You oughtn’ to hate work. Hard work makes for what I reckon you like in a man, but don’t understand. As I look back over my life…what I remember most an’ feel best over are the hardest jobs I ever did an’ those that cost the most sweat an’ blood.”
–Zane Grey (The Mysterious Rider)

“So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die.”
–Ecclesiastes 3:22 (NIV)
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Sunday was a horrific day! The first thing that came to my mind was, “How terrible; the poor families.” Then I started to ponder, could this shooting have been stopped? Perhaps the only way would be if there was an armed guard outside the door and one inside. The one outside would first of all be a deterrent, and second, he might take a bullet, but that would give the person inside an opportunity to act.
I see the pundits from the left are already starting. First, give the families a break and let them get their loved ones buried in peace. Second, this shooting could not be stopped. In fact, very few can be stopped totally. There was a slipup with the Air Force, if that is correct. The shooter should not have been able to purchase a weapon. Finally, as always, it was not the rifle; it was the crazy man behind the rifle.
It is a shame that we should have to arm guards for a church. But really, what can we expect? God and prayer are removed, right is now wrong and wrong is right. When God’s moral laws are flaunted and mocked what else can happen in society but for it to degenerate?
Isn’t it interesting that the reason he stopped firing at the church was that an armed neighbor started firing at him. Sometimes it takes armed force to stop the maniacs out there. See why I tell you to be aware of your surroundings, keep your gun oiled and your Bible well read.
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I’ve always been one to ponder. Thoughts sort of float through my head, well, sometimes they actually run and I don’t catch them. I don’t always come up with conclusions with my ponderings, and sometimes I still wonder about them. I happened to come across this little reading, so I pondered it.

“It is good to spend time each day in quiet reflection, thinking and praying about our lives. Much of our daily life is spent ‘inside our own heads,’ though just how much varies a lot with individuals and circumstances.
Introverts and people who live alone probably spend more time inside their own heads than extroverts and people who live with others.
In any case, there are perils to reflection and interiority; quiet reflection can easily turn into brooding over real or imagined grievances. The teacher on the way to school and the office worker on the way to work may both be imagining the difficult individuals they are sure to confront.
How much of your interior life is spent in these imaginary conflicts? While it can be helpful to rehearse the argument you plan to have with someone, these rehearsals can easily become obsessive and filled with unkind thoughts about others.
Also, do you find yourself dwelling on unchaste thoughts throughout the day? Sometimes we must make a conscious effort to clean up our interior space…”

I know that many times the thoughts are put there by the devil, however, other times they come from our own imaginations. It is important that we reflect upon the day and upon God’s Word, but we must be careful about “vain imaginations.” Dallas Willard said, “I have found that there is always a quality of nervousness, of tininess, about one’s own thoughts.” If we are not careful they can cause anxiety or depression.

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.”
–Philippians 4:8 (HCSB)
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How about this? Atheist Stephen Hawking made the following statement, The “earth could become a ball of fire.” Hmmm, you don’t think he might be sneaking in some Bible reading?

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.[c] 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?”
–2 Peter 3:10-12 (NKJV)

It is important to listen with all the senses, and to feel. Awareness is a way of learning, too. In these days to come you must be alive and aware to everything. Let the days leave tracks upon your memory.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Californios)

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”
–1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
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Just a few words here. It was said that Bergdahl could not get a fair trial. What he received from the judge was a slap on the wrist and at the same time the judge slapped justice in the face! Berdahl’s lawyers said that he did not “understand the consequences of his actions.” Nonsense! He was a soldier and a soldier knows the consequences of desertion.
What a travesty of justice! Watch, in a year or so, he’ll get a book deal and make millions, walk to the bank all the time thumbing his nose at the U.S. military.
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I read last week something that should concern us all regarding millennials. The study showed that 50% of them would favor either a socialist or communist government. Did you get that? 50% — that’s half. Remember, in a few years they will be making government policy.

“The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”
–Proverbs 21:25-26

The sluggard, the snowflake, the millennial would rather wish than work; he is the dreamer who does not put legs to his dreams. His cravings are insatiable, but he does nothing to fill them. This person seeks the path of least resistance, wanting something for nothing.
This is not only true in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual. There are many who are “spiritual sloths.” They want to be “fed” but don’t want to work for spiritual food. Beasley says, “These are the kind that will wander from church to church, from self-help book to self-help book; they want a quick spiritual fix.”
What will happen when they become the powers in the country? I almost used “leadership” but they will not be leaders, they will be void of wisdom and experience. When America becomes the nation they desire, the country and the rest of the world will be in a sorry shape.
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NOW on SALE! Mal de Ojo
Book 2, in the life of Elias Butler will find Texas in turmoil after Reconstruction. Captain Leander McNelly has reformed the Texas Rangers to meet the challenge of lawlessness. Mal de Ojo is a border village suspected of protecting bandits making raids into Texas. These bandits are led by the evil El Diablo. Captain McNelly has sent Elias Butler to investigate the situation. Will Elias have the courage, strength, faith, and fortitude to meet the challenge and the powers of the “Evil Eye”?