Testing Post Length

I'm trying to find out if there is a post length blogging via Ping.fm.

Please excuse this long bunch of junk, and the several prior test messages, as I try to get this thing figured out.

Mobile blogging has been quite frustrating.

I don't understand why Google doesn't just set up a mobile Blogger site.

The Real Phantom Menace

Our dog of nine years was diagnosed with cancer five months ago. You may have been following along with the story here. She has begun declining quite rapidly.

This morning we awoken to several spots of vomit around the house. She won't eat and has a sad, distant look in her eyes.

Several years ago I watched my mother battle cancer. Then my grandmother. And as a child, my grandfather. Cancer is like some kind of Phantom Menace, attacking in stealth and consuming everything in its path. It's hard to keep it in mind, sometimes, that those loved ones who lost to cancer actually won the battle of life and went on to reap their final reward.

Our dog will lose to cancer soon. Is there a place for her in Heaven? I want to think so. I can't imagine anything else for her.

=== This is a mobile post.

SOAP: Behavior of Christians [Updated]

SCRIPTURE: 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 2 Peter 2:21

OBSERVATION: Is it okay for the saved to be depraved? In a word: NO!

APPLICATION: Christians are judged, often. It is to be expected. Those who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ can expect to be ridiculed and, in some cases and countries, tortured or even killed for no reason other than their faith. Christians are also expected to live up to a certain standard. And when they fail to live up to that standard -- or worse, when they attempt to appear to live up to that standard while all the time knowing inside that it's a facade -- God help them.

I'll use an example. My wife used to be quite the fan of Clay Aiken, from his American Idol days right up until he "came out" in People magazine. Then, for her (and, I imagine, many of Clay's fans), things changed. Not because he came out (though I think that for some that might have been reason enough). My wife found herself questioning why she should support someone who so heavily portrayed himself as a Christian, even denying being gay when asked about it, only later to come out as a deceiver.

Clay Aiken deceived his fans by saying he wasn't gay. Does this make him a bad person? Maybe not. But while deceiving his throng of fans, he talked about his faith and how he was such a devout Christian. So tell me, if you're reading this and you aren't a follower of Christ, and the only person you had to judge Christians by was Clay Aiken, what would you think now? That they're liars? That they're "gay?" That it's okay for them to call themselves Christ-like while ignoring his very teachings and living their lives the way that they want? And if Christians are supposed to be "Christ-like," what does that say of Christ (and, by extension, God Himself)?

That, I believe, is what Peter was saying. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. Why? Because through actions like those of Clay Aiken, actions which totally contradicted his words, they portray their God and their Saviour as phonies. Wow! They might be better off if they had just chosen eternal damnation to begin with.

PRAYER: Father, as a believer and a follower of Your Son, help me to present myself in a way that brings glory to You at all times. Help me to resist the things that might tarnish the Name of Your Son, so that I might not mislead or give Your Word a bad name.

Mobile Blogging Issues

I'm experiencing great frustraion with mobile posting to Blogger from my new Sprint phone. I can't seem to get things like returns to actually move text to the next line.
Am I alone with this problem? Anyone else know a fix?
Please email me: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

FREE Robert Costlow Download TODAY ONLY!

This is one of the BEST in acoustic piano. I promise!

Magnatune Song of the Day for Thursday, November 12, 2009 Genre: New Age Album: Woods of Chaos Artist: Rob Costlow Song: 8. Reflections Listen to the album: hifi lofi (only available today, Thursday)
Today's free song is from the album: Rob Costlow Woods of Chaos Total time: 46:37 Release date: 4/29/2005 Location of artist: IN, USA This artist has 2 other albums

Thank You, Veterans!

To the brave men and women who have served this great nation, risking or giving their lives for the cause of Liberty:

Thank You for your Service!

FREE William Brooks Download TODAY ONLY!

Magnatune Song of the Day for Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Genre: Folk Album: Buffalo Treason Artist: William Brooks Song: 1. A Misdemeanor or Two Listen to the album: hifi lofi (only available today, Wednesday)
Today's free song is from the album: William Brooks Buffalo Treason Total time: 36:00 Release date: 3/24/2004 Location of artist: NY, USA This artist has 5 other albums