spiphywarfare

Blog

  • Flattop Griddle

    For years I’ve looked at flattop griddles. I’ve watched videos on them, read about them, and stopped at them in every store that sells them. I’ve wanted to cook on one but couldn’t bring myself to pay the money they were asking for. Not too long ago, Sam’s Club had a four-burner on a decent sale. I talked it over with the wife and then went to pick it up.

    When I got it home, I spent an afternoon assembling it and getting the top seasoned. Assembly was straight forward, and the grill seems well built. Instructions for the seasoning could have been a little better. I ended up getting my seasoning instructions from the net. Also, the burners don’t generate enough heat along the leading edge of the grill to season it properly. I’m leaving it oiled and hoping for no long-term rust issues.

    In the few weeks it’s resided on the back patio, it’s been used for tons of bacon, burgers, veggies and most recently, hibachi style chicken. The bacon that comes off it is amazing. Like, it tastes so much better than bacon cooked in a pan that I can’t understand it.

    The chicken and the vegetables that were cooked at the same time were likewise amazing and looked amazing. I swapped in some Swerve brown sugar to keep the dish in line with the low carb diet I’ve been on, and it worked out fine. The food left a nice garlic-ginger taste in my mouth for quite a while after I ate it.

    I’m looking forward to cooking many meals on it for many people, God willing. God bless and stay safe, stay healthy.

  • It’s so Tiresome

    It’s so Tiresome

    Digital Wasteland

    It seems, to me, that most social media is becoming a wasteland where you have to filter through trash ads, political takes disconnected from reality, and the delusions of the continuously online. To be honest, I probably spend more time than I should online, but I work to ground myself by doing simple things. Standing quietly and looking at a tree for a bit reminds me of what reality is. People watching works for me too.

    Disunity in Faith

    Lately, it’s gotten worse though. Most, not all, of my social media interaction is based either on family, friends, and my faith. The faith-based interactions have taken a troubling turn over the past year or so. There’s a conflict raging between two loose groups. Group one defines itself by labelling the other side Christian Nationalist, woke right, or other names. The other side defines itself by laughing at group one and then going about their business. It’s much deeper and far more complex than that but my intention isn’t to delve into the complexities that led to this point.

    No, my goal here is to express my disappointment in the first group. Largely, I would identify with much of what they hold to be true. Hitler was bad. It’s okay to be an ally with Israel. An inter-racial marriage isn’t sinful. So, it’s not their values that disappoint, I don’t think. Maybe as time goes on it will turn out to be that their values are in conflict with mine. It’s their apparent lack of ability to think rightly and see the world correctly. Something skews their perception and for the life of me, I don’t get it.

    A group of younger men are gaining influence simply by stating their positions unapologetically, and PhD holding men with long-time ministries spend their time crying and calling those young men childish, neo-Nazis, racist, etc. Somehow, these older men, who should know better, think their name calling is okay. They don’t get how foolish it makes them look. Their non-stop caterwauling is every bit as annoying as the cat that shows up every night at midnight to yeowl all night long outside your window. Enough already.

    Suggestion

    Maybe, rather than crying and whinging on about it, sit back and try to understand what is happening. Maybe take your supposed belief that God is sovereign over everything and contemplate that He is allowing or even causing this. Then maybe ponder Gamaliel’s warning to the Sanhedrin. I mean, that’s in the Bible. Is there any other stuff in God’s Word that might help?

    If only God had given us guidance here. Can Christians be different and have different roles? Can they be one while still being like, I don’t know, a human body? Maybe some are like the eyes and provide information to help navigate the body while others are like the feet and stomp through the mud and dust of culture. Something, like that would have been helpful.

    I write this knowing they’ll probably never see it and if they do, they’ll dismiss it as only so much grumbling from the rabble that don’t have their theological degrees or the proper high-mindedness to be taken seriously. That’s the part that’s most disappointing, they’re old enough (and should be wise enough), to know better. Scolding them isn’t working and in case you haven’t figured it out yet, it won’t work.

    These older Christian men should be able to rise above the noise and find unity in our shared values and service to our Master.

  • Knowing God’s Word is Essential for Christians

    Knowing God’s Word is Essential for Christians

    In this “Christian” nation, far too many who claim to be believers never take the time to read scripture. I know because that was me for many, many years. It is easy to neglect. However, I’d suggest that knowing God’s Word is the most important aspect of being a believer. Prayer and fellowship with other believers are right behind.

    Chapter 22 of the book of 2 Kings opens with a young king who obviously seeks to honor the Lord by having the temple repaired. I can’t imagine putting effort into this if his goal was something else. Surely, he thought he was doing right in the sight of God. While this work was going on, this happened:

    Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” Shaphan read it out loud before the king. When the king heard the words of the law scroll, he tore his clothes.
    2 Kings 22:10-11

    Josiah’s humility and repentance saved his nation. He was only able to do this by hearing the actual Word of God. It was obvious to him, when he heard the Word himself, that they were getting it all wrong. They had priests, they had a temple, they had it wrong.

    When I finally started reading God’s Word faithfully, I started noticing things that had crept into the church. I started noticing modern church music often contained a phrase or two that was slightly off of what scripture said. I started catching single sentences in books that were otherwise fine that twisted a passage’s meaning ever so slightly.

    It’s important to sit under the teaching of knowledgeable teachers. It’s okay to watch people online whether they be pastors, podcasters, or apologetic masters. Reading books related to our faith is fine. But all of it must be done with God’s Word as the foundation. Like us, these men are all fallible.

    How often are you opening God’s Word yourself and not just letting others tell you what it says? Do you ever read it?

    My suggestion if you want to start reading it yourself is to do that. Pick it up and read a chapter a day, or more if you feel like it. Just pick a book and determine to read it every day until you finish that book. Then, read the next book. You may just find yourself surprised.

    Stay safe and keep the faith.

  • Ft. Richardson Weekday Camping


    Discover the Serenity of Weekday Camping.
    Situated in the rolling hills of North Texas, Fort Richardson State Park offers a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. While weekends often see a flurry of activity, I prefer to camp on the quiet weekdays to really relax.

    The Whisper of the Wind
    As the sun rises over the historic fort, the air is filled with a gentle hush. On weekdays, the park can be a tranquil place where it is easy to enjoy nature. The rustling leaves, the distant call of birds, and the soft breeze create a soothing environment. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your camper, the stillness envelops you, inviting introspection and relaxation.

    This is especially true if you are camping in some of the sites on the lower loop. At times, it can be completely still down there while the tops of the trees sway in the wind.

    There. Are. Birds. Everywhere!
    One of the park’s delightful features is its abundant birdlife. Cardinals, with their vibrant red plumage, flit everywhere among the trees, adding splashes of color to the green canvas. I heard their songs everywhere. I also saw and heard a tufted tirmouse, a black-capped chickadee, a blue grosbeak, and an indigo bunting (I only heard the last one). I can’t help but think that Fort Richardson State Park would be a birdwatcher’s paradise, especially during the peaceful weekdays when the birds feel more at ease.

    It’s not just birds either. It’s a rare morning or evening stroll through the park that doesn’t bring an encounter with deer feeding in one of the meadow areas.

    A Glimpse into History
    Beyond its natural beauty, Fort Richardson holds a rich historical legacy. Here are a couple of intriguing facts about the fort:

    Established in 1867: Fort Richardson was established by the U.S. Army to protect settlers and travelers along the Texas frontier. It played a crucial role during the Indian Wars and served as a base for the famous Buffalo Soldiers.


    The Ghostly Guardhouse: Visit the restored guardhouse, where soldiers once stood watch. If you stand there in the quiet, you may feel a presence, a whisper from the past. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the guardhouse’s weathered walls hold stories waiting to be heard.

    Tips for Weekday Campers
    Reservations: While weekends can get crowded, weekdays offer more availability. Make a reservation in advance to secure your spot.
    Pack Light: With fewer fellow campers, you won’t need to worry about noisy neighbors. Pack light, bring a good book, and savor the solitude.
    Sunrise Strolls: Wake up early and take a sunrise stroll along the trails. The crisp morning air and the promise of a new day make it worthwhile.


    Whether you’re seeking solace, birdwatching bliss, or a glimpse into history, Fort Richardson State Park delivers. So, pack your gear, leave the weekday chaos behind, and immerse yourself in the quiet of this hidden gem.

  • Prompted Entry

    What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

    Hands down, it is riding a bike. Preferably a mountain bike. It takes effort, and the payoff of being outdoors is worth it.

  • French Country Meadow – October 2021

    Some of my favorites that I took with my Parrot Anafi.

  • Don’t Be Guided by Emotions

    Years ago, when I was in the 10th grade, I found myself in a situation that would change my life forever. It all started innocently enough in the school cafeteria, where I was having lunch with a friend I had known for eight years. As I finished my meal and got up to leave, I heard a shout, “Hey!” Turning around, I saw a single french fry flying towards me. It hit my shirt, leaving a smear of ketchup.

    Annoyed, I told my friend he would have to clean the ketchup off my shirt. He refused and suggested we take it outside. The next thing I remember is him standing up and turning his back to me. I picked up the chair he had been sitting on and hit him with it. My next memory is of another friend yelling my name while a strong hand gripped my shoulder. Apparently, after hitting my friend with the chair, I grabbed him by the hair and started beating his head against a radiator. In the chaos, I even elbowed a coach who tried to intervene.

    This incident left a lasting impression on me. During the three days of in-school suspension that followed, I had plenty of time to reflect on my actions. I realized that my reaction was driven 95% by personal issues I was dealing with at the time and had only a little to do with my friend’s actions. It dawned on me that if I didn’t learn to control my emotions, I was on a path that could lead to prison or worse.

    Thus began my long journey towards emotional control. It involved a lot of prayer and a humbling realization that I was not nearly as important as I thought I was. This newfound perspective significantly reduced the stress in my life.

    I often see trivial matters causing conflict among professing Christians on social media. Many of these disputes seem like they may stem from personal circumstances and an inflated sense of the importance of one’s own opinion.

    Today, I follow many people online whom I’ve never met and likely never will. At least not this side of eternity. I choose not to engage in battles over minor issues with them, recognizing them as my siblings in Christ. This brings me peace.

  • I Confess!

    What have you been putting off doing? Why?

    I’ve been putting off establishing a regular exercise program again. Why? I am embarrassed by how unfit I’ve become since COVID.

    I really need to stop putting it off.

  • Thankful

    This world has a lot of hate, darkness, and death in it. Looking at Israel and that region, so many groups over there just hate each other. Sad.

    Looking at the moral decay in the West and the embracing of so much perversion and licentiousness, it is everywhere, and people want to spread it to our children. Who would have thought, even 20 years ago, that elementary school teachers would be arguing to talk about their sexual preferences with primary school children?

    Looking at Russia v Ukraine and Israel v Iran & friends, it is pitiful that so many lives have been lost. Looking at the U.S. and the completely bizarre obsession of some women with killing their babies in their own wombs just blows my mind. Totally selfish degenerates.

    Why is this post titled “Thankful” when all this garbage is going on?

    Because there is much to be thankful for, and we shouldn’t let the world weigh us down. Consider Psalm 95:2, which states:

    Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

    We can and should give thanks to our God for His grace, His provision, His Word, His Son, and so much more. He’s blessed me, a nobody, with a good wife, wonderful children, and a grandson. All of whom have made me laugh, made me smile, and made my heart well with pride at times. I look back on parents that loved me, siblings that did the same, and extended family that had great get togethers.

    I had a great career in law enforcement, and my job now pays the bills and offers the satisfaction of seeing things improve. I work with people striving to make others lives better. I guess I always have, come to think about it.

    I have my health, a good church, and a handful of people I consider lifetime friends. We have a house that protects us from the elements and food to eat.

    Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

    Today, I’ll choose Phillipians 4:8. I choose to dwell on what is good and pray for those suffering. I suggest you do the same.

  • The SBC’s Dilemma

    A little over two years ago I gave my opinion on the Guidepost Solutions, LLC report the SBC paid over $2 million for, despite the fact that Guidepost supports values at odds with the SBC. It wasn’t flattering. I remember at the time thinking that the use of “credibly accused” as a standard was incredibly vague. The SBC continues to host a horribly

    Now the SBC and Guidepost are going through a lawsuit. They’re being sued by Johnny Hunt, former Senior VP of ministry for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Hunt resigned after the report named him as being credibly accused of sexual abuse. Now, I do think Mr. Hunt did something wrong and sinful, though he prefers “improper conduct.” That’s not the point of this short post though.

    The point is that in his amended filing for damages, Hunt discloses that his position with NAMB paid him a salary of $610,000 per year.

    That is one single solitary position at the national level for the SBC. How much money that solid, pew-sitting Christians are giving to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ is going to pay wayward, disqualified, philandering men outrageous sums? Full disclosure, I stopped tithing years ago for this reason. We opted to use that money to directly impact people.