Best wishes to all of my readers and commentors for a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family.One of the many things I am thankful for are all of you that participate in this blog who engage in thoughtful discussions that I believe we all learn from, even when we don't agree. I have made quite a few new friends here, and thank you for your support and encouragement on the blog and via email, I can't tell you how much it means!
The Watchdog blog will continue on, and we shall see what 2011 holds! This is the 4th Thanksgiving of the Watchdog blog - so far no trespass warnings this year on Thanksgiving Eve - but who knows it is still early, waiting for that doorbell to ring! But seriously, I have much more to write about regarding the lawsuits, and matters that I know are of interest to all of us who participate in the blog. We're just getting started!
But for now let's go eat some turkey and watch some football!
37 comments:
YAY first comment! Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving to you too WD! Hope you enjoy this time and keep on keepin on!
And a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well.
We have enjoyed being a supporter of your ministry and firmly believe the Lord allowed a very sad situation in your life to minister to thousands through this blog.
We have learned so much and appreciate so many others who have provided biblical thoughts and wisdom for personal bible study. Thanks to all of those people as well.
One of these days we hope to meet you and your wife personally.
Happy Thanksgiving to Dr.Dog and family and to all the bloggers pro and con!!!
Wishing WD and his family and ALL the readers a safe and happy thanksgiving.
Watchdog: Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and here's hoping that 2011 will be the best year of your life. God bless.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless!
I, in addition to these others wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving. You have been a blessing to my family through these years. Thank you for giving of yourself in standing tall through this storm. Thank you for allowing us to voice ourselves, when we had no other outlet. One thing I have learned is, I am not alone in what I believe on the topics discussed here. Thank you for this opportunity. You deserve the very best! God bless you!
Let us all be thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice for us on the Cross. I pray for His return daily. "Even so come quickly Lord Jesus".
Love the pilgrim dog
Dr. Dog Hope your feast is good!!!
Happy Turkey Day, Watchdog !!! May your family be blessed and your favorite team win!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family WD.
We are better off in so many ways because you have shown extraordinary courage.
You are just one of the many blessings we have had this year to add to our 'Thanksgiving' list.
"We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining.
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine.
So from the beginning the fight we were winning.
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!"
So much to give thanks for. I hope you all had a wonderful time of thanks-giving yesterday. I pray for peace upon you all and your families.
Hmmm...Watchdog,
Thanksgiving to you is about eating turkey and watching football?
And you are thankful for bloggers? That's what you come up with? And you have much more to write about regarding lawsuits?
It just seems to me that someone like you who spends so much time observing the words of others should also have someone observing or watching your shallow Thanksgiving post. Amazing how words can be twisted and how pointing out others' faults and failures produces a short rope for ourselves.
Here's hoping that 2011 turns out to be an investment of time into your own family and personal evangelism and personal discipling of others instead of blogs and postings often anonymously blasting pastors, leaders and ministries.
Norman N.
Norman N.
Did you perhaps miss Tom's first sentence?
"Best wishes to all of my readers and commentors for a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family".
I know that Tom cares much about the people who post here. Unlike many people, he even posts comments from those who like to belittle him.
I'm glad to see Christians reading scripture and thinking for themselves. I listened to the tithing doctrine for years. I was sure my Pastor was right because, after all, he'd been to seminary and had truly studied scripture. I had not. At least not on anything more than a superficial level. God used this lesson to get my attention and I embarked on a serious study of scripture. My goodness, I spent the big bucks to even get Logos software (which I understand many seminary students are required to have). It has helped me in so many ways and my walk with God is closer than it has ever been. I know I'll never master the scriptures completely, but there is tremendous joy in the process.
It's really too bad that we blindly follow and TRUST men to teach us the scriptures when it's clear they aren't suited to do so.
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith".
God Bless.
So do think that if the church practiced what it preaches that maybe just maybe there would not have been a lawsuit?
Mmmm Norman N,
I sense a bit of bitterness in your comments. That's okay, if you want to sound like an old weed. I enjoy reading other peoples (opinions.)
As an anon blogger, may I just say that sometimes God allows people like the WD & his family to go
through difficult times to encourage others which this blog is doing.
I believe the best is yet to come from WD and that God will reward and excel him for standing firm in the midst of an storm that was mishandled from the very leadership you say we are blasting. :>)
Norman N. you have a literary presence that could turn a birthday party into a funeral wake. Chill, Dude! WD is saying Happy Thanksgiving; nothing more, nothing less. If you live in the the United States of America and Thanksgiving does not include turkey and football, you have little interaction with the society at large. Of course, Thanksgiving is about more than those things...WD did not say otherwise. I'm amazed you drew such a negative conclusion. What happened? Did you eat some left over, unrefrigerated stuffing? Or is it just too hard for you to find joy and agreement with anything Tom says? Relax, enjoy the season.
TO: 'Norman N.
November 27, 2010 7:26 PM'
Ouch! What a grouch, you've got red kool-aid stains, all over you lips.
Go wash your face.
Garlando
Norman H: Many of us are thankful for Watchdog, and the fact that he shines the light on information that otherwise would remain "in the dark", hidden away under the guise of "ministry". Many of us do not choose to "remain ignorant brethren".
I see from your comment that even you admit that "others have faults and failures".
I am thankful that we have the freedom to express our views. But WD did stand up for this freedom and won! Which prooves we don't have to allow our freedoms to be taken away even if it is a group in a church leadership that tries. Thanks WD!
Yep, the last 4 bloggers prove my point. I think this blog is often filled with bitterness and cynicism.
Of course I would assume the best in Watchdog, that Thanksgiving for him is more than football and turkey...but if I were to only "take it up wit da blog" and see the letter of the law, then I would conclude from this one post that Tom is not a Believer nor gives any thanks for Jesus for his salvation over this past weekend. I don't believe that to be the case (honestly) but I also think that so many bloggers on here, Watchdog included, make so many statements of cynicism and some of hatred toward men and women based only on their words, and not their heart.
Just asking for some balance, maybe some grace this coming year in the words of Believers toward one another. If you feel that Mac, Steve, all mega-church pastors are non-believers in Christ then fire away at your judgments, but if you believe they are in your family - - then be gracious in your words and limited in your attacks.
Norman
Norman - as much as it must grieve you, and possibly confuse you, I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I attended church with my family today, went to a Sunday School class, had lunch, prayed and gave thanks...and this weekend enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with my father who is not a believer, but we talked about how much we had to be thankful for, and I said a blessing of Thanksgiving to Jesus Christ for our meal and all that we have to be thankful for.
Sorry I wasn't clear enough in my one post about me being a Christian and thankful for Jesus.
The one thing I am learning about so many Christians through this blog, is how many of them in their expressions toward me are so anti-Christian. In their desire to take their shots at me and my family, they show how shallow their own faith is.
Watchdog happy thanksgiving again even though it is now Monday. I agree with you that some carnal Christians post mean things here since they do not like your honest reporting. It was the Jewish church leaders that had Jesus nailed to a tree for speaking out against them. You are in some pretty good company when some churches comes after you particularly in our day and age. Some believe they are doing God's work when in actuality its Satans'. Does want to make one reason why they care what goes on in some of these monuments. Sort of like the rich man and Lazarus. Jesus allowed the angels to carry Lazarus to heaven, however they failed to lift a finger for the rich man. Oftentimes the rich have a hard time dealing with the lowly, poor, and downtrodden. It would take some effort and humility on their part and we realize that isn't in some folks. Sad but so true. Bless you and your family and for standing in the gap and not sitting on the fence like a lot of individuals.
Out of the heart come the issues of life. What people say is most telling. It allows us to know what they are thinking even sometimes when the microphone is thought to be off and some are caught in the very act of belitting someone else.
Jesus said " Be ye kind one to another". Unfortunately most ministers and congregations have ignored this statement from our Lord. It seems as though a lot of ministers and congregants prefer taking someone down, out of service or employment rather than attempting of healing wounds. A lot of scars and wounds have been placed on some individuals wrongly by those in leadership. Many times this happens without the injured party having opportunity to express his/her side of the story. Yet we hear "we love the sinner but hate the sin". I think this remark is easy to say but very hard to perform.
Humility is a virtue we should all strive to follow especially in church. If a church group cannot follow the instructions of "be ye kind one to another" they should shut up their buildings and go home until they repent, pray, and fast until Jesus comes. Like someone said they are of no earthly good. This is not being judgemental but rather watching those from close up and sometimes afar. The afar is by television or reading some articles that bring to surface just what the person believes. You learn a lot more by observation than some people realize. They may use smoke and mirrors, however in the end the smoke fades and the mirror fails.
""Anonymous said...
Yep, the last 4 bloggers prove my point. I think this blog is often filled with bitterness and cynicism.""
Bitterness? Cynicism?
Sir, you lack a sense of humor and need to get over your high self.
Because I ribbed you about the kool-aid, that was taken as bitterness? Cynicism?
You are so funny with your logic here. Check your first post. Now that wreaked with bitterness.
My statement about washing your face? No Sir/Maam, that still stands.
That bright red stain for a mustache is a give away to all around you. The sanctimony of your comments leaves the tell tale red mark of Southern Baptist kool aid. The kind some of the preachers dispense, all mingled in their sermons.
The debate of issues goes on here, some are quite serious issues with the church and no man, pastor or office is higher than the integrity of the Word or His Church. Period.
Man, I miss J. Vernon Mcgee, George Merriman, Glen Hayden and J.E. Clark. My former pastors and a good radio bible teacher in the person of Mcgee.
Garlando.
He's baaaaack!
State attorney's investigator checks on father of a rival Yulee football player
The chief investigator at the Jacksonville State Attorney’s Office, who helps coach high school football, used a confidential law enforcement database to look up personal information on the father of a player at a rival school, state records show.
WD, I don't think the SA's office has learned their lesson yet.
I realize my timing is off in the grand scheme of things but, I wanted to comment on the recent lawsuit settlement. Please forgive me for being late, as I see your article about this was written some time ago.
Like you, Tom, I am a big believer in less government, more individual rights, as well as freedom and liberty guaranteed by the Constitution, protected by its corresponding amendments. In order to prevent the government from abusing its power to suppress our liberties and robbing us of our constitutional freedoms, we should take every measure necessary to preserve and protect that which we hold dear as citizens of a free union-our rights as a free people. Such measures often times include filing law suits against the government, which has proven to be successful in your case. However, my point of dissent lies specifically with the result of the legal action you took. I have a problem with the monetary damages that were awarded to you; More so the fact that you willingly accepted them, as I understand it to be.
First, I understand $50,000 is not a significant sum of money for a number of reasons. Undeniably however, that money did belong to the taxpayers of Jacksonville, Florida. What I don't understand is how can you be ok with taking that money from the city, ultimately the taxpayers themselves?
In the midst of a weak economy, high unemployment, increased taxes on the Jacksonville community, not to mention the non-profit organizations who barely have their head above water financially, whom you so heavily advocate church members send their money to instead of their local church, how do you justify accepting the $50k award as a result of the settlement with the city of Jacksonville? Perhaps the people of Jacksonville would prefer you to have their money instead of the corrupt city. I could understand that in some way. But I don’t know. I think it all comes down to the motive behind accepting the cash award and what you intend to do with the money. Maybe you can shed some light on all this. I think the people of Jacksonville want to know.
Yes, it is terrible. The city had to pay out $50,000 to settle a first amendment lawsuit for the actions of their police officer, who allowed himself, in my opinion, to merge the functions of the church and the government by pulling subpoenas into my blog while himself a leader of the church's discipline committee that sought my identity. It all could have been avoided at so many steps.
And if you're upset at the city having to shell out $50,000 for the actions of their police officer, you'd probably really be upset at the money they spent in hours and hours of depositions taken of me and my wife and practically all of my extended family members to ask them about my marriage, my mental state, whether I am jealous, etc. etc. And then the hiring of expert witnesses to read my blog and make commentary...whew! The $50,000 probably pales in comparison to all of those expenses.
It is a shame. It's a disgrace. Let's all hope the city and the JSO have learned their lesson. I think they have. They have already begun to take corrective measures so this sort of merging of church and state matters by a person who achieves a high level of leadership in a church who also has subpoena power, doesn't occur again.
It has been quite an expensive lesson for all of us as citizens who have to pay for the defense of the lawsuit, and the ultimate settlement.
What will I do with the money? Not sure, as I don't have it yet. I have legal costs for one. It is not cheap to take on the city and the sheriff's office and the state attorney's office when they abuse their power. And there are more legal fees ahead in the church lawsuit. Lawyers are expensive. But I can tell you that if I want to help people in my community with any money left over, I absolutely will not give it to a mega church. :)
A concerned citizen said...
"$50,000" you thief
But what about:
The city will pay $43,000 to purchase Jacksonville Jaguars football tickets this year and use the tickets primarily for local charities.
or
the city kicked in $150,000 to help throw "the ultimate tealgate party" for a December game against Indianapolis. A ticket drive for that matchup made it the lone game shown on local television.
or
In a new naming rights deal with EverBank, Peyton agreed to waive the city's $4 million take and allow the Jaguars to keep the money.
or
JAGUARS SEEK $148 MILLION IN STADIUM UPGRADES
December 4, 2008
Copyright 2008 MediaVentures
Jacksonville, Fla. - The Jaguars want the city to spend $148 million renovating Jacksonville Municipal Stadium - more than it cost to build 15 years ago.
Me thinks your fishing in the wrong pond.
Anon 11:30 am;
You left out the thousands and thousands of dollars the City paid for the fireworks this week to celebrate the annual Lighting Of The Christmas Tree & Boat Parade with a ton of extra police for security just to entertain the taxpayers for 15 minutes.
For myself, the measly $50,000 (which is covered under insurance) was taxpayer monies which was WELL SPENT to justify the actions of one of the Sheriff's men.
As one said WD . . .keep on going!
Anon 7:40 - need to correct you on that...there is no "insurance" that covers such settlements. The city does budget for these in advance, but it most certainly is not an insurance payout. It comes from the pockets of the taxpayer, you and me, as does the cost of defense of such lawsuits with the very expensive depositions and expert witnesses. And I've been told that the city ordinarily does not settle civil lawsuits, they fight them all the way to court in most cases, as a defense posture to discourage future frivilous lawsuits.
Thanks for correction WD, learn something new every day - one of the reasons I enjoy the blog.
You always speak the truth in love and immediately correct those of us when we say something that is not on target.
I hope that you get some help for yourself. You are obviously paranoid and angry. Are you in church now?
I hope that you get some help for yourself. You are obviously paranoid and angry. Are you in church now?
You mean right now? No, I'm home now. Was in church earlier today.
:)
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