Anniversary of Moral Decline

Today marks the 20th anniversary [now 37th anniversary] of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the Roe v. Wade abortion legalization. What a sad day in the history of this great nation of ours.

I'm afraid that through liberal politicians and media, the general public has accepted these practices. That; however, doesn't make it right.

There can be no argument that abortion cheapens the sanctity of human life. When we take action that cheapens life, we are contributing to an overall decline in our society's moral values.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


"Abraham Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be free and should therefore be slaves. Likewise, we cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abandoned to abortion or infanticide." ~ Ronald Reagen

For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them. (Psalms 139:13-16)

The Big F-I-V-E!!

January 23, 2005

To my dear grandson, William:

I never thought that the excitement and joy that I experienced when my son, Michael, was born, but you have already brought me the same as being my firstborn grandson. Born on a bitter cold day, you have given warmth to my heart.

You are a gift from above. The Lord has been so gracious to me in so many ways and now He has given me another healthy offspring. Oh, what a blessing!

You are also blessed in being born to a set of great parents, who will love and raise in a firm but fair way. This has been proven already in the way they are raising your big sister. You've been given the name, William, that means "strong." The historic meaning indicates one who is valiant protector or guardian. A strong individual! This does not necessarily mean physical strength as much as it does in personality and firmness of conviction in right and wrong. To follow this meaning, as you grow older and have understanding, you must be determined to remain firm in what is honorable, regardless of the cost. You have a challenge to follow at least two for whom you've been named after your Dad and Grandfather. If you follow their examples, you will grow up with the same steadfastness and firmness necessary.

As you grow older, you will discover the large and loving family that you've been born into. Your parents, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many cousins will give you lessons to learn. You can learn the meaning of hard work and devotion to completing task from your Mom and Dad. You can learn of the discipline and sacrifice that they are making to make your life better. Learn the appreciation for art and music from your grandmothers. Learn the ability to cope with and live with other siblings from your uncles and aunts on your Dad's side of the family. You can learn how to have fun in life and make the most of it from your Uncle Michael. You are fortunate to have all four of your great grandparents on your Mother's side of the family. Not too many people can say that. Even though they are getting older and loosing their health and/or minds, I hope that you will get to appreciate the love that they have given to your Mom. Listen when someone talks of them and their devotion to their family and devotion to God and His service. It will do you good to follow their footsteps.

Learn from your sister the friendliness toward others. Learn of her sincere interest in gathering knowledge. There will be times when she will cover you with too much protection and overshadowing of her dominance, but remember as the two of you grow, you will eventually be bigger and stronger. It will be your responsibility to look over her. I hope that the two of you will always be best of friends. Be as close as your Mother and Uncle Michael.

Also, remember that your Nana and I will continually be praying for you and be there when we can. Though there are miles between us, you are only a brief thought away. As grandparents, we have the right to spoil you and will do so within limits, but be assured that we seek your best.

Thank you for making this man a most happy and proud one.

Love you!
Popaw

Beautiful Hymn

This is a beautiful hymn. Click here to listen or download it to your desktop.

Conflict Resolution

Disagreements and conflicts will always exist when there is a relationship. Whether it is husband/wife, boy/girl, parent/child, friend/friend, or between co-workers. These conflicts are a part of life.

I heard on the Christian radio station the other day some good advice. There was in Acts 15 a division between the apostle Paul and Barnabas. The lesson to learn:

1. When in a disagreement, work hard at seeing both sides, not just your own.

2. When both sides have good arguments, seek a wise compromise.

3. If conflict persist, care enough to work it through and not run.

It takes maturity to work out the conflicts which arise in relationships.

I realize that I need to take a dose of my own medicine. I'm seeking God's grace to enable me to heed to this advice.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


Mighty God,
I humble myself for faculties misused, opportunities neglected, words ill-advised,
I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways, my broken resolutions, untrue service, my backsliding steps, my vain thoughts.
O bury my sins in the ocean of Jesus' blood and let no evil result from my fretful temper, unseemly behavior, provoking pettiness.
If by unkindness I have wounded or hurt another, do thou pour in the balm of heavenly consolation;
If I have turned coldly from need, misery, grief, do not in just anger forsake me:
If I have withheld relief from penury and pain, do not withhold thy gracious bounty from me.
If I have shunned those who have offended me, keep open the door of thy heart to my need.

Fill me with an over-flowing ocean of compassion, the reign of love my motive, the law of love my rule.

O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful, more humble;
Inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness arising from the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties, my unimproved advantages, thy commands violated by me.
With all my calls to gratitude and joy may I remember that I have reason for sorrow and humiliation;
O give me repentance unto life;
Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord, that faith may adhere to him more immovably, that love may entwine itself round him more tightly, that his Spirit may pervade every fiber of my being.
Then send me out to make him known to my fellow-men.

"Humility in Service" from Valley of Vision

Abide With Me

Abide With Me
(words by Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847)

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide
When other helpers, fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, abide with me

Thou on my head, in early youth didst smile
And though rebellious, and perverse meanwhile
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee
On to the close Lord, abide with me

I need Thy presence, every passing hour
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness
Where is thy sting death? Where grace thy victory?
I triumph still, abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross, before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, Lord, abide with me.

Concentration on Goals

Everyone is beginning together. The 1993 journey is underway.

Many will falter and fail during the year - some early, others later. Some will succeed! Meet their personal goals and objectives.

What makes the difference?

I read the following quote which I think is the answer to the question,

"Singleness of purpose is the essential factor in greatness - for the man of genius differs from ordinary men, not in the innate quality of the brain, but in the aims and purposes on which he concentrates and in the degree of concentration which he manages to achieve."

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Happy New Year!

(originally dated January 4, 1993)

Happy New Year!

This is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. It is a time to refresh our minds and bodies for the long year ahead. It is a time when people make "New Year's Resolutions."

Have you made any?

Getting started right certainly goes along way on life's journey.

Review 1992 and shoot for a successful 1993.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


The Life Look

O God,
I bless thee for the happy moment
when I first saw thy law fulfilled in Christ,
wrath appeased, death destroyed, sin forgiven,
my soul saved.
Ever since, thou hast been faithful to me:
daily have I proved the power of Jesus' blood,
daily have I known the strength of the Spirit,
my teacher, director, sanctifier.
I want no other rock to build upon than that I have,
desire no other hope than that of gospel truth,
need no other look than that which gazes
on the cross.
Forgive me if I have tried to add anything
to the one foundation,
if I have unconsciously relied upon my knowledge,
experience, deeds, and not seen them
as filthy rags,
if I have attempted to complete what is perfect
in Christ;
May my cry be always, Only Jesus! Only Jesus!
In him is freedom from condemnation,
fullness in his righteousness,
eternal vitality in his given life,
indissoluble union in fellowship with him;
In him I have all that I can hold;
enlarge me to take in more.
If I backslide,
let me like Peter weep bitterly and return to him;
If I am tempted, and have no wit,
give me strength enough to trust in him;
If I am weak,
may I faint upon his bosom of eternal love;
If in extremity,
let me feel that he can deliver me;
If driven to the verge of hope and to the pit
of despair,
grant me grace to fall into his arms.
O God, hear me, do for me more
than I ask, think, or dream.

(from Valley of Vision)

Good Quote

"The government is not my shepherd; I shall not surrender my liberties."

Herman Cain (for Sean Hannity, December 30)

Hallelujah, He Reigneth!

As the new year approaches, I challenge you to meditate on these poignent words of Spurgeon and the reminder of the Lord's eternal promise.


"The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." --Isaiah 40:5

We anticipate the happy day when the whole world shall be converted to Christ; when the gods of the heathen shall be cast to the moles and the bats; when Romanism shall be exploded, and the crescent of Mohammed shall wane, never again to cast its baleful rays upon the nations; when kings shall bow down before the Prince of Peace, and all nations shall call their Redeemer blessed. Some despair of this. They look upon the world as a vessel breaking up and going to pieces, never to float again. We know that the world and all that is therein is one day to be burnt up, and afterwards we look for new heavens and for a new earth; but we cannot read our Bibles without the conviction that:

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journeys run.

We are not discouraged by the length of His delays; we are not disheartened by the long period which He allots to the church in which to struggle with little success and much defeat. We believe that God will never suffer this world, which has once seen Christ's blood shed upon it, to be always the devil's stronghold. Christ came hither to deliver this world from the detested sway of the powers of darkness. What a shout shall that be when men and angels shall unite to cry "Hallelujah, hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!" What a satisfaction will it be in that day to have had a share in the fight, to have helped to break the arrows of the bow, and to have aided in winning the victory for our Lord! Happy are they who trust themselves with this conquering Lord, and who fight side by side with Him, doing their little in His name and by His strength! How unhappy are those on the side of evil! It is a losing side, and it is a matter wherein to lose is to lose and to be lost for ever. On whose side are you?

Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, December 24.

Believeth Thou This?

Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enroll themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased. And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them. (Luke 2:1-20)

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Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel. Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him. And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-11)

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-14)

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For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due? And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:2-12)

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