War is a Racket

“There are only two reasons why you should ever be asked to give your youngsters. One is defense of our homes. The other is the defense of our Bill of Rights and particularly the right to worship God as we see fit. Every other reason advanced for the murder of young men is a racket, pure and simple.” 
― Smedley D. Butler


If you are not familiar with General Butler (whom the current USMC mascot bulldog is named after,) educate yourself:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler

Coolest cover of "Where Is My Mind?"

99 Days of Freedom

I am participating in a little experiment called "99 Days of Freedom".  You can see the official site here:  http://99daysoffreedom.com/

Basically, you take 99 days off of Facebook.  You don't do *anything* with it.  No logging in, no status updates, no nothing!  At this time I'm about 35-36 days "clean" so far.  My official countdown is at the following link:  http://99daysoffreedom.com/tim-provencio

It's amazing how much better you feel staying away from it.  I had come to the conclusion that I don't have over 500 friends in real life, so why do I need to be constantly affected by them online?  I invited all the people that expected so much of me on FB that would message me constantly, etc., to e-mail me and provided my e-mail, or if needed even give me a call.

Guess what?  Not a single e-mail and only one valid call where a friend said he saw I was going off line and had some health concerns and he wanted to make sure everything was good with me.

As for the benefits?  Well, how does a better emotional state of mind, less stress, more focus, better sleep, and more attention paid to those around me sound?  I've spent more time reading the Bible and books, more time talking with family, more time doing meaningful things, and just all together more time on things that really matter (no, Facebook doesn't matter.)

I'm thinking when I go back, I'll either drop down to close friends and family only, or I'll just cancel the account all together.  I do miss seeing pictures others share of my Grandson though.

Now if I could just stay away from Twitter, Instagram, and Vine!

One of the Best Songs EVER!

Great imagery, great movement, and tasty Telecaster pickin'!

The Confession of Man and the Compassion of God

"Non-Christian, we invite you to notice the difference here [between Christianity and all other world religions]. There is no prescription for what must be done to make cleansing and forgiveness possible. Pray this many times. Read this many holy passages. Recite this mantra this many times. Spin this many prayer wheels. Fast, take this trip, go to this building, perform this ritual . . . none of that. It’s honest, humble, 'I can’t do it . . . I need you to make me clean, O God.' And when we come before him like this—non-Christian and Christian alike—when we come before him, either for the first time in our lives or on a daily basis in our lives, and we say, 'I need you to cleanse me and forgive me,' then we find that God is gracious. First John 1:9 says, 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness.' Oh, what good news . . . the greatest news in all the world. You can be made right with God! And it’s not by doing a list of good works to try to cover up the evil and uncleanness in your heart. It’s by trusting in divine grace . . . by casting yourself before him in confession of your need for him." - David Platt in a sermon on Psalm 51: The Confession of Man and the Compassion of God


See this sermon here...

1984-85 Fashion

Reminds me so much of high school...

Is this what modern demonic possession looks like?