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ISAIAH 61:10.11 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord My soul shall be joyful in my God he hath clothed me in the garments of salvation; he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels For the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations
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OPPORTUNITY It has been written that Chinese write the word "Crisis" with two characters. One character means "danger," while the other means "opportunity".Together they spell "crisis." So, then, in every circumstances and every happening of our lives we discover these three particulars: Danger, opportunity, crisis. Danger lies in our apathy or fear of our present situation or what may lie ahead. Opportunity lies in our willingness to do what we can, knowing that our actions will ultimately change our circumstances. Every event occurring in our lives may lead to a crisis or problem to be solved. Crisis, danger, opportunity But the greatest of these is...opportunity. To Live Again "Belief in a future life," wrote Landor, "is the appetite of reason." And so men hunger, and so men thirst. And who among the goodness of life feign from desiring more? So this is what the resurrection is all about. To rise again. To give hope of life after life. Only the unreasonable and the illogical would stoop to say, "This is the end, there is no more." To live again is not a question, but our victory song. For surely, as the Lord liveth...so shall we. FREEDOM TO CHOSE 606 Over the past two decades, many writers and politicians have advocated and secured passage of certain "right to work" laws. I agree with some of these writers that these laws should not be labeled "right to work." In reality, they really ought to be labeled "Freedom to Choose" laws. I think a man who procures a job should have as much right to refuse to join a union as he does to join one. Any freedom less than that, is indeed... less freedom. The Constitution guarantees us the pursuit of happiness... with or without the aid of any organization, regardless of how well-intentioned their aims, if we so choose to ignore their summons. As Americans, we should be willing to defend every man's "Freedom to Choose." LIFE'S SO SHORT 609 All men are alike And yet are different still Some have found a way While others find a will Let us not disparage The talents of each other But rather esteem God's children As our sister and our brother Some may build with tools Their mansions in the sky While others may dream of them Like you and I Life's so short Let's not cut each other down Let our words ring with laughter And banish every frown (First published April 3, 1979) THE POX AWARD 603 The demon instigators of virulent diseases have officially declared March, 1979 as "Chicken Pox Month" at our home. As recent recipients of the "Pox of the Mouth" award, our family feels dubiously, but undoubtedly, humbled on this auspicious occasion. Mathew, Billy and Heather each qualified for the "Don't Scratch You Scab Award." Only Tammy, our oldest daughter, failed to receive one of these awards, although she did receive one many years ago. (Tammy informs us that she is more than happy to forego any of these honors this time around.) Donna and I also received the prestigous "Dutiful Symptomatic Reactions to the Pox While Under Stress and Strain" award. While painful and trying, this experiences has Donna and I also received the prestigious "Dutiful Symptomatic Reactions to the Pox While Under Stress and Strain" award. While painful and trying, this experiences has and had its blessings, while teaching us spiritual lessons, and has drawn us closer together as a family. G FOR RECESS 602 Our youngest son, Mathew (age 7), came home recently with his latest report card... "Daddy, you owe me two-fifty." "Two-fifty!!! What for?" "My ten G's." "Ten?... I thought you said nine a little while ago. That would only be twenty-five." "No, it was ten! I got a G in Language, G- in Arithmetic, G in Recess..." "Recess... What do you mean Recess..." I'm not giving you any quarter for a G in Recess. You must be mistaken, you'd better check on that. I think you made a mistake." (Matt leaves and returns with report card in hand and a smile on his face.) "It wasn't for recess, it was for physical education." "Oh, Okay... What are you going to buy with your money?" "A pocket knife." "What!!!... (here we go again!)" (First published on April 3, 1979) WE'RE INDEED INDEBTED 601 According to New York Congressmen, Jack Kemp, the problem today is that "We tax work, employment, output, production, savings, capitalism, success and entrepreneurship; while at the same time, we subsidize non-work, unemployment,welfare, debt, borrowing, consumption and mediocrity. And, we are getting much more of the latter than the former." Perhaps no where in the world is there a larger trove of mediocrity to be found than in the halls of our beloved, inept Congress. Never in the history of the United States have so many been indebted by so few. O Lord, Please deliver us from this government that continually overtaxes us while under- representing us. (First published on April 1,1979) TIME REALLY FLIES 524 Unless you are a teacher, a student or a parent, you may not have noticed, but summer is over, again. Last June, we watched summer time gracefully take flight and lift, soaringly through the air. We know it had a departure point, but were never able to precisely pin down where it landed. We suspect that as time flies, summer landed on the runway of the past, at terminal of all to soon, and gently slid into the hanger named memories. In the next twelve months our children will be another year older. And as for us, well, you know, time really flies. (First published on September 10. 1978, with revisions on September 8, 2019) ISAIAH 61:6,9 But, ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord Men shall call you the ministers of our God Ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall thou boast thyself And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles and their offspring among the people All that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed |
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