<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>Steve Aves - My Thoughts</title><description>Steve Aves - My Thoughts</description><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs</link><lastBuildDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:47:30 -0800</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[I Came VERY Close To Clicking A Fake Web Link.]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/I-Came-VERY-Close-To-Clicking-A-Fake-Web-Link</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/images/gbefbf5c7b6320749e6dd662359699e15cb52fbee7d580bd51e0152a321b882a409b21dd7db6768581f15d3af5192a0d3d41e2bd6e347f2270ac5b6f9e05f7c8b_1280.png"/>You should read the article below. It highlights the sophisticated methods scammers employ. Russian Hackers Create 4,300 Fake Travel Sites to Steal Hotel Guests' Payment Data]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_oo0MzDtqSleo4wxF32kSow" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_PTv9pkqwTia54zgNc40eoA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_8EjwN2VzRFSFfhqHE4bAjg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_YsQd_uxBQD-o3pwYmEkkzA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><span><span style="font-weight:400;">I Came VERY Close To Clicking A Fake Web Link.</span></span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_V_iQ6xmZRpSUmQf18exWMA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><div><div><div><div><div><div><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;">You should read the article below. It highlights the sophisticated methods scammers employ.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;"><a href="https://thehackernews.com/2025/11/russian-hackers-create-4300-fake-travel.html" title="Russian Hackers Create 4,300 Fake Travel Sites to Steal Hotel Guests' Payment Data" target="_blank" rel="">Russian Hackers Create 4,300 Fake Travel Sites to Steal Hotel Guests' Payment Data</a>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-size:20px;">"The activity......., is designed to target customers of the hospitality industry, specifically hotel guests who may have travel reservations with spam emails. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-size:20px;">Of the 4,344 domains tied to the attack, 685 domains contain the name "Booking", followed by 18 with "Expedia," 13 with "Agoda," and 12 with "Airbnb," indicating an attempt to target all popular booking and rental platforms.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-size:20px;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;">The above article reminded me of how I almost fell for a phishing scam. The email I received appeared to come from Zoho.com, a company I use to host my 3 Email accounts, personal website, and a number of other functions. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;">The phishing Email was so specific, similar in scope to the ones mentioned above, that it did not cross my mind it could be a scam. The Email claimed to announce a new version of Zoho Mail's "Mail Merge" function. Now, THAT is a specific subject for a scam Email!</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;">I came within a click of my mouse to find out more about this upgrade. But, something did not feel right. Zoho doesn't send emails about updates to "little" functions like mail merge. They just do the update. So I hovered my mouse over the link to see the URL. The domain name ended in ".de." Zoho uses ".com." Why would a&nbsp;German (.de a top-level domain) subsidiary of Zoho be sending me this email?</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;">I forwarded the email to Zoho Mail's support desk asking about it. Sure enough, it was a scam. </span></p><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:20px;"><strong>Unsolicited Emails need to be viewed with suspicion. Always. It only takes one mistake to ruin your life.</strong></span></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:54:14 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Last Rifleman]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/the-last-rifleman</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/The_Last_Rifleman_poster.jpg"/>This is a wonderful film!]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_vjef2fH4RRSbzqIHi98YDg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_DZg5HCQeSbiQq_6romzKNg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_6CPJLzfbT_mTWttJCyB8sg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_JjXgcMLzQsiurllu7Woafg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><div style="text-align:left;"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-size:24px;">The film is wonderful! Tear-jerker at the end (in happiness).</span></div>
<div style="text-align:left;"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-size:24px;">A comment by a German soldier who had been at D-Day struck me: "It's hard to find out you lost the war, it's harder to discover you were on the wrong side."</span></div>
<div style="text-align:left;"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-size:24px;">Yeah, twice! I wonder how the German people continue to trust their government.</span></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_AkvlAnq00KfAKrJHuXpB8g" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_AkvlAnq00KfAKrJHuXpB8g"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_AkvlAnq00KfAKrJHuXpB8g"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-center zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-ZvOkhgti1E?enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen id="youtube-video-1" data-api="youtube"></iframe></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:48:52 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grandson's Clarinet Recitals]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/grandson-s-clarinet-recitals</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/Markell-s Recital Blog Post.png"/>These are three videos of Markell's last two recitals. ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_Ijp9wiWATkyeVaVE8Yj36A" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_YG9Xx4m0R7uVL8sCMXhaEw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_0_2cDrPuTGeXTWyWMyO3eg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_RG2L2xPtSiWYMxoZlBv4XA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true">Proud Grandfather</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_xdvNKwIkShugNezVeujrsQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p>These are three videos of Markell's last two recitals. <br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_QE8DaoZT2YYR8pr1QD7M8A" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_QE8DaoZT2YYR8pr1QD7M8A"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_QE8DaoZT2YYR8pr1QD7M8A"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-left zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OuAOHVg-JKw?enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen id="youtube-video-1" data-api="youtube"></iframe></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_yCtLWFUUGVXbpcYPCayXiQ" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_yCtLWFUUGVXbpcYPCayXiQ"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_yCtLWFUUGVXbpcYPCayXiQ"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-center zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qcIRg1drFTg?enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen id="youtube-video-1" data-api="youtube"></iframe></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_uOaiIonh0uImWNevY6d6Rw" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_uOaiIonh0uImWNevY6d6Rw"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_uOaiIonh0uImWNevY6d6Rw"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-left zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/03AnD_mlKsY?enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen id="youtube-video-1" data-api="youtube"></iframe></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2025 18:00:44 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Love Supreme]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/a-love-supreme</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/John_Coltrane_-_A_Love_Supreme.jpg"/>Having that nice, big, album cover in my hands with the liner notes in a typeset size humans can read was a thrill.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_4MncoDSRTI-63hoxhU3lRA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm__e_YqsPwRWydDdB8HUtAnw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NREsh0WvS1WxLOsDxxTp2g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_KOK59gZ1Tyep3k5XmYYgQA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true">​<span id="A-Love-Supreme-For-Certain" title="A-Love-Supreme-For-Certain" class="zpItemAnchor"></span>​<span>A Love Supreme, For Certain</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_rBtckRNVTEyN5haaXcWtkQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><div><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">On the eve of my 69th birthday, listened to John Coltrane's "</span><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Love_Supreme" title="A Love Supreme" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A Love Supreme</a></span><span style="font-weight:400;">," the VINYL version. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Having that nice, big, album cover in my hands with the liner notes in a typeset size humans can read was a thrill.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Reading the notes and listening to the album reminded me why album covers with liner notes can be essential to understanding what the musician was trying to "say."</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Try it for yourself. I've posted the album AND the two liner notes below.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="#DEAR-LISTENER-ALL-PRAISE-BE-TO-GOD-TO-WHOM-ALL-PRAISE-IS-DUE" rel="">Note 1</a></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="#A-Love-Supreme" rel="">Note 2</a></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><br></p></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_njPQrwS_lX4JulqqyEvmKQ" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_njPQrwS_lX4JulqqyEvmKQ"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_njPQrwS_lX4JulqqyEvmKQ"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-left zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ll3CMgiUPuU?enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen id="youtube-video-1" data-api="youtube"></iframe></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_aCx7I7r-FpP9zrxX4LIbQA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true">​<span id="DEAR-LISTENER-ALL-PRAISE-BE-TO-GOD-TO-WHOM-ALL-PRAISE-IS-DUE" title="DEAR-LISTENER-ALL-PRAISE-BE-TO-GOD-TO-WHOM-ALL-PRAISE-IS-DUE" class="zpItemAnchor"></span>​<span>DEAR LISTENER: ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD TO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_dU6QQqc8ZBl9g-nHpLubOA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div> DEAR LISTENER: ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD TO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE.&nbsp; Let us pursue Him in the righteous path. Yes it is true; "seek and ye shall find." Only through Him can we know the most wondrous bequeathal. <br><br> During the year 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music. I feel this has been granted through His grace. ALL PRAISE TO GOD. <br><br> As time and events moved on, a period of irresolution did prevail. I entered into a phase which was contradictory to the pledge and away from the esteemed path; but thankfully, now and again through the unerring and merciful hand of God, I do perceive and have been duly re-informed of His OMNIPOTENCE, and of our need for, and dependence on Him. At this time I would like to tell you that NO MATTER WHAT ... IT IS WITH GOD. HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL. HIS WAY IS IN LOVE, THROUGH WHICH WE ALL ARE. IT IS TRULY – A LOVE SUPREME – . <br><br> This album is a humble offering to Him. An attempt to say "THANK YOU GOD" through our work, even as we do in our hearts and with our tongues. May He help and strengthen all men in every good endeavor. <br><br> The music herein is presented in four parts. The first is entitled "ACKNOWLEDGEMENT", the second, "RESOLUTION", the third, "PURSUANCE", and the fourth and last part is a musical narration of the theme, "A LOVE SUPREME" which is written in the context; it is entitled "PSALM". <br><br> In closing, I would like to thank the musicians who have contributed their much appreciated talents to the making of this album and all previous engagements. <br><br> To Elvin, James and McCoy, I would like to thank you for that which you give each time you perform on your instruments. Also, to Archie Shepp (tenor saxist) and to Art Davis (bassist) who both recorded on a track that regrettably will not be released at this time; my deepest appreciation for your work in music past and present. In the near future, <br> I hope that we will be able to further the work that was started here. <br><br> Thanks to producer Bob Thiele; to recording engineer, Rudy Van Gelder; and the staff of ABC-Paramount records. Our appreciation and thanks to all people of good will and good works the world over, for in the bank of life is not good that investment which surely pays the highest and most cherished dividends. <br><br> May we never forget that in the sunshine of our lives, through the storm and after the rain – it is all with God – in all ways and forever. <br><br> ALL PRAISE TO GOD. <br><br> With love to all, I thank you, </div>
<div><div><a href="#A-Love-Supreme-For-Certain" rel="">BACK TO TOP</a></div></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_muZ5c-3iLbFX6XKFslWACA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true">​<span id="A-Love-Supreme" title="A-Love-Supreme" class="zpItemAnchor"></span>​<span>A Love Supreme</span><br></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_uw-mE-cPccxNztbyEVQjjA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div> I will do all I can to be worthy of Thee O Lord. <br> It all has to do with it. <br> Thank you God. <br> Peace. <br> There is none other. <br> God is. It is so beautiful. <br> Thank you God. God is all. <br> Help us to resolve our fears and weaknesses. <br> Thank you God. <br> In You all things are possible. <br> We know. God made us so. <br> Keep your eye on God. <br> God is. He always was. He always will be. <br> No matter what...it is God. <br> He is gracious and merciful. <br> It is most important that I know Thee. <br> Words, sounds, speech, men, memory, thoughts, <br> fears and emotions – time – all related ... <br> all made from one ... all made in one. <br> Blessed be His name. <br> Thought waves – heat waves-all vibrations – <br> all paths lead to God. Thank you God. <br><br> His way ... it is so lovely ... it is gracious. <br> It is merciful – thank you God. <br> One thought can produce millions of vibrations <br> and they all go back to God ... everything does. <br> Thank you God. <br> Have no fear ... believe ... thank you God. <br> The universe has many wonders. God is all. His way ... it is so wonderful. <br> Thoughts – deeds – vibrations, etc. <br> They all go back to God and He cleanses all. <br> He is gracious and merciful...thank you God. <br> Glory to God ... God is so alive. <br> God is. <br> God loves. <br> May I be acceptable in Thy sight. <br> We are all one in His grace. <br> The fact that we do exist is acknowledgement of Thee O Lord. <br> Thank you God. <br> God will wash away all our tears ... <br> He always has ... <br> He always will. <br> Seek Him everyday. In all ways seek God everyday. <br> Let us sing all songs to God <br> To whom all praise is due ... praise God. <br> No road is an easy one, but they all <br> go back to God. <br> With all we share God. <br> It is all with God. <br> It is all with Thee. <br> Obey the Lord. <br> Blessed is He. <br> We are from one thing ... the will of God ... thank you God. <br> I have seen God – I have seen ungodly – <br> none can be greater – none can compare to God. <br> Thank you God. <br> He will remake us ... He always has and He always will. <br> It is true – blessed be His name – thank you God. <br> God breathes through us so completely ... <br> so gently we hardly feel it ... yet, <br> it is our everything. <br> Thank you God. <br> ELATION-ELEGANCE-EXALTATION <br> All from God. <br> Thank you God. Amen. <br><br> JOHN COLTRANE - December, 1964 <br></div>
<div><div><a href="#A-Love-Supreme-For-Certain" rel="">BACK TO TOP</a></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2025 18:00:44 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Following Jesus is hard]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Following-Jesus-is-hard</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/worship_bible.jpg"/>Following Jesus is hard. It always has been, but especially at this moment in time.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_M3Rf3V8pQka13yKTi8i_Ag" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_c8vN_u84Tiara9P4KPC8HQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_VkROqxozSWSDvjsZvBci4Q" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Lvwt1rBNTquGFEh_EQKBbg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><span>Following Jesus is hard</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_RhHfa6tqRk6HxE6VH0F_Pg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><div></div>
<div><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Following Jesus is hard. It always has been, but especially at this moment in time.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Below is part of today's Lectionary readings</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><strong>The Righteous Judgment of God</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others, for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth. Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Romans 2:1-4 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;"><strong>Do Not Judge Others</strong></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-weight:400;">“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”</span></p><span style="font-weight:400;">Luke 6:37-38 (NET)</span></div>
<div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:34:51 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA["In This Time Of Desperation"]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Exhortation-to-Patience-and-Trust</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/worship_bible.jpg"/>Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, 2 for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_M3Rf3V8pQka13yKTi8i_Ag" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_c8vN_u84Tiara9P4KPC8HQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_VkROqxozSWSDvjsZvBci4Q" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Lvwt1rBNTquGFEh_EQKBbg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true"><span style="color:inherit;">Hope in what is true</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_RhHfa6tqRk6HxE6VH0F_Pg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div> Reading the Lectionary today, I was kicked upside my head by Psalm 37. </div>
<div><br></div><div><div style="color:inherit;"><p><span style="font-weight:bold;"><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">1</span></sup> Do not fret because of the wicked;<br> do not be envious of wrongdoers,</span><br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">2</span></sup> for they will soon fade like the grass<br> and wither like the green herb.<br><span style="font-weight:bold;"><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">3</span></sup> Trust in the LORD and do good;</span><br> live in the land and enjoy security.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">4</span></sup> Take delight in the LORD,<br> and he will give you the desires of your heart.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">5</span></sup> Commit your way to the LORD;<br> trust in him, and he will act.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">6</span></sup> He will make your vindication shine like the light<br> and the justice of your cause like the noonday.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">7</span></sup><span style="font-weight:bold;">Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him;<br> do not fret over those who prosper in their way,<br> over those who carry out evil devices.</span><br><span style="font-weight:bold;"><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">8</span></sup> Refrain from anger and forsake wrath.<br> Do not fret—it leads only to evil.</span><br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">9</span></sup> For the wicked shall be cut off,<br> but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">10</span></sup> Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;<br> though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">11</span></sup> But the meek shall inherit the land<br> and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">12</span></sup> The wicked plot against the righteous<br> and gnash their teeth at them,<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">13</span></sup> but the LORD laughs at the wicked,<br> for he sees that their day is coming.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">14</span></sup> The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows<br> to bring down the poor and needy,<br> to kill those who walk uprightly;<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">15</span></sup> their sword shall enter their own heart,<br> and their bows shall be broken.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">16</span></sup> Better is a little that the righteous person has<br> than the abundance of many wicked.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">17</span></sup> For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,<br> but the LORD upholds the righteous.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">18</span></sup> The LORD knows the days of the blameless,<br> and their heritage will abide forever;<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">19</span></sup> they are not put to shame in evil times;<br> in the days of famine they have abundance.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">20</span></sup> But the wicked perish,<br> and the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures;<br> they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">21</span></sup> The wicked borrow and do not pay back,<br> but the righteous are generous and keep giving;<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">22</span></sup> surely those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land,<br> but those cursed by him shall be cut off.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">23</span></sup> Our steps are made firm by the LORD<br> when he delights in our way;<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">24</span></sup> though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,<br> for the LORD holds us by the hand.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">25</span></sup> I have been young and now am old,<br> yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken<br> or their children begging bread.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">26</span></sup> They are ever giving liberally and lending,<br> and their children become a blessing.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">27</span></sup> Depart from evil, and do good;<br> so you shall abide forever.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">28</span></sup> For the LORD loves justice;<br> he will not forsake his faithful ones.<br> The righteous shall be kept safe forever,<br> but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">29</span></sup> The righteous shall inherit the land<br> and live in it forever.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">30</span></sup> The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,<br> and their tongues speak justice.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">31</span></sup> The law of their God is in their hearts;<br> their steps do not slip.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">32</span></sup> The wicked watch for the righteous<br> and seek to kill them.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">33</span></sup> The LORD will not abandon them to their power<br> or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">34</span></sup> Wait for the LORD and keep to his way,<br> and he will exalt you to inherit the land;<br> you will look on the destruction of the wicked.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">35</span></sup> I have seen the wicked oppressing<br> and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.,<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">36</span></sup> Again I passed by, and they were no more;<br> though I sought them, they could not be found.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">37</span></sup> Mark the blameless and behold the upright,<br> for there is posterity for the peaceable.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">38</span></sup> But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;<br> the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">39</span></sup> The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;<br> he is their refuge in the time of trouble.<br><sup><span style="font-size:11.2pt;">40</span></sup> The LORD helps them and rescues them;<br> he rescues them from the wicked and saves them<br> because they take refuge in him.</p><p><br> Psalms 37 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)</p></div>
<br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sun, 23 Feb 2025 22:08:50 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Stumbling Across Old Friends]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/stumbling-across-old-friends</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/Nate Hahn and Me.jpg"/>&nbsp; I was perusing the events in town for the weekend of January 18, 2025 when my eye caught a strangely named band performing at my favorite record ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm__ik4q-FERiCmo6RPMIYKHA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_m7qaBG9kToCSd5dJ_KnWHg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_wGvOS9UOSsaLW-rBgvfGFg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_aBhXMZpRTxmZZTJNGrpFyg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true"><span style="color:inherit;">Stumbling Across Old Friends</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_eIqEQpf-Q9uK5l43S42EZw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:20px;">I was perusing the <a href="https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-01-17/3-things-to-do-this-weekend-warm-music-for-cold-weather-and-a-new-mockumentary-mom-edy" title="events in town" target="_blank" rel="">events in town</a> for the weekend of January 18, 2025 when my eye caught a strangely named band performing at my favorite record store.</span></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;">A group hang with approachable ambiance: The trio of musicians behind Swim Ignorant Fire’s latest, lovely album will play an official release show at Reverberation Vinyl. It is, like it sounds, a record store, so if you’re not prepared to stand or sit on the floor, bring a milk crate or tiny travel stool and prepare to get cozy with your neighbors in the stacks. 6 p.m. Saturday; donations accepted at the door. Facebook.com/reverberationvinyl.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:20px;"><span style="font-weight:400;">Hmmmmmmm. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:20px;">&nbsp; </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:20px;">I followed a <a href="https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2023-11-16/seasons-of-life-underscore-swim-ignorant-fires-latest-album-glow" title="link " target="_blank" rel="">link </a>within the article to read more.</span><br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;">Ambient emo meets coffee house cool: Fatherhood hasn’t slowed down composer/musician Stephen Holliger, who released a new LP on Bandcamp and cassette earlier this month. The eponymous album, titled after Holliger’s musical moniker Swim Ignorant Fire, is an extension of his ongoing collaboration with pedal steel guitarist Nate Hahn and multi-instrumentalist Stefen Robinson. And it’s the strongest yet, with a celestial, vintage vibe and rhythmic underbelly that’s less purely ambient than other recent offerings—primed to run in the background or accompany deep, focused listening.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:20px;">A bass clarinet with a pedal steel guitar and a bass player?&nbsp;Interesting. My grandson is playing a bass clarinet, so maybe he and I should attend. Then I saw the pedal steel player's name, Nate Hahn. WHAT?? I have a fraternity brother with that name! Could it be him? Yup, it was.</span></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:20px;font-weight:400;">Markell and I attended the show. Loads of fun. Great to see Nate again.</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_xfKZzjaIT4aAhj8DDa_CzQ" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style> [data-element-id="elm_xfKZzjaIT4aAhj8DDa_CzQ"].zpelem-button{ background-color:#EA7704; background-image:unset; font-size:18px; border-style:none; } </style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_xfKZzjaIT4aAhj8DDa_CzQ"] .zpbutton.zpbutton-type-primary{ font-size:18px; } </style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-lg zpbutton-style-oval " href="/music-of-the-month" target="_blank"><span class="zpbutton-content">Listen to the album</span></a></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_jVcf-tpB2vZlqOLVDzcCvA" data-element-type="gallery" data-tablet-height="240" data-mobile-height="145" class="zpelement zpelem-gallery " itemscope><div class="zpgallery-container hb-layout__cont" data-photoset_id="1160768000004378177" data-gallery_type="4"><div class="zpfilmstrip hb-grid-gallery no-fill-with-last zpimage-overlay-effect-hv-1 zpcarousel-container zpcarousel-style-01" data-album_name="Swim Ignorant Fire" data-columns="5" data-thumbs="true" data-hover_animation="zoomin" data-captions="true" data-caption_style="hv-1" data-image_background="" data-caption_animation="slideup" data-caption-style-enabled="true" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageGallery" data-filmstrip_gutter="3" data-layout-type="filmstrip" data-filmstrip-evenheight="" data-filmstrip-itemcount="3" data-filmstrip-responsiveitemcount="3,3.5,2.5" data-currentslide-index="0" data-zs-slider="slide: zpfilmstrip-item; slides-cont: zpfilmstrip-inner; content-cont : hb-grid-caption;background: false; arrow-cont: zpcarousel-arrows-container; type: filmstrip; right-arrow: next-button; left-arrow: prev-button; active-slide : zpfilmstrip-active;"><div class="zpfilmstrip-outter"><div class="zpfilmstrip-overflow-hidden"><div class="zpfilmstrip-gutter-fix"><div class="zpfilmstrip-inner hb-lightbox" data-lightbox-options="
                    thumbs: true,
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                    theme:dark
                    "><div class="zpfilmstrip-item"><figure itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"><a style="cursor:pointer;" href="javascript:;"><picture><img loading="lazy" data-src="/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0004.jpg" src="https://www.steveaves.com/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/.Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0004.jpg_m.jpg" alt="Nate Hahn and Me"></picture><figcaption class="hb-grid-caption zpimage-caption"><h4 class="hg-gallery-caption-heading">Nate Hahn and Me</h4><p class="hg-gallery-caption-paragraph">After 20+ years, Nate and still recognize each other.</p></figcaption></a></figure></div>
<div class="zpfilmstrip-item"><figure itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"><a style="cursor:pointer;" href="javascript:;"><picture><img loading="lazy" data-src="/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0001.jpg" src="https://www.steveaves.com/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/.Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0001.jpg_m.jpg" alt="Markell asks Nate about the pedal steel guitar"></picture><figcaption class="hb-grid-caption zpimage-caption"><h4 class="hg-gallery-caption-heading">Markell asks Nate about the pedal steel guitar</h4><p class="hg-gallery-caption-paragraph">Nate explains the pedal steel</p></figcaption></a></figure></div>
<div class="zpfilmstrip-item"><figure itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"><a style="cursor:pointer;" href="javascript:;"><picture><img loading="lazy" data-src="/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0003.jpg" src="https://www.steveaves.com/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/.Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0003.jpg_m.jpg" alt="Nate shows Markell how to play the pedal steel"></picture><figcaption class="hb-grid-caption zpimage-caption"><h4 class="hg-gallery-caption-heading">Nate shows Markell how to play the pedal steel</h4><p class="hg-gallery-caption-paragraph">Nate explains the pedal steel</p></figcaption></a></figure></div>
<div class="zpfilmstrip-item"><figure itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"><a style="cursor:pointer;" href="javascript:;"><picture><img loading="lazy" data-src="/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0006.jpg" src="https://www.steveaves.com/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/.Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0006.jpg_m.jpg" alt="What Happens When I Press This Pedal"></picture><figcaption class="hb-grid-caption zpimage-caption"><h4 class="hg-gallery-caption-heading">What Happens When I Press This Pedal</h4><p class="hg-gallery-caption-paragraph">Nate explains the pedal steel to Markell</p></figcaption></a></figure></div>
<div class="zpfilmstrip-item"><figure itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject"><a style="cursor:pointer;" href="javascript:;"><picture><img loading="lazy" data-src="/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0007.jpg" src="https://www.steveaves.com/photoset/Swim%20Ignorant%20Fire/.Markell%20and%20Nate%20Hahn%20Reverberation%20Vinyl0007.jpg_m.jpg" alt="Nate jams with the band"></picture><figcaption class="hb-grid-caption zpimage-caption"><h4 class="hg-gallery-caption-heading">Nate jams with the band</h4><p class="hg-gallery-caption-paragraph">Swim Ignorant Fire</p></figcaption></a></figure></div>
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</div></div></div><h4 class="filmstrip_loading" align="center"></h4></div><style> @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_jVcf-tpB2vZlqOLVDzcCvA"].zpelem-gallery .hb-lightbox__images { height:240px !important; } } @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_jVcf-tpB2vZlqOLVDzcCvA"].zpelem-gallery .hb-lightbox__images { height:145px !important; } } </style></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_iUwvAgiARp0ZoimILXeH3Q" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_iUwvAgiARp0ZoimILXeH3Q"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_iUwvAgiARp0ZoimILXeH3Q"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-center zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="600" height="350" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/edlhAxyjrlg?enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen id="youtube-video-1" data-api="youtube"></iframe></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:07:13 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[1 Kings reminds me of "The Godfather" Film]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/1-kings-reminds-me-of-the-godfather-film</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/worship_bible.jpg"/>The daily Lectionary recently had readings from 1Kings, chapter 2. I was reminded of "The Godfather" film.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_tYqa3bzhR0yzjJFowJE0lQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_H9ztUcSHRCqxayWSLCmEVA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_XfSrrAJEQtyHSGsQPhGW-A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Omtg6DRtSP2xFpCMs9zipw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;">The daily Lectionary recently had readings from 1Kings, chapter 2. I was reminded of "The Godfather" film. </span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;">Check out the information below and see if you agree with me.</span></p></div>
<p></p></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_v2o37zOHndSCxZwXdRl8WQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:20px;font-weight:400;">The film clip below is like <a href="#DavidFinalWordstoSolomon" target="_blank" rel="">David’s Final Words to Solomon</a></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;"> Don Vito and Michael Corleone talk</span></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_vxf7kIyDBZgLeaRkur5_Fw" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_vxf7kIyDBZgLeaRkur5_Fw"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_vxf7kIyDBZgLeaRkur5_Fw"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-left zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fuWkcKbBQkg?si=lnDoY8MhL032xzkl" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_YAmUMrnEm-gf-wlS3wSo9Q" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:20px;font-weight:400;">This clip correlates with <a href="#SolomonSecurestheThrone" target="_blank" rel=""> Solomon Secures the Throne</a></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;"> The Godfather I (1972)- Baptism Scene, Michael Kills all the heads of the other families</span></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_bPUYfvQ1NOK-pNizYfcQwg" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_bPUYfvQ1NOK-pNizYfcQwg"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_bPUYfvQ1NOK-pNizYfcQwg"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-left zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Pf8BkFLBRw?si=FqUk8ExywvEh-r2d" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_koSIYoDhuIUjw24OfpEO_g" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;">​<span id="DavidFinalWordstoSolomon" title="DavidFinalWordstoSolomon" class="zpItemAnchor"></span>​<span style="font-size:14pt;font-weight:700;">David’s Final Words to Solomon</span><br><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;">&nbsp;When David was close to death, he told Solomon his son: “I am about to die. Be strong and become a man! Do the job the LORD your God has assigned you by following his instructions and obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses. Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish, and the LORD will fulfill his promise to me, ‘If your descendants watch their step and live faithfully in my presence with all their heart and being, then,’ he promised, ‘you will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ </span><br><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> “You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—how he murdered two commanders of the Israelite armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. During peacetime he struck them down as if in battle; when he shed their blood, he stained the belt on his waist and the sandals on his feet. Do to him what you think is appropriate, but don’t let him live long and die a peaceful death. </span><br><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> “Treat fairly the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and provide for their needs, because they helped me when I had to flee from your brother Absalom. </span><br><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> “Note well, you still have to contend with Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who tried to call down upon me a horrible judgment when I went to Mahanaim. He came down and met me at the Jordan, and I solemnly promised him by the LORD, ‘I will not strike you down with the sword.’ But now don’t treat him as if he were innocent. You are a wise man and you know how to handle him; make sure he has a bloody death.”</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;">Then David passed away and was buried in the City of David. David reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years, and in Jerusalem thirty-three years. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"></span><span id="SolomonSecurestheThrone" title="SolomonSecurestheThrone" class="zpItemAnchor"></span>​<span style="font-size:14pt;font-weight:700;">Solomon Secures the Throne</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> Solomon sat on his father David’s throne, and his royal authority was firmly solidified. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> Haggith’s son Adonijah visited Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked, “Do you come in peace?” He answered, “Yes.” He added, “I have something to say to you.” She replied, “Speak.” He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine and all Israel considered me king. But then the kingdom was given to my brother, for the LORD decided it should be his. Now I’d like to ask you for just one thing. Please don’t refuse me.” She said, “Go ahead and ask.” He said, “Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.” Bathsheba replied, “That’s fine; I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.”</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand. She said, “I would like to ask you for just one small favor. Please don’t refuse me.” He said, “Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.” She said, “Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.” King Solomon answered his mother, “Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!” </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> King Solomon then swore an oath by the LORD, “May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life! Now, as certainly as the LORD lives (he who made me secure, allowed me to sit on my father David’s throne, and established a dynasty for me as he promised), Adonijah will be executed today!” King Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> The king then told Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your property in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but today I will not kill you because you did carry the ark of the Sovereign LORD before my father David and you suffered with my father through all his difficult times.” Solomon removed Abiathar from being a priest for the LORD, fulfilling the LORD’s message that he had pronounced against the family of Eli in Shiloh. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> When the news reached Joab (for Joab had supported Adonijah, although he had not supported Absalom), he ran to the tent of the LORD and grabbed hold of the horns of the altar. When King Solomon heard that Joab had run to the tent of the LORD and was right there beside the altar, he ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, “Go, strike him down.” When Benaiah arrived at the tent of the LORD, he said to him, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But he replied, “No, I will die here!” So Benaiah sent word to the king and reported Joab’s reply. The king told him, “Do as he said! Strike him down and bury him. Take away from me and from my father’s family the guilt of Joab’s murderous, bloody deeds. May the LORD punish him for the blood he shed; behind my father David’s back he struck down and murdered with the sword two men who were more innocent and morally upright than he —Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. May Joab and his descendants be perpetually guilty of their shed blood, but may the LORD give perpetual peace to David, his descendants, his family, and his dynasty.” So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and executed Joab; he was buried at his home in the wilderness. The king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada to take his place at the head of the army, and the king appointed Zadok the priest to take Abiathar’s place. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> Next the king summoned Shimei and told him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but you may not leave there to go anywhere. If you ever do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die. You will be responsible for your own death.” Shimei said to the king, “My master the king’s proposal is acceptable. Your servant will do as you say.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> Three years later two of Shimei’s servants ran away to King Achish son of Maacah of Gath. Shimei was told, “Look, your servants are in Gath.” So Shimei got up, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to find his servants; Shimei went and brought back his servants from Gath. When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had then returned, the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “You will recall that I made you take an oath by the LORD, and I solemnly warned you, ‘If you ever leave and go anywhere, know for sure that you will certainly die.’ You said to me, ‘The proposal is acceptable; I agree to it.’ Why then have you broken the oath you made before the LORD and disobeyed the order I gave you?” Then the king said to Shimei, “You are well aware of the way you mistreated my father David. The LORD will punish you for what you did. But King Solomon will be empowered, and David’s dynasty will endure permanently before the LORD.” The king then gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada who went and executed Shimei. </span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"> So Solomon took firm control of the kingdom.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;">1 Kings 2:10-46 (NET 2nd Ed.)</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><span>&nbsp; <br></span></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sun, 25 Aug 2024 10:44:49 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rockpile!]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/rockpile</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/Repeatwhennecc.jpg"/>It's Friday! Crank up tunes!]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_NeNw_6dFTVqxJRfmHP8xZA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_c4GwkC5eSauf9jS2G8Oouw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Vm3ici-hQkWo6kRbdu0nbw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Wb4XA2awS4yr66Akr9vl-Q" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true">It's FRIDAY! Crank It! Dave Edmunds "Repeat When Necessary"<br></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_WqEig4SiREaO5wUCSi1buw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div><span>"There are some things</span><br><span>You can't cover up with lipstick and powder</span><br><span>Thought I heard you mention my name</span><br><span>Can't you talk any louder?"</span></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_EQUcLejvPKIZ55bL6NTFLg" data-element-type="video" class="zpelement zpelem-video "><style type="text/css"> @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_EQUcLejvPKIZ55bL6NTFLg"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } @media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width:991px){ [data-element-id="elm_EQUcLejvPKIZ55bL6NTFLg"].zpelem-video iframe.zpvideo{ width:560px !important; height:315px !important; } } </style><div class="zpvideo-container zpiframe-align-center zpiframe-mobile-align-center zpiframe-tablet-align-center"><iframe class="zpvideo " width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRMjlN2NoNA?si=XRYtFTbZR1Zvv_2Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 23 Aug 2024 13:18:48 -0600</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Miles Davis, "On The Corner"]]></title><link>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/on-the-corner</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog Files/Miles_Davis_On_The_Corner.jpg"/>Summertime means road music! "On The Corner" is one of my favorite driving albums. Put the pedal to the metal and crank it up!]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_fPhcYZwgT3OGmSEdApd1DA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_xXPJz3WRTwqbfGB0zHHddw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_HN44cOk5Rca08jHajxbz0A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_FcsN_LN4Qy2GybAdmRHbYg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:24px;font-weight:400;">Summertime means road music!</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:24px;font-weight:400;">"On The Corner" is one of my favorite driving albums.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:24px;font-weight:400;">Put the pedal to the metal and crank it up!</span></p></div>
<p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;">Oh yeah! It is this month's music <a href="/music-of-the-month" title="HERE" rel="">HERE</a>.<br></span></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"></p><p style="text-align:left;text-indent:0.25in;"><br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_2DmbGsqyQDbie-751xAWZg" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_2DmbGsqyQDbie-751xAWZg"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 280px !important ; height: 280px !important ; } } @media (max-width: 991px) and (min-width: 768px) { [data-element-id="elm_2DmbGsqyQDbie-751xAWZg"] .zpimage-container figure img { width:200px ; height:175.04px ; } } @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_2DmbGsqyQDbie-751xAWZg"] .zpimage-container figure img { width:200px ; height:175.04px ; } } [data-element-id="elm_2DmbGsqyQDbie-751xAWZg"].zpelem-image { border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-small zpimage-mobile-fallback-small "><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><a class="zpimage-anchor" href="https://alabamaastronaut.com/home" target="_blank" rel=""><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="https://www.steveaves.com/files/Blog%20Files/Miles_Davis_On_The_Corner.jpg" width="200" height="175.04" loading="lazy" size="original"></picture></a></figure></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0600</pubDate></item></channel></rss>