Jeske's Law

Mourning the Loss of the Good Old Days at RS

Tim — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:22:42 +0000

I can remember the days when I would accompany my beloved to the Mall — any Mall would do — and would dutifully follow around behind her through the girly girl shoppes (with a “pes”) for a reasonable length of time. At some point I would give her a hug and say, “You’ll find me in the Radio Shack.”

I loved browsing the Radio Shack with all the fancy new electronic innovations, computers and audio equipment. It was great to stand around and talk about audio and RF signal strength and watts per channel. I could have worked for Tandy Corp (parent corp for Radio Shack) at one time but was too impoverished to move to Texas, but that’s another story.

Yesterday, I made some adjustments to our modest entertainment center and needed to get an inexpensive, no-frills power amplifier. I went over to RS and it was like a foreign country. Neither of the fresh-faced sales-force personnel knew what I was talking about. A look of exasperation must have masked my face because a kindly older customer took up my part and calmly explained to the children what it was that I needed. ”We don’t have anything like that,” was the response. I looked around the store and realized that it didn’t resemble anything I had ever seen in a RS before. It’s almost all cell phones and accessories and little gadgets.

“Whatever happened to the old Radio Shack?”, I bemoaned. My elderly friend smiled and said, “I miss it too.” The impertinent young whippersnapper said, “We try to keep up with the times!” And then the other “wet-behind-the-ears” stooge said: ”Go over to Great Sounds Audio. We send a lot of people over there.”

Well … I went over to Great Sounds Audio and they were closed. Music was playing through their outdoor speakers but the store was closed. In the few minutes that I was there, three other prospective customers approached the locked door and walked away as well. I’ll bet all of them had been to Radio Shack!!!

I went home disappointed and disillusioned. I got on line and found just the power amplifier that I needed and made the purchase. I found it on Radio Shack’s website!!!

Why didn’t the sales dudes tell me I could get it at their website? …. Probably because they had no clue.

I’m glad that I found the amplifier at Radio Shack … but I’m saddened by the fact that RS will no longer provide me a comfortable refuge from the girly-girl shoppes.

Why Do Your Eggs Taste Like Spaghetti?

Tim — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:48:10 +0000

Ever wonder why your fried eggs taste like last week’s spaghetti sauce? Or why your refrigerator is emitting a colorless, odorless gas? How would you ever know that? I got the answer this morning!!

I don’t consider myself a TreeHugger in the extreme wacko sense of the word… but that is an entirely different discussion for another day. This is an interesting post from a TreeHugger website. I might even suggest that we do some of these things to the lady of the manor!

Saving Food From The Fridge: It Will Taste Better, May Even last Longer, And Reduce Your Energy Bills : TreeHugger.

Hello Jesus, My Old Friend …

Tim — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:38 +0000

I remember the days when I used to sing in coffee houses (some of you won’t know what those are) with a singing group called “The King’s Children”. We sang mostly Christian songs but among the secular songs we sang was the Simon and Garfunkel hit “The Sounds of Silence” that began: ”Hello darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again …”

Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
‘Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

“Fools”, said I, “You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you”
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls” And whispered in the sounds of silence

In retrospect, I have not even a clue as to why our Gospel singing group was singing that song. I remember one of our crew getting up and standing on a chair with a flashlight over my head as we sang …”beneath the halo of a street lamp ….”

In any event, now nearly four decades later I still like to listen to that music, but I SING a different song. I was reminded of it this morning as Linda and I shared in our devotions:

And a light shined in my cell,

And there was not any wall,

And there was no dark at all,

Only THOU, Emmanuel.

Light of love shined in my cell,

Turned to gold the iron bars,

Opened windows to the stars,

Peace stood there as a sentinel.

Dearest Lord, how can it be

That Thou art so kind to me?

Love is shining in my cell,

Jesus, my Emmanuel

– A.W.C.

I think I remember a Simon and Garfunkel record single (some of you won’t know what that is either ) of this song with “We’ve Got a Groovy Thing Going” on the B side. As one who became “of age” in the sixties and seventies, I might be inclined to say that I’ve got a pretty groovy thing going with my Savior … the LIGHT of the World! :-)

Word Fact: Catch-22

Tim — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:55:16 +0000

Ever wonder where the phrase “Catch-22″ came from? For example: You can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job” That type of exasperating situation is often referred to as a “Catch-22″. The phrase dates back to 1961 when it was used as the title of a Joseph Heller novel. In the novel, the main character tries to avoid duty on a bomber crew in World War II. To do so, he feigns insanity. However, because it is insane to expose yourself to such danger, he is judged to be sane and is ordered to fly. Hence our use of the phrase to describe similar situations.

Pray for Tim Tebow

Tim — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:18:49 +0000

I like Tim Tebow. He is a remarkable person and I’m thankful that he is doing what he is doing. We could very easily have been deprived of his influence in the world due to the fact that while his mother Pamela was carrying him in her womb, she suffered a life-threatening infection with a pathogenic amoeba. Because of the drugs used to rouse her from a coma and to treat her dysentery, the fetus experienced a severe placental abruption. Doctors had expected a stillbirth and recommended an abortion to protect her life,^[1] although abortions are illegal in the Philippines, but she decided not to have one. Thus, the world, the Church, and the football field has been privileged to see something, and someone, truly remarkable.

One of the things that draws me to Tim is the fact that he is a stark contradiction in a sport that is permeated with street thugs and other social riff-raff who have taken their thuggery and riff-raffery to a new level where it is displayed on an athletic field much to the amusement of the paying customer and the vegetative “wanna-be”. He is the proverbial “petunia, in the onion patch”, the “rose among the thorns”, the “guy with the white hat.”

Not only that, but the guy is absolutely amazing in what he accomplishes on that field. Not only does he amaze you, but he does it so spectacularly that some speculate (foolishly, I believe) that he has some special and miraculous powers from God Himself!

And in the midst of it all, true to his given name (Timothy means: One who honors God), he maintains a humble and winsome testimony for Christ both on and off the field. He is, indeed, a rarity … and a refreshing one at that. He has become something of the “poster boy” for Christians around the world who love him because he is a successful athlete, who is also a stand-up guy who stands for Jesus Christ without fear and without shame. So I like him.

I pray for Tim Tebow and I hope many of you do as well. I have never met him, never shaken his hand, and frankly I have never watched him play for more than a few short minutes. I could probably walk past him on the street and not recognize him. But I pray for him because I know that he is in peril…and because of his peril, the testimony of Christ is in jeopardy as well.

First of all, Tim is in peril from himself. I’m sure that he would be the first to tell us, and we must never forget this, that he is a man with a sinful nature, just like every one of the rest of us. He is vulnerable to the old nature. He struggles with it every day. Most of us who have been Christians for any length of time know that we … our own sinful tendencies … our deceitful hearts … are the greatest threats we face in the day to day living of the Christian life. Every day, far more times than he sets up under the Center in the course of a game … Tim sets up under the Holy Spirit’s prompting and executes the plays of his life. Each time there is the risk of losing yardage and even being sacked. Tim is not perfect. He is not flawless. He is a sinner saved by grace. He lives his life each day with the potential of disaster hovering in the shadows. Because he “represents us … as Christians”, and because of his unique position in our society and the tremendous attention that is focused upon him … we must pray that he would have consistent victory over himself.

But there is another source of peril. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Tim has created something of a polarization of our society. There are those who love the guy … and there are those who hate him. Hate him? Yes, or at least they hate that which Tim represents! One only needs to read the vitriol spewed forth in the media, and in the comment feeds on various websites to gauge the heat of that hatred. It is worth noting that Tim is not alone. It seems that whenever someone rises above the sludge and sewage that so characterizes much of our society there are those with filthy grasping hands and lying septic mouths who will, with all their energy, seek to topple them and drag them through the muck. That is what politics is all about, after all … isn’t it?

If Tim Tebow were to fall, to fail … to do something inconsistent with his testimony, there are those who would seize upon it with devilish delight and screams of mockery and shrieking derision and innuendo in order to destroy the man and to discredit his testimony.

Even more sinister than that, however; and I do not believe that this is beyond the scope of reality at all; there are those who, because of their insane hatred, would plot, and actively seek to create the circumstances designed to destroy the man, to assassinate his character and to discredit his testimony just as the Middle Eastern terrorist secretly plots his heinous crimes.

With the obvious bent toward sensationalism on the part of the biased media in this country, either of these perils could conceivably deal a staggering blow to “Our Team.”

So, as a member of “The Team”, when you think of Tim Tebow, don’t waste time praying for another win on the football field. There is much more at stake here than a Conference, or Superbowl title. Pray that God would strengthen Tim in his spirit and give him a growing understanding of His will. Pray that Tim would be fortified against the temptations of the flesh, the world and the Devil. Pray that Tim would walk close to the Savior in spite of all the distractions that must seek to draw him away each day. Pray that God would put a hedge of protection around him so that he might not fall victim to the nefarious schemes of those who would take delight in snaring him. Pray that God would surround him with a network of reliable men who can … and will … provide a safety net of accountability. Pray that Tim will finish the game in as glorious a fashion as he has begun!

Word Facts: Album

Tim — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:40:29 +0000

In 1968, the Beatles released their famous “White Album“. That title is actually an exercise in redundancy. The word “album” means, literally, “a blank slate” (from the Latin “albus“, “white.” In time the meaning came to include a blank bound book in which photographs or other materials could be kept; and eventually its meaning was further extended to mean a blank disk on which sound was recorded. The term “record album” dates back to the ancient times of 1957 when people actually listened to albums.

Time to Worry

Tim — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:11:52 +0000

When a man is living on God’s plan he has no need to worry himself about his trade, or about his house, or about anything that belongs to him.

Do not look at your own faith; look at God’s faithfulness! do not look around on circumstances; keep on looking at the resources of the Infinite God!

The only thing a man may be anxious about in this life is whether He is working on God’s plan, doing God’s work; and if that is so, all the care of everything else is back on God.

When we see the lilies
Spinning in distress,
Taking thought to
Manufacture loveliness;
When we see the birds all
Building barns for store,
‘Twill be time for us to worry –
Not before!

Matthew 6.28

from “Springs in the Valley” by Mrs. Charles Cowman

How easy it is to type such words and how naturally they come when speaking to others who are in the midst of a valley. One day, perhaps, I’ll be able to heed them just as easily and naturally in my own valleys!

More Political Sewage

Tim — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:14:14 +0000

I just read the following on the Fox News website. It confirms something I’ve known for a long time … but still … it’s disturbing to see it stated so blatantly. Does this bother anyone else besides me?

A New Hampshire surrogate for Mitt Romney said at a local political event that it’s evident he will be the Republican presidential nominee and suggested that “beliefs and principles” should not be the deciding factor for voters.

State Sen. Gary Lambert said the most important thing is to nominate somebody who can defeat President Obama.

“I don’t get it. This is not about picking a favorite, it’s not about picking someone you like,” Lambert said. “It’s not about picking someone even with your own beliefs and principles. This is about picking a person who can beat Barack Obama, period.”

Simply put: A candidate’s beliefs and principles are no longer relevant in the halls of power … and it is a nuisance to the politician when the electorate thinks that they OUGHT to be important. What IS important, apparently, is getting enough votes to “beat” the opponent. And if that is true, then why should we expect that beliefs and principles will play any part in the tactics used to achieve that end … and to keep the power once it has been won.

Is it any wonder that our country is in the mess it is in?

Blechhh!

I’d Love To … But …

Tim — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:44:09 +0000

While sorting, today through some books, that I am preparing to sell at our e-Bay store or on Amazon, I found some that I decided to keep alongside my recliner so that I could pick them up and read a snippet or two from time to time in my leisure moments. Among them are “Springs in the Valley” by Mrs. Charles Cowman (also the author of the devotional classic, “Streams in the Desert“, “The joy of trivia“, by Bernie Smith, “Quote unquote“, compiled by Lloyd Cory, “Welcome to My World”, some poetry by Albert Lyon, “Games Christians play: An irreverent guide to religion without tears,“, by Judy Culbertson and Patti Bard, and “Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Guide for New Churches and Those Desiring Renewal“, by Aubrey Malphurs (OK, this one is not exactly leisure reading).

I anticipate that I’ll share some of those snippets here, for the enjoyment of my readers and I begin with one of them today:

“It may happen at any time, day or night, depending on how desperate the situation is. You hear the doorbell ring. It is the pastor, looking for men to do door-to-door canvassing. Or Mrs. Johnson, rounding up Vacation Bible School helpers. It is vital for you to have at least one good reason why it is impossible to do anything they might suggest.

To stand there and stammer “Why, I-I-” is to give them the opportunity to answer “Oh, fine! I knew we could count on you.” Any refusal after that only creates ill will and defeats your larger purpose.

Think how much better it is to say immediately, “Oh, I’d love to, but I have seven small children under four …”

Or: “My pet ocelot died and we’re holding a memorial service …”

Or: “My invalid aunt lives with me, and she’s afraid of the dark …”

“Oh, that’s a shame.”

“Maybe next time. Do try me.”

But after this happens once or twice, whenever your name is mentioned someone will automatically mumble, “Can’t… dead ocelot … afraid of the dark,” and pass to the next name. – (From: ”Games Christians play: An irreverent guide to religion without tears,“, by Judy Culbertson and Patti Bard)

A Modern Parable of Government in Action!

Tim — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:19:00 +0000

There once was an elected public official overseeing the affairs of an important city. One day he was approached by citizens who were complaining about a giant pothole in the city’s main thoroughfare. The gaping crater caused tires to blow out, hurtling cars into each other. There were many accidents. Furthermore, people crossing the street would fall into the hole. They experienced numerous broken bones, gashes and bruises. Citizens challenged their civic leader to immediately take care of the hazard. “No problem,” said the politician, “we will put an ambulance by the pothole to be ready for the injured.”

A few days later the citizens approached the leader again. They explained to him that the ambulance wasn’t enough; that it was constantly being filled up and put into service while many pothole-accident victims suffered without attention. “No problem,” said the politician, “we will assign more ambulances there for the task.”

A week passed and the citizens again came to visit. This time they complained that, even with the additional ambulances, there were more accidents than the emergency vehicles could handle. “No problem,” said the government official, “we will build a hospital next to the pothole.”

Many months later, a new state-of-the-art hospital was completed next to the pothole, at great cost to the taxpayer. Shortly after its opening, the citizens once more turned up at the politician’s office. Angrier than ever, they explained to him that the hospital was completely full and that more accidents were occurring than the new facility could cope with. “No problem,” said the man, “we will lower the whole city to the level of the bottom of the pothole.”