On the Outside Looking In

2008-07-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2008

It is said that actions speak louder than words, but I don't know of any action more emphatic than the words that were adopted on this day in 1776, the words known as the Declaration of Independence. Nobody who is called upon to speak on this day can hope to compete with the eloquence, the nobility of purpose, the bravery, or the clarity of the great Declaration. But it is the heritage of every American to be able to speak in freedom every day of the year because of those words of July 4, 1776. Now, as then, we hold certain truths to be self- evident. Now, as of then, we rise to speak our minds.
Truly God has blessed our nation and has been good to us. However, it seems almost fashionable for some to talk about what is wrong with the United States. It seems to come with our Puritan heritage. But today I wish to think about how the God in whom we trust has indeed rewarded that trust. Its sad to think that there are those among us who seek continually to destroy those principles upon which this great nation was founded. May God have pity on their souls.

2008-06-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

REFLECTIONS

Do you, like myself stop often and reflect back on the wins and losses in your life? My daughter gave me for Father's Day a book written by Les Steckel who coached the Tennessee Titans. Les talks very candidly about his victories and defeats and how he managed to deal with the situation. In my mind there is a very vast difference in the question of, Have we failed or just been defeated? We all suffer defeats along the way but that does not make us a failure. Its all in how we deal with the situation.
Les, in his book makes this statement, "I think that's why God asked me, Do you have faith? The question is whether I really believe he is in control of everything good and bad--all of it. Can I trust him when I reach the peak of success? Can I trust him when I crash on the rocks? Les's book is titled One Yard Short. I like that title and it reminds me when we come up short in our efforts. I have seen and watched football games when the final play depended on making that one yard. Was it God's fault that the play failed or was it God who made the extra yard for the winning touchdown? No, God did not reach down to run interference so that the goal line was crossed. I do agree with Les Steckel that God cares what happens in a game. I also believe God is very interested in our game of life and wants to be a part of it.
Every aspect of our lives are important to God. Every task we do, he is there with us. He cares deeply about whatever we care deeply about, because he loves us with an everlasting love. Les states; "I believe he is great enough that there are no little things with him, nor any little people.
Les also states; I've heard it said that we learn the greatest lessons through adversity. If thats true, I ought to be a genius by now. I don't know any football coach who has been fired as many times as I have. I expect to be the first inductee in the Pink Slip Hall of Fame, if they ever build one.
Remember, whoever wins or loses in the game, God loves both sides.

2008-06-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

GET MOTIVATED

Tuesday, I was priviledged to attend the Get Motivated Seminar held here in North Little Rock at the Alltel Arena. My daughter Cindy gave me a ticket for the Executive section and I really enjoyed the entire day. There were numerous speakers and all did a very good job of presenting some helpful material to challenge a person's thinking. Speakers like Phil Town, Peter Lowe, Krish Dhanam, Rudy Giuliani, Tim Timmons, Ruben Gonzalez, Jeff Taylor, (Monster. Com) James Smith, Brian Tracy, Dr. Robert Schuller. I was disapointed that Zig Zigler could not attend due to medical problems. His daughter was there and informed the audience that Zig had fallen and as a result of the fall had to have a shunt placed to remove fluid from his brain. His Doctors would not permit him to travel. I have been a Zig Zigler fan for years and will always remember his advice on "stinking thinking" and how everyone needs a "check up from the neck up."

I suppose even at my age, everyone like myself needs to stop occasionally and re assess where we have been and where we are headed. No one ever out grows their need for ongoing needs for improving human relations. We often get so steeped in our thinking that we forget about others. One of my first sessions years ago with Zig Zigler, he made this statement. "You can achieve anything you want in this life, if you help others to achieve what they desire." Its a matter of forgetting the "Me" and seeking to help those around us to a better and more fulfilled lifestyle. Of course, this cannot be achieved without our seeking help from our Maker and Lord above.

One thing kept running thru my mind during the day listening to all the success stories was the fact that our accomplishments cannot be done alone. What will others remember you by when your life is past? I wonder about that question myself. What have we accomplished? What will our legacy be? We hear a lot about these days about legacy. Truly, I have no clue as to how others will perceive or remember my accomplishments. One thing I would like to think is that I have always been steadfast, unmovable, always having faith. But who knows? It behooves each of us to really look at our lives and continually strive to be the type people God would have us to be. Always looking ahead to a brighter future of love, dedication and our service to mankind.

2008-05-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, its been over a month since I have written anything here. Not so much not wanting to but simply for a lack of anything to say. May has been a month of misery with having two major infections. First, was the asthmatic bronchitis deal along with the lung infection. Just as that was improving then the kidney infection set in. After two ct scans and the x-rays it seems that has also been improved and hopefully June will be much better. My bout with Stenosis is still going on and has greatly affected my left side. I am determined to live with the pain until such time as giving in to the back surgery.
Mom and I have our routine everyday and are going about life as usual as best as we can. Staying busy helps a lot and I have certainly stayed busy at church with the Wal-Mart construction going on. Their grand opening is scheduled for the 11th of June. We have purchased 15 acres of land just north of our property in a prime location. We are looking at two options and will make a final decision prior to the end of the year. The options are to either stay where we are and build all our facilities on the south side of Maryland avenue , or move everything to the new location. The projected traffic flow due to the Wal-Mart situation is 60 to 70.000 cars daily. The unknown at this point is how much will this hinder our church services since we only meet a few hours each week. Another concern is our Christian School that meets in our facilities daily. What ever happens, the school will be taken care of. Second to the church, this is my committment to continue what began 38 years ago.
On a brighter side as I go through my daily routine and despite my aches and pain, there seems to be hope ahead. As I read my mail each day, I know there is a way to get my colon cleaned, get my hair restored, let Oprah help me lose 25 pounds overnight by drinking 6 gallons of green tea, fat burners to get my body,beach ready, with another colon flush lose another 25 pounds, get a degree from Kaplan Univ. in one month, take portable toilets with me, save 80 cents a gallon on gas, another degree in psychology in three weeks, borrow enough money to pay off all my bills and be completely debt free, viagra is the answer to all my other ills, and above all, there is someone looking out for me. Life is great, so why worry when you have yahoo sending you all this info.

2008-04-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

Dull Politics

I will certainly be glad when this election season is over. There is simply too much rhetoric going on about how America will be changed for the better and we will all be richer and safer. We have heard all this before but, now from some who don't have a clue as what to do. Some of the greatest men in history won fame because they didn't talk much. They said little and did much. They were not morose or unsocial. They were simply not loquacious.
George Washington was one of the silent men of our American scene. He only talked when necessary, was not hesitant when directions were to be given or advice sought, but the Virginian was not given to small talk, nor noted as a conversationalist.
Abraham Lincoln had his silent hours when he appeared to be withdrawn from the social chatter about him, and was not of the mind to relate incidents of old Indiana and Illinois days. He seemed to have his brooding days, which on occasions were shrouded in deep melancholy.

One of the disturbing statements recently made by one of these candidates. "America is the one of the greatest Nations in the World. Will you join with me in changing It?" If that person is elected then this country will become an Obomanation.

Great phrases seem to be a thing of the past. Henry's, "Give me liberty or give me death," Lincoln's, "Government of the people, by the people and for the people," Churchills, "blood, sweat and tears" Statements like these identified the speakers but also shaped the destiny of nations. I don't seem to be seeing any hope with some in this election year, just rhetoric.

2008-04-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Well, it was disapointing today to learn that our track coach was retiring. John McDonnell has coached our track team for 36 years and has led the Hogs to 42 national championships. This is a feat that no other coach in any sport has ever accomplished and probably never will. He is a legend in his own time and has always been a vital part of the overall success under the Broyles era. It was difficult for him today to finish his speech but he did say that his success has been attributed to tough love and his respect for those who participated in his program. Needless to say, they performed under his leadership and he leaves with the respect of all the sport fans and the entire State of Arkansas. Best Wishes John on your retirement. Enjoy your cattle ranch in Oklahoma.

2008-04-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

GRATITUDE

Often times it is probably difficult to offer our gratitude and thanks to those whom have been the real influence in our lives. I suppose reaching the 80 year milestone in my life has caused me to reflect back and to recall those individuals in my life that really played a major role in my developement over the years. The difficult part is that most of these have passed on to a greater reward and I most likely never thank them sufficiently for what they meant to me. The other evening Mom and I sat talking about gratitude and those to whom we have tried to help along the way. I recall being seventeen years old before ever having a father figure in my life. That person, ( my Father in Law) took me under his wings and really helped me to develope into a person seeking all the right things in life. I probably never expressed to him how important he was to me in my life. If you could go back to a person who has gone on and could whisper in their ear, what would you say? Recently, I expressed to family members of a dear friend of mine how much their Dad had helped me to become a stronger person of faith. Did I ever tell him? That seems to me now to have been the most important thing I should have done. Why wait till it is too late. I think we often take gratitude for granted. I often see this in our younger generation who seem to have the Me attitude and just expect people to go out of their way to help you.

One of my heroes of this great nation was Abraham Lincoln. I often reflect back on his words and how he addressed situations of gratitude. Today, yes today, there are those in our country who are critical of this nation and those who have sacrificed so much so that we might have a better life. They fail to recognize they are drinking from wells that others have dug with sweat and tears.
Mr Lincoln said, "We are blessed with bountiful fields and healthful skies. To those bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from whence they came, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature they fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God."
"Needful diversions of wealth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not rested the plow, the shuttle or the ship. Population has steadily increased.
"It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemly, reverently, and greatefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people.
If you are like myself, there are probable numbers of individuals who need to be told how important they are to you. I have begun this approach to let individuals know how much they are appreciated and to thank them for their influence on my life. It is not about Me, its those that walk beside me working together to make this a better society so others can come to know and recognize that Almighty God is in control and he has placed a responsibility on each of us.
Lets be more grateful and do less criticizing and do everything within our power to save this great country.
We are spending entirely too much time dwelling on the mistakes of the past rather than shouldering the responsibilities that we have. We cannot change what has already happened but we can change the future by applying ourselves to the task that lies before us. In all that we do, always do everything for the Glory of God and always asking him to help us become the people he would have us to be.

2008-04-04T09:25:00.000-07:00

Memories.

Well last night was scary for a while. It brought back memories of a Saturday afternoon in 1973 when I stood in my driveway and watched a tornado pass by the northend of our street. I had just picked my daughter from the church building about five minutes before it hit the building. As I recall, we had in access of $150,000 in damage to our auditorium and educational building.
Last night a tornado came almost as close as the previous one. The Sylvan Hills Hi School was hit which is only about four blocks from our church building. The North Little Rock Airport was practically destroyed along with over thirty private and business planes. This damage will result in unknown millions.
It makes you stop and think about how quickly lives can be changed. Thanks to our technology today warnings are available to help save lives. However, everything else is beyond our control. The important thing is to stop and reflect on where we stand in our relationship with God. Not everyone can escape the dangers of disasters. Things can be replaced but lives are the most important aspect of our families and society as well.

2008-03-18T19:54:00.000-07:00

Facing Up To Self

Today, while at the Church Office, our secretaries were going through old files and getting ready to destroy those that had been archived for years and were of no value to keep. In those they found some of my teaching materials that were filed back in the 60's and 70's. I kept a few that they had run across. One of the lessons contained this subject material that I feel is approiate still today.

We all believe in something, whether it be power, money, prestige, or personal growth. We are usually willing to work for these things. But there is a difference in the way unhappy and happy persons approach their beliefs. The unhappy person thinks only of himself. Too much of the world is on the wrong scent in the pursuit of happiness, as Henry Drummond aptly put it. They think happiness is in having and getting and being served by others.

The happy person has outstripped his foundering friends by finding happiness in giving and serving others. As a matter of fact, the happy person dedicates himself to those things that are bigger than he is. He finds happiness more than the joy of serving self. His happiness comes from obligations that are fulfilled, duty that has been discharged, acts of generosity done secretly, and appreciation of the beautiful in nature, art and conduct. The happy person is one who believes that life is good despite setbacks and frustrations and then works to make his belief a reality. Believing in someone bigger than your self and relying on your faith is the main path to happiness.

Would you today consider yourself to be happy or unhappy?

2008-03-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

ANYWAY 3/18/2008

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
If you're successful, you'll win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs, but follow only topdogs. Fight for the underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
Give the world the best you've got, and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you've got anyway.

2008-03-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

DEENA BURNETT AND 9/11

Last evening I attended the annual Partners Dinner for Central Arkansas Christian Schools. The featured speaker was Deena Burnett. Deena's husband Tom was on flight 93 going home to California. Deena shared with the audience the four phone calls that Tom had made to her that morning. The first call, Tom told her the plane had been hijacked and for her to call the authorities. Prior to the call she had seen an image of a plane hitting the World Trade Center. She was busy with feeding the kids breakfast and had not really sensed what was going on. Tom told her he would call her back. The hijackers were trying to get in the cockpit. The second call a few seconds later, Tom mentioned that he was getting the men organized to storm the cockpit. Deena told him that the second plane had hit the other tower. She had contacted the the FBI, but there was not much they could at the moment. The third call Tom told her they were looking for a rural area before attacking the cockpit. She said she pleaded with Tom to sit in his seat and wait. The fourth and final call came and the I love yous were exchanged. She mentioned she could hear the people in the background and she knew they were ready to do something. She had told him the third plane had hit the Pentagon. The actions of Tom and the rest of the men who on that day probably saved countless numbers from losing their lives since it became evident the flight 93 was headed toward another Federal building.
These men along with Tom became heroes on that fatal day. However, she stated that her husband would never want to be classified as a hero but simply a person who felt he had to do as an individual and make a difference in the lives of people. She received e-mails later of individuals who stated that her husband had impacted their lives. These were people that Tom had never mentioned to her even though they shared everything together. Listening to this lady sharing her story was an inspiring and emotional experience. Her message to the audience last evening was one of dedicating our lives to helping people. Going beyond self and reaching out to those we come in contact with daily. A smile, a hand shake, a hug, a pat on the back and all those things that do make a difference in the lives of those we see on a regular basis. This was a good message not only to our faculty and staff but everyone there including our Board of Directors.
Since her loss of her husband she has helped other victims' families in a number of ways.
She successfully spearheaded an effort to have the Flight 93 cockpit voice recorder released in April 2003, and is currently the lead plantiff in a law suit to bankrupt terroist organizations. She has also twice served in Europe as a witness in the criminal trials of AL Qaeda members. In addition, she is involved in other important roles of service to make our country safe.
Deena now lives in Little Rock with her three daughters Haley, Madison and Anne Clare. He has remarried to Rodney Bailey and his son, Tanner.

This message left me wondering. Why are there those in this great nation who are so set against our doing everything possible in fighting terroism not only here but abroad? What scares me most,there is a possibility the next President will do whatever it takes to abort all the efforts now going on. What a tragedy that will be.

2008-03-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Game of Life Player

God, help me to be a good sport in this little game of life. I don't ask for an easy place in the lineup. Play me anywhere you need me. I only ask for stuff to give You one hundred percent of what I've got. If all the hard drives seem to come my way, I thank you for the compliment. Help me to remember that You won't ever let anything come my way that You and I together can't handle.
And O God, help me to always play on the square. No matter what the other players do, help me to come clean. Help me to study and think about the Greatest Player that lived, and other great players that are told about in the book.
Finally, O God, if fate seems to uppercut me with both hands and I'm laid on the shelf in sickness or old age or something, help me to take that as a part of the game,too. Help me not to whimper or squeal that the game was a frame-up or that I had a raw deal.
When in the falling dusk I get the final bell, I ask for no lying complimentary stones. I'd only like to know that you feel that I've been a good, game guy.

2008-02-25T14:11:00.000-08:00

Just a Little Humor

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day: picked out a box of tampons and proceded to the checkout counter.
The man at the counter asked the older boy, Son how old are you? "Eight" the boy replied.
The man continued, "Do you know what these are used for?"
The boy replied, "Not exactly, but they are not for me, They are for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on a TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now he can't do either."

"Doctor please help me" says an elderly patient. "I have a silent passage of gas every morning, I have a silent passage of gas every afternoon, and i suffer from a passage of gas in the evenings.
Sometime i have a passage of gas a unpredictable times, for instance just now. Doctor, can you help me?"
The doctor responds, "Sure, I can help you. But first you need your hearing checked."

A man's wife had just bought a new line of expensive cosmetics guarnteed to make her look years younger. She sat in front of the mirror for what seemed to be hours applying the "miracle" products. Finally she finished, turned to her husband and said, "Honey, honestly now what age would you say I am?"
He nodded his head slowly, then carefully said, "Well, judging from your skin, 20. Your hair...mmm,18. Your figure, 25."
"Oh, you are so sweet! she gushed.
"Well, hang on. I'm not done adding it all up yet."

2008-02-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

Life Goes On

Well the past week has been rather hectic. First, spent several days with the galloping crud. Finally got over that and thought everything was going smoothly until Saturday morning. Mom and I are staying downstairs while Noah and Treece are here. With all the room we have downstairs there is not much need to live in the upper part. However, Saturday morning I found water on the floor in the little kitchen area. Out hot water tank was leaking. It was about 25 years old so I knew it was time to replace it anyway. While hooking up the hose to drain it, the faucet broke out and hot water started going everywhere. Thinking about the boy with his finger in the dam to stop the leak, it does not work with your thumb in hot water. Being a 50 gallon tank did not help the situation either. Finally got a dam fixed with all our towels, sheets and anything else we could find we were able to get by with little damage. Fortunately, the carpet in our den is glued down so it has dried out ok. Finally got the tank in Saturday night but still having a few minor problems.
There has been a lot of flu going around here but we have escaped it so far except for the sore throat and chest congestion. I don't like it when it sound like you are coughing up fur balls. The rash that you get occasionally is another problem. I went to the drug store and ask the lady where the baby powder was located. She stated, walk this way please, to which I explained if I could walk that way, I wouldn't need the baby powder.
I have spent the past two days redoing our son's clemency application. I don't understand how attorneys can allow such sloppy work by their secretarys, that you have to go back and redo it all. Everytime I go down to the office, this one is always outside puffing on a cigarette. The next time I go there, I'll tell her where she can stick that cigarette.
Anyway, life goes on and all we seem to have these days is political propaganda. Poor old Huck has ego problems and really needs to fade away. I really hope when the new Wal-Mart opens in our neighborhood, they will still hire 80 year olds. They are going to start frisking people as they leave to cut down on pilferage. I can do that.

2008-02-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Major Decisions of a Lifetime

As we go through life we often have to make major decisions that effect not only ourselves but others as well. The past four months have caused me a great deal of anxiety as well as being torn by having to make some decisions I had hoped I would never have to make. Dealing with the spiritual lives of individuals can take an enormous toll on a person. I have during this process had to turn to God and renew my faith in him and pray that those decisions that effect the church are those that are pleasing to Him. When we look at our church family that we have known for many years, we can only hope that out of these decisions comes a healing process and we can move forward doing those things that help us to be the persons that God expects us to be. I take consolation in one of the issues that came out of the Restoration Movement, In matters of opinion, Liberty. During the past few days, I have received many words from individuals that feel the right decisions were made and that I am appreciated for taking a stand on issues that our church family has wrestled with for many weeks. There must always be a Spirit of Love and the Bond of Peace. With God's help, all will meet tyhe challenges that are facing many churches today.

Just a note on the results of my recent MRI. Stenosis is the diagnosis that effects my spinal column. This is due to bulges in the disc that has caused the problems with pain in my side, back and left leg. Narrowing in the spinal column is the results of stenosis. My doctor has contacted the spine center at UAMS and hopefully some relief can come through therapy. I have determined to not to let this slow me down but keep moving forward. I can stand pain as long as it does not intefere with my eating or sleeping. Anyway, thats about all to report on me. Mom will undergo a sleep test in about two weeks to determine a cause for her loss of energy. Since she is reaching the 80 mark, I thought about trading her in for two 20's. She informed me I was not wired for 220.

2007-11-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

VETERAN's DAY

Actually yesterday was Veteran's day but today has been designated as the day of observance. Veteran's day is dedicated to the memory of all those who have fought this country's wars. Traditionally, I am reminded the most special tributes have been the moments of memorial silence. It is not the flights of of oratory but rather in the inner feelings of each of us that true memorials do exist. I firmly believe that what we do can also be a memorial. Our veterans fought to protect and advance the American way of life. The least we can do at times like this is to continue their dedication. It behooves us to look out over this great land and continue their dedication and try to make this country even better.
I pause this day to pay tribute to my four brothers who had a major part in helping to win world war two. Yesterday was a special time at worship services to honor those of us who have served our country.
I recall also that yesterday was General George S. Pattons birthday. I had the opportunity to stand at his grave site in Luxembourg in 1971. The cemetery there is a place where one can stand and recognize how important their lives and committment to this country means to us. It along with the memorials here in the United States are constant reminders of how fortunate we really are.
I also recalled that yesterday, November, 11, 1939 that Kate Smith introduced on her radio program a song written by Irving Berlin twenty years earlier, "God Bless America." It is tragic that today, in this great land, songs like this cannot be used in our schools because of the mention of God. I am so thankful this day for those men who continue to fight for this nation and their desire to serve voluntarily. "God Bless Them And America."

2007-11-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about the medical profession the past few days and realized that we need to continually pay tribute to those who contribute to our physical and temporal comforts and happiness. Times that are uppermost in my mind are Wendy's ordeal not too long ago in California and Cassie's battle to overcome JRA. The highly trained physicians, the skilled surgeons and the trained nurses--all give service the world needs and honors. How blessed we are as a nation yet, there are so many in the world who do have them. We would be poor indeed without them. They relieve pain, heal the sick, prolong life and give happiness and hope often to the hopeless. Our bodies are extremely important to us. They are the houses we live in for sixty, eighty years or more. But no matter how faithful the care our physicians can give us, the time will come when we must change this house for another one, and the physicians' service must end.
A service that aids us not only here, but continues to bless us even through eternity is more priceless even that which keeps our present house in order. Perhaps, then, the greatest servants of all are those who contribute to our spiritual needs, who train our minds, develope our hearts and give us a vision of eternity and the things of lasting value. Oftentimes many of those who give the greatest of all service are often unrecognized and seldom honored and praised. Lets not be guilty of failing to honor those who continually teach us and help us in our daily walk of service to God. Yes we want to someday live in the presence of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ.

2007-11-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

Great week in football.
Disapointed in not going to Fayetteville for the Hogs victory over Spurrier and the Chickens.Hopefully, DMac can keep it up in the next three games. He and Jones will have a place in the pros.
My favorite Pro team, Favre and the Packers won another one today over the Chiefs. Favre is one class A Gentleman.
New England is not one of my favorite teams but I'm glad they beat Manning today.
Glad to see the Cowboys and Romo win another one today also.

Finally, I have been a Frank Broyles supporter for years. He has brought athletics to an all time high at the University. It was touching to see the tribute to him yesterday with the naming of the field after him. I hate to see him go but I know he feels due to age its time to go. Thanks Frank for all you have meant to the University and the Razorbacks.

2007-11-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

Just a side note to ask for prayers regarding my health.

This week I have been to my heart doctor twice and waiting results on the Echo test. In addition, I spent over three hours at UAMS in Little Rock for testing. After about 8 or 10 x-rays on my neck, chest and abdomen I received a call from my doctor stating there was something abnormal about my chest x-ray. I have been scheduled for the CT scan on Wednesday the 7th. Hopefully everything will be ok and all this is just a fluke. Anyway, reaching 80 this month causes me to be concerned. Prayer cures a lot of ills.

2007-11-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Continuing with the subject of giving.
It is a platitude to say you can't give what you don't have, but the platitude is correct. You can't. Nevertheless, we often make the mistake of trying to give what we don't have. There are those, for example, who think they know everything about everything and if they do not they pretend. They can give advice on any subject. Now and then, of course, they reveal the fact they are speaking from a vacuum of knowledge.
I read what people write on different subjects and am amazed at the number of experts out there who have all the answers. Abraham Lincoln however, was a person who had great knowledge on many things but never claimed to have all the answers. He was vastly disturbed during the Civil War because he was so often denounced and criticized by people who pretended to be wise on a minimum diet of facts and and information. They offered wisdom they did not posess. So, whimsically he told the story of a backwoods traveler lost in a teriffic thunderstorm. The rider floundered thru the mud until his horse give out. Then he stood alone in the middle of the road while lightning streaked, and thunder roared around him. One crash seemed to shake the earth underneath and it brought the traveler to his knees. He was not a praying man but he made a petition short and to the point: "O Lord, if it is all the same to you, give us a little more light and a little noise."
The point is, we cannot give light or wisdom we do not have, and we do more damage than good when we speak with authority from a vacuum of knowledge and information that we may not have.
There are those even in the church who feel they have all the answers and can interpret the scriptures to mean things that that are foreign and contrary to what is intended.

2007-10-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

It is not about ME, but who I serve.
In 2nd Peter 1:1-11, The Apostle Peter tells us three very important things: how to make our life happy and fruitful, how to become partakers of the divine nature, and how to make our calling an election sure. One of the great secrets of happiness is the consciouness that our lives have been constructive, helpful, and really worthwhile. But how much happier would we be if we could know that we really have been a help to others? In this chapter Peter gives us the secret of the happy, fruitful life.
I see so many that are so involved with self, that it makes me wonder why they cannot realize that they are being helped by others. I might call it the ME syndrome. We really need to go back often and look at the Christian graces.
In years past one of my favorite writers was Dr. Lloyd Cline Sears. Dr Sears used some interesting stories that really hits close to home with how we often deal with others. He states this item that has been one of my favorites for many years.
As a boy I pulled a little wagon a mile through the hot sun to the ice plant for twenty-five cents worth of ice. On the plat form was already a chunk about the right size. The man put it on the scales and found it slightly too heavy. He took his ice pick and chipped it down to twenty-five cents, letting the chips melt in the sun. An equal amount probably melted on the way home. The man was honest, he wanted to give me what I paid for, but there was something inside him that would not let him give me a half pound more. That man later became an elder in a city church, and I was told he regularly opposed any effort of the church that would require much giving or sacrifice.
He also told the instance that happened to Z.D. Barber, who managed an orphanage in Texas years ago, told of a woman who brought out to the truck a great arm load of clothes. "I can't use these things any more," she said, "but maybe you can use them." Then as the truck started up she yelled, "Wait a minute. I can use the buttons," and the driver waited till she came with the scissors and cut all the buttons off.

Dr. Sears used other stories like this and I will share them if anyone finds this interesting

2007-10-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

California Wild Fires

We have been watching the tragic situation on TV regarding the fires that are devasting the southern portions of California. Our hearts go out to these families who are losing their homes and all their belongings. I cannot imagine how they can cope with this. It is good to see people responding and providing shelter etc. for the families. Our prayers are for everyones well being and the recovery process that follows.

2007-10-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

Why can't people take NO for an answer. I keep getting these calls from different groups wanting money. I am supposed to be on the Do not call list. Just today, I received a call from a person raising money for the FOP. I tried to explain to him I was 108 years old and on welfare and had no money to give. He never let up on his spiel and was still ranting when I hung the phone up. It reminded me of the story of last winter.
During last winter's violent snowstorms, one Red Cross rescue team was carried by helicopter to within a mile of a mountain cabin all but covered by deep snowdrifts.
The rescuers struggled on foot through the deep drifts and finally arrived at the cabin, where they shoveled away enough snow to clear the door. They knocked, and when their summons were answered by a mountaineer, one rescuer stepped up and said, "We're from the Red Cross."
"Well," said the the mountaineer, scratching his head. "It's been a right tough winter and I don't see how we can give anything this year."

Oh well, There was a time when a fool and his money were soon parted. Now it happens to most everyone.

2007-10-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power no other nation has ever known=but we have forgotten God.
We have forgotten the gracious hand that preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched, and strenghtened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virture of our own.
Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us.
It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and pray for clemency and forgiveness.
I still have confidence that the Almighty, the Maker of the universe, will through the instrumentality of this great and intelligent people, bring us through present difficulties of our country.

This statement was made by Abraham Lincoln and still rings true today. In our over educated, arrogant attitude about having all the answers, our country is in great trouble. We see God being left out in way too many areas because we are afraid of offending someone. Lets get back to the basics and stand for the principles this nation was founded on.

2007-10-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

On the inside looking out

"Look at that one-- the one staring at us through the bars. Doesn't he look intelligent?"
"Yes, Theres something uncanny about it."
"He looks as if he understood every word we're saying."
"Walks on his hind legs, too, and swings his arms."
"There! He's got a peanut. Lets see what he does with it."
"Well, what do you know about that! He knows enough to take off the shell before he eats it, like we do."
"Thats a female alongside of him. Listen to her chattering at him. He doesn't seem to be paying much attention to her though."
"She must be his mate."
"They look kind of sad don't they?"
"Yes, I guess they wish they were in here with us monkeys."