Memorial Day is a day to celebrate freedom. It's about remembering our freedom and honoring those who paid a great price to give us that freedom.
I've always been very patriotic. I love this country and am proud to be an American. I think America is one of the greatest countries on earth and always will be. I wish everyone still felt that way. What's happened to pride in our country?
I remember the first Gulf War. I was in college at WT, and I wrote a column on patriotism for the student newspaper. It reflected how many people felt at a time when our country was going into war. It's how we should feel now. Here is part of that column:
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"As I rode around campus this week, I was filled with a sense of pride for my country as I began to notice all the symbols of support for the troops in the Gulf.
Since the war began Jan. 16 (1991), several residence halls have been displaying the American flag to show support for the troops. In the past two weeks, I've seen yellow ribbons tied on trees all around campus and cars decorated with red, white and blue ribbons.
But the most striking act of support I've seen is the messages of encouragement the residents of Shirley Hall have painted on the front window of their hall. Signs saying "God Bless" and "We support the troops" show their concern and hope that the men and women in the Gulf will return home safely.
It makes me proud to be an American when I see such acts of patriotism not just on campus, but all around town and on the radio and TV. It's great that people are showing their support for the troops fighting in Saudi Arabia. These men and women are fighting for something a lot of Americans take for granted -- freedom. They deserve our support.
But I think people should show support for their country all the time. It's unfortunate that it takes something like a war to make people show their patriotism. It doesn't have to be that way. People don't have to wait for a holiday like the Fourth of July or Memorial Day to put out a flag. Why not fly the flag every day?
Ever since I was in elementary school and learned to say the pledge of allegiance, the flag has always had a special significance to me. I get a special feeling every time I see an American flag.
I'm glad I live in this country. America is a great nation, and I would not want to live anywhere else. I hope people will continue to support the troops. People should continue to fly the flag. Continue to write letters to the men and women fighting overseas. Continue to wear red, white and blue ribbons. And continue to pray for the troops!
I pray the war will be over quickly with as little loss of lives as possible. And when the war is over, let's keep the flags up. We have so many freedoms in America, and to me the flag is a symbol of all the freedoms we have in America."
******
I wrote that column in February 1991, but I feel just as strongly about patriotism today. America IS a great nation. Let's show our pride in America... today and every day!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Royal Mess
It's been a bad week for Obama. It started last Thursday when he insulted Israel (and most Americans) in a speech suggesting that Israel should return to its pre-1967 borders. This is unbelievable to me! Doesn't he realize Israel is our ally? Or that Israel is God's chosen people? In the end, Israel is going to get ALL the land!
It was bad enough that Obama betrayed our closet ally, but he did it a day before the Israeli prime minister was scheduled to visit Washington, D.C. That's pretty low. It was also stupid. What was he thinking?
On Friday, Obama met with the prime minister, where the P.M. educated the president. I was impressed with P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu's speech but embarrassed by our president. Netanyahu showed class. Obama showed his ignorance. When I watched their news conference together, I could see evil in Obama's eyes. Anyone who opposes Israel is wicked. I only hope the U.S. doesn't have to pay for Obama's hatred of Israel.
After their meeting, Obama snubbed Israel again by quickly ditching the prime minister and taking off on another world tour. But things didn't get any better for him overseas as he continued to embarrass America in front of the world.
He went to Westminster Abbey, where he had to ask someone the date when he signed the guest register. Then, he still couldn't get it right. He dated it May 24, 2008! I guess I really shouldn't be surprised, though. This is the same buffoon who said he had visited all 56 U.S. states when he was running for president! The sad part is voters elected him anyway.
Obama continued to make a fool of himself when he went to Buckingham Palace and fumbled a toast to the queen. When he toasted the queen, the orchestra misunderstood a pause and what seemed to be a cue from the president for “God Save the Queen” to begin playing. As the orchestra played, Obama kept going, talking over the U.K. anthem. The queen stayed poised during the awkward moment. But I'm sure she was thinking, "No wonder we didn't invite this idiot to the wedding!"
It was bad enough that Obama betrayed our closet ally, but he did it a day before the Israeli prime minister was scheduled to visit Washington, D.C. That's pretty low. It was also stupid. What was he thinking?
On Friday, Obama met with the prime minister, where the P.M. educated the president. I was impressed with P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu's speech but embarrassed by our president. Netanyahu showed class. Obama showed his ignorance. When I watched their news conference together, I could see evil in Obama's eyes. Anyone who opposes Israel is wicked. I only hope the U.S. doesn't have to pay for Obama's hatred of Israel.
After their meeting, Obama snubbed Israel again by quickly ditching the prime minister and taking off on another world tour. But things didn't get any better for him overseas as he continued to embarrass America in front of the world.
He went to Westminster Abbey, where he had to ask someone the date when he signed the guest register. Then, he still couldn't get it right. He dated it May 24, 2008! I guess I really shouldn't be surprised, though. This is the same buffoon who said he had visited all 56 U.S. states when he was running for president! The sad part is voters elected him anyway.
Obama continued to make a fool of himself when he went to Buckingham Palace and fumbled a toast to the queen. When he toasted the queen, the orchestra misunderstood a pause and what seemed to be a cue from the president for “God Save the Queen” to begin playing. As the orchestra played, Obama kept going, talking over the U.K. anthem. The queen stayed poised during the awkward moment. But I'm sure she was thinking, "No wonder we didn't invite this idiot to the wedding!"
Monday, May 23, 2011
It Pays to be Ready
May 21 came and went, and the world did not end. Surprise! The rapture didn't take place, and life goes on as usual -- for most of us. But for nearly 150,000 people, their world did come to an end on Saturday. That's how many people die each day around the world.
It sounds like such a high number, but I read that between 100,000 and 150,000 people die every day. I'm sure that many of those who died Saturday didn't know their lives would end that day. It pays to be ready.
We all hope to live long lives and then die at a ripe old age. When we're young, we think we have plenty of time. But the truth is none of us knows how long we will live. Only God knows how long each of us will live.
For many, life is cut way too short. I have a friend who is battling cancer right now. He's a couple of years younger than I am. He's taking intense chemotherapy, but right now the doctors haven't given him a very good report. Of course, God can turn that around. We're all praying and believing for a miracle. We're expecting God to heal him because we have that promise of healing in the Bible.
We probably all know someone who died at an early age, through an illness like cancer or in a car accident.
We simply don't know how long we have, so we have to be ready. We should live each day as if it could be our last. If we do that, we will be ready when we step into eternity to meet God. There are many in hell who wish they'd had one more day to get their lives right with God. It's a sad fact that should make us all act now to make things right.
Don't wait to do what you know you should do. Do it now! You'll have a better life now, and you'll be ready when your last day comes.
It sounds like such a high number, but I read that between 100,000 and 150,000 people die every day. I'm sure that many of those who died Saturday didn't know their lives would end that day. It pays to be ready.
We all hope to live long lives and then die at a ripe old age. When we're young, we think we have plenty of time. But the truth is none of us knows how long we will live. Only God knows how long each of us will live.
For many, life is cut way too short. I have a friend who is battling cancer right now. He's a couple of years younger than I am. He's taking intense chemotherapy, but right now the doctors haven't given him a very good report. Of course, God can turn that around. We're all praying and believing for a miracle. We're expecting God to heal him because we have that promise of healing in the Bible.
We probably all know someone who died at an early age, through an illness like cancer or in a car accident.
We simply don't know how long we have, so we have to be ready. We should live each day as if it could be our last. If we do that, we will be ready when we step into eternity to meet God. There are many in hell who wish they'd had one more day to get their lives right with God. It's a sad fact that should make us all act now to make things right.
Don't wait to do what you know you should do. Do it now! You'll have a better life now, and you'll be ready when your last day comes.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Be Prepared
If you believe Harold Camping, Judgment Day is near. May 21, 2011, to be exact. Or so Harold Camping predicts. Camping is a Christian radio host who claims the Bible has proof "beyond the shadow of a doubt" that May 21 (this Saturday) will be the date of the rapture and the day of judgment.
Camping spent $140,000 to put up billboards across the country, warning people to "Save The Date. Jesus will return on May 21." I saw one of these billboards when I was in Amarillo a few weeks ago.
He also has a Web site, Wecanknow.com, where he explains how he used Scriptures to come up with that date. Besides predicting the rapture will occur on May 21, he says the end of the world as we know it will take place five months later on Oct. 21, 2011.
That right there tells me that Camping's predictions are wrong. From the book of Revelation, we know the earth will remain until after Christ's 1,000-year reign on the earth. So the end of the world can't happen five months after the rapture. After the 1,000 years, and the White Throne Judgment, the present earth will be destroyed to rid it of all traces of sin. Then, there will be a new earth and a new heaven.
Camping previously claimed that the world would end in September 1994. It didn't happen then, and the world won't end in October either. But thanks for the warning, Mr. Camping. People do need to wake up to the fact that we ARE living in the end times. Jesus really is coming back, and I believe His return will be soon.
Other people have tried to predict the date of the rapture. Remember that book "88 Reasons Jesus Is Coming in 1988"? Or was it 87 reasons in '87? Any way, a lot of people believed He was coming back then.
Even though others had unsuccessfully predicted the rapture before 1988, that was the first time I had heard a date set, and it scared me. Even though I was a Christian, it made me look at myself and ask 'Am I really saved?' I remember waking up in the middle of the night afraid that I'd been left behind.
That was a real wake-up call for me. Ever since then, I've known that Jesus could come at any minute, and I've tried to live my life like He is comimg today. Maybe Camping's prediction will wake others up now. People need to be ready, because ready or not, Jesus is coming one day.
Will that day be this Saturday? He could come then, but He could just as easily come the day before, a week after or any time in between. No one knows the exact date. No one. So we have to live ready for Him to come at any time.
We can read about the signs of the end times in Revelation. Or we can just watch the nightly news on TV. When we hear them talking about all the nations turning against Israel, as some have done this week, we can know that something is about to happen. And the rapture IS the next big event on God's calendar.
I write about this a lot, but I never set dates. I just know He is coming soon, and I want everyone to be prepared. That is the most important thing in all of life: Be prepared!
Camping spent $140,000 to put up billboards across the country, warning people to "Save The Date. Jesus will return on May 21." I saw one of these billboards when I was in Amarillo a few weeks ago.
He also has a Web site, Wecanknow.com, where he explains how he used Scriptures to come up with that date. Besides predicting the rapture will occur on May 21, he says the end of the world as we know it will take place five months later on Oct. 21, 2011.
That right there tells me that Camping's predictions are wrong. From the book of Revelation, we know the earth will remain until after Christ's 1,000-year reign on the earth. So the end of the world can't happen five months after the rapture. After the 1,000 years, and the White Throne Judgment, the present earth will be destroyed to rid it of all traces of sin. Then, there will be a new earth and a new heaven.
Camping previously claimed that the world would end in September 1994. It didn't happen then, and the world won't end in October either. But thanks for the warning, Mr. Camping. People do need to wake up to the fact that we ARE living in the end times. Jesus really is coming back, and I believe His return will be soon.
Other people have tried to predict the date of the rapture. Remember that book "88 Reasons Jesus Is Coming in 1988"? Or was it 87 reasons in '87? Any way, a lot of people believed He was coming back then.
Even though others had unsuccessfully predicted the rapture before 1988, that was the first time I had heard a date set, and it scared me. Even though I was a Christian, it made me look at myself and ask 'Am I really saved?' I remember waking up in the middle of the night afraid that I'd been left behind.
That was a real wake-up call for me. Ever since then, I've known that Jesus could come at any minute, and I've tried to live my life like He is comimg today. Maybe Camping's prediction will wake others up now. People need to be ready, because ready or not, Jesus is coming one day.
Will that day be this Saturday? He could come then, but He could just as easily come the day before, a week after or any time in between. No one knows the exact date. No one. So we have to live ready for Him to come at any time.
We can read about the signs of the end times in Revelation. Or we can just watch the nightly news on TV. When we hear them talking about all the nations turning against Israel, as some have done this week, we can know that something is about to happen. And the rapture IS the next big event on God's calendar.
I write about this a lot, but I never set dates. I just know He is coming soon, and I want everyone to be prepared. That is the most important thing in all of life: Be prepared!
Monday, May 16, 2011
And They're Off. . .
Newt is in, and 'Huck' is out. The race for the Republican nomination is finally taking shape. Sarah Palin, Trump and others are expected to announce their plans soon.
I was really hoping Mike Huckabee would run. If he had, I would have definitely supported him for president. He is the strongest conservative on social issues. I like his views on limited government, too. I admire him, though, for his reasons for staying out of the race. He said he came to the decision after a lot of prayer. As he put it, "All the factors say 'go,' but my heart says 'no'." I give the guy a lot of credit for seeking God's will instead of just jumping into the race.
The GOP has other strong candidates, though, and I like many of them. Newt would make a great president, but I think his time has passed. Newt is the 'Republican of Yesterday.' His 'Contract with America' was just what the country needed in 1994. I'm not sure he could do it again, though.
I also like Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney. Herman Cain is coming on strong, too. I could even get behind Trump. The only one in the race that I don't like is Ron Paul. He is too out of step with Republicans for me. But in a race against Obama, I'd vote for Mickey Mouse over the Goofy president we have now.
It's still early in the race, but I'm looking forward to an interesting, and sometimes heated, 2012 campaign.
******
Local elections were held over the weekend, and Pampa has a new mayor. I got to hear him speak a couple of months ago, before I knew he was running for mayor, and I liked him. He's already done a lot of good things for Pampa. I think he'll be a good mayor.
I was wishing I could vote in Amarillo's mayoral race. It was definitely the most interesting race in the area. It even made national headlines. Eleven candidates were running for mayor. There was a whole menagerie of people running, from the first trans-sexual mayoral candidate in Amarillo to a radical street preacher. I watched the candidates' debate on TV. It was very interesting. In the end, I think the best man won. It's interesting to note, though, that the trans-sexual got more votes than the preacher. Now what does that say about Amarillo? I'm not sure...
Politics is full of surprises. I guess that's why I love to follow politics.
I was really hoping Mike Huckabee would run. If he had, I would have definitely supported him for president. He is the strongest conservative on social issues. I like his views on limited government, too. I admire him, though, for his reasons for staying out of the race. He said he came to the decision after a lot of prayer. As he put it, "All the factors say 'go,' but my heart says 'no'." I give the guy a lot of credit for seeking God's will instead of just jumping into the race.
The GOP has other strong candidates, though, and I like many of them. Newt would make a great president, but I think his time has passed. Newt is the 'Republican of Yesterday.' His 'Contract with America' was just what the country needed in 1994. I'm not sure he could do it again, though.
I also like Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney. Herman Cain is coming on strong, too. I could even get behind Trump. The only one in the race that I don't like is Ron Paul. He is too out of step with Republicans for me. But in a race against Obama, I'd vote for Mickey Mouse over the Goofy president we have now.
It's still early in the race, but I'm looking forward to an interesting, and sometimes heated, 2012 campaign.
******
Local elections were held over the weekend, and Pampa has a new mayor. I got to hear him speak a couple of months ago, before I knew he was running for mayor, and I liked him. He's already done a lot of good things for Pampa. I think he'll be a good mayor.
I was wishing I could vote in Amarillo's mayoral race. It was definitely the most interesting race in the area. It even made national headlines. Eleven candidates were running for mayor. There was a whole menagerie of people running, from the first trans-sexual mayoral candidate in Amarillo to a radical street preacher. I watched the candidates' debate on TV. It was very interesting. In the end, I think the best man won. It's interesting to note, though, that the trans-sexual got more votes than the preacher. Now what does that say about Amarillo? I'm not sure...
Politics is full of surprises. I guess that's why I love to follow politics.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Nobama
Everyone is praising Obama over the capture and execution of Osama bin Laden, especially the media. Not me.
I contend that Obama had little to do with the raid. It was his advisers and Defense secretary who pushed him to authorize the action. Even then, Obama dithered for 16 hours so he could "think about it" before he gave the order. That's why I say we got bin Laden despite Obama.
The only thing Obama has done right is to continue the policies of President Bush. This is one time when liberals would be right in saying "it's Bush's fault." Bush deserves more credit for this victory than people are giving him.
I think it's Hilary Clinton and Defense Secretary Gates who are actually calling the shots on foreign affairs because Obama obviously doesn't have a clue. He's in over his head. As one of my former pastors would say, he "doesn't know 'come here from sick 'em!'"
Yet, Obama was quick to come out after the raid and take credit for bin Laden's demise. He's so arrogant about it, too. He thinks he's been playing it cool, going to Ground Zero last week to meet with families of the 9/11 victims. But that was all just one big dog-and-pony show. It's all political posturing. He will do anything and say anything to try to get re-elected.
The sad thing is that a lot of people are falling for it. They actually believe Obama's lies and, sadly, many of them will vote for him again in 2012. I can't believe people can be that dumb.
America fell for Obama's slick image in 2008 and look where that got us. The economy is in shambles, and the country is almost bankrupt. Let's not fall for his smooth talk and empty promises again. We must make sure Obama is a one-term president!
I contend that Obama had little to do with the raid. It was his advisers and Defense secretary who pushed him to authorize the action. Even then, Obama dithered for 16 hours so he could "think about it" before he gave the order. That's why I say we got bin Laden despite Obama.
The only thing Obama has done right is to continue the policies of President Bush. This is one time when liberals would be right in saying "it's Bush's fault." Bush deserves more credit for this victory than people are giving him.
I think it's Hilary Clinton and Defense Secretary Gates who are actually calling the shots on foreign affairs because Obama obviously doesn't have a clue. He's in over his head. As one of my former pastors would say, he "doesn't know 'come here from sick 'em!'"
Yet, Obama was quick to come out after the raid and take credit for bin Laden's demise. He's so arrogant about it, too. He thinks he's been playing it cool, going to Ground Zero last week to meet with families of the 9/11 victims. But that was all just one big dog-and-pony show. It's all political posturing. He will do anything and say anything to try to get re-elected.
The sad thing is that a lot of people are falling for it. They actually believe Obama's lies and, sadly, many of them will vote for him again in 2012. I can't believe people can be that dumb.
America fell for Obama's slick image in 2008 and look where that got us. The economy is in shambles, and the country is almost bankrupt. Let's not fall for his smooth talk and empty promises again. We must make sure Obama is a one-term president!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Let Us Pray
This is the National Day of Prayer, and our country needs a lot of it. Whether we're conservatives or liberals, we should stand together today to pray for the country. Prayer changes things! It may be the only thing that can turn things around in America.
Here's what I'm praying for today: I'm praying for peace and safety for America and for our troops overseas. America just achieved a great victory with the killing of Osama bin Laden, but now the country is on alert against possible retaliation. It's hard for me to imagine there are people who want to destroy America, but there are. I pray for protection for our soldiers. And I pray God will keep us safe from attacks.
I'm praying for our leaders. . . that they will seek God and be guided by the Lord. I pray they will abandon their wicked ways and follow God. If our leaders would just turn to God, things would be much different in our nation.
I'm praying that we'll have more godly candidates run for office in the next election. Many of our government officials, both Republicans and Democrats, are corrupt. But there are many others in politics who are Christians and would be good leaders -- people like Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin. We need more people like them at all levels of government.
I'm praying for rain, rain, rain. With parts of the country in a drought and other parts devastated by floods and tornadoes, I pray that God will heal our land.
I'm praying for health and happiness for my family and friends. I'm so thankful for my family and for having friends who care and want to help me. I pray that God will bless them and keep them in good health.
Finally, I'm praying for revival and that lost ones will be saved. I say it a lot, but I really believe Jesus is coming soon. When you look at all that is happening in the world, you see the signs that His return is near. Time is running out, and people need to get right with God NOW. I pray that God would send His spirit to draw lost sinners and that many will be saved!
Here's what I'm praying for today: I'm praying for peace and safety for America and for our troops overseas. America just achieved a great victory with the killing of Osama bin Laden, but now the country is on alert against possible retaliation. It's hard for me to imagine there are people who want to destroy America, but there are. I pray for protection for our soldiers. And I pray God will keep us safe from attacks.
I'm praying for our leaders. . . that they will seek God and be guided by the Lord. I pray they will abandon their wicked ways and follow God. If our leaders would just turn to God, things would be much different in our nation.
I'm praying that we'll have more godly candidates run for office in the next election. Many of our government officials, both Republicans and Democrats, are corrupt. But there are many others in politics who are Christians and would be good leaders -- people like Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin. We need more people like them at all levels of government.
I'm praying for rain, rain, rain. With parts of the country in a drought and other parts devastated by floods and tornadoes, I pray that God will heal our land.
I'm praying for health and happiness for my family and friends. I'm so thankful for my family and for having friends who care and want to help me. I pray that God will bless them and keep them in good health.
Finally, I'm praying for revival and that lost ones will be saved. I say it a lot, but I really believe Jesus is coming soon. When you look at all that is happening in the world, you see the signs that His return is near. Time is running out, and people need to get right with God NOW. I pray that God would send His spirit to draw lost sinners and that many will be saved!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
More Than A Motto
Do we, as Americans, really put our trust in God? We say we do. Our country was founded on Christian principles. It’s even on our currency: “IN GOD WE TRUST.” But do we really trust God to meet our needs?
If you put your trust in the government, in other people -- or even in yourself -- you will be disappointed.
But God never disappoints.
When tough times hit, such as illness or financial woes, it’s easy to let worry take over and consume us but we just have to have trust. I read a Bible verse from the book of Proverbs, which says,“Things work out for those who trust God.”
Trust God. That’s what I have had to learn to do, and God has never let me down! Are you in a difficult situation today? If your trust is in God, there’s no need to worry. The Bible says “Cast all your cares on Him.”
Pray and believe that God will meet all your needs. God has a plan for your life.
In the Bible, it says, “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
We have to trust Him to meet our needs. He took care of me, and He will do the same for you! So whom do you have your trust in today?
If you put your trust in the government, in other people -- or even in yourself -- you will be disappointed.
But God never disappoints.
When tough times hit, such as illness or financial woes, it’s easy to let worry take over and consume us but we just have to have trust. I read a Bible verse from the book of Proverbs, which says,“Things work out for those who trust God.”
Trust God. That’s what I have had to learn to do, and God has never let me down! Are you in a difficult situation today? If your trust is in God, there’s no need to worry. The Bible says “Cast all your cares on Him.”
Pray and believe that God will meet all your needs. God has a plan for your life.
In the Bible, it says, “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
We have to trust Him to meet our needs. He took care of me, and He will do the same for you! So whom do you have your trust in today?
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