Is it a ‘small world’ or ‘BIG KINGDOM’?

 Is it a ‘small world’ or ‘BIG KINGDOM’? 

I have always been amazed at how, even being from a small town in rural Alabama, and even now living in a somewhat larger city, but still less than 60,000, it seems impossible to travel anywhere in the world and not meet someone I know or should know. My old High School, Haleyville High, just returned from the annual Senior Trip to Washington D.C. and New York City. I would bet, if I were a betting man, someone on that trip if not several, ran into someone who knew them or at least their family. I have had the opportunity to travel to many places, some overseas, in 78 years and on most trips, I will see someone with some connection to me, my family, my hometown or current city.  

This most always invokes the phrase ‘isn’t it a small world’. As I have considered this, I have always been amused to think this happens so frequently, but today I begin to think about a ‘what if’. What if we could identify and know all of our brothers and sisters in GOD’s KINGDOM as we travel through life. What an affirming feeling we would have as we recognize the masses who join us in this eternal kingdom. How much power and assurance of all God’s promises would we begin to realize. How bold would our witness become and how much love would we begin to share in our journey here on earth.  

I know for me an example of this newfound boldness occurs during the Christmas season. Mike Free is the unofficial leader or a Bible Study that has blessed me for over 25 years. We meet once a week, early on Tuesday mornings and 15 to 20 men for various denominations study God’s word. Mike, a true servant of God was called many years ago to use Bible studies as his way to serve and Glorify God. As a result, he leads not only our group but serval other groups here in Decatur. Each Christmas all of his groups gather during the week prior to Christmas for breakfast, devotional and some very loud but not so good singing of the old carols. This one small breakfast meeting is so encouraging and even emboldening to me. When I see those men who I know, see from throughout the community I actually get super charged in my commitment to reach others.  

Kingdom people are called to community. Church families are great, but we are a part of a body so much bigger. We are billions in numbers, and we must draw strength and boldness from our position, not only as children of a mighty God and as joint heirs with Christ but as a force in a lost world.  

   

 

WHICH BUCKETS ARE YOU GOING TO FILL?

 From nearly 78 years of experience, I’ve learned something about this journey we are on.  In my simple mind I have decided life to a large extent is choosing paths that are defined like buckets in our minds.  Every day there are buckets we decide which to fill. The buckets represent something, some good and some bad.  The bad are always going to be there along with the good.  How you fill them each day is what makes the difference and determines the direction your life will take.  Fill the ‘good buckets’ and you will find success, fulfillment and happiness.  Fill the ‘bad buckets’ and you will find stress and strife.  When you are focused on filling the ‘good’ buckets and ignoring the ‘bad’ you will see you don’t have the time to deal with the ‘bad’.  The ‘bad’ will always be there.  My whole life I have seen ‘bad’ buckets in front of me every day, but by focusing on directing my energies to the ‘good’ buckets they become less an issue and challenge.  My bucket assessment goes something like this in your situation.  

 1. Your Spiritual Bucket:  you know the value of knowing and relying on a spiritual life.  Fill that bucket everyday with some acknowledgement of God and the blessings he gave you. It is mandated not suggested we glorify our Lord in all we do.

2. Your Family Bucket, both your own earthly family and your Spiritual family whose walking with you. Strength and support are vital to making it. These family relationships are critical at every stage of life. We were made to be companions and to walk this road with both families.

3. Your Educational Bucket: No matter your age you have an opportunity and a mind to accomplish everything in life you dream and desire.  Don’t waste the opportunity laying right there in front of you to prepare yourself to soar.

4. Your Personal Relationship Bucket:  Surround yourself with people that make you a better person.  Don’t alienate those you recognize as ‘going nowhere’ types but work to become a positive influence on them.  Do not sink to their level to feel included to be the positive influence they may need to be better people.

When your focus is on giving 100% to fill these ‘Good Buckets’ every day you will not have time or the spirit to worry about the negative buckets you have in front of you every day.  All of us have ‘Bad Bucket’ stuff around. us every day.  If we are not busy filling our ‘Good Buckets’ they can bring us down and avert your focus and attention, but you have a spirit and the power to remain true to ourselves and avoid the negative effects on us.    

 

WHICH BUCKETS ARE YOU GOING TO FILL

 From nearly 78 years of experience, I’ve learned something about this journey we are on.  In my simple mind I have decided life to a large extent is choosing paths that are defined like buckets in our minds.  Every day there are buckets we decide which to fill. The buckets represent something, some good and some bad.  The bad are always going to be there along with the good.  How you fill them each day is what makes the difference and determines the direction your life will take.  Fill the ‘good buckets’ and you will find success, fulfillment and happiness.  Fill the ‘bad buckets’ and you will find stress and strife.  When you are focused on filling the ‘good’ buckets and ignoring the ‘bad’ you will see you don’t have the time to deal with the ‘bad’.  The ‘bad’ will always be there.  My whole life I have seen ‘bad’ buckets in front of me every day, but by focusing on directing my energies to the ‘good’ buckets they become less an issue and challenge.  My bucket assessment goes something like this in your situation.  

 1. Your Spiritual Bucket:  you know the value of knowing and relying on a spiritual life.  Fill that bucket everyday with some acknowledgement of God and the blessings he gave you. It is mandated not suggested we glorify our Lord in all we do.

2. Your Family Bucket, both your own earthly family and your Spiritual family whose walking with you. Strength and support are vital to making it. These family relationships are critical at every stage of life. We were made to be companions and to walk this road with both families.

3. Your Educational Bucket: No matter your age you have an opportunity and a mind to accomplish everything in life you dream and desire.  Don’t waste the opportunity laying right there in front of you to prepare yourself to soar.

4. Your Personal Relationship Bucket:  Surround yourself with people that make you a better person.  Don’t alienate those you recognize as ‘going nowhere’ types but work to become a positive influence on them.  Do not sink to their level to feel included to be the positive influence they may need to be better people.

When your focus is on giving 100% to fill these ‘Good Buckets’ every day you will not have time or the spirit to worry about the negative buckets you have in front of you every day.  All of us have ‘Bad Bucket’ stuff around. us every day.  If we are not busy filling our ‘Good Buckets’ they can bring us down and avert your focus and attention, but you have a spirit and the power to remain true to ourselves and avoid the negative effects on us.    

THE DEVIL DOESN'T DRESS LIKE A SNAKE ANYMORE!

 This morning while listening to a devotional through my ear buds, I learned a very important lesson.  The devotional had directed me to Genesis 3 where the serpent had convinced Eve, by distracting her from God's law, to defy God's instructions and try the only fruit he had forbidden.  Just as I got to the part about how it really wouldn't hurt Eve to taste it, I got the beep from my ear buds I had a text.  Now at 4:15 in the morning the likelihood of me getting anything important is about as likely as me winning the Powerball.  The problem was I immediately picked up the phone and click to see what my message was (a new deal from Rock N Roll Sushi).  Now since I like Rock N Roll Sushi, I was glad to see a deal, BUT it is not in the same universe as my need to grow my relationship with my Lord and Savior.  

I cannot get out of my mind now how accustomed we are to just such instances all the time.  Distraction from what should be our more intimate times with God has always (even back to Eve) the Devils most productive tool.  I've been guilty of this type distraction all my life.  I have check those beeps and vibrations even during a worship service and serious Bible study.  Anything that breaks our worship and communication with our Lord and Savior is a victory for the evil one, not worth it and dangerous. Nothing on this earth or in this life is worth it.  

Would you ever disrupt a meeting or conversation with Nick Saban, Hugh Freeze or any other high-powered personality.  Most important meetings or events require us to either turn-off our devices or check them at the door.  Our worship time should require no less focus and attention.  Just some thoughts on our attention to the only thing that really matters for eternity.  

PRAYER, WHY IT DRIVES THE DEVIL NUTS!

 It's taken awhile but the Holy Spirit finally made something I've been told all my life finally make sense.  Prayer has always been something I believed in, probably because of hearing so much about it from my Grandmother Roby, who was such a great example.  She tried to get the message across but somehow it did not take.   

Today before the sun came up I finally saw what has been in front of me all the time.  This explains why the Devil hates for us to pray so bad.  Four (4) reasons why prayer is so important in our lives and why the Evil one hates it so bad has become clearer than ever before. 

When we sincerely PRAY, at least four very important things happen that really gets to the old Devil. 

1. We are acknowledging to ourselves and God he does exist as the 3-O God of the Universe.  (Omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent)

2. We believe our God hears us when we seek him and go to him.  

3. We are placing our concerns under his authority. 

4.  His response will be according to his plan for his kingdom, and we can have a binding faith and trust in however God handles our prayer will be in our best interest.

Mrs. Estelle Housel-Psalms 19:14

 

We are searching high and low today for some answer or magic bullet to trigger a return of this nation and world back to the days when God was known and honored more. Frustration in our great nation grows as we struggle with loss of respect in the world, crime in our streets and a severe moral decay in our society. David Housel, former Athletic Director at Auburn University has written a great book, 'FROM THE BACKBOOTH AT CHAPPY'S', wherein he remembers cherished times over his life and presents them in a way that draws similar memories out of the reader. All the stories are great and reflect David's great writing skills, but some reveal lessons from our past that are needed today more than ever.

On page 149 (softback edition) David addresses the issue of public prayer and how what so many are lamenting as gone was never really what prayer is meant to be. I agree and would go even further to guess words raised as prayer for the sake of ritual only actually challenges our spirituality.

The real revelation in the section, (Was I Wrong) is in the discussion of a call David received from a former student of David's mother, Mrs. Estelle Housel, a 4^th grade teacher in David's beloved Gordo Elementary School. The caller told David he simply wanted to let him know how much he appreciated David's mother who had taught him in the 4^th grade some 53 years ago. He told David how each day as the class lined up to go to lunch Mrs. Housel had them recite the prayer of King David from Psalms 19:14.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”

The caller relayed how over the 53 years those words had stuck with him through the good times and tough and he just wanted David to know how much his mother had meant to him.

Now I have a point I want to preserve and make. There is a tremendous lesson here as is all scripture we read, study and meditate on for any time. This simple one sentence prayer, repeated every day of the school year had made a 53 year, lasting impact on the man.

As simple as it is, Mrs. Estelle Housel planted a seed in every child they would carry for the rest of their lives.

1. There is One above all others.

2. He does knows the thoughts of our minds and the meditations of our hearts.

3. That when we are in him he gives us strength and redemption for our sins.

If over a 30 year career, Mrs. Housel taught 20 kids a year, she would have exposed 600 young people to these basic principles. I checked and the best I can determine is there are between 70,000 and 80,000 elementary schools in the United States today.  Assuming there is an average of three 4^th grade teachers in each school. If ½ of them (well over 150,000) each had this one verse recited daily how many of our future generation would at least have a seed planted. Using the same 20 students per year and teachers working only 20 years, 60 million children would be exposed to this valuable lesson.

My purpose for the rest of my life is to find 4^th grade teachers willing to expose their charges to this one sentence for the time they have them. No formal prayer just a seed that God will grow on his own. 

Devil's Game Plan

 Not many are going to like this but it's time to look a lot deeper.

This round goes to the Devil, not because Democrats have seemingly prevailed in this latest election furor, but in dividing God's children along earthly matters. There are as many God fearing, patriotic, well meaning Democrats in our country as there are Republicans. God gave everyone a mine and speaks to everyone of them as he leads them, the contrasting opinions and diverse view of earthly matters make us strong, as evidenced by our 200+ years of blessed existence in this Country. The Devil won, this time, by blinding those who are his children to the truths of his Son's message and instructions. We have demonized anyone that might think different from us. We fail to unite in the greater and over riding Truth we are all one people, serving not an earthly government of rule but the one Adonia who is 'Absolute in Authority and Responsibility'. We are losing our focus on a Creator and are more dependent on CNN, MSNBC and FOX for our direction than God's Word. I sincerely believe Division and Distrust are the Devil's greatest weapons. If we do not start changing hearts and accepting differences, to be resolve by clean hearts we are destined to fail.

By the way, I'm guilty.

ARMOR OF GOD (HUNKERED DOWN OR GET IT DONE)

 

Ephesians 6:10-18-1 Samuel 17:38-51

Because of my extreme humanness I really put a lot of pressure on the Holy Spirit who lives within me thanks to God's abundant Grace. That Spirit has been forced to work on me for over 75 years now and looking back I can truly say it's always been there but we haven't always been on the same channel (100% my fault). Over the last several years we've become better acquainted and recently it's really drawn me to the passage in Ephesians it wanted me to get a better handle on.

Like so many I've heard it preached, and I've read over and around it for as long as I can remember. Paul telling the Ephesians in a way they could relate to and understand about armor from God to protect them as they took the Gospel to the world around them. They lived in a time where armor was a part of their world daily. Each piece described by Paul was in front of them every day. In addition most of them were familiar with the story of young David as he confronted Goliath and his inability to wear Saul's armor when he met the giant face to face on the battle field generations ago. It was a great passage but to me marginal to my life. I was too literal, easy to accept it as an effort by Paul to give Christians of long ago something they could understand, but mostly biblical literature to me.  

Recently all that changed. As I reread these passages a new light came on. This passage was not about amor of the ancient world. It was written to me, about my life and world today, December 2020. I had always read this as a 'hunker down' passage. Believe and follow it to protect yourself. While it does have those truths it is much more, especially when we relate it to all the messages of the Scripture. This message has so much meaning to all christians in every age when we read it as a small part of the whole.

I now see it relating to the David story but totally different now. It's not only about 'hunkering down' with armor but reaching out with confidence, without fear and embolden with truth. It's now become a 'get it on' passage as opposed to a 'hunker down' passage. Paul is telling us what David showed us so many years before. David could not walk or function with Saul's armor. The full sized helmet, breastplate, sword, shield, belt and shoes would not fit and was unnecessary. All David needed was the belt of 'truth' God was in charge, all powerful, and walking every step with him. He needed the inner 'peace' that came from knowing the creator of the universe was in charge and would be glorified by what he did much more than the oversize shoes.

He needed 'righteousness' not from Saul's man-sized breastplate but but from his own relationship with his God. An oversized shield was replaced by 'faith' that his God's will would suffice in any situation and his sword would be the very 'Spirit of the God' he served. More than an oversized helmet he only needed his 'salvation' and reconciliation with the father to carry out his mission.

These passages are not going to mean the same to everyone at the same time. That is why we are directed by a 'living Bible', it speaks to each one as needed. To me my message, designed for me, on this day is to see it as moving from a 'hunkered down' version to a 'get it done' view. Why should I ever hesitate to further what God has provided to me to do and accomplish in Glorifying Him and doing His work. My armor was built in the day I accepted him, His Grace and His Mission for me.

SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T GO BACK


I learned one of those lessons today it is impossible to learn until you get 'old'.  I first stumbled across it a few months ago while working in South Huntsville.  I drove by McGucken Park on Bailey Cove Rd.  This was the Park where my first Huntsville grandchild played his first soccer game 15 or 16 years ago.  The grandson, Jackson, is now 19 years old and on the football team at the University of Alabama as a red shirt freshman.  The park is in the far south part of Huntsville and one of many scattered all across town, where all three of the Huntsville kids have played over the last 16 years.  Football, basketball, soccer, little league, dance recitals and girls softball.  I have sat through countless games as the happiest and most proud granddad in the city.  I have also been in same spot across Decatur with the grand kids on this side of the River.  As I drove past McGucken I got the most sinking feeling I think I have ever felt.  I suddenly realized I would probably never see another game here or at Mayfair or any other of the great youth league facilities in Huntsville.  I have thought a lot about that feeling and day and each time felt quite sad.  Those were all great times, everything was as it should be, the kids competing, the ones not competing sitting all over you or begging for a trip to the concession stand or bathroom, my son, his wife and her family all cheering like it was an Alabama/Auburn game being played right in front of us on Fern Bell field and always the ice cream or chicken tenders to cap it off.

Today I attended the last Christmas program at Eastwood Elementary in Decatur.  My granddaughter will be moving on to Middle School next year and that 6 year run will have come to an end.  I have to admit I teared up a little as they capped it off with the forever 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'.  Grand kids are by far the best part of growing old.  I really feel bad for those who don't have that opportunity, but thank God I did.  The bitter that comes with realizing some many of those good times are now passing and gone forever is inevitable.

I am so proud of what these kids are and of what they are becoming but damn it's tough to know those great times just can't be anymore.  I am so glad I have those memories of 4 and 5 year old precious babies dressed as Santa's, Angels, Shepard's and Wise Men in school and church festivities.  Of watching them line up for team pictures and accepting game balls and team trophy's.  It has been such a special time.

I am making myself a promise.  If the young folks in my life will let me know when the Christmas Program at Eastwood takes place in the future, I'm going to go.  When I'm not watching Wallace or EG play in Decatur, I am going to catch a couple of games at Mayfair in Huntsville and at least once a year I'm going back to McGurken and Fern Bell just to remember the greatest times of my life. 

I have got to be the most blessed man alive.

REPUBLICANS SUCK TO!!!

I think it's time for a Play-Off.  We need to know which national political party really controls the 'DEEP STATE'.  For the majority of my life I was a blue dog Democrat.  I really believed the Democrats had the best platforms and policies for the majority of the people of this nation.  Then when things really started turning left in the 60's and I could contrast the changing landscape during the Ronald Reagan election I tended to drift back more to the right while still believing the Democrats would get it right eventually.  Didn't happen.

While watching both parties become satisfied with pandering to the extremes on the very ends of the spectrum I have come to a realization the neither really give a damn about the overall good of this nation.  I am grateful to President Trump, who I consider a maverick and independent to bring out the truth we as a nation should consider.

The Republicans are really more deeply entrenched in the Deep State than the Democrats.  At least the Democrats, who have gone off the deep end, are fighters for the cause and positions.  Never has this been more evident than in the last 10 years.  The Republicans were either totally incompetent or slower that the bottom 10% of the class in protecting not only the country but also those things the now claim to hold dear.  On the other had the Democrats fight like Hell to further their cause.

The Obama term was a disaster in terms of good government.  Six Billion simply lost in the State Department, Billions flown in cash to an avowed enemy and guns sold to groups shooting at Americans, pay for play in what seems to be anybody with any influence within 6 degrees of relationship to someone holding office or appointment and a total retreat from anything remotely related to God.  The Republicans apparently simply sat quietly by and collected whatever piece of the corruption they could squeeze out.

In comes Trump and begins conducting the government like a business and asking tough questions about past practices and the Dems come out fighting like junk yard dogs, recognizing things were not going to be done as usual, the Soros, One World way.  They totally stopped governing and implemented a counterattack in an effort to settle things down until they could get back to the agenda they had been programmed to follow.

If the Republicans were so innocent in this destruction of  our government, Constitution and way of life, when was the time they were fighting like the Dems are now.  For the first two years of the Trump administration they held control of both Houses of Congress.  Why were they not 'inquiring' with the same intensity the Dems are now.  Paul Ryan was just as much a Democrat as Elizabeth Warren and much more deceptive, but the blame can not solely be placed on him.  No Republican I can think of raised and hell at all.  Hillary Clinton defied Congress itself and erased over 30,000 emails and not one hearing was held.

We're in a mess here my friends,  We have a handful of people in Washington that are standing between us and failure as a nation.  Our founders had no intention of saving us from a king to deliver us to a ruling class, funded by the work of the average citizen.  This type of government has never worked and it never will.  Freedom is the only chance any nation has for peace.

Get rid of them all. 

Whatever Happen to WWJD?

I am wondering if many in the religious community are not about as committed to the Kingdom of God as they were to the WWJD movement we experienced several years ago. Maybe the bans we all wore kept turning our arms black, or maybe everybody just developed rashes or couldn't find new ones when you could read the letters anymore. I really think the very thought of doing what Jesus would do hit a little to close to home and we didn't want to keep the ban we wore so close we were constantly reminded of what Jesus really would do.

Right there on our arm, easily seen, was way too much of a reminder when you were wearing it 24/7. It was right there when you passed a hungry parent and child sitting near an overpass, and how could you avoid seeing it when the appeal for contributions to Free Clinics and Youth Sports in poor neighborhoods kept coming in the mail. God knows we do not need to be constantly reminded of the unchurched and lost when we see them everyday, and anyway we know somebody will surely take care of them and I have too much on my plate already.

Even so, I can imagine the smile on Gods' face when the fad was first hatched. Finally, I can see him thinking, they have read John 14:15, “If you love me, obey my commandments”. “What a perfectly great way to always be aware of Jesus directions and message until it becomes ingrained into their very being and nature”, I can hear him bragging to the angels around him.

On the other side (the Dark Side) the Devil called an emergency meeting in a panic, thinking of all those professing to be Christian being constantly motivated to do what Jesus would want them to do. The Devil listen to all the recommendation from his advisers: get some big name celebrities to make fun of it, cause the rash or turn the arms black were possibilities strongly supported in this meeting of the Dark Council. But after all the discussions and the Devil thinking about it for a time, he calmed down and made the final decision. “We won't do anything for several months”, he decreed. “I think this bunch will drop it on their own”, he told the minor devils. “It's a lot easier to simply let nature take its course”, the old Evil One opined. “Saying you want to do what Jesus would do is a lot easier than actually doing what Jesus would do, all we need to do is to be sure these ban wearers have other things to do and and other stuff on their minds. Pretty soon it will just go out of fashion, something new and shinny will come along and the pressure will be too much and they will drop it on their own.”

Sure enough the second run by the manufacturer never sold. Doing 'WHAT JESUS WOULD DO' was soon replaced by another trend of the day. Another trendy arm/wrist ban became the rage. Here in Alabama it was replaced by 'ROLL TIDE' and 'WAR EAGLE' wrist bans and car tags. GOD was disappointed but like any other parent when a good habit is replaced by one not so good, he just kept loving us and waiting until the good became something written on our hearts and not on a novelty wrist ban.

WWJD

NOT BUILDING AN ARK

Well I have finished 'Daniel' and found it to be a tremendous read. Full of so many great lessons for life I never really thought about or considered before now.

I have started John and again I am discovering a lot more than I remembered being in there. I actually found something that has worked on me for a couple of days and even got into my early morning sleep time.

In Chapter 9, John recounts one of the occasions where Jesus heals a blind man. Jesus encountered the man as he walked along with his disciples. The disciples ask him “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” (v.2) Jesus reply told me something I had overlooked all these years. I expected the initial part of his response because of my personal beliefs, “It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins”, Jesus answered (v.3) I was pretty good with that and apparently had mostly stopped reading at that point over the years. The new message came in what followed which I am sure I had read over the years but never really paid much attention to. Jesus went on to say, “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.” (v.3)

I, as I believe most people, have always tried to identify with the named characters in the Bible. I've tried to see myself as representing those whose great faith was used to illustrate God's faithfulness. While I never thought of myself as an Abraham, Noah, Moses, a disciple, Paul or any other first teamer, it was natural to me to dream or think my role was to be more like one of these great men of faith.

My new revelation was that while those are all great role models to aspire to be more like, my more practical role is to be more like the blind man who was given sight for the first time in his life by Jesus.

My role is to be an example of the power of God that others can see in my life. I am simply a human, flawed and sinful by nature. It's through and by the 'power of God' only that I can be save to eternal life and be in a personal relationship with my Creator.

I will never be called to sacrifice my son or to build an ark. I'll never write a book to be included in the Bible or walk in a fiery furnace, but I will be a full blown child of God only by his 'power'. If the product of that power can be seen by others in me that is really enough.

MOCKING GOD IS NEVER A GOOD IDEA

The Book of 'Daniel' just keeps getting better and better. Better in an entertaining sense but if you are one of those who think the stories of the Old Testament have a message for us today maybe better is not the best way to look at what we find. I spoke yesterday about the saga of King Nebuchadnezzar and how he had been turned into a blathering idiot, sent to the fields and woods to live, eat and talk to the animals until he recognized and acknowledged Daniel's God to be the only God and sovereign.

Today in the very next Chapter 5, we find his successor to be even dumber and more disrespectful of God and as a result suffered a much worse fate. Now by either peaceful succession, coup or simple luck this dude named Belshazzar had followed old Neb to the throne. From the story, much like today, it is apparent history was not a mandatory subject in the school for Kings in those days.

Kin Belshazzar either didn't know or didn't care about his predecessor being turned into a mindless, grass eating creature at God's direction. This man was so ignorant of God Almighty he doubled down on his lack pf respect for Daniel's Living God. He took, for his own pleasure, the gold and silver tableware which Nebuchadnezzar had taken in an earlier plunder of the Temple of God. He brought out the Holy utensils to impress his wives, concubines, idol worshiping fraternity brothers and heathen neighbors. While whooping it up, drinking from the Holy tableware and grovelling around like animals a human like finger appeared and started writing on the wall. Much like Nebuchadnezzar, the current King Belshazzar called for his own Physic Network and Company to interpret the writing on the wall. Again promises of riches untold were made to anyone who could tell him what the writing meant. Once more as in years past the Physics were stumped, they immediately recommended Daniel, a man they described as one possessed with 'divine knowledge'. (I wonder what these guys were getting paid for?)

Once again Daniel is summonsed and offer the same riches and perks offer first to the inside Physics to read the message left by the floating finger. Daniel after seeing the message politely refused the bounty offered for his services. With King Nebuchadnezzar I got the feeling Daniel was a little hesitant to give Neb the message, but here he seemed to enjoy breaking this news to Belshazzar.

Four words were written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL PARIN

MENE—Numbered, as in King Belshazzar your time is up.

MENE-- 'in case you didn't understand the first time.

TERKEL--- Weighed, as in your have been weighted on the balance and failed the test.

PARSIN—Divided, as in your Kingdom has been divided.

Now how King Belshazzar and his house guest took this is not recorded, but we do know that very night King Belshazzar was killed and his Kingdom divided.

It is never a good idea to mock and dishonor our GOD. (we really need to get this out)

LEARNING THE HARD WAY (NEBUCADNEZZAR METHOD)

Sometimes I wonder if all the people who claim to be card carrying, church going, 100% believers really read the scripture to understand it and learn, or do they read them to simply pad their resumes for judgment day. I question if they believe it has any relevance to the world surrounding us today. In our deepest of beliefs and heart of hearts is there anymore than an appreciation of a great collection of age old stories and a fairly accurate early history of a people in early civilization.

For several reasons I have recently been drawn to and fascinated by the 'Book of Daniel'. The stories of Daniel in the lions den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego have been favorites since Mrs. Rutland and Mrs. Young first told them in my very young Sunday School days. More recently I have been drawn to the book for some reason or another and have found it full of relevant lessons for my world today.

A couple of the stories that seems to be relevant at this particular time have really got my attention. In Chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar (Neb) finds himself in a lot better shape than any of our world leaders today. He's even quoted as say, “I Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity.”

(Daniel 4:4) His problem came beginning in v.5 when he had a dream that scared him pretty bad. He first called on his Secretary of Physic and all that department for interpretation after offering untold treasures to the one who could come up with an answer. When the usual fortune tellers and soucerers could not help he was referred to Daniel. (purportedly a man from a heaven Neb apparently did not believe in) The scripture gives no indication why Daniel was not called on first.

The dream was of a great tree in the middle of the earth. It was a great and mighty tree, it reached to the heavens, giving shelter to the birds of the air and animals around it, feeding all the people from it bounty. As the dream played on the King saw a messenger (a holy one) come down from heaven who ordered the tree cut down, its limbs and branches destroyed and scattered, leaving nothing for all that benefited from the tree. The messenger left the stump and roots and enclosed them in a bronze and iron ring surrounded by tender grass. The messenger in the dream then decreed 'let him be drenched with the dew of heaven and let him live like an animal among the plants of the field for seven periods, let him have the mind of an animal instead of a human'. The messenger then said the purpose was to show that the 'Most High' rules all the kingdoms and has dominion of everything.

Here's where it gets good. According to the scripture even Daniel was shocked by what he saw in this dream and honestly I would have not wanted to be in his place. I do like how he began his interpretation to old King Neb. He started by saying something about how he wished one of King Neb's enemies had really had this dream instead of Neb.

Daniel told him the tree represented no other than the King himself. He was a mighty King as was the tree, he had grown strong and great, his rule extended across the earth. Problem was God had declared what was about to happen. He would be driven out of power, he would lose his mind and live as an animal for seven periods. At the end of this time, he would realize and acknowledge God was truly the ruler of all and that Neb would recognize such and that from the remaining roots and stump he would be restored.

Now we either believe this happened as recorded in what we profess to be God's divine Word or it goes on the shelf with Goldilocks and Harry Potter. I for one believe every word..

How does this apply to us today. I believe with all my heart when God's had enough we will know it. Whether it is our President, Russia's, China's or Rocket Man, God is in charge. The combined power of all falls desperately short of God's. If a people turn to God and his ways in their deepest beliefs and feelings he will honor them. Once we become so self centered and take God out the the center we stand the risk of following old Neb out into the fields to eat with the cattle/

I don't believe God will hesitate to bring about the biggest 'Attitude Adjustment' in the history of the world. He is forgiving, loving and all caring, but it must be a two-way relationship. It took a lot to set my Dad off, he loved me so much. God loves us so much more than we can imagine but he loves us so much he will not go so far as to let us destroy ourselves.

We may be getting close to 'Attitude Adjustment' time.

A REAL 'TEACHING EVENT'

After everything we have witnessed in this Country in the last few months we finally have a 'teaching event' for the patriotic, hard working, mainstream, people of faith to capitalize on. We have witnessed attacks on our history, culture and fundamental way of life from extremes on both the right and the left. Both being dangerous and destructive but the Soros backed group of radicals and extremest have really been after a way of life we have apparently taken for granted too long and not nurtured and cultivated as we should have.

The actions and attitudes displayed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey needs to be lesson plan we teach and point to for years to come. I have seen the very best in our culture displayed since Harvey ripped Texas apart. Hundreds of thousands of people reaching out to those so badly affected. Thousands of small and large towns loading truck after truck with supplies, column after column of tractor trailers, loaded with essentials rushing into the area even before the storm had passed. Giant corporations disrupting their production to fill needs that only they have the capacity to fill. Millions sending cash to various charities and at least one, anthem standing, patriotic NFL star raising over 5 million dollars in just a few days for the victims of the hurricane.

God did not send the hurricane to prove any point or punish us, he's much bigger than that, but I'm quite certain he watching to see if we are still a nation of faithful people who remember his Son's words about 'feeding his lambs'. I'm glad that in spite of the divisive hatred that has been displayed and promoted by many factions, we are still a nation that when needed, we hitch our little flat bottom boats to our 10 year old pickup and head across three states, at our own expense, to try and help someone of a different color and background reach a safe shore..

EVERYTHING IS NOT RACIST

Our nation is being torn apart not by bombs and guns, although it does seem that a lot of people are dying by guns, but we are becoming more and more separated by nothing more that words. Whether it is a result of our dumbing down to lives totally controlled by smart phones or our disdain for anything that takes over two minutes to get or even our complete surrender to 'white guilt', or 'LGBT guilt or whatever, we latch onto words that pit us one against the other.

One word that has completely lost it's meaning is 'racist'. Extremest of every color have convinced us we are all racist depending on the guilt trip they are trying to put us on. The true meaning of the word is; "having or showing the belief that a particular race is superior to another".  Now meeting that definition is truly deplorable and has no place in our world or anyone else's world. While vestiges of racism certainly exist and must be addressed, rooted out and dealt with by a christian society, it should never be used in a broad stroke manner to cast shame and distrust upon anyone who does not come within that specific definition.

An example of my thoughts on this misuse of the word would be simple. There is a super human being who I have come to love dearly and have found great friendship with over the years. My friend, Wylheme Ragland, is truly one of the greatest guys I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Now Wylheme is a retired Methodist preacher, community activist, historian, and may ever be faster than a speeding bullet, able stop trains or maybe even fly, and he is a black man. He lives on a one way street near downtown here in Decatur. If Wylheme stops me while I'm traveling the wrong way down that one way street and points out to me how I'm wrong, or even reports me to the police if I continue, he's not a racist. I was doing wrong, maybe even endangering lifes or at least disrupting the the peace of the neighborhood. I would have been wrong and in need of help and direction.

My point being that legitimate criticism of someone of another race is not always racism and we as citizens in common of this great country should always examine the rhetoric surrounding the charges of 'racism' by those seeking to further their own agenda.  

Is 'THE END' near?

Every few days a quote comes across Facebook that always catches my attention. I have no idea who said it or wrote it and I probably won't get it exactly right but it gives me pause every time I see it. It says 'Yesterday a lot of folks woke up who are not waking up today', it's point I suppose is to live each day to the fullest because we don't know when the end is coming. The quote makes me think every time I see it but recently I have been thinking about it in another light.

The thought certainly applies to people and I believe that was the intent originally, but it also applies to Nations, churches and many other institutions we take for granted. Recent events get me to thinking about whether we as a Nation and more importantly as a way of life are about to wake up on our last day of existence. We are not going to get a 'save the date' card about when our way of life will end no more that we're going to get one for the day we draw our last breath here. Whoever is left is going to wake up one morning and know there will be no services at the church Sunday or any day, there is no Medicare or Medicaid coming this month or ever again and human rights and universal education is a thing of the past.

Some sociologist and economist believe that the United States started this decline when their leaders opened voting to everyone. The theory being that the government should be controlled by 'stakeholders', or only those who are contributing. I really don't believe that but must acknowledge there is some merit in the theory. I believe that universal voting is possible but must be under girded with a strong Judeo-Christian culture where hard work and incentive based economies can support care and charitable giving for those unable to provide. This same culture by its very nature will and should provide only for equal opportunity and not equal results.

My concern for the possible accelerated demise of our way of life comes from our seeing the abandonment of the Judeo-Christian influence on our nation. Without this foundation we will not have to be attacked from the outside, we are going to implode from within. The first cracks will come in our judicial system. Our system assumes juries decide cases based not only on the law but on C.S. Lewis called the universal moral law. Juries acting without the use of this universal moral law can return any verdict they choose. We've seen this already in civil cases where juries ignore the facts and law to return verdicts without rime or reason. In criminal cases the avenues of appeal for reason and equity are not available. An electorate of morally lawless people can elect politicians and judges who are as corrupt as the people they represent thereby no protection from our government.

This is not a muslim bashing effort but for an example I heard on last night's news a female protester appearing before a school board in a city outside our state who was demanding the board institute a religious holiday six days away for the entire school district. She threatened the Board by explaining her Muslim community was soon to be the majority and when they were they would control this district by the ballot box and when that happened not only would the day become a holiday but their religion would become a part of the districts curriculum.

I look at the countries in the Middle East and understand why these good intentioned people want to escape. What I don't understand is how they think the utopia they risk their lives to get to can continue if they change our fundamentals to those they escaped from. The same is true to our homegrown discontents. We have sold equal results not equal opportunity to hard and too long.

Only thing I am certain of as we start the last half of 2016, is that the same God that delivered the Jews from Egypt, that walked on water and died for me and rose from that death is still right where he's been since he got this ball rolling and can make the Tennessee River flow from here to Chattanooga in the blink of an eye. No politicians are going to save this nation, I just hope my grand kids can wake up in the same nation I have for 70+ years.. 

WHY THERE IS NO OUTRAGE WHEN THE CITY AND STATE TAKE EDUCATION $$$

Here in Morgan County we are being hit with news of both the City of Decatur and the State of Alabama taking money, which both claim to need, from Education funds previously earmarked for Education.  There is the usual outrage by those involve in Education and a few others who sincerely fear the threat of further lowering our ability to educate our children.  On the other hand I have not seen a huge ground swell of reaction to the moves from most.

There are many reasons for this and I think I know a few.  First most people wonder what the State Education System is doing with $150,000,000 laying around and not currently being used.  We've bought everything from wrapping paper to Klenex from all our kids and grand kids for years.  If we have a child or grandchild who would like to play a sport or participate in and extracurricular activity we know we're going to shell out a small fortune for uniforms, equipment, program ads and pom poms until our pockets are empty.  We have enough outside that $150,000,000 to build two $40,000,000 schools in a one school town and pay good salaries to more Administrators that Nucor and 3M need combined.  We do all this and their is still $150,000,000 in their Christmas Club account.

Secondly we also are learning about an Administrator at our local Community College who has been dismissed for malfeasance in her job.  I believe over 20 grounds for her dismissal were filed and as far as I can tell were never defended before any trier of fact.  The powers that be first place her on paid leave for several months, then settled her termination issues by continuing to pay her full salary ($108,000 per year for another 6 months) until she can draw her retirement of probably more that $75,000 per year for the rest of her life.  O yes, the Education system is also going to repay the Federal Government something in the neighborhood of $500,000 because of the way she operated. All this in addition to paying much more in retirement to a retired President whose policies and practice oversaw and promoted this behavior by the person terminated.  These two alone have and will cost the State Education system millions before its all over.  (Just a personal thought, I hate paid leave for any government employee suspected or convicted of anything.  As long as these institutions have toilets and locker rooms that need cleaning or leaves that need raking I think the accused should report to work and do whatever needs to be done, if not guilty get their job back.  Let anyone in the private sector cost their employer anything and see how much retirement they retain.)

Whether you say or the law says tax money goes for only one purpose and one only it is all coming from the pockets of taxpayers.  We have been party to building Kingdoms and separate divisions of government which we are told are sacred.  It's all coming from the same place, taxpayers and it's running out.  I'm not sure the State or the City will use the money any better but they can't do and worse and apparently it will not be rat holed under some high sounding name.  

EQUALITY=OPPORTUNITY + EFFORT (it don't just happen)

Equality is not what it's cracked up to be.  As I have become an old person I have formed some very different ideas about some things which I have heard and mostly believed.  One is that we are all equal and therefor should all be treated the same.  Wrong.  We are not equal and even the Bible recognizes as humans there will always be different.

This newly recognized truth was made abundantly clear  as I watched the Sunday news broadcast yesterday.  In the morning the national news reported on a young man graduating High School somewhere in the northern part of the country.  This young, articulate and handsome African American man had been accepted to eight (8) Ivy League Colleges and University's and the University of Alabama.  During his interview he explained why he had chosen to take the opportunity to attend UA instead of the more highly ranked academic institutions.  With a polish that rivaled the most experienced broadcast expert, the young man explained when he had considered all the scholarship and aid ramifications involved and total academic opportunities he had chosen UA..  He reasoned that since he intended to later attend Med School and would need additional money for those years he had decided the University of Alabama was the best for him long term.  What a great feeling I had after this interview.  Smart young man, head firmly on and loaded with ambition and drive to succeed.

On the afternoon news my outlook was somewhat dampened to say the least.  My friend Ed Taylor,  Decatur Police Chief was announcing the arrest of four young men who had in two days caused the worse, the widest and most violent crime spree Decatur has probably ever seen.  Two of the young men were not even out of High School and the others under 20 years of age.  Armed robberies, malicious destruction of property, stealing and even murder was associated with this group.  The bunch had held an entire section of town in fear for nearly 72 hours.

Now my point about equality.  There is not a snow balls chance in Hell the young man going to the University of Alabama is equal to the four arrested.  We may all be born equal in the sight of God but want we do with that life determines whether we gain any equality status with others in our community and world.

Education as a whole and so many other sources has perpetuated this fraud on this nation and it is ruining us today.  We are not all equal.  An individual earns equality by his actions and no other way.  Race is not a factor, the size of your house or make of you car is not a factor, the school you attended nor the size of you bank account has any bearing on whether or not you are equal to anyone.

In reality we humans have a natural instinct telling us those around us deserving of equality.  I know so many personally and many many more by reputation who by banking standards probably would not be considered well off, but who in reality are certainly equal to any man or woman who ever lived.  I know them by every color, religion, political party and alumni association.  The ones who enjoy equality, in a civilized world, are the ones who have followed what I am going to call the Roby Formula to Equality.   I'm sure this has been figured out before but I am not very widely read and I think I will just claim the product of my genius until someone tells me to stop.

The formula is simple, "EQUALITY=OPPORTUNITY + EFFORT.  That's it, simple really but I have thought a lot about it over the last day and I believe it's truth to be universal.

I know some will argue the OPPORTUNITY component is unfair, but for my purpose it makes not a bit of difference.  I'm not saying one has to achieve riches or acclaim, I'm simply saying that to acquire equality with all the good part of the human race you must take the opportunity you have and apply your effort to it and by so doing, take your place a an equal to anyone else.  We will all be different in accomplishments and what we achieve but more important we will all have achieved equality.

Without successfully following this equation it really makes no difference what you achieve, you are not an equal to those who have followed the formula regardless of their place in life.

YOU AND I WILL DECIDE WHAT KIND OF NATION THIS IS

Much has been written and discussed recently about whether or not we are a Christian nation. A large number of Christians are offended and shocked because the President supposedly said we are not. I agree with Dr. Ben Carson, it is not for the President to say but for the people of this country to make that determination themselves. If we really are, it is up to each individual to claim their grace given right themselves and to act in the way the Bible instructs us. The thing that disturbs me about this is the fact we seemed to expect someone else to define us and not take that responsibility upon ourselves.

Why do we feel the need to have someone post the Ten Commandments on a courtroom wall or have someone pray in our public schools. I can't help but think about the old saying that says, 'going to church no more makes you a Christian that standing in a garage makes you a car'. Christianity is personal. Christ told us to 'take up our cross and follow him', nothing was said about getting in line with others and following the crowd.

It's great to be a part of a fellowship of Christians and God does work where two or three are gathered together in his name but the bottom line is the personal relationship each person has with their creator. If that relationship is what it should be, it is fed by the Word, nurtured in fellowship with others and spread one by one to everyone we come in contact with.

Whether or not we are a Christian nation is not determined by what someone tells us or what we write on our public buildings. We are a Christian nation because of our people know and follow Christ. No one can tell us what we are, it us up to us to live our lives as we know Christ wanted, to spread the benefits we receive from our relationship with him to others and to own the responsibility of building his kingdom one person at a time, until each knows himself or herself we are a Christian nation once more.