Let me give all of you faithful blog readers a head's-up: My blogging will be sporadic for the next fifteen days. We are knee deep in packing in anticipation of our pending move to Marble Falls, Texas. I should be ready to get back at it full speed around August 17th. In the meantime, I beg your patience.

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I had an extended lunch break today to take care of Tori while Mandy and Trae visited the dentist. I was stunned to turn on ESPNews and discover Rafael Palmeiro had been suspended for ten days in violation of MLB's susbtance abuse policy. The early reports indicate Palmeiro failed a test for steroids.

I am stunned. Back in March during the Congressional hearings, Palmeiro was as firm and vocal about abstaining from using steroids as any panel member.

I have always admired Raffy. In fact, since 1989, he has been one of my favorite Rangers. His swing is as pretty as anyone who ever played the great game.

Today's events tarnish his image and no doubt, place his future enshrinement in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in question.

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Much has been made in the media today over whether or not Palmeiro lied in his Congressional testimony. Who knows the answer to that but I do know the answer to the issue raised.

Proverbs 6.6-9 speaks to the Lord's hatred of seven things. One discretion is so ghastly that it is mentioned twice -- lying. God hates "a lying tongue" and a "false witness that speaks lies."

Have you ever wondered why God so despises lying? I think the key to understanding the depth of God's hatred toward lying is to be found in John 8.44. That text shows that Satan -- the adversary of all that is godly -- is the "father of lies." To lie is to claim an alliance with the father of lies himself.

May today find you and me always committed to "speak the truth in love."