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Because He Lives, We Can, Too

11/26/2018

Another blessed soul is welcomed by Jesus

Yesterday I experienced a very unique church service which truly touched my heart. I briefly mentioned it on my Facebook author page but think it's worthy of further exploration today. It involved the death of a very sweet woman, one who carried the countenance of God wherever she went and it was sad to see her die in her forties. She suffered from cancer, fought the battle hard, but in the end she lost the battle but won the war for her soul as anyone who ever met her could attest to. I didn't know her well, but she always took the time to say something upbeat and positive to all of us who attended church with her. What I want to focus on, however, is the way our Pastor blended the memorial together with the regular church service as if it was a natural, even though he said it was a first for him in his long career in the ministry.

Pastor Paul announced that we'd skip the individual praises, prayer requests and announcements due to the time constraints of the occasion and we moved right into the memorial service. A number of family members and close friends, good country folk who knew this woman well, were surprisingly elegant in their individual eulogies. It was as if the Holy Spirit was directly guiding them in what they said so well and indeed, I believe that was the case. Then the Pastor offered comments and a prayer, ending the memorial portion of the service with his own wish that when it was his turn to return home, he hoped that people remembered him with such kind and praising words.

The sermon was about God's love, how He wants each of us to know Him and how disappointed He must be when we mortals let Him down. But the hope for all of us came when the Lord offered up His Son for our sins and how that forgiveness always awaits us. All we have to do is accept it and believe and we will inherit a place that has been prepared for us. And this is the point where he tied the life of the dearly departed into the sermon's conclusion, saying that we all hope to see our loved ones who have departed us again. He suggested that if we live our life like that nice lady lived hers, we will, for there was no doubt in his mind that she was already in the place Jesus prepared for her. And she was now wrapped in the loving arms of the Savior who has welcomed her as she contemplates an eternal life without pain, suffering or worry.

The icing on the cake was a wonderful celebration of her life with a luncheon where we who were church members got to know our visitors and we all watched in wonder how the countenance of the grieving husband changed into a smile. I truly believe that at that moment he knew what his dearly departed expected of him and that he committed to fulfilling it and then seeing her in heaven when his time on earth is done. It was a touching service and a touching finale. God be praised!

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SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Where's the Line to See Jesus?

11/24/2018

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The children line up to tell Santa what they dream of for Christmas.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we move rapidly toward Christmas, that beautiful and wonderful time when life takes on a magical air and we all, young and old alike, become a kid again, if only for a short period. The retail sales establishments, of course, have been planning for this event for months since it is so important to their bottom line at the end of the year. And while many started putting up displays in weather where we could often still wear shorts, the Christian calendar will begin the official season on a week from today, the First Sunday of Advent.

Perhaps nothing lightens up the eyes of a child more obviously than the annual trip to see Santa. The anticipation is in the air and the smiles are on their faces as they stand anxiously in line waiting for the opportunity to sit in Santa's lap and tell him what they truly want for Christmas. Sometimes the wait at the big establishments is for hours as parents and children live on the dream generation after generation. I's memorable, fun and just part of growing up, but it does bring with it a question that each of us should ponder and it's this:

WHERE' THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?

Think about that question and ponder it. We are willing to drive long distances, stand in line waiting for hours and all for the fun of watching our children have the opportunity for a short, personal visit with Santa. But at the same time, we often have difficulty finding the time to visit with Our Lord and Savior, the one whose birth far exceeds the magic and mystery of Santa as a back-up prop. We can find millions of excuses to use for not spending time with Jesus, yet we will jump over any hurdle for that illustrious visit with Santa. It just doesn't seem right because, frankly, it's not. We should be ashamed of ourselves.

A few years ago, a pretty young woman who is a gifted singer, Becky Kelley of St. Louis, performed a new song about this very subject. The title is the same as the question just posed: Where's the Line to See Jesus. It's a beautiful song and she sings it accompanied by her father, Steve, in a rendition that was adapted to video presentation on U-Tube. It tells us in word and picture just what I wrote about, only in a much more convincing fashion. So, I hope readers will listen to it and take the words to heart, for they are all so very true. And it's okay to carry on that tradition of visiting Santa and awaiting his visit, but just remember that we need to put the "Reason for the Season" first and that reason is Jesus' birthday. That event is what made Him both Man and God on this earth, to preach, teach and ultimately die on Calvary's Cross for our sins. Without the forgiveness that event gave us, we would have no hope for something after mortal life. With it, when we accept it, we gain Everlasting Life, a gift far more valuable than anything Santa or anyone other than Jesus can provide us. It is the ultimate gift that never dies.

Here's the link to the music. Just cut and past it into your browser. When it begins to play, it will start with an ad in song, so just hit the skip ad marker on the video and it will take you to Ms. Kelley's performance. I hope you'll find it moves you as much as it did me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY

If this doesn't get us in the proper holiday Spirit, I don't know what will. Be blessed.

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Why We Celebrate Thanksgiving: George Washington Says it Best

11/22/2018

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George Washington seeking divine guidance in the struggle underway.

It's personally sad to contemplate, but there are some among us who would eliminate Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday, claiming that America is now such a multi-cultural nation that we should not force our old fashioned value structure on others. To that I say hogwash, since the historical and cultural background of America is such a major part of what America is. Millions have come to these shores seeking to become Americans, recipients of the American Spirit as well, and part of that means adopting her heart and soul as their own as well.

For the few who want to spoil that, the many will not change. Those who disagree may, of course, keep their views to themselves in a free society but we must never allow them to alter the tradition that the overwhelming majority of honor in recognizing the central nature of our Creator to our nation and the blessings that He has so graciously given us. Thanksgiving is a special time when all good Americans gather together to thank the Lord for the many blessings that we all have and it's appropriate that we do so.

If you have any doubt about the direction that our Founders set for America, read the Declaration of Independence which clearly states our reliance on The Creator and his grant of inalienable rights which government does not have the authority to remove. And one of the best examples of America's need to thank God for all that He has given us while also acknowledging our commitment to Him as a people is the 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation from our first President, George Washington. Washington appreciated the sacrifice that so many made under his leadership as a General in harsh conditions to earn our freedom from British oppression. And He knew without the grace of God that America would have never gained her independence.

So, as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day today and all that it represents and means, Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 is offered in its entirety below. Read it, ponder it and wonder at its wisdom and value for as a people graced by God we are truly blessed. A suggestion might be reading it as part of your celebration since so many of us are so poorly educated today about our historical foundation. Make no mistake about it; this land we love was a creation of God.

Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and—Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favor, able interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other trangressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

God bless America as we gather together for this great holiday!

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NOSTALGIC MEMORIES OF THANKSGIVING TRAVEL

11/21/2018

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All of us have memories of travel for Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful time to gather together in thankfulness with those who are far away that we love. The memories are good ones, we always forget the not so hot moments, but even they are funny when we look back at them later. One such occasion in my family was about twenty years ago when we were living in Jacksonville. We wanted to go home to Virginia to visit family and our plans were to fly to Norfolk, then rent a car at the airport and drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. We would visit at the home of my father-in-law in the quaint bayside town of Onancock on the Eastern Shore.

Always looking for a good deal, we decided to fly out in the wee hours of the morning on Thanksgiving Day. I had to work all day Wednesday and did not want the hassle of a late- night flight, then the two-hour drive to Onancock. Besides, Thanksgiving morning flights came with a huge discount and according to the ticket agent on the phone, there were quite a number of empty seats, allowing us to spread out a bit with an empty seat in the middle of the row. I could really stretch out.

The airline agent on the phone informed me there would be a stop with change on the way due to the heavy volume of previous night flights but that it would only lengthen our travel time by about an hour.at Thanksgiving time. I made the arrangements and bright and early we arrived at the airport and picked up our tickets, took a seat in the waiting area and awaited boarding. The plane was on the tarmac and passengers joined us but there were only about forty, which even at this strange flying time seemed very small. After all, connecting flights to Norfolk were through either Atlanta or Charlotte and were usually quite full any day of the year.

I pulled out my ticket and looked at it and quickly found out why. Our connecting flight was taking us to “Motown,” Detroit, the Motor City. Talking about going around my knee to get to my thumb, I couldn’t believe it. But then I realized the mistake I had made for I told the telephone agent I was willing to take a connecting flight as I wanted to save money and she took it upon herself to find the cheapest flight, which happened to be via the roundabout route through Detroit. So, sitting there building a slight stew, I had no one to blame but myself.

Luckily, the layover in Detroit was very fast and the connection was at the gate adjacent to arrival, so when we made it to Norfolk, we were only forty-five minutes behind schedule. We were blessed by a strong jet stream that pushed the plane along its way. As we walked off the plane in Norfolk and went to the rental car station, I decided to splurge a bit and got an upgraded rental. At least I could go into the in-law’s house in style while my wife told her mom about my cost saving flight arrangements.

But even the car pickup wasn’t without an issue, for when I was dropped off at the lot and the bus headed back to the airport, I noticed a significant dent in the fender and I didn’t want to be blamed for it. So, I flagged down the next bus and told the driver. He laughed and told me not to worry.

“Every car on this lot probably has least one dent, Captain,” he said in a joking voice, “This is Navy Town USA and they send all the minor defects to us to rent.”

I did write out a note and asked him to give it the person on duty, citing lot and space number and condition and I made a note to memory about it for later and then we were off. Well, the big Town Car was nice and drove like a charm and the traffic was light since most travelers already had completed their journey. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon as we drove across the bay and we made it to Onancock by three, two hours before dinner would be served.

The weekend was a long one, we stayed until Monday and all went well on the trip back until we started our descent into Detroit. The rental car company acknowledged the car was fine so at least that potential problem was out of the way. But looking down at Detroit on a drab afternoon with snow falling, I could see that most of the runways were covered. The Captain came on before touchdown and told us connecting flights would fly, but there would be significant delays. My mind thought back to college days and flying home under similar conditions and being grounded for nearly twenty-four hours in Chicago. The good news, however, was that the storm was ending so that runway clearing would begin soon. And I had to thank God for clearing us to land on the last open runway at the airport.

We arrived at four and decided to get a bite to eat. That was fortunate since we didn’t depart until almost nine. And Wayne County Airport was in the midst of a big renovation, so with the large going home crowd of impatient flyers, the limited places to sit due to the construction, I’ve never been so glad to get on a plane with a seat instead of sitting in a crowded hallway on the floor. But we did make it. A day that should have ended with arrival home l at six-thirty didn’t end until eleven and I had to go to work the next morning.

We made the trip several more times before loss of parents, but from then on, I decided to drive. We took our time, often took less crowded back roads and saw places of interest that we would have never seen otherwise. And now I always try to look for the blessing in the clouds of daily life even when it looks gloomy . There are many when we open our eyes and look.

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Thanksgiving 2018: Be Thankful for Your Many Blessings

11/19/2018

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Nicely set Thanksgiving table

One of my favorite holidays of the year is almost here. Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, often with many traveling long distances for the occasion. Friendships are renewed and updated with talk of things that have transpired since you last met and a wonderful meal is shared, usually with everyone leaving the table having to loosen their belts. Many, my family included, offer a special Thanksgiving prayer for those who can't be with us and for the bounty of food which we are about to enjoy. Then, after the feast, many gather around the TV for the big game which usually ends up with several snoring as the result of too much to eat.

But do we really appreciate what it is we celebrate or do we just go through the numbers by memory from years past? I think on this day, several days before the big event, we should truly ponder all of the blessings that we have and which we so often take for granted. Take the time to sit down and make a list. You'll be surprised at how blessed you are and what's more, by looking at all the blessings you have, maybe, just maybe, you won't be so self-centered in what you are asking for. Sometimes they are material things, like your home or that special car that you wax and wash every week. Or they could be someone, not something, like a wonderful husband or wife, fantastic and cute children or that very special friend who is always there for you.

But I also think of something else and, as I get older, these blessings are sometimes the best because you can refer back to them as you look over your life. These blessings are all of my great memories, memories of where I've been, things I've done and all those wonderful people, or even the pets, that I've known in my life. This area is very special to me, particularly when I go all the way back to my childhood and remember those "Summers at Old Nags Head" which played such a great part in making me who I am today and what I believe. And those glorious golden days on a beautiful beach are always on my list of things I'm thankful for that I try to mention in my thanksgiving prayer to God above.

Compiling such a list opens our memory bank to come alive and it provides things that we should always be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. Come to think of it, they also make a great way to aid in forgetting those worries on your mind when you turn in for sleep each night. Do you remember what the great Bing Crosby sang many years ago about this very message? Well, here are the key words.

"If you worry and you can't sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep. And you'll go to sleep, counting your blessings."

Try it, you might just find its the medicine you need to cure your insomnia. And, what's more, it will make your life more satisfying as well. Have a blessed Thanksgiving week, my friends, and get ready. That wonderful day of fun, food and thanksgiving is almost here.

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Yes, We'll Gather at the River

11/18/2018

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Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1

It's Sunday, the Sabbath, a day for worship and rest. It's the day that serves as the foundation for our week ahead. We Christians start the day with worship and praise for the One who has promised everlasting life if we believe in Him and follow His guidance. Our time worshiping him with others is a fitting way to get ready for the start of another week. We recommit to Him publicly and commit to go forth with Christian spirit and love. It is designed to help us focus on the central part that He plays in our lives and on keeping us true and righteous.

So we'll gather at the river, the river of the water of life, which is Jesus Christ our Lord. Like those people pictured being baptized in the River Jordan, the river of the water of life is present in our gatherings in churches throughout the Christian world just as He is with us wherever we go. He is our hope and our salvation. Just as water is a central ingredient in sustaining life on earth, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is central to overcoming our mortality. Our everlasting life to come is totally dependent on Him and His grace.

Dear Lord, Thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ to give the ultimate gift, His life in return for ours. Help us to always appreciate this gift and to love Him and devote ourselves to Him. And help us to go out among friends and strangers as well and witness for Him. It is our responsibility to spread the word of His love and hope so that others might also live forever.

Give us strength to deal with adversity, to overcome those who would do us harm and ridicule us, and to be steadfast through good and bad knowing that, in the end, we will be the recipients of the most wonderful gift of all, eternal life with Jesus and Thee. We ask in His name, Amen.

Rejoice knowing that with Jesus you have the most precious and wonderful future to look forward to forever. No armies are great enough and no rulers are powerful enough to take this gift away from you. They are nothing in comparison to Him. Fear not and praise the Lord.

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The Wonder and Joy of a Crisp Fall Day

11/17/2018

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Mist forms in the crisp air over the warmer lake as the sun turns the picture into gold.

I love the fall and as a native Virginian I often long for a crisp, fresh morning like those I remember growing up. We get some of those down here in Florida, but seldom do they match areas where the third season of the year is lengthy. Yesterday, however, in mid-November, we've finally come to a day that lives up to fall. I knew the previous night it was coming for a front passed by with rain and the wind picked up, sure signs that a change was underway.

Arising early in the morning, the house was chilly but I decided not to turn the heat on yet. It would be the first time since last March that I even considered it. Instead, I got out some jeans instead of the often appropriate shorts and a heavy flannel barn shirt as I prepared for my chores. Walking outside, the steps were wet from the rain and the sky was overcast, but off to the east where the sky was changing from the dark of night to gray, I could see that the clouds would soon be breaking.

Despite the heavy flannel work shirt and gloves, it was chilly, but I knew my preparation for feeding in the barn would warm me and I enjoyed the clean crisp air that replaced the usual humidity of warm weather. The horses were frisky in the pasture, a sign that they noticed the chill as well and I know I had to take care to step back as they came in. As long as no visitors are present, I let them run in since they all know their stall. Taking them out was, of course, a different issue since they would devour the yard around the barn and the house if I let them.

The barn cats were sitting on the ledge near their feeding place and the outdoor dogs, Val and Sal, the Great Pyrenees, entered the barn to greet me and look for their food as well. They were especially chipper since it was quite chilly, just the way they like it. The colder, the better is the way they see things with their double coats of fur. Before putting out the grain and doling out hay for the horses, I checked the thermometer and found it was thirty seven degrees, chilly indeed.

Once the horses were in their stalls which I secured, I fed little Angus, our Shetland pony and his sidekick, Sammy the goat. They have a special paddock and despite their continual squabbling, they are miserable when apart. Today was no exception in the disagreeable department for, as I went to their feed buckets, Angus nipped Sammy and he in turn, reared up and banged Angus with his head. Angus thought nothing of it, chasing Sammy around the paddock until they both realized that there was food in their buckets.

Before returning to the barn to put the horses out to pasture, I spread scratch for the chickens and looked for eggs and then fed the koi in the fish pond. When I put the last of the horses out, I looked to the eastern tree line and saw fast moving clouds of purple, then pink and golden and I knew the sun was about to show itself. I went inside, grabbed a cup of coffee and stood at the fence to watch the beautiful spectacle unfold.

The first indication was the sky brightening and then fine rays of sun shining through the line of pines to our east. It wasn't long before the rays were reaching beyond those trees and starting to shine down on the land about me and the added brightness brought something else to view. A family of deer was grazing in the field and a flock of turkeys was also nearby. They weren't frightened of me, for they know that I am not a hunter and that my property is safe during hunting season. Even the horses follow peaceful coexistence with them since neither is a threat to the other.

As I savored my rich coffee and looked at the scene I see so often yet never tire of, I realized that the reason I wanted to live in the country was clearly present right now. The peace, the serenity, the beauty and the abundance of different, but all very special creatures makes this homestead so special for me and my wife. And I know that it is all part of the wonders of this world that we all owe to God. Thank you, Lord for giving me this beautiful day and for making it fulfill my wish for a real fall day even down here in the Sunshine State. I couldn't ask for a better start to what turned into a most wonderful day.

And now, the day after, I begin my day with a repeat performance, sunny crisp and cold. I guess that living in Florida has made these days so precious to me. Rather than finding myself complaining about the cold, I revel in it since it isn't an everyday event. It is, rather, a special treat which reminds me of days long gone by. Life is truly wonderful when we take time to really savor all that it brings to us. It is precious, so enjoy every minute of it and realize how blessed we all truly are.

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Feeling Low or Feeling High: Praise the Lord!

11/15/2018

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Lifting your praises to the Lord lifts your life immeasurably.

We are very fortunate to live near a beautiful, historical little Methodist Church where the Word is the focus of all services. This little church has served the local area since 1869 and is beautiful in its simplicity and traditionally style as a House of God. Our pastor, a retired Methodist minister with a revivalist spirit offered his services when the need was there and with him came his lovely wife who is a truly gifted musician with a trained operatic voice and skilled hands at the keyboard. And to add to our good fortune, we recently were given the blessing of receiving a wonderful baby grand piano that looks and sounds like it was new. Anyone listening to our gifted music leader present a praise to God on that wonderful piano who isn't touched likely needs a cardiologist.

Today, however, what I really want to focus on is something that came from one of our spiritual leader's sermons that piqued my curiosity and I had to try it for myself. I have added it to my routine which includes daily prayer, reading the Bible daily and regularly attending worship in a that beautiful little church with other Christians of like faith. Also included is my leading of adult Bible study before church, something that enriches me beyond the words I can use to describe. But the offering of outward praise out loud and in the form of a song which comes from the heart. It is something that is routinely discussed in the Bible but is not likely carried out today by many due to their hesitation about loudly proclaiming their subservience to God, although it certainly does not need to be done in a public setting. It is a personal thing, a part of your communion with God on an individual basis by proclaiming your joy for His love, devotion and grace.

It doesn't matter if you have a melodic voice or if your words are fit for a Sunday service, no, it just needs to be coming from your heart and God will love it. Giving him your praises from the privacy of your home is just fine, but I am fortunate to live on a rural homestead where I can sing his praises in the beauty of an awakening morning as I feed the horses in the barn. And, as I admire the splendor of the eastern sky coming alive, I sing out loud "Praise the Lord." I might repeat it several times before continuing on with the things that I want to praise Him for and all of what I sing about are praises to Him, not requests for anything. Another time is appropriate for that.

As far as the music and the words, I create them as I go. It's spontaneous and from the heart and sometimes I even surprise myself by what I come up with. And could there be hunters in the woods who hear me? I have no idea and it really doesn't matter, for God is deserving of a daily praise just for the fact that I woke up in the morning. The point is that He is the Creator and Master of all of us and we need to recognize it and never fail to forget to praise Him. So, I am now adding "Praise the Lord" to my list of things needed to keep my heart open and receptive to the Holy Spirit and my connection to the Lord. From here on out it will be, prayer, Bible reading and study, worship and praising the Lord. And just from the short period of time I've been doing this I can say just like the title of this commentary says: "Feeling Low or Feeling High: Praise the Lord." If you are feeling low it will lift you up and if you are already feeling high, it will lift you even higher. Praise the Lord. Amen.

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NEVER FORGET "THE FORGOTTEN VETERAN"

11/12/2018

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A lost soul: A troubled veteran with a dog

THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION OF SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN, PUBLISHED ON MONDAY THIS WEEK SINCE IT IS ABOUT "THE FORGOTTEN VETERAN," AND TODAY IS THE OFFICIAL AMERICAN HOLIDAY. AND SO I THINK INT APPROPRIATE TO OFFER A PRAYER TO GOD ASKING HIM TO LEAD US IN PROVIDING THE CARE OF THOSE WHO NEED IT SO AFTER SACRIFICING SO MUCH FOR THEIR COUNTRY. IT WAS ON THE ELEVENTH HOUR OF THE ELEVENTH DAY IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THAT THE ARMISTICE ENDING THE ACTIVE COMBAT OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR, A WAR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN "THE WAR TO END WARS." YET, SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE ADDED A SECOND WORLD WAR, THE KOREAN WAR, THE VIETNAM WAR, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN AND MANY SMALLER SKIRMISHES THAT HAVE KILLED MANY OF OUR FINEST YOUNG MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN AND CAUSED PERMANENT DAMAGE TO SO MANY MORE, MANY OF WHOM ARE STILL ALIVE TODAY. AND THOSE WHO ARE STILL WITH US AND ARE THE ONES WHO NEED CARE AND HELP, YET ARE NOT TRULY RECEIVING IT, ARE THE ONES I CALL "THE FORGOTTEN VETERAN." I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME IN THIS SHORT PRAYER ASKING FOR YOUR INTERVENTION ON THEIR BEHALF.

Dear Lord:

We thank you for the beauty of the earth, the freedom you have given we Americans to make our determination about how to live our lives and for the love and hope that your very being as Our Creator provides us daily. But many of us are troubled this day, the day after the official Veterans Day and the day in which our nation celebrates it as a national holiday. We are troubled because after all of the many wars that our young men and women have fought, after the sacrifice they have given with time and physical injury for her cause, many still don't receive the love and help that they need to repair their lives from the ordeal they went through. Injury, pain, suffering, in many cases physical damage, but for others an unseen mental impact, have crippled so many and limited their lives, some even to the point of being a living hell.

Many of these brave Americans were volunteers, others were drafted and answered their call. They willingly gave themselves to the dangerous service that was put before them and paid a price that so many more of us were fortunate to avoid. Some who came home at the end of their service injured and anticipating help, received a figurative "band aid" for their cure and eventually gave up, opting to live in pain or even disappear into the lost world of homelessness. Others have fought the system relentlessly to no avail, yet continue to try and get what they need with the same determination that they used on the battlefield. Whatever happened, it doesn't matter, for it is this nation's responsibility to care for them and make their lives as whole as possible. And if we would put the same effort into meeting that responsibility as we do in preparing for and entering war, it seems that it could be accomplished. So, Lord, we pray that you will infect the minds and souls of all of our leaders and politicians, as well as the hearts of all our citizens, to actively do the right thing for the forgotten heroes and make the remainder of their lives as comfortable as possible so they can cope and live with a smile once again on their face.

Furthermore, Lord, we ask that you instill in all of us the will to try our utmost to avoid compromising on this issue by listening to your guidance. While we know that strife will never be completely ended in a world sometimes so filled with animosity and hate, we do know that with you in our hearts and in the hearts of our leaders we will be able to discern the difference between the necessity of war and a tool too easily used before all else has been tried.

Thank you, Lord, for being here with us and giving us the time to speak with you reverently about such a serious subject. And we ask this prayer in the name of Lord Jesus, who you gave for us on the Cross so that we all might have the opportunity to belief and thereby enter your Eternal Kingdom when our life on earth is done, Amen.

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The Aftermath of the Midterms: Trump Actually Holds His Own

11/7/2018

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So, the 2018 midterm elections are over and some of us are suffering a day after political hangover from lack of sleep. I must confess I am one of those victims as I like to surf the net into the wee hours of the following morning watching the trends and what they mean. And despite the mainstream, left leaning pundits who see the results as a slap at Trump, history proves otherwise. In fact, Trump's efforts were stellar and paid off with the election being nowhere near a Blue Wave. Sure Trump's Republican Party lost in the neighborhood of thirty seats in the House of Representative (some are yet to be decided), but he also picked up a number of Senate seats at the same time that two of his biggest party opponents, the late John McCain and Jeff Flake will be gone. That's amazing on it's own.

History shows that a President in the midterm election of his first term loses thirty six or more House seats on average and as many as five Senate seats in that election. Both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were shellacked in their first midterm and the only exception in recent years was George Bush in 2002. Remember, that was the year after 9-11 and the voters opted to stay with the current team because of the unique situation that was an anomaly.

The Democrats didn't do themselves any favors either as they watched their Blue Wave turn into a purple puddle. Picking the public fight over the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh backfired on them and their open support for the caravans of illegals to the United States drew additional support to the Republicans due to concerns over national sovereignty and safety. And then, running very far Left radicals like Robert O'Rourke, aka "Beto," in Texas, Andrew Gillum in Florida, and Stacey Abrams in Georgia failed. They poured huge dollars and Hollywood hype into those campaigns and again came up short.

If the Democrats want to try and get something done that both sides can agree on, Trump is willing to talk. But if the plan is more "Russia, Russia, Russia" and the like, Trump himself is willing to play that game and with the Senate Judiciary Committee still wanting answers to questions and the Republicans remaining in charge, a stalemate of charges and counter-charges could result. Trump knows that, but the question is do the Democrats realize that as well? Only time will tell.

Trump has one big advantage if things get tough. He has the "bloody pulpit" and he has a two year track record of results. And the Democrats? Well, the last two years were spent trying to stonewall the President and two more years of that would make their leading role in the House very short-lived for sure. I will hope for the best but not be surprised about anything that might result. These are perilous times in America for sure.

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