Remembrance of Advent with a Friend - Christmas Day

A Christmas Day 2003 blessing from Paul Berry:

Praise GOD!

Praise GOD
for the joy and delight of children
and grandchildren.

Praise GOD
for the calmness after the "storm"
of shrieks and wrapping being shredded.

Praise GOD
for laughter,
for 'thank-you's'
for words of wonder and surprise.

Praise GOD
for Bethlehem's birth,
for Calvary's suffering,
for Easter life.

May the love of God enfold you this Christmas tide.
May the power of the Lord strengthen you.
May the Joy of Christ's Spirit fill your hearts ...
May your Hope and anticipation be answered with Jesus' Peace
On this day of Holy Nativity and for evermore.

AMEN.

Remembrance of Advent with a Friend - Christmas Eve

This was shared by Paul Berry on Christmas Eve, 2003:

Christmas in the trenches - SojoMail 12.24.03
Christmas in the trenches
by Jim Wallis

"Silent Night," by Stanley Weintraub, is the story of Christmas Eve 1914 on the World War I battlefield in Flanders. As the German, British, and French troops facing each other were settling in for the night, a young German soldier began to sing "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht." Others joined in. When they had finished, the British and French responded with other Christmas carols.

Eventually, the men from both sides left their trenches and met in the middle. They shook hands, exchanged gifts, and shared pictures of their families. Informal soccer games began in what had been "no-man's-land." And a joint service was held to bury the dead of both sides.
The generals, of course, were not pleased with these events. Men who have come to know each other's names and seen each other's families are much less likely to want to kill each other. War seems to require a nameless, faceless "enemy."

So, following that magical night the men on both sides spent a few days simply firing aimlessly into the sky. Then the war was back in earnest and continued for three more bloody years. Yet the story of that Christmas Eve lingered - a night when the angels really did sing of peace on earth.

Folksinger John McCutcheon wrote a song about that night in Belgium, titled "Christmas in the Trenches," from the viewpoint of a young British solder. Several poignant verses are:

"The next they sang was "Stille Nacht," "Tis 'Silent Night'," says I.
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky
"There's someone coming towards us!" the front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one lone figure coming from their side
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shone on that plain so bright
As he bravely strode unarmed into the night.

Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man's land
With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell.
We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played his squeeze box and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men.

Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wondrous night
"Whose family have I fixed within my sights?"
'Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung
For the walls they'd kept between us to exact the work of war
Had been crumbled and were gone for evermore."

My prayer for the New Year is for a nation and world where people can come out of their trenches and together sing their hopes for peace. We here at Sojourners will carry on that mission, and we invite you to continue on the journey with us.

Blessings to you and your families.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the complete lyrics to John McCutcheon's song, see: http://www.folkmusic.com/record/r_water.htm#Christmas

A new book by German author Michael Jurgs draws from previously unseen letters and diaries to detail the Christmas truce of 1914. Read about it at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1082392,00.html

For more history of the 1914 Christmas truce, including many first-person accounts, visit: http://history1900s.about.com/library/weekly/aa122100a.htm?once=true&
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Rosie - the Morality Queen?

Once again Rosie O'Donnell is up to giving her "moral" opinion. And once again, I think she should be silenced. Apparently, ABC, Barbara Walters and her partner/producer share Rosie's opinion because they aren't moving to silence her. When will they wake up and get rid of this ignorant radical?

I urge you to e-mail ABC and Barbara Walters asking for her removal from the View! In the mean time, join me in boycotting the show.

Remembrance of Advent with a Friend - 5

From my friend, Paul Berry, a mid-week Advent reading from 2003:

Read Psalm 147:1-11

Who is coming, or going, for Christmas?
we wonder - who will be travelling here
will we, or what if we, be travelling there
'tis the time when families gather
joyful occasions for mostly all
reunion with those about whom we most care--

Yet, daring to be honest, for more than a few
these comings together - though open to joy
may also reopen wounds that stifle celebration
scars are made visible again the wound anticipation
split families and diverse loyalties break out
closets won't always hold our secrets or brokenness
and those about whom we care the most
some wild estrangement keeps us distant
ache of pain from unkind speaking
hearing words that linger in their bite
prevent us from being in a state of all-inclusive love
joy is elusive and we sometimes hide hurt with carols--

So this, too, may well be a part of Advent...
who, now, will be here or there for Christmas
will host the great gathering and the small one
who, then, will be intentional about open doors and arms
who, will cleanse the hearth of home from embers
that can re-ignite and singe the purpose of the gathering
who, today, will invite us by name and count on us
binding up our brokenness, opening life to all who are hungry
who's voice and touch bathes or lives with healing caresses
and makes known that we, too, are bidden to come to the gathering
where there are no barriers or conditional welcoming gestures--

Oh, Christmas! What a gathering it may become, for coming unto us is
God, in Jesus, the Christ! The Psalmist in these 11 verses tells us
that the one we are seeking in Advent is to be our honored guest, and
also is our host, this is the God that acts in history - and moves
profoundly in this time and space - that all may yet be well and that
this same God is doing great things across all of God's creation ---
for all of humanity. We are invited to give thanks and be open to the
Psalmist's God as we anew celebrate this Advent. We have the
privilege of this season to again await God's intention for us all!

Prayer:
Thank you for including all of us, Lord. May we respond to
your call, no matter
how scattered our roaming or how far from "home" we may
be. We would like to
become closer to you. We ask that you bind up all wounds,
that you enable each person to
find wholeness out of her or his brokenness, and to
become empowered to let go of any and
all things that separate us from your love, from the love
of others, and from the love that
we need to have for ourselves. Hear us as we await the
ADVENTure of your coming
in this season. With hope, we pray. Amen.

Remembrance of Advent with a Friend - 4

My friend Paul's sharing for the Third Sunday of Advent, 2003:

For your reflection and devotion in the third week of Advent.

Come

Come, God-with-us:
who braves our rejection and hurt,
to show your love and acceptance.

Come, God-for-us:
who whispers
in our ears
that we -
each of us -
are your Beloved children.

Come, God-under-us:
who cradles us in arms that never grow weary;
whose lap has room enough for all.

Come, God-over-us:
who watches
in the long silences of night,
that we might rest in your peace.

Come, God-beside-us:
who steadies us
when we falter,
who lifts us up
when we fall.

Come, God-behind-us:
who picks up all the faded dreams
we drop along the way, weaving them into hope.

O Come, Emmanuel,

Come!
----------------------------

Read Psalm 145

This song, in Hebrew, is an acrostic poem - each verse begins with a succeeding letter of the alphabet (i.e., verse 1: A; verse 2: B, etc.)

English translations will not duplicate the effect. Consider the challenge the writer faced! Within personal words of praise and worship, the writer/speaker relates what God has done in the world, God's love and compassion are lifted up, we are told again of God's action all around us.

Where are the glimpses of God in this world today? Can you spare some time today or tomorrow looking for signs that reveal to us that God's kingdom is, indeed, in many places around us?

Can you see God's care in the school teacher who spends extra time with your child or the child with special needs; is God's love demonstrated by that stranger who lets you pay, when in line at the checkout counter, for your purchases first?

What motivates the driver that lets you have the coveted parking space in a crowded lot?

God's justice is revealed in a child who asks to give a present to a struggling classmate; you become God's ears as a neighbor shares her state of deep loneliness with you. God's grace is known in the act of feeding the birds in a parched land or snow-covered scape.

To open our eyes to see what God is doing, will invite surprise and, like the psalmist, open us to praising God!

Prayer:
We would live in your "kingdom," Faithful God,
yet we are not sure where it is or what it looks like.
In our search and wait, re-focus our eyes
beyond the glitter and through the glamour of "Christmas"
so we can see the infant / youth / man Christ
who will show us Your way.
Amen.

Forgiveness and Judgement

This is a partial re-post from my thoughts and readings from September 16, 2006. Circumstances have lead me to believe that it might be useful, again. Please read the scripture below... even though we have accepted Christ as our Saviour we will still stand before God and have our deeds judged. This judgment will determine our rewards in Heaven. Take heart!

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil." Ecc 12:13, 14 (emphasis added)

Knowing that in the future we will stand before Jesus Christ and face a review of our lives should motivate us to live righteously and faithfully in the present. (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible, commentary, page 1951)

I have learned to forgive those who have done me wrong or whom I perceive as having done me wrong; and ask for forgiveness from those I have done wrong. The relief is awesome and rewarding and sacred.

When I come to my end time I want many to remember me with fondness, miss me and pray they could go with me. I want them to rejoice that they knew me and had time with me. I want them to remember our times together and laugh and say we had much fun!

These things are important to me! They should be important to you. One never knows when ones end will arrive! Judgment can be severe.

I'm not posting a mid-week advent reading from my friend Paul. He would agree with me that this message is more important at this time. I will post a Third Sunday of Advent reading from Paul sometime Saturday night.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This knowledge was shared with me and I found it enlightening, I don't know if it's true or not, but interesting and a nice thought.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving,

Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,

Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of Belief in The Apostles' Creed.

So there is your Christmas story for today.

Some Simple Words of Wisdom

Wish I had thought up these Words of Wisdom!

• Anger is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind.

• You can't change the past but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future.

• God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him.

• A hug is a great gift... one size fits all. It can be given for any occasion and it's easy to exchange.

• Laughter is God's sunshine.

• Take time to laugh for it is the music of the soul.

• If anyone speaks badly of you, live so that none will believe it.

• Do what you can, for who you can with what you have, and where you are.

Iraq Study Group

The political pundits are out pontificating.

The Iraq Study Group came out with their report this week. Immediately, the political machines came out with their criticisms; some even calling the report "stupid." For some, like the Washington Post, it wasn't enough to criticize the report they had to also make personal attacks on the front page on the Co-chairman, Baker and Hamilton.

As I see it, the one thing that they all are missing is THEIR solution to the Iraq war. With the exception of Senator McCain, from Arizona, none have come up with even a suggestion.

Clearly, the present course is not working and our President (I voted for him both times) is working pretty much with a closed mind. I am not convinced that waiting on the President's report from the Pentagon is a productive step.

The President and our Congressional representatives must get their act together and work together to come up with a solution other than the current course!

Remembrance of Advent with a Friend - 3

This was the message for the Second Sunday of Advent, 2003 from my dear friend Paul Berry.

A Centering Prayer--

Surprising God,

Your voice, at times, is almost muffled,

yet we have our ears tuned to hear a word,

a song, a murmur, and we await Your sound--

Open us to the melody that can come from an encounter with you,

whether by chance or plan

we long to be within Your sounds--

Penetrate the noise of that which distracts us...

in the abstractions that flow in our minds;

grant us a peek, a glimpse of Your glory again.

speak, in voice that we may not fail to hear!

We await with great intention--

we would dissolve our cynicism;

that we might revisit Your great surprise

that we might re-ignite, become and do love, for others, self, and You.

Amen!

*****************************************

Poem by Thom Shuman, pastor,

Greenhills Community Church, Presbyterian

Cincinnati, Ohio

if you came
with a fistful of anger,
who could endure?

but you come
with open hands,
eager to grasp our own in love.

if you came
with the fire of judgment,
who could endure?

but you come
with the light of grace,
to show us the way.

if you came
hardened against our sin,
who could endure?

but you come
holding us in your heart,
that we might have life.

if you came
bearing bad news,
we might be able to handle it . . .

but can we endure
the gift
of good news?

even so,
come, Lord Jesus,
come.

Amen.

Adventure with Grandma

A touching story from a friend in Huchinson, Kansas:

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so.

It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous, cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days.

"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it.

I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten- dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs.Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but us kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's .... for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me.

I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.

Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous.

Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95.

Rememberance of Advent with a Friend - 2

This is from Paul Berry for Christmas, 2002.

God did not send into our tormented world
technical aid,
Gabriel with a group of experts.
God did not send food,
not discarded clothes of angels.
Even less did God extend long term loans.
Rather God came to us,
born in a stable,
starved in the desert,
naked on a cross,
and sharing with us God became our bread
and suffering with us God became our joy.

Someone
Said it was over,
when it ís only just begun.
So keep your lights ablaze as friends come around to call
but above all be aware that

Someone
has come to us in this winter light,
at the dark time of the year,
when comets blaze, and starlight falls,
and the remaining green trees speak of endless life,
and candy canes are shepherds' crooks,
while carols sing of "peace on earth,"
and the New Year comes when we may give and know
and nurture love,
as we grow in grace, and the glad heart sings
of the gifts of joy that his presence brings.

11:21 a.m.

The following is from a friend of mine. He didn't know who wrote it but it truly beautiful.

You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air.

The sound is high above you.

A trumpet?

A choir?

A choir of trumpets?

You don't know, but you want to know.

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store.

The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never
before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color spiking crystals of every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North.

South.

East.

West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy. The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.

Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy, holy, holy. Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must.

Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet.

The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.

Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King.

He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud.

He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration: I am the Alpha and the Omega.

The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know:

Nothing else matters.

Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games.

Nothing is newsworthy..

All that mattered, matters no more....

for Christ has come.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!

First Winter Storm

It was a beautiful spring 71 degrees yesterday in Kansas City. Today, temperatures have been slowly falling since midnight. At 5 a.m. this morning it was well above freezing with mist and light rain. Right now it is 27 degrees misting, sleeting, freezing rain and just a touch of snow. There is about a half inch of slush on the roads and it is beginning to freeze.

Most of the schools, including colleges, have closed early and/or canceled classes for tonight. Many churches have canceled evening services. News media is advising to stay off the roads. Most of the highways are already jammed with early rush hour traffic and many of the main highways are already inundated with accidents.

I'm inside, sitting in front of the heater waiting for chicken and rice soup to warm that Cheryl left for me. I don't have to get out for the next several days so I'm going to enjoy watching our first winter storm from the comfort of my apartment.

Diagnosis

It occurred to me that my reference to time frames has become "pre-diagnosis" and "post-diagnosis." I don't like this as a reference to time. My life is or at least should be more than "diagnosis." I must find a new reference!

Also, it occurred to me this evening that some people are uncomfortable or unknowing about how to refer to my illness. It really is okay to use the "c" word. It's cancer! I have it and it's okay to speak of it. It isn't all bad... I think it has made me a better person.

Quotes

The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child. Joe Houldsworth

When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half. Gracie Allen (1906-1964)

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable. Anon.

On Relatives, from a Relative

Several proven facts about relatives:

1. They eat their young
2. You can't pick 'em but you can choose 'em.
3. Relatives and company stink in three days.
4. Your closest relatives are usually the ones who live the farthest away.
5. If a relative starts to agree with you on every little matter, lock your back door and hide your checkbook.
6. Relatives make poor business partners, really poor business partners.
7. Never share personal business with relatives. It is extremely improper to test integrity under fire.
8. Never offer aid to a relative unless you can afford to give it away. Relatives should be more important than money.
9. People watch your relatives and decide who you are based on impressions of your kin. Be wise!
10. Relatives can be your greatest asset or your major impediment, depending on how they use you.

Just some thoughts...

In order to see the Rainbow, you must first endure some Rain.

Always drink upstream from the herd...... (Will Rogers)

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! Live and savor every moment...this is not a dress rehearsal!

Lets Say Thanks

This is a great thing that Xerox is doing for our troops. Click on the link and pick out a card, personalize it and then Xerox will send it to a service man or woman to say thank you!
http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home.html

Thought from a friend

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

A Bend In The Road - Final Thoughts

"What a blessed man I was ---and still am."

"More than anything else, today I'm grateful to God. I continue to pray that the days of excruciating treatments are finally at an end. But I also know that cancer is not a battle, it's a war. And I can only be thankful for battles won and land retaken in the name of Christ. I feel thoroughly undeserving of the depths of His mercy, the deep well of His strength and His infinite compassion poured out upon me. I trust you can say much the same thing." p. 277

Obviously, I enjoyed this book. It so describes so many of my own thoughts and feeling while going through diagnosis, treatment and since. I hope you will take the time to read the entire book.

A Bend In The Road - Part 4

Back to the book... I had to take a little political detour.

From the last chapter.

(King) "...David says. "And I'll be in a land where joy is made full, and pleasure can be found at God's right hand."" p. 271

"I want to be here for the rapture of the church. Paul tells us, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, that Christ will appear from heaven with a shout. I wouldn't mind being around to witness that event. I want to hear the trumpet Paul has foretold, and I want to see those graves open up and give forth their dead, who will joyfully race through the skies to rejoin their Creator and Redeemer. Then, as Paul says, "we who are alive and remain" (I'm counting on numbering myself among that group) will be caught up with Christ as well. It will be quite a spectacle!" p. 272

A story from pages 273-274 that many of us have heard before. When I have heard it before it was titled "Keep Your Fork."

I want to tell you about a woman who was a staunch and faithful church member. She was ravaged by illness, and no one expected her to live much more than another week or two.

She knew her day was approaching, and she called the pastor and asked him to come help her plan the funeral. So he joined her at her deathbed, and they began making arrangements. The ailing woman listed for him all the hymns she wanted sung, all the Scripture verses she wanted read, and those she preferred as the soloists.

Then she said, "Pastor, there's one thing I want you to do. You may feel this is strange, but I want you to promise me today that you'll fulfill my wishes anyway."

The pastor frowned mildly. "What's that?" he asked.

She said, "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor's frown became deeper. This was quite an odd request. "That's a request I've never heard,: he said kindly, "but perhaps if you try to help me understand your reason, I can feel better about carrying out your request."

She said, "Pastor, I've been a member of our church for most of my life. And one of the great joys for me has been the potluck dinners we have. I don't think I've missed one dinner in my life. In the old days, we had them on a weekly basis. And what I remember best is how, after the first course was served, one of the hosts would always stand up and say, 'Save your fork. The best is yet to come!' So, pastor, I'm counting on you to bury me with a fork in my hand. When my loved ones pass by the casket and look at me, I want you to be standing nearby. Those people will ask you why I'm holding an eating utensil, and you;ll smile and tell them that for me, the best is yet to come."

One More Thing on Politics Today

"In politics stupidity is not a handicap." ---Napoleon

Shame on U.S. House Democrats

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, Cal), Speaker Elect of the U. S. House of Representatives announced a few minutes ago that the Democrats will pursue the "6 for '06." Included in this is the pursuit of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Shame on the Democrats who desire to murder innocent babies in the name of "research."

Please contact your congressional representative and express your feelings against this initiative. Find your representatives at: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Shame on Missouri

The voters of Missouri have approved embryonic stem cell research. May God forgive you for the murders of the babies you are about to commit.

A Bend In The Road - Part 3

More from the book.

"If we cannot see ourselves as heaven sees us, we cannot see ourselves." p. 117

"Someone has said that Satan knows nothing at all about pleasure, his specialty is amusement. Only God knows geniune pleasure." p. 136-137

"Genuine pleasure is ordained by God and intended for our deep joy and delight. It can only be captured by knowing God, realizing He knows us, and being at reqast in His presence." p. 137

"Learn to praise God regardless of your personal circumstances, and you'll see miracles occur. Your heart and mind will be renewed. Your perspective will widen panoramically. And your attitude toward God will never be the same." p. 144

"O, Lord my God, I cried out to You,
And you have healed me.

O Lord, You have brought my soul up from the grave,
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit." Psalm 30:2-3, p. 149

"Problems encourage isolation, and isolation nurtures misconception." p. 183

"An old African-American preacher once commented... 'There's no living in the land of the living like living in the living God!'" p. 190

"Great works are done in deep waters." p. 206

"A devoted believer will pray for God's deliverance from problems, but a wiser one will pray for God's use of them."
"If you're weathering a storm, you can be certain the winds are no random weather front. They blow for a clear purpose. As you're caught up in a tempest, ask God to help you be caught up in His purpose."p. 208

"Unfortunately, prayer seems to be our last port in a storm. It should be the first." p. 209
"God knows, even if we don't, that we're not self-sufficient. He loves to bring us to our knees in fresh depoendence on Him." p. 211

"You are safer and more secure in the tempest with Jesus than you could ever be in the calmest place without Him." p. 213

From Mr. Jeremiah's journal:
"Lord, never let me forget that my mind must be fixed on You. I think of You so much more now than the time before my cancer arrived. I have become more sensitive now to Your will and to the process of becoming holy. I want my life to honor You. I want to live for You. I want to serve You wholeheartedly. In these days when I face an uncertain future, my heart would be troubled; help me to remember that 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.'" p. 236

A Bend In The Road - Part 2

Some of the things David Jeremiah does in the book is use the stories of others who have gone through live changing experiences. One of those people that shares his story is a surgeon named Dr. John Hovey. Dr. Hovey contracted Parkinson's disease. The following is some of what he shared in his story.

"Was my identity as a doctor more important than my identity as His disciple?"

"Since my retirement... the Lord has been more than faithful in showing me that His grace is sufficient. He has allowed me to identify with Jesus in the practical joy of being a carpenter and to develop a more disciplined study of His Word. He has allowed me to be availalbe to assist the many people He puts in my path. He has given me the joy of increasing my participation in church activities and of giving more of the Lord's money back to him."

"This has been the bottom line for me: more time with the Lord, more time with His Word, and more time with my wife and family. Would you believe it if I told you that I've come to be truly thankful for Parkinson's disease? It's the truth." p. 57

"Someone said the the problem with life is that it's so daily." p. 90"

"...Lord, out the light back in my eyes." Isn't that a fascinating thing to put in our prayers? Put the light back in my eyes."

(King)"David says, "O Lord, I have no hope. Please see me and hear me---and put the light back in my eyes." What a moving prayer this is."
"He addresses his Lord as Jehovah Elohim."

"Jehovah reflects God's promises; Elohim reflects God's power."p. 95

"We can find tremendous hope of victory in the midst of the deepest pits life can drop us into. But it's no simple process. There isn't a handy, guaranteed formula for hope in the midst of suffering. It takes absolute, fall-on-your-face humility and genuine, gut-wrenchingly honest prayer." p. 96

A Bend In The Road - Part 1

I have been reading "A Bend In The Road: Experiencing God When Your World Caves In" by David Jeremiah. David Jeremiah is the Sr. Pastor at the Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, California. He is a cancer (lymphoma) survivor, also. This book is about his journey from diagnosis through remission and beyond and is very similar to my own journey. Many of his thoughts and experiences were/are my thoughts and experiences.

The next few posts I'm going to share some of the passages from the book that I "felt" and meant a great deal to me. They touched me and I hope they touch you, also.

"... God uses disruptive moments to help us keep things in perspective." p. 11

"God is up to something when He sends difficulty our way." p. 51

"If you don't know Christ, you must enter the battle without weapons or armor. You fight in your own strength, and you fall on your face.
Why? Because God is the only One who can help us when trials come into our lives. And He does more than help us. He is our rock, our fortress, our hope, and our confidence." p. 52

Tell It Like It Is

San Francisco Police Department Press Conference
Background: San Francisco Police Officer Nick Birco was killed July 26, 2006 when his police car was struck by a stolen van occupied by suspects who had just committed an armed robbery and were being pursued by SFPD units. This video was of a press conference given by a member of the SFPD brass and demonstrates how our leaders should act.
http://mfile.akamai.com/12948/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2006/0728/9591734.300k.asx

Erma Bombeck

“At the end of my life, when I face God, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could tell Him I used everything You gave me.” Erma Bombeck, Author & Humorist

Jokes, Bloopers?

"Bloopers happen," Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean told reporters in Burlington, Vt.

Apparently, Kerry doesn't know how to say "I apologize," so he sends Howard Dean to call his statements "bloopers."

What a shame! Mr. Kerry needs to stand up and be a man. He has shamed our forces who are defending his right to "be a blooper."

Mr. Kerry should resign... you don't deserve to be Commander In Chief of our forces!

The Man Who Would Like to be President

"You know, education - if you make the most of it - you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." Democratic Senator John Kerry

The man who would like to be President of the United States; and he calls this a joke!

Clint Johnson - A Rich Man

"who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" 2 Timothy 1:9 (New King James Version, www.BibleGateway.com)

Last night we went to the visitation for Clint Johnson. The line to get in the church was over one block long standing 3-4 deep. He was truly a unique and special young man that had won several honors and scholarships and was an Eagle Scout.

While standing in line I eaves dropped on conversations around me and heard many loving comments about Clint. It was obvious that he made friends easily, considered no one an outcast and made everyone feel very special. As a result, everyone that met him loved him and he will be missed by all of his friends and family.

If it is true that "a man's riches are his friends and family," then Clint was one of the richest. We can only aspire to be as "rich."

"Giants" of Faith and Character - Part 3

From Paul Berry an...

Paul Berry was one of the most faithful, sharing, intelligent and interesting people I have ever known. Not only was he one of my very best friends, he was a friend to Cheryl and Cory. I got to know Paul living in Hutchinson, attending the same church, serving on church committees together and having children close to the same age.

Even before he moved across the country from me he became my personal minister and confident. After he relocated he continued to minister to me and many others via email. I could always rely on Paul to deliver an apt message for each holiday and numerous messages for Lent and Advent. Many of these messages I still have and use.

Paul had many life experiences and many of these he shared. At one time he had a ministry around the Grand Canyon that was accessible only via airplane; he had High Tea with the Queen of England (of course there were many others there, but that was unimportant); he had a great love of books and art.

I know that Paul will be waiting inside the Pearly Gates with our Saviour and he will be ready to volunteer to show me about.

"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with
Him in glory." Colossians 3:4 (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

Missouri Amendment 2 - Vote NO!

To my Missouri friends...

You have an important vote coming up in less than two weeks. Amendment 2 allowing embryonic stem cell research will be on the ballot. Expect one brief paragraph describing the sections of the Missouri Constitution that will be changed. The actual Amendment is five (5) pages long. You need to read the entire Amendment prior to going to the polls.

There is a lot of miss-information being broadcast on television. The type of stem cell research that is being voted on is embryonic stem cell research. In order to do this an embryo must be killed or the embryo must be "cloned." Proponents claim the Amendment bans cloning, but when you read the fine print it doesn't ban. In fact, the fine print makes it illegal to do anything that discourages embryonic stem cell research!

Of course, a lot of this will end up being worked out in the courts. That means for you that your taxes will be paying for much of this.

I'm writing this because I am a stem cell transplant recipient... my own stem cells not embryonic. There has never been any person who has been cured by embryonic stem cells. There are no therapies or "trials" using embryonic stem cells. The cures, therapies and over 1,000 trials are from adult stem cell research.

As a Christian there is no way I could ever accept or approve of killing a human embryo. I hope you agree with me and vote NO on Missouri Amendment 2.

Bobby Bowden

"I would rather be spiritually correct, than I would politically correct." Bobby Bowden, Head Football Coach, Florida State Seminoles

And in the end...

From a recent email:

And in the end...

Ready or not, some day, it will all come to an end. There will be no more surprises; no minutes, hours, or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass on to someone else. Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses, that once seemed so important, will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So, what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many people will feel lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom, and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a loving life that matters. Lovingly open your eyes to the abundant possibilities, and dive gently into this beautiful moment.

9/11 Commission Report

Several posts ago I commented that the 9/11 Commission recommendations needed to be adopted/enacted by Congress. It's political season. Tuesday morning it was reported on local news that Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore has called for the same.

Republicans have made a big mistake in not enacting these recommendations. Democrats have made a big mistake by not making the recommendations a political issue.

Are our Congressional representative really working for our protection?

Fall in Kansas City

The weather if Kansas City has finally acknowledged that fall is here... beautiful, crisp, cool mornings. They say we may have a light frost later this week. We have light showers and north wind this morning. I'm sure that in just a few weeks I will rue the cold and desire warm weather once again. The trees have slowly started to turn and drop. I'm sure the weather this week will speed the process.

"In all their afflictions He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them.
In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
And He bore them and carried them
All the days of old." Isaiah 63:9

"But now, O Lord,
You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8
(Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

"Giants" of Faith and Character - Part 2

Leonard Hinkle was one of those truly nice and upbeat people that was such a joy to be around. He was always interested in others and their lives. He was one of those people who led quietly, politely and through strength. He showed is love and trust of Jesus Christ and encouraged other to do the same. Even in his final days on earth he was upbeat and positive to me and expressed his love of Jesus Christ. He was an inspiration and a true example of a "man."

"And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him." Acts 8:2 (New King James Version, www.BibleGateway.com)

"Giants" of Faith and Character - Part 1

Cheryl is not only a "giant" of faith and character she is the love of my life, my wife, my companion, my champion, my partner, my smiles, my tears, the mother of my son, Grandma to Reilee, a success in marriage, mothering, Grandmothering, business and life. Her word is gold, her faith true and strong, and her attitude is always positive. She is a woman who knows who she is, an inspiration to all those who know her and respected by all. If all that isn't enough she is beautiful, fiery, thoughtful and kind. No wonder she is a "giant" in my life!

Yom Kippur

"...In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ... For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD." -Leviticus 16:29-30

Judaism 101: Yom Kippur (http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm)

sunset October 1, 2006 - nightfall October 2, 2006 ~ Yom Kippur is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day.

The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year. Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and God, not for sins against another person.

Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur.

Messianic Jews

Friday afternoon I went to pick up Reilee at the day care so she could spend the night with Grandma and Papa. Wondering around looking for the day care I found a Messianic Temple. I don't remember not knowing that there are Jewish temples all over Kansas City, but I am unfamiliar with "Messianic Jews." So, I had to do some research. I went to: http://www.menorah.org/mjews.html. Take some time to visit this site; it's informative and interesting.

The way I understand Messianic Jews believe in the Torah and it's teachings, but also believe in Yeshua (Jesus). This brings a question to my mind... Will the 144,000 come from the Messianic Jews?

Revelation 14:1

"Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads." (NKJV ~ Biblegateway.com)

Something I agree with that was in an email I received today:

Regardless of your feelings about the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians and Arab neighbors, even if you believe there is more culpability on Israel's part, the following two sentences really say it all:
If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence there.
If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel there.

Definition

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

evangelical: evan·gel·i·cal, adjective

1. of, relating to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel especially as it is presented in the four Gospels
2. PROTESTANT
3. emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted with ritual
4. a: capitalized : of or relating to the Evangelical Church in Germany; b: often capitalized : of, adhering to, or marked by fundamentalism : FUNDAMENTALIST: c: often capitalized : LOW CHURCH
5. marked by militant or crusading zeal

And the Liberals think this is supposed to be bad? It's me, and I'm proud of it!

Posted by Billy at 7:08 AM Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Today's Soap Box(es):

Today, the government released part of a secret report that indicates that we may not be as safe from Islamic jihadists as once thought. Even more true now that before... Why have our representative in Washington not adopted the 9/11 Commission recommendations? Like some of the simple, no brainers of putting First Responders on the same radio frequency! We all know that, this alone, would have saved lives in the World Trade Centers. How many would it have saved during and after Katrina?

We should be applying pressure on Washington to "fix" health care. Having gone through the medical fiasco that I have for the past 2+ years I understand more about the "medical crisis." When families have to choose which child to insure because they can't afford insurance on more than one, then the system is WRONG!

By the way, if you don't check and verify insurance company payments against policies against provider invoices you should. Both make errors and it is probably costing you out of your pocket.

End Today's Soap Boxes

Seven Wonders of the World

I got an email story about the Seven Wonders of the World.

I liked one response:

1. To See;
2. To Hear;
3. To Touch;
4. To Taste;
5. To Feel;
6. To Laugh;
7. To Love.

Birthdays aren't all that great!

Friends

"I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

Life is Not Like...

"Life is NOT like a box of chocolates...it is more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today might burn your ass tomorrow." Yep!

Posted by Billy at 3:59 AM Friday, September 22, 2006

United Nations

The United Nations should be "invited" to leave the U.S.A. and take Rosie O'Donnell with them.

"Moreover the Lord said to me, "Take a large scroll and write on it with a
man's pen concerning..."" Isaiah 8:1

"... I speak as a fool..." 2 Corinthians 11:23 (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

I just like these parts of these verses. Taken totally out of context, it makes me think God is telling me to write--the way I do.

I'm learning

"The ability to forgive is a trait well worth learning" ~ I'm still working on it.

"Intelligence can be undermined by ego and pride" ~ If small ego and modest pride, I must be really intelligent. Although there is lots of pride toward Reilee.

"Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship" ~ Been there, done that, ate crow, apologized, still working on it.

"Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions" ~ Struggling with it; Improving at it; If not, it comes back to bite me.

"He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." John 16:13 (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

Dancing With God

I don't know who the author is, but a friend emailed it today:

DANCING WITH GOD

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to led, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God," "u" and "i"dance. God, you and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.

This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else,
for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.
There is no cost but lots of reward,
so let's continue to pray for one another.

And I Hope You Dance.

And they all said, "Amen".

If nothing else, Rosie is good for a controversy!

Today's Soapbox (I only thought I was off it):

For quite some time liberals have been telling us that 9/11 has nothing to do with the U.S.A. attacking Iraq. The White House has now acknowledged this.

I find it interesting that now Rosie O'Donnell, on The View, is somehow relating the two. Apparently, she feels that the 9/11 attacks by "individuals" is justified by U.S.A. actions against countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. I guess these radical Islamic terrorists foresaw the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and that is why they felt blessed by God to bomb the World Trade Center, embassies in Nairobi and elsewhere, trains in Spain and Great Britain and elsewhere, night clubs in Bali, etc. Come on!

Okay, I admit it... I have been watching The View! But it isn't happening anymore. I have emailed Barbara Walters that I will not be watching anymore. You, to, can email Barbara from The View web page on the ABC website.

If you would like to see exactly what Rosie said it is on the YouTube website (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIoDTzvEdGw) or you can watch it at the following, admittedly biased, website: http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=353.

Soapbox and other stuff

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

God's indescribable gift is His Son, Jesus Christ. Our gifts can never compare to God's sacrifice for us (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible, commentary, p. 1958)

Earlier, I wrote of the Islamic condemnation of the Pope. It isn't just condemnation now, it includes threats against his life. It's quite amazing to me that some want to defend the threats against the Pope using past Christian transgressions as justification. I really don't understand. However, that is what America is about... freedom to disagree.

I saw a bumper sticker a few days ago that said something like "Dissent is not Disloyal." Think about it! It may be the most Loyal and Patriot thing we can do.

Today's soapbox:
I tire of receiving email petitions for various things (and I don't forward them). They are worthless and carry no weight. It's not that I agree or don't agree with them they are just pointless. If we are expressing opinions regarding school prayer, beneficial subsidies for illegal aliens, "In God We Trust" on our money and in the plege of allegiance, 9/11 Commission recommendations, etc., an email petition is of NO use. Our greatest Constitutional previlege is to Vote our beliefs and contact our congressional representatives to make sure they know, personally, how we feel. And continue, and continue, and continue to contact them.... until they hear.

If you don't know who or how to contact your representatives it's very simple to find out. Go to: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/index.html, enter your complete address and a list will be returned with names, telephone and fax number and, in many cases, web page addresses. In some cases the web page has a contact form that can be completed (you don't even have to do an email). The same holds true with the White House. Go to www.whitehouse.gov, select contact and all the information it there. (Be sure to use ".gov".)

End of Soapbox.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with who there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

Kids & Grandkids

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (New International Version~BibleGateway.com)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New King James Version~BibleGateway.com)

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 (New King James Version~BibleGateway.com)

Words Clarification:

Prophecy - history in advance;

Infallible - without error

I have been attending First Family Church (www.ffc.org) for several weeks now. This weekend was the dedication of a 52,000 sq/f youth center. It is an awesome and wonderful facility for the teaching of Jesus Christ to the children and adults of the community. I am so impressed that this church believes in its name... First Family.

There is nothing greater in this world than having your grand daughter run to you the first thing in the morning for a great big hug! I was needing a Reilee "fix" this morning. Not only was the hug wonderful, but the look on her face when she saw me brought tears to my eyes. She is so fantastic!! Just think what it will be like when she sees Grandma this weekend... on both sides.

Some where, some one told me that "Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your kids." I'm not sure about that but I am sure that my grand daughter is pretty special. It is so great being around to watch her grow.

And they all said, "Amen!"

The Pope vs. Muslims

A great Blog... Check it out: http://reassemblingmylife.blogspot.com/2006/09/shout-to-lord.html

"Integrity is doing exactly what you say you will do. Honesty is saying that you will do something that is right; Integrity is following up on it." (Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Back to the Bible)

This week the Pope made comments quoting another regarding many Muslims invoking God in the name of terrorism. Muslims world wide are condemning the Pope for his comments. This has upset me greatly. So much so that I sent an email to many calling attention to this. European leaders among others are backing the Pope and the intent of his comments. I urge each to also stand ground against Islamic terrorism. Some Muslim groups are threatening attacks against the Pope and on the Vatican. Duh, but doesn't this confirm something?

Those Muslims demanding apology from the Pope should be stepping up and apologizing to the United States, Great Britain, Spain, France and other countries. These are peoples who sanctify terrorism in the name of God.

Muslims conducting terrorism in the name of God have not Honesty nor Integrity. Just as Jews numbers 144,000 will lead others to Jesus, we must pray that Muslims will also be lead.

Days of Darkness

"But if a man lives many years,
And rejoices in them all ,
Yet Let him remember the days of darkness,
For they will be many.
All that is coming is vanity. Ecc 11:8

And I do remember the "days of darkness" and many they were. Even though there are still occasional "days of darkness" they are much fewer and handled reasonable better (I think).

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil." Ecc 12:13, 14

Knowing that in the future we will stand before Jesus Christ and face a review of our lives should motivate us to live righteously and faithfully in the present. (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible, commentary, page 1951)

I have learned to forgive those who have done me wrong; and ask for forgiveness from those I have done wrong. The relief is awesome and rewarding and sacred. When I come to my end time I want many to remember me with fondness, miss me and pray they could go with me.

There are many I want to rejoin inside the "Pearly Gate" i.e. Grandmother, Papa, Dad, Mommie, Hollis, Ina, Pat, Paul, Bob, Drooper, Brandy, Holly and so, so many more. I want to know what happened to the dinosaurs, Elvis, John Kennedy, etc.

Family

Family... they're always there!

Eat, drink and be merry

"So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun." Ecc 8:15

Politicians

"Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason."

...Robin Williams as Tom Dobbs, Man of the Year