Sometimes life is tough

But when you think about it, it beats the alternative.

Sorry to have abandoned my blog, but I have been very distracted. I am still raising the best beef I can, and still hoping to someday get paid for the extra effort. Why haven't the anti-trust laws applied to the giant international agriculture companies? I will never know the consumers as long as the 4 big packers continue to keep the retail business.

I'm back!

It is amazing to me that it has been so long since I have been to my own blog. Time flies faster every year. The MS makes it such that if a thing isn't in front of me, it never existed. I do remember things, I think, but my brain has lost the "table of contents" to where those memories are stored. Please try to relate.

The good Lord has continued to pour blessings on me, his undeserving child. I am so very thankful. I do hope he blesses you, dear reader, through some of the words in this blog. Joe

Still praying St. Theresa's Prayer

Isn't it amazing how God works through words?

St. Theresa's Prayer

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

A Super Mom on the Supernatural Mom

This is something my brother found. Apparently Mom still had time to write articles for Catholic magazines back then (around 1958). Born on the Feast of the Visitation, died on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

A simple yet beautiful article.
 
A Mother Speaks of True Devotion to Mary
by Madelaine Bush

St. Louis tells us that as we have a natural mother and father, so we have our spiritual father in God, and our spiritual mother in Mary. But some of us, especially we busy parents, have a tendency to keep our spiritual life and thoughts separate from our natural, occupied and distracted lives. Today I will bring to you a few suggestions as to 1) The necessity for bringing Mary, our mother, into our natural, busy everyday lives -- and 2) How to achieve this.

Since I am keeping the sphere of Mary in family life I would like to begin with the child.
1) Why is it necessary to bring Mary into the natural life our children?
I am presupposing that we all teach our children about the spiritual part of the Mother of God. That she is the Mother of God. And that as such, she deserves our love and devotion. But let's take her from her heavenly home and put her into our home.
Doctors, as well as our own common sense, tell us that to make a child happy and healthy, we should give that child love and security. Mary can do this better than we. And remember, should we be separated from our children because of wars, ill-health, or even death, if we teach them that Mary is their true mother, and to love her as such, then they continue to have security in their mother, whom they are familiar with and love, and who can never be taken from them. As as illustration: a young mother when holding her small child can caress it tenderly and say "Mother loves you very much, and with all her heart - almost as much as Mary does - Mary's heart is bigger than mother's and holds more love!" So often when one of my boys fails to mind me, I ask -"Please then, do it for Mary - offer it to her," and he will. Little ones are very wise for their years. One day I was bathing a young son who was then about three or four years old. I had donned a pretty, long blue robe. My child complimented me, saying how pretty I looked, just like Mary. Here is another example of how a mother can share her responsibility with Mary. I have often told the children that Mary is their mother as well as I. One day not long ago, a little one said, "Mother, you know you are our stepmother!" I was shocked for the moment and hurried to assure him. "Oh, no, I'm your real mother." "No," he said. "Mary is our real mother - you are just our stepmother who takes care of us until we get up to heaven." I'm sure all of us would be very happy to take a back seat like that for Mary.

I have tried, and am still trying, to make Mary a part of their life, a vital part as the air they breathe. Not just a devotion to be put on with their Sunday clothes -- and taken off when they go out to play. I don't want them to associate Mary with just the rosary, or with Fatima or Lourdes - as wonderful as these are, not with just any one form of devotion or apparition. No -- first to know and trust her as their mother, love her with their heart -- then they can discover the other wonderful facts of Mary.
I have attempted to show you the necessity of giving the child to Mary -- to increase the love and security in his life, and to make the job easier for the parent.
2) Another reason for the necessity of bringing Mary so completely into the child's life is that, in this pagan age with the devil and all evil, demoralizing forces at work, we need to give to the girls an ideal to follow, and the boys, the perfect picture of womanhood to uphold. Where else can we find this in the world today -- only in Mary, and in the mothers and daughters who through Mary strive with the grace which comes through her hands, to become more Mary-like in all they do.
How can this be done? Let's look at this in a positive way. There are too many points on the negative side that I am sure we are all aware of. But what can we do? First, mothers, look to ourselves -- do we set a Mary-like example in dress? We can dress "smart" and be modest. The best dressed women chosen each year are usually those conspicuous because they are dressed not under-dressed or undressed. In teaching our daughters to choose their own clothes they must be made aware that their choice is important not only in good taste and good fashion, but most of all in the effect upon young men. Will the dress be an occasion of sin? or an occasion of true admiration?
3) What are our actions around the home? Do we set good example for our children by consistently trying to do all things in a Mary-like way? Not just the sweeping, cooking, etc., but by our control? Do we at all times keep control of the situation -- with self-control? Or are we too often screaming at our children in anger and impatience? Don't get discouraged and some day Mary will help us achieve our goal. Here is a small example of this point. One birthday my husband gave me a lovely bracelet that had a heavy gold medal of Mary attached to it. I was so fond of this bracelet that I often wore it even while doing housework. One day, I lost my patience with one of my little ones, and as I raise my hand to strike him the medal hit the back of my hand. Mary was slapping my hand as if to say "No, no, keep your patience." I have found, too, that complete honesty helps with the children. Sometimes after a particularly hard day, I gather the boys around me and ask, "This hasn't been a very good day, has it?"
They will be quick to agree it has not! Then I will confess,"Children, I am sorry that I was so impatient and did not act as Mary would have me act. But you must always help me, and had you all minded, and acted as Jesus and Mary wanted you to, then it would have been a much better day. Let us all try tomorrow to do and be as They would have us to do and be, and then we will have a very nice day." Then we kneel before our altar, and say our night prayers. Even the very young children seem to understand this, and think more of their natural mother, even when she fails them (in her weakness) and much more of their supernatural mother, who never fails them when they sincerely seek out her help.
4) Around home, do we show the same respect for our husband-father that Mary did for Joseph? This is so important today -- for in the home respect for authority is the great beginning for your children. Let me try to make myself clear. Children should respect you, not only because you are their parents and have authority over them but because that authority comes from God. In respecting and loving their parents, they are respecting and loving God. Every time we allow ourselves to be talked back to, we are allowing the child to lay the seeds of juvenile delinquency. Delinquency of what? Delinquency of all respect -- respect for authority -- respect for law -- respect for the rights of others. So look to your husband, as Mary did to Joseph, thereby setting good example for your children, and demand and gain the respect of your children for yourself, because God did give you the authority over them -- and the home is where they must learn this lesson of respect --or we fail them and God! One word here to fathers: by example is the way to teach your son the, I'm sorry to say, old-fashioned respect for women. Opening the car doors -- allowing her to walk before you -- pulling out the chair at dinner -- listening to her when she speaks (to mention just a few). Boys do what they will see and hear their fathers do. But remember mothers you have to expect it --- to get it. Let's, as women, find our true Christian place in the world -- the place that God intended for us. Mary, never for one minute, considered herself the head of the family. She, the Mother of God, looked to Joseph for protection, while she quietly attended to the Child and their home. Let us, women of today, follow her example.
5) Another thing that would come under activity in the home yet deserves a separate grouping of its own, is that activity of the tongue. When I asked my husband, one day, to give me his opinion on an important example that a mother could give her children in Mary-like living -- he said, "Charity of the tongue. Don't set the children a bad example by gossiping." How true. This could be developed but let us just stop and think about it. If parents make a rule never to say an unkind thing about anyone in front of the children -- what a wonderful example they would be giving them! Charity truly begins at home -- and there are far too many points to try and bring all of them to your attention at this time. The suggestions that have been made are only a few positive ways of bringing Mary into the home, and to your family, with Mary-like thoughts and actions.
6)On the spiritual side, there are a few suggestions that might be helpful in bringing Mary from her heavenly home to our home.
a)Teach the children great confidence in Mary, that she never fails them. My earliest recollection of my mother was her great faith in Mary. When I would go to her with a childish problem she would say "ask our Blessed Mother, and she will help you, she has never failed me in anything that I have asked her!" Nothing is too small or unimportant.
b)Have the prettiest picture or statue of Mary that you can afford in your home. Put it in a place where the baby can see it. It would be nice to have a Mary's corner. So few of us have a room for prayer and peace, but it is possible for all of us to give a corner of some room to her -- where the family can gather to pray -- or to go to for inspiration and guidance -- or just to talk to God -- through Mary. We made an altar from an outgrown breakfast table. Mary's statue came first. Now we have added Joseph and in the Infant Jesus. The Holy Family!
7) Now to summarize this briefly: Make your spiritual life one and the same. Whether you are a) nursing the baby b) cleaning the house c) driving the car d) buying the groceries e) selecting your clothes f) planning a party g) saying your prayers -- there is a right way to do it. Mary's Way -- in Mary with Mary and for Mary. It's hard -- you bet! Yet remember -- and teach your children -- although you may fail Mary -- she will never fail you~
When it gets too much for you -- as it often will -- speak of her -- "It's all yours, Mary" (thinking of the noisy or sick children - or the muddy floors -- or the unexpected company coming for dinner, etc.)
"Yes it's all yours, Mary, so now you take over" -- and she will!

Rest In Peace, Mama

Born on the Feast day for the Visitation, died on the Feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Mama was close to the Holy Mother in spirit throughout her life. She has now passed on, but leaves behind a legacy of faith in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and many friends whose lives she touched. A daughter of the pioneers, an inspiration to her husband and children, a true believer in Christ and his salvation, she inspired many to attain much.

There will be a funeral mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ft. Collins on Saturday, December 22, 2007. We thank God for having touched us through her. Joe

Chattin' with the Almighty (A.K.A. morning prayer)

Where is your zealous care and your might?
your surge of pity and your mercy?
Don't hold back, you are our father.
Our redeemer, you are named forever. Isaiah 63:15-16

I will not leave or forsake you. Jos 1:5

You are our father; we are the clay and you are the potter. Is 64:7

Dear God,

You inspired those words above a long time ago, but you talk to us today through the same Spirit that inspired them. We still need your care, might, pity and mercy. Please don't hold back. Be who you are: our caring father, and make the clay that we are into an image of yourself today. We need your help, we need your concern. Its enough for you to be who you are. Help us today to be who you made us to be and are making us to be.

Presumption v. Experience

In the Magnificat readings for yesterday I came across an article written by a man named Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete that was quite thought provoking. He is discussing St. Augustine's wondering about God's interactions in Augustine's life. Augustine was wondering why God had led him to study Plato. Plato, of course, was the ancient Greek philosopher who applied reason to try to explain existentialism and whose writings were (and are) widely used in classical study. Augustine concludes that it must have been to teach him the difference between "presumption and confession". Now there are probably 3 or 4 languages and one or two thousand years involved in translating these concepts into modern words, but the gist seems to be that being a follower of Christ through only having been taught by your teachers and trusting solely in the institution of the church is not enough. For Augustine, if one intellectually "becomes" a Christian through proper philosophy, theology, spirituality, morality or cultural project, it is merely based on presumption. You are presuming that the intelligent and well meaning ancestors and teachers must have it right, so that if you follow the guidelines you can attain the desirable goal of salvation, whatever that turns out to be. You are presuming that you can become saved through your own efforts, by doing the right things and thinking the right way. Augustine's point was that you must experience, personally, God's work of salvation. We have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved because God is doing it. God became man in the person of Christ, God filled the disciples with his Spirit at Pentecost, Christ rose from the dead and lives. God is still alive and still acting. When we personally experience God at work in our lives, then we are driven to witness to others what God is doing. We "confess" what we have experienced to our peers. Monsignor Albacete uses the word "evangelization" to describe the process of telling others about what has happened to you.

The fire of the evangelicals. The motivation of personal experience. I have experienced two miraculous healings personally. I have been filled with the Holy Spirit. I have been absolved of my sins. I am still struggling to understand and see what God is about, but I cannot deny what he does. Monsignor Albacete calls it the "concern which post-Christian man has tragically lost". I don't see it as lost. It is alive and well, but not evident where where one might presume it to be. If you come to experience the sacraments you can enthusiastically engage the street preachers and cult members and cowboys and indians with what you have found out. God is alive! He loves me! He saves me!

Boots: the rest of the story

Sorry, I forgot to post this earlier, but I have been busy.

As you may know, the Roman Catholic Church doesn't teach the concept of reincarnation. However, I think there are major religions of the world and even some protestants who do consider the possibility. General George Patton was a famous believer in it. The validity is beyond knowing in this mortal life with certainty, but it is fun to play around with in a "what if" sort of way. As a practical matter, I do defer to the wisdom of the ages handed down within the church founded by and protected by God (the Roman Catholic Church). So, even though I might wonder about reincarnation, I do not believe in it.

Thirty years ago I took a college course on the religions of the world. One of them (Hindu, perhaps) taught that souls are "recycled" through this world, life after life, until they do a really good job and and end up close to God. You might come back as an animal, you might come back as woman, or you might come back as a perennial soldier, like Patton thought he had. Patton would have a Deja Vu experience on various ancient battlefields that would remind him. The major religion that teaches you could come back as animals went on to say that all life is, therefor, sacred, since it could be grandpa. They especially thought bovines (cows) were sacred. Here on the ranch I spend this life with the herd, feeding them and caring for them. They have a good life, with plenty of different kinds of good food. A beautiful place to live with all their needs met. They also have community with the rest of the herd. They are, most days, peaceful, content, and thriving.

So I have wondered aloud about this concept of reincarnation, and have said before that if it were true I would want to come back as a herd bull on this ranch. Here on this ground the herd bull has vast beautiful pastures of tall palatable grasses with clear running water and all the females he can breed. He is surrounded by his "wives" and his children in the land of milk and honey.

THE REST OF THE STORY
Last September I went to a bull sale in eastern Oklahoma and bought 3 bulls. On the way home I stopped at a friend's house in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. While there, one of the bulls made an astonishing flat footed five foot leap to escape from the stock trailer (no other animal I have hauled has been able to accomplish this). He was very excited, and could not be eased back toward confinement. He went running through town, across the highway, and jumped the fence into the graveyard. 911 calls abounded. For some unknown reason he was content to stay in one part of the graveyard where he was eventually roped by some good cowboys sent to the rescue. After the ordeal was over my lady friend whom I was visiting pointed out that he was standing on the grave of one "Boots" Adams when he was captured. Boots Adams was a successful executive at Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville during his life. He was rich, and bought several big Osage County ranches, right here in "cow heaven". Perhaps reincarnation and the related Deja Vu experience could explain this unusual turn of events. Maybe Boots did come back as a herd bull, and the proximity to his former body motivated his "super-bovine" feat of leaping out of the trailer and then drew him to his former grave? Most times an animal under stress either will fight or flee. This herd bull, curiously, did neither when confronted with the cowboys on horses. He neither ran away, nor charged the horses. He stood there, and didn't fight until we tried to load him in the trailer. Then he fought with vigor. So, is this herd bull Boots Adams reincarnated? I don't know, but it makes a good story, and gives me a good reason to name this animal "Boots".

There is something about Mary

From today's Gospel:
Luke 11: 27 - 28
27 As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!"
28 But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

I am devoted to Mary, the mother of God. I do believe that peoples' souls live on after the body dies. Hence, there are many passed away, yet still "living". I often ask people whom I consider close to God to pray for me in my little trials and tribulations. People like Deacon Jim, or, if I could, Mother Angelica from EWTN. So it is natural to ask Mary to pray for me as well. I have, and often do. And I think she listens and does intercede effectively. I don't understand why protestants have such a problem with this. However, I do not think that devotion to the Blessed Mother is the end-all answer. There are people who pay lip service to respecting Mary, yet choose to ignore the Word of God when it comes time to keep it. These folks are fooling themselves. Be alert, do not presume goodness to follow from a person who uses devotion to Mary to gain your confidence. See what decisions they make when faced with following the word of God or not. Still, do not discard the value of her intercession when you want some company in your prayers. She should be blessed since God chose her out of all the humans he created to bear his son and to nurture him. Jesus was fully human and fully God. Surely he loves and honors his mother.

If you want to do a good job with your time on earth, listen to Jesus' words: hear the word of God AND KEEP IT! That is how you glorify God, and that is why you are here.

Shame on the pop star, the hypocrites, and anyone who would use the respect due to the true Madonna to mislead those who are trying to honor her.

God loves Cattle

from today's mass:
Jonah: God said "shoudn't I be concerned over the great city with more than 120,000 persons, NOT TO MENTION THE MANY CATTLE?"
Luke: Jesus teaches the "Our Father"

Yes, God does love his cattle, and sends them ranchers to take care of them. He also loves you, and wants you to remember that God is your father, he sends your daily bread, and he will forgive your mistakes with the same measure that you forgive others who have hurt you.

All new Tundra

It has been awhile since I posted, and I will get back to spiritual discussions, but first I wanted to crow about this great pickup truck. This is the '07 Tundra with the new big engine. It can pull a 20 foot gooseneck full of cattle effortlessly, and stop it easily without the trailer brakes even attached! I have changed over fron 1 ton Fords to half ton Toyotas for my ranch because they ride way smoother, work just as hard, and are MUCH more reliable.

This scandalizes many ranchers who feel that I deserted my country in favor of the country that our fathers went to war with. However, this truck is MADE IN AMERICA, BY AMERICANS, FOR AMERICANS, WITH JAPANESE OVERSIGHT AND QUALITY CONTROL. Unlike Fords, Chevy's and Dodges, it is not engineered to break after the warranty period. It rides like a 70's Cadillac did on the highway, but this Tundra is out in rough pastures carrying feed and hay to cattle. Good job, Toyota!

Not your words, but your actions...

You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God.

-- St. John Vianney

From Psalm 146:
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
Luke 16: 19 - 31
19 "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores,
21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried;
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom.
24 And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.'
25 But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
27 And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house,
28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'
29 But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'
30 And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
31 He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"


And the lesson for this wonderer is: You only have this life to good. If you wake up blind, get close to God. If your husband passes ahead of you, get close to God. If you are wealthy, be poor in spirit, so that lean and humble you can pass through the eye of the needle, unlike the materially blessed pompous "camel"

Did Boots make it back?

Have you ever wondered if the Hindu's could be right in the concept of reincarnation? What if we did come back in new forms after death? There is a story to unfold with these pictures, and I hope to get it published soon.

What busy summer!

a very busy time. There is much news and activity, I hope to be posting soon.

More from Deacon Jim on Marriage and Family

What do Catherine of Sienna, Thersa of Avila, and Therese of Lisieux have in common? Not when they lived (500 years apart). Not the economic status of their families. Not formal education. All three were saints, and are Doctors of the Church. These three are the only women who have been elevated to such status. A Doctor of the Church is first recognized as having lead a life of great sanctity and is declared to be a Saint in heaven. Second, a Doctor is recognized as having produced writings through which the entire Church gains great advantage. All three women had only limited formal education, and never considered themselves theologians or scholars. Each of these three imparted a unique understanding of the revelation of God to man that is recognized throughout history. All three came to such profound understandings through the impact of their family life and their personal openess to to the inner teaching of our Lord. It is important to recognize that through the lives and teachings of the family members, they were each schooled in ways of spiritual life that surpasses that of the most important of Universities.

CELEBRATION - Growth in love- 4th stage
MEDITATION- SACRAMENTS-79-MATRIMONY 9
The Church has through the ages of the Old and New Testaments, up to the present age emphasized the need for family in the formation of its children in the ways of the world and in the ways of God. The Hebrew family of the Old Testament was a close knit group, who learned the ways of the world by working with the father and the mother within the household and most daughters became mothers and fulfilled the role taught by their mothers and sons learned their trade from their fathers. In the transmission of spiritual knowledge, the entire family followed the rule of their faith and expressed their devotion through communal, family and personal prayer. As the first Christians, including Jesus, were Hebrew, these traditions passed into the Christian discipline of life.

The importance of family life is well expressed in the Book of Genesis, where, “in the beginning” when God created Eve from the flesh and blood of Adam while he was in an ecstatic state. The ecstatic conjugal union of husband and wife assuring the begetting of children at the same time provides a source of joy and happiness passed on to the children.
This teaching is expressed by the Bishops of the world in the Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et spes (Joy and peace) in 1965. In this document article 50 states; “While not making the other purposes of matrimony of less account, the true practice of conjugal love, and the whole meaning of the family life which results from it, have this aim: that the couple be ready with stout hearts to cooperate with the love of the Creator and the Savior. Who through them will enlarge and enrich His own family day by day.”

In 1981, Pope John Paul II in article 28 of his Apostolic Exhortation; “The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World.” Writes the following. “The fruitfulness of conjugal love is not restricted solely to the procreation of children, even understood in its specifically human dimension: it is enlarged and enriched by all those fruits of moral, spiritual and supernatural life which the father and mother are called to hand on to their children and through the children to the Church and to the world.”

It is important that during preparation for celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony that both members of the couple clearly understand that this sacrament is not a matter of their personal fulfillment. Although it is important that each partners are fulfilled through marital union is most importantly about a total giving of self to the spouse throughout life and when children are born, a total giving of both “selves” to each of the children. When this is done with intention and care, not only will children be successful in the world of industry, but they will also be successful in the spiritual world. It is from such determination that saints are made.

Want to enter the tent?

Who shall be admitted to your tent and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault;
who acts with justice and speaks the truth from his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue;
who does no wrong to his brother, casts no slur on his neighbor;
who holds the godless in disdain, but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps his pledge, come what may - PS 15

Set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Be diligent and absorbed in these matters, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. 1 Tim

Seek the Lord in integrity of heart - Wis. 1

Coming towards a sinless life is like a journey. All along the road we are faced with decisions. Make the right ones, based on a closeness at heart to God, and have faith that you will arrive. Once you decide that you want to go the way instructed by your "good shepherd", you will be constantly tempted to deviate, and must make the right choices when the decision comes. The pattern of consistently making choices in line with God's word is called "attaining sanctification" by the church. It is the road to salvation and the reason the church in both the institution and in the family spends so much time on education.

Pure of Heart

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Mt.
They are happy whose life is blameless. Psalms
If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly father will forgive yours. Mt.

Strive to keep the commandments, to keep a soft heart, and to forgive those who have wronged you. But don't go overboard with offering the other cheek. Remember that your life is precious, too.

Do Right and Fear No Man

Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Ps17:8
From Deut. 32: Our God is faithful, without deceit. Yet basely he has been treated by his children. Is this how you repay your father who created you and established you?

This morning's prayers from the Magnificat: You, God, are the rock on which we stand; uphold those who seek to live justly in places of injustice. You, God, are without deceit. Free those who conceal their hearts in falsehood and betray other's trust.

When we leave our parents and go out into the "real world", we are confronted with the fruits of sin in the form of lies and deception. Many are the sins of humanity. How common it is for modern men to lust after easy money, or undeserved power. Hidden agendas abound. Stay right with God, keep his commandments. He is alive. He is your father. He is saving you. Pray for those who succumb to deception, that they also will be saved.

29+ inches since the drought ended in April. The National weather service will say that "normal" rainfall here is 23 inches a year. What they don't tell you is that there has never been a normal year. The TV will tell you it is global warming. Maybe so. It is still God's creation, and he will do what he will. The old timers around here knew that there never was a "normal" year. Today's title was a favorite saying of my grandfather.

Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of God. Matt.

Children have a gift for wonder. In wondering, we forget ourselves, and praise from the heart comes easy. It is amazing that we, in spite of our faults and weaknesses, are made in God's image and as such are his children; given dominion over the other creatures.