Isa 58, Jer 7). Pastor Salvation Only is wrong, in that this election was not a declaration that man is looking for Jesus Christ, or looking for repentance. This election was a declaration that man is looking for a messiah, a rock star, a leader who will make them feel good about themselves, a leader who will bring change, without requiring them to change their lifestyles - or repentance.
(more…)

By Renee Johnson (my sister), Nov 2002.

Thanksgiving to me is a lifestyle, not just one day of celebrating the abundance we enjoy with the people that we love.  It is continually reflecting and giving thanks for all God’s goodness and grace.  We may not have all that we want, but God has promised to provide all that we need (Php 4:19).  Am I truly thankful for the way God has provided for me, or am I complaining about what I don’t have or cannot do?  Am I jealous that my neighbor is prosperous while my finances are going down the tubes at a rather fast rate?  Do I truly see the blessings God gives to me each day?

These are the thoughts I ponder daily.  God, in His great mercy, lovingly shows me His ways and His plans for what my life is all about, and what to truly be thankful for.  I am thankful that the struggles of this life will not last forever, and that this is not my home. Lamentations 3:21-26 says, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion’s never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.’  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
(more…)

Reprinted from an article by Dean Isaacson 10 Feb 2008.

“So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered — in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” [Dan 6:6-10 NIV]
(more…)

By Dennis Justice

Went to the Portland gun show Friday, 11/21.  Hadn’t been there for several years. So there things were a bit different than I remembered.

On the scene at 11:15 AM.  Ticket windows weren’t open until Noon.  Was just about to leave to find some coffee.  Turned around, looked, and the lobby was PACKED with people.  About that time a security guard had us split up into 3 lines.  Finally got tickets, went outside to have a smoke.  By then the line waiting to get in was not only out the door, but all the way to the next building and beyond.

This show isn’t as big as it used to be.  But there was a LOT of stuff there.  Quite a bit that I wasn’t expecting.  Manufacturers of AR15s, FALs, etc. cannot keep up with the orders they are taking.  So was surprised at the quantity available.  And the prices hadn’t gone through the roof as expected.  That probably won’t last.

There are a couple outfits that sell lots of hand guns at this show.  They were selling LOTS of hand guns.  Lines of people waiting to do paperwork.Reloading components were there, but much thinner than years past.  I didn’t see what I specifically was looking for.  Glad I didn’t really need anything.

The big news was the ammo sellers.  Three outfits with BIG displays.  Didn’t even try to see what they had early on.  They were MOBBED.  Ammo was leaving that show by the hand truck and 4 wheel dolly load.  Interestingly, the guys buying the most ammo were my age (59) and older.  Must be the 3 percenters.

When the doors opened at noon, people flooded the place.  You could move down the aisles, but it was crowded.  By 3:00 half the crowd was gone with most of the ammo.  By 5:00 the ammo vendors were calling their suppliers hoping to replenish stocks.  Remember, this was the first day of a 3-day show.  A Friday.  A work day.

This may have been the real election day of 2008.

Obama is screening political appointments based upon gun ownership. Here is question fifty-nine of his sixty-three question application:

According to most political pundits, including members of the 2000 Bush transition team, this question is unprecedented. Half-joking, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) suggested the question was to save Obama from a Dick Cheney style hunting accident embarrassment. However, even Matt Bennett, who did a stint at Americans for Gun Safety and now is employed at the Democratic think tank Third Way noted that only a small percentage of guns are ever used improperly and said, “It strikes me as overly lawyerly.”
(more…)

The 12 November issue of Adam Wilson’s blog at The Olympian begins with, “If you want a pick-me-up do not read the latest state revenue report. It’s a smorgasbord of negative numbers.” Then he continues with a list of lowered collections for Washington State tax revenues. I am sure he speaks for the majority when he expresses his concern over State monies. Not long ago, I would have thought the majority of people were more concerned with their own financial condition than they were with the State, but now I am having second thoughts.

You can see almost anything you want on YouTube. Most of us have seen the video of the Obama supporter who was elated with the election results because now she does not have to worry about how she is going to pay for her gas and her mortgage.
(more…)

By the Washington Federation of Republican Women

WHEREAS, Sarah Palin was elected Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and Governor of the State of Alaska where she served with integrity and earned the respect of her constituents and peers; and

WHEREAS, on September 3, 2008, delegates to the Republican National Convention unanimously nominated Sarah Palin as their candidate for Vice President of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Governor Palin is an honorable and capable woman, well able to lead our Nation as Vice President; and

WHEREAS, certain members of the print media, television and radio talk show hosts saw fit to challenge Governor Palin’s character, faith, and experience and attempted to denigrate and humiliate Governor Palin and her family: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington Federation of Republican Women (WFRW) condemns the actions and words of those individuals and entities that initiated and perpetrated personal attacks on Governor Palin and her family; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the WFRW demands apologies to Governor Palin from those guilty of the slanderous and mean spirited attacks upon the Governor and her family; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the WFRW convey to Governor Palin its support of her candidacy and declaration that the aforementioned actions are outrageous and unacceptable; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that WFRW conveys to Sarah Palin its best wishes for her future endeavors and thanks her for her exemplary service to our country.

Submitted by Mary Jane Aurdal, 2nd Vice President
Washington Federation of Republican Women

Passed at the WFRW Biennial Convention, November 8, 2008
Yakima, Washington

He was known as the Tuba Man. The bearded man in the glasses and funny hat who played the Tuba for fans outside the city sports arenas. When the team won, the tunes were cheerful; when they lost, he played a dirge. He had his own fans too; people that looked for him after the games. Some brought him food, some brought trinkets and souvenirs. My sister was one of them. She always made sure he had some money.

Edward McMichaels was in my sister’s class at King’s Garden. The class of ‘73; the year after mine. He was the slow-going guy with the unique drawl. Sometimes we razzed him for it and he played along with us. I don’t think he took himself too seriously. He remembered everything and wherever he went, he had a pile of books in tow - or a tuba.

Ed and I played in the band together. We were the only players in the high school band who were in the junior high - and we were to only ones playing tubas. Ed played bass tuba and I played the sousaphone - that’s the one that wraps around the player. I was a ninety pound kid playing a fifty pound tuba and we both received plenty of razzing from the other members, but I think they were jealous because we were so young.

Just after midnight, on October twenty-fifth, a handful of young thugs surrounded Ed, kicking and beating him with the intention to rob him. I don’t think he had much money. His greatest wealth was his love for people, but the thugs weren’t looking for that. After spending a couple days in the hospital, he went home - and died.

It would be nice if I told you I had kept touch with him all these years and that his death will be a great loss to me. But I have kept in touch with few from my high school days - and I don’t go to games. Nonetheless, his death is a great loss to me because I know Ed touched many lives for good and even though I have not seen him in years, all my memories of him are good and I cannot reconcile the waste of kicking this man to death for the spare change and the power of brutality.

Ed, I hope you stood firm in your faith in Jesus Christ all these years and I hope to see you in heaven.

Yesterday, a friend stopped by the shop to visit. He has four sons and a daughter, all are high school age and above. These are smart kids; they work hard, they study hard and they make good friends. They were home schooled, for the most part.

He told me a story about his eldest son, who is in college and has befriended a Muslim. One day, his son and the friend  were visiting the multicultural center at the Muslim’s request. Of course, everyone in the center, working or visiting, is black. His son was the only white face to be seen.

While traveling on the elevator, the son and the Muslim were debating the presidential campaign and the son conceded McCain was the lesser of two evils. At that point, the elevator stopped and six burly black guys came aboard.

As the door closed, the Muslim asked the son, “So, you really think Obama is evil?”
(more…)

By Cory Miller

Mr. Obama,

Given the uproar about the simple question asked you by Joe the plumber, and the persecution that has been heaped on him because he dared to question you, I find myself motivated to say a few things to you myself. While Joe aspires to start a business someday, I already have started not one, but 4businesses. But first, let me introduce myself. You can call me ‘Cory the well driller’. I am a 54 year old high school graduate. I didn’t go to college like you, I was too ready to go ‘conquer the world’ when I finished high school. 25 years ago at age 29, I started my own water well drilling business at a time when the economy here in East Texas was in a tailspin from the crash of the early 80’s oil boom. I didn’t get any help from the government, nor did I look for any. I borrowed what I could from my sister, my uncle, and even the pawn shop and managed to scrape together a homemade drill rig and a few tools to do my first job. My businesses did not start as a result of privilege. They are the result of my personal drive, personal ambition, self discipline, self reliance, and a determination to treat my customers fairly. From the very start my business provided one other (than myself) East Texan a full time job. I couldn’t afford a backhoe the first few years (something every well drilling business had), so I and my helper had to dig the mud pits that are necessary for each and every job with hand shovels. I had to use my 10 year old, 1/2 ton pickup truck for my water tank truck (normally a job for at least a 2 ton truck).
(more…)