Today as I drove from Utah to California I had a few chances to listen to some news. One of the major topics was that Iran is now threatening our Navy about being in the Mediterainian Sea. All I could think about was the neighborhood bully that thought he could boss all the rest of us around, even when you weren't in his back yard. Since when did Iran control the entire middle east? I thought there were several other countries there besides Iran. Hearing all this brought me to a steaming point that I think our government is again failing on. So here it goes!
I believe that first and foremost we need to bring our soldiers and sailors home. We have even gone so far as to send our National Gaurd into war zones! How are they gaurding are nation when they are over seas? So, first off bring them all home. We are not the world police force. We are a sovereign nation and need to start acting like it. We need to stop meddling in everyone elses business and take care of our own. Close down 50% of our overseas bases and bring the other 50% down to operating status only. Skeleton crew. Office personal and a small (500 man) security force on said bases. All the rest of our military ground forces come home. They have work to do here.
Step two, continue training exercises thru out all military branches and make them the elite fighting force that they once were. When they're not off training they would be protecting our borders. Build barracks every couple of miles along our border and have the soldiers patrol the area between the barracks. No need for a fence, and I would love to see the looks on the faces of the drug smuggler/ illeagal trying to cross the border when they see American troops greet them on the other side. Post soldiers in every airport/ customs checkpoint and every shipping port. All the while training those not assigned to those posts.
Step three, when some foreign entity decides they want to start trouble with us or our allies, we take our entire fighting force over, filling every street, and quelch their desire to threaten us again. Then back to step one.
Let these arrogant fools know who they're messing with! We are the greatest nation in the world and we wont even protect ourselves for fear of hurting someones feelings. Tough! Israel is a nation that deals with terrorists on a daily basis and yet they have the safest airport in the world. Why? Racial profiling? Bomb sniffing dogs? Soldiers standing on every corner of the airport? Hmmm... maybe because they're not afraid of hurting your feelings when they tell you your getting your bag checked. Maybe because they don't have to strip search old women.
That is homeland security. That is standing up for ourselves. That is how we protect ourselves and prove to others that we mean business. There should be no question where we stand and who we stand with. We have no need to pick a fight. We just need to go back to "walk softly and carry a big stick". Maybe this seems a little bold to you. Let me hear your thoughts. Let me hear your feelings. Better yet, let your government know your thoughts and feelings. -Chuck
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Beginnings in a New Year (My political rant)
Well, another new year is upon us and with it comes a fresh start, so to speak. I am starting this new year on a new adventure that I've actually conquered a few times before, but for some reason it keeps rearing it's ugly head. I'm once again a solo truck driver. I'm hoping that by the middle of this year that will be no more. My team-mate/ wife has decided that it is time for her to spend more time off the road and with her children. I can't complain about that. It's something that we've been working toward for a good long while. Now we have secure housing, a semi secure financial statement, and she is looking for work to help improve that and hopefully get me home with her on a more permanent basis.
As this last year has gone by, I've done allot of contemplating for our future. I don't mean just for my families future. I'm talking about the future of this country. I've sat by idly watching as our politicians strap us tax payers with more national debt, our economy go completely out of control, all the while having dear friends fighting in wars that should have ended years ago. All of these circumstances have really got the grey matter whirring. The brain juices have been over flowing. I believe that I have a few good ideas that could help matters if not on a national level then at the very least a more state/ local level.
Please feel free to give feed back as I do a little to try and bring my thoughts to written word. A task that is really more daunting than many may think.
First of all, lets start on the oldest issue on the books. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
I fully understand why we went into Afghanistan. It was to flush out the terrorists that were responsible for the attacks on 9/11. While finding a 6 foot something tall man hiding in a network of caves proved more difficult than we first thought, we did capture/ kill allot of the network that he was leading. We haven't exterminated them all, for they seem to be like roaches in a New York City sewer system. Just when you think you've wiped out more than enough, a whole new colony appears. I believe that the mistake we made was declaring a war on terrorism. I said it the day it was declared and still believe it. You can't declare war on an idea. That's all terrorism is, is an idea. There have always been terrorist and always will be terrorist. When declaring that war, we set ourselves up for a war that would never end. When you cut one head off three more seem to pop up and we are not dragon slayers (no matter what the Marine Corps. t.v. ads might show).
As for the campaign in Iraq, well, who's to say there weren't WMD's there? They had been playing a cat and mouse game with U.N. Nuclear Regulatory committee for years. I personally believe that they played a great shell game and moved them else where anytime the regulators showed up. I think that most people would agree that Saddam Husein was a madman that needed to be captured and held for his crimes against his own people. I don't however think that it is the U.S. militaries role to help them form a new government put our boys in danger to bring it into order. If I have read our history books right, then freedom comes for those that are willing to fight for it. Our forefathers fought for our freedom from the English rulers and our ancestors are also the ones who protected during the wars on our own land. It is not our business to be over there training police officers, or their military to defend what they want. It's none of our business.
Now on to the economy. I think that something the people of this country have lost sight of is that it is not governments role to regulate our economy. Government cannot help the economy in any way other than taxes and their own bloated spending. I have an idea that I'm not sure would work or not and would love to hear the ideas and opinions of others. First of all, throw out the tax codes as they are. One thing all these politicians have lost sight of is that it is unconstitutional to levy a income tax. No where did are founding fathers institute that and I'm sure they would be rolling in their graves to see how out of control this government has become. What if instead of taxing ourselves on the money we make, the money we save, and the money we spend, we simply come up with a annual tax for just being an American. I'm talking about a flat, across the board tax, for the privilage of living in the greatest country in the world. I don't know what that number would be, and yes their would be exceptions for the elderly, or physically/ mentally ill. Other than that, every man woman and child would be charged a tax. For example, your average, healthy adult is expected to pay $1,000.00 a year in taxes, but for a average healthy child, only $500.00 a year would be levied to the custodial parents till that child is 18 years of age, then it would be raised to the adult tax, no exceptions. For the physically or mentally ill, it would be a lifetime $500.00 annually. And for those serving in our military fulltime home or abroad, no taxes charged for the entire immediate family (spouse and children) the duration of their chosen service. Oh and lets not forget our elders. After the age of 70 you pay no tax for the rest of your life. Consider it your consulation prize for being a great American citizen. I know this plan could use some tweaking, but that's the basis of it. Let's hear your thoughts.
Do you really expect that any president, republican or democrat is going to provide you with a job? Think again. The only thing they can do is make those that do provide jobs feel a magnetic pull to keep jobs here in the states. How do they do that? They do that by making it easier for a company to make a profit here in the states. Lowering tax rates on business is a start, but there's so much more that can be done. Temporarily close down our foreign trade lanes while we get things straightened out here in our own country. What is free trade? How is it benefiting American workers? We need to reconsider these thing and make this country a more productive, business friendly climate. You want a job Mr./ Mrs. "Occupier" then create your own business and compete in the free market. Build a better mouse trap and see what happens to your own bank account. Don't hate on the wealthy because you want what they have. Nobody gave it to them. They worked for it and earned it with their own sweat, blood, and tears. There are NO free lunches!
Now for the national debt crisis. Do you really think we can continue racking up debt with other countries and not have to feel the pains of bankruptcy? Haven't we learned anything from the "housing bubble"? How many of our congress felt the pain in their hearts as they packed up their things from their house because they over extended their checkbook? Maybe they should have felt that pain. Maybe they need to come down from their ivory towers and actually see what's happening with the people they claim to represent. How many times have you ever been called by your senator or congress person so they could explain a bill that is going up for vote and ask your opinion. I thought this was a country of the people, by the people and for the people. Instead we have given it to corporate barons and thieves. We have politicians that have never done anything but. We have "legacy" politicians. Do you really think these people are in touch with the average "Joe the plumber" or "Tom on the assembly line"? How many of these politicians have ever earned a callus on their hands from an honest days work for an honest days wage? Not many I bet.
We as a nation need to wake up from our apathy. Starting with me. We need to not care about what celebrity is doing what, or who's sports team is doing better. This was once a nation of great thinkers and inventors. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell. We have gotten slack in our ways and we are now paying the price. I challenge each of you as John F. Kennedy did, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." What are you going to do not only for yourself, but for your neighbor, your boss, the homeless at the shelter, the stranger in line in front of you? Don't you have enough stuff? Do you really need to be entertained? Do something this year, 2012, to help your community, your state, and your nation. It truly can be "One small step for man".
Please feel free to leave your questions and comments. And keep an eye out for Chuck Sherwood, he's working toward some goals. Thanks for reading. -Chuck
As this last year has gone by, I've done allot of contemplating for our future. I don't mean just for my families future. I'm talking about the future of this country. I've sat by idly watching as our politicians strap us tax payers with more national debt, our economy go completely out of control, all the while having dear friends fighting in wars that should have ended years ago. All of these circumstances have really got the grey matter whirring. The brain juices have been over flowing. I believe that I have a few good ideas that could help matters if not on a national level then at the very least a more state/ local level.
Please feel free to give feed back as I do a little to try and bring my thoughts to written word. A task that is really more daunting than many may think.
First of all, lets start on the oldest issue on the books. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
I fully understand why we went into Afghanistan. It was to flush out the terrorists that were responsible for the attacks on 9/11. While finding a 6 foot something tall man hiding in a network of caves proved more difficult than we first thought, we did capture/ kill allot of the network that he was leading. We haven't exterminated them all, for they seem to be like roaches in a New York City sewer system. Just when you think you've wiped out more than enough, a whole new colony appears. I believe that the mistake we made was declaring a war on terrorism. I said it the day it was declared and still believe it. You can't declare war on an idea. That's all terrorism is, is an idea. There have always been terrorist and always will be terrorist. When declaring that war, we set ourselves up for a war that would never end. When you cut one head off three more seem to pop up and we are not dragon slayers (no matter what the Marine Corps. t.v. ads might show).
As for the campaign in Iraq, well, who's to say there weren't WMD's there? They had been playing a cat and mouse game with U.N. Nuclear Regulatory committee for years. I personally believe that they played a great shell game and moved them else where anytime the regulators showed up. I think that most people would agree that Saddam Husein was a madman that needed to be captured and held for his crimes against his own people. I don't however think that it is the U.S. militaries role to help them form a new government put our boys in danger to bring it into order. If I have read our history books right, then freedom comes for those that are willing to fight for it. Our forefathers fought for our freedom from the English rulers and our ancestors are also the ones who protected during the wars on our own land. It is not our business to be over there training police officers, or their military to defend what they want. It's none of our business.
Now on to the economy. I think that something the people of this country have lost sight of is that it is not governments role to regulate our economy. Government cannot help the economy in any way other than taxes and their own bloated spending. I have an idea that I'm not sure would work or not and would love to hear the ideas and opinions of others. First of all, throw out the tax codes as they are. One thing all these politicians have lost sight of is that it is unconstitutional to levy a income tax. No where did are founding fathers institute that and I'm sure they would be rolling in their graves to see how out of control this government has become. What if instead of taxing ourselves on the money we make, the money we save, and the money we spend, we simply come up with a annual tax for just being an American. I'm talking about a flat, across the board tax, for the privilage of living in the greatest country in the world. I don't know what that number would be, and yes their would be exceptions for the elderly, or physically/ mentally ill. Other than that, every man woman and child would be charged a tax. For example, your average, healthy adult is expected to pay $1,000.00 a year in taxes, but for a average healthy child, only $500.00 a year would be levied to the custodial parents till that child is 18 years of age, then it would be raised to the adult tax, no exceptions. For the physically or mentally ill, it would be a lifetime $500.00 annually. And for those serving in our military fulltime home or abroad, no taxes charged for the entire immediate family (spouse and children) the duration of their chosen service. Oh and lets not forget our elders. After the age of 70 you pay no tax for the rest of your life. Consider it your consulation prize for being a great American citizen. I know this plan could use some tweaking, but that's the basis of it. Let's hear your thoughts.
Do you really expect that any president, republican or democrat is going to provide you with a job? Think again. The only thing they can do is make those that do provide jobs feel a magnetic pull to keep jobs here in the states. How do they do that? They do that by making it easier for a company to make a profit here in the states. Lowering tax rates on business is a start, but there's so much more that can be done. Temporarily close down our foreign trade lanes while we get things straightened out here in our own country. What is free trade? How is it benefiting American workers? We need to reconsider these thing and make this country a more productive, business friendly climate. You want a job Mr./ Mrs. "Occupier" then create your own business and compete in the free market. Build a better mouse trap and see what happens to your own bank account. Don't hate on the wealthy because you want what they have. Nobody gave it to them. They worked for it and earned it with their own sweat, blood, and tears. There are NO free lunches!
Now for the national debt crisis. Do you really think we can continue racking up debt with other countries and not have to feel the pains of bankruptcy? Haven't we learned anything from the "housing bubble"? How many of our congress felt the pain in their hearts as they packed up their things from their house because they over extended their checkbook? Maybe they should have felt that pain. Maybe they need to come down from their ivory towers and actually see what's happening with the people they claim to represent. How many times have you ever been called by your senator or congress person so they could explain a bill that is going up for vote and ask your opinion. I thought this was a country of the people, by the people and for the people. Instead we have given it to corporate barons and thieves. We have politicians that have never done anything but. We have "legacy" politicians. Do you really think these people are in touch with the average "Joe the plumber" or "Tom on the assembly line"? How many of these politicians have ever earned a callus on their hands from an honest days work for an honest days wage? Not many I bet.
We as a nation need to wake up from our apathy. Starting with me. We need to not care about what celebrity is doing what, or who's sports team is doing better. This was once a nation of great thinkers and inventors. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell. We have gotten slack in our ways and we are now paying the price. I challenge each of you as John F. Kennedy did, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." What are you going to do not only for yourself, but for your neighbor, your boss, the homeless at the shelter, the stranger in line in front of you? Don't you have enough stuff? Do you really need to be entertained? Do something this year, 2012, to help your community, your state, and your nation. It truly can be "One small step for man".
Please feel free to leave your questions and comments. And keep an eye out for Chuck Sherwood, he's working toward some goals. Thanks for reading. -Chuck
Friday, December 30, 2011
His Plan
As I sit here in a "drivers lounge" at a truck dealer I keep thinking to myself "Why did I ever get into this industry?" Those of you that know me know that I am not a person that likes to be by themself. I used to be a very social person surrounded by my friends and family, but for the last 12 years I've been out here away from those that I care the most about. I could say that I was driven to it for the money, but honestly I think it has cost me more than I could have made by having a career at home. I could say I did it for the freedom, but that's not true either. I'm tied to the truck whenever I'm out here to make sure that dispatch can keep track of me and the load. Well I must have done it for the scenic views and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. While I have to admit we live in the most beautiful country on the planet, I feel as tho it's part of my soul now, I know I haven't seen it all, but the beauty of it all seems to have worn thin on me. So, if none of these were the reason, then why?
I think that the reason I came out here was several fold. I did it because I thought it was the best way to take care of my family. And I lost them. I did it for the financial security. And I've done all but go bankrupt. I did it to calm a "restless spirit". And found out that spirit was youthfull energy that has since been sapped away. I did it because I was uncontent in the state that I was. I didn't listen to wise council or to the small still voice inside me. I could blame others, but the truth of the matter is, they were my own personal choices. My own foolish choices.
Granted hindsight is 20/20. I know now that they were foolish. At the time I thought I had the world in the palm of my hand. I didn't need anyones advice. I was wiser than the wisest of council. I knew this career would be a great boost in my life! How much more wrong could I have been? So, I've learned my lesson, right? Unfortunatly, probably not. I know that I have alot more hard lessons in my life. I know that I'm going to make more foolish choices. No matter how hard I try to listen to wise council, it seems my actions turn the other direction. Will I ever learn? Probably not.
My one comfort in all this is that no matter what foolish choices I have made, God has somehow used them to teach me a lesson. I may be wierd but I find it fun and entertaining to look over my past and see how hard I've tried to screw it up, and God still uses it for His good plan. Odd, I know, but it keeps me in awe of His power and Glory. I would challenge each reader of this to take a look at their past, the lessons learned, and see how God has used that to His plan.
-Chuck
I think that the reason I came out here was several fold. I did it because I thought it was the best way to take care of my family. And I lost them. I did it for the financial security. And I've done all but go bankrupt. I did it to calm a "restless spirit". And found out that spirit was youthfull energy that has since been sapped away. I did it because I was uncontent in the state that I was. I didn't listen to wise council or to the small still voice inside me. I could blame others, but the truth of the matter is, they were my own personal choices. My own foolish choices.
Granted hindsight is 20/20. I know now that they were foolish. At the time I thought I had the world in the palm of my hand. I didn't need anyones advice. I was wiser than the wisest of council. I knew this career would be a great boost in my life! How much more wrong could I have been? So, I've learned my lesson, right? Unfortunatly, probably not. I know that I have alot more hard lessons in my life. I know that I'm going to make more foolish choices. No matter how hard I try to listen to wise council, it seems my actions turn the other direction. Will I ever learn? Probably not.
My one comfort in all this is that no matter what foolish choices I have made, God has somehow used them to teach me a lesson. I may be wierd but I find it fun and entertaining to look over my past and see how hard I've tried to screw it up, and God still uses it for His good plan. Odd, I know, but it keeps me in awe of His power and Glory. I would challenge each reader of this to take a look at their past, the lessons learned, and see how God has used that to His plan.
-Chuck
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Catching up, once again.
Wow, it's been over 2 months since I've written anything. I guess that's part of the problem with my life, there's so much going on I rarely have a chance to write about it. That could be a good thing or bad. Take it as you will. I'll try not to bore anyone with the details except to say not alot of road has been covered even tho we've been busy. There are some new developments tho that I would like my readers (all 3 of you) to be aware of. After our hometime for the Christmas Holidays I will be venturing out on my own in the trucking world, again. It's more out of necessity than desire. Or maybe a healthy mixture of both. Allie is having the desire to spend more time with her kids, and who could blame her? They're awesome little squirts. And unfortunatly we aren't quite ready for me to stay home with her, here at the house. We both hope it won't be long before that is able to happen but for the time being, it's just not possible. So, that might afford me more time to write. Lucky you. You might now get to hear all my political ranting and raving, my ideas for helping the economy, the presidental race, and maybe some stories from the road. I've never been one with too many stories from the road tho, because I generally keep to myself out there. Turns out that's what keeps me out of trouble. I am also hoping to get back into my daily devotions and to quit smoking once and for all. THESE ARE NOT NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS. These are things that I should be doing anyway and have neglected way to long. I will be keeping the computer open in the sleeper of the truck to remind me that I need to do this whole blog thing more frequently. So, thats a quick update on the future... if that's possible. As for the last two months? Well, we made it home for all the major holidays (first time in 10 years) and while home we've been working on the house. We now have a stove, refridgerator, and a furnace. We're still saving up money to get the washer dryer and 2 more reliable vehicles. We'd like to keep the pickup, but need something with a little more pulling power and something else that will fit the whole family. As for the washer and dryer, well, cheap is the biggest attraction. The house is coming along slowly but is starting to really come together. we no longer have to walk around with shoes on thanks to new flooring in the first floor. S
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Aching Body, Inner Peace.
As I sit here in my newly floored kitchen, I sit and think about my life thus far. It's had more ups and down than the worlds greatest roller coasters. I've been in love, had my heart broken, felt days of unsurpassed joy, and those that I swore the light at the end of the tunnel was an oncoming train. In all this I look back and see how God has used every moment, every messed up decision I've made, every waivering step to bring to where I am today and make me the man I am. We all have our trials and tribulations and none seem greater than our own, untill we really look deeply at other peoples lives. Then we see that we don't really have it that bad.
For all the mistakes and miss steps that I've made in my life, God has still used it to His glory and His honor. Some how, some way, He takes it all and makes it better. He does so much more than kiss my boo boos. He uses them to make me a better person. This makes me so thankful to be taken care of by the Creator. I know that no matter what, He's got my back. "When God is for us, who can stand against us?"
Today my body is aching from the hard work we did yesterday laying the new flooring in our kitchen. I would normally be complaining about it, but I find no reason to complain. Instead, I'm taking a different perspective on it. I consider it a blessing that I have a kitchen to lay flooring in. I look back on the past 2 or 3 years and can't hardly believe where we are today. 3 years ago I was going thru physical therapy after 2 surgeries on my back. Laid up in an apartment, hundreds of miles from family and friends, and not seeing much of a future for myself. Now here I sit in my debt free home, in a kitchen that, while not fully furnished, is paid for. I have an awesome wife, 2 step children that adore me, and am surrounded by family and friends that truly care how we are.
I still find it hard to look at my job as a blessing, because it takes me away from where I want to be, but I know that my Creator will use this time as a sharpening stone in my life as well. I have to just let Him finish knocking the rough edges off. This is where I find my peace to keep plugging away at my "dead-end, no end in sight, no promotion possible" j-o-b. I know that He has put me there for a reason during this time, and I just need to be thankful to be working at all.
So all in all, my aching body never felt so good!
For all the mistakes and miss steps that I've made in my life, God has still used it to His glory and His honor. Some how, some way, He takes it all and makes it better. He does so much more than kiss my boo boos. He uses them to make me a better person. This makes me so thankful to be taken care of by the Creator. I know that no matter what, He's got my back. "When God is for us, who can stand against us?"
Today my body is aching from the hard work we did yesterday laying the new flooring in our kitchen. I would normally be complaining about it, but I find no reason to complain. Instead, I'm taking a different perspective on it. I consider it a blessing that I have a kitchen to lay flooring in. I look back on the past 2 or 3 years and can't hardly believe where we are today. 3 years ago I was going thru physical therapy after 2 surgeries on my back. Laid up in an apartment, hundreds of miles from family and friends, and not seeing much of a future for myself. Now here I sit in my debt free home, in a kitchen that, while not fully furnished, is paid for. I have an awesome wife, 2 step children that adore me, and am surrounded by family and friends that truly care how we are.
I still find it hard to look at my job as a blessing, because it takes me away from where I want to be, but I know that my Creator will use this time as a sharpening stone in my life as well. I have to just let Him finish knocking the rough edges off. This is where I find my peace to keep plugging away at my "dead-end, no end in sight, no promotion possible" j-o-b. I know that He has put me there for a reason during this time, and I just need to be thankful to be working at all.
So all in all, my aching body never felt so good!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
My Study of Women in the Bible.
This month I have been studying the Book of Esther. An interesting account of a very young, and very beautiful lady who, by the will of God, becomes a queen and saves her people from being butchered.
I am not going to assume that those who might be interested in reading this blog have also read the book of Esther.
The Book of Esther starts with King Ahasuerus giving a feast for all of his officials and servants. All of the power of the land that he controlled was in attendance. At the same time the Queen Vashti had made a similar feast for the wives and the women of the land. On one of the days that the celebrating was happening King Ahasuerus decided to have his wife join him where he was and sent for her. When she refused to leave where she was, the King got furious. He asked his advisers what way she should be punished. His advisers saw that the queen by refusing to obey her King had mocked him and made a fool of him. Fearing that the other women of the land would follow in the queen's example, they advised him to banish the queen from himself and replace her with a beautiful and obedient queen. So King Ahasuerus did just this.
After his temper wore itself down, he sent his eunuchs to fetch the most beautiful virgins that his land had to offer.
Now in the town of Susa lived Esther and her cousin Mordecai. Since Esther's parents had died, Mordecai took her in as his own daughter. He had taught her to conceal that she was a Jew when she was taken from her home to be in the contest of beautiful virgins.
She pleased everyone around her and ended up becoming queen.
Shortly after Esther became queen, Mordecai overhears a plot to kill the King by two eunuchs that were furious with him. Mordecai told Esther, Esther told the King and after investigation found Mordecai's claim to be true and the two eunuchs were hung. The king had it written into his chronicles.
Now Around the same time, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman to set above all the princes, officials and council around him. This being so, the people of the land were to bow to him. Mordecai however didn't and this made Haman mad. When Mordecai was asked why he didn't bow to Haman he answered that he was a Jew and didn't have to. So Haman decided that ALL Jews needed to be killed. So Haman went to the king and told him that there was a pesky people that were spread through his land that lived by their own laws and that it was not PROFITABLE for them to remain in the King's land. So King Ahasuerus assigned Haman to take care of it. Now Haman decided to send letters to all of the towns, provinces, cities and villages in his land instructing that on a single date, every enemy of a Jew was to kill them and take everything they owned. And all of these letters were sealed with the kings royal seal.(making it more or less a command)
When Mordecai and the other Jews heard about this command, they became fretful, and Mordecai requested an audience with Queen Esther and begged her to help her people. Telling her that she could continue to conceal who she was and live but by denying her people she would forfeit her place in the afterlife. So she made a plan and went to the King.
The king seeing her distressed asked her what he could do to ease her pain. She asked to have a banquet with the King and Haman and she would tell all then. So the banquet was held and the king asked again what was troubling her, not knowing how to explain she stalled and asked to have a banquet a second night. The king allowed this.
That night the king wasn't able to sleep, so he had his chronicles read to him. He remembered Mordecai and realized that he had not been honored for this good deed. During this same time Haman and his family were having gallows made for Mordecai to be hung.
The next day Haman was summoned by the King and asked how to best honor someone. Haman thinking that the King was meaning him, he said that the best of honors would be to be ridden through the town on the King's horse wearing the Kings robes, and having all the people of the town praise and bow to him in the streets. Liking this the king commanded Haman to do this for Mordecai immediately. Humiliated and furious, Haman did this and Mordecai was praised and honored through out the town.
That night at the second banquet, the king asked Esther what was troubling her and that he would give what ever she wanted and up to half his kingdom and wealth to fix what was bothering her. So she revealed that she herself was a Jew and that Haman had plotted to have her people murdered. This made the king furious and he had Haman hang on the gallows that Haman had made for Mordecai. Right away letters were written and sent though all the land that the Jews were not to be harmed and that anyone who took up a sword against them would be killed and their land and everything they had would be plundered. This was also written with the king's royal seal.
So as it happened, the day that Haman had set to kill all the Jews arrived and instead of the Jews being killed by their enemies, the Jews were able to defend themselves and kill their enemies instead and plunder them. When news of this reached the King, he asked what she wanted to be done, so she asked that they let it continue one more day. So it did, and for two days the Jews were able and allowed to distroy their enemies. And it was recorded in not only chonicles of the King but also started the Jewish holiday of Purim.
So it also came to pass that Mordecai rose to Haman's possition at King Ahasuerus' side with Queen Esther on the other.
Now the lessons I have learned from this book is that:
- You may not always be able to clearly see, hear or know God's plan for you, but it will end up being done regardless.
- You are always in the right place at the right time to do the right thing. But actually doing the right thing is up to you.
- You can always take a bad situation and make the outcome better then it would have been with a different attitude.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Chuck the "great" story-teller.
Last night while starting off our family devotions I realized that our 6 yr old didn't seem too interested. So I stopped Allie from continueing to read and started scolding both the kids. As I was scolding them, I got to thinking.
First, They are not used to this whole "Bible stuff" because their dad is an atheist and their step mom is a backslidden christian. They've been to church with us a couple of times a few years ago, but this is not a part of their routine.
Second, They're kids! I seriously doubt that I was interested in what the book of Proverbs had to tell me when I was 9 or 6. Even tho Allie and I get alot out of reading and re-reading the book, these kids can hardley understand the language in the ESV translation.
So, the scolding stopped and I calmed down about it. We stopped the reading all together! Instead I resorted to something that I hope was an effective back up plan for them. I decided to do my best at telling the stories of the old testament instead. Now, it's been years since I've read or heard some of these stories and I'm sure I messed up some of the details, but I did my best from what I could remember. Last night I told the story of Daniel in the lions den, mixed in with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo in the fiery furnace. I thew in a little of King Nebachanezzer turning into the beast as well. Like I said, I'm sure I messed up some of the details. My memory isn't what it used to be and I was working on the fly without time to look up the actual scriptures.
I was amazed to see the transformation. They couldn't pull their eyes off of me the whole time. I had their undivided attention. I used alot of vocal inflections and facial expressions. I had them laughing one moment then scared the next. It was awesome. I knew they were listening because our 6 year old kept asking about Daniel ( I had stopped his story in the middle and went on to the furnace on purpose). She was worried he was going to get eaten by the lions. Then when I paused for dramatic effect during the furnace story, and saying there were 4 people in the fire, she yelled out "It was God protecting them!" All in all I think I got the point across.
So tonight we decided (with the help of my mom) to have a small bonfire in the back yard. After Mom left, the kids both asked if I would retell the story of "King Nebabkinizer". I told them no that I wouldn't tell them that one but I had a new one for them tonight. So, again on the fly, I started the story of Abram and Sarai. I went thru the mountain top sacrifice with Isaac (6 year old was almost in tears) and on thru to Joseph and the coat of many colors. Again, not remembering all the details, but doing my best to wing it and make sure a lesson was taught. Again I had their FULL attention. It was awesome! When I finished up the whole mess of stories, I asked them what we could learn from them and they both nailed it! God protects us even tho he tests us.
On the way back to the house, Allie took me by the hand and told me I was a great story teller. She said that she was just as enthralled as the kids were. Who would have thought that just "winging it" could be so great. I know I messed things up and some of the more strict christians would probably cringe at the mistakes I made, but it was still good enough to get the morals thru to the kids. I guess its the sort of thing that "Veggie Tales" was based off. A loose interpertation of the greatest best seller ever. The Bible.
First, They are not used to this whole "Bible stuff" because their dad is an atheist and their step mom is a backslidden christian. They've been to church with us a couple of times a few years ago, but this is not a part of their routine.
Second, They're kids! I seriously doubt that I was interested in what the book of Proverbs had to tell me when I was 9 or 6. Even tho Allie and I get alot out of reading and re-reading the book, these kids can hardley understand the language in the ESV translation.
So, the scolding stopped and I calmed down about it. We stopped the reading all together! Instead I resorted to something that I hope was an effective back up plan for them. I decided to do my best at telling the stories of the old testament instead. Now, it's been years since I've read or heard some of these stories and I'm sure I messed up some of the details, but I did my best from what I could remember. Last night I told the story of Daniel in the lions den, mixed in with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo in the fiery furnace. I thew in a little of King Nebachanezzer turning into the beast as well. Like I said, I'm sure I messed up some of the details. My memory isn't what it used to be and I was working on the fly without time to look up the actual scriptures.
I was amazed to see the transformation. They couldn't pull their eyes off of me the whole time. I had their undivided attention. I used alot of vocal inflections and facial expressions. I had them laughing one moment then scared the next. It was awesome. I knew they were listening because our 6 year old kept asking about Daniel ( I had stopped his story in the middle and went on to the furnace on purpose). She was worried he was going to get eaten by the lions. Then when I paused for dramatic effect during the furnace story, and saying there were 4 people in the fire, she yelled out "It was God protecting them!" All in all I think I got the point across.
So tonight we decided (with the help of my mom) to have a small bonfire in the back yard. After Mom left, the kids both asked if I would retell the story of "King Nebabkinizer". I told them no that I wouldn't tell them that one but I had a new one for them tonight. So, again on the fly, I started the story of Abram and Sarai. I went thru the mountain top sacrifice with Isaac (6 year old was almost in tears) and on thru to Joseph and the coat of many colors. Again, not remembering all the details, but doing my best to wing it and make sure a lesson was taught. Again I had their FULL attention. It was awesome! When I finished up the whole mess of stories, I asked them what we could learn from them and they both nailed it! God protects us even tho he tests us.
On the way back to the house, Allie took me by the hand and told me I was a great story teller. She said that she was just as enthralled as the kids were. Who would have thought that just "winging it" could be so great. I know I messed things up and some of the more strict christians would probably cringe at the mistakes I made, but it was still good enough to get the morals thru to the kids. I guess its the sort of thing that "Veggie Tales" was based off. A loose interpertation of the greatest best seller ever. The Bible.
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