This Pilgrim's Progress

Latest Bear News

Here's the latest on "Bruno", the rampaging brown bear, in Der Spiegel:

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,420106,00.html

The latest is that the local WWF (World Wildlife Federation)  flew in a bear trap from Denver to try and catch Bruno, aka JJ1, humanely without killing him.  But he seems to be a pretty smart and wary bear, and I don't think that kind of trap will work on him.  It doesn't even work that well with our bears, only the young cubs and yearlings who haven't been exposed to them before.

Avian Flu - the next plague??

Hugh Hewitt had a huge segment yesterday on the Avian Flu. He's convinced that it's a real threat. He was bouncing off an article from the Washington Post about Avian Flu. He asked his audience if we were afraid. I thought that was a bit over the top!! There's so much to fear in this life that we don't need to look for new stuff. It sounds like the health community and our government are keeping a close watch on this virus.

Life IS precious and very fragile. That fact should drive every Christian to a renewed reliance on the Lord and trust in his soveriegn grace.

Hugh said he wasn't trying to be an alarmist, but he sure is sounding like one. Remember all the doom and gloom crowd predicting the "end of life as we know it" from the Y2K issue?? I sure do. No don't waste your time on unreasoning fear, spend your energy on prayer, the scriptures, fellowship of the saints, and all the spirtual disciplines we need to help us through life's travails.

Lance Armstrong

Looks like the French are determined to trash Lance Armstrong's reputation. The French newspaper L'Equipe published an investigative article where they claim they have proof that Lance used EPO in 1999.

A lab used some "B" samples from 1999 to test their new lab procedures for detecting EPO. Some of the samples tested positive, but the lab says there is no way to trace the samples to the original athlete. L'Equipe claims they were able to make the connection, but we know how easy it is to falsify that kind of  "evidence".

Of course it's a complete fabrication, the French just hate the idea that the best cycle athlete in the world is an American from Texas!! L'Equipe is owned by the same parent company that runs the Tour de France. You'd think they'd realize that trashing Lance's rep will just succeed in trashing the reputation of the Tour, not to mention the whole sport of cycling.

I'm not a huge fan of Lance as a person, but I respect him and his accomplishments as an athlete. He's done much to generate a lot of interest in this country for the Tour and cycling in general. It's a shame to see French chauvinism at work in trashing this man's hard-earned reputation as a world-class athlete.

Stay tuned for more details.  In the meantime check out Lance's web site: http://www.lancearmstrong.com/

Spring has Sprung

It's a beautiful day in Southern California. Bright sunny day with just a bit of coolness in the breeze. Makes it hard to go back to work. I usually don't get to see what it's like outside during the day while I'm working, since "they" keep me in a windowless office. But the water is out in our building today, so I've had to walk about a half a block to another building for breaks. The family was planning to go surfing, good idea!! That's the nice thing about home-schooling, when the students AND the teacher have Spring fever, you can do something about it!!! Meanwhile, I'm slaving away and making periodic 50 yard dashes to the restroom. The sacrifices that fathers' make for their families!!!!

Iraqi Elections

The left doesn't quite know what to do with itself, after the very successful Iraqi elections this weekend.  Kerry was blathering away about "overhyping" the election...what dreck!!! These people bravely faced death threats and fear to experience the democratic process of voting. We need to continue to pray for these people and our military and our countries' leaders.  To God belongs the Glory, amen!

Meditations on Mosul

The events of the week, especially the attack in Mosul, have been a sobering reminder of the price that is paid for Freedom. A chaplain has posted his impressions after the attack, it is a riveting read and illustrates the very human side of the price. We should not be discouraged, but instead steel our resolve and pray for the brave men and women serving in harm's way.

The Advent season reminds us of the humble human origins of our Savior, and the price he was willing to pay to bring his people salvation and everlasting life. Even though his sacrifice insures our salvation, that doesn't mean we will have a life with no travail. On the contrary, life's troubles may increase, especially if we are experiencing persecution, since the Holy Spirit uses our experiences to conform us to Christ's image.

In this season contemplate on the Cross, and pray for our brave warriors fighting for the cause of Freedom.

Avast Ye Landlubbers & Bilge-Rats!!

September 19 is the International Talk Like A Pirate Day(Arrrr)!! This idea was invented by two scurvy knaves who 'ad too much time on thar' hands an' too much grog in thar' bilge!! There's an official Web site as well as a Talk Like A Pirate blog, so check them out for details on this important holiday. They even have a section on their web site for Junior Pirates! The best part of this site is the English-to-Pirate-Translator, check it out! The site also has exhaustive links to all stuff Piratical on the internet (appropriate, eh!). So, get a'board matey's, hoist th' mainsail an' come a'buccaneering w'd yer feller shipmates, Arrrr!

Family Vacation

We will be on vacation from August 6 through August 29, 2004. Our family will be camping at Yellowstone NP for a week, then we'll go on up to Glacier NP and camp for another week. I am looking forward to it very much!!