Dull Politics

I will certainly be glad when this election season is over. There is simply too much rhetoric going on about how America will be changed for the better and we will all be richer and safer. We have heard all this before but, now from some who don't have a clue as what to do. Some of the greatest men in history won fame because they didn't talk much. They said little and did much. They were not morose or unsocial. They were simply not loquacious.
George Washington was one of the silent men of our American scene. He only talked when necessary, was not hesitant when directions were to be given or advice sought, but the Virginian was not given to small talk, nor noted as a conversationalist.
Abraham Lincoln had his silent hours when he appeared to be withdrawn from the social chatter about him, and was not of the mind to relate incidents of old Indiana and Illinois days. He seemed to have his brooding days, which on occasions were shrouded in deep melancholy.

One of the disturbing statements recently made by one of these candidates. "America is the one of the greatest Nations in the World. Will you join with me in changing It?" If that person is elected then this country will become an Obomanation.

Great phrases seem to be a thing of the past. Henry's, "Give me liberty or give me death," Lincoln's, "Government of the people, by the people and for the people," Churchills, "blood, sweat and tears" Statements like these identified the speakers but also shaped the destiny of nations. I don't seem to be seeing any hope with some in this election year, just rhetoric.

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Well, it was disapointing today to learn that our track coach was retiring. John McDonnell has coached our track team for 36 years and has led the Hogs to 42 national championships. This is a feat that no other coach in any sport has ever accomplished and probably never will. He is a legend in his own time and has always been a vital part of the overall success under the Broyles era. It was difficult for him today to finish his speech but he did say that his success has been attributed to tough love and his respect for those who participated in his program. Needless to say, they performed under his leadership and he leaves with the respect of all the sport fans and the entire State of Arkansas. Best Wishes John on your retirement. Enjoy your cattle ranch in Oklahoma.

GRATITUDE

Often times it is probably difficult to offer our gratitude and thanks to those whom have been the real influence in our lives. I suppose reaching the 80 year milestone in my life has caused me to reflect back and to recall those individuals in my life that really played a major role in my developement over the years. The difficult part is that most of these have passed on to a greater reward and I most likely never thank them sufficiently for what they meant to me. The other evening Mom and I sat talking about gratitude and those to whom we have tried to help along the way. I recall being seventeen years old before ever having a father figure in my life. That person, ( my Father in Law) took me under his wings and really helped me to develope into a person seeking all the right things in life. I probably never expressed to him how important he was to me in my life. If you could go back to a person who has gone on and could whisper in their ear, what would you say? Recently, I expressed to family members of a dear friend of mine how much their Dad had helped me to become a stronger person of faith. Did I ever tell him? That seems to me now to have been the most important thing I should have done. Why wait till it is too late. I think we often take gratitude for granted. I often see this in our younger generation who seem to have the Me attitude and just expect people to go out of their way to help you.

One of my heroes of this great nation was Abraham Lincoln. I often reflect back on his words and how he addressed situations of gratitude. Today, yes today, there are those in our country who are critical of this nation and those who have sacrificed so much so that we might have a better life. They fail to recognize they are drinking from wells that others have dug with sweat and tears.
Mr Lincoln said, "We are blessed with bountiful fields and healthful skies. To those bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from whence they came, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature they fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God."
"Needful diversions of wealth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not rested the plow, the shuttle or the ship. Population has steadily increased.
"It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemly, reverently, and greatefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people.
If you are like myself, there are probable numbers of individuals who need to be told how important they are to you. I have begun this approach to let individuals know how much they are appreciated and to thank them for their influence on my life. It is not about Me, its those that walk beside me working together to make this a better society so others can come to know and recognize that Almighty God is in control and he has placed a responsibility on each of us.
Lets be more grateful and do less criticizing and do everything within our power to save this great country.
We are spending entirely too much time dwelling on the mistakes of the past rather than shouldering the responsibilities that we have. We cannot change what has already happened but we can change the future by applying ourselves to the task that lies before us. In all that we do, always do everything for the Glory of God and always asking him to help us become the people he would have us to be.

Memories.

Well last night was scary for a while. It brought back memories of a Saturday afternoon in 1973 when I stood in my driveway and watched a tornado pass by the northend of our street. I had just picked my daughter from the church building about five minutes before it hit the building. As I recall, we had in access of $150,000 in damage to our auditorium and educational building.
Last night a tornado came almost as close as the previous one. The Sylvan Hills Hi School was hit which is only about four blocks from our church building. The North Little Rock Airport was practically destroyed along with over thirty private and business planes. This damage will result in unknown millions.
It makes you stop and think about how quickly lives can be changed. Thanks to our technology today warnings are available to help save lives. However, everything else is beyond our control. The important thing is to stop and reflect on where we stand in our relationship with God. Not everyone can escape the dangers of disasters. Things can be replaced but lives are the most important aspect of our families and society as well.