They know that when he gives his word he will keep it, and that he never gives an inch after he makes up his mind.”
–Charles A. Seltzer (West)
“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin…. But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.”
–Deuteronomy 23:21,23 (NLT)
———————–
I saw where Tucker Carlson made some comments about college the other day. Since I wrote about it as well I won’t expound, but he asked if college was worth the cost. Good question. Certainly not for everyone. Then he commented about professors who didn’t teach. Well, who’d a thought? And if they do, they promote their liberal, socialist agenda.
Another thing that bothers me about college anymore is the question, do professors fail students? I know in high school, teachers will give extra credit to avoid failing a student, and some schools do not let students fail. So what happens when they go to college? The same thing. No wonder there is so much ineptitude in the professional ranks these days.
However, I am still in favor of college…but who teaches common sense and biblical principles? I was sent this little story the other day by my wife’s brother. Since it’s the weekend I thought it would work in here. There are some very important life lessons that if you ponder just a bit can have a spiritual connotation as well.
An old prospector shuffled into the town of El Indio, Texas leading a tired old mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon in town, to clear his parched throat. He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to the hitch rail.
As he stood there, brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whisky in the other.
The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, “Hey old man, can you dance?”
The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, “No son, I don’t dance . . . never really wanted to.”
A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, “Well, you old fool, you’re gonna dance now!” and started shooting at the old man’s feet.
The old prospector, not wanting to get a toe blown off, started hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet.
Everybody standing around was laughing. When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.
The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled 12 gauge shotgun and cocked both hammers. The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air. The crowd stopped laughing immediately. The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly. The silence was deafening. The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin 12 gauge barrels.
The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man’s hands, as he quietly said; “Son, have you ever kissed a mule’s bottom?”
The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, “No sir .. . . but . . . but I’ve always wanted to.”
There are a few lessons for all of us here:
* Don’t be arrogant.
* Don’t waste ammunition.
* Whisky makes you think you’re smarter than you are.
* Always make sure you know who is in control.
* And finally, don’t mess around with old folks; they didn’t get old by being stupid.
I just love a story with a happy ending, don’t you?
See. that young fellow just learned a few lessons that can’t be taught in college. I might add another one; always reload after you empty your gun. Some of the greatest defeats come after spiritual victories; it might be called the devil’s counterpunch. So load up by reading your Bible and prayer.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend. Be kind to someone.