ERMA: Erfurter Maschinenfabrik 1924-2003, Vol. 2 Handguns

I had no idea that when I requested a review copy of Schiffer Publishing’s book ERMA: Erfurter Maschinenfabrik 1924-2003, Vol. 2 Handguns by author Holger Schlemeier that the book would be so huge!

Talk about massive! Over one-inch thick this beautifully bound hardbound book with its full color photo cover blew me away!

There is so much information about the company’s handguns in it it boggles the mind.

Black and white and color photos, diagrams, cutaways, specs, detailed technical drawings, advertisements, accessories and everything you could possibly imagine associated with the handguns are included in this colossal book.

Detailed and highly-technical text traces the whole history of the company and its handguns, delves heavily into full specs and performance and completely covers all of the models produced.

Look for variants, military and sporting models, prototypes, unique and quirky curiosities, production numbers, markings and more from the famous German weapons manufacturer.

I absolutely love the way the book is laid out, the color photos are crisp and catch every detail and the vintage photos, advertisements and drawings are all complemented by the informative and fascinating text.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Blaze Of Glory

In the Star Trek Universe the Klingons prize an honorable death above all else.  Often referred to going out in a “Blaze Of Glory” the Klingons prefer to die rather than to be captured.

Close to 20 years ago Decipher Cards obtained the rights to a create collectible Card game based on Star Trek.

It did so and it was extremely popular.  Unfortunately due to some rather dubious and questionable business practices Decipher Games went out of business leaving Star Trek fans hungry for more Cards.

Now those original cards are much sought after.  For example a single Foil Pack of Blaze Of Glory Cards will cost you close to $100.

When Decipher Games was at its zenith I used to literally get boxes full of Cards to review.  I still have all of them.  

At one point I used them to make makeshift bases for bookcases to put shelves on.  That is, until I found out that I was sitting on a goldmine.  Some of the Star Trek (and Star Wars) Cards are worth a small fortune.

About two years ago I contacted a game card dealer about purchasing the Cards.

We settled on a price.  But, here was the kicker.  The company wanted me to send the Cards to them and once they got them they would then send the money-if they approved of the Cards.

See something wrong there?  Sorry, no cash, no carry.

Here are a few stats I pulled on the Blaze of Glory Cards:

Blaze of Glory was an expansion Set released in August 1999. 

It focused on combat with the introduction of the "Tactics" side. 

Attention was given to the Klingon affiliation, which gained bat'leths, d'k tahgs, and mek'leths in game play. 

It enhanced players’ ability to capture opponent's ships and personnel. 

Blaze of Glory was also the first set to offer Foil Cards. 

The set consisted of 130 Cards contained fifty Rare, forty Uncommon and forty Common Cards, eighteen Foils and was sold in nine-Card Booster Packs. 

It was the most popular Star Trek expansion Set with players to be released for the First Edition. 

The complete printing has the distinction of being sold in less time than any other expansion set. 

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Lost Cities Of The Ancient World

As modern day humans it is far too easy to get comfortable in our present time to appreciate that millions/billions lived and died during the centuries before us.

It’s hard to imagine that great civilizations have risen and fallen over the millennium. All were populated by people just like us. All had their dreams and aspirations, troubles, good times, families, jobs and occupations, enjoyed foods, drink and fashion and took part in a variety of activities.

In author Philip Matyszak’s and Thames & Hudson’s deluxe, hardbound book with dust jacket: Lost Cities Of The Ancient World, discover and learn all about the ancient people, civilizations and most importantly the cities the people dwelt in.

Photos, art and diagrams/maps guide you through the many centuries as you discover how civilizations rose and fell and what remains today of their dwellings, art, culture and remnants and traces in modern societies.

I love history and I find this book very comprehensive, informative and most of all it brings the past alive by populating it with real people, places and things.

1 Corinthians 2:5 - That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

DPx HEAT Hiker

What do you have when you get a scale-less version of the DPx Gear HEAT Fixed knife? Any guesses?

How about a DPx HEAT Hiker - 1095 - DPHTX024 - Desert Tan open handle knife with a carabiner for easy attachment to your camping or hunting gear?

Talk about convenience! Attached to gear using its belt-loop or Velcro strip there’s no way for it to get lost, dropped or misplaced.

Made in the USA by the Rowen Manufacturing in Idaho, its stainless steel is heat treated and coated and looks awesome in Desert Tan.

Like all of DPx’s knives the HEAT Hiker is packaged to make sure that the knife is not damaged during shipping.

My knife arrived in a small cardboard box, secured with tape. Inside a slip-lid cardboard box held the knife.  It rested amongst packing peanuts

The inner, flip-lid box that holds a special DPx Gear sticker and the knife (with its custom injection molded sheath) and NYLON strap and plastic D ring end, for more lashing and mounting options, is sealed in a clear plastic bag.

Features include:

• Weight:
• 3.20 oz with sheath
• 2.20 without sheath
• 1 oz sheath
• .25 oz strap
• .75 oz with plastic end
• Overall Length is 6.22 inches
• Blade Length is 2.4 inches
• Steel 1095
• Rockwell Hardness 60
• Blade thickness .16 inches
• Handle Material 1095 stainless steel with aluminum carabiner clip

The whole set-up is light, the knife snaps in and out of the sheath with little effort, but secure, the handle (though open) fits my hand perfectly and the carabiner snaps shut securely once something is attached to the handle.

The sheath is durable, has a series of holes along its sides for cord looping, the strap is strong and the loop is sized to fit most belts.

It’s the perfect small fixed blade knife to carry along wherever you go.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Illustrated Dictionary Of Automobile Body Styles

Nowadays it’s getting more and more difficult to differentiate automobile manufacturers cars from each other. 

Sure, each manufacturer has their logo displayed on their vehicles but determining whether a car is a Ford, Toyota and other name brands is difficult to say the least.

It is easier to tell the difference between SUVs, sports models, compact cars and various body types but when seen through the eyes of history modern cars have a limited number of body types.

Travel back to the beginning of automobiles and trace their history through the decades and you’ll discover there is a huge catalog of body styles to choose from-most of which are unfamiliar to modern day automobile owners.

In Lennart W. Haajanen’s book: Illustrated Dictionary Of Automobiles Body Styles Second Edition, the author and illustrators Bertil Nyden and Jorgen Persson along with publisher McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, provide a visual and textual examination of auto body styles complete with full descriptions, the cars using the various styles and their modifications, the manufacturers, years of production, full auto specs and much more.

I am by no means an expert on automobiles but this handy paperback book provides me plenty of information and facts that are not only fascinating but extremely interesting.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Sean Connery As James Bond In Goldfinger

The James Bond film Goldfinger set the template and standard by which all other James Bond films from that point would follow.

The super gadgets, nefarious villain, the car, the women, the action, the locations-all were hyped up and over the top beginning with Goldfinger.

The Sean Connery James Bond In Goldfinger figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip lid box with information about the movie on the inside of the flap.

The cover of the box is a recreation of the movie’s poster.

The figure is snug (along with its accessories) inside a form- fitted, clear plastic cocoon and plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

Also included is a circular Goldfinger base with a wire support that clips into a slot on the base allowing the Bond figure to pose and stand.

The cloths fit the figure perfectly and are loose enough to allow the figure to pose without causing unsightly and unnatural folds and creases in the real cloth outfit.

The pre-positioned hands easily and securely hold the enclosed accessories.

The figure’s head and face look remarkably like Sean Connery’s with his short-cropped and styled black hair, dark, deep-set eyes, chiseled chin, straight nose and thin lips.  

The figure comes dressed in a solid black, two-piece jumpsuit, (made with real cloth) as seen in the film, along with black shoes.

A black backpack with blue straps and Velcro flap contains a large grappling gun with rope attachment, a large tube of plastic explosive, a silver homing device, a gold bar and Bond’s PPK Walther handgun.

All are to scale and look movie accurate.

All the pieces are finely-crafted with careful attention given to details.

For example check out the stitching and assembly of the backpack, the grip, trigger and precision of both weapons and even the Third Reich symbol on the gold bar.  Remarkable!

Articulation is tight and offers remarkable poses made possible by the various articulation types such as swivel, tilt, rotate, hinge, ball and join, etc.

Construction and quality is excellent overall on both the figure and the accessories.

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

The Book

Speaking as a writer, artist and graphic designer I can testify to the fact that anyone employed or taking part in the creative art field is vastly underappreciated.

Don’t get me wrong, people like good drawings, paintings, graphic designs, music, dance, theatrical art and the like. They enjoy a good performance, a musician’s songs and actors and actresses on the stage, TV and in the movies.

No, I’m talking about the process of creating any kind of art. Most people look at a painting and see the image. What they don’t see are the hours of blood, sweat and tears that went into making the painting. The same goes for music composition, acting, dancing and so forth.

I taught art and graphic design and I told my students that, “Being in the creative arts is the most misunderstood, unappreciated and mis-categorized profession there is.”

“People are born with an artistic talent.” “They effortlessly create and perform their art.” NOT SO! Art of any type takes hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, time, struggle and practice, practice, practice!

In The Book, published by Hungry Minds, a great deal of combined artistic effort, research, vision and dogged determination shines through. It contains a massive amount of incredible work both with its illustrations and writing.

To say that I’m impressed would be a vast understatement and disservice to The Book. It is amazing!

I urge you, as the reader, to not just look at the book. Don’t skim over its ‘pretty’ pictures and text.

See The Book for what it is-an amazing collaboration between writers, designers, artists and print professionals clocking in at 400 pages. It’s The Ultimate Guide To Rebuilding Civilization!

Take the time to see The Book for the piece of art that it is. Appreciate that the effort was made to ensure the book was protected by a clear plastic and sealed slip-cover.

Let’s talk about the packaging. When the mailman handed me The Book’s package at first I though it was The Book itself with its Hungry Minds logo and decorated blue exterior. Then I noticed the clear tape running down its center and along its edges.

I carefully slit the tape and there it was-The Book--neatly tucked in the center of a four-side, folded, buffer and inner box. The Book itself was wrapped in its clear plastic and sealed protective slip.

Included with The Book was a deep blue postcard decorated with gold dragon image and on the reverse side was written a message from The Book creators also as line drawings. Even a facsimile postage stamp and cancelled delivery stamp were there.

Inside the box was a solid black, large envelope with a full-color, robotic hand illustration running from front to back.

On the flap was a 18+ Censored sticker in red and black. Inside was a separate fold-out illustrated mini-poster. It was apparent that the 18+ Censored label cautioned that the illustrations were of antiquated sex toys! On to The Book itself.

When you receive your copy remove The Book from its protective sleeve and ‘feel’ the thick, deep-blue cover stock of the book and run you hands over its embossed images printed in silver foil on its cover, spin and back cover, accented by four red corner dots.

Run you hand down the heavy spin with its tucked in hinged spines that allow the cover to easily open thus accommodating the thick interior paper stock pages to fan open with no binding. The pages are bound with red twine and glue.

Discover how the creators of The Book recreated the look of age with the interior paper-stock which is uncoated and is a light yellow-like parchment. See how careful attention is given to select the proper paper that will hold up to ink and color saturation. The images and paper are a perfect match. The Book even smells old!

Flip through the pages and think about how each illustration was created starting with sketches, composition, balance and page placement.

Realize and recognize how the artists were able to simulate various textures using simple lines, cross-hatching and feathering.

Ink drawings are colored with water color paint and include numbers that refer to instructions or specific objects.  Look over the clever 'how-tos'.

Hearkening back to what I told my drawing students. “People fail to realize that any drawing or painting is a final version of countless sketches, failed attempts, corrections and compositions.”

Likewise the text was labored over. Each word was carefully selected and crafted to describe, educate and illustrate the story of the subjects presented.

The Book is more than a pleasant read-it is the end product of hours/days/months of creative collaboration resulting in a piece of work that deserves, that demands, an honored place on any library shelf. I intend to keep my copy in its shipping book for preservation.

Carefully look at each illustration to spot some critters, odd things and other out of place objects all tinged with an offbeat sense of visual humor.

The style of illustrations remind me of the Victorian, Edwardian and Industrial Eras.  Do I detect a hint of Steampunk too?

Subjects are broken down in various categories:

• First Things
• Medicine
• Plants
• Animals
• Food
• Materials
• Tools
• Building
• Mechanics
• Optics
• Electricity
• Sailing
• Aviation
• Industry
• Military
• Everyday Life
• Word
• Art
• Music
• Human
• Games
• Delicatessen
• Society

Illustrations literally take your breath away with their complexity and creativity.

Carefully read over each section, take in what is being said and shown. Learn, absorb the information and pass that knowledge along.

I congratulate the Hungry Minds creative team for their outstanding accomplishment and I promise that The Book will be placed in a very special section of my library.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Diamond Previews, March 2025

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

The Girl And The Robot Heart

One evening a young girl sits in her bedroom of her house located in a small town.

A small robot appears at her window and asks a simple question, “What’s inside a human heart?”

Over the span of hours the young girl explains the many wonders of the human heart as it experiences the joys of being human, sight, taste, hearing and the other senses while experiencing the many events that fill each person’s days.

The next morning the young girl discovers a small toy robot under her Christmas tree along with a simple note that tells her to take her heart (the robot’s filled heart) and to listen to it as she lives each day.

Writer Neal Hoskins and Monika Vaicenaviciene along with publishers Thames & Hudson, present a imaginative tale of what it means to be human, hold and cherish feelings and to love with all your heart in The Girl And The Robot Heart.

Beautifully illustrated and written as to inspire and fascinate a child’s young mind, the book is a triumph of creativity, insight and story-telling.

James 2:24 - Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Mutant Leader

One of the most horrific surprises seen in the classic Beneath The Planet Of The Apes film is the true appearance of the Mutant Leader. Talk about a creepy looking character.

The movie takes place not long after the original Planet Of The Apes film.  The sequel starred Charlton Heston reprising his role as an astronaut trapped in the future where the earth was ruled by apes.

The second film found him up against the remaining humans who have transformed into mutants due to the nuclear radiation from the war that destroyed mankind.

The Sideshow Collectibles' Mutant Leader comes in a flip-lid box suited for the 12-inch, fully-articulated figure.  The front panel has an image of the Mutant Leader on the cover and on the inside flap there’s information about the character and film.

The main body of the box has a clear plastic viewing panel.

Behind the panel the figure and accessories are held in place by a form-fitted clear plastic cocoon and plastic straps.

The figure has two faces: one that looks like a normal human and underneath a terrifying mutant face with transparent skin revealing the musculature and bone underneath-just like in the film.

The normal face slips on and off the mutant face with no problem.

Clothed entirely in what looks like light tan tweed cloth the figure wears a full hood, a zipperless long-sleeved jacket, a white smock/shirt, loose pants with no cuffs, tan slippers, white socks, and tan gloves.

Also included is a long white robe with a large, folded-over collar and simple elongated silver cross on the middle of the robe’s chest area.

A circular base with a wire support is included for posing the figure and a silver tipped vial with red liquid and an open holy book accompany the figure.

The figure’s preset hands hold each of the objects easily with no slippage, posing is smooth and stationary with no cloth binding or bunching.

Coloration and sculpting on the face is precise both on the human mask and mutant face underneath.

Variated skins tones make the flesh look real, even the transparent flesh is realistic as are the muscles, tendons and bones seen underneath the transparent skin.

Stitching and scaling of the cloth look authentic in their scaled down versions and the vial and book are finely crafted and look like real items.

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

ERMA: Maschinenfabrik 1924-2003, Vol. 1: Company History, Rifles And Shotguns

Author Holger Schlemeier and Schiffer Publishing really outdid themselves when they released their deluxe hardbound, oversize book ERMA: Maschinenfabrik 1924-2003, Vol. 1 Company History, Rifles AndShotguns.

Talk about packed with information! Besides the detailed text about the history of the company and its rifles and shotguns the book contains loads of photos (black and white and full-color) along with specifications, cutaways, accessories, advertisements, detailed drawings, breakaways, ephemera, and more.

It’s all there in this impressive and exhaustive study of the German weapons company ERMA and its huge selection of rifles and shotguns.

After looking though this book I understand why the German’s are so well renowned for their craftsmanship, engineering skill and technical expertise. It shows in their weapons by the careful attention to detail, functionality, engineering and design.

Beautiful photographs of weapons against white backgrounds really make the images pop and the vintage photos, ephemera, advertisements and technical documents make for a fascinating read.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Star Trek #1

When the popularity of Star Trek re-blossomed in the mid to late 1970s Paramount Studios decided to produce a new Star Trek TV show starring the original cast.

Then Star Wars happened.  The Star Trek TV show relaunch was scrapped and instead a Star Trek movie took its place.

During the late 1970s Marvel Comics was struggling financially.  Newsstand sales were drying up and other avenues for selling comic book were also dwindling.

At one point Marvel Comics was on the verge of being terminated.

Marvel Comics Editor and Chief Jim Shooter was constantly on the look out for new ways to make money for the company.  One such way was to publish movie and TV show adaptations.

The Star Wars adaptation was a financial shot in the arm for Marvel.  Some say it kept the company in business.

Marvel continued to publish adaptations with Star Trek being one of them.

The first issue was the adaptation of the Star Trek The Motion Picture. Marv Wolfman adapted the script and Dave Cockrum provided the art, with asset by Klaus Jansen.

The adaptation faithfully followed the movie with a few extra scenes thrown in for dramatic effect. 

Sales for the comic book were respectable and other issues followed after the film adaptation.

After Marvel’s run DC Comics took over the franchise for a number of years with the series eventually returning to Marvel along with other adaptations of all of the Star Trek TV series up until Voyager.

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

The Atomic Bomb In Images And Documents

The year: 1945. The mission: fly over Japan and drop a nuclear bomb on the city of Hiroshima.

When the Japanese refused to surrender after the bomb’s explosion that killed thousands of people a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The Japanese surrendered.

While I wasn’t born until the early 1950s I remember being taught in school about the atomic bombs, the war and the fear that the Russians would use atomic weapons to attack the United States during The Cold War--drop and cover!.

Both the U.S.A. and Russia soon possessed hundreds of the deadly bombs and missiles and nuclear war was a real possibility.

In author Samuel S. Kloda’s book: The Atomic Bomb In Images And Documents, published by McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, a full visual, document and historical account of The Manhattan Project which created the first atomic bombs and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are thoroughly examined.

Dozens of photos show the destructive force of the bombs, those responsible for the creations of the bombs, the Manhattan facilities, aircraft, military personnel and more.

Actual declassified documents are shown along with correspondence, aerial photos and more delve into what really happened during those fateful days in 1945.

Atomic bomb testing after the war is also examined.

The failure to learn from history dooms us to make the same mistakes over and over again with deadly results.

Matthew 10:28 - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

DPx HEST 6 OD

I’ve learned after reviewing products of all kinds that I can usually tell the quality of a product by how it is shipped and packaged.

In the case of DPx Gear, Inc.s’ USA made DPx HEST 6 OD fixed blade knife its shipping and packaging rate 100% perfect!

I received the knife in a plain brown shipping box secured with heavy tape.

Inside the fold-over flap box was a small, heavy cardboard box with a flip-in/insert lid and a DPX Gear sticker with an American flag. Inside that box was green camolike shredded paper and snug in the paper was the knife in its scabbard in a clear plastic sleeve.

Also included was a DPx Gear skull logo sticker and a flier for the company’s Blue Ridge Knives Mercer Sport Knives.

Talk about secure packaging and packing! I am impressed!

Made in the USA the DPX HEST 6 OD fixed blade knife

It's as rugged as they come-the perfect outdoor/military survival knife.

I’m a big believer in being prepared for unexpected survival contingencies and this knife is the exact tool and weapon that guarantees survival.

It’s rugged, nearly indestructible and can take a beating in wet, cold, hot and other severe conditions and environments. It’s more than a sharp knife, it’s a practical survival tool.

It’s stay-sharp blade can take abuse and it's good for camping, survival and defense.

The knife handles well with its scaled G10 laminated handle with ergonomic grip. It’s weighted and balanced to fit securely in your hand with no slip or chance of injuring yourself.

Screws on the side of the handle can be loosened allowing you to open the hollow handle for storage for such items as fishing line, fish hooks, a firestarter and other small survival gear.

Personally I pack all of the above mentioned items along with a couple straight pins, two or three waterproof matches and even a small dime-size compass.

The balanced blade, pommel and handle combine to make a forward balancing point ideal for cutting, chopping and hacking with less stress and fatigue.

The knife feels good in my large hand with its ergonomic handle, heavy blade and balance.

The six-inch sword-grind blade is made from machined 35vN steel with a hardness index of 61. It’s also coated with PVD to reduce glare.

Included with the knife is a black KYDEX sheath with a heavy duty belt clip that secure to your belt or pants. 

The durable sheath material is held together by heavy screw/rivets, has several circular and slit holes for extra tiedown security and a fitted blade slot that keeps the knife secure. The knife clicks into place with no chance of slippage.

Take a look at the list of features the knife offers:

• A Matte Black PVD Coated S35vN blade steel
• American OD Green G10 scales
• A wire stripper jimping in three common wire gauges
• A striker pommel with pry bar and lanyard hole
• A KYDEX Sheath 
• A hollow handle for storing survival items
• Weight is 10.23 ounces
• Length is 11.18 inches
• Blade length is 6 inches
• A glass breaker 
• A lanyard hole
• A striker/bone cracker/pry bar on the pommel

I’ve owned other fixed blade camping/survival knives before-the DPx HEST 6 OD leaves them all behind in the dust.

To paraphrase Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee, “Now this is a knife!”

Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Musing To My Ears

I am no prophet, muse, expert, philosopher or zealot. I’m just a guy, writing down his thoughts and attempting to share what we all feel, know and experience.

I’ll attempt to unravel a few questions we all ask and delve into what exactly qualifies us as human beings.

True, I have my own beliefs about God (I’m a Christian), but I have no intention of shoving my beliefs down anyone’s throat. So I’ll make it brief.

Here is what I believe in a nutshell: Man is a God created being. We started as perfect beings, messed things up and because God gave us a free will we reaped the results of making a bad choice.

God is love so he made a way of escape and redemption for us through his son Jesus Christ.

Jesus the Messiah came to earth, sacrificed his life for humanity and took the collected sin of all mankind, past, present and future, on his back. He died, rose again and thus established a way we all can go to Heaven.

 It’s really simple. We have to admit we’re a sinner, ask for forgiveness and for God to save us. He keeps his promise. Salvation is not through our own power or good works but through the grace of God. It takes faith and it is not ‘easy believeism’ as so many call it.

 I keep God’s commandmanets not becasue I have to, but becasue I want to. It pleases God-could I do anything less but to thank him for saving me?

OK, preaching time is over-on to the meat of this book.

Existence

Have you ever taken the time to find a quiet corner of a room, comfortably set in a chair, gather yourself and just think about things?

I’m not talking about day-to-day activates like family, work, what to eat, etc. I’m talking about deep thoughts, pondering the possibilities of existence and what life is and why you’re here, among other things.

Take the time to look past yourself, to explore new areas you’ve never speculated before. Time, eternity, creation, death, life after death, final destination, your abilities-tapped and untapped, how you can shape your life and benefit the lives of others-the door to everything is wide open.

It’s fun to speculate, dream and be awestruck by the possibilities. Nothing is impossible for God! I truly believe as humanity we have barely began to realize our full potential-God willing.

Have you ever wondered about creation? People have all sorts of theories.

I believe God created man. Evolution is pure speculation.

Think about it. How is it possible that life springs from something that is not alive?

Just look at the complexity of the human body. How is it possible for all the cells in the body to coordinate with each other in all the systems in the body? By chance? Hardly. The body is designed as are all the living things on the planet.

Take the DNA-it’s a code-very much like a computer program. What are the odds that by pure trial and error such a complex structure could exist-let alone operate? Again how can life spring from unlife?

I’m not trying to persuade anyone. Everyone has their own opinion and my point of view or others will not change. Why argue? I will say that no matter how you mix chemicals together, shoot it with electricity or other ‘scientific’ paraphernalia, life will not be created. You may get a few molecular bonds and groupings, but life? It’s never going to happen.

Do you realize that human beings are essentially made from dirt, sunlight and water? Our bodies are nothing more than biological machines that transport our consciousness about.

You’ve heard of mind over matter. We are perfect examples of it. How is it possible that our minds can trigger electrical responses that course out to our limbs and organs causing them to move and function? Some are voluntarily, and some automatically. Imagine having to tell yourself to breath, pump blood, digest food, saturate your body with oxygen or a thousand other functions we simply take for granted.

Our brains are nothing more than containers for our spirits/souls.

When we die our consciousness lives on. What happens to solids when they break down? That’s right, energy remains and our consciousness is energy-spiritual-but energy.

Life is complex-far too complex to have been formed by evolution.

Think about that for a moment. In order for evolution to exist every living thing all over the entire world would have to evolve at the same time. It could not start with one organism. For a fish to walk on land is impossible. Sustenance, bodily functions, symbiosis, everything would have to be already in place for an entire ecosystem to exist.

For one thing the fish has no idea what land is. How would fish know to sprout legs and breath air? It wouldn’t. We give nature too much credit for intelligence right down to the cell level. Does a cell have a brain-of course not.

What would be the point for the fish to evolve to walk on land? Water is its environment. It’s sustenance exists in the water. Why would it need to move to land? It would have no idea what to do to survive, let alone eat. How would it reproduce? There would be no other landfish to reproduce with. The whole idea is absurd!

Why is so hard to believe that the creation of the universe needs a creator? Why do science and God need to be separate? After all, God created everything. Doesn’t it makes sense that he is the chief scientist?

Did it never occur to anyone that God created everything to appear aged? He didn’t create Adam and Eve as babies-but as full-grown adults.

Why Are you Here?

Everyone in some time during their life asks that question.

Here’s what I think-it’s not about you.

I used to think that my sole purpose in life was to be happy, accomplish my goals and satisfy my wants and needs.

Now I know that I am here to contribute to society, to uplift others, to serve God and to put other people’s needs before my own. Think about it. If everybody had those goals in life everyone’s needs and many of their wants would be satisfied.

“But, what about my wants and needs?’ you might ask.

I’ve discovered if I put my selfishness aside and aim to help, uplift and encourage other pepole that my wants and needs are always met. It’s a win, win.

Let’s face it. We’re only on this earth for a short time. We can spend our time accumulating stuff, chasing fame, fortune, accomplishments and the like. But, in the end it all means nothing. We can’take it with us.

My old pastor used to say, “I’ve never seen a hearse hauling a U-Haul trailer.”

Be honest. If you have food to eat, cloths to wear, a place to stay, your health, friends, family and the basics of life, what more do you need?

As I grow older I find I need less and less clutter in my life and that includes stuff, activities, caustic people and ‘me’ time.

Having the most toys means nothing. Everything eventually turns to rust or dust.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s wise and prudent to plan your finances, set goals and provide for your family. But, isn’t family your first priority? Isn’t a friendship worth more than its weight in gold?

We all experience up and downs in our lives. You have to go into the valley to appreciate the mountaintop experiences. No one likes suffering, loosing a loved one, sickness or other bad experience or catastrophe. After all, we are human.

Considering how short life is, why not make the best of it?

I am blessed. God has given me so much. I can’t possibly thank him enough. It took a long time for God to knock some sense into my brain. It’s not been easy and I’d be lying if I said I went along with God’s plans all the time. I’m a work in progress.

Body/Mind/Spirit/Soul

As humans we are a complex, multi-layered species.

We have a physical body that needs care and attention, a mind that must be kept active, a spirit that needs guidance and a soul that is eternal.

I’d like to talk about our thoughts specifically.

As I mentioned earlier we all have thoughts-most of them about routine day-to-day stuff. We get caught up on life’s ups and downs, events, issues and the like. We spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about our body, pampering it, spoiling it, catering to its wants and needs and just surviving.

But what about our thoughts?

Do you think deeply and ponder? Do you attempt to look past everyday thoughts and expand your understanding of all that is around you? The things seen and unseen?

Over the past few years I’ve attempted to learn new things, read about subjects that in the past I skittered over and to look further into my mind, my motivations, capabilities, limitations and so forth. It’s really quite fascinating.

I allow my mind to wander. To look at other’s opinions with a fresh mind. To reach out to understand, learn and grow.

Spend time with yourself. Sit. Think. Use your time to better yourself and in the process you’ll not only benefit from your efforts but pass those benefits onto others.

How do you break out of your mundane, daily train of thought?

Dare to try new things, explore, read, try to solve problems, look outside the box, try to solve problems from a different direction.

It can be a bit scary and intimidating. But, how else can you see things from a different point of view unless you try? Success comes one step at a time. Take your time, allow your mind to wander, see things as they are, speculate, don’t play it safe by falling back on the way things have always been done. Do they work? Can they work better?

Dig in, step up, take a chance and reap the rewards.

If you’re a soft spoken person-speak up. If you tend to be in-your-face, step back and let someone else talk. Listen, speak sparingly. See people for who they are. Appreciate those around you. See what God sees-all people are precious to him. Take in all creation and enjoy each moment-time heeds to no one.

Dare to ask questions. Is there life on other planets? Is time travel possible? Does magic exist? Does God exist? I’m just offering a few examples. Asking questions and pondering challenges your mind.

Events

Do you know the difference between dreams and goals?

Dreams tend to be the pinnacle to what we can believe we can do, accomplish and wish. Sort of the ultimate wish fulfillment.

Goals are things that we want to accomplish set to a time table and require work, perseverance and patience.

For example, I could dream to be a great artist. But in order to accomplish my dream I must set a goal to learn the basics of art, put in the time at a drawing board or easel and slowly build up my ability and techniques.

So often our dreams get waylaid or dashed. That’s life. Sometimes our goals are delayed, put on hold or abandoned due to circumstances.

Life is a great distractor. Personal problems, work struggles, family tragedies, changing locations, illness-there a lot of unexpected events that can disrupt or curtail goals.

Pain and pleasure are feelings we all experience. Both can be beneficial.

Pleasure comes from doing or accomplishing things we desire-with certain restraints and moral stopgaps.

Pain can can cause us to stop and reflect, correct our behavior, teach us how to avoid toxic and detrimental people, places, practices and things.

Have you ever had the urge to travel? To see the world and all of its wonder? Make plans to do so. Experience life as other people do all over the world. Try new foods, attend events and social gatherings, wander, soak in the people and places.

Domestically connect with a distant relative or friend. Climb a mountain, swim in the ocean, travel trails, visit a city and take a train, call an Uber, hike-your native country offers so much.

Like a geographical journey your life can be a journey with plenty of ups and downs, surprises around each corner, exhausting, exhilarating, frustrating, fun, dangerous, exciting, rewarding and filled with wonder.

Life is full of possibilities. It offers endless moments of learning, sharing and infinite variety. A life unfettered by the past, hopeful of the future and content for the present is a full life that overcomes any obstacle placed before it no matter how debilitating or distracting.

What are your talents? Learn to identify them, appreciate them, apply them, share them and direct them to achieve great things.

Every painting starts with a single brushstroke. Each song begins with one note. Every journey embarks with a first step.

Achievement is not measured by fame, fortune and sacrifice. It is about finishing the course, helping others, living life to its fullest and most importantly thanking our creator for the years we have been granted, the people we love and life itself.

Here’s a piece of advice: love yourself. No, I;\’m not talking about vanity or thinking of yourself more than you should.

What I am saying is that you need to like yourself-God does. You’re just the way God wants you to be. There are no mistakes with God. Sure we may need to loose a little weight, perhaps we could use more exercise but to God’s eyes we’re beautiful.

Who has the right to say to you you’re not attractive enough, smart enough or good enough? No one!

I figure it this way. I might as well like myself because I’m stuck with me the rest of my life.

 Another thing. Not everyone is going to like you. There are people out there that will simply dislike you because of how you look, your voice, your behavior or because you might remind them of someone who they had a bad experience with.

Face it, there are people who are mad about everything. They complain, fuss and are never satisfied. Avoid them. They’re caustic and the last thing you need is negativity in your life.

Time/Eternity

Everyone experiences time and its results. We grow older and eventually pass away. We have a set limit to our days and we have no control over when, where and how we die. And that’s OK-everyone experiences life and death.

But, what if I told you that life is eternal? Whether you believe in Heaven and Hell, life after our physical death goes on. It never ends. Where will you spend eternity is completely up to you. You choose.

What happens after death? What now?

Will we exist as an eternal spirit or ghost or occupy a new body? Will our new body be restricted by time, space, physical and mental limits? Will there be no limits as to what we can do?

Interesting questions? I wish I had all the answers.

Life is about change, adaptation, interaction, conflict, controversy and perseverance.

Will your life be productive or destructive? Will you reach new heights or sink to new lows with no hope of climbing back out?

We’re all given free will. What we do with that free will is up to us. No one can substitute for another, live another person’s life or experience their highs and lows. We can sympathize, empathize and help.

Inevitably we will all answer for our own life. Our final destination is determined by our choices. There will be no second chances.

It is my hope that you choose the path I have chosen. If so I can promise an excellent eternity. If not, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.