WHO ARE THE FOREIGNERS?

My uncle Mike (M.J.) Cotter, a survivor of Pearl Harbor and a World War II veternan, passed away in 2008. He had many stories to tell of those horible days on board the USS Maryland in the Sout Pacific. His attitude about the Japanese and their horrific atrocities was certainly justified. He had lived and survived that terrible time in history.

M.J. would probably never own a "foreign" made car such as the Tennessee built Honda that I drive. I can understand that.

Many people are still fighting the cause of "buying American". We are in "desperate times" according to many, and we've got to protect our own interests. I do believe we are in desperate times, but it is desperation caused by our lack of faith in Christ. We need revival in the hearts of Christians.


I received an email today which closed by saying, "Stop buying from China". The writer used many illustrations of how to study labels and purchase only those things made in our country. The article had been sent to me and distributed by people who serve under the name of Christ. I'm really not sure that the writer of the email claims to be a Christian, but it had been passed on to me as "gospel."

I think of Christ saying to us, "Go ye therefore . . into all the world and preach the gospel." I can never imagine that he would say, " . . but don't buy anything from them."


I've often fallen into the trap of believing that being a Christian is the same as being an American. Since I live in a very "churched" area of America, I somehow believe that everyone is just like me. They need to act like a Christian. They need to respond politically as a Christian. But then I remember that it is just not so. They cannot nor will not act like Christians because Christ has not entered and changed their hearts and lives. The Christian church is growing more in China today than in any other part of the world.

We as believers must see the lost individual as our concern. The friends that I have who serve as missionaries in foreign countries have gone there to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have not gone there to change the political or economic world. That will happen as Christ enters new hearts.

If we as Christians say, "Don't buy from China", I feel that we are really saying, "Don't buy from China . . just let them go to hell. They are not one of us." These words would not come from the mouth of Christ. So, maybe we as Christians should rethink our position.

REMEMBER YOUR GRADUATION?

Graduations and weddings are very much alike. There is a long period of planning and preparation and organization, and then the event is finished and done in a whirl of activity. The speaker at the event may seem to be long-winded, and the presentation of the diplomas may go on for an excessive amout of time, but when it is over, there is a sigh of relief.

Ruth Lynn and I have a long time family story about such an event. The truth is that I laugh at her a lot because she doesn't really remember her gradution from North Texas State. We were to be married about four weeks later, and most of her thoughts and planning were on that wedding. The graduation was just a necessary step in the process.

We attended the graduation fo our grand daughter, Lynnlee Hedstrom, from Texas Tech this past weekend. Lynnlee will soon begin a new job as a Registered Nurse at University Hospital in Lubbock. We, like many grand parents, are very proud of her and her accomlishments.

The Nursing school at Texas Tech is named for the Governor's wife. She gave the Commencement address, and said some very encouraging words to the 500+ graduates of PHDs, MDs, BS, Masters Degrees, etc. She made the usual comments with thanks to the families. She told the group that they were entering the medical community at a very important time in the life of America. It was encouraging.

The Chancellor and the President also spoke. They made a lot of self congragulatory statements. They told of the world that awaited the graduates. The program lasted for about 2 1/2 hours. We were all ready to charge out of the basketball stadium to go and conquer the world.

There was only one thing missing.

There was not one mention to the graduates of the existence of something bigger than themseves. There was no word of faith. There was no mention of God and his leadership.

How sad.

The number one thing that this group needed to hear was never even mentioned. Every speaker steered away from using the word God . . or higher power . . or faith . . etc. etc. Our lives are so compartmentalized, and I don't imagine many of the graduates even noticed this omission. After all, this talk of God's leadership in our lives is just a church thing. It's secondary. It really doesn't count for much in the reality of life.

To Lynnlee . . and all of you other graduates. Let me offer some advice from my years of experience. The most important thing in your life is your relationship and confidence in God. Don't jump into your new job and put God on the back shelf. Begin now to trust Him for leadership. You may now know exactly how, but as you begin the process, you'll learn.


God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

OH DONALD, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

I stand in awe and wonder at the gracious and forgiving spirit that comes from the mouth of Donald Trump. He is so magnanimous in his forgiving and caring spirit. He has taken the very uncivil words of a young lady who knows nothing of being politically correct, and he has given her his kind and loving words of support. Donald . . thank you.

I just wonder why it took so long for The Donald to give his official okay for Miss California. I certainly feel that he was sticking his finger into the air to test the wind currents. Why didn't he step forward immediately to tell the homosexual blogger to sit down and shut up. After all, it was Donald Trump who hired the outspoken critic of Christian values. He had read the blogs and he understood the viciousness of the attacks on those values.

If you are standing back and admiring Donald Trump for his recent actions, stop it. Everything that he has done has been done for the purpose of raising ratings on his many television productions. His has become one of the strongest production companies in the business. I, for one, will not be watching those programs.
But for Carrie Prejean, I give her my utmost admiration. Every time she has opened her mouth, it has been for the purpose of praising God. Most of you know that I have questioned her participation in what I consider to be godless pageants, but I thank the Lord that she continues to give a godly testimony.

Her stock has risen. I pray that her testimony over the coming years will remain strong. There's a huge world out there who will watching and hoping for her downfall.

As Christians, let's pray and support her in this journey.

MOTHER'S DAY 2009

I first fell in love with my sweetheart, the future mother of our three children, when she was a beautiful 16 year old teenager. God gave her to me when I was so very young and immature. Like most teenage boys, I was more driven by my harmones than I was by any common sense. But God had a way of preparing both of us for our 47 1/2 years of marriage.


Ruth Lynn has been a fantastic mother to our family. She has become the steady Christian influence to the family over the years. Her love of her family has only been surpassed by her love for her Lord. Her daily attitude has been to place her complete confidence and trust in God.


She's followed me to a lots of places, not because she always wanted to make the journey. She's followed because she wanted to be in the center of God's will. It was a trip that we wanted to make together. Wow, it has been fun.


Whenever her children speak of their mother, they all speak of her faithfulness. That is a wonderful testimony.


Happy Mothers Day to the best mother I've ever known - to my sweetheart - to my beautiful bride - to beautiful Ruth Lynn. I love you more than ever.