Yep; This Is Us

The typical U.S. household headed by a person age 65 or older has a net worth 47 times greater than a household headed by someone under 35, according to an analysis of census data released Monday.  47 times.

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, blue hairs, baldies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs.  Many of us are "Baby Boomers" getting ready to retire, others are from the Greatest Generation already retired.  We walk a little slower these days, and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were.  We worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and have grown old together.

In school we studied English, history, math, and science, which enabled us to lead America into the technological age.  We still use two spaces after a period when typing.  Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience.  We remember the days of telephone party-lines, $.25 gasoline, and milk being delivered to our homes.

We are probably considered old fashioned and outdated by many.  But there are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off.  Some a bit older won World War II, others fought in Korea and Vietnam.  We can quote “The Pledge of Allegiance”, and know where to place our hand while doing so.  We wore the uniform of our country with pride, and lost friends on the battlefield.  We didn't fight for the Socialist States of America; we fought for the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave."

Many of us wore different uniforms but carried the same flag.  Some did not do military service but kept the freedom fires burning at home.  We all know the words to the “Star Spangled Banner,” “America,” and “America the Beautiful” by heart, and you may even see some tears running down our cheeks as we sing.  We have lived what many of you should have read in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for America.

Yes, we are older and slower these days but rest assured, we have at least one good fight left in us.  We love this country, and now we are going to save it.  It is our country and nobody is going to take it away from us.  Many took oaths to defend America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that’s an oath we plan to keep, and those who didn’t would gladly defend it anyway.  There are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders, there is no way we are going to remain silent.

It was mostly the young people of this nation who elected Obama and the Democrat Congress.  You fell for the "Hope and Change" which in reality was nothing but "Hype and Lies” from your college professors.  You youngsters need to taste socialism and see evil face to face to understand you don't like it after all.  You make a lot of noise, most are all too interested in their careers or "Climbing the Social Ladder" to be involved in such mundane things such as patriotism and voting.  Many of those who fell for the "Great Lie" in 2008 are now having buyer's remorse.  With all the education we gave you, you didn't have sense enough to see through the lies and instead drank their 'Kool-Aid.’   Perhaps that was our fault, or our liberal educators, but there is no excuse now.

Don't worry youngsters, the Grey-Haired Brigade is here, and in 2016 we took back our nation.  We may drive a little slower than you would like, but we get where we're going, and in 2020 we're driving to the polls again by the millions. So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, stand up, put your hand over your heart, honor your country, and thank God for the old geezers of the "Gray-Haired Brigade."

Footnote:  This is spot on.  I am another Gray-Haired Geezer signing on.  I will circulate this to other Gray-Haired Geezers all over this still great country.  Can you feel the ground shaking?  It's not an earthquake, it’s a STAMPEDE.  And you and I are members.  

MAGA

God's Word for Sunday, 10/6/19

Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Isaiah 26:4 KJV

At that time, this song will be sung in the country of Judah: We have a strong city, Salvation City, built and fortified with salvation. Throw wide the gates so good and true people can enter. People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. 

Isaiah 26:4 MSG

God's Word for Wednesday, 10/2/19

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.

Proverbs 29:25 MSG

God's Word for Tuesday, 10/2/18

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.

Proverbs 29:25 MSG

Life in Difficult Times

Unless you've been living in a cave for the last six or seven years, it should be obvious that times are tough all over. Unemployment is high, and current events are scary. Without crying "Fear! Fire! Foes! Awake!", let us see what we can do, as individuals.

1. If you have a job, give thanks. As a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, I give thanks to God the Father. You may have other ideas; it is not my intent here to proselytize you. It's the attitude of gratitude that you'll need. Such an attitude helps keep us grounded, regardless of how well we're doing.

2. Simplify your life. Now is not the time to expand. Look for ways to streamline. For example, drink coffee in the morning at home, rather than buying a latte on the way to work, or wherever. Money in the hand is better than money out the window. Our dollars have less buying power these days; you might need that extra five bucks for something more important.

3. While these are dangerous times, don't get so wrapped up in the news that you lose perspective. Remember that reporters must generate numbers to keep their jobs. In simpler terms, they get paid to sensationalize.

There are quite enough bad tidings in the average newscast to depress a clown on laughing gas. Remember to follow the money, and get to the bottom of the news item. Quisnam beneficium? "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:33-34)

4. Keep your head. Whether you know it or not, people are watching you: wives, children, significant others; friends, co-workers, and so on. Panic not only won't help, it will hurt.

If you pray, pray for wisdom to know what to do in these times. My Bible says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5) Strive to be one who can remain calm, even when things are going wrong - be the calm at the center of the storm. When we panic, it's too easy to miss the way out.

5. Make adjustments, when and IF you can. Is your area hard-hit by recession? If so, can you relocate? There are some parts of the country which are doing better than others.

Can't relocate? Each case is different, but again, "pray for wisdom" comes to mind. There are many variables (i.e., elderly relatives needing care, a house that isn't selling, etc).

Self-reliance and personal responsibility are two of the traits that have made America great, or more accurately, that have made her people great. It requires flexibility of mind and spirit; of seizing opportunity and running with it. It's what we Americans do.

* * * * *

I've received a e-mails asking about things I'm discussing here; it's easier to offer advice when specifics are known, so this is fairly generic. Nevertheless, you all have common sense. I don't think anything I've said here will surprise too many folks.

What I'd like you take away, at the end, is some reassurance. Times are tough, and I believe they're going to remain tough for quite awhile. People who are equally tough will be flexible, and will learn to adapt.

Be of good cheer, my friends. We will get through this; we always do.

Becoming a Man

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee youths' rite of passage?

The father takes the son into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him. He is required to sit on a tree stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.

He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

 

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on another stump close to him.

The father had been watching the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

 

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, close by.
When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.


"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)