Christmas!

The message of Christ is rightfully embedded in the songs of Christmas, the message of the Gospel in the power of lyric and notes, proclaiming the magic and majesty of what was done for us.  Thank you Jesus!  Enjoy this version of O Holy Night by Martina McBride, and the blessings of Christ the Lord be with you all this Christmas as we wait in joyful anticipation for His Glorious Return!

 

HOPE!

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To a nation desperate for hope, there is only one true source of Hope! There is only one who can make it right, only one who can save us. It is Christ, and He alone!

Opinions are like….

Well, y’all know that one, but in line with the Arizona cyber bully bill, it is my humble opinion that kids should not be on the internet.  I’m not looking for a law to ban them, or to throw parents in jail because their kid has surfed the web, but there really is no reason for a kid to be on the internet.  There are issues, but rather than take the heavy hand of government and asking them to pull their guns, I’d rather see it discouraged by parents and teachers alike.

Yes, I know, our schools have pushed the internet on our kids, and expect them to consult the ‘net to do research for their papers.  Why they felt that the ‘net was a better source of information than the Encyclopedia Brittanica is beyond me.  The fact is people can post anything on the ‘net and kids are not likely to have the wherewithal to separate fact from fiction.  Sure, there is plenty of fiction in the textbooks, but it seems that there was tremendous value in those skills that they taught us.  To be able to go into a library and find the information you’re looking for is something I think everyone should know.  They might actually want to find facts someday, especially if Congress moves forward on control of the net.  If you have the want, you can find some great stuff in older books.

So our schools teach our kids to use the internet, which means that children are seeing sex acts that I never even conceived of even at the height of puberty.  This is a far cry from sneaking a peek at a Playboy behind the barn.  It is an unfortunate fact that porn is on the ‘net.  Even here, on this blog, my top search draw is Miranda Lambert Bikini (I don’t have that pic, sorry).  I have no wish to see it banned, but again, I’m not interested in taking six-year olds or sixteen-year olds to strip clubs.  The library likely has a copy of Canterbury Tales, but the sickness that has become readily accessible was quite removed from my youth.  That’s where it should be.

We use to play outside and use imagination to come up with games and things to do. We would stay out until our parents called us home, and only then would we go home.  Sitting in front of a computer or PS3 all day pollutes the mind and weakens the body.  They’re not getting educated, and they’re sure not learning social skills.  Kids use to talk, not text, and meet face to face, not on Facebook.  And what is Facebook really?  Sure it is nice to be able to connect with family and friends, but so much of it is fluff and needless drama.  Does a kid need that?

Our kids are at risk.  As our nation has declared mainstream religion evil, tossed out the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, Christmas, Easter, and God, all while cramming sexual deviance and homosexuality down our throats, our children are at greater risk.  I’m sorry, but my kids have no need to learn about homosexuality in kindergarten, no matter what the state of California says.  I fail to see where all this tearing down and exposing the most innocent of our society to evil while sheltering them from good has made us a better people.  The innocence of youth is a good thing, and we should not be throwing it away.  The chances that someone will be seeking out our children online to abuse or even kill is very high.

So why do we pursue this?  Why can’t we recognize that the internet is not the place for children?  It is not safe.  It is a good source of information if and only if you have the wisdom to discern.  In no way should it replace books or the ability to use the ol’ Dewey Decimal System to find a wealth of information that actually had to pass a publishers screening and willingness to be liable for its content.

Big Brother is big enough.  Leave the ‘net alone, and stop encouraging kids to play where they’re likely to get hurt.  There is no real benefit in encouraging children to be on the internet or shutting it down so they might be safe.

Just my opinion…

Cowboy Wisdom

1. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence.
2. Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction.
3. When a cowboy’s too old to set a bad example, he hands out good advice.
4. Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in.
5. Don’t squat with your spurs on.
6. A decent cowboy does not take what belongs to someone else and if he does he deserves to be strung up and left for the flies and coyotes.
7. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
8. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.
9. Conflict follows wrongdoing as surely as flies follow the herd.
10. If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’s dog around.
11. Never drop your gun to hug a grizzly.
12. If you’re riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.
13. Broke is what happens when a cowboy lets his yearnin’s get ahead of his earnin’s.
14. Worry is like a rockin’ horse. It’s something to do that don’t get you nowhere.
15. Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.
16. Keep skunks, lawyers, and bankers at a distance.
17. Don’t corner something meaner than you.
18. When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
19. Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance
20. Don’t worry about bitin’ off more’n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger’n you think.
21. Only a fool argues with skunk, a mule, or a cook.
22. There’s two theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works.
23. Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse.
24. There never was a horse that couldn’t be rode, there never was a rider that couldn’t be throwed.
25. An old timer is a man who’s had a lot of interesting experiences — some of them true.
26. Never drink unless you’re alone or with somebody.
27. A full house divided don’t win no pots.
28. No one but cattle know why they stampede and the ain’t talking.
29. An angry bull is less dangerous than an angry woman.
30. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

A Cowboy’s Prayer

A COWBOYS PRAYER

Oh Lord, I’ve never lived where churches grow.
I love creation better as it stood
That day You finished it so long ago
And looked upon Your work and called it good.

I know that others find You in the light
That’s sifted down through tinted window panes,
And yet I seem to feel You near tonight
In this dim, quiet starlight on the plains.

I thank You, Lord, that I am placed so well,
That You have made my freedom so complete;
That I’m no slave of whistle, clock or bell,
Nor weak-eyed prisoner of wall and street.

Just let me live my life as I’ve begun
And give me work that’s open to the sky;
Make me a pardner of the wind and sun,
And I won’t ask a life that’s soft or high.

Let me be easy on the man that’s down;
Let me be square and generous with all.
I’m careless sometimes, Lord, when I’m in town,
But never let ’em say I’m mean or small!

Make me as big and open as the plains,
As honest as the hawse between my knees,
Clean as the wind that blows behind the rains,
Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze!

Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget.
You know about the reasons that are hid.
You understand the things that gall and fret;
You know me better than my mother did.

Just keep an eye on all that’s done and said
And right me, sometimes, when I turn aside,
And guide me on the long, dim, trail ahead
That stretches upward toward the Great Divide.

Charles Badger Clark