IRREPRESSIBLE

During the 30s and 40s one of my best friends was the radio. Whether running home after school and listening to Jack Armstrong or waiting for my dad to get through listening the evening news so I could hear the nights programming.

I had trouble remembering school work, how to work math problems and dates in history but I knew every program on the radio, and on what night it was on plus the time schedule.

One of my favorites was the Great Gildersleeve and his nephew Leroy.  Leroy was irrepressible; perhaps imparadised (characterized by strong enthusiasm) or poetico-philosophic (having intense emotion) would be a better way to describe him. Whatever he was, he was something different from one moment to the next and was off to another adventure. He was my hero and I wanted to be like him. The problem was I couldn’t keep up to his pace, and didn’t have an uncle Gildersleeve that was so forgiving.

Life demands us to be stable, not unchangeable for we all need to continue to grow, but fixed to the extent we are dependable. Having older family members that are stable and dependable are essential to the growth and development of children, and when they are not - - there is a void that is hard to live with.

When Israel crossed the Jordan River they took 12 stones from it and stacked them up to remain and be a monument to GOD’S deliverance. They were to remain there, and when children would ask, “What meaneth these stones?” the story would be told to them of how GOD delivered them from Egypt.

These stones were to be for the benefit of the next generation, a reminder of their heritage. They were to be proud of who they are and the stones were a reminder and proof that they were the chosen race by GOD.

There is the counterpart of this found in 1Peter 2:6 “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” This reference in of course is speaking of Christ.

The same passage refers to Christians as being living stones and as such must be built on Christ. The analogy of the stones or rocks and people is a pretty good one for the reality of the one, has the expectation of the other to reflect the characteristics of the other.

I am thankful for all the rocks in my life starting with grandparents and continuing with uncles and aunts and the more immediate father, mother, brothers and cousins. Some were more like rolling stones but most were fixed and solid. All these helped me through my irrepressible (Leroy) years.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw&feature=related

The Falsehood

When one is cast into jail, he is among people he would rather not be with and normally would avoid.

Everything that is ugly is represented there, and you are included as one of them.

If you think that is bad let me introduce you to another group upon whom sentences are all but passed out;

Revelations 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

The part about all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire, kinda takes the fun out of telling lies. Knowing that makes me uncomfortable when I start to lie. Actually if it is a big lie, I start to sweat because I don’t want to put my toe in there (the lake of fire) must less being cast into it.

Handling this issue by saying “I don’t believe that” is a case of lying to myself and doesn’t work for me.

I have personally been acquainted with people that were lying if they were talking. They would avoid the truth even when it made more sense than telling a lie. One in particular person would start lying before he got up to me and would continue until I walked away. He was what you might call a consummate liar; he had perfected the art of lying.

It is amazing how many ways you can lie. Of course the commission and the omission work well, and the use of body language does the trick also.

Strange as it seems I must remind myself that lying isn’t a good thing to do especially if you claim to be a Christian. How about being known as “The lying Christian.”

Be sure your sin will find you out, that is “WILL find you out,” and the one you lied to will also find out in all probability.

Lies are morally wrong, then, for two reasons. First, lying corrupts the most important quality of my being human: my ability to make free, rational choices. Each lie I tell contradicts the part of me that gives me moral worth. Second, my lies rob others of their freedom to choose rationally.

When my lie leads people to decide other than they would have - - if they had known the truth, I have harmed their human dignity and autonomy.

Sentimentality doesn’t justify lying either in words or deeds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gih2l6Z2EU&feature=related

THE DARKNESS

Today there are those who go about declaring themselves to be prophets. In this day we desperately need anointed men and women who are anointed by the Spirit of GOD to fill the office of the prophet.

The gifts of Tongues, Interpretations and Prophecies are all but excluded from most churches. They feel to allow it will be to manifest ignorance and foolishness and are more concerned about what people will think than what GOD has to say.

As darkness is expanding and being manifested in diver’s manners in this country the need for true prophets to rise up and speak the words of GOD without fear of censure, condemning every person who seeks to promote this evil.

The politicians are leading the way for unrighteousness by example.

The actions of the president have convinced me that he will promote the darkness, get reelected; he is the catalyst for all the unrighteousness waiting in the wings. His deifying all of the gods of religious groups has placed the almighty GOD on a shelf with all of the gods in name only and reduced HIM to ridicule.

The darkness is here, the opportunity for the righteous to shine forth has never been better; to shine forth in both word and deed.

It is time to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

What we see in the lifestyle of many of the American people is evil, and should be called so. This pervasive evil permeates the school system, the job force, the economic system, the political system and in some cases the church of the born again.

The words, “Come ye out and be separate,” have never had the force they have today,

2Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Within this darkness all evil is free to manifest itself without restraint. It is becoming a common practice for teachers to have sex with students from Jr. High through college, not to mention the antichrist curriculum teachers must follow or be fired.

The public workers demand to be paid far more than they are worth. To meet their demands will bankrupt every state. The economic system is tottering because of the incompetence and favoritism by those in Washington. They keep adding programs that are unfunded and have no way to pay for them except higher taxes and new government debt which enslaves the citizens.

Matthew 5:14-16: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

John 3:19-21  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

At times we are so concerned about the result that we hesitate to as GOD commands. We are simply told to be the light of the world and leave the result to GOD.

Isaiah 5:20 How horrible it will be for those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn what is bitter into something sweet and what is sweet into something bitter.

The darkness is upon us and is getting darker but those who are light and shine will never be in darkness for we are the light of our world. As the song says; this little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oNcmrhoZvI&feature=related

Left or Right Brain??

Yes, I confess, I often read other people’s blogs, and one of my favorites is http://katdish.net/

I have other favorites too, but Katy is so humorous in her own light.

Kat had a recent blog post where she speaks of her secret shame, being that she mixes up left from right. She also has a terribly sense of direction.  Anyway she found a book that had some tests to see if you were right or left brain.

One of the tests: Point your finger at maybe the corner of the room, and shut one eye, then the other. Usually one eye will see the corner but the other will be off center.

Honestly I do not know what that proves, but it was an interesting test.  She was taking the test as her husband walked in, and he asked her what she was doing.  She explained and told him she was left eye dominant. She did it again for emphasis and her husband exclaimed: Kat, that is your right eye! See what I mean. Hilarious I thought.

My husband has a problem reading instructions and directions. I do the reading and he discovers his method to put something together.  Oh Well.

I think he may have passed this mix on to our youngest daughter who has always had trouble comprehending anything told to her verbally. Actually this also applies to paper.  She also mixes up left and right and back and front.

When she was a child, I would ask her to use the back door, and she would head for the front. She cannot follow a recipe or understand instructions, yet she went to college and has her doctorate.

My conclusion and this is what I think - - - -

Left or right mixed up people must be a genius. What do you think?

BASKING

Did you ever wonder why people like to have their picture taken with a sports figure or someone successful in whatever field they were interested in?

I concluded that is a way to share the glory that the successful one has.

It becomes an “Us” thing instead of a “Him” thing. Having established this relationship it is expected that you enlarge upon on it in some manner for the allusion thus created will soon fade and become meaningless.

There are so many variations of this where people share others successes by association in some fashion even if it is only quoting them. Simple things like quoting Yogi Berra’s, “It ain’t over until it’s over.” Yogism gives the person some additional creditability.

Another example or variation of this was when a singer used the name of two top stars in the song “Key Largo.” It made him an instant hit but that was his career highlight, take Bogart and Bacall away and the song loses most of its appeal. Using Ma and Pa Kettle wouldn't work. For the rest of his life he has been without another hit like that.

The examples of these actions are multitudinous but one more will get to the point.

When we declare ourselves to be a Christian we take on the glory of Jesus Christ and assume obedience to all he preached as a requirement, otherwise you are only a pretender trying to profit from his example in some way. To love and obey are the two evidences to validate one’s profession to be a Christian.

John 14:24 Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me. Or you could say if you love him you will obey him. Obedience is the true love test.

John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

That almost makes you want to say “ouch,” and thank GOD for grace and mercy. So what is the conclusion of the whole matter?  Do not be a be-smircher. 
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0S8Z-dMM40&feature=related

LONESOME ROAD

Song: “You gotta walk that lonesome valley, and you gotta walk, walk it by yourself. Nobody else can walk it for you, You gotta walk, walk it by yourself.

Jesus walked this lonesome path and he had to walk it by Himself. Nobody else could walk it for Him; He had to walk, walk it by Himself.”

These words are almost haunting for they portend the end, and a new beginning.  A new road to walk and  one that we must walk for ourself.

If it wasn’t for the 23 psalm; “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for THOU art with me, THY rod and staff they comfort me.” - -  it would be a fearful trip.

Our understanding of the future has been given to us in word pictures, future events described and related to things we know

1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.

All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. For the Christian the trip through the valley is the culmination of a lifetime of expectancy. It is the entering into the joys of the LORD.

The declaration; O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? Gives us the confidence that all will be well.

Each and everyone must prepare for this trip down that road for themselves, as the song says; nobody can walk it for you.

We are very concerned that our friends, and relations, especially our children make the right decision to serve GOD and prepare for the next world but the decision is theirs.

As parents the time comes when you must commit them unto GOD”S care and uphold them with prayer, then it is their responsibility to make their decision for Christ.  It would ease our minds if we could make the decision for them but that isn’t an option.

The biggest mistake a parent can make is to let the child’s decision not to serve GOD ruin their own life and not accept their child's decision.

It is never over until it’s over but in the meantime move on and enjoy your life in the LORD. Your first responsibility is to yourself and to live your life.  Not your mates or your children nor your friends.

“This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!” Shakespeare quote
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq1kUBpOnD0&feature=related

This is a Re-post and was entered in the One Word Carnival: The word is ROAD

Please view some awesome posts at this site:

http://peterpollock.com/2011/05/road-blog-carnival/  



COUNTRY LIVING

As a kid I lived in the country part of the time, it was almost like camping out.

We used wood to cook with a wood cook stove that took some expertise to use. Understanding how much wood to use for the right temperature especially for something like cakes was very important.  Another important thing was being use to your stove for each one acted differently.

We had sunlight in the day and kerosene lamps in the night, and if we went outside we used a kerosene lantern. Lighting a lamp was different from flipping a switch and the light coming on, the first thing you did was clean the chimney for they always got sooty and the light was blocked from shining out. And then you filled them with kerosene.

Next came trimming the wick. This was an art and there was different ways of doing it. If it wasn’t done properly then it would smoke, and the chimney would get all sooty.

Not quite an expert, I would do what I saw others do and would trim the outside corners off and cut a small vee in the middle of the wick; this worked pretty well. There were cracks in the walls and this let some fresh air in, they worked especially well in the winter.

The front porch was a good place to sit and tell lies when company came over. It wasn’t something people planned to do; it just came out that way.

When it rained your shoes got really muddy and when we were ready to go into the house we scraped some of it off, but a lot of it went into the house and stayed there until it dried and was swept out.

The thing I liked the most after working hard was the eating. The food was great. I don’t know if it was really good or if we were just very hungry, in either case it tasted good to me.

We always had breakfast, dinner and supper, all big meals if we had the food stuffs. Say what you will those country women were able to really cook good under difficult circumstances.

I enjoyed the animals on the farm. Each one of the critters was different and had their own way of viewing the world. The chickens were friendly and would move in with you if you let them. The cows would eat and then bring it up later to finish chewing it; I never did understand how they did that but it was like enjoying your food twice.

All the animal family got along good except there was always a boss whether it was the chickens, horses, cows, pigs or the dogs; one was always the top one in their species.

I liked the dogs the best for they were just like kin folks whether we went to the fields or stayed home they were always with us, and were interested in what we were doing.

The one big difference in camping out and living in the country was you didn't go home, for you were home and that was all there was to it, like it or not.

THE LIGHT

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

True darkness is frightening when you really can’t see your hand even if it is near your eyes. You cease to be an image and your reality is totally changed. Darkness, its very presence can be felt and feared.

The world was created in darkness and in order for there to be life as we know it there had to be light. God’s words are a creative force and he said let there be; “Light” and it was so.

One of the 10 plagues upon Egypt was darkness that was so dark it was felt by the Egyptians.

Spiritual darkness is spiritual death and the only remedy is light. When Jesus said I am the light, he was saying I will give you light in your soul that will expel all darkness, “the light of life.”

There are two manifestations of light that helps us understand what Jesus was saying when on earth. Light both reflects and refracts.

When Jesus was on earth he reflected his father in heaven. In response to Phillip’s; show us the father, Jesus said; “If you have seen me you have seen the father.” Jesus was the perfect reflection of GOD the father.

In the same sense Jesus said; Matthew.5:14 Ye are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

As Jesus reflected all that the Father consisted of so we are to reflect all that he is.

When light is refracted through an object it remains the same unless the object is turned to an angle, then it is skewed and is not a true representation of the original source.

In the same way when Christians do not walk as Jesus walked they do not reflect the true image of Christ but give a distorted picture of Christianity.

I can’t speak for anyone but myself I have to ask myself; am I a true reflection of that true light or the skewed version which can’t dispel the darkness in men’s souls?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-3Sh7QNdk

I AN’T THE MAN I USED TO BE!

I ain’t the man I used to be so many long years ago, is how the old song went. Then at the end it said; “They used to call me Atlas but now they call me little Joe, I ain’t ……….

While dusting some of our old pictures, looking at our wedding picture I thought; who are those people?

They look so young and vibrant, full of energy and ready for life. Even without any touch up they don’t have wrinkles or hair loss.

These people still exist but only in my weakening memories. Much of that guys thinking and purposes escape me now.

One thing I remember was when was I was selected for a husband by my wife I figured she knew what she was doing, and so I went along with it.

It looks like she made the right decision. She turned me into what I didn’t used to be, a husband.

Another thing that happened to me and I remember this pretty good was when Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit turned me from being a heathen into a Christian. And I was no longer the man I used to be.

There have been many changes in the years that followed and they also changed me in some ways but the change that Jesus made hasn’t been altered in any way for his work was complete.

While I must say that I ain’t the man I used to be at one time, I am still the man Jesus turned me into.

Now as to the wife; as best as I can remember she is the same as she was when she chose me except she has matured some and that has made her a bit better.

So now what about me? Maybe I ain’t the man I would like to be but I shore ain’t the man I used to be.

Thanks be to the Lord and with a little help from my wife.

Most of us have had to deal with unhappy circumstances, a feeling of loss. Dumb as we are, we are not prepared to deal with the reality of the situation.

Even in the case a tragedy where the feelings are legitimate, it is hard to get over it.

Mentality, we eventually come to grips with it, but emotionally that is another story.

King David had an adulteress affair and it involved murdering the woman’s husband. To complicate matters worse the woman got pregnant and he brought her to the palace, took her as his wife and waited for the child to be born. When the child was born it was sick unto death and David prayed for the healing of it, but alas it died.

Then David did an unusual thing, he rose up washed himself and returned to his responsibilities. He dealt with both the mental and the emotional because when it was over it was over and he accepted it and moved on.

I once found a car for sale and it was perfect, just what I wanted. I and the owner went back and forth on the price and I finally gave in for I thought there will never be another deal like this one.

I told him I didn’t have the money on me but would give him a deposit to hold it for me while I went to the bank for a loan. I got the money and returned to find he had sold the car to someone else. I went through all the reasons why the car was mine and he shouldn’t have sold it. He said someone came along with a better offer and he let it go.

It took me a long time to get over losing that car, mentally I knew what had happened, then came the, “If only.” If only I had the money, if only I had left someone with the car and so on.  Emotionally that was my car, I could feel myself driving it, playing the radio, washing and waxing it.

This feeling went on for some time because I wouldn’t accept the truth about the matter. I felt cheated, violated; I had been treated like I was a second class person when all the time I had performed according to our agreement.

Then I realized I was grieving over something I never actually had. True I had made a deposit on it, but it was never mine even though I felt like it was.  I had touched it, sat in it and enjoyed it for a brief moment but it wasn’t really mine, it just seemed like it.

Everyone has had a similar experience.

One of the most difficult things to deal with is the getting dumped; this tears you up in many ways. Its goodbye trust, goodbye self-esteem, farewell love, hello hate, hello anger, hello wanting it back like I thought it was, and the whole spectrum of thoughts and emotions. An experience you never wanted or expected, but like me and the car you are grieving over something you never really had.

How do I get over this experience and hurt? The first you need to know is; you will get over it - - when you want to and not until then.

David let it go; he had the funeral and considered it done, over with and acted like it. Soon he had another child and the memory of the other was just that, a memory.

In the same way I found another car which in fact was better than the one I had been grieving over, and I thought how foolish I had been, grieving over something that was never truly mine, as if it were.

MORE I AM

When speaking of “I AM” I like the way that Popeye sez it; “I am what I am, and that’s what I am, I’m Popeye the sailor man.” Now here is the question; does anybody not understand who Popeye is?

When GOD says who HE is, there seems to be some confusion about what he said. Like Popeye said who he is, GOD also said who HE is.

Exodus 3:14 — "I Am." where God is represented as speaking, and hence as using the first person

It stems from the Hebrew conception of monotheism that God exists by himself for himself, and is the uncreated Creator who is independent of any concept, force, or entity; therefore "I am that I am". HE IS, HE WAS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, “ETERNAL”

Isaiah 43:10 I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

“YHWH is the only proper "Name of God" in the Tanakh, in the sense that Abraham or Sarah are proper names by which you call a person. Whereas words such as Elohim (God, or authority), El (mighty one), Shaddai (almighty), Adonai (master), Elyon (most high), Avinu (our father), etc. Are not names but titles, highlighting different aspects of YHWH, and the various roles which God has. This is similar to how someone may be called 'father', 'husband', 'brother', 'son', etc, but their personal name is the only one that can be correctly identified as their actual designation. In the Tanakh, YHWH is the personal name of the God of Israel, whereas other 'names' are titles which are ascribed to God.

All of that is good information, but being human, I need to get up close and personal, matter of fact I need something not quite that imposing and I found it in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is GOD in the most absolute sense but as to our relationship HE has been somewhat modified to the point of where our relationship can be called personal.  As savior, Jesus can be called “Our Personal savior,” via the born again experience.

There is one thing sure and that is “GOD knows who HE is,” and there is nothing that anyone can say, do, think, desire or wish for that can change that.

HIS word says; “deal with it” because there is no alternative. Create those who are called gods, write your books and call them their words and the net result will be folly.

The best advice anyone can give is found in Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

ALL IS WELL

Surrounding the Christian faith there is what could be called, mystique; the definition is; an aura of heightened value, interest, or meaning surrounding something, arising from attitudes and beliefs that impute special power or mystery to it.

There is amazing power attached to the Christian faith but care must be exercised not to go beyond the stated parameters in scripture.

As a youth I was amazed by magicians and their ability to work their magic. To my eyes it was real and try as I could I could see no other way for it not to be real. I was captivated by the mystique of it all.

When it comes to Christianity it is important to stick to the realty and not wrap it in some mystique of fantasy that is not part of it.

An old song had some lines it of great comfort it was named “Never alone”
The lyrics of which are found at; http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Never_Alone/

As Christians at times we have to face some difficult experiences and it seems that we are on our own, but the realty is we do have to go through things.

This is called life and life must be lived.

The Apostle Paul’s life is an example of being on his own even though Christ was in and with him. He suffered beatings, rejection and rebuke and there was no magic.

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

As Paul found out there are some things we must go through. Even though we through faith can move mountains there are some issues that are in the valley of the shadow of death and we must deal with them by going through them. This is the time when his presence is most needed.

Does all this negate our faith believing? Not in the least it only strengthens our resolve to continue until we experience our personal victory.

He that the Son sets free is free indeed. But along with our freedom comes the responsibility of living our life as one subject to the stress and tests that are common to all men, not as superman.

The difference is while we are on our own we are not alone. This line of thinking will help keep us on an even keel and not lose it. The pressure of living can be intense at times and what is required is maturity, a kind of steadfastness in the face of trying times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz1I1Vcva-g

PG-13

We live in an amazing age where they have a pill or replacement for about everything.

While there are a few more pharmaceuticals and prosthetics yet to be perfected to keep us going there is much help available.

According to the ads one of the new pharmaceuticals marvels is a product called Viagra. It seems this product makes the men walk proud and the women very happy at least in the advertisements on TV. It apparently restores vitality that is lost due to getting older.

While musing on this I was wondering if the aging process also could cause a loss of spiritual vitality.

I decided to place myself in the zeal laboratory as a guinea pig where certain spirituality tests could be run, I must admit I was a little nervous as to the outcome.

The tests were; how much I prayed, how concerned for lost souls, interest and support for missions, obedience to GOD’S word and several more.

I finally got the results back and I'm not about to share them but I will tell you this much and that is; I'm going to get me some Viagra.

Some spiritual Viagra that is. I have made an appointment with Dr. Jesus and I'm going to ask him to prescribe me some spiritual Viagra with several refills for I need it bad.

My problem is I waited too long between checkups and things I was only suspicious about actually needed some treatment.

Well I have been taking my pills (some are hard to swallow) for a short time and already and some of the passion is returning and new life is blossoming.

WORE OUT

What do you think? Would it be better to go to heaven with a body in good shape (hardly used) or having used it up completely? Maybe you would like to have a little bit left in the tank so to speak?

Well how about this! Psalms 90:10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.

Now ain’t a kick in the head, der good and the bad of it. Now for those of us who are eighty that’s real encouraging.

Think with me, how would like to start over in this day and age without all the good experience you have garnered, naw I don’t think so.

There is a song; Good times bad times give me some of that.

According to Psalms 90 you don’t have to ask for that, you get it for free.

Which was the best ten years of your life? How about repeating them over and over until you used up your eighty years?

Job was having a bad day as recorded in Job 14
Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come. You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!

And as Paul said; 1Corinthians 15:51-54
Let me tell you a secret. Not all of us will die, but all of us will be changed, in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will be raised never to decay, and we will be changed.

For what is decaying must put on what cannot decay, and what is dying must put on what cannot die.


Now, when what is decaying puts on what cannot decay, and what is dying puts on what cannot die, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory!"

Whether wore out or hardly used when the trumpet sounds, we are heaven bound without any stop-overs or delays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXYGOoc0RxQ

THE WAYS OF GOD

If anyone thinks they can or have figured out the ways of GOD they should move to the front of the “Stupid class.”

They qualify for the lifetime foolish and stupid award.

While there are some things that on the surface seem to be obvious a further examination reveals that there is something more to it.

Isaiah 55:8 My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

Boy that sure is the truth. In my personal life there are some things I just don’t get. It’s the plain and simple and it doesn’t seem to calculate in the scheme of (my) things.

I suspect that you along with me have a list of things that fall into that category.

There is a certain emptiness that follows each occasion of this happening. Even with understanding circumstances, it is difficult to cope with some issues.

When this happens there many songs that challenge us to stay firm in resolve like “Until then,” My heart can sing when I pause to remember, A heartache here is but a stepping stone, Along a path that's winding always upward This troubled world is not my final home.

And there other songs and Scriptures that hope to calm our troubled waters.

1 Peter 4:12-13Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to the entire world.

Truthfully my first thoughts to this is; “Thanks a lot,” but I quickly stop that line of thinking and (do as David did when he encouraged himself in the LORD. 1 Samuel 30:6) encourage myself and get ready for the next skirmish, for it surely will come.

Maybe you could use a good testimony, check it out!
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvIxwc90BEI&feature=related

THE DOUBLE CURE

Recently I was looking through a cabinet in my bathroom and saw a small can of what turned out to be foot powder.

On the label were words that indicated that it both cured and prevented athlete’s feet problems. As I though on that, it popped into my mind, this stuff is a double cure and there are other products that claim to be able to do that. Solve the problem now and prevent a similar problem later.

Then my mind went back to the words of an old hymn;  “Rock Of Ages” One verse read;

Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
I read something by Lewis G. Hale I thought was worth repeating.

“If God should tell you that He would on request perform spiritual surgery on you, would you allow it? If He would make it impossible for you to ever lie again, would you agree to have it done? If you could never cheat again (even on IRS returns,) would you let God do that to you? You would never be unfaithful to your mate, be spiteful and ill-tempered. You would keep your promises. You would show kindness and compassion. You would be willing to share your goods with the helpless. Ad Infinitum (and so on).The amazing truth is that you do not need some special or miraculous experience to overcome the power of sin in your life.

God has promised He will not allow us to be tempted above what we can bear, but with every temptation we face, God will provide a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Take the double cure, cleansed from sin’s guilt and power.”

People wish to be rid of the guilt of sin (get saved) but they have some difficulty with the power of sin for within the scope of that lies my desires even those I wish to be rid of.

I’m going out on a limb and say that all Christians want to walk upright and please GOD, but somewhere between want to and what I do, something happens, and every intent gets nullified.

The big question is how I overcome this weakness in my daily experience, read on!

Proverbs 6:6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!

This is good advice but I went to the fleas instead for this problem.

I had heard of what I thought was the most illogical thing of all and that was the flea circus. When I thought of a circus it was elephants and clowns and such. But a flea circus?

Since there were no PC’s in those days I went to the library and read about the training process of fleas went forth. One of the first things was to place the fleas in a box and put a glass over it where every time they jumped they would hit the glass and have pain. From then on, they would only jump up to the glass without hitting it. They removed the glass and the fleas wouldn’t jump out and further training took place like pulling a wagon. Even though the fleas were free they didn’t know it and acted as if they were in bondage.

This is the position Christians who are under the sway of the power of sin live, not knowing they are free.

In Romans 6 Paul tried to explain that Christians are free from sins power and no longer have to obey the power of sin.

Romans 6  Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Slaves to Righteousness

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If one is serious about serving GOD they should stay with these verses until they become a reality in their life. Go to the flea and learn how a captive lives and then see how a flea acts when he is free born.

Are you a circus flea or a free spirited one?

Let your prayer be; Be of sin the double cure, Cleanse me from its guilt and power and set me free.

ALMOST UGH

Some scriptures cause me feel ughish.

They run agin my fleshly nature.  One of them is, when somebody hauls off and smacks you on the side of your head you have to tick him/her off by turning the other side and get whacked on it.

Now I know that most Christians delight in doing that but I’m still working on it.

Then there is the one that says, if somebody says give me your coat you ought to give him/her your cloak also.

The only way I would do that is to be caught in an alley and someone has a knife or gun in their hand and threatens me with bodily harm. Should that happen I would gladly give them my coat, shirt, shoes and everything else they wanted.

There are other scriptures I have trouble with but I have to think, they must have a reason that escapes a casual perusing.

Parents (unless they are stupid) know and understand their children, their strengths and weaknesses. They then attempt to guide them in the ways that will cause them to be successful in life.

While it’s always love, sometimes it is what has been called tough love but love nevertheless. This kind of love sets standards high and is unrelenting.

Of course your children will hate you for the next twenty years but will eventually get their sanity back.

As our children are constantly being tested by parents GOD also tests HIS children and no one enjoys having to take a test. His testing comes in many forms and for many reasons.

When problems occur we wonder is this a test from GOD or just a happenstance. Am I being taught a lesson or have I used bad judgment and got into this mess?

Abraham was tested to a greater extreme than we will ever be in Genesis 22.

What are you facing today? Is God pleased with how you are handling it?

It is said that our “life is the test” the whole of it, and as such it is a conglomeration of events that makes up our life.

The things that we face in life are our “proving ground.”

We are judged according to how we perform in our life experience. If I accept that there times when GOD is checking me out then it increases my resolve to prevail, no matter what the situation is.

I have to remind myself often of a few things; I didn’t ask to be born but I’m glad I was. It was GOD’S will that I’m here and that means I am part of HIS plan and purpose.

Knowing this makes me feel important and the lessons GOD is teaching me must be needful, so let the lessons continue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKuCjDZ9npk&feature=related

SURELY SURELY

If I had to do without some scriptures, a couple I would hate to loose would be found in the Psalms.

They are scriptures I can both wake up and go to sleep with. They are like a warm blanket on a cold night and a cool drink on a hot day. They are a constant source of comfort in every moment of every day. They are consolation in time of need and inspirational when pondering the future.

One is a prayer; Psalms 27:4 The one thing I ask of the LORD -- the thing I seek most is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD'S perfections and meditating in his Temple.

The other is a statement of faith;

Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

An aura (def. An aura is a field of spiritual radiation surrounding a person or object, the depiction of such an aura often connotes a person of particular power or holiness.)

An Aura of steadfastness accompany scriptures of this nature and they need to be planted deep within our souls for when you receive the word.

Immediately Satan comes to attempt to steal and take away the word which has been planted in you.

That is enough to tic you off for it is a deliberate attempt to do you harm and is reason enough for the Christian to hate the devil.

Goodness and mercy, grace and love we have it all,

Romans 8:38 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.

Surely,surely says the Prophet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Vnm3FAu2Y&feature=related

A Dollar Short

When I was growing up many of the stories I read would always end up with; “And the moral of the story is” and then they explained what the point was they were trying to make.

They did this to either make sure I got the point or reinforce what I understood. Whatever the case was I depended heavily upon the moral of the story.

Another thing I depended on was sayings that had a measure of wisdom within them. These sayings help mold me into to the mess I am or at least I blame it on them. Some of my favorites are;

There are three faithful friends, an old wife, an old dog, and ready money. ~ Benjamin Franklin
(I got two of those things right).

Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. ~ Winston Churchill

There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. ~ Oscar Wilde

All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed. ~ Sean O'Cassey

So many more, but the one that is like Paul’s throne in the flesh and that continues to goad me is;

"A day late and a dollar short”.

This saying continues to point out my inadequacies each time I could have done better which is most often.

My retort to that demeaning thought hardly mitigates the distress it brings to the table.  Still I am able to function without perfection and meet the requirements of others with the same defect which is in most of us.

The truth of the matter is; we are an imperfect people, living in an imperfect world without any remedy except one. This remedy is rejected by too many without a proper hearing.

This remedy makes us perfect in the only court that counts, in the sight of GOD. This attained perfection in GOD’S sight demands and challenges us to perfect our lives through our conduct before the world.

Matthew 5:48 Be then complete in righteousness, even as your Father in heaven is complete.

It’s not “To be or not to be”- - it is TO BE.  Although GOD will accept us being an hour late and a few cents short, the goal must always be to be on time and fully paid up.

One last thing to remember; when the wine goes in, strange things come out!

OLIVE OYL AND I

When I was a child I would fantasize (To imagine or to picture something or an event in your mind) about things. It was stuff that came out of the blue and usually left as soon as it appeared.

One fantasy that I still have is my fantasy girl friend; “Olive Oyl.” She is a movie star that is portrayed as being Popeye’s girlfriend. She has several suitors, the main ones being Popeye and a brute named Bluto.

She is absolutely beautiful and she’s mine (in my fantasy.)

In real life I have a real wife and we are mucho simpatico, but one thing about Olive (because of my fantasizing) she is everything I want her to be and does everything I want her to do. It’s almost like being in heaven.  But then I have to return to earth and reality, back to the only nearly perfect wife.

I have to be alert and not allow my fantasy to become my reality especially in things spiritual.

Because of the nature of spiritual things, the supernatural, it is easy to let the imaginary (The way I'd like it to be) things become my reality.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; (or imagination) but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Barnes notes: And of a sound mind - The Greek word denotes one of sober mind; a man of prudence and discretion. The state referred to here is that in which the mind is well balanced, and under right influences; in which it sees things in their just proportions and relations; it is not feverish and excited, but everything is in its proper place. It was this state of mind which Timothy was exhorted to cultivate; this was which Paul regarded as so necessary to the performance of the duties of his office. It is as needful now for the minister of religion as it was then.

When it comes to the spirituals (things that which pertain to the spirit) it is easy to enter an imaginary world, and when dwelled upon, it becomes our reality at least in part.

When this happens it can give the enemy (Satan) an opportunity to cause us to go off the deep end and do damage to the kingdom of GOD. People who have a deep desire for the miraculous are prime candidates for this to happen to. If this desire is not fully met the fantasy fills in the blank spots.

You can tell when someone is suffering from this malady by the way they speak. They quickly say things that are far from their (or your) experience and reveal that they are doing a lot of fantasizing to validate the things they say.

Fantasizing can effect every phase of the Christian life including one’s prayer life where believing is replaced by hopeless fantasy.

To View Olive’s movie you need DSL. If you have DSL see site below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BkUXUKU8OQ

ECONOMIC CANABALISM

As the old line Republicans struggle with the “Newbies” on the block, they are finding they must align themselves with the Democrats in order to protect the government jobs that America depends upon.

Today our economy is dependent upon government jobs and the hue and cry from the Democratic socialist party is if budget cuts are made it will result in jobs being lost both in the public and private area.

This is probably true because our economy is like the people lost in an Amazon jungle plane crash turned cannibalistic.

It is feeding upon itself in order to survive.

The theory is the government jobs have a trickle down effect and create other job in the private sector. But this is why the Democrats, Socialists and old line Republicans are fearful that the cannibalistic nature of this economy will be exposed if cuts are made.

Like people who have become used to eating human flesh we have acquired a taste for it and aren’t about to give it up. The things we demand from this government have turned us into a cannibalistic society that demand more and more for nothing.

One day I fear we will discover that we are feasting upon ourselves and have already eaten our legs and are starting to look at our arms.

Oh well, so be it.

KOOL-AID

Like many parents we allowed our kids to have Kool-Aid drink mix because it was cheaper than soft drinks and they liked it. It has been so long since we made it I can’t remember the ratio of water to each package.

Seems it was two quarts to a package. One thing that you shouldn't do was add five gallons of water to a package because it would become tasteless and undesirable. No one would want to have anything to do with it.

In some what the same way if the true gospel of Jesus Christ is diluted in any way it will lose both it’s appeal and power to change people’s lives.

Today the church of Christ is so fragmented doctrinally it is hardly recognizable as the “New Testament church.”

Some will deny everything spiritual, accept anything and do anything unspiritual. And then the other side of the coin there are those so hungry for the supernatural they accept anything shysters present to them.

Supposedly in the Roman Empire days it was fashionably to spike the wine with poison and get rid of people you didn’t like or weaken them to the point of controlling them.

Today there are those who spike their gospel with what amounts to a mind control drug having once ingested it they take you wherever they want.

The Moonies and Scientology along with other lesser offenders to name a few.

So what to do? My suggestion is for you (your self); to mix your cool aid according to the directions and drink it straight without adding something to make it better.

Which is another way of saying; do like the people of Berea did, Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message.

They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Note it doesn’t matter who says it, even if it was Paul who said it, you check it out for yourself and not following someone’s outline they have concocted.

It’s time for some in the church to kool it and stick with the Rock.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X8kBXWqfSk&feature=related

AINT IT THE TRUTH

Often in mythology the gods are portrayed as looking down on earth watching what people are doing; Shakespeare’s lines are descriptive of this.

"Shall we their fond pageant see? Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

At times they (the gods) try to influence and cause people to act in certain ways.

Flip Wilson’s famous line “The devil made me do it,” was an overstatement of fact, notwithstanding we believe that spiritual forces are at work and endued with certain powers.

1Peter 5:8 Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour (to gain influence over).

While the Bible reveals that there is a category called demons in the land, their influence and control is somewhat simpatico and requires permission from the person. Though defeated at the cross they still are able to participate in the temptation process.

James 1;12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1;14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

It would seem that there are certain desires and lusts (I want it) that are within each individual, and when they become a driving force it is time to suspect that outside powers are at work.

Usually by that time you couldn’t care less unless you have strong resolves based upon scripture and even then it may be that you are too weak to resist.

Temptation and emotion are strong allies and work together very well to yield to temptation. No one is exempt from temptation; check it out; men, women, boys and girls, it is an ongoing issue.

The result of temptation is long lasting and sometimes irreversible. Issues you have to live with, make the best of it.

I think girls have the worst of it, an example being, when she is unmarried and gets pregnant she bears all the negatives while the male goes forth looking for another sperm dump.

The temptation to do wrong has mostly downsides with very few compensations.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

"Shall we their fond pageant see? Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

TIMES AIRE CHANGING

In order to keep up with the language the dictionaries have to be reprinted every year.

People coin new words and others change word meaning by common usage.

Words like queer, gay, cool, mod and relationship just to name a few of the thousands now in use.

Most of the changes are brought about by young people. By young I mean anyone under fifty. There are many reasons for changing the usage of words; sometimes it has to do with changing lifestyles, and trying to make them more acceptable.

When I was a boy the meaning of cougar was a large cat that roamed the wilds, but now it has taken on another meaning; “An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man” especially a “Hottie.”

While it may be said that it still means one who roams the wilds, we now have to look at the context to see if it means a big cat or a human female predator that is on the prowl.

Another word which I can’t get a handle on is “relationship.” I realize now the word has multiple usages but when I hear it I never understand it fully and I just have to guess at what is being meant by what is said.

In some cases the expression. “I’m in a relationship,” means shacking up, or living together like man and wife.

While in other usage it means just friends especially while in school.

Then there is all the in between stuff like one night stands, playing the field and as some say “friends with benefits.”  More and more there is an underlying idea that “proximity without intimacy is unacceptable.”

Those who make their living taking polls on sexual habits of people, now tell us that those who are being educated are engaging in oral sex primarily and do not consider it sinful in any way.

Much of the sexual contact between teachers and students are of an oral nature according to the newspapers I read. One reason this is being engaged in is because of the pregnancy issue.

In any case when GOD”S Word is not the rule of conduct there is nothing to guide us except the mental exercise of degenerate philosophers. Their great wisdom quickly ends up being a multiplicity of ideas that results in “anything goes” or if it feels good, do it.

Each time I hear of a minister or church member who falls victim to sinful conduct, it hurts to the core of my being. The world we live in doesn’t accept the old theory of, “Do as I say not as I do” anymore and sinful conduct just validates their own sinful acts.

Longfellow said, “We judge (excuse) ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.”

1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

WHAT I’M GONNA GET

Many years ago, I and some of “our gang” were all excited about an event where we were going to have big fun.

We all talked at once extolling the pleasures we expected and would repeat them over and over. Along with us was a fringe member of the group, he wasn’t exactly accepted as one of us but we tolerated him as it were. He stood off to the side and listened intently until he couldn’t hold it any longer. Then he quizzically said “What I’m gonna get?”

At that we all became quiet and looked at each other.  We had not even considered him at all; this was only for we gang members. For the next few moments that seem like an eternity there was some “under the breathe mumbling” like you ain’t going to get nothing, and like statements like that.

I finally spoke up and said if you can get your money up, you will get the same thing we all get. Then we went back to making our plans.

After remembering that small event in my life, I thought that “What I’m gonna get?” is a driving force in most lives, mine included. I do nothing without expecting some reward in some form, from what I do.

Even when I do a charitable deed I expect to receive inward satisfaction of having done a good thing, especially if it is without strings attached.

Not all of “What I’m gonna get” is what I want but I can expect some reciprocal action.

While musing on this subject, my thinking drifted toward the scripture and the new (our) covenant, for my relationship with GOD is a product of that covenant.

What I expect to get from GOD is spelled out clearly within the particulars of the covenant. If I want to know what “I’m gonna get” all I have to do is read it for myself.

Some of what I’ll get is based on my conduct the result being some good, some bad. Why does it always come down to “You get what you sow?”

At times I think GOD is like a man I knew who said; “I’m not getting mine.” If GOD is not getting HIS and cops an attitude it might explain why I’m not getting mine.

In rereading the covenant I discovered that GOD wants HIS, actually HE demands it and when HE isn’t getting HIS, I probably won’t get mine.

The scripture James 4:17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

When I primarily reflect upon on”What I’m gonna get?” it is easy to forget that GOD is reflecting similarly and waiting for HIS “What I’m gonna get?”

Oh well let’s just dig a little deep in the store of HIS PROVISION.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIuzZlmClZs&feature=related

DOG TALES

image courtesy photobucket.com

When I was a little boy on the farm, music played a big part in our entertainment (as it does today).

The Grand Ole Opry was aired on WSM radio station and had all of the country singers.

One of the popular singers was a man named Jimmie Rodgers; he sang the blues and yodeled in his songs. He had his own group of songs called the Blue yodel starting at #1 and continuing into the thirties, all starting with Blue yodel number - - -

His lyrics at times were funny, one I liked was; I got me a woman and I got a bulldog too, my woman don’t love me but my bulldog do, yodel lay hee and so on.

Dogs have traits somewhat like people, they like to eat and have their creature comforts. They are quite defensive concerning that which they perceive is theirs.

One thing I’m not sure about and that is why they don’t seem to care what you look like or how successful you are, they jus don’t seem to care. They accept you just as you are. My guess is they are not very discriminating, and at this point they are unlike most people.

One thing that is common among dogs, whether a mutt or a pedigreed animal they all want one thing and that is love.

Whether you are a homeless person with only a backpack, the dog is proud to be on a leash and walking with you, and as long as the person gives him love, he is happy as a dog could be. He is probably happier than one that is living high on the hog without love.

I’ve had my share of good dogs and still have a batch I’m fond of. One thing I don’t worry about is them getting stolen, for nobody else would have them. One of my favorite song from the thirties is “Old Rattler” and is played by a black band which is a little unusual. These are the words and the link below takes you to some good country.  Keep scrolling down to view all the words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y79JgnYCVck&feature=related

OLD RATTLER
Recorded by Grandpa Jones

Old Rattler was a good old dog; as blind as he could be
Ev'ry night 'bout supper time; I believe that dog could see.

Refrain:
Here! Rattler, Here! Here!; Here! Rattler! Here!
Call old Rattler from the barn; Here! Rattler! Here!

Old Rattler tree'd the other night; And I tho't he'd tree'd a 'coon
When I come to find out; He was barkin' at the moon./Refrain:

Well, grandma had a yeller hen; we set her as you know
We set her on three buzzard eggs; And hatched out one old crow./Refrain:

Grandpa had a muley cow; she was muley when she's born
It took a jaybird forty year; To fly from horn to horn. /Refrain:

Now if I had a needle and thread; as fine as I could sew
I'd sew my sweetheart to my back; And down the road I'd go./Refrain:

Old Rattler was a smart old dog; even tho' he was blind
He wouldn't hurt one single thing; tho' he was very fine.

One night I saw a big fat 'coon; climb up in a tree
I called old Rattler right away; to get 'I'm down fer me.

But Rattler wouldn't do it; because he liked that 'coon
I saw them walkin' paw in paw; Later by the light of the moon./Refrain:

Now old Rattler's dead and gone; like all good dogs do
You better not act like a dog yourself; Or you'll be goin' there too./Refrain:

This post was shared at Tell Me a True Story

THE GIFT OF WHACKY-NESS

The Bible states in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians, this is where you will find the main gifts of the Spirit named.

I have searched for a scriptural gift that many people have and so for I haven’t found it.

It’s the gift of Whacky-ness.

There was a case when it was in manifestation in the book Genesis when the people decided to build a tower all the way up to heaven. You can’t get much more whacky than that though people still try.

Then there was another time when Moses went up into the mountain to commune with GOD and while he was gone the people decided to make themselves another god, one that was made with hands.

When Moses returned to the camp and saw the orgy that was in progress he demanded where this golden calf came from. Brother Aaron explained he threw a lot of gold into the fire and out came this calf. Aaron neglected to tell Moses that he melted the people’s gold down making the idol himself, then proclaimed a feast to sacrifice to their new god.

How quickly people can reason themselves out of what is real unto that which is false.

This spirit of whacky-ness is in manifestation when some shepherd is in the desert and all of the sudden he gets a message that there is a new god, a new book from heaven and it replaces the real GOD.

Others have found plates of gold and have translated them for new wisdom.

Some of us are sticking with the old GOD, the original one who created the universe and everything in it. We do this because we can’t see any reason to exchange the real for the imaginary.

The spirit of rebellion permeates many people and the spirit of whacky-ness allows them to create their tower up to heaven, the golden calf, new religions and anything else they can think of.

This gift of whacky-ness always produces something negative. It breaks up homes and destroys families. It gets people into debt. It causes drug dependencies and can affect a nation’s stability.

With some folks it seems to be a permanent condition while others only manifest it occasionally.

As has been said before; we live in a whacky world.

To be sure this gift has no place in the church of Jesus Christ - - but at times I suspect it may have found a place.

TIME

Time and perspective, sometime eludes me for the past is closer than I realize.

There was here in the USA, what was called a civil war wherein 600,000 American men were killed. More than the WW2 when 500,000 lost their lives. Both wars lasted about four years, and there were no heroes in the civil war, only dead Americans.

In 1865 when the civil war ended, the south was devastated; the politicians did almost as much damage to it as the war via the intrusion of the carpetbaggers and military rule.

That aside, the interesting thing about time perspective is my dad was born some 25 or so years after the civil war. Then some 65 years after the war I was born, when the south was still feeling the sting of defeat.

The first airplane flight happened 26 years before I was born and the “A” model ford replaced the “T” model about that time.

In the family grave yard there are tomb stones dating back to the revolutionary war. As a child I had several great aunts and uncles who were even further back nearer to the civil war time and they exercised some of their standards on me.

Another thing that was difficult to put in perspective was the fact that the Pentecostal movement had started about 30 years before I was born, and had spread around the world.

The Assemblies of GOD was about 15 years old at my birth, and was only 33 years old when I first attended one of their churches.

My children have their own backward look that the grandchildren are now getting the fallout from.

When my kids pass from the scene because my influence upon the grand children has been limited it will be almost as if I never existed. At best only a very limited remembrance, much like what I experience when viewing the old photos of those I hardly knew.

You come, you go, and you hope that something in your genes will continue that part which is good in you.

Psalms 37; 25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

Making this scripture a prayer is about the best I can do for my future offspring, so be it.

WHERE IS AMERICA’S SMARTS?

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development places the United States 18th among the 36 nations examined, USA Today reported Wednesday.

Headed to the top of the heap is South Korea where 93 percent of high school students graduate on time compared with the United States where 75 percent receive their diplomas.

The seemingly downward trend of U.S. Education worries economists.

"The United States has rested on its laurels way too long," Jacob Funk Kirkegaard of the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, told USA Today. "Other countries have increasingly caught up and surpassed the United States."

"We've been asleep for a good number of years as a country," says Richard Freeman, an economics professor at Harvard. "It's not that we're doing horrible. But the other guys are moving faster."

Let us not despair for we are fast becoming #1 in dope dealing, so much so we are now considering making it legal. Our dealers can push more dope than the Koreans, so there.

In Korea the “PARENTS” demand their kids learn English starting in the first grade that should tell us something about parents of America.

George Will in his column states that the corporations that make electronics are moving and will keep moving to where the intelligence is.

Not many are looking for smart mouth uneducated human beings to hire.

For years Washington has said we educate the kids better than the states for we have the answers. Their no child left behind program is little more than an attempt to make sure no one has to ride in the back of the bus.

The ignorant of America are costing America hundreds of billions of dollars each year, money that we could use.

The time will come if the present downward trend continues that we will have to go to other countries for our higher education. According to the fact that there are 18 countries that have surpassed America in education and production which leads to greater development of their resources, it is time that the American people should wake us up.

We face a doomsday if this trend isn’t not only stopped but reversed. We can’t live off of the printing press forever even though some American economists think otherwise.

This reminds one of being on the rim of a whirlpool, just a little lower and there is nothing to stop you from going to the bottom and never come up.

There are only two things that can save this nation; the first is to educate our people so they can prevail in research and development and for the nation to turn to GOD and allow Jesus to become Lord their lives.

At present I don’t believe the nation is interested in either.