COWBOYS AND INDIANS – – – NOT

February 14, 2024 By Leave a Comment

We don’t play cowboys and indians anymore—not woke.
No more – Cowboys good guys
No more – Cowboys win
No more – sticks or fingers for guns

We play middle east, on video.

Video games are really real.
Search and shoot, clearing inside buildings, from building to building, just like the real thing.
Without an option to play this out in war, more kids and adults satisfy this conditioning in mass shootings.

And, with hundreds, thousands of hours gaming, many become expert ‘professionals’ remotely operating fast cars, planes, tanks, AND DRONES.
What could possibly be closer to the real thing.
Kids actually do well operating drones for real in the military.
– – –
Thus, powerful, all-consuming addiction.
More time spent in the unreal world than the real world, leaves less connection and function in the real world where we must live.
– – –
Everybody knew that playing ‘cowboys and indians’ was harmless pretending, even falling down to the ground for a time when you got ‘hit’.

Not so now—the lines are blurred between shooting and killing in pretend games, and shooting and killing in real life.
– – –
Can this be changed in our culture ?
I don’t know.

Whatever your contacts with people, start saying something about things that aren’t right, to make a difference in someone’s life.
Then talk about actions that any of you can do.

Filed Under: Educational, Family, Fun, Inspirational, Political---Cultural

“MAY ALL WHO COME BEHIND US . . .”

February 13, 2024 By Leave a Comment

“We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
And those who’ve gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who’ve gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

[Chorus]
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful

[Verse 2]
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

[Chorus]
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful”

Filed Under: Faith Based, Family, Inspirational, Time

SEARCH SUGGESTIONS HERE

February 13, 2024 By Leave a Comment

There is over a decade of writing on AWordforThought.com—here are a few key words to type in the search bar (feel free to enter your own topics as well).
Some searches will bring up older articles for you to compare with more recent ones.
Please pay attention to the dates when they were posted.

— # (prepare to stay awhile, even surprised/inspired me, goes way back)
— stress
— blessings

— life—balanced
— baseball
— senior year
— slavery

— game of life (several articles from a decade ago)
— be there
— forgiveness

— document the disaster
— freedom
— half slave
— oppressed
— senior
— goodness
— abortion
— xi xi ping pong
— all things trans
— humble
— hurry up and wait
— my part
— God what are You waiting for
— sacrifice [lots of articles include this word]
— trinity [if you dare]
— comfortable

— the problem with theologians
— call to prayer
— prisons

— if I was God
— end of the world – or the end of the free
— perfect weather

— America
— if this world is not
— likewise

— evolution of God
— the one God loves

Filed Under: Faith Based, Family, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time

GET IT RIGHT

February 10, 2024 By Leave a Comment

American Family Radio – – – afr.net

American Family News – – – afn.net

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Political---Cultural

WHY DOES EVIL WIN, AND RULE ?

February 3, 2024 By Leave a Comment

“Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.” – 1

“To not act in the face of evil is evil itself.” – 2

“When the wicked rise to power, the righteous go into hiding.”- 3

When the righteous go into hiding, the wicked rise to power.

Politicians check the wind, and follow accordingly. – 4

Statesmen check the truth, and lead accordingly. – 4

“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.” – 5

We don’t get in that danger zone of what freedom really costs, if the only thing we think we can do is vote and peacefully protest—and now we’re even losing both.

“We pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” – 6

260 years ago preachers inspired The American Revolution for freedom, from the Bible from their pulpits, and from the muzzle of their own guns. In the war King George of England feared most that “Black-Robed Regiment”.

– – –

Most Americans think it was different fighting to gain our freedom then, than it is to keep our freedom now – – – IT IS NOT !
We mustered the courage and called on God—and our leaders publicly declared their reliance on Divine Providence.
That is largely missing in our preachers and our leaders today, and our citizens—and that explains things.

– – –

If I have a job [if I want to keep my job], I can’t have an opinion [I can’t say my opinion].

“I have a family”—it doesn’t matter what I believe [keep it to myself]. – 7

I have to be satisfied with “freedom of worship”, not push for freedom of religion. – 8

Evolution took over public schools—nobody stopped it.

Prayer, Bible, Ten Commandments out of public schools—nobody stopped it.

People vote for people that vote to kill babies—elections have consequences.

Cities condone, support evil—evil grows bold and powerful.

Christians, churches—safe, comfortable, ineffective.

– – –
– – –

1- John Stuart Mill ?

2- Dietrich Bonhoeffer ?

3- Bible

4- Speech to Temple City Council, Texas

5- George Washington

6- Read the commentary on the last sentence of the Declaration of Independence at
soldierstrong.org.
The 56 signers of the Declaration had a lot at stake—18 businessmen—14 farmers—4 doctors—22 lawyers—9 judges—1 governor—42 colonial legislators—1 clergyman—18 top university educated—1 university president—9 immigrants—1 orphan—ages 27-70.
17 signers fought in the American Revolution.
The British captured 5 signers during the war, one of them wounded and another never recovered from being held.
1 signer had to move his family five times in a few months, hunted by the British.
1 signer had two of his sons captured by the British.
11 signers had their homes and property destroyed—one of them had his wife taken prisoner—one had his farm and mills destroyed and died fleeing capture.
2 signers lent large amounts of money, “fortunes”, for the war—never repaid.

7- Target store manager, Temple, Texas (Do you personally agree with Target’s bathroom policy?)

8- Obama slipped that in.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Financial, Health, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time

“I DON’T GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS”

January 31, 2024 By Leave a Comment

When a preacher/teacher says “I don’t get involved in politics—I’m called to teach and preach . . .”, he will be caught off-guard without a Biblical response to sin—sin of the day—in our face—in the culture—in politics.

I may not have quoted word for word exactly, but I heard pastor/teacher Allister Begg say that clearly awhile back.

I now realize the connection between that comment/position and his recent statement of advice to attend a gay ‘wedding’.

Avoiding public declaration of a Biblical stand against this sin, leads to taking a ‘no stand’ in real-life situations with real people and real action that “approves of those who do such things, also worthy of death”. (verse applies to person attending the ceremony/celebration)

“If you do not warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.” (verse applies to preacher failing to give clear Biblical warning and advice)
– – –
Avoid confronting specific sin, and the sin will confront you, unprepared!
– – –
Public sin
Society sin
Personal sin

Silence
Secret

Eat you alive
Destroy personal life
Destroy public ministry
Destroy society

Anyone of us, and especially preachers, will be directly responsible for the downfall—by avoiding accountability.
– – –
+ Holding ourselves accountable for sin—uncomfortable, painful, necessary, God-pleasing.

+ Holding others accountable for sin—in our home, in our church, in our society—uncomfortable, painful, necessary, God-pleasing.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Political---Cultural

CHOICE ?

January 23, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Organizations in the business of abortion are not ‘pro-choice’.
Organizations in the business of advocating abortion are not ‘pro-choice’.
They do not offer choice.
They do not present the facts of life, the option of life for the child, the reality of life to the mother.
They do not even present the true story of abortion, the facts of death, which might scare the mother away, with the money.
They only offer death to the child, quickly, under pressure to the mother, with lies.

CHOICE ?

Choosing murder,
Advocating murder,
Marketing murder,
Coercing murder,
Campaigning murder,
IS MURDER.

Murder is a choice, but not a noble choice, not worth praise.
Murder is evil.
Murder is sin.
Murderers can get forgiven, by confessing their sin before Jesus.
Many murderers do get forgiven, by confessing their sin before Jesus.

Abortion is a choice, but not a noble choice, not worth praise.
Abortion is evil.
Abortion is sin.
Anyone with abortion can get forgiven, by confessing their sin before Jesus.
Many with abortion do get forgiven, by confessing their sin before Jesus.

– – –

“Choose you this day whom you will serve . . . the gods around you who require child sacrifice [like the gods ruling today that require abortion] . . . or the true and living God that gives life . . . Choose life.”

– – –

Abortion may be falsely labeled a ‘choice’, but it is not an option to endorse if you want to go to heaven.

The Bible also says this, after listing 22 specific items of unrighteousness, including murder:
“. . . knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Political---Cultural

I DIDN’T LOSE . . .

January 6, 2024 By Leave a Comment

A soldier returning from war was welcomed home by his mother, waiting for him to come down the ramp.
She waited and waited—he was one of the last to leave the ship.
He was brought down the ramp in a wheelchair—she didn’t know.
She saw him from a distance, and reassured herself that at least he could still hug her.
When they met, she realized he had no arms.
She was devastated, and said,
“I had no idea you lost your legs.
I had no idea you lost your arms.
Why didn’t you tell me ?”

His answer,
“I wanted to tell you in person, and set the record straight.
I didn’t lose my legs.
I didn’t lose my arms.
I gave !”

Just a glimpse of what Jesus did for us.
“I lay down my life—to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

“God loved the world so much, that He gave Jesus.”

THANK YOU !

“What shall I render, surrender unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.”

Filed Under: Faith Based, Family, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time

BACKPACKER’S SONGS

January 3, 2024 By Leave a Comment

A couple decades ago the words of two songs fit perfectly with my backpacking experiences.

I’m blessed forever with the best-of-the-best memories hiking in the mountains with my sons.
I’m indebted to my oldest for doing the meticulous planning in advance and the professional navigation on all the trips.
I always joked that I just came along “for the ride”.
Well, that’s a classic oxymoron, with good, bad, and ? ? ? along the way.
I carried my own backpack, my share of the weight, but I fully experienced ‘carefree’ over and over ‘on top of the mountain’.

I can’t imagine a better adventure to solidify relationships, experience endurance, wonder at THE WONDERS, and search the soul in silence (you see, physical exertion at high altitude, up to 10,000′, leaves little oxygen to spare for conversation).
Therefore, I also can’t imagine backpacking in the mountains, above the tree line, without a profound spiritual experience, reviewing everything left behind for awhile, for this.

– – –

So, now the songs:

“When I am down
And, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come
And my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here
In the silence
Until You come
And sit awhile with me

You raise me up
So I can stand on mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy seas
I am strong
When I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be

There is no life – no life without this hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when You come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up
So I can stand on mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy seas
I am strong
When I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be”

– – –

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath!

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus”

Filed Under: Faith Based, Family, Health, Inspirational, Time

DIRECTIONS FROM AN ANGEL – – – FOUR TIMES

December 28, 2023 By Leave a Comment

1 — Bad News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

2 — Bad News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

3 ? No News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

4 — Bad News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

1 — Your fiancee is pregnant—not yours—best to divorce.
+ It’s the Holy Spirit’s baby—get married—get blessed.

2 — The king is going to kill your baby.
+ Leave now, with the baby and his mother—flee to Egypt, tonight.

3 ? Time passes in Egypt.
+ The bad king is dead—go back to Israel.

4 — Bad king’s son is king in Judea—afraid to go there.
+ Go to Galilee—re-settled in Nazareth.

– – –

Think about all that !
Godly couple.
Doing right, God’s way.
Scandalous news warrants divorce.
What will people think ?
What will God think ? or do ?
What will happen to her ?
Divorce won’t fix pregnancy and the scandal.

Who will believe the couple, when everybody finds out (when they tell people, or when people see for themselves).
This was not routine, acceptable, normal, like in American culture now.
You may not have noticed that this pure, young girl, mother-to-be, did something practical in the situation.

The pregnant girl does something to bide some time peacefully.
She immediately left to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant, and stayed there three months. Hmmm.

– – –

This girl had one visit from an angel—and that started everything.

The honorable, God-fearing husband got directions from an angel four times.
He not only believed what he was told—he acted on what he was told.
Think of how his readiness to follow directions from heaven disrupted his life, their lives, repeatedly.
He had established integrity, reputation, responsibility, livelihood, plans for family.
Everything was upended—all for obedience—without consulting anyone.

God honored his obedience !

– – –

I found a simple truth fifty years ago, watching and respecting the ‘old school’ principal where we taught—Roland Rehmer.

“God honors what pleases Him.”

So also in this tribute to Joseph and Mary.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Family, Financial, Inspirational, Political---Cultural, Time
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