Blog Archives

THE AMERICAN DREAM (1976)

7/26/2013

                                        THE AMERICAN DREAM

                         Occasionally, we talk with some of our colleagues,
                         and in so many words, they insist that for them,
                      "the American Dream has died."

                      At this point in the conversation I always like them
                         to define their terms and detail their meanings.
                         Because, for as we are concerned us, the American
                         Dream is very much alive.

                        Oh yes, America gets a fever once in awhile...
                         But most of us do what most of us do  when diseases
                         and corruption enter our bodies.

                         Then we seek to clean out our system or take some
                         bad-tasting medicine or even get a few shots in our
                       posterior.
                         Now, as anyone who really enjoys living can tell you,
                         it is better to be sick three or four times a year, than
                         than to be dead once.

                         And, oh the recovery. The recovery is such a wonderful
                         thing...Rededication to higher truths, to greater purposes,
                        and nobler ends enter our thoughts and way of life.

                         The American Dream is very much alive in us and in our
                         children and it shall continue to be for as long as each
   generation  is willing to pass that dream along.

God bless America!

(Written on July 26,1976)
(Last line added on February 18, 2019)

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COUNTING SNOWBALLS

7/23/2013

            COUNTING SNOWBALLS

                      Back during June as the temperature reached 100F,
there I was again, trying to go to sleep. Couldn't do it.
I even tried counting snowballs. But, sleep wouldn't come,                                               So I just laid there and after a while these thoughts came
                       to mind...
                                                Hold On
                                                Catch Fire
Press Forward
I pass these thoughts on to you, perhaps they shall be
of some benefit.

IF OUR HEARTS ARE RIGHT WITH GOD

7/19/2013

IF OUR HEARTS ARE RIGHT WITH GOD

Wrote Charles Sorley..."The gates are open
on the road that leads to beauty and to God."

No walls, no matter how thick
No fences, no matter how tall
No guards, no matter how many
Can keep us encumbered or bound
If our hearts are right with God

If our hearts are right with God
Those walls become windows
Those fences become rose trellises
Those guards become our friends
For no chains may fetter
The upward bound soul
And God's gates are always open
To all those who would enter in

TOLL FREE

7/19/2013

TOLL FREE

Many years ago, during the 4th of July festivities,
we visited Richmond and Williamsburg. And, while
getting some advice on travel routes and directions,
we were given specific advice on how to miss a certain
toll road. We thanked our benefactor for his travel advice
and sped on our way...toll free.

We suspect, however, at least from all travelling we've
done, that every road of life we travel...is a toll road.
Oh, some toll roads are cheaper than others. But in
God's transit system, we get pretty much what we pay for.

Like state highway tolls, some of life's tolls are exacted
from us sooner than others, and after travelling a short
distance.
For instance, the wrong word said at the wrong time
to the wrong person could mete out an immediate
punch in the nose.

Other tolls are collected after travelling for several
miles without seeing a toll booth. But, it is evident
to those of us who have lived a long time that before
our lives are o're, the toll will have to be paid, often
at an exacting price.

Emphysema, lung problems, and cancers of various
kinds are often produced from years of habitually
taking into our bodies substances alien to our good health.

And perhaps when life's journey is over we shall discover
some of life's tolls were worth the price.

THE SIMPLE LIFE

7/19/2013

THE SIMPLE LIFE

"I am bound to praise the simple life," wrote
John Burroughs, "because I have lived it and
found it good."

To live in the country. To bask in the sun.
To not feel pressured or pushed.
To walk quietly and gently down country roads.
To notice the zig-zagging of a butterfly.
To watch a dog roll in the grass under a shade tree.
  To watch tree branches sway and saunter in the breeze
as an occasional leaf hesitatingly makes its way to the ground.
  To watch a garden grow. To plant just a few seeds and watch
God multiply and give the increase.
To be at peace with one's self and all of nature's creatures.
  For theses experiences and many more left unwritten,
we too, are "bound to praise the simple life."

(First published on July 19. 2013)

A SHORT SEASON

7/13/2013

A SHORT SEASON

For most teachers and students,
summertime is a short season.
But, for many mothers and fathers,
summer is a long, drawn out time.

As with most happenings or events
in our lives, the seasons are short or
long depending upon our own personal
experiences or points of view during any
particular season.

For our grandchildren, the time for swimming,
playing around, the house, picnicking, and taking
trips is over all too soon.
For many moms, the summer has not gone by
fast enough.What hair they have not pulled out
has seemingly turned into a frazzled gray.

Every season has its delights and disadvantages.
But, given enough time, the seasons do change.
Our children and grandchildren continue to grow.
Looking back, the years seem to have flown by.
And, sooner or later all of us discover that life itself...
is a short season.

WE HEAR AMERICA SINGING

7/13/2013

WE HEAR AMERICA SINGING

We hear America singing...
  Songs of grateful hearts
Melodies of good cheer
Hymns of faith and hope
Tunes of patriotism dear

  We watch America working...
To add another log
To the fire of liberty
To light men's way
To set the captives free

We witness America praying...
For a return to our forefathers' faith
For more trust in God that's true
For more reliance on His Spirit
For His grace to see us though

America, America
  Every mountain rings with laughter
Every forest sings songs of kindness sown
Every valley echoes praises joyously
Every flower of the field whispers...
Your deeds are know
Your deeds are know.

BECOME A BLESSING

7/13/2013

BECOME A BLESSING

We have never known anyone who, having
received at least one blessing from the Lord,
was not desirous of receiving another one.

The problems which confront us are often
staggering and depressing. But, God's answers
to these difficulties are often awesome, promising,
and powerful.

In time of sickness, financial distress, marital
disenchantment, or dozens of other problem areas,
how may we receive the blessings that we need?

The solution has recently crossed our mind...if you
would receive a blessing, become a blessing.
Don't expect those whom you bless to immediately
return your blessing. Instead, come to see God as
the fount of all your blessings.

Be willing to expect God's blessings, often. Be assured
that God is the creator of the law of blessings, just as
surely as he is the creator of the law of gravity. And he
truly desires to bless his children.

The Lord's law of blessing is unchanging and eternal.
To receive a blessing...become a blessing

6 BITS

7/9/2013

6 BITS

With my birthday now past, just a few weeks ago
(in June), I passed one those mileposts that come
to those who live long enough to pass it.

I can now calculate my true worth by using my age
and monetary terminolgy. That is to say, I am now
worth six bits. I would like to think that I am worth
more, but I suspect I would be exaggerating.

Morally speaking, for the major portion of my life,
I was not worth a half a bit. My redeeming years
have only occurred as I have taken on the guise
of a senior citizen, specifically, in the form of a
Gramps.

With twelve grandchildren, my wife, Donna and
I have experienced the grandeur and blessings
of grandparenting. And I have been given a second
chance to do all those good and right things I wish
I had done the first go round with my four children.

God has been merciful to me and let me live long
enough to add some redeeming qualities to my 6 bits
life. And I am grateful. Grateful, indeed.

4TH OF JULY (1976)

7/4/2013

                                    4TH OF JULY (1976)

                       Dear Tammy, Billy, Matt, and Heather,
                        Well, kids, today's our 200th birthday.
                        Ain't it grand? Hope you enjoy the day.

                       We realize you're kind of young to fully
                        understand the importance of this day...
                        but then, most of us don't.
                        1766 seems so long ago. In fact, it is
                      difficult for most us to even remember.
                        World War II, Korea, or Viet Nam.

                       Just as many a mother has given her life
                        to bear a child...Even so, many a son and
                        daughter have given their lives to give birth
                        to this nation, and to sustain her life through
                        the years.

                        Every ten dollar word in the book will be used
                       this year to describe and extol the virtues of
                        this great country, America. We shall leave
                      you with just one word...one of the most
                      common and most used...FREEDOM.
                       America has given you that legacy. May you
                       always preserve it and cherish it.
                        Love,
                       Mommy and Daddy.