Sunday Morning Peace

In a world filled with confusion, problSuccems and conflict, 

it's encouraging to read of some thoughts 

that keep us looking forward and upward! 

Fortune favors the brave. -- a proverb

(Don not be afraid to press ahead for what you believe in.)

The shortest answer is doing. -- a proverb

(You don't need to talk about it--do it!)

The true test of character 

is how we behave

when we don't know what to do. -- John Holt

(Do we shy back and do nothing? 

Or realize that doing something 

is better than nothing?)

Success is never found,

Failure is never fatal,

Courage is the only thing.  --Winston Churchill

(Success is found in the satisfaction and peace within ourself; 

Failure need not be forever or cause for total abandonment of hope.

Courage to press ahead for brighter and better things IS the thing.)

Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes on Freedom

That the hope will burn forever in me of a continuing freedom in America
fun stuff:

• fireworks
• hotdogs
• get togethers
• laughter

a long weekend
children's awe of the fireworks
what fireworks remind me of
a country where we can say "no" -- so far
the privilege to exercise our rights
our beautiful land.


Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

Oh, say can you see

by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hailed 

at the twilight's last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars 

through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched 

were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, 

the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night

that our flag was still there!

Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?

Blessings!

What in the World's Going on?

This is a statement that was read over the PA sytem at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLeod

"It has always been the custom at RoaneCountyHigh School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! Means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.

" However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,in the name of JESUS, to bless this event, please feel free to do so.. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.

They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."

Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion.

Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!

Hope this blesses you as much as it did me.

Freedom Thoughts

Fourth of July is almost here. I thought about that and how much I enjoy the day. Then I thought what does freedom mean to me?

Here's some thoughts:

Sacrifices:

• Our ancestors who fought and argued and stood and bore with "big deals" to gain what they considered freedom. I profit from that vision.
• The boys and girls (men and women!!!) who go now to service to fight for what we have here in America. Many of them suffer: death, injuries--some they never recover from both mentally and physically.
  

Memories:

• Of the past Independence Day celebrations, with family and friends and people I love.
• Knowing that year after year others I don't see often or can't see on that day are enjoying their day the same as I can and do.

Freedoms:
I enjoy so much:

• the right to be with people or be by myself. To have friends or be a hermit
  
• the right to take up the profession I want to do, whether grave digger or NY stock investor
  
• the right to worship God as I want. Or not.
  
• the right to say what I want, within reason. Something that makes sense, or total nonsense.
  
• the right to think and be and do. Or live like an idiot, too.
  
• the right to drive a vehicle, fly a plane, walk, bicycle, ride a horse.

The right to be thankful or carry a chip on my shoulder.
The right to vote for who I think is the right candidate. And the right to say so.
The right to smile or drag my nose on the ground. Who cares?

This July 4th I give thanks for both the small and big pleasures in my life:

• family, aggravating, refuse-to-listen-to-my-reason family, ugly, fat, skinny, beautiful family members. They're MINE!
  
• awesome fireworks that light the sky and that tell the world "we're free."
• Songs that give me peace and melancholy and happiness and thought.
• Summer food like burgers and hotdogs and marshmallows and fresh corn and new potatoes and strawberries
• A place I can call home.
• A car that takes us where we want to go
  
• a hubby who gives and cares and loves

Have a safe and glorious one!




Quote:
The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. --Chinese proverb


Blessings