Happy New Years

Happy New Years to everyone. May God richly bless each and everyone throughout this new year of 2008. It is a new year to start new beginnings, and always put God first in your life with whatever you may do or wherever you may go.

Sunsets

A beautiful December sunset. As I was traveling down I-44 from Randlett to Wichita Falls, I pulled over on the shoulder to take some pictures of the sunset.

Sunsets can change in a matter of seconds. I took the first one at the regular setting, and then I zoomed in on the second one to get a closer shot. By the time I had taken the second picture the sunset had already changed. Situations in life can change you and your surroundings in a matter of seconds, just like the sunset.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalms 113:3

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas, and enjoying the time with family and friends. Stay safe.

Are You a Nero, Zero, or Hero?

Simple question, story conveys powerful message. This article was from Travis AFB, Calif.

I still remember my high school principal, Wayne Hines, asking our entering freshman class, "Are you a Nero, Zero, or Hero?" and explaining its meaning.

On a normal bell curve, from left to right, fall Nero, Zero, and Hero. For Nero, think class bully. Based on the Roman emperor who burnt down much of his empire. Nero is selfish, undisciplined and destructive. Left unchecked, Nero's negative behavior destroys morale, unit cohesion and readiness.

Much less destructive, but not putting forth any more effort than absolutely necessary, Zero aims for mediocrity and usually achieves it. Just squeaking by, Zero barely seems to exist and wants little to do with the team. Uninspied and uninspiring, Zero is forgettable.

And then ther's Hero, the role-model airman, who epitomizes Air Force core values. Hero does the right thing(integrity first, is dedicated to his team first (service before self), and always strives to be the best (excellence in all we do).

Proud, professional and positive, Hero is who everyone wants on their team. Hero brings out the good in others and is always ready, willing and able to answer the call when needed.

Nero, Zero, Hero.. a simple story with a simple message. Be a Hero. Make a difference. Aim high and do not accept mediocrity ot the status quo. Be involved, be positive and never underestimate the impact one person can have to make a difference in the world. If you have not seen it yet, watch the film, "Pay it Forward," for what some do to make a difference and inspire others to do the same. After you watch the movie, I challenge you to "Pay it Forward."

With our country at war with an all-volunteer force, I want to thank each of you for making a difference and inspiring me. What can be nobler than selflessly willing to lay down your life so others may live in freedom and have a safer and better world? Thanks to our loved ones for their daily services, sacrifice and support. Your loves makes us stronger and reminds us why we serve. Thank you Veterans for "Paying it Forward."

All of you are Heroes in my book.

Thanksgiving

T is for the turkey on Thanksgiving Day,
H is for "Hurry, I'm hungry!" we say.
A is for Auntie, she works and she mends,
N is for the Native American friends.
K is for kitchen, the oven's on low,
S is for silverware, set in a row.
G is for Grandma, the one we love most,
I is for inside, where we're warm as toast.
V is for vegetables, eat them we try,
I is for icecream on the top of the pie.
N is for never do we have enough dressing,
G is for Grandpa, who gives thanks for our blessings.

--Author unknown

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends an family.

Scriptures

For the last few days every time I turn the radio on I have heard these three scriptures on 2 or 3 different radio stations, so I hope that maybe someone will be blessed by them.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Eph. 3:20

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Phili 4:13

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Phili 4:19

I found this article in the newspaper and I hope it is as meaningful to you as it was to me, not only on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day, but every day. They have earned our gratitude and our unending support.

Back in Sept. of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten.

On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principle and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

Looking around, confused, they asked, "Ms Cothren, where are our desks?"

She replied, "You can't have a desk until you tell me what you have done to earned the right to sit at a desk."

They thought, "Well, maybe it is our grades." "No," she said. "Maybe it is our behavior." She told them, "No, it's not even your behavior."

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, "Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she had done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you."

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall.

By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

Martha said, "You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks.. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it is up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibilityto learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it."