Sidewalks & Shopping Carts

I know, you’re wondering what I’m going to do with THAT title!  Well, you can usually find a “message” in just about anything. So, let’s start with “sidewalks”.

Every morning I take a two-mile walk, mostly for health reasons – I want to keep “it” (health) strong, and at least some form of exercise helps do that. My area of choice is a nearby sidewalk that is five blocks long – ¾ of a mile – from our “main drag” to the local library. Being in Florida, it is flat and easy to walk.

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Amazing Amazing Grace!

This little girls’ mother passed away a few months before this was recorded.

Rhema Marvanne – ‘Amazing Grace’ REVISED 6/11 from Black Olive Media.com on Vimeo.

North Platte Canteen

Here is a video that you should watch!

It is seven minutes long but is a moving documentary of the patriotism of a group of ladies in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.

It should be an inspiration to all of us regarding the men and women serving our Nation today!

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Courtesy In e-mailing

If you are like me, you get a number of e-mail items on a daily basis. I guess that because I am a minister and have a ministry e-mail address, that accounts for getting around 200 items per day – for about 15 years!

Because of the nature of my “business” I have to check (at least briefly) the content of each of them, for there might be one or two that are valid – that is, someone who may actually need help or guidance and I wouldn’t want them to “slip through the cracks”. And, yes, there are those around the world who reach out via e-mail, for they know of nowhere else to search for help.

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(Bleep) (Bleep)

As I listen to the news I am amazed at the language that is being used! Our esteemed Vice President has been overheard “chewing” out people  using what amounts to profane phrases. And, even he in the exalted position of President of the United States has likewise used “gutter talk” in some of his recent comments, especially regarding those who are in disagreement with him and his policies.

The newscasters and reporters/commentators have also begun using language that, just a few months ago would have been “bleeped”. But, now, apparently because our National “leaders” (?) have stooped so low in their dialog that it is alright for those who report the news. They should start using the “PG” or even “R” rating on newscasts to protect the ears of our young people.

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“A Silly Millimeter Longer”

That expression was used in a cigarette commercial in the 1960’s. In those days, unless you worked in engineering, most people didn’t know or comprehend the metric system of measurement.

That brings up some interesting memorabilia. It had to do with Dr. Grace Hopper, who invented the first computer language (“Cobol”). She was teaching an electronics engineering class at Harvard about wavelengths and time-distance measurements, a key part of communications electronics.

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God Bless The USA !

Lee Greenwood

Rev in Review

I have been and still watch most aspects of items that are featured in newscasts. Likewise, I have several obscure sites that I frequent to get what I would consider “un-biased” views of the news. Whether it is “mainlying” TV networks or newspapers, virtually all express influencing opinions, rather than just pure reporting of events. My favorite is FOX News but even they are not always “fair & balanced” as they boast!

And, it is obvious that, as USA-based agencies, all naturally tend to feature mostly stories that are North American in nature. But, not everything happens here, and I use foreign sources as well to get information that is of European flavour. FOX’s British “sister station”, Sky News, along with Reuters, and the WEB site for the English-language version of the Jerusalem Times are favourites of mine that I frequent.

Why, you ask, is there such an emphasis on things European? Well, as the globe gets smaller and smaller (via modern communications and transportation), we are being drawn into associations with other countries. And, with the United Nations and the EEOC (European Common Market), and our own current governmental leaders trying to push us into a “Global Community” (or World Government), we need to know what‘s going on in the other 3/4^ths of this sphere!

Europe, or more specifically, the Middle-East, will be the location, the focus, which will lead up to “The End”!

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I don’t know if you are into eschatology but, as I read my Bible, things are lining up (too quickly if I had a choice!) to the great “showdown” and the “End of Time” as depicted in the Books of Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel and other Scriptures.

During the last seven years leading up to Armageddon, the world will focus its attention to one of the smallest nations on the earth – Israel. Everything will seem to end as the last battle will apparently set up the destruction of “God’s Chosen People” – but, He won’t let that happen! Instead, He will send Jesus back to exercise His claim over the Earth, won at His victory over satan and the grave!

While we (Christians) all look forward in anticipation of Jesus’ return, not everyone would agree that the time is THAT close. Many will not be prepared; especially in the duty that each of us has to bring all our loved ones and friends into the “Kingdom of God”.

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Cultural Communications

In the previous article, “Proper Englysche”, I discussed the need for the declaring of a “National Language” and the adherence to it in public and civil communications. Persons entering this country for the purpose of nationalization should be required to learn enough English language to carry on day-to-day conversations here.

Even as far back as the late 1800’s when Ellis Island was opened to immigrant entry, one of the requirements for entry into the USA was that the immigrant HAD to know simple English phrases, or they were deported from whence they came! And, English was not the “legally-declared” National language then (it still isn’t)!

You may not be aware but in some (most) states public documents and forms, such as ballots for voting or applications for welfare, are published in MANY languages, obviously for the convenience of those who are residing here but refuse to learn the English language. This additional printing expense amounts into the millions of dollars to the states (tax payers). Why should this extra expense be? Why not require the adoption of English as the National language and provide those documents only in English?

In most foreign countries, except for English that has “unofficially” become the common language for normal commercial ventures, like air traffic control at airports as well as the equivalent services for worldwide sea ports, multiple languages are simply not provided or supported. And rightly so.

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This country has many immigrants to come to our shores LEGALLY each year and many, if not most, are from nations with languages other than English. Granted, English is a difficult language to learn but so is Thai if you don’t live in or are happen to be from Thailand!

To overcome some of the culture or language “shock” that occurs with immigrants, they tend to gather together with folks who are from their native land. This has happened for centuries in the USA – it is nothing new. After the “potato famine” in the mid-1800’s Ireland, those immigrating to the US usually gathered in the greater New York or the Boston areas. That is why you see so many police or fire personnel with Irish surnames; that was the only work available to their ancestors in the previous century. But they DID seek and accept work!

Later, many of them migrated west to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee because the terrain “reminded them of home.” Many of my friends from that area can trace their lineage back to those migrants from Ireland and Scotland! Annually, the “Highland Games” (Scottish) are held at Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC (this year July 8-11).

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Most of us are familiar with “Little Havana” in the Miami area and the many cultural “communities” especially in our cities all over the USA. And, that’s okay.

I am all in favor of maintaining one’s cultural ties and passing them on to your children, including the native language of the country from which you came. That is something that cannot be taught by or learned in any school. It is peculiar to your own heritage; only you can pass that on!

However, none of these “cultural islands” should be used to avoid learning the language of the country to which you have moved, where you now make your home! I know TOO many people who live in these areas who tell me that many of them (especially their parents or older folks) will not go “outside” their neighborhood because of the language barrier. Well, that is a shame because they are unwilling to merge into and become a viable, useful citizen in their new society. We need them as much as they need us and they should put forth the effort to “break out” and join the rest of us.

I am reminded of the aged Austrian couple in the 1942 movie, “Casablanca”, who are waiting to emigrate to the USA to escape, after the Nazi takeover of their country. Their comment was that they would only speak English “from now on” so that they could become “good Americans.” This should be an adopted trait for all who want to come to this country.

If I would move to Germany, France or Ireland, I would take it upon myself to learn the language of the country to which I would become a resident. I expect their people to do the same when coming here!

That’s only fair and reasonable. They come here, hopefully for “change” – they need to change their language as well!

Review 2010

As we recognize Memorial Day, Flag Day (June 14^th) and Independence Day, let’s look back over some of the things that we have posted on-line during the past year or so regarding our National Security (Military) and our (elective) Government.

Some of the subject matter in these postings has already happened – worthy of review, to see where we have come from in only a year. Others are “predictions” of things that MAY occur, IF – - – ! Nearly all that has occurred (or predicted to come) can be “un-done” by marking November 2 on your “To-Do” list – and DO IT!

Here is the list of things to re-read that have appeared on both of the sites I manage. Hopefully as the recent history unfolds, that may encourage you to become more active:

(Clicking on the Highlighted link will take you to the article. Use Left (Back) arrow to return here)

DATE:                        TITLE:                                                                              LINK:               SITE:

04/02/09	Is History Repeating Itself?	1044	KWCM
04/09/09	The Death of the Church in America	1075	KWCM
07/31/09	A Second Chance ???	2267	KWCM
05/13/10	Thank Your Military	4144	KWCM
04/06/10	God – Bless America	4176	KWCM
04/09/10	Submitting To Authority	4196	KWCM
04/01/10	National Day of Prayer	4290	KWCM
03/20/10	Election – 2012	457	DT
03/22/10	Become Active !!	556	DT
03/24/10	Are YOU An Insurrectionist?	584	DT
04/16/10	National Day of Prayer	860	DT
04/23/10	Republican? Democrat? Independent?	879	DT
05/10/10	Yet Another Year	1062	DT

Please do your part! Only YOU can correct the current dilemma by voting; in Primaries and the General Election.

Squirrels & Oil Spills

(These unique names or titles are designed to grab your attention. Now that I have you – - -)

All of us are familiar – no, besieged – with more information that we would ever want to know about the recent oil well platform explosion and the resulting daily leakage of thousands of barrels (55 gallons per ?) in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, for comparison, we are reminded of the Exxon-Valdese shipwreck on March 24, 1989 and the clean-up involved in that spill. The media is bombarding us (again) with the pictures of waterfowl and sea-life that was decimated in the waters off Prince William Sound in Alaska.

Before that, back in mid-April, the North East Atlantic area and much of Europe was under a literal blackout from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in southern Iceland and the resultant ash clouds that were formed, grounding air traffic for days!

Once again, as in days of old, even with all our modern technological advancements, a large part of the earth came to a stand-still! There was nothing that man could have done to overcome this —  just wait, and wait.

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In the case of the oil spills, they were man-made events; the volcano is a result of a natural phenomenon that occurs most every day somewhere over the surface of the earth, although usually NOT in that magnitude!

The question that always arises is “- – how do we clean it up/ fix the problem”?? Well, there is a simple answer although probably not an accepted one for most people and agencies!

As far as the volcanoes and earthquakes that release lava, toxic gases and other disagreeable by-products, Mother Nature has a way of healing herself. The lava will harden, cool and over many years convert to a soil-like material that will sustain life; vegetation and therefore, animal life. The gases will be thinned and absorbed into the atmosphere and will lose its toxicity.

Over the centuries many (most) islands were formed by underwater discharge of volcanoes. Some of the Hawaiian islands are still growing, like Kilauea on the Big Island!

Concerning oil spills, these also occur naturally, usually under water. As the continental plates shift, invariably some of the pockets of fossil fuels (oil) are severed and will leak out into the oceans. However, since these deposits ARE composed of fossilized material, there are living organisms in the oceans that feed on the crude oil. Given enough time all “spilled” oil will be consumed by those various sea creatures!

The major problem that we are currently experiencing in this most recent, man-made spill is the volume of oil in a concentrated area, so close to land. If this had occurred thousands of miles at sea we probably would not have given it any attention. But, we can see the immediate danger to sea life and coastlines and determine the need to stop and contain this large spill.

Unfortunately there is much “politics” and maneuvering regarding methods to use, whose responsibility, etc. None of us like to see the sea life or the coasts destroyed but there IS a priority to get it contained as fast as possible. In time, Mom Nature will take care of what man cannot remove.

Biblically, in a previous article, “Earthquakes, Floods & Things”, I had mentioned that we are warned in the Book of Revelation that these (natural) occurrences will increase and will eventually overwhelm the planet, up to the point when Jesus returns!

So, be prepared to board the “shuttle” out of here when the “conductor” says “All Aboard”!

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Oh, you remembered the “squirrel”, didn’t you! Well, the squirrel,”tree rat”, etc. is God’s planter who keeps the trees and bushes restored. You can see him in the top of a pine tree, eating a pine cone like we would an ear of corn. But, in his effort to get to the yummy morsels, many of the winged seeds gently fall to the ground to become the start of a new pine tree.

This critter is SO efficient that, for every nut (acorn, pecan, walnut, etc.) that he finds, either on the tree’s branches or that have fallen to the ground, he digs a hole and plants ‘em. Every one!  Then, when he gets hungry, he backtracks, digs one up and eats it.

His basic problem (and Nature’s benefit) is that he can’t remember where they all are! So, obviously, even though he is well fed, about one out of ten is forgotten. But, Nature hasn’t forgotten that one, and it sprouts and starts another tree! That is called symbiotic relationship; both species benefit!

We need to honor Nature by doing our part in keeping her clean. However, she has done a fine job herself for millions of years and, what we don’t or can’t do, she’ll take care of. She has all the resources, the experience and — all the time in the world!

Book of Job – 2010

Every so often I run into people who, because of some (usually many) traumatic experiences in their lives, search the Scriptures in an effort to determine just what has happened that has caused these things. Invariably, they compile a group of verses that would justify in their minds that, for one reason or another, God has “caused” these things to happen to them.

This “concept” that has been developed excludes them as part of the reason and certainly eliminates satan as the cause or motivation. They do say that God uses satan as a “tool” to enforce or “put on us” some sort of a punishment from God. Further, it is attributed to be a “lesson” or “test” from God to challenge our faith and to “refine” us (in some manner).

The primary Scriptures that are favorites to justify this position is the case or story of “God’s man” as outlined in the Book of Job. Most people know the story of Job – he WAS a “man of God” and had been blessed as the wealthiest man on earth. During the course of the Book, many devastating things happened to Job – to the point that most people would have given up, turned from God, etc. But, shunning “suggestions” by his “friends”, he held out to the end. Finally, in Chapter 42, Job was able to see what he had done wrong and said: ” My ears had heard of you before. But now my eyes have seen you.  So now I hate myself. I will change my heart and life and sit in the dust and ashes. (ICB)”. So, he repented, made an offering to God, and was restored to even greater wealth and position of prominence.

All that sounds good, man being tested by God – right? Well, let’s look at a few things that reveal Job put himself into a position that anteceded all those things. In Chapter 3, verse 25, Job admitted “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” That word “feared” literally means “made to shake; trembling” In previous verses Job was talking about being concerned of losing his possessions, etc.

The key thing here is that Job operated in fear. Most all of us know that fear is the opposite of faith, and if we do not have faith then we are in sin. While in sin, we expose ourselves to the whims of the enemy of our soul, even satan.

(Notice, please, that I do not capitalize the “S” in satan; he doesn’t deserve the honor!)

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For clarification or review, let’s look at God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and satan, and the roles they play in our lives. Here is the “Readers Digest” (condensed) version:

God created everything that is. Among those things was Lucifer, the most beautiful of all the angels – God’s servants. However, Lucifer felt he wanted to be as great as or greater than God (Isa. 14:12-15). So, God cast satan and his “follower” angels out of Heaven, to earth, to await judgment.

In God’s plan, he also created the Garden of Eden here on earth and placed man and woman in the Garden. They were in a “protected state” in the Garden as long as they obeyed God. However, satan came to them and tricked them to sin, and God threw them out (removed) the Garden of Eden.

Over time, God presented His plan for (proper) living on earth, via Moses and the 10 Commandments. But, virtually NO ONE could maintain all those all the time! So, He sent His son, Jesus, to instruct and demonstrate to us how to live righteously. When He returned to the Father, He sent His Holy Spirit who would be available to guide us in continuing our quest to a righteous life.

Now comes the difficulties; like with Adam & Eve in the Garden, and Job in his time, as long as people remained under the “protection” (the covering) of God – that is, maintained a sin-free life – man was okay. But, when he stepped out from under the covering (the “hedge of protection”) man was subject to come under attack by satan. satan’s authority comes from the Scripture in John 10:10 – “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”. The thief is satan, and he has “free reign” over anyone who is in sin. He also tries to trick us to sin, as he did with Adam & Eve.

Holy Spirit has come to help us to keep under God’s protection – BUT, we have to be tuned in with Him or we will stray and – - – .

SO, why would a loving God purposely allow satan to roam around and “devour” whomever he will? Well, it goes back to the beginning, in Heaven, when those creatures had to choose between good and evil, right & wrong. He (God) forces all of us to choose between right and wrong (He is no respecter of persons).

(Our new government touts the word “choice” – well, this is the ultimate choice, Heaven or Hell!).

I could spend MANY days and many pages depicting and documenting to the “n^th ” degree all the Scriptures and references related to the above description of mankind, etc. But, most know the story already and it would be redundant to spend the time doing that.

So, to conclude this ultra-simplified, but accurate, account of what goes on here on earth in the Spiritual realm, if we stay under God’s protection, we are fine. But, if we “step out” – watch out!

Job stepped out, Adam stepped out, Moses stepped out – we ALL have stepped out – but the idea is to confess your sin, get back and stay “under” the grace of God through the blood of Jesus and we will be okay.

Proper Englysche

Relating to an earlier article, “A Universal Language”, this one is about speaking & writing correctly – in English, of course, since that is the “unofficial” but recognized as the primary language in the United States. The previous article was about, obviously, the possibility of a universal language! Now, I would like to talk about English and its proper use, in the USA.

First, I am surprised at the number of people who can be identified as “native”; not American Indians, but those whose ancestors have been in this country for centuries and probably have only the one language – a form of English! I say “a form of English” since different sectors of this country have a variety of dialects that, to “outsiders”, might not be understood.

For instance, the folks in Brooklyn, New York, would probably have difficulty in communicating with people in Brooksville, Maine. With localized “slang” (in both areas) some words would have difficulty in being understood by the other. Then, you have differences in accent that further “confuse” the meanings.

In my autobiography, “I Walked With God - – -“  I stated that, in 1955, as a “mountain boy” from Southwest Virginia visiting in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, for a week or so during graduation, I quickly became the “center of attention” at most parties and gatherings. No, it was not that I was so charismatic – they were amazed at my form and use of the English language! They were actually making fun of me (in a nice way) by having me talk! I quickly caught on to what was going on and played the Andy Griffith/Gomer Pyle role to its fullest. It was especially nice when I was around the girls!

But, that experience did teach me something that was further enhanced when I went to the US Army for three years – communications skills are a necessity if you are going to communicate!

In high school, English/Literature (along with Math) was most difficult for me. Sentence composition was my downfall. Conjugation of verbs – ugh! But, I struggled through school, barely “escaping” with a diploma. After my tour in the Army including two years in Germany, I soon realized that I had to work on my speaking skills. Returning from the Army, I got a job in commercial broadcast radio and that allowed me to develop a “style” of speaking that could be defined as “universal.”

Psychologically, people in a “rural” town don’t want to hear a DJ speaking “rural” – they prefer a “big-city-sounding” voice and that’s what I developed. That helped in later years as I began speaking from the pulpit. I haven’t done any broadcasting (“DJ”) work since 1978 and have “relaxed” those skills I developed. But, like bike riding, it can quickly come back, as needed.

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Carrying this further, speaking (and writing) correctly should be paramount, however many people, in all levels of business and society, have either forgotten or never learned proper diction and spelling in school!

There are a number of “pet peeve” words that glare at me when used (incorrectly). These include misuse and misspelling, like there and their, to for too, hear and here, your and you’re and so on. Misuse of words, like notoriety instead of popularity and instigated for initiated are some that many TV newscasters use incorrectly (those words are 180° apart in meaning – the first is negative and the second, positive). Also, using past-tense instead of present tense distorts the meaning, unless one concentrates on and catches the difference. And, my favorite, “I” misused for “my“, “me“, etc. in a sentence!

I see these obvious mistakes all the time by people on Facebook. It makes me wonder if they were taught incorrectly or not at all! And, it is not limited to the Social Media sites or e-mail; I get letters from people who have “Dr.” in front of their names that have terrible diction! A few years ago I received a letter of commendation from the NASA KSC Center Director (I won’t say which one!) and it had three misspelled or misused words in it! More than likely his Executive Secretary wrote it but obviously he didn’t proof-read before signing it!

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My sister (who is well educated and has a teaching degree) and I have fun writing each other in “Suthren” – a compilation of slang or phonetically-spelled words that, if YOU were to read it, you would have to study for a while to understand what we were talking about! However, she and I understand it perfectly.

In closing, we in the USA should insist on a “National language” (hopefully English) and then we should learn how to read and write it correctly! Most of us would have great difficulty if we tried to use Olde English of Shakespearean days! But, as long as we have a form of “modern” English, it should be applied correctly.

I feel that, strictly limited to this country, we should put much effort in this – it would eliminate a lot of confusion if we all spoke the same “universally-understood” English language.

Until next time, au revoir!

Daniel True (high school graduate)

(This subject will be continued in a later article entitled “Cultural Communications“. Watch for it.)

Thank your Military

This is real special! -

(Watch the little girl’s response!)

Thank Your Military

Tennesseans Volunteer!

THIS IS TENNESSEE
VOLUNTEERS ADD NEW CHAPTER TO STORIED HISTORY

by Brent High

On May 1st and 2nd of 2010 a historic amount of rain, as much as 17 inches, fell on middle Tennessee and the city of Nashville in less than 48 hours. Historians are using terms like “thousand year flood” to describe what took place here. The Cumberland River, Nashville’s main waterway, crested at just over 51 feet, flooding iconic structures including the Grand Ole Opry, LP Field and Bridgestone Arena where the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators play, Country Music Hall of Fame and the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. The water rose so much, so fast and in places water has never been seen that thousands had to be rescued by boat. Dozens lost their lives. Thousands of homeowners lost everything they had. Thousands more are now trying to salvage what’s left. Most had no flood insurance because before May 1st they didn’t need it where they lived. Early estimates are that the damage will top $1 billion and this storm will go down as the most devastating non-hurricane event in American history.

This is Tennessee.

It’s Monday, May 3rd. The rain has stopped, finally. What happens next shouldn’t come as a surprise. Almost instinctively, after a long night of restlessness, volunteers spring into action. It’s in their blood. They’ve been trained to do so by their parents and grandparents. From Waverly to Cookeville, Winchester to Cross Plains and in the capital city of Nashville the sights and sounds are the same.

Without being asked, fishermen launch their boats into the muddy soup, joining the rescue efforts. Business owners and supervisors tell their employees to take the day off and jump in and help wherever they can. Neighbors, many of whom helped empty entire houses in brigade fashion the night before, transition into cleanup mode. Sump pumps and generators whirr. Drywall, carpet and ruined floors are ripped out. Elderly ladies gather at the church to make lunches for workers. Teenagers distribute bottled water. Pickup trucks, trailers and storage units are loaded with what could be salvaged. Photos and documents are spread out in the sun to dry. Wads of $20 bills are slid into pockets of those affected. Checks are written. Hugs are given. Prayers are said. Tears are shed.

This is Tennessee.

Almost 200 years ago Tennessee first earned the nickname “Volunteer State.” In 1812 More than 2,000 Tennesseans volunteered to fight for Andrew Jackson and were the main part of Jackson’s army that destroyed the British three years later in the Battle of New Orleans. A generation later the U. S. Secretary of War asked Tennessee for 2,800 soldiers to fight a war against Mexico (at the Alamo). 30,000 volunteered.

This is a state where faith comes first. We don’t ask why. We know there is a reason and look forward to it being revealed. We are guided by scriptures such as Philippians 2:3-5 which says:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus.”

Family is a focus, not an afterthought. Don’t bother trying to do business with us the week of Christmas or July 4th. We’ll be with family. When our kids have a school play we will be there. We throw big birthday parties. We teach our kids right from wrong and aren’t afraid to give them a whippin’ when they need it.

Here we say “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am.” We try to leave a place better than we found it. We put our hand over our heart when the National Anthem is played. We pull over on the side of the road when funeral processions pass on the other side.

We are savvy business people. We are farmers. We are teachers.

We drink Coke here. We like gravy with our biscuits and potatoes.

We are serious about our sports. We keep score in little league and we still have all-star teams and MVP trophies.

We are givers.

You won’t hear us wailing about where the federal government and insurance companies were in all of this. We’ll get by just fine without them.

Right now we have a lot to deal with here in our backyard. We will handle it with dignity and class. We will sacrifice for each other in ways that are unfathomable to most. We will stand together. We will stand tall. We will come out of this stronger than we were before it.

One day in the not too distant future a hurricane, tornado, fire, flood or other unspeakable disaster will strike your community. As you struggle to put the pieces back together we will be there.

We will volunteer.

We are Tennesseans.

This is Tennessee.

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Brent High, 36, is a lifelong Tennessean from Nashville. He serves as Assistant Director of Athletics

Illegal Aliens & Prayer

In light of the recent law enacted by the State of Arizona (and being considered by other states) regarding the process of detecting and prosecuting illegal aliens encroaching that state, I have received a number of requests for prayer by family members of persons being detained in various states for violation of the immigration laws. This brings up a unique situation; praying  in light of a “just” law.

The “illegal immigration” situation in the United States has come under much concern for all parties involved. Plus, many people, including a number of ministers, “Hollywood” types and government leaders in various states and the Federal government, have called for repeal of the Arizona law. There are on-going demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience, including members of the United States Congress being arrested for disturbance of the peace.

I tend to believe that the immigration law being considered for enactment in Arizona is a valid one, for it mimics a current Federal law already on the books (even though not being actively enforced). The governor and legislature of Arizona have taken their action based on the need to ensure safety and security for the citizens of their state.

Trash thrown along an illegal alien rest stop in Arizona

If the Federal government cannot (or refuses to) enforce the current laws, the individual states have to take appropriate action.

Many people see this as a form of “profiling”, however the law applies to anyone of “suspicious nature”, whether they be from Mexico or Moldova. All who are here legally are required by Federal law to have appropriate identification. As a Caucasian birth-citizen of the USA even I  must have proper ID only if I am out for my 2-mile morning walk, and if stopped, I am subject to being required to either produce an ID (wallet with driver’s license, voter’s registration, etc.) or be taken into custody until I can prove my identity or citizenship. And, except for age, I don’t fit any known profile!

Most of the current issue is over the illegal aliens who have broken the law by entering this nation unlawfully. Many of the entry points are along our southern borders and therein lies much of the discord. We have MANY millions of Latino or Spanish-speaking ancestry who have arrived illegally. For that reason, there is much sympathy from those who are from those nations who have United States citizenship – many of them are relatives of the illegal ones.

There have been many years of efforts to invoke “amnesty”, but is amnesty a fair and equitable way to resolve the issue? Won’t amnesty nullify the intent of the law? Let’s look at the whole immigration scenario.

Initially there were no quotas for anyone, however, after WWI (in the 1920’s) limits were established to prevent an influx of people primarily from Europe and Asia. There were NO quotas for people from Latin or South America. The “Green Card” visa (ID) is required for those desiring citizenship; work permits (visas) are issued for temporary residency.

There are varieties of opinion about our immigration laws, especially from Mexico. In September 2007, Mexican President Calderón harshly criticized the United States government for the crackdown on illegal immigrants, saying it has led to the persecution of immigrant workers without visas. “I have said that Mexico does not stop at its border, that wherever there is a Mexican, there is Mexico,” he said. Is this a fair assessment? I think not – what about China, India, Uganda, etc.? That philosophy just won’t work; overpopulation would occur.

Strangely, our borders were open to legally-arriving Mexicans until just last week (4-25-2010) when the Senate passed a bill that established quotas for Mexico. This was prompted by the increasing unemployment rate among US citizens. If passed, this will be the first quota set for any country west of the Atlantic Ocean.

To be sure there is a process that one must go through to become a naturalized citizen of the United States – regardless of the country of emigration. And this includes time-based requirements as well, but these are to be in-work while the applicant is a resident and employed in this country!

By contrast, look at the requirements on our emigrating to another country – Ireland, as an example. Their requisites for entry are much higher than for their people coming in this direction!

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Again, don’t condemn Arizona or any other state that finds the need to more closely monitor their borders. Blame the Federal government for not enforcing to the fullest their duty to do the same, with their laws already on the books!

Biblically, Jesus told us that we are required to obey the laws of government (“those in authority”). To shelter those whom we know as being here illegally is to subject ourselves to a violation of the law. In recent years, some of our higher-ranking politicians have been convicted of hiring illegals!

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As far as those prayer requests that this ministry has been receiving – the only way to resolve this issue is to pray that the families that are separated by illegal entry (or any other situation) be re-established and become whole again but within legal bounds. That leaves it up to God to answer our prayers and work them out in His most effective (and best) way. And, that keeps us from suggesting or even asking God to break the law of the land (which He will NOT do)!

Amen!

Good To Be Alive! – a short video

Suggested by Sue.

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Jack Rushton – “Sit Down” Comedy routine & inspirational message from a quadriplegic on a respirator.

Take time to view this; it will make you grateful for what you are blessed with!

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Legends of the Dogwood – Red Bud

I have just returned from a business trip to North Carolina/Tennessee.  Although I missed the Easter spring flowers in the North, I did manage to see the dogwood and red bud trees; late-blooming because of the extended cold weather. With these two trees, that reminded me of the legends attributed to each.

An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: “Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a gallows. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross — two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints — brown with rust and stained with red — and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember.”

The Eastern red bud is a small, short-lived deciduous tree found throughout the eastern United States. Red bud is also known as Judas-tree. According to legend, Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a branch of the European species. Eastern redbud is a strikingly conspicuous tree in the spring because it flowers before other tree leaves form. The wood is heavy, hard, and close-grained, but because of the small size and irregular shape of the tree it is of no commercial value as a source of lumber. This tree is most valued as an ornamental and is extensively planted.

Obviously, both of these are legends but it is nice to consider that somehow Nature could respond to these historical events by modifying these two trees. In any case, when the dogwood and the redbud bloom, it is a reminder that spring is here – that new life is coming forth – underwriting the message of the crucifixion!

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