Sweet Success

I'm done. I've finished my physical therapy with success. I have taken physical therapy off and on most of my life, but I think I got more out of it this time. I achieved my goal. I wanted to be able to walk at least in the house, and I can do that now.

I can't walk long distances, but this will help a lot if I can just walk a little each day to keep my legs and muscles strong.

The therapists at the hospital were really good. They let me help set the goals and then they pushed me to reach the goals. It was hard work, and I think we were all happily surprised with the results. When I started four months ago, we weren't even sure if I would be able to walk because of how my ankle turned in. The leg braces have helped correct that.

I consider this a real miracle! After all, I hadn't walked in more than a year. I've had a lot of people praying for me, and I know that made a difference. Prayer works!

I don't know where I'll go from here, but I believe anything is possible. The more I walk, the stronger I'll become and the farther I'll be able to go.

Life is that way, too. The longer we walk with God, the stronger we become and the farther we'll go in life. When trials come, we'll be able to face them because we're walking in the strength of the Lord. God is an ever-present help, and He won't let us face anything we can't handle.

And God gives us the desires of our heart. If we remain true to Him, there's no limits to where we can go and what we can achieve. I've come a long way -- physically and spiritually -- in this year of 2010. Now, I'm looking forward to the new year and wondering where I'll be a year from now. I believe it's going to be great and can't wait to see what God does in 2011.

Christmas Blessings

Another Christmas has come and gone. I had a great time with my family. When I was working, I usually had only one day off, so it was good to get to spend more time with my family this year.

We went to my sister's on Christmas Eve. She lives on a farm north of town, and they have a lot of animals at their place. They even have a miniature donkey, named Jefferson Davis, that follows my sister around! My sister tried to give me one of her cats to bring home, but I didn't take it. Maybe some day I'll take one but not right now.

I got a wild ride getting into their house in the country. It has several steps leading up to the porch, and they decided to "bump" me up the steps in a wheelchair. I guess I am a little heavier -- or a lot heavier, actually -- than they thought. It was a fun ride for me but took quite an effort on their part.

We had a big meal and opened our presents. The only thing missing was my niece, who spent Christmas on the beach in Florida! She was married in July, and this was their first Christmas away. We missed you, Michelle and Nick!

The feeding frenzy continued on Christmas Day at my aunt and uncle's house. We always gather over there for a really big meal. I look forward to the food all week, especially my aunt's dressing. It's the best! And I get to see cousins that I don't see very often, although one cousin wasn't there this year.

I had an easier time getting into their house. My uncle has built a specially-made ramp, so I can ride my scooter right into the house. It worked great, and I appreciated the effort he made to build it.

It was a good Christmas. Really good. The presents are nice and the food is always great. But, to me, the best blessing of Christmas is being with family. It's great when we can all get together to celebrate this special time of year and the birth of the savior!

Truth and Consequences

Well, I did it again. I stirred up a hornet's nest when I posted a comment on my Facebook page about my disdain over the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which will allow gays to serve openly in the military.

Some of my Facebook friends agreed with my opinion. Others certainly did not agree, and they let me know. Here's what I posted:

"Homosexuals will be allowed to serve openly in the military after Obama signs the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Obama says this is the ideals the military defends. Lieberman says it's the best day in his career. God says all nations who forget God will be turned into hell. What a sad day when the president and Congress vote for God's wrath!!"

I didn't post it to be mean. That's my opinion based on my understanding of the Scriptures. I believe homosexuality is a sin and that it really is sad that our country, a Christian nation, is trying to normalize this sin.

One dissenter to my opinion posted that God knew us before we were born, and He made us as we are. True, God did know us while we were still in the womb. (That's why abortion is murder, but that's a discussion for another day.) God knew us before we were born, and He knew we would need a savior because we are all born as sinners. That's why we have to be born again. We have to die to our sin nature and take on new life.

God had every day of our lives planned before one of them took place. But we have to choose to follow His plan for our lives. He gives us free will, and we can choose to go our own way, outside the will of God. It's our choice.

We all fight this fight against sin. I battle with my sin nature every day, Every day, I have to choose to count myself dead to sin and alive to new life in Jesus. I have to tell you that I fail more times than I care to admit. I have to ask for forgiveness, pick myself up and go on. It's not easy. It never will be. Even as Christians, we have to reckon with the enslaving power of our sinful nature as long as we live -- until "the redemption of our bodies."

I don't think it was a coincidence that my Bible study this week was in Romans chapters 6-8, where Paul writes about struggling with sin and becoming slaves to righteousness. I needed to hear that this week as I struggle with issues in my own life.

This part really spoke to me in Romans 7:21-24. Paul wrote: "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"

We don't have to fight alone, though. In fact, we can't win this battle in our own power. We can never be good enough to earn our salvation. But as Paul wrote in the next verse: Because of what Jesus did when He came to earth to redeem us, we can overcome the power of sin in our lives.

Romans Chapter 8 then says if we are led by the Spirit instead of the sinful nature, we can live a holy life free from sin. If you are struggling with a sin issue, read Romans 6-8. It can help you. It helps me. That's why I keep going back to it.

I wasn't trying to condemn anyone with my Facebook comment. I look at what Romans Chapter 1 says about same-sex relations. It calls them sin. So I wonder how anyone could ignore this plain declaration from God's Word. We all fall short, but we should be striving to live up to God's holy standard. Our goal is heaven. Don't let the consequences of sin keep you from reaching it. Follow the truth. Be there!

Naughty and Nice

He's making a list. Checking it twice... As I look back on this year, I've come up with my own list of Naughty and Nice. Here's a light-hearted look at my top three Naughty and Nice people or groups of 2010:

Number 3: The ladies of "The View." This gaggle of gossips has bad-mouthed conservatives like Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol, Glenn Beck and others. Most recently, these loudmouths attacked soon-to-be House Speaker John Boehner for being "too emotional." Boehner got emotional during a speech on election night and during an interview on "60 Minutes." The 'View' ladies said it made him look weak. Not nice, ladies! I think it made Boehner look more real.

Number 2: The TSA airport screeners. By grabbing and groping airline passengers, the TSA screeners violated privacy rights. Not all screeners are bad, but some took the pat-downs way too far, earning them a spot on the Naughty list. The screeners could have at least bought passengers a drink before groping them!

And Number 1: Naughty Nancy. Who else could top this year's Naughty list but Nancy Pelosi! Even after her party suffered massive losses on Election Day, Nancy refuses to face reality. She continues to push her Socialist agenda and spend, spend, spend taxpayers' money. The election is over, Nancy. The people have spoken, and your party lost!

Now, for the Nice list. Number 3: The Tea Party. This group of patriots stood up for what's right and made a difference in November's elections. They led the way for Republicans to take back control of the House. The Tea Party has proved that it is a force to be reckoned with and will be a major player in the 2012 election.

Number 2: Glenn Beck. Even though he is controversial at times, Glenn Beck has earned my respect by promoting Christian values on his radio and TV shows. He often bases his shows on the themes of faith, hope and charity. And he encourages viewers to pray for the country. How often do you hear that on cable TV? Glenn is a true patriot and a great American.

And Number 1 on the Nice list: ME!! Who else? I have been good all year, and I'm sure I'll get a visit from Santa on Christmas Day. It's not easy being good all year, but I think I've done pretty well. No comments, please. (That means you, Karen.)

I hope you are on the Nice list, too. If not, well, there's always next year.

Finish Strong

Remember all those New Year's resolutions we made at the beginning of the year -- the ones we broke by about the third week of January? The end of the year is a good time to look back and see where we've been and where we're going.

It doesn't matter that we may have gotten off track during the year. It only matters that we finish strong. That's true not only about the year. It's true about all of life. No matter how many times we mess up, if we turn back to God, He WILL give us a fresh start. And He will help us persevere so we can finish strong.

Finishing strong is a theme throughout the Bible. It's a lesson we must learn if we are to "run the race with endurance." The Bible compares the Christian life to that of a runner. A runner has to pace himself in a long-distance race, and a Christian must pace himself when trouble comes so he'll be able to finish the race strong.

The apostle Paul is an example of someone who finished strong. At the end of his life when he was in prison for preaching the Gospel, Paul wrote to Timothy, encouraging him to "keep his head in all situations, endure hardship and do the work of the ministry."

Paul never gave up. He persevered. He pressed on despite the hardships he faced throughout his Christian life. By his determination, Paul not only overcame the obstacles but he thrived in the middle of his problems.

I want to be like Paul. The key is not giving up but to persevere. We will face problems in this life, and we may get off track. But the great thing about God is that He is willing to take us back and give us a new start.

Wherever you are in life, God will take you as you are. He will begin to change you from the inside out. So start wherever you are and run to God. Then, just keep running your race. Don't look back and don't quit. If you fall, get back up and keep running. Then, you will be able to finish strong and receive the prize of eternity in heaven.

As this year ends and a new one is about to begin, get ready to run your race like never before. You will win if you run and do not give up. Ready . . . Set . . . GO!!

Sights and Sounds

I love the sights and sounds of the Christmas season. Christmas music is everywhere. It's on the radio. It's heard at church. It's played in the stores. And it seems to put everyone in a festive mood (unless you're stuck in a long line at the checkout).

I like the traditional Christmas carols that I've heard all my life -- songs like "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night." These songs remind me of the true meaning of Christmas, and it's good to hear them every year at Christmas. I also like all the fun songs associated with Christmas, like "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." And, of course, it's never Christmas until I hear "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" on the radio!

The church that I attended in Amarillo had a Christmas worship service on Sunday, and I went over for the special service. It was a neat experience. The praise team led worship while pictures flashed on screens in the background. It was a powerful time of worship. I enjoyed seeing friends there that I haven't seen in a while.

I also like the lights at Christmastime. I haven't been out yet this year, but I want to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Some people really go all out with the lights. In Amarillo, I loved to drive through the historic Wolflin area of town, where all the big, older homes are. It's really something to see.

I'll have to go exploring and see some of the lights here in Pampa this year. Pampa used to have a big light display at Recreation Park, but it's not there anymore.

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday, but the music and bright lights can make this time of year more special. So take some time this year to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. That's what I plan to do! Merry Christmas!

100

Television shows usually celebrate their 100th episode. It's a milestone when they last that long because many shows don't last. I am marking a milestone today. This is my 100th post on this blog. I actually have written a few more than that, but I deleted a couple of them.

I started this blog nearly a year ago as a way to share my thoughts and opinions. If you've been reading the blog, you know I have LOTS of opinions -- especially about politics!

People say you shouldn't talk about politics or religion, but that's mostly what this blog is about. I love to follow politics, and I'm not shy about saying which side I'm on. I've grown up in a conservative part of the country, so I like to champion conservative causes. One reader told me the blog lets him see a side of me that he's never seen before.

I also write a lot about religion. I like to share my faith with others. I believe we are all called to spread the gospel as part of the Great Commission. This blog is my attempt to share the gospel with someone who may not know Jesus as lord and savior. I don't know who all may read these words, but it's my hope that the blog will encourage and even point others to Christ.

Sometimes, I write about personal experiences I have along life's journey. Lately, I've been writing about my progress in getting back on my feet and being able to walk again. I'm in my last month of this round of physical therapy, and I'm walking farther and farther each week with a walker.

I've had lots of comments about the blog, most of them good. I appreciate everyone who reads it and all the kind words. And I hope you'll keep reading as we go through life's journey together. God bless you all!

The Christmas Spirit

Everyone seems to be getting in the Christmas spirit. But the politically correct crowd would prefer to call it "Holiday" spirit. They would like to take Christ out of Christmas completely. Isn't that ridiculous! Don't they know that without Jesus, there would be no Christmas?

I went to the lighting of the Christmas tree at the courthouse Saturday night. I'm glad that our little town of Pampa hasn't caved in to this political correctness the way many cities have. I'm glad that our town still has a Christmas tree (as puny as the tree may be -- it really isn't very big).

Christmas isn't even about the tree. It's about the birth of Jesus. But, more and more, cities are doing away with Christmas displays for fear of offending someone. Cities are calling it a "Winter" tree or a "Holiday" tree. How stupid!

I understand that some people don't celebrate Christmas. If that's their choice, I respect that. We shouldn't force Christmas on anyone. Nor should anyone try to take Christmas away from us either.

For believers, Christmas is a foundation of our faith. Jesus was born to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. That's definitely something to celebrate! We can't let anyone take that away from us. Even if we have to fight for it, it's worth fighting for.

It's sad that manger scenes and the baby Jesus have disappeared from public Christmas displays. It's sad that children can no longer sing Christmas carols at school. It's sad that there are lawsuits over Christmas trees. But that's what our world has come to.

We can still have the Christmas spirit in our hearts, though. No one can take that from us. So, I say to all of the politically correct wackoes: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

A Day in the Life

Here it is December. Only one month left in the year! People always say that the years go by so fast, and that seems to be true to me, too. This year has gone by especially fast for me.

When I had to stop working, I thought I'd be lost, wondering what to do all day. But I haven't been bored at all. I've found a routine. I have to have a routine. Even when I was working, I followed the same routine. I work much better when things are the same day to day.

I'm a little more flexible now. I'll change my plans if something else comes up. Still, I like my routine. Here's a look at a typical day in my life's journey:

I still get up pretty early, around 7 or 7:30. That's when I like to have my quiet time, where I can pray and read the Bible before I really get the day started. I also have a radio devotional program that I listen to in the mornings. These things all help prepare me for the day.

I have a home-care aide who comes three mornings a week. She gets here at 8:30 or 9. I have my breakfast then while I watch 'Regis and Kelly.' I don't watch much daytime television, but I enjoy that show.

Around 10 or so, I get on the computer. I read e-mails and look at Facebook. That's also when I do my writing, either this blog or work on the monthly newsletter that I coordinate for my church. I'm glad that I have the time to write now. I didn't do much writing when I was working because I was too busy or too tired. So I'm enjoying doing what I've always wanted to do: write.

I have lunch about 1. The aide makes foods that I can just warm up and eat. After lunch, I like to get out of the house for a while. I may go to the store or do errands. Sometimes, I just ride my scooter around in the neighborhood. It helps to get out.

After that, since I've been sitting on my scooter most of the day, I like to stretch out on the bed so I can put my legs up. Sometimes, I have a short nap but mostly I listen to talk radio. I have to have my daily fix of talk radio, you know! I usually get back on the computer again in the afternoons, especially if I have something to work on.

I try to catch the local news at 6. Then, I warm up supper and eat while I watch TV. By this time, I'm usually pretty tired, so I settle in for my nightly double-header on Fox News: 'O'Reilly Factor' and 'Hannity.' This keeps me entertained, and informed, most of the evening. Then, I turn in after the late local news.

So, that's my day. It doesn't sound too exciting, I know, but if I can manage to stay active, spend some time with my family and friends and enjoy the blessings of God, I think it's a pretty good life!

In Light of Eternity

Most people live their lives like they have plenty of time. The younger they are, the more time they assume they have. They think they are invincible. They feel like they will live forever. But that's a dangerous way of thinking.

The truth is, we don't know how much time we will have on this earth. The Bible compares this life to a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes.

How do you want to spend your "vapor" of life? I want my life to count for the glory of God. This may seem like a heavy subject for a blog. But I hope that someone will read this and it will make them think about the brevity of this life and about eternity.

Eternity is an incomprehensible amount of time. One Bible commentator put it this way: "After being in heaven for 4 million years, the trials of this life will seem inconsequential. And for sinners, 4 million years of hell will make the follies of sin seem futile." Just imagine, 4 million years in hell is only a second in time compared to eternity -- an eternity of pain and suffering.

I've heard people say, "When I get old and have done what I wanted, then I'll think about eternity and maybe turn to God." But what if you die before you can make things right with God? After only one second in hell, you'll wish you had lived your life for Him.

Living for God is wonderful. He blesses you in so many ways. And when this life is over, you'll spend eternity in paradise with God. It will be a perfect place with no pain or sorrow.

Are you ready for eternity? Are you where you want to be with God if you knew you were going to die tomorrow? If not, make it right today. We will all spend eternity somewhere. Live your life in light of eternity.

Giving Thanks

We take so much for granted in this world of plenty we live in. God has blessed America in many ways. It is unlike any other nation on earth.

I heard this quote once: “If you have food in your fridge, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75 percent of the world.” I also heard this: “If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and some spare change, you are among the top 8 percent of the world’s wealthy.”

I have many blessings. Here are just a few of the things I am thankful for:

I'm thankful that I'm able to live on my own and be independent. But I'm also thankful that I have people around me who are here to help me when I need it.

I'm thankful for my family, who loves and supports me, My mom and my sister help me in so many ways, and I have aunts, uncles and cousins who all pray for me. It's the greatest family.

I'm thankful for my mobility. I'm grateful that I am now starting to walk with my braces. And I'm thankful that I have my scooter so I can get out and go places. I'm thankful for my truck and lift equipment, even when the lift breaks down. I'm really thankful that I'm still able to get out and do things.

I'm thankful for good friends, including all my cyber friends. Yes, even the liberals on Facebook who harass me about the political comments I post on my page.

Most of all, I'm thankful for Jesus. I'm thankful that He took me just as I was and made me a part of the family of God. I would have no hope if it wasn't for Him. He is my everything.

Count your blessings this Thanksgiving. And remember this final quote: “If you woke up this morning with more health then illness, you are more blessed than many others who will not survive this week.”

Holiday Time

I enjoy this time of year because of all the activities. Even in a small town like Pampa, there's a lot of things going on.

On Saturday, I went to the high school's musical, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." The cast did a great job! The play almost didn't make it onto the stage, though. A couple of weeks ago, vandals broke into the school and damaged a lot of the sets and some costumes. But the community pulled together to rebuild the sets, and the show went on.

That's the great thing about small towns. Everyone comes together to support school activities ... whether it's high school football or the arts program. Go green and gold! The vandals were caught and will likely be spending their holiday in custody.

We went to church Sunday morning and heard a great Thanksgiving message. Then, that night, I went to the communitywide Thanksgiving service.

It was neat to see so many people and ministers from different churches come together to give thanks. The community choir was awesome. I especially enjoyed the bell choir from the Methodist church. And the sermon was great, too.

The service really put me into the holiday spirit. Now, I'm ready for Thanksgiving and all that good food! And just in time for Thanksgiving, cold weather is expected to arrive. That always makes it feel more like the holidays to me.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Patriot

After hearing several interviews recently with former President Bush, I realized how blessed we were to have a man of such dedication and integrity as our president for eight years. He is a true patriot.

President Bush had to make many tough decisions in the days after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. His new book, "Decision Points," talks about what went into those decisions. What impresses me most about Bush is that he based his decisions on the best interests of the country.

He wasn't concerned about what his critics or the media thought. He was only concerned with protecting the country and our interests.

President Bush said one of the toughest decisions he had to make was the decision to go to war. He knew the lives of American soldiers would be put in danger. That weighed heavily on him. He truly cared about the troops and their families, and he still does. It was a tough decision, but it was the right decision. America hasn't had another attack.

I'm glad George Bush was president during that tumultuous time in our nation's history. He is a man of great integrity.

Contrast that with the arrogance and incompetence of Barack Obama. Can you imagine if Obama had been president then? It could have been disastrous for the country. Obama clearly is in over his head now. He doesn't know what he's doing.

Obama doesn't have any leadership experience. He hasn't run a state or even a city. The only thing he knows how to run is his mouth... and he needs a teleprompter to do that. Obama only looks out for himself and his own interests. He doesn't care about what's best for the country.

That's why George W. Bush will go down as one of America's greatest war-time presidents, while Obama will simply be a one-term failure.

Revelation

Right now, radical billionaire George Soros is working to try to establish a new world order. He wants to create a global economy by collapsing the current U.S. system and having a one-world currency. Haven't we heard these terms before? Like in the book of Revelation? The Bible definitely refers to a one-world system in the end times.

These things are certain to happen some day. And if Soros is working right now to put them in place, can they be far off?

Fox News commentator Glenn Beck looked in depth at Soros last week, describing Soros as the "puppet master." Soros is one of the richest and most powerful men in the world, and he is using his power to set things in place for this new world order.

I have read about these things many times in the Bible, and I often wondered how they could happen. It's now becoming clearer how it will actually happen. It's scary when you think about it. But for believers in Jesus Christ, we have nothing to fear.

Glenn Beck is also predicting a big rise in food prices starting next year. He says bread could cost $30 a loaf and coffee could be as much as $75. He says this will happen because of inflation. But the Bible talks about this rise in prices, too. Revelation chapter 6 refers to "a quart of wheat for a day's wages and three quarts of barley for a day's wages."

I think Beck may be on to something. In the Old Testament, God used the prophets to warn the people about the coming judgment. Maybe God is using Glenn Beck to warn us now. Maybe that's the reason Beck is hated and ridiculed by so many, including Soros.

One thing is clear, though. We are on the brink of something big taking place in the world. Change is coming. Just look at the mess the U.S. economy is in and you'll see that something has to change. It's inevitable.

What's not clear is whether believers will still be here when it happens. We may be out of here before then. If the events of the book of Revelation occur chronologically as many people believe, the rapture of the saints is in Chapter 4. That's before the reference to the "quart of wheat for a day's wages" in Chapter 6. So, there's a good chance that the believers will be raptured before this big rise in prices... and before George Soros' plans for a new world order can take place.

That means the rapture could be sooner than any of us believe. That's my interpretation of things anyway. If I'm wrong, well, it will still pay to be ready for the return of Jesus. We should always be ready and watching for that great day.

Winter Finally Arrives

I love the first snow of the season. It's so pretty to watch it coming down, especially the big flakes like we had this morning. The ground temperature is still warm, so the snow is only accumulating on the grassy areas and cars. It's a beautiful blanket on the grass.

I was beginning to think winter was never going to get here. It's been unseasonably warm this fall. It was near 80 degrees earlier this week.

I've always liked snow, despite the hassles it can create. It's fun to play in. I admit I'm a bit of a dare-devil in the snow. I blame my brother-in-law for that. He may not remember this, but when he was dating my sister years ago, he would take Karen and me riding in his big yellow truck on snowy days. He was trying to scare me, I think, and he would do donuts in the snow in empty parking lots. I loved it, though!

And I still love it. I don't do donuts in parking lots... not on purpose anyway. My scooter is a little too low to the ground to go through deep snow, but it does good in light snow like we have today. It can do a few donuts.

I don't like the snow, though, when it leaves you stranded. The first year that I was in Amarillo, we got a big snow right before Thanksgiving. It was a major snowstorm. The newspaper had to pick us all up in the big delivery vans to take us to work for a few days. I was so disappointed because I didn't get to be with my family on Thanksgiving. It was the first time I hadn't been with them on a holiday.

I also got stranded on a roadtrip once. I had driven to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. Mom wasn't with me on this trip. I was by myself on this one. (This was when I was young and still crazy enough to take trips alone.) When I started home, it began to snow. I only got to Flagstaff when I had to stop. It snowed all night, and the interstate was shut down for part of the next day. When the road finally opened, traffic was bumper to bumper for miles. It was quite an experience -- one I know I'll never forget.

With today's snow, it will probably all be melted by tomorrow. I think it's funny how the TV weathermen stand outside in only an inch or two snow and talk about it like it's the biggest blizzard to hit the area in years. Come on, guys! It's just a little snow.

Last winter, we had 29 inches of snow. That was above average for the Panhandle. This year, it is predicted to be a lot less. But I hope we have at least one really big snow this season!

Progress Report

Everyone has been interested in how my physical therapy is going, so here's a progress report. I am finally on my feet and walking with a walker. I have managed to increase my walking distance each time. Now, it's time to practice turning around and walking back.

My therapist said I am making her work way too hard. She is having to come up with new goals for my treatment plan because I've been meeting my goals sooner than she expected. I like that!

Last week, we started something new. I tried riding a stationary bicycle to build muscle strength in my legs. I can't actually get on the bike, so they put a chair behind it and I can sit in the chair and reach the pedals. Pretty clever, huh? It works pretty well.

The toughest thing with the walking is going to be my balance. I've never had very good balance anyway. The walker helps with that some, but we need to keep working on it. All these things just take time.

*****

We went to Amarillo yesterday. I got my braces checked, and Mom had a doctor's appointment. The braces are doing OK, but they wanted to make sure the braces aren't rubbing my legs. Mom's appointment went OK, too, but now she will have to go to another doctor so we continue playing musical doctors.

The worst thing yesterday was the two-hour wait we had at the doctor's office. Mom was the last appointment of the day. She was worried she wasn't going to get back in time for Dancing With The Stars! But we made it just about right, thanks to Karen driving for us.

On A Lighter Note

In my blog post earlier this week, I wrote about the impact of the mid-term elections. Today, I have some not-so-serious satire to share about this week's elections. Hope you enjoy!

Now that Nazi Pelosi will no longer be speaker of the House, she has lined up a part-time job. She is the new chief propagandist on cable's PMSNBC. She will be on the ultra-liberal network one week each month, nagging and complaining about anyone and everyone. In other words, she will just be herself.

Pelosi was so upset over the losses by Democrats that she rushed back to California to get a booster shot of Botox so she can keep that phony smile on her face.

It wasn't all bad news for Dems this week. Congressman Barney Frank was able to hang on to his seat. Barney was so worried about losing his seat that he was in negotiations with PBS to start a new children's program. Apparently, Barney would don a purple suit and team up with the Teletubbies for a show called "The New Barney and (Gay) Friends."

Tea Party candidates had mixed success in the elections. In Kentucky, Rand Paul had a huge victory over his opponent in what's being called a rand-slide. Meanwhile, in Delaware, Christine O'Donnell lost her race. During the campaign, O'Donnell admitted to experimenting with witchcraft in college. In her concession speech Tuesday night, O'Donnell cast a spell on the remaining Democrats in Congress and made them disappear, too.

In California, voters turned down a proposition to legalize marijuana. The same voters re-elected pinhead Barbara Boxer to another term, which just goes to show that the voters were already 'high.' The state will surely 'go to pot' now. Californians also elected a new governor. But outgoing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed: "I'll be baaaaack!"

Fox News had the best and most balanced coverage on election night. MSNBC, on the other hand, wasn't fair or balanced. Watching MSNBC is like watching "The View," except there is no Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Chris Matthews walked off the set each time a Republican picked up another win. The only thing missing was loudmouth Joyless Behar. For the 8 people who actually watch MSNBC, it was quite a night.

OK, now that I have amused myself, I'll end the post here. But, just remember, only 732 days left until Barack Obama is thrown out of office. For me, and for America, it can't come too soon!

An Historic Election

Last night was the Super Bowl of politics. I don't follow sports, but I was glued to the TV all night, listening to the pundits on Fox News bloviate on how the change in the balance of power will affect America. Most of them think the GOP victories will be good for the country. I agree, but I have my own opinions.

It's definitely a step in the right direction. Now, if Republicans want to make this a truly historic election, they'll go to work and put this country back on the right course. The GOP picked up 63 seats in the House. Let's hope they can use them to stop Obama's Socialist agenda.

I am happy with the results of the election, but I wanted it to go further. I wanted Republicans to gain control of the House and the Senate. I especially wanted Dirty Harry Reid to lose the race in Nevada!! He managed to squeak by and hold onto his seat.

It might actually be good that power in Congress is split between Democrats and Republicans. It's good to have that balance, but it's sure to create a lot of gridlock over the next two years. Don't expect to see Congress get a lot accomplished in the next two years. But if Republicans can just block Obama's radical leftist agenda, that will be something.

Will this election cause Obama to change his course? Probably not. But it sure will knock him off his high horse. He has fallen a long ways in two short years, and he is destined to be a one-term president.

When it comes to social issues like abortion and gay marriage, Republicans have taken the right stand. But when it comes to job creation and cutting the deficit, will the Republicans do any better than the Democrats have done? Or will it be more of the same? That remains to be seen, but I am hopeful that the Republicans can make a difference.

Frankly, we shouldn't put our hope in Republicans or Democrats. Our hope should ultimately be in the Lord. We should put our trust in Him and look to Him to lead our country in the right direction. We can do our part and pray for the leaders in power. But it's God who has the real power to determine the final outcome.

May God continue to bless America!

One Small Step . . .

I'm excited. Yesterday, for the first time, I WALKED across my living room with my new leg braces and the walker. The living room isn't very large, so it wasn't a long distance. But when you consider that I haven't been able to walk at all in more than a year, it was a milestone for me.

I placed a chair at each end of the room and then I just went for it. It wasn't exactly easy, but I did it. I had to rest each time before I made my way back across the room. I did this a couple of times during the day yesterday. It felt good.

The braces make quite a difference in keeping my ankles from turning in and steadying me when I walk. Now, I know that I can do it and will keep working to get stronger.

We will be working on endurance now in my physical therapy sessions twice a week until I can walk farther and farther. The therapists seem to be pleased with my progress. I've only been going for about two months, so they tell me that I've made a lot of progress in a short time.

To me, this is a miracle. I couldn't have made it this far without God's help! There has been a lot of people praying for me, and I can tell you that prayer works! I'm thankful to everyone who has been praying.

To those who don't believe in miracles, I would say you better think again. I've had many miracles in my life, and I'm living proof that God is still in the miracle business.

I thank God for what He has done for me, and I give Him the praise for it!

The Greater Good

I hear people often say, "Things didn't go as I had planned." With man, our plans do go awry many times. But God's plan is sure and forever settled.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Oftentimes, we think we know what's best. We come up with our plan and we set out on our own to make it happen. When things go amiss, we wonder what happened. It is then that we turn to God and ask Him to show us the right way to go. It would be better for us if we went to God first.

God sees the big picture. He knows the end from the beginning. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.

I think about the story of Lazarus in the Bible. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Jesus knew what the ultimate outcome would be. After He said this, Jesus waited two days before he went to the town where Lazarus lived.

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus already had been in the tomb for four days. When Mary went out to meet Jesus, she said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Mary couldn't see the big picture. She only knew that her brother had died. Jesus was then able to do a greater work when He raised Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus delayed going to the family he loved in order to strengthen the faith of that family and His disciples and to perform for them a greater good. His delay was for the ultimate eternal good of the believers.

Too often, we focus on our own plans and fail to look for the greater good. It wasn't in my plan to have these struggles with my walking. But I know that God, in His plan for my life, has a miracle for me! In the end, it is all for His glory.

Facebook Frenzy

I am amazed by the Facebook frenzy that has swept the country in the last few years. Everyone is on Facebook or so it seems. I was slow to get on board at first. When a friend sent me an invitation to join about two years ago, I didn't really know what it was all about. Now, I'm addicted to it!

On my birthday this week, I received 75 to 100 birthday wishes on my Facebook wall. I heard from old friends and new friends, former co-workers and friends from church. I even heard from my very first pastor, who came to the hospital when I was born. He likes to joke that he was there when "Christopher discovered America."

It's fun to hear from so many friends. Right now, I have about 380 Facebook friends on my page. I didn't think I even knew that many people! And the number keeps growing. Every few days or so, I hear from another friend from my past.

For me, Facebook is a good way to communicate with friends. I don't like to talk on the phone because people can't understand me sometimes. But Facebook lets me talk and interact in a whole new way. I can shoot the bull with the best of them now.

When it comes right down to it, Facebook is a whole lot of talking about nothing. But that's what makes it fun. I like to insert my political comments. Some people love to read them. Others hate them. It's also a place where you can post a Bible verse or a word of encouragement. You never know who might really need to read it.

It's not just a social network for young people. Older folks are joining in, too. I still can't get my mom to join, but maybe some day she will. If you're not one of my Facebook friends, look me up. I'll be glad to add you. You can never have too many friends, even on Facebook!

42

Another year has passed. I turned 42 today. The years go by so fast. I remember two years ago when my family gave me that over-the-hill turning 40 party. I didn't dread turning 40 the way some people do. After all, it's just another number. I have learned to take one day at a time and trust in the Lord each day.

The past year has brought a lot of changes to my life. It was just after my last birthday when I officially quit my job at the newspaper. That was in November. Then, in February, I left Amarillo -- where I had lived for 17 years -- and moved back to my hometown.

Coming back to Pampa was a big change, but I have adjusted well. I am near my family. I'm happy. And things are going well.

I have a home health-care aide who comes to help me several mornings a week. She's great. She said that before she started working for me she was worried that I would always be sad or depressed. She wasn't sure she wanted to take the job. She did, though, and said she was surprised by how cheerful I am every morning.

I have no reason to be sad. Life is not depressing to me because my hope is in the Lord. HE gives me joy each day.

The key to happiness is placing your hope in God. The apostle Paul said he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I learned to be happy and content when I came to realize that God has given me in my present circumstances everything I need to be victorious in Him. My circumstances did not take God by surprise. He knew I would come to this place in life, and He has everything I need to live a happy, fulfilled life.

Learning to live triumphantly over changing situations comes from Christ's power living in us. This doesn't come naturally. It only comes through total dependence on Christ. He is my strength, and "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13)!

Keeping The Faith

You've heard the saying: "Where there's a will, there's a way." I've even said it myself. But I think a more accurate saying is: "Where there's FAITH, there's a way." That's what the Bible says in Mark 9:23. It says, "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Faith is the key to all of God's promises. We couldn't even be saved without faith. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8).

All through the Bible, it describes faith as the way to receive whatever we need from God. It takes our action of believing to receive God's promises. We must believe in our heart and not doubt.

When I started physical therapy last month, it seemed like such a long shot that I would be able to walk again. The therapist honestly said she didn't know if I'd be able to do it. But we went ahead and started treatments. I believed that I would do it. Now, we are starting to see signs of progress. It's small signs, but it's progress and the same therapist says I probably will walk if I get braces to support my ankles.

That's the next step. I have an appointment this week to see what kind of braces I will need. The braces will help keep my ankles from turning in when I walk. They should also give me added support. We were concerned that my balance might cause me to fall more easily. Hopefully, though, the braces will make me steadier on my week.

Last week, I surprised the therapist when I was able to pull myself up off of the floor and get back in my chair. It was an exercise to see if I could get up by myself if I did fall. I did it! It surprised me, too, because I couldn't do it three months ago. It showed that I am getting stronger.

I just have to keep believing that I will walk. Anything is possible if I keep believing.

As it says in Matthew 17:20, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Blast From The Past

It was classic. Classic country, that is. Country music legend Don Williams was in Amarillo this week, and I went to the concert. I have missed going to concerts since I moved from Amarillo. I waited all year for that one special concert to come to town so I could go back, and this was it. It was definitely worth making the trip.

Don Williams is one of my all-time favorite country singers. He's not much of a conversationalist on stage, and his shows don't have all the flashy lights and glitz that most concerts have these days. But he brought back some of the good ol' oldies, which are favorites of people of all ages.

Isn't it funny how the words of songs instantly come back to our mind when a song starts, even if we haven't heard the song in years? That's the way it was at this concert. People were singing along with these great old songs by Don Williams.

Local musician Andy Chase opened the show. He was great, too. He does a lot of fun songs, like "Home Grown Tomatoes" and my favorite Andy Chase song, "Portales Alice." He had the crowd pumped when Don took the stage.

I went over a little early and had dinner at Cracker Barrel. That's another thing I miss about Amarillo: the restaurants. I met up with my cousin and a couple of old friends at the restaurant. Then, I saw some other friends at the concert. That was an added bonus to an already great night!

Mom worried about me being on the highway alone at night. I keep telling her that cars have these new-fangled things on them called headlights. I actually like driving at night. Besides, I'm not really alone. God is with me.

It was a fun night. The next day, I dug out some of my old Don Williams tapes and started playing them. I have several boxes of old cassette tapes. Remember cassettes? Besides Don Williams, I found my tapes by the Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and other country legends, and I've been enjoying hearing them again. So thanks for the memories, Don!

Easy Living

I learned a long time ago that there's no such thing as easy living, but there are ways to make living easier. I went to an Independent Living seminar last week, where they gave tips to help older people and people with disabilities. It was interesting. I picked up several good ideas.

Three speakers gave presentations to show us ways to make daily living chores a little easier. The first speaker had a table full of products and gadgets for making housework simpler. He showed some bowls that have a non-skid surface on the bottom to keep the dish from sliding around when you're eating. I already use something similar to that. I have non-skid placemats that keep any dish from sliding.

I saw one gadget that I could use. It's a device that you attach to a lamp, so the lamp turns on and off by touch. These are not new, but I hadn't thought about getting one before. I went to Wal-Mart and got one, and it has made it easier for me to turn on the lamp beside my bed, especially at night.

Another speaker demonstrated the safe way to transfer from a wheelchair or scooter to the car. She said you should never grab onto the car door to pull yourself up. The door could swing back and cause you to fall. From a safety point, that's probably good advice. But in the heat of the moment when you're trying to get yourself into that car, trust me, you'll grab onto anything you can!

I admit I use the door to pull myself up. But my scooter is positioned up against the door, so the door can't swing back on me. I've tried other ways to transfer, but using the door to pull up works best for me. Sometimes, you just have to do what works best for you. That's what I tell my physical therapists. They say I scare them when I get on and off of my scooter. But, hey, it works for me.

The speakers had a lot of helpful hints, and I learned some things at the seminar. I'm glad there are gadgets out there to make things easier.

But even if these things weren't available, I know I can count on God to help me. HE is my ever-present help. I call on Him many times throughout the day, and He always comes to my aid. I couldn't make it one day without Him. I'll use all the gadgets, but my trust will remain in the Lord.

The Hollywood Connection

Pampa may soon become a popular destination for celebrities. A company is buying the old junior high school and plans to open a substance abuse recovery center. Could Lindsay and Paris show up on our doorstep? Could be... if they don't kick their drug habits.

Some people in the neighborhood around the school opposed the sale. They said if the treatment center opens it will cause their property values to drop. They also worry about safety in the area.

I think it is a good thing for Pampa. The school district was very lucky to sell that property so quickly. The new junior high just opened last month. I figured the old building would be left sitting empty for years, which would be bad for the neighborhood. Pampa has enough empty buildings.

My mom lives within walking distance of the campus. I walked home from school sometimes when I went to that school. (Hard to believe now that I used to be able to walk that distance.)

I don't think the rehab center will pose a safety problem. It's not a court-sponsored program, so it's not like there's going to be criminals. People will have to pay to get treatment there, and it's probably pretty expensive. So the people who check in there have to want to be there and want help.

The company plans to make major renovations. The designs call for a pond and lots of trees, and the property will have a fence around it. If anything, it should improve the look of the neighborhood.

I wonder if any celebrities really will come here for rehab. I doubt it. But who knows? Pampa could become home to the next Betty Ford Clinic.

*****

Speaking of celebrities, this weekend is Woody Guthrie Days in Pampa. Believe it or not, Pampa was Guthrie's second home for a while. So the city is trying to cash in on the Guthrie connection. There's a "museum" downtown and lots of Guthrie memorabilia.

My grandmother and aunt actually knew Mr. Guthrie when he stayed here. When my aunt had a diner downtown, Guthrie went there to eat, and he sometimes played his guitar in the diner. He was also somewhat of an artist. He scribbled some pictures on the back of his checks and gave them to my grandmother. I think one of my cousins has the pictures now.

So that's Pampa's connection to Hollywood and the stars. I'm not sure if we should claim Guthrie, though. Guthrie allegedly stole the melody to put with the lyrics he wrote for his famous "This Land is Your Land."

Guthrie was certainly one of Pampa's most colorful characters. And I guess we can be proud of that.

Discover Your Destiny

I heard a sermon on the radio this week that really made me think. The message was: "You can't determine your own destiny; you discover it." And the way to discover your destiny is through a daily walk with God.

God has a destiny for each of us, and it not only affects our own lives but also the lives of many others. He reveals His plan for us as we seek Him and have a daily relationship with Him.

I think about Joseph in the Bible. God showed him his destiny through dreams and visions while Joseph was just a boy. When Joseph was 17, his brothers sold him into slavery and he was taken to Egypt. Joseph could have given up on the dreams, but he didn't. He remained faithful to God. He saw the dreams come true and years later when Joseph became a ruler, he saved his family and the whole country from famine.

Joseph fulfilled his destiny by being faithful, and it changed the world.

When we discover our God-given destiny, we can impact the lives of others, too. It may not be on the same level as Joseph, but our purpose has great significance. If we touched the life of only one person for God, we have accomplished much. And we know that we have the chance to touch the lives of many people every day by sharing our faith.

The sermon I heard showed me that our primary purpose in life is to "know God," and our assignment in life is to "make God known" to others. We fulfill our destiny when we use the gifts and talents God has given us to get to know Him and to make Him known. And as we get to know Him, God will reveal more of His plan and destiny for our lives. He has great things for us if we remain faithful and walk with Him.

Pledge To America

It's a step in the right direction. House Republicans came out with their Pledge To America, a conservative agenda they hope will help them get control of the House in the November mid-term elections. The pledge is a welcome change from the radical ideas of the far left.

This pledge has commonsense ideas and focuses on the conservative values that our country was founded upon. It's a promise to honor families, traditional marriage and life.

You wouldn't think that we would need a pledge to uphold family and marriage in America. But our country has gotten so far out of balance that the Republicans felt they had to draft this document to put the focus back on traditional values.

Like Newt Gingrich's "Contract With America," which helped Republicans take control of the House in 1994, the pledge will help power the GOP back into the majority in just 36 days from now.

As a conservative, I'm excited about the things the pledge stands for. Among other things, the pledge calls for a cut in federal spending to 2008 levels and would require all bills to be posted online three days before votes. Imagine that, lawmakers could actually read a bill before voting on it!

It also is a pledge to repeal Obama's disastrous health-care bill. If Republicans can stop Obama-Care, it would be a huge victory and a major step toward blocking Obama's Socialist agenda and returning power to the people.

With this pledge, Republicans are well on their way to taking back the House. Democrats are in for a rude awakening. I can't wait until Nov. 3 (the day after the election) when we can begin putting the country back on the right track!

Tidbits

Here are a few things that have crossed my mind recently:

With temperatures stuck near 90 degrees this late in September, it makes me wonder if maybe there really is something to this global warming stuff. NOT! I don't care what Al Gore and his learjet liberal cronies say, the earth is not going to melt any time soon. The earth will be around at least another 1,000 years until the end of the millennial reign of Christ when the new heaven and new earth will come down. Still, with Fall arriving this week, I hope it will bring cooler weather.

There's a nationwide move under way for 40 days of prayer. The web site http://www.4040prayer.com/ has the details. Basically, it's calling for people of all denominations to pray for revival and renewal for 40 consecutive days from Sept. 20 to Oct. 29. By clicking on "The Latest News" tab on the web site, it will give you Bible verses and prayer emphasis for each day. Today's prayer focus is Longing for His Word. This is a worthwhile project, and I hope it sparks a new great awakening in America.

Speaking of religion, President Obama and the first family attended church on Sunday for only the fourth time since he took office. He went to a mainstream Episcopal church in Washington. With a recent poll showing that 18 percent of Americans believe Obama is a Muslim, the president apparently was trying to show that he really is a Christian. But, come on, who's he fooling?

Dancing With The Stars kicked off its new season last night. It's my mom's favorite show. I tune in occasionally to check out the "scenery." But do we really need to see 76-year-old Florence Henderson in skimpy outfits? That's better than Cloris Leachman, I guess. And what's up with Bristol Palin? Haven't you embarrassed your mother enough?

I don't watch much network TV since I'm so obsessed with Fox News, but I have become hooked on two shows. "Undercover Boss" follows executives who go undercover within their own companies to find out what happens on the front lines. It's pretty interesting as the bosses are often surprised at what goes on. My other new favorite is ABC's "What Would You Do?" The show has been around a while, but I just found it last season. Using hidden cameras, the show presents various ethical situations to see how people react. It tells a lot about the values of average Americans. Very interesting. Check it out and see how you would react in the same situation.

It's A Start

You have to start somewhere if you're going to get anywhere. It has been a little over a year since I have walked. After a lot of thinking and praying, I decided to go ahead with physical therapy. I've been twice so far. I know it could be a long process, but at least I've made a start toward my goal of walking again.

I've taken physical therapy off and on pretty much my entire life. At times, I think it has helped, but some of the exercises really don't work for me. My hamstring muscles are tight, so the therapists always start off by stretching these muscles. But the muscles will always be tight, partly because my celebral palsy causes me to tighten up when I move to compensate for my weakened balance and coordination.

Still, the therapists insist on trying these stretching exercises. This week, I had two therapists working on me. Besides the regular therapist, there was a student intern. I felt like a lab experiment with both of them pulling on me.

I like them both, though, and they really want to help me walk again. I just get impatient sometimes. I guess I try to rush things. Yesterday, I asked when I could try to take a few steps. They explained that I had to do the exercises first to get my muscles ready to walk because some of the muscles have been dormant for a year now.

I understand and know that's true. They did let me stand up and try to put weight on my legs. It felt pretty good. I was able to stand and hold onto parallel bars. The main thing is going to be trying to keep my ankle from turning over when I walk. I still may need a leg brace. But we're not at that point yet.

At least it's a start. There's a long road ahead, but I know if I do my part, then God is faithful to complete the work. I'm trusting in Him and believe with all my heart that He WILL see me through!

Free Speech vs. Hate Speech

I'm a strong supporter of free speech, but some things should go unsaid. The Florida pastor who had planned to burn copies of the Koran in the name of free speech was dead wrong.

Certainly, the book of the Islamic religion is not a holy book and will lead to the damnation of those who follow it because Jesus is the only way to God. But, to antagonize, provoke, anger those who believe it is a holy book, and stoke the fire is wrong. What possible good can be accomplished by this tactic?

The pastor provoked the ire of many. There were protests across the country and rightfully so. Fortunately, this nutty preacher did not follow through with his plan to burn the Koran. But I wonder: Would there have been that kind of outrage if it had been a Bible? Or would it have been dismissed as an expression of free speech?

Many Christians today are afraid to stand up for God and defend His holy word.

One thing that really stood out to me in all of this is the message of the protesters. They carried signs calling for "Peace" and urging religions to "Co-exist." But the fact is that religions cannot co-exist nor should they.

The Bible instructs us to separate ourselves from the ways of the world. As Christians, we are "in the world but not of the world."

Protesters called for peace. The world is hungry for peace, especially in the Middle East. People are looking for someone who will bring peace and change. That's why voters embraced Obama's message during the 2008 election. He ran on a campaign of hope and change.

That's also the message the anti-Christ will bring when he is revealed in the world. He will promise to bring peace, and many people will be deceived into following him, just as they were deceived by Obama.

Obama is not the anti-Christ. He is in fact a forerunner of the anti-Christ. I do believe the anti-Christ is alive and that it won't be long before he is revealed. The world is ripe for the anti-Christ to come onto the world stage with his message of peace and hope.

I don't plan to be here when that happens. Thankfully, the saints of God will be raptured out just before the anti-Christ comes onto the scene. That alone should motivate us to stay prayed up and watching for Jesus to appear. It won't be long now. Stay alert and watching!

Remembering Sept. 11

Most of us remember where we were on Sept. 11, 2001. I do. It was a day that changed our country and the world.

For me, it started like any other work day. I was listening to the radio that morning when the first tower was hit. When the second tower was hit, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. America was under attack. I just began to pray.

I got to work at the newspaper around noon. Normally, the newsroom was deserted at that time of day. But that day people were standing around a TV set, and work had already started on special coverage in our paper. There would have been even more people in the newsroom but, oddly enough, the paper had laid off several staffers just the day before Sept 11. One of the affected workers said he kept expecting a call that day to come back to help with the special coverage. But no call came.

That day seemed to last forever. It was like everyone was in shock, but we still had to get the paper out. I remember looking at the vivid images as they came across the wires. The newspaper was expanded that day and for several days afterward to cover all aspects of the terrorist attacks.

It was hard to read and edit those stories. As a journalist, I knew it was our duty to report on the largest terrorist attacks in our nation's history and give our readers as much information as possible. But as an American, I kept wondering how something like that could happen in the U.S. and why.

Now, nine years later, I still wonder why. It still seems so senseless, and we are still feeling the effects of Sept. 11 through the war on terrorism. I think about all the troops who have fought in the war and the ones who lost their lives. I think about the families who lost loved ones. We need to remember them today and honor them always. We must never forget.

I love this country, and I'm proud to be an American. This is still the greatest country on earth. And the best thing we can do for our country is to pray for it. Pray and seek God. Then God will hear our prayers and heal our land. God bless America.

Don't Worry, Just Believe

I heard a statistic this week that I found very interesting but not really that surprising. It said that only 8 percent of the things people worry about are legitimate worries. In other words, 92 percent of things that we worry might happen never actually happen. So why worry at all?

I used to worry a lot. I would worry about things at work. I would worry about the future and about getting older. Most of the time, I found that I was worried for nothing.

Jesus said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

If Jesus tells us not to worry or fret, I think we should listen to Him. In Luke 12, He tells us, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."

I like the illustrations Jesus gives us. He says look at the ravens. They have no storeroom or barn. Yet, God feeds them. Then, He tells us to consider how the lilies grow. They don't labor or spin, but "not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."

We are worth more to God than the birds and the flowers. If He takes such good care of them, we certainly should trust Him to take care of us. God knows we have needs, and He is able to meet every need. The Bible says He knows all our needs, even before we tell Him. And He will give us all these things if we come to Him and seek Him first.

So why should we worry about anything? Worry is the opposite of faith. We need to have the faith to simply believe that God will take care of everything in our lives. He wants us to trust Him. So cast all your cares on Him and then let them go and simply believe. God is faithful. He will never let you down when you look to Him in faith.

The Digital Age

I don't read newspapers much anymore. That's quite a change for me after working for a newspaper and having to read the paper every day for nearly 17 years. Newspapers just don't interest me much anymore. I'm still the news junky I've always been, but there are so many other ways to get the news these days.

The Internet has changed the newspaper industry greatly. More and more, newspapers are using the Internet to attract readers and provide more up-to-the-minute news.

The Amarillo Globe-News recently launched its new and expanded Web site. It has some neat new features. It even has profiles of all of the reporters and editors. Most reporters and editors also have blogs on the new site. They didn't have all of that when I worked there.

I think it's a great way to personalize the news. Readers feel like they know the reporters. I like it because I can keep up with some of my friends and former co-workers at the paper.

Amarillo's other newspaper, The Independent, has done away with its print edition altogether and is now just online. The Indy has always been far too liberal for me. But when it's not attacking conservatives or the Globe-News, it does have some good investigative pieces, It's worth a quick look sometimes.

For the truth, though, I usually look to Web sites like World Net Daily and the Drudge Report for news about mainstream issues. And, of course, there's Fox News, which I'm addicted to.

Newspapers still have a place, even in this digital age. But as readership dies off with the older population and the younger generation turns to other forms of media, it will be harder for newspapers to survive. Will newspapers ever go away completely? Some smaller papers might, but I think larger ones will still be around for a long time.

Heavenly Thoughts

I find myself thinking more and more about heaven. Like the popular MercyMe song "I Can Only Imagine," I really can't comprehend in my limited human thinking how wonderful heaven is going to be.

I've always been one who tries to live life to the full, as it says in John 10:10. Sure, life has its share of trials and hardships, but I love life. I want to experience all I can while I'm here. But this is nothing compared to what awaits us on the other side.

As things in the world grow darker and darker, I can't help but think that we must be getting so close to the return of Jesus and the rapture of the saints.

I don't know a lot about biblical prophesy. But I know that the rapture is the next great event on God's calendar. Nothing has to happen before the rapture takes place. The Bible says "as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the return of the Lord." If you look around at the world today, I think we're there. People are going about their business, many without a thought to the return of the Lord.

Some prophesy scholars believe the return of Christ will coincide with the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah. This year, Rosh Hashanah is Sept. 9. That's this Thursday, by the way.

Knowing this, and in light of world events, we would all be wise to examine our lives to make sure we are ready and watching for Jesus' return. No one will want to be left here after He comes to gather His followers.

Whether His return is today, next week or next year, Jesus IS coming. Will you be ready? It's not too late to turn to God, but time is running out. Heaven is a real place, and it's going to be wonderful. Don't miss it. Make sure you're ready!

Call Me Crazy

How can someone so smart be so dumb? In his new book, prominent physicist Stephen Hawking says modern physics leaves no role for God in the creation of the universe. He attributes the creation of the world to "randomness."

Hawking wrote, "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing."

So this whole universe just came out of nothing? How ridiculous is that! I have never understood how anyone could believe in the "big bang" theory or in evolution. It just doesn't make sense.

Think about it. Think about how complex the universe is, with all the stars and planets. There's no way that could "just happen." When I see a spectacular sunrise or sunset, I have no doubt that there's a Creator. When I see a rainbow, I know there is a God. When I think about the complexity of the human body, I'm amazed at how wonderfully God made us.

I feel sorry for people like Hawking. They just don't get it. But one day, they will meet the Creator.

Thankfully, Hawking's new book, "The Grand Design," is already being debunked by Christian groups. Evangelist Ray Comfort, who wrote "You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, but You Can't Make Him Think," said, "it is embarrassingly unscientific to speak of anything creating itself from nothing."

Comfort put it best when he wrote, "Common sense says that if something possessed the ability to create itself from nothing, then that something wasn't nothing, it was something -- a very intelligent creative power of some sort."

If atheists just had a little common sense, they would see how crazy their ridiculous theories are. Instead, they call Christians crazy for believing in God. Well, call me crazy, then. I know there is a God, and He is the Creator of all!

The Seasons of Life

Ahhh. September. It's the start of one of my favorite times of the year. Fall will be here soon, bringing cooler weather and the changing colors on the trees.

After a long, hot summer, I always look forward to fall. I love the crisp air in the mornings. It's already starting to get cooler. Lately, I have been getting up a little earlier and taking a ride around the apartment complex on my scooter. It's really been refreshing. It's a time when I can think and pray before I get my day started.

When fall arrives, it seems like time speeds up. Soon, the holidays are upon us, and before you know it, it's the end of another year. You look back and wonder where the year went.

Life is like that, too. We get so busy living our lives that we forget to stop and enjoy life. If we're not careful, life will pass us by and we'll come to the end of this life and wonder where all the time went.

Like the distinct seasons of the year, we all go through different seasons of life. God gives us an allotted time on Earth. Some have a little more time, some a little less. It's our job to make the most of every season of our lives.

We shouldn't let the little things and the cares of the world distract us. Life is too short. Forget about those little things. In the end, they will all burn up. We were put here for a purpose: To serve the Lord and to point others to Christ.

Since I stopped working last year, I've had more time to concentrate on the things that really matter. I want my life to make a difference. I know God has a purpose for me in this season of my life. So soon this life can be over and I will be faced with the question: Did I make the most of my time and fulfill my purpose here on Earth?

When I get to heaven, I want to hear the words "Well done, my good and faithful servant." How about you?

At Your Beck And Call

Conservative commentator Glenn Beck hosted a rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme of the rally was "Restoring Honor in America."

Beck's message was simple: If America is to remain the greatest nation on Earth, it must return to its roots. That means upholding the Constitution that our forefathers gave us. And it means returning to God. Our country was founded on Christian values and principles, and that's the reason it has prospered all these years.

Today, though, various groups are trying to expel God from America. The country is now in chaos. It is faced with a faltering economy, deteriorating moral values and government corruption. Glenn Beck is right on. Our nation must return to God.

Hundreds of thousands of people turned out at the rally and seemed to embrace Beck's message, but Beck himself came under attack for holding the rally.

The rally was not a political event, but the godless liberals attacked Beck for his commonsense conservative views. Beck was also accused of racism because the rally was held on the anniversary of the famous Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have A Dream" speech and the rally was staged on the National Mall where King marched.

Sadly, some Christian groups even criticized Beck. Beck is a Mormon, and some said he was trying to force his Mormon religion on America.

I don't think he was. I don't know exactly what Mormons believe, but it sounded to me like Beck was just trying to urge people to seek God again. That's the message Americans need to hear, and it's the only thing that can save this country.

As Beck himself has said, he is not a politician, and he's not an evangelist. He is simply a concerned citizen who loves his country. I wish we had more Patriots like Glenn Beck!

Lifelong Learning

I learned a long time ago that being a Christian isn't a one-time decision. It's a lifelong process. There are many bumps along the way, but if we remain faithful until the end, it will all be worth it.

I grew up in church and made a commitment to Christ at a young age. But I didn't know what it really meant to live for Christ until much later in life. I always tried to "be good," but I discovered that's not enough. I could never be "good enough" to earn heaven. I needed God's saving grace.

When I started to really read and study the Bible a few years ago -- I hadn't been reading it regularly -- I saw that I had not been obedient. I was not doing all that God wanted me to do.

I made a new commitment to Christ, and I thought that all my "habits and hang-ups" would just disappear after that and I would be a model Christian. But it wasn't that easy. It was -- and continues to be -- a process.

Some things changed right away; others were a struggle. I was growing as a Christian, but old habits were still pulling me down. Each time I'd fall, I'd have doubts about whether I was really saved. I'd pray and ask God to forgive me, but I still had doubts. That's when I began to learn about faith.

As time went on and I continued to read and study the Bible, I saw that we are saved through grace by faith and not by trying to be good. I began to stand on God's promise in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Sometimes, I can't "see" God moving in my life. But I know He is. I have faith that God will see me through. And when I fall or just totally blow it -- and I still do more times than I care to admit -- I have faith that God will not abandon me.

So this process continues, and God is still pruning me. As I look back and see how far God has brought me and all He has done, I am amazed at His love for me.

Wherever you are in the process -- whether you've been living for God for many years or you're just starting out -- press on. You will receive a great reward if continue to look to Jesus and faint not. Never give up. Keep pressing on!

Radioland

I listen to the radio a lot. When I'm not listening to music or conservative talk radio, I like to listen to radio preachers. But you have to be careful about what you hear and filter out false teachers. There's a lot of wacky teaching -- everything from post-modernism to teaching about the emergent church.

I'm blessed that I can hear my former pastor in Amarillo. His Sunday morning sermon is recorded and played on the radio throughout the week. Billy Nickell is one of the best preachers of the Word that I know. I was blessed to sit under his ministry when I was at college in Canyon and then again when he moved to Amarillo. I'm glad I can stay in touch with my church there and still hear Pastor Nickell preach on the radio.

I like to hear some of the old-time preachers, too. Some of them apparently didn't have much schooling. There's one old guy who always says, "Is ya borned again, friend? Is ya, is ya?" Well, thank God, I is!

There's another preacher that I hear a lot on the radio. I like him because he is bold in speaking the truth without all the political correctness that has invaded the church world today. He's not afraid to call sin sin, and he still preaches a message of repentance. Some churches seem to have abandoned that message.

This preacher does have some rather strange views, though. He takes every word very literally.

For instance, if someone tells him to "take care," he'll say, "No, I cast my care on the Lord." Well, that is what the Bible tells us to do. But I still tell people to "take care" when I close an e-mail or phone call.

He's also very particular about the songs he plays on his radio show. He calls the old song "One Day At A Time" a "dumb" song. He objects to the lyrics, "I'm Only Human, I'm Just A Man." Apparently, he must think he already has his glorified body and never goes through tough times. That's great. But I haven't reached that place yet. I'm still very much human, and I need God's help every day. Besides that, I like that song.

So the radio is great for hearing the Word, but you do have to test the mixed messages you hear. If it doesn't line up with God's Word, reject it and cling only to the truth!

Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruit

Barack Obama says he's a Christian, but he has a strange way of showing it. A recent poll shows an increase in the number of Americans who believe Obama is a Muslim.

The poll by the Pew research group found that nearly one in five Americans (18 percent) say Obama is Muslim. Only 34 percent think Obama is a Christian, and 43 percent say they don't know what religion the president follows.

That doesn't speak well for someone who claims to be a Christian.

In Matthew, Jesus said just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. "By their fruit, ye shall recognize them," Matthew 7:20 says.

Maybe the reason so many people doubt Obama's Christianity is that his actions are contrary to the Bible.

Look at what he's done (or hasn't done) since he's been in office. In May, he refused to recognize or participate in the National Day of Prayer. He has invited gay groups to have a rally on the White House lawn. He has spoken out against the country of Israel.

During a debate before the election, Obama showed his support for abortion rights when he said he could not say when life begins. That's "above my pay grade," he said. Yet, the Bible makes it clear that God knew us when we were in the womb.

Obama's actions do not reflect a biblical world view. So what about our own actions? Can the world tell that we are Christians by the fruit in our lives? If not, it's time to make some changes. That's something for all of us to think about today.

Bunch Of Bull

No, I'm not writing about Congress. The rodeo was in town over the weekend. I loved to go to the rodeo in Pampa when I was growing up, but I haven't been to it in 15 years or more.

So I donned my cowboy hat and blue jeans and headed out to the Top O' Texas Rodeo. I'm sure you probably can't picture me in a cowboy hat, but I really do have one! After near 100-degree temperatures earlier in the day, it was a nice summer evening just to sit outside and watch some great bareback riding and calf roping.

My favorite events are the barrel racing and, of course, the bull riding. I always feel sorry for the cowgirls when they knock over a barrel and incur that five-second penalty. They work so hard for the fastest time. It must be so disappointing for them.

In the bull riding competition, the bulls won. Only a couple of cowboys stayed on the full eight seconds to get a score that night. They all put forth a valiant effort, though. It was a fun night....

********

I took a couple of steps the other day. A physical therapist screened me to try to determine if I could possibly re-gain the strength in my legs to help me to walk again.

I had been wanting to try to walk with the aid of parallel bars. I made it the length of the bars with the therapist holding onto me, of course. But my ankle turns over so much that I can't get my foot flat and straight enough to walk.

The therapist said if I walk again I will need a heavy brace on my leg to keep the ankle from turning in. If I decide to do therapy, I will go back for a full evaluation.

I'm not sure what to do yet. For now, though, I will just keep praying and believing.

Out Of Touch

President Obama said he can sympathize with Americans who have been hard hit by the recession. The president said his daughters' college savings fund has dropped in value. Poor guy! How will he get by?

Of course, the president didn't have a problem sending his wife and daughter on a $375,000 vacation to Spain! Not to mention the multiple other extravagant vacations the first family has indulged in this summer. And don't forget the countless golf outings Obama has taken.

But then all of that was on the taxpayers' dime. Obama doesn't have a problem spending other people's money.

That's the reason our country is going broke. Obama has wasted so much money on programs like his health-care initiative and auto bailouts. All of this is money that could have been spent on trying to create new jobs. It's ridiculous.

This president is out of touch with the American people. I read that he doesn't even start working until 9:30 each morning. In contrast, President Bush was in the Oval Office by 7 a.m. every day. Then, Obama spends his evenings bringing in big name entertainers or flying to New York to take in a Broadway show or concert.

It's fine for the president to relax or take a vacation, but Obama treats his job as a joke. Instead of a part-time president, we need someone who has executive experience. We have some serious problems in this country, and it's going to take hard work to fix the problems.

Obama has proved that he's not up to the job. That's just one more reason why Obama will join Jimma Karta in the history books as a one-term president!

Bucket List

A friend and I watched The Bucket List over the weekend. I remember seeing the movie when it first came out, but I wanted to see it again because it has a great message. I wrote this after I saw the movie the first time. I'm re-posting it here for those who may not have read it. Hope you enjoy.

*****

Do you have a bucket list — a list of things you hope to do before you. . . well, kick the bucket?

I recently saw The Bucket List, a popular and funny movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.The movie is about a corporate billionaire and a car mechanic who are complete strangers, until fate lands them in the same hospital room.

The two discover they have two things in common: a need to come to terms with who they are and what they have done with their lives and a desire to complete a list of things they want to see and do before they "kick the bucket."

Together, they embark on the roadtrip of a lifetime, becoming friends along the way and learning to live life to the fullest.

In my own life, I don't have a bucket list. Not exactly.

But I do believe you have to do things while you're able. Your life can change in a moment, and suddenly you're no longer able to do things you once enjoyed — or things you planned to do in the future. You have to make the most of every opportunity.

When I first started driving, I wanted to see the world — or at least what's in the surrounding states. I would set out in my little Chevy Cavalier and start exploring. My weekends were spent on jaunts over to New Mexico, Oklahoma or Kansas. Oftentimes, I didn't tell anyone I was going. I was young, single and free. I loved the feel of the open road.

I couldn't do that now. I began having back problems in my late 20s, and sitting in the car for long periods became almost unbearable. I'll always have those memories, though.

Too often, we put things off, thinking we have plenty of time. But we never know when things will change.

I wrote my life's story when I was still in my 20s because I felt I had a message to tell, and I didn't want to take a chance of missing out on an opportunity to touch others with my experiences.

My book was published in 1996, and since then I've been able to share my testimony with others through it. That was very important to me.

It's even more important now as I see the Day of the Lord approaching. If we're ever going to live for the Lord, we better do it now. The Bible says today is the day of salvation. We're seeing prophesy fulfilled every day right before our eyes.

Where are you today? If you've ever thought about serving the Lord, start now. Turn to Him. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Surrender your life to Him. Then begin walking with Him.

But do it now.

You never know if today could be the day Jesus comes for His people — or the day you take your last breath. Don't take a chance of missing out on the most important thing in life: A relationship with Jesus Christ.

Walking By Faith

It was one year ago this week that I had a relapse and the muscles in my back and leg tightened up. I haven't been able to walk since. One year. I think that's long enough. I haven't given up . . . and I'll never give up hope of walking again.

I went to the neurologist yesterday for a three-month checkup. Since my condition hasn't changed much in the last year, we talked about my options for the future. He said my options are limited at this point. I can try physical therapy again or we can explore surgery.

I believe there's another option. I believe God can heal me, and I believe the work has already begun. I feel that my leg is getting stronger. I have been able to stand on it while holding on to a rail in my bathroom. I've been wanting to try to use parallel bars to try to walk.

I know God wants to heal me. Healing is a promise from God's Word, and I am claiming that promise.

God can use this situation for good. When something like this happens, our first response is usually "Why did this happen?" It's natural to have such questions. When Jesus and his disciples saw a man blind from birth, the disciples asked what caused the man to be born blind. Jesus told them "this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

Rather than always looking for a reason, we should look instead for what God can do through a situation. He has a plan for us. We have to learn to walk by faith to fulfill the purposes He has for us.

I don't know what the future holds, but I have complete trust that God will work this out for good. Nothing is impossible for God. I just have to trust Him and literally keep walking by faith. And one day I will be back on my feet and able to walk again.

Countdown To Victory

We're now less than 100 days until the mid-term elections, and the losers. . . I mean liberals. . . are scrambling. They are desperate. Yesterday, Barack Obama went on 'The View.' I guess he's too scared to go on a serious news show without his teleprompter. He might have to answer a tough question!

Republicans need 39 seats to take control of the House and 10 seats in the Senate. I think we have a good chance of winning both. I hope so. Then, we can begin putting our country back on the right track.

After the November elections, the focus will quickly turn to 2012. Obviously, the big question will be which Republican candidate is going to challenge Hillary Clinton for the presidency. That's right, Hillary. I believe Hillary will throw Obama under the bus and make a bid for the Democratic nomination. And if she does, she'll win the nomination.

So who will her challenger be? Before I go out on a limb and tell you who the GOP nominee will be, let me tell you who it won't be.

It won't be Sarah Palin, even though her name has been bandied about more than anyone else's. I'm a huge Sarah Palin fan. I would love to see her in the Senate or House. She could make a big impact in Congress, but she's just too polarizing to be president.

It won't be Mitt Romney. Romney is a great fiscal conservative, but he's not strong in foreign affairs. We need someone who is both.

It won't be Newt Gingrich. He did a great job with the Contract With America in the '90s, but his day has passed. It won't be Mike Huckabee either, although he is my personal favorite and would make a great president.

So who's it going to be? Here it is. The 2012 Republican nominee will be. . . Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. While he is still relatively new to the national scene, Jindal is quickly gaining notoriety because of his conservative principles and proven track record as a strong leader amid the oil spill disaster in the Gulf.

I like Jindal. He's young, conservative and has the momentum behind him. If he picked someone like Minnesota's Michele Bachmann as his running mate, I think we'd have an unbeatable team to go up against Hillary and the Clinton machine.

And there you have it. If I'm right, remember you read it here first. If I'm wrong, forget you ever saw this!

The Only True Way

People are being deceived, and most don't even know it. When you have people like Oprah and other pinheads saying there are many paths that lead to God, millions believe that lie and think they are on their way to heaven.

It's sad that some religious leaders are spreading the lie, too. They talk about the need for Christians and Muslims, Hindus and Jews to unite and work together. They call for a "one world religion," and, sadly, we are headed in that direction.

But the truth is there is only one way to God. The Bible is clear about that. In John 14, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

It was true in Bible times, and it's true today. God does not change. If we want a home in heaven with God, we must have a daily relationship with Jesus. He is our only hope.

The good news is that God doesn't discriminate. He accepts all who will come to Jesus and believe in Him. Just as Jesus came to the Samaritan woman at the well and offered her Living Water, He offers us the gift of eternal life no matter what we have in our background.

So can a Muslim go to heaven? If he turns to Jesus and makes Him lord, then yes! Anyone can go to heaven. Just put your trust in Him, and you can receive the gift of eternal life. Jesus will lead you down the path that brings life. All other paths lead to destruction.

Those who worship at the house of Oprah are in for a rude awakening very soon. But those who follow Jesus will never be disappointed.

A Matter of Black And White

I must be slipping. I haven't done any Obama bashing on here in a couple of weeks. What's wrong with me? Lord knows he has done plenty of stupid things lately!

The latest blunder came this week when the administration fired and then re-hired a USDA official.

When a snippet of a videotape surfaced showing the black USDA official making racially charged comments about a "white farmer," Obama and his minions were quick to condemn the comments and forced her to resign. And rightfully so. But after viewing the entire taped speech, the administration decided the comments weren't so bad after all. They then offered her another government job.

Now get this... the job they offered her is a position dealing with race relations. Are you kidding me? How moronic is that!

Obama even sent White House propagandist Robert Gibbs traipsing out to apologize to the USDA official. Give me a break!

This administration doesn't know whether it's coming or going. Obama clearly acted before he knew all the facts. Why couldn't he act that fast when responding to the BP oil spill?

It's no wonder that Obama's poll numbers are in the basement. Americans are finally waking up and recognizing Obama as the incompetent dunderhead he is.

I'm glad Americans have finally wised up. And come the November elections, voters are going to send the incumbent Democrats in Congress packing. Maybe then we can stop Obama's radical leftist agenda and take back our country!

Time Passes Quickly

It was a joyous weekend for my family. My niece Michelle got married Saturday night. It was a beautiful wedding. The ceremony was in an outdoor garden in Amarillo. Very pretty.

Michelle looked so beautiful in her wedding gown. It's hard to believe that our little Michelle is all grown up and is now married.

I remember when I got to hold Michelle for the first time. My sister and her husband were living in Huntsville at the time, and Mom, Dad and I drove down there after the baby was born. I had never been too fond of babies or little kids up until that time. Kids weren't too fond of me either. I think they can sense there is something different about me and they are a little afraid of me.

But my sister let me hold Michelle, and she seemed content to sit in my lap and let me hold her. I have been enamored of her ever since.

I was glad when my sister and her family moved back to Pampa, and we got to see Michelle and her brother Ty grow up. It was fun watching them grow up.

It's amazing how quickly the time has passed. Michelle is married, and she and her husband are planning to move to Florida. Ty turned 16 in May and just got his driver's license. It kind of makes me feel old. So you can imagine how old my sister must be. (Just kidding, Karen.)

Time really does go by so quickly. That should make us cherish the time we have with our family and loved ones. Before you know it, the kids are grown and moving on with their lives. I am truly thankful to be near my family and to have this time to spend with them.