I'll Be Home For Christmas.

    One of my favorite songs during the holiday season has always been I'll Be Home For Christmas. This year I find that it has an even deeper meaning to me.Somewhere, in a dark no doubt dirty cell in Mexico,sits a lonely former Marine Jon Hammar.He is guilty of nothing except being an American bringing a gun that was given to him by his grandfather, into Mexico,  a gun he personally registered when he entered Mexico.Due to supposedly a clerical mistake the gun was measured incorrectly and therefore the Mexican government threw former US Marine Jon Hammar,  in jail he has been there since August.Despite the valiant efforts of his parents at this moment Jon Hammar,  remains in jail in Mexico and although efforts are finally  being made to gain his release, I find my self asking, why has it taken this long?

    Here is a man who served  bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan and has been awarded a purple heart for his outstanding courage in the line of duty and he sits in a Mexican jail on trumped up charges and his parents literally have to beg the American Consulate,  to help them. Obama, should have sought Hammar's immediate release. I find it impossible to believe that the American Consulate,  did not inform him of Hammer's plight before now. There is something else I find very strange the Obama administration, at times exhibits what one might call a selective ignorance as well as a  selective impotence when it suits their political purpose.Obama, was so filled with charisma and personal charm when he was running for President in 2008 indeed, when he spoke crowds were spell bound and he even boasted that he could slow the rise of the oceans that is of course,  after he finished walking on the water first! Obama,  was to be the new Messiah,  yet for years later,  he seemingly knows nothing about what went on  in operation Fast and Furious, in the latest report on the tragedy of Benghazi, the report acknowledges mistakes were made but no one seems to know just who made them now John Hammar's parents,  seek help from the leaders in government and once again Obama and Hilary Clinton,  are selectively ignorant of the situation and the entire Obama administration clams to be powerless when it comes to dealing with the Mexican government this demonstrates politically speaking, a selective impotence on the part of the Obama, administration.I say this because thus far the American Consulate,  is telling John Hammar's parents there is nothing more  they can do.

    I suspect that now that public pressure is being applied that Obama, will now get involved and behind the scenes as it were will seek to have Hammar,  released but it's a shame that it has taken four months to get to this point and if Hammar,  does get released and thus, makes it home for Christmas,it may only be because Obama,  doesn't  want to look bad in the eyes of his adoring liberal public. I hope and pray that I am right about this because if I'm not, the only way former US Marine Jon Hammar,  will home for Christmas, will be only in his dreams. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Law Is One Thing, Morality, Is Quite Another.

    I recently received an important email  from the Christian school that my daughter attends.The email stated that due to the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, new school security measures would go into immediate affect. The new measures were as follows; all doors to the school will remain locked until the end of the school day anyone  coming to the school before the normal pick up time must ring a special door bell system and then wait to be greeted and each person must show a photo ID and state their  reason for being at the school before they will be allowed to enter.The school is also installing surveillance cameras.When I first read the email I thought to my self what other security changes will all schools have to make as a result of the horrible tragedy at Newtown Connecticut? Will parents have to pass through metal detectors as the public does when one goes to an airport? Should schools hire armed security guards? At this very moment Present Obama,  is appointing a special panel to try to determine what steps can be taken to  insure that needless massacres like Newtown never happen again.I have no doubt that some new legislation will be proposed that will make the acquisition of of any kind of gun a lot more difficult and to be sure some guns will be outlawed altogether. As important as security measures such as these may be they may help but they will not entirely solve the problem of the out break of violence in American society.
    I have often heard it said, one can not legislate morality. I would submit that many of a nations laws do nothing to change morality the only serve to keep those who would choose to be immoral in check. To change a society's  morality, one must change a society's moral values. I noticed in the mist of the horrific tragedy of Newtown there were stories of teachers praying while hiding in closets. How ironic that prayer in school has been all but outlawed  for the past forty years.I am not suggesting that having prayer in school would in anyway have prevented the tragedy at Newtown, but I am suggesting it may teach a society that that there are far better ways to deal with a person's personal   frustration issues besides grabbing a gun and creating a needless blood bath.The Ten Commandments are forbidden to be placed on the walls of the nations schools.To me one thing is clear separation of church and state does not and should not mean separation of God, from American society. Charles Carroll, is perhaps one of the lesser known signers of the Declaration of Independence but he expressed his thoughts on morality in government as follows;"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who decry the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure and which insures the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." Secular liberal progressives in this nation boast that reason not religious traditions or principals are what truly advances a modern society but if tragedies like the one at Newtoun Connecticut,  are an example of such progress in American society I  choose to back to the old fashioned Christian principals this nation was founded on all I know is this sixty years ago one did not even have to lock there doors in most cities or neighborhoods now children are afraid to go to school. I do not know if America has the moral will to put God and the Bible and the true principals of the constitution, back in the class room but I for one will continue to pray that America as a nation may find it. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

My Lesson From Newtown.

    As I watched the the news  four days ago and I along with millions of others, saw the horrific tragedy that occurred in Newtown Connecticut unfold, I must tell you,  even though I am a Christian,  who loves and tries his best to obey God and live my life in accordance to his will, I found myself virtually unable to understand what good could come from such a terrible act of pure evil. I confess, I am still seeking the answer to that question and I do not know, if I will ever find it. Lately, I find my self hugging my daughter Cassandra, for know particular reason and telling her over and over again how much I love her. At night some times, I sit by her bed just to watch her sleep. Suddenly, the words I love you daddy, are the sweetest words I've ever heard.Suddenly, I find I don't care if my daughter wants pizza at every meal because I'm just glad she is there at the table with me to eat it.It suddenly seems like a wonderful idea, to stop what ever I may be doing and be part of whatever my daughter may be doing even if that means getting my nails painted pink that seems a small price to pay to see my daughter smile.I find that I want nothing for Christmas,  accept the blessing of hearing her joyful contagious laughter forever.

    The truth is,  maybe now for the first time I realize, just how much I love my daughter and just how often I allow my self to get busy doing nothing that really matters and in a sense push her aside and take her unconditional love for granted that I assure you is one mistake I will never make again.I now realize that the blessing of my daughters love that I in my pathetic ignorance so often take for granted could in an instant be only a memory.I know that no matter how much time may pass, the people living in Newtown Connecticut, will never be the same and 20 parents will never hear the laughter of there children again until they see them in Heaven. Perhaps if I have learned that My daughter and her constant love for me is the greatest blessing God,  could ever give to me and nothing I could ever own will be worth  just one hug from her and nothing I may have to do will ever be more important than hearing what my daughter did each day then perhaps, some good can come from the lesson  I've learned from Newtown.. God,  help me to always remember how precious all life is and strive to be the best father I can be to my precious daughter.As always, my friends, these thoughts  remain, just some words, to think on.

Getting Ready To Do Without.

    Last night,  my wife and I were sitting around our kitchen table. Like many others in this country right now we found ourselves wondering what 2013 will be like economically speaking,  if no deal is achieved between the House and the Senate and as a result the nation is plunged into economic free fall.I suggested to my wife that perhaps we had better get ready to do without and learn to live on less since I was pretty sure her take home pay would be less than we were accustomed to if all the tax increases go into immediate affect the morning of January 1, 2013.She asked me how we could do this since that was what we were supposedly doing now. I told her I didn't know but we should probably start by cutting our budget right now so we could be used to what our life could be like at the first of the year.My wife and I decided that we would cut back to just two meals a day and the money we would have spent on that meal to go into our new emergency savings fund. My daughter Cassandra, will continue to eat all three meals because the Christian school she is blessed to attend provides a lunch for her.

    One wonders,  if Obama,  will ever consider the possibility that perhaps,  it is time to make some real spending cuts in the nation's budget especially in the area of entitlements.This would be the responsible course of action to take but thus far it seems, Obama, is rather allergic to being  responsible and sometimes considering the nation's debt is so so much more then even  Obama,  has the ability to count, perhaps that's why he accepts no accountability for it! Ben Bernanke, has already said he is now prepared to print money at the rate of 85 billion dollars a month while keeping interest rates at near record lows until such time as unemployment drops to 7.7 percent  or better.I can not say if  measures like these will cause a drop in the nation's unemployment rate to the desired 7.7 percent or not but one can be assured measures like these will indeed cause the worth of the American dollar to drop the the very point of collapse.

    As I compose these words and consider the economic future of all who may read them,I confess there are times when as a writer I wonder if the words of any one man can make any real difference as far as the the future of this nation is concerned. There are those days in fact when I am tempted to give up and willingly,  surrender the future of this country into  the hands of the ever ready lunatic liberals but right when I consider doing just that I look into the eyes of my beautiful daughter and my heart beats with new purpose and I remember these words from Everette Hale,  he said the following;"I am only one but I am one.I can not do everything but I can do something.What I can do, I should do and with the help of God, I will do." Based on these words then, I shall continue to write so others stronger and wiser  than I can find the courage to  continue to fight for the future of this nation and if there are those fellow patriots who ask for a greater inspiration than my words alone I would suggest, that they need only look into the eyes of there hope filled children, and this should provide all the the inspiration any true patriot,  could ever need to continue to fight. As always, my friends, these thoughts, remain, just, some words, to think on.

America Bashing, I'm Tired Of It!

    I grew up during the seventies. Disco,  was all the rage then and I can still remember the dark brown  seventies leisure suit I had and those silk shirts that no guy I knew could ever seem to manage to keep buttoned up. I suppose that was so one could show off some kind of gold chain or some other piece of outlandish jewelry. Yes,  I remember Disco but it was the music of the fifties and early sixties that I enjoyed my sister was eight years older than I was and they were her records. I still enjoy Elvis and the Beatles Chuck Berry,  I have to admit  to you though I am not a fan of much of today's music. I have noticed a growing trend in popular music today. It seems to be the latest craze for some rising star in the music industry to gain fame and notoriety in America,  and then once someone has this fame and notoriety then they use it to bash America. As I see it,  if an artist is willing to take America's  cash then they should shut up and sing and they shouldn't bash the country that feeds them.
    I have seen the media coverage of this so called music artist Psy.This pathetic excuse for a human being in one since owes his possible existence to America.He was able to grow up in South Korea, if it wasn't for many brave Americans,  at the close of 1953 there wouldn't even be a South Korea, your welcome Psy! Yet this same idiot has the nerve to stand in in South Korea in 2004 and because he thinks it's popular and hip to be against the war in Iraq that America was waging then, he writes a song bashing America, and regarding American soldiers, the lyrics to Psy's song went something like this, "Kill the Yankees kill them all slowly and painfully, kill their daughter's and their mothers and their mothers in law kill them all slowly and painfully kill them all.  Now that Psy,  has become famous and rich from taking America's money he wanted the prestige that comes from sing in front of the President so Psy ponied up an apology. He said he has learned the power that words can have and he is sorry if his words of protest in 2004 against the war in Iraq were misinterpreted. Can some one please tell me how some one misinterprets lyrics like kill their daughters and their mothers and mothers in law kill them all slowly and painfully kill them all? I t seems to me one would have to be pretty dense to misinterpret lyrics such as these.
    You know sometimes, I think the Libertarians may be right maybe America, should just pull out all of her troops all over the world and maybe America, should just tend to her affairs at home and just let the rest of the world fend for themselves Maybe the next time there is a natural disaster in Haiti or Japan, maybe Americans,  should just just stay home after all I didn't see other countries helping America when Katrina hit New Orleans or Sandy,  Hit New York And New Jersey and much if not most,  of the east coast.Americans,  won't do this however, because that's not who we are as a nation. I an not always proud of my country's president but I am Always proud to be an American. To all the Hollywood liberals and particular those in the movie and music industry I would say this if  you built your career here and you took  our American money shut your mouth or give the money back because I find your bashing of America,  anything,  but funny.As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

American Affluence A Portrait Of Vanity.

    Christmas, is always a busy time of year. I admit I look forward to almost  every aspect of Christmas,  with the possible exception of  shopping. I must admit to you shopping to me is a form of personal torture. I don't like shopping most of the time because I already know before I even go shopping that I can't afford most of the things I might like to buy so to me there is no sense at looking at a bunch of things I can't have. My wife on the other hand can window shop for hours and when I am forced, I mean , have the privilege of going shopping with my wife it's a joy in fact when I go shopping with my wife what can I say,she seems to make time stand still either that or my watched stopped or maybe it's supposed to take three hours to go to five stores look at ten dresses and then go back to the first store and buy the first dress that she saw at the first store.
    I have noticed something strange during the holiday season. In spite of all the talk of the nation's national debt and the devastating peril of the pending fiscal cliff of certain tax increases the country could face on the first of January of 2013 people seem to be spending money like crazy. Some of the nation's bigger department stores,  are cranking up the holiday music because sales studies show louder Christmas music induces warm feelings and as a result customers buy more.Some stores are giving out free samples of scotch because sales studies show that it lowers customers spending restraints because it makes them feel relaxed and thus they will spend more than they usually would.There is another trend I have noticed customers don't want just one of anything here is what I mean. Customers,  seem to be saying why buy just one big screen TV when I really need one for every room. One girl cried because she didn't have the latest version of an i pad and it seems she really needed to get it after all shew had had her current i pad two whole months! One person's whole word was coming to and end because someone before her had just purchased the last pink carrying case for her ipod my goodness, what a terrible tragedy.
  Some times, I think Americans,  need to step back from there petty affluence. Think about it do we really need all the things we we think we do? I can still remember when I didn't have a cell phone or a computer or a TV never mind not having the newest versions of all three and I have lived to tell about it. Funny,  how our grandparents never had these things and they did just fine.
    Solomon, said in Ecclesiastes,1:2 that such a desire for constant acquiring of new things an exercise in futility he expressed his thoughts on the matter with these words, "Vanity of vanities saith the preacher, vanity of vanities all is vanity. All I know for certain is it is one thing to get to give to others but it;s quite another to get just for the sake of gain for that type of compulsion is the essence of vanity As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Doing Unto Others.

    Most  people no doubt have heard of the golden rule. The concept of the golden rule is found in the Bible,  in the book of Matthew chapter seven verse twelve. The passage reads as follows' "Therefore all things, whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." As I consider the meaning of this verse and the biblical principal it teaches, I wondered why Jesus,  said that  this basic principal sums up all the law and the prophets and I now believe I just may know why. Even in the modern world of today the concept of the golden rule still can be seen in many aspects of American society. Here are some examples. In the area of business the first rule of good customer service is for any business to treat their customers as they would like to be treated. America's  judicial system is set up on the premise that everyone has certain rights and there fore every Americans,  can be assured they will be treated fairly and equally under the law. the concept of fairness is a direct link to doing unto others as others would have done unto them. In the area of medicine Doctors, take what is called the Hippocratic oath which basically says first and above all do no harm. Why because all life is precious and doctors are taught to treat anyone who may need medical treatment and each person is to receive the quality of care, Thus,  the idea that all doctors should treat anyone who may need medical treatment with equal caution and equal care is indeed a link to one doing unto others as one  would have others do unto them.In the area of education America has the belief that anyone who wishes to be educated should have the chance  to go to school and receive an education. Thus the concept that no one should be forced to remain ignorant is a gain a direct link to doing unto others as others would have done unto them.
    I have found that the truth affect of doing unto others as others would have done unto them is demonstrated again and again in everyday living in American society. Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and good will towards men. A time to remember that all life is precious and all life has worth and the idea that all mankind should be treated with good will, you guessed is once again another way of doing unto others as others would have done unto them. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words to think on.

The Gift Of No!

    I am constantly amazed every year at Christmas time,  just how expensive the toys are that kids are asking their parents to buy for them.I have noticed, that the gifts children ask for most,  are the ones one will find in the electronics department at any nationally known retail department store. I have also noticed that anything that one buys in the electronics department is anything but affordable.This year my daughter Cassandra,  wants an iPod. My wife and I,  have known of this request from my daughter for about four months now. I have saved up enough money to be able to buy this electronic must have for her.In addition to the iPod Cassandra,  wanted several other games for her various electronic devices. I told her I would get her one game for her Nintendo 3DS. When she asked why she couldn't have more I explained,  I could only get her one game for the 3DS if their were going to be any apps for her iPod.. She finally understood and said to me, "Well dad, I guess you can't have everything." I told her she was right and because I loved her sometimes,  I had to say no to some of the things she might want. I told her,  that was a good lesson for her to learn now while she was young because she would soon learn that very often in life,  one does not always get every thing they might want not even for Christmas.
    Sometimes, the greatest gift a parent can give their children is the gift of NO!! Any good parent,  knows that there are times when a child must hear the word no and I would submit to any parent,  who may read this blog that if their children have never received the gift of no from them from time to time one could argue that they don't truly love their children. No child,  should get everything they want all the time especially if one wants to be able to be around them when they become adults.
    America, seems to have her share of spoiled children who have never really grown into adulthood. For many in this nation today, government,  has become the all to permissive parent. Who seems to all too willing to provide nearly anything many spoiled Americans,  might want and many times, these children don't even have to work for any of the things they receive from big daddy government and they don't even have to ask nicely. One may have heard the phase, I think therefore, I am well, these spoiled children say I breathe therefore I need and government shall provide and please and thank you may be nice but it should not be required since I live in America and am automatically entitled to whatever,  I need and big daddy government, should just give it to me. You know, sometimes,  think if big daddy  government, wanted to really show this nation's  spoiled children,  how much he truly cared about them government would give  the spoiled children in this county the resounding gift of the word NO!! and say  instead, my  spoiled children, don't be a slob first, get a life and then get a JOB!!!  As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Is America, Still One Nation Under God?

    My father,  fought in World War Two sadly, he passed away four years ago after losing a long battle with cancer. I can still remember some of the stories he told me concerning his experiences in WWII. One day I was curious so I ask my dad if he remembered just where he was when he first heard that Japan,  had attacked Peal Harbor. As one might imagine my dad,  remembered exactly where he was. He was sitting in his one room school house and everyone was intently listening to the radio.As the teacher and students listened, President Roosevelt said   those now immortal words about Pearl Harbor, being a day that would live in infamy. At the request of his mother he waited until he graduated from high school before he enlisted in the Navy. My dad was always proud to say he had fought for his country because he believed in everything he thought America stood for.
    In 1954 President Eisenhower, had the words under God,  added to the pledge of allegiance. He did this to offer thanks to God,  for helping America,  win WWII. I must confess however, sometimes, I wonder if Eisenhower,  or my dad would even recognize America today. I wonder if America, is still one nation under God. Here is what I mean. Let's consider the words one nation technically America,  is still one nation I suppose but morally and culturally speaking she has never been more divided.while there are still some, who adhere to traditional values in this country  an ever increasing number of progressive liberals seek to abolish traditional values in America,  in favor of a  more secular culture similar to Europe. One can hardly mention God, in any kind of a public setting. The very act of praying is all but forbidden in any type of public forum. If one should doubt this,I would challenge them to attempt to pray before a class in a public school. I would challenge any graduate to mention God,  in their valedictorian speech. Indeed prayer and the Bible,  were basically removed from the public school system in 1962. Abortion,  has been legal since 73 and that law has led to the murder of over 70 million unborn babies. Gay marriage,  is legal in several states now. and the whole definition of what a family is now is totally,  unclear.and smoking marijuana,  is legal in Colorado and Washington State and and it can be smoked for medical reasons in California and any reason given can be considered a medical reason. Obama care,  threatens the elderly, if a board of strangers  decides,  it's just two expensive to them alive. Finally,  you can't even call a Christmas tree,  a Christmas tree The liberal progressives want to keep Christ out  of of Christmas and the seek to kick God,  out of this nation. The said truth may be that God,  has already left. America, still a nation under God? I don't know my dad would not recognize the nation today. Sometimes, I think if America,  is a nation under God, it is in name only. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Can Real Values, Be Bought?

    I have noticed,  an all too  familiar and reoccurring phenomenon at my house. No matter what I do it seems that often,  everything in my house breaks down at the same time. I'll just bet,  that I'm not the only one who has this problem. Even now as I write this blog, I can think of five things that need to be fixed or replaced in my home but right at the moment, there just isn't any extra money to fix everything. My wife has a light out on her car dash board and to replace the light the entire ash board will need to be replaced at a cost of a mere 300.00 dollars. My computer table the part that you put your computer key board on  is literally being held together by fishing wire and that's because I don't have 200.00 dollars right now for a new computer table. My family and I has a light up fire place that we use at Christmas time  for a Christmas,  decoration two days ago, the light bulb burned out and the part can't be replaced. A new fire place decoration will cost at least 150.00 and that's if it's on sale. The speakers in my surround sound system are broke and need replaced but I don't have the 600.00 dollars need to replace them. Finally my recliner doesn't want to recline and is being held together by some strategically hammered nails. I could use a new one but I don't think I have an extra  450 to 600 dollars for a new one so these things will have to wait until  my next tax refund. I wonder if I asked the government to just bail me out and send a check for 3000.00 dollars to replace all of my broken things does any one that may read these words,really think that Obama,  would tell the US Treasury, to send me a check? Yeah me either.
    I realize,  that politics and corruption go together like peanut butter and jelly pork and beans  or a just washed car and a rainy day.Be that as it may When I heard Detroit Councilwoman Jo Ann Watson,  bluntly admit without the least bit of political innuendo that she fully expected Obama to bail out the nearly bankrupt city of Detroit, because in her words, her people,  helped Obama get reelected. I was amazed that she felt comfortable enough to be that frank and honest on camera. I suppose what I'm really wondering is is every politicians values bought and paid for? Are there any politicians left that do what they do for the good of the country and not because it happens to be politically convenient for themselves? I hate to say this but as I see it there is little wonder why some  people often think of  lawyers preachers politicians and prostitutes all in the same way because at seems at times that those who practice these professions will do anything for money. What this country needs to paraphrase a popular movie is a few good men and women. The only problem is I'm just not at all sure there are any left. As always, my friends these thoughts   remain, just some words, to think on.

Freedom Is A Personal Responsibility.

    The media has given a great deal of coverage to the Jovan Belcher, tragedy. There is no doubt this was indeed a needless tragedy.I feel an enormous since of pity and grief for Jovan Belcher's little girl who now will face life without parents and all she  will ever know about them is what others can tell her or what she can learn on her own. I can't help but wonder if this orphaned child,  will ever by old enough to deal with the way her parents died

    As one might imagine, proponents of gun control sports caster Bob Costas, among them,  have used this latest tragic event to push for tighter gun restrictions. While I'll admit guns are used to commit many needless acts of murder and mayhem  if one believes creating a law forbidding the personal possession  of guns would solve all the problems.related to violence, I would submit this is a false premise. Let me see,  if I can further illustrate my point. Alcohol,  has the potential to kill someone if a person gets behind the wheel of a car therefore should one reinstate prohibition? It didn't work in the twenty's and it wouldn't work now. The reason it won't work is because if people want to drink they will find a way to do it  and therefore prohibition,  won't stop the abuse of alcohol. Laws,  restrain behavior but they don't necessarily change human behavior. Knives,  can be used to kill some one . Should there be a law banning the use of all knives? A baseball  bat, used effectively and with enough force can most definitely,  kill someone. Should there be a law banning the possession of baseball bats? Perhaps,  one should just ban baseball. The bottom line is this if someone wants to kill some one they will find a way to do it.Even if one could ban everything that could be used to kill someone people would think of something new that could be used to kill someone.

   As tragic as the circumstances surrounding the death of Jovan Belcher,  and his girl friend may be banning guns,  won't stop deliberate acts of murder. All banning guns will do is just give the government one more excuse to take a way a persons basic right to bear arms and thus protect themselves.Guns,  are not directly responsible for the death of anyone. The irresponsible use of guns by those who have guns potentially could lead to the death of everyone. I refuse to let the government decide which law abiding citizens,  may and may not own a gun. It is the job of every American,  to act responsibly when it comes to the use  of guns.Thomas Paine,  said it this way;" Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must like men undergo the fatigue of supporting it." I realize the careless use of guns often have terrible results but so too is the terrible loss of one's personal freedom to to protect oneself and I for one refuse to let the government decide what freedoms Americans, may or may not have because when government can do that go ahead and change the name of this country because one thing is sure one won't be able to call this country America, any more. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.

Boehner's Last Stand.

    At fifty two, I have lived long enough to know that there are specific times that arrive in every one's life that are what I call make or break moments.Moments like these,  are so monumental because definitely define a person's character and thus, determine to a great existent how they will be perceived by others often for the rest of their life. I believe that just such a moment now presents itself to House Speaker John Boehner. Though I can not say,  what Boehner, will do when he sits down to negotiate a compromise with the democratically controlled Senate, he will be attempting  to avoid what is certain to be a disastrous  cliff that will with out a doubt,  plunge the nation's economy into  a devastating recession unless a deal can be achieved before January one of 2013. I can tell you, what I would do and hope,  he does. The truth is Boehner, has no easy option here, but, if I were Boehner,  I would choose to stand my ground and offer no concessions to the Senate Democrats,  are far as tax rate increases are concerned.  If that means taking Americans,  over the economic cliff then so be it. I take this position for one reason, if Boehner, caves to the Senate Democrats now, his influence as Speaker of the House,  will be gone forever.Since Boehner,  is going to pay a political price no mater what decision he makes with the Senate. I would hope that he would chose to stand on the principal of no tax rate increases. If conservatives,  truly believe there  should be no increase in taxes on anyone right now,  they should be willing to stand with him even if that means going over the cliff If I were Boehner, I would rather think that I stood on principal  as opposed to folding like a cheap suit and as a result  basically gave the future of this nation away to Obama,  and the Democrats. Sometimes, one has no choice but to stand for something because if one chooses not to,  I'm afraid their existence has made no real difference and thus  some,  would argue their life has meant basically nothing!Boehner must fight to retain congressional power he must not surrender congresses;s ability to hold Obama accountable where his part of the nation's debt is concerned. Obama,  is no king he is at times however,  a royal pain in the neck!

    Ben Franklin,  knew that maintaining liberty and freedom always came with a price when it came to liberty and freedom he said the following;" They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."Therefore,  I believe,  any  temporary safety weakness on the part of Boehner, may buy would short lived and would most certainly,  destroy  the future  of this nation in the long run. This one thing is certain,  this  budget deal with Obama, and the Senate,  is a defining moment in the political life of Speaker Boehner. and if he doesn't handle this decision correctly, it will most certainly be his last stand.  His credibility as a leader,  will be gone and what is really frightening is this could very well be America's last stand as well. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

    

Where Is The Moral Will?

It has been said, that it is often, easier to curse the darkness, rather than, to light a candle. I am afraid that I would have to confess, that many times, I have found this to be true, for all to often, I have approached the ills of American society, with this cynical philosophy and attitude in general. I would also submit to you that even now,  I am aware of some,  who could indeed,  spend hours telling anyone who has time to listen, what's wrong with just about anything no matter what the topic or subject may be. Those who may be listening,  need not worry if a particular topic is overlooked or hasn't yet been addressed to date because all that means, is the would be complainer,  just hasn't thought of that topic yet! Ben Franklin, also encountered those with this same cynical attitude and he expressed how he felt about them with these words, "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." While it is important to be made a ware of certain societal problems in America,  today, once one is aware of  the problem what ever, it may be, then, one must decide what one is willing to do about it.

    The story is told, of a young pastor who was standing in the parking lot of his church discussing with a seasoned more experienced pastor,  various aspects of his Sunday morning sermon,  that he had just delivered to his congregation. The young pastor said,"I just don't understand it, I preached my heart out! There is so much wrong in America,  today but where is the out rage? Why aren't Christians, protesting and marching in streets demanding this nation turn back to God?" Upon hearing this earnest  question from the young pastor, the older pastor asked, How many people will your church hold the young pastor bragged and said he had been blessed,  because his church could seat well over a thousand people.The older pastor then asked, "How many were just in your Sunday morning service  today?" The young pastor replied, " Sadly, only about three hundred." " There is the problem the older pastor said," One will never see Christians,  marching in the streets, if one does not first,  see them in the church seats." I believe there is a great deal of truth said by that older pastor.

    The Bible, talks about the days of Noah,  just before the flood. In Genesis, 6:3 God,  looks at the world and the moral condition of man and says his spirit shall not always strive with man and indeed, God's patience with man came to an end 120 years later and I think that was only because it took that long for Noah to build the ark  once this was done , the bible says, God, closed the door of the ark and the flood came and destroyed all who lived on the land. I am afraid that God's patience as far as waiting for America to turn back to him, is swiftly,  running out and about to come to an end. If Christians, wish for America,  to experience a true revival, they must realize it will never happen in the streets, until it happens first, in the hearts of Christians,  everywhere all across this nation. One can only pray that such a revival could begin today while there may yet be time to save this nation but time is indeed short, and fate, is indeed sure, if revival in America, comes to late. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Patience, Is Still A Virtue.

    Someone,  has said, that patience,  is a virtue but time,  is a commodity.Sometimes,  I think Americans, have been spoiled to some extent.I believe this premise has been demonstrated, if one considers,  the results of the recent presidential election. Americans,  have clearly grown impatient. No longer are many in America,  willing to wait and work for their success or happiness as it were. Instead,  many in this country right now,  all but demand and expect the government to provide their success and happiness for them and  those who feel this way usually, are not into waiting for it in fact,  anytime, in the next thirty seconds would be fine with most of  them. I would remind those in this country, who fell this way, of these words from Ben Franklin, he said the following;" The Constitution, only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You  have to catch it yourself." Let's face it pursuing one's happiness often takes a bit of time and patience and hard work to obtain but many in this country have no interest in waiting or working for their happiness especially when the government promises to give them their happiness right now!
    Whenever,  I think of the need for patience, I am reminded of this prayer prayed by a sincere but impatient Christian, their prayer was as follows" Lord give me patience, and give it to me right now!"Such,  is the patience of many,  in this country today. Their prayer, no doubt sincere,   is sincerely misguided. As a Christian, I find that I too must pray to God, and ask him to teach me to be one who knows the virtue of having patience. I am reminded of these words in Bible, from the book of Isaiah, 40:31 the passage reads as follow; " But they that wait upon the lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
    As a Christian,I can not know what will happen in the next four years. I like many in this country, can only imagine what the next four years will be like. I suppose all  all can do is pray for America, and be patient for these next four years.I am confident of one thing however, patience, is still a virtue and virtue,  is certainly one thing this nation, could use a great deal more of. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

A Lack Of Restraint Leads To Ruin.

    One of the basic tenants of liberal thinking is that total freedom or  pure liberty,  can only be fully achieved in a society,  where there  are little or  no restraints. One need only to analyse such thinking to realize the all to obvious fallacy in this premise.The truth is,  even freedom must have some limitations. I'll use a classic example to illustrate this point. All Americans, are assured of the freedom of speech but I wouldn't suggest yelling at the top of one's  lungs the word fire in a dark sold out movie theater. Such an action,  would crate a panic and people would literally trample over the top of each other trying to reach the nearest exit.
    As I consider various moral trends in American society today,  I find that often,  America,  still follows certain biblical guild lines. I'm afraid however,  that more and more the guidelines they  are choosing to follow are the ones expressed in Genesis, 6:5 the passage reads as follows; "And God,  saw that the wickedness of man was great and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, was only evil continually." American society, as a whole may not have reached this threshold just yet, but much of American society,  certainly follows the moral guidelines found in the biblical book of Judges, 21:25 the passage reads as follows; "In those days, there was no king in Israel and each man did that which was right in his own eyes." The words found in this passage,  seem to summarize the basic liberal progressive philosophy many in this nation, now choose to follow.
    Benjamin Franklin, warned against following such a philosophy for he knew such philosophy would destroy what was then a fragile American republic. Franklin, said, the following;"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As a nation becomes more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Franklin, also warned the new nation against an over reliance on the federal government to meet all of an individuals needs. His words,  were said 230 years ago but he could have easily said them today,  they are as follows;"When the people find,  they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."
    Right now,  President Obama, seeks, unlimited  power to raise the governments debt ceiling, without seeking approval from the Congress.If the House, is unable to garnish a suitable compromise regarding the fecal cliff America's economy now faces, I fear that Obama,  will be granted such power and such a seizure of  power,  could very well threaten the economic survival of the nation. Liberty and freedom,  are the by products of man's free will. Free will,  was one of God's greatest gifts to man kind but abused and exercised without necessary restraint, it  can lead the the destruction of our American society, for indeed,  freedom, coupled withe responsible restraint,  is the essence of true liberty. One can only pray, that America, as a nation, will seek God's guidance for only he,  can restore such a necessary balance. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Wisdom, Often Requires, An Absence Of Self Interest.

    If there was ever a time in America,Where men and women with political wisdom were needed, that time is now. Indeed, in many aspects, the very future of this nation, now now hangs in the balance. As a Christian, I know that all true wisdom, comes from God. As I further ponder how one might acquire such  wisdom. It occurs to me to take a fresh look at the life of king Solomon. According to the Bible, Solomon, was only a young boy when his father king David, died The Bible says God,  spoke to Solomon, and ask him what he might give him. It should be noted that this is one of the few times in biblical history, where in a sense God,  becomes the ultimate Santa Clause, because  God,  tells Solomon he will give him  what ever he desired most. Think about that, what are somethings one might be tempted to ask for? Money, fame, power political influence women, long life, I suspect Solomon, being a young man considered all of these things but in the end, what he ask God,  for was wisdom. This request, was made with humility and an absence of self interest because of this, God,  was pleased with young Solomon's request and he not only made king Solomon,  the wisest king in the known world at that time but all the other things Solomon, might have wished for he also obtained.
    It wasn't too long be fore King Solomon,  had a chance to demonstrate his great wisdom. The Bible says,  one day two mothers stood before  him. Apparently, the night before, one of these two women had a baby that died in the night, and so in a fit of grief, one one them stole a baby from the other and now both women, claimed to be the mother of the stolen child and it would be king Solomon's task to determine who the child's real  mother was. King Solomon, tells a nearby servant, to take a sword and cut the child in half and give one half to one woman and one half to the other. Whereupon, one mother relinquished her right to the child and told Solomon, to let the child live with the other mother. The other mother however insisted, that the child still be cut in half and at that moment, King Solomon knew that the mother who was willing to give give the child up in order that it might live was the child's true mother for she also had wisdom that was absent of her own self interest and king Solomon,  was able to discern the unselfish in tent of a true mothers heart.
    Fast forward to today in America,  this nation finds itself with a shortage of real men and women off political wisdom and true  leadership primarily, because each politician no matter what office they may hold, is more concerned with the next election and their own political future as opposed to the future of this nation and the next generation. If America, is ever to economically recover and if America's future is ever to be bright and filled with hope again, America's political leaders must humble themselves and ask God,  for the wisdom that can only come from God. Before God,  will grant such wisdom to America's leaders in government, God, must see in them an attitude of true humility and there  must be a noticeable absence of concern for their own self interest and political preservation. One can only pray and hope that such men and women in positions of political leadership still can be found in this nation. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Thank Heavens, Men And Women Are Indeed, Different.

    I recently heard a woman in my neighborhood, make what I hope was just a joke about her husband and men in general, she was talking to another woman in our neighborhood and she said, the following;"I really don't expect much from my husband , after all,  he's just a man, and men  aren't worth much but they have their uses I guess, their handy, if you need a tire changed or a  tough jar opened or maybe a lawn mowed.' As I said, I hope that woman, from my neighborhood was joking because,  if she wasn't,  I wouldn't be surprised one day if I heard that her and her husband had gotten a divorce.
    Look, I will be the first to admit, that women are often ignored, taken for granted, and often treated like something to be  owned instead  of a person to be cherished and honored by their husbands. As A Christian I think sometimes,  even Christian husbands, think that asking a wife to be submissive to them means that she becomes nothing more than an ever willing slave whose sole purpose in life is to carry out every whim of  his will,  and nothing could be farther from the truth. Ladies, I want you to know that I realize the seventies totally happened, your fully liberated you are indeed,  woman and I have heard your roar and I think you have a point  let me assure you  again,  I hear you. Today, however,  I must admit,  I think the pendulum, has swung too much the other way here is what I mean. I totally appreciate the fact that a woman can and  often does,  work just as hard if not harder than any man. I can admire a woman who can get her hands dirty in the garden or on the farm or any place where the situation or occasion may require it. On the other hand, I don't think  most men,  want women to be so much like a man that often they can't tell the difference. Ladies,  I have to tell you this, I didn't marry my wife because I thought of her as just one of the boys and ladies,  once in a while,  a man needs to feel like he needs to take care of you even if you know your perfectly capable of taking care of yourself because,  that's what makes him feel that he is a man.  By the way bachelors,  let me go out on a limb and say this, when your  dating,  what you consider to be a a very fine and lovely young lady if your not prepared to pick up the check when you ask her out, GET A REAL LIFE AND GET A REAL JOB!Above  all single guys,  remember this,  if your any kind of decent then you should know that all she really owes you after the date is a heart felt thank you if she had a good time. If you expected more than that, then as a man your far from decent because you have confused your date with a prostitute.
    I have been married for thirteen years, and I am just a plain and simple man but if seems to me that a marriage or any relationship on any level should all be based on one key principal it's called mutual respect. Yeah that's right sing it,  Aretha Franklin, R E S P E C T. From a Christian perspective, Paul, puts it this way in Philippians, 2:3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind. Let each esteem other better than themselves. Christian men,  if you try to consider your wife's needs before your own I guarantees you,  yours,  will be met because your wife will be more than happy to meet them. You see Christian husband,  the art of submission is a two way street, if you would have your wife submit to you then you,   must submit to her and show her you respect her as a person you realize,  she has worth and opinions you need to value,  this will show her you understand her needs and she in turn,  will trust you and a wife has no problem submitting to a husband she feels appreciates her and understands what her needs are.Wives,  just once in a while,  boaster your husband's ego and go ahead  and let him be the man and provide and at least on some level,  attempt,  to to take care of you. It's okay ladies,  for you to admit that you need your husband,  for a whole lot more than a stubborn jar lid or a tire change or a well keep lawn. The truth is,  both men and women  are  different and personally,  I thank God,  for that difference if Christian husbands and wives,  both submit their will to God, they will have no problem submitting to each other As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Obama, Is A Poor Substitute For Jesus.

    Just when one thought that the liberal progressives obsession with Obama,  could get no worse,up steps comedian and academy award winning actor Jamie Foxx,  to proudly proclaim to all who recently attended the Soul Train, awards in Las Vegas,that President Barack Obama, was their Lord and Savior. This statement of  profound ignorance and blasphemy, only demonstrates how lost and misguided and apparently confused Jamie Foxx really is. True Christians, know that Obama,  is a poor substitute for Jesus. However, just to be fair let's do a comparison.

    Jesus, could heal anyone by having them just touch his garments. Obama,  can't even heal one person not even with Obama care. Jesus,  had the ability, to make the wind and the waves obey his will and therefore, Jesus was able to calm a raging storm in an instant. I admit, I am only a simple man but it seems to me, that if Obama had this ability, one would have thought he might have used them before Hurricane Sandy devastated New York, New Jersey, and most of the east coast recently.Jesus, could end hunger he was able to take five loaves of bread and two fish and feed over five thousand people. Obama can't even keep everybody in this country employed let alone fed, not even with 47 million people on food stamps and the number of Americans on food stamps is still continuing to rise. Jesus,  walked on water. Obama hasn't walked on anything except the Constitution of the United States, he's most defiantly, walked all over that! Jesus could raise the dead, and personally conquer death on the third day on the morning of his resurrection.Obama can't raise anyone or anything from the dead, surely if he could, Ambassador Stevens, and three other brave Americans, would still be here. I believe that these comparisons make it abundantly clear, that Barack Obama,  is indeed,  a poor substitute for Jesus.

    I would like to leave Mr Foxx,  and all those who read these words just one more bit of information to consider and remember. The Bible says in Philippians, :10-11 man will either willingly or unwillingly,  acknowledge Jesus,  as Lord,  of all creation. The passage reads as follows;""That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, of things in earth, and things under the earth.' "And every tongue should confess, that Jesus Christ, is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." and that is one title that Barack Obama,  will never be able to claim! To put it another way, I am reminded of a Christian, tee shirt a friend of mine was wearing recently, the front of the tee shirt said, "Every knee is gonna bow, the back of the tee shirt said in huge letters,  COUNT ON IT!!! As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Getting Old Is Hazardous To Your Health.

    My mother is 87 and in surprisingly good health. She takes no medications on any kind of regular basis and her mind is very clear. I call her about three times a week to check on her. The truth is,  at 87 she is in better shape then I am.When I talk to my mother on the phone and ask how she is she just says, "I may be 87 but I'm never going to get old because getting old is hazardous to your health." Indeed, my mother is blessed, to be in such good health but as I consider her words regarding getting old. I now realize there may be more wisdom in her words then one might think.

    I am 52 now and I take ten different medications some control my high blood pressure others,  control the pain of my arthritis and still other medications help to relax my muscles in my back and legs for better movement.I have noticed over the years, that it is taking more and more medication to keep my body from driving me crazy from just dealing with the pain of walking or standing and no doubt I will one day have to resign my self to a wheel chair or maybe one of those motorized  scooters one hears so much about these days on TV I am determined to walk while I can and therefore for now, I use a cane. My medications keep going up and some of my medicines are no longer covered by my prescription drug plan.  Unlike my mother I am not in tip top shape and I find my self pondering this question, If I live to be eighty or eight five but I suddenly need a hip replaced will I be able to have it done? 

    Obama care,  seems to suggest that as one gets older if it starts be something less than cost efficient to keep one a live then a government appointed  panel of strangers may have the power to decide that it is more economically feasible just to make one comfortable and just wait till one dies. I see this as a type of life rationing although the government , under Obama care,  will probably call it a more realistic use of health care resources.If this type of life rationing  is allowed to be put into practice then what one will have is a practice of assisted suicide sanctioned by the government. One might simply call this practice abortion for old people.

    Patrick Henry, made this very brilliant observation concerning controlling the power of government. he believed this was the constitutions maim purpose. He said the following;"The constitution, is not an instrument for the government, to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." Based on these words I don't see how the government has any right to tell anyone when it is time for them to die. Life is a gift from God. Since the constitution says,  all men are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights among them life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, I want to know what gives the government the right to decide when one's pursuit of happiness must come to an end? When Obama care,  goes into full affect in 2014, I hope I can be like my mother and refuse to get old because under Obama care, getting old is hazardous to your health. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

The Least Of These.

    Matthew 25:40 reads as follows;"And the King shall answer and say unto them, "Verily, I say unto you in as much as ye have done it to  the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." As I consider this passage in the Bible, I pause to reflect on the words, the least of these. After some further thought I think I know what Jesus,  meant when he said,  the least of these. For a Christian,  the least of these,  refers to anyone a Christian may come across in their life that has a a specific need of one kind or another. Admittedly, some needs are greater than others but Christians, are encouraged by Christ,  to meet the needs of others whenever possible.
    I remember as a teenager,  in 1977, my dad took in a family and they lived with us for almost a year. They had just been evicted from their apartment and the head of this family had just lost his job and had just started working at  a new job but wasn't  making much money when he first took the job so,  my dad,  basically carried the family. Our house already had my  mother and dad and my sister and I living in it and now their were four other people living in it an additional mother and dad and two children, But alas, only one bathroom! I suppose I don't have to tell you,  your life soon changes when four extra people are sharing your bathroom. I have to also tell you I ate a lot  of spaghetti that year because it was something one could make a lot of and it was cheap and easy to make and  therefore, it would feed everyone.
    A year later,  the dad of this family,  received a big promotion  where he worked and was then able to find a nice house to live in.When the family was finally back on there feet, I kept wondering why they never offered my dad any money for taking them in and basically caring them for a year especially, since my dad worked three jobs that year to be able to help this family. Years later, I ask my dad if this family ever gave  him any money to thank him for carrying them for a year. He said no they didn't but he didn't mind because he did not take them  in with the idea of one day being repaid. Then I asked him,  then why he did it and he said because they were the least of these,  they were fellow Christians, and he was meeting their need  just as if Jesus, had stopped at our house and needed a place to live for a while.All at once,  I understood why  my dad,  carried this family,  for a year he wasn't  doing it to be repaid someday. He did as if he were doing it for Jesus. As Jesus,   in Matthew 25;40 says, in as mush as he have done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Are Christian Symbols, Just Relics, From The Past?

    First Corinthians, chapter 13:1 reads as follows;"Though I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not love, I am become a sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal." As A Christian I realize read in proper context, the apostle Paul, is telling Christians, they must share the truth of the gospel with love which means to share the gospel in such a way that one speaks the truth with a sincere desire to bring lost souls to Christ and the lost in turn,  seeing other Christians true love and concern for their lost condition will have a desire to hear  the gospel of Christ.Paul, warns Christians,  that even if their words of the gospel are true and are spoken with great eloquence if the words of truth are spoken without an attitude of love for the hearers, then the words will be empty and have no real meaning.

    I want to focus on a particular phase in this verse consider the words a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal,  Paul,  used these words to describe words that were said or music that was played,  that both sounded empty and  had no meaning to the hearers. I want to call your attention to another kind of symbol and sometimes, I think it's more than a coincidence that the word cymbal and symbol both sound the same. Yes, I know the words and their meaning are totally different but stay with me for a moment. Remember how Paul said,  even the truth of the gospel would sound empty if not spoken  with love to the hearers?  Well, in a strange way perhaps, that also happens  with Christian,  symbols in American society today,

    Christmas,  is in full swing now and you'll see lights and bells candles, and tinsel but it is getting harder and harder to find naivety scenes in public places. even crosses can't be displayed publicly if the public land is owned in some way by the government. Children, may not sing religious Christmas carols,  in school. As a  result,  one doesn't hear much caroling these days. I met a child in my neighborhood, that didn't even know what caroling was.I'm afraid,  in just a few more years the only place you'll  see any Christian symbols like crosses or nativity scenes, will be in a museum where a nativity scene and a cross will then be reduced to just religious relics and artifacts of  the past.One  can hardly say Merry Christmas, anymore without offending someone.Many retail department stores,  won't even say Merry Christmas,  anymore because they face the possibility of a law suit being filed courtesy of the ACLU. As a matter of fact Monday,  in Santa Monica California,  Federal Judge Audrey Collins, ruled that a nativity scene that had been on display in Palisades Park,  for nearly sixty years could no longer be displayed there because atheist  Damon Vix found the display offensive to his atheistic beliefs One can only wonder what will be next.One may ask themselves, why this is happening the answer I believe is because two other symbols of freedom,  are quickly on their way to becoming just religious relics  from the distant past one, is the Bible, and the other is the Constitution of the United States.and they will become just that if Christian patriots,  don't keep speaking up about Americans,  gradually loosing their religious freedoms, Christian Patriots,  everywhere,  must keep fighting the good fight and above all,  keep the faith!  As always,  my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Is It Really, Worth Fighting For?

    No doubt many Americans,  are trying to recover today after  over stuffing themselves with too much food    during many Thanksgiving,  meals yesterday. I know I sure am. Just like many others I suppose, I love green bean casserole. I found my self almost fighting my friends and family trying to get a second helping of this particular holiday dish.thankfully, there was plenty of it and everyone was able to have as much as they wanted and thus there was no need to fight over who got the the most, the least, or the last of the green bean casserole As anyone can tell you though, there are some people who will fight over anything often for little or no reason.
    Today, I said an extra prayer for my wife Priscilla, for a knew there was at least a possibility, she could be taking her life , in her own hands. She works at the local Walmart, and today, is the dreaded, Black Friday and because of this the Walmart, store where she works, has doubled the stores security. It seems that many of the would be shoppers at Walmart,  at this time of year try to steal various kinds, of electronic merchandise still others start fights and threaten to kill each other if some happens to get the last sixty inch big screen TV on sale at 400 off the regular price be fore they do. I love this time of year. You know, there's nothing like peace on earth and good will towards men and to today in far too many retail stores across this country there is indeed nothing like, peace on earth and good will towards men!
    You know it's funny, my wife Priscilla, is from the Philippines, and sometimes those who find themselves, among the poorest of the poor many times have to fight for food because they don't have enough money to buy enough food for everyone in a given family on a given day.  So often, parents, may not eat on  that day so that there will be be enough food for there children to eat.My wife and I,  are blessed,  to be able to send  some money to her family each month so they won't have to fight to decide who doesn't get to eat on a particular   day because there wasn't enough money, to buy enough food on a given day so everyone could eat. I only wish every family in the Philippines,  was as fortunate as ours.
    Good and brave men often go to war and fight for various aspects of freedom like freedom of worship or freedom of speech or freedom from fear or want and to secure these blessings which only true liberty affords many are more than willing and far too often have fought and died to acquire  these basic God,  given rights,  for those who will live after them because liberties such as these are worth fighting and if the situation arises even  dying for. I would submit to those who may read these words, that there is nothing in a Walmart store or any retail store for that matter that is worth fighting and possibly, dying for. There fore if Americans, who are blessed by God, to be able to live in the greatest nation on earth must fight and possibly die for some reason, at least make sure the reason, is something, worth fighting and possibly dying for. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

So What's To Be Thankful For?

    No doubt many Americans,  today will gather with family and friends and have a big Thanksgiving dinner. This meal will no doubt have all of the traditional offerings that make up the standard Thanksgiving dinner including but not necessarily limited to turkey, dressing or some type of designated stuffing, green bean casserole, cram berry sauce hot rolls, sweet potatoes with marsh mellows for added flavor, and of course pumpkin pie for dessert.When Americans set down and have there fill of such marvelous abundance it will be hard to know who got stuffed more  the turkey, or those who sat down to stuff themselves.
    It never falls though, on a day like  Thanksgiving,  there are always those who will say, I have too many bills to pay and I don't have much money. I don't live near family and I don't have many friends,  so what's to be thankful for? For those who may fell that way let's see if I can think of at least five things anyone living in this country can appreciate and be thankful for. I will attempt to do this by asking a series of questions, and hopefully when I'm finished,  anyone who may read these words will have at lest one thing to be thankful for. Let's begin, question one, did you wake up this morning? You did? Congratulations, you have something to be thankful for if only because, there is always a chance you won't in fact, thousands of people all over the world went to sleep last night and didn't wake up this morning for various reasons that range from death due to natural causes, such as old age or other factors like death from war, hunger or disease. From a Christian,  perspective, the truth is, if God,  let you wake up today that was a blessing for you each breath we all take is a gift from God, and tomorrow or even your next breath is promised to no one so if God, decided to let you live another day to make a difference in the lives of those around you be thankful to God,  he let you live another day.
    Question two, are you in reasonably good health? You are? Once again, congratulations, for that in and of itself is another blessing from God, If you need proof of that visit a local hospital, nursing home, or talk to some veterans,  who fought in Afghanistan or Iraq in the last several years and left an arm a leg or an eye over there or came home in a pine box. If you have all you members and can still use them and you are able to do all the things you need to do be thankful to God,  for your  good health. Question three, did you sleep in a perhaps modest but warm house last night? You did? I must say congratulations, again because all over the world, there are those who did not and that includes this country. Have you been to New York or New Jersey lately, enough said. Question four will you eat today? You will? That is another blessing from God and even if you don't have access to a traditional thanksgiving  dinner,  there are churches you could go to that will have one in fact, if you have no food because your not working you still have access to unemployment benefits from the government as well as food stamps and many churches have food pantries for those in immediate need. Keep in mind, third world countries do not have such resources and as a result, hunger,  is rampant.Question five, be honest, is there really another country on earth you'd rather live in other than America? I didn't think so, because Americans, enjoy freedoms and opportunities that other countries can only dream about. I know I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Finally, remember this, even if the grass, is greener, on the other side of your neighbor's fence where you live remember your neighbor's water bill is probably higher than yours! As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Job Qualifications And Work Performance Matter.

    Speaking,  from the perspective of a person that was born with cerebral palsy and therefore, has been handicapped, from birth, I can assure you, I know what it's like to be different and to be treated differently, because of it.I have experienced discrimination on more than one occasion in my life. Discrimination,  is a terrible scourge in any society and while I never asked anyone, to feel the leas bit sorry for me I would submit to you that I feel sorry for those who allow themselves to think that the practice discrimination is acceptable on any level in a free society. I will tell you that growing up with a handicap is a bit of a two edged sword. I remember when I was in school, if I performed well, that couldn't be the reason I received an A it had to be because the teacher took pity on me because of my handicap and just gave me the A. One the other hand, if I didn't perform well in school, well, that was to be expected because after all I had a handicap. At one point in my life, I might have been tempted to give up had it not been for one piece of advice my father gave me when I was nine that .I have never forgotten, he said, " Son, if you need help ask, if you don't prove it!" from that day forward I did just that I made it through high school and college and while I was physically able to work,  held a variety of jobs and I made sure, that not only was I qualified for every job I applied for but as I did my job my performance,  of said job and not my handicap,  kept me employed and looking back now,  I can say I wouldn't have had it any other way.

    The media, and an ever growing number of Democrats, in the Senate, have suggested that the reason United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, is facing opposition as a possible presidential appointment to replace Hilary Clinton, as Secretary of State , is because many of the Republicans, in the Senate have a presupposed disposition towards racism and sexism. If one follows this line of thinking then one would have to wonder how Condoleezza Rice, managed to be confirmed by the Senate, for Secretary of State, unless one chooses to believe that because she happened to be a Republican, the Senate  Republicans,  were able look over the fact she was an African American woman.I cannot speak to the issue of Ambassador Rices qualifications to be Secretary of State indeed, that is a job for the Senate.I would Hope that if Ambassador Rice is appointed by the President for Secretary of State and as such is confirmed by the Senate, that she will obtain this position based on her qualifications and job performance alone and not because it may appear to be a good political public relations move on the part of the  Democrats, to have to have Ambassador Rice as Secretary of state just because she just  happens to be a Decorate who just happens to be an African American and I would hope that Ambassador Rice wouldn't have it any other way for while I believe she should never have to apologize for her mere existence as I don't I would also hope that she and the Senate would both agree that she has nothing to apologize for regarding her job qualifications or her past job performance. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just,  some words to think on.

The Price Of No Compromise.

    As I consider the economic threat of the fiscal cliff and the very real possibility that Americans,  may have to face a tidal  wave of new tax increases and massive cuts in the nation's defense budget, I cautiously have to ask myself,  are the Republicans, in  the House, willing to pay the political price if no reasonable  compromise can be achieved. I like most Americans, do not willingly embrace tax increases on anyone right now at the same time,  I see nothing could that can come from a potential stalemate if Speaker Boehner, is forced to leave the negations table with no deal because  he was pressured to make no compromise on tax increases.    I must say I don't envy the political position Speaker Boehner, finds himself in he is caught in a virtual catch twenty two as were.No matter what decision he makes he stands to both blamed and criticized for it. On the one hand, if he agrees to even the slightest increase in taxes, staunch conservatives, like those that make up the Tea Party, will accuse Speaker Boehner, of caving in to the Democrats, in the Senate. On the other hand, if he holds firm to the political position of no tax increases, for any reason on anyone right now, He gains the temporary praise of his conservative base but he must then brace himself for the negative press and media coverage the Senate Democrats, will make sure to generate. One can almost imagine, what the headlines, in all the major newspapers would be in perfect concert with an all to consistent barrage of media sound bites all saying something along the lines of Boeher and House Republicans, decide to do nothing as the nation now faces certain tax doom and assured economic recession.

    It may be well to talk about ones stand on conservative economic principal, as practical matter, I have to wonder though  when January 2013,  rolls around about six weeks from now and 315 million Americans begin facing the reality of paying some 560 billion dollars in new taxes,  will the conservatives, that beg Speaker Boehner at this moment,  to stand firm on no tax increases,on the wealthy, will the same conservatives, that are asking him to stand with them now be willing to stand with him then when he is blamed by the Senate Democrats for being unable to reach a suitable compromise and as a result the nation must deal with an economy in what most certainly will be an  assured recession and a weakened,  military that will threaten the nation's national security.

    As a Christian , I know, that even the Bible, warns against making any major decision without first, counting the cost of that decision. Jesus, said in Luke 14:28, "For which of you intending to build a tower, siteth not down first and counteth the cost whether he hath sufficient to finish it?"I realize Speaker Boehner, is facing a critical challenge much more momentous then building a tower he is however attempting to build and preserve the nation's economy and he must consider the cost that comes with any decision he makes concerning the fiscal cliff the country now faces. No matter what decision Speaker Boehner, may make, he and the rest of the country will have to live with it, All I'm saying to conservatives is be sure you have counted the cost of making no compromise when it comes to the fiscal cliff remember this, the idea of no compromise often sounds nice, until it's time to pay the price of no compromise as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.

Everything, Will Be Fine, As Long As I Get Mine, First!

    It seems, it's that time of year again, no I don't mean Thanksgiving, because the truth is a lot of the retailers in this country simply ignore that particular holiday except of course,  various grocery stores and other types of food markets. Christmas, basically starts right after Halloween, indeed I saw my first Christmas, commercial November first. I have to admit we started decorating for Christmas,  before  Thanksgiving, but only because my wife as to work on Thanksgiving, therefore we had no choice. I love the basic Christmas, traditions, I'm no  Scrooge,  by any means but their is one Christmas, tradition that has developed in the last ten years or so that I will never understand and that is this retail Christmas Tradition called,  Black Friday.
    Would someone please explain this to me? What is this madness? Tell me, what is this incessant motivation people seem to possess that will literally, make them camp out in a retail parking lot for at least a week just to possibly save 200 dollars  or so on a computer or maybe a big screen TV? I saw one of these retail buzzards, on the news, now get this he goes into a Walmart,  and buys a tent, sleeping bag a heater a small grill, oi lamps food, and by the time he pays for everything he spent 300 dollars but he's doing all this camping out for a whole week because on Black Friday, if he gets in the Walmart,Target, or Best Buy door before those of us who are sane in this country he might save 200 dollars but he already spent 300 dollars in camping gear to accomplish this. Keep in mind there are still a good number of people who may have to camp out if the live in New York or New Jersey, and still don't have power or a house to even live in as a result of the after math of Hurricane Sandy, but this guy spent money to camp out in a parking lot for a week.
    I just don't get it. You can go on the Internet right now and shop,  until you find the best price on almost anything you could possibly want but this guy and a lot of others just like him prefers to camp out in a parking lot for a week. One person said,  he really wanted to be the first person in the door at one of the big retail places, to be the first,  to get his big screen TV. He said, "everything will be fine as long as I get mine first!" Keep in mind that just a few years ago, a Walmart, employee, got trampled to death because too many people wanted to be the first person in the door to get a big screen TV or computer. I am at this point compelled to ask my self, what's wrong with these people? What's wrong with this country?
    The Bible,  describes a problem in Revelation, 3:17 that seems to apply to many, in America, today. I realize placed in proper context, this passage is talking about the church  at Laodicea, but I think America has the same problem this church had. The passage reads as follows;"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor and blind and naked." Many in America, have forgotten what it means to be thankful but I'll bet people in New York or New Jersey could tell them a lot, about being thankful. Look, I 'm all for Christmas, what I'm not all for is unnecessary greed which is clearly on display when people would rather camp out in some cases in cold weather just to get some electronic device be fore some one else does but apparently,   in this country for many tis the season to be stupid! As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

God, Always Knows, What He's Doing.

    Last night while  watching the news, I saw the lasted news concerning Israel and Hamas,  The Middle East,  has always been a troubled spot in the world and it seems,  it's been that way as long as anyone can remember who studies the history of the Middle East. As I saw what was happening on the news I said, "Lord, why must there be so much war in the world?" My daughter Cassandra, heard me and ask, " Daddy, didn't you say that God, has the whole world in his hands?" I looked at her with her eyes all filled with hope and childlike innocence and said, "yes honey, that's what the song says." She then said, "don't worry daddy, if God,  allows war in the world I'm sure he has a reason for it." "We must trust God, besides daddy,  isn't that what faith is?" "Yes I said, and then she said, "don't worry daddy, God, always knows what he's doing."
    Sometimes, as a father, I marvel at the wisdom that comes from the mouth of my own daughter. As a Christian, I know her words were true.  God, does always know, what he's doing in the word. In the Bible, in Matthew 24;6 Jesus, said these words, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors  of wars see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass but, the end , is not yet." I don't know if Israel, is going to erupt in all out war with Hamas  or not but if Israel,  chooses to do this, As a Christian, I know I need not worry because nothing that goes on in my life or the world for that matter is no surprise to God. Therefore, I and Christians,  everywhere across this county or all around the world, can take comfort in the knowledge that no matter what is going on in the world as my daughter said Christians, remember, God, always knows, what he's doing. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Why Did Obama Win,While Many Jobs, Are Coming To An End?

    My daughter Cassandra, and I were watching the news this morning. Cassandra who to paraphrase Yogi Bear is smarter then the average ten year old, heard the news about Hostess Twinkies, going out of business.She then heard that Papa John's pizza, founder John Schnatter,has said that he will have to make many of his full time employees, part time employees, and charge at least fourteen cents more per pizza because  of the anticipated cost of Obama care, when the law goes into full effect in January of 2014. Cassandra, Likes Twinkies and although we don't eat Papa John's Pizza,  Cassandra, loves any kind of pizza in general as long as it is smothered, in melted mozzarella cheese. I kept  noticing how Cassandra, was really paying close attention to the news and after a while she turned to me and asked this question,"Daddy, with so many companies going out of business, and so many people losing their jobs, why did so many people want to reelect Obama?" I told you she was smarter then the average ten year old. I had no ready answer for her but I said,  that there  almost,  an equal number of people wondering the same thing she was and she said, "yeah, all the people who voted for Romney!"
    After some further reflection on my daughter's poignant question, I realized, it really wasn't that hard to answer. Obama,  was reelected because  he basically promised to use American taxpayers,  money to take care of the problems created by the nations bad economy.Consider this,  if you believe as many in this county do that the government should take care of you then your not too  worried about loosing a job because now you have a reason to collect unemployment and many are in no particular hurry to find a job as long as their unemployment checks keep coming after all no since working until one just has too right? If one is in need of food, one can receive food stamps. If one needs medical care there are free clinics, If one needs a place to live their is government subsidized   housing based on one's income which may be totally free but it is certainly more affable than an average  monthly house payment in general.To many in this country there is seemingly no financial hardship, that can happen to them that the government can't get them out of so why be worried about the nation's economy or the national debt? The government,  doesn't seem too concerned about it right? I am left however with another thought provoking question, what happens, when there aren't enough people working to help carry those that aren't and there aren't enough rich people to tax and America's ability to borrow money from China, is an ability that America, no longer has what then? I suppose then, those who favored a big government welfare state will finally, have something to worry about. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain just some words, to think on.

Eat, Drink, And Be Merry For Tomorrow America May Die.

    My daughter Cassandra, is extremely intelligent. Cassandra, in many ways is already smarter than her mother and I. Last night my wife acquired  a new  cell phone but could not easily figure out how how to use all of the new features that came with her new cell phone. Cassandra,figured out how to use the new phone in a matter of minutes and then she taught my wife and I how to use the new cellphone features.Cassandra is smarter than her mother and I at least in some ways but she is not always wise when it comes to making her own decisions. She recently decided to do her home work a little too close to her bed time and she fell asleep before she could finish her home work.Cassandra,  will always be intelligent but her wisdom which is the proper use of intelligence,  is not yet fully developed. I can conclude then that is what parents are for and therefore,  her mother and I are still needed in her life.
    Sometimes, I think Americans, have become in many ways like wayward or spoiled children and if Obama,  is acting as the American peoples parent as it were, one must conclude Many Americans, may be intelligent but they do not always make wise decisions. If  many Americans, are content to have Obama,  be their parent in time they will discover Obama,  is a permissive parent but he is not necessarily a wise one.Obama, is content to furnish entitlements and other social programs at no cost to many but at a great cost to working American taxpayers in this country and it seems that the number of working Americans,  in this country is steadily decreasing.Many Americans, are not concerned with Americans growing debt. They follow the philosophy of Epicurus, a philosopher who lived from 341-270 BC. His Philosophy is well know even today.Epicureans, those who followed the philosophy of Epicurus, coined the now popular phase eat,  drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.Indeed,  many in this nation seem content to live my this self centered philosophy that is until that ominous as yet unforeseen tomorrow when America,  dies.Some,  have suggested America,  is slowly dying even now and I believe this is indeed the case.
    Obama,  is content to be perceived as a rock star complete with his own groupies. In the eyes of the media and the press he  is seen as one who is to be worshiped as was indicated in his most recent press conference when Christie Parsons,  a so called reporter for the Chicago Tribune, repeatedly congratulated the President,  on his reelection while giving Obama,a  softball question  to answer thus, carefully avoiding any real issues like the economy,  the debt,or Benghazi.Many Americans, are not  concerned with these issues as long as their government check keeps on coming.Obama,  does not have to be transparent as long as a majority of Americans,  are content to let him serve as their parent.Many in America, are not concerned with the truth regarding  any issue the nation may face as long as Obama, promises them that the government will meet their every need..I would give them this warning from Patrick Henry, he said the following;"The liberties of a people never were nor ever will be secure,when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." President Dwight Eisenhower,  gave these words of warning to Americans,  when he said, "Every step we take toward making the state our caretaker of our lives, by that much we move towards making the state our master."
    One need only study history,  to know that every major civilization began to die the moment government was expected to do more for the people than the people were willing to do for themselves.In the last days of Rome,  the people demanded more of everything but Rome's soldiers were too lazy to fight their own battles to secure the increasing amount of funds it was taking to pacify Rome's citizens and maintain control of Rome's empire. As a result Rome,  began either paying Mercenaries to fight their battles for them or paid tribute to various barbarian leaders not to invade  them and in the end, many of  these same  barbarians took control of Rome, and this lead to the fall of Rome's empire. America,  may very well be in her last days and I often wonder when the government checks suddenly end and the eating, drinking, and making quite merry is done what will that ominous tomorrow be like the morning after America, dies. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Let Me Get This Straight.

    My Daughter Cassandra, used to really enjoy reciting certain nursery rhymes.I bet many will read these words will remember this on it is as follows;"There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile.He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile. He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse and they all lived together in a little crooked house."
   Now,  that you have read this rhyme and no doubt taken a quick trip down memory lane hopefully recalling the carefree days of your childhood, I wonder if many who read this article know that this nursery rhyme is based on a real crooked military leader turned politician in British history.It turns out, the crooked man the poem refers to is a Scottish General,  whose Scottish title was, Sir Alexander Leslie.Sir Leslie,  lived during the days of the Stewart Dynasty and during this time King Charles the First,  occupied the British throne. It appears that in this period of British history,  Scottish General,  Sir Alexander Leslie,  was able to make a covenant of sorts that after several years of fighting between Scotland and England, finally established a boarder between the two countries.In the poem of nursery rhyme this established boarder is refereed to as a crooked stile.The last line  of the poem or nursery rhyme that reads and they all lived together in a little crooked house refers to the fact that an actual boarder agreement between Scotland and England was accomplished. Apparently,  their were those who thought that this agreement was crooked and favored on e country more than the other and indeed if one follows British history one will soon realize that conflicts that often led to wars between these two countries went on for many years.The film Brave Heart,  further chronicles the conflict that existed between these two nations.
    It would seem that today in America, Americans,  are being asked to trust their own version of a crooked man. President Barack Obama,  in conjunction with those who serve in his administration,  seem to have a great deal of difficulty keeping their facts straight on a variety of issues.At the moment,  the horrific tragedy of Benghazi and the absence of truth regarding the facts of what did and did not go on in this seemly endless national security fiasco turned soap opera, is in the political spotlight. One is left to cautiously wonder if the coming testimony of both General Petraeus or Secretary of State Clinton,  will contain the straight truth and thus establish the facts of what really went on be hind the scenes during   the attack on the American  embassy in Benghazi,  on the anniversary of nine eleven. I am afraid any truth that comes out of these hearings conducted by the Congress will at best, a crooked truth.
    The nation's jobless figures were released today and it seems the jobless rate is up considerably an astounding 78000 jobless claims have been filed in the last week and one still has to wonder if the new numbers will be reflected accurately when the national unemployment figures for the month of  November are released to the public. With figures such as these,  I expect unemployment to be back up at eight percent or better provided that the numbers haven't been arranged in a way to provide some less than the straight facts numbers may not lie but sometimes those who record them do thus leaving Americans,  at best, with another crooked truth. Finally,  the nation faces 513 billions dollars in new tax increases if a deal is not reached between the President and Republican controlled House and one can be sure that any deal cut will be crooked and favor the President. the plain truth is one cannot expect straight answers from a crooked Obama,  administration. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

How Long Can American Taxpayers, Grin And Bear It?

    My daughter Cassandra, is ten and she is very small for her age. She only weighs just over sixty pounds. Although she would tell you,  that she is very responsible and very mature for a young lady her age it seems,  that their are still some things she still enjoys leftover  from early childhood. Almost every night before she goes to bed, she ask my wife Priscilla, to give her a piggyback ride to her bedroom. My wife keeps telling my daughter Cassandra, that she is getting a bit too big and frankly, a bit too heavy for a piggyback ride but I notice some how, my wife is able to finally just smile and left my daughter up on her back and cart her off to bed.
    The truth is my wife,  may complain, each  time she gives a piggyback ride to Cassandra, but I know as well as she does, that Cassandra, will always, be our baby and although she is getting heavier to carry her weight is a burden that my wife is still happy to bear. As a Christian, I know talks about bearing the burdens of others in Galatians,6:2 the apostle Paul says the following:"Bear ye, one another's  burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.Notice however that this law of Christ is done voluntarily out of love and genuine concern for the welfare of others.
    The government, seems to be very good,  at passing laws which result in huge tax burdens,  working men and women all  across this  nation are required to carry. One might say, that in a very real sense, working American taxpayers, are often expected not only to pay their own taxes, but the taxes of many others as well. When the government provides  unemployment benefits or food stamps Social Security and Medicare it is the American taxpayers, who must pay for these entitlements I realize of course senior citizens have earned their benefits but their are still many in country who could work if they really wanted to and were willing to take any job. As I see it, if a person could,  work but doesn't apply  for a given just because it's not the job they may have wanted and they are therefore, are  content to keep receiving various types of government assistance then in affect, such an individual is asking another working taxpayer to bear their burdens burdens in many cases that created because a person chooses to remain lazy.
   As unfair as this practice may be it now appears, President Obama, wishes to impose a  1.6 trillion dollar tax increase over the next ten years this proposal will be a key element in the deal to be worked out with the House to avoid the physical tax  cliff which this economically troubled nation shall surely plunge over if an acceptable compromise is not reached,  between the House and the Senate on behalf of the President The question is, if the Bush tax cuts, are allowed to expire and Obama care forces more and more businesses,  to cut hours or close their doors one can only imagine,  what an additional 1.6 trillion dollar tax increase over the next ten years will do to the nation's economy. Americans have always, been willing to help those in need, but the American taxpayer simply cannot keep giving half the nation a free piggyback ride real changes must be made and real solutions must be implemented very soon because when comes to bearing all these new proposed tax budens I don't think most Americans can grin and bear it much longer. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain just some words to think on.