Ramblings

My wife and I often reaffirm to each other "God has sure been good to us. We have come a mighty long way from our humble beginnings." We weren't raised in poverty nor in privilege but where we are now is higher on the ladder of social position then where we were when we were growing up. At least it seems that way sometimes? But as I reflect, and given my understanding of social strata from my perspective, we are probably no better or worse off then when we were younger. Oh yes, the community has changed. Employment positions and status are different! But in a very real sense, we are probably in the same social position now as our families were them, mutatis mutundis.

Does it matter? Is there a consequence we should be cognizant of. I honestly don't know. In fact, I frequently ask myself, what do I know? I say I know that I've done the best I could with what I've had. Could I have done better -- probably yes. But on the other hand the question could be asked, could I have done worst(?) and I'm sure the answer is yes. Have I lived up to God's expectations of me? But then, I think I'm living the life God predestined for me.

Predestination! Now there is a topic worthy of consideration. There are parts of the Bible which confuse me on predestination. And, maybe it isn't the Bible but the way many of the people that I've discussed predestination with interpret it -- i.e. from a biblical sense. I learned early on that I know very little with absolute certainty. I think that is where the concept of "I do the best I can with what I've got!" came from. God knows that I try to be a good person but I'm also human and have certainly fallen short of what God would have me be.

Oops -- sorry! The drier button just went off and I need to go fold some cloths. I'll end for now but maybe -- the good Lord willing -- I will revisit these thoughts in the not to distant future

C'est la vie!

I Believe

For some reason, I can't get the following thought out of my mind this morning.

"I believe in God the Father Almight, maker of heaven and earth, the birth and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting."

This may not be an exact quote but I learned it in the African Methodist Episcopal Church when I was growing up in Carlisle (PA). As far back as I can remember, I've been in the Church -- i.e., the body of true believers -- and I still am!

I further believe, man was not meant to be alone, nor was I.

Thank you God for my wife, my childen, family, friends, and the Church.

Temperance and Hymn # 365

A minister was completing a temperance sermon.

With great emphasis he said, 'If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.'

With even greater emphasis he said, 'And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.'

And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, 'And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into theRiver.'

Sermon complete, he sat down.

The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing,
'For our closing song, Let us sing Hymn #365, 'Shall We Gather at the River.'

Smile, life is too short not to!