ANOTHER YEAR - ANOTHER 365 DAYS

Man has been observing and recording time since God created humans with our special intelligence. The devices for doing this have changed over the years, but their accuracy from the beginning is very impressive.

Days are easy to understand – sunup and sundown mark them. Months are determined in part by the moon phases. Years also can be established by the sun’s position in the sky. And seasons are indicated by natural changes in animals and plants and the weather.

Weeks however, were given to us directly from God. He created the earth and life in six days and rested the seventh day – the Sabbath. He knew that we would weaken and run out of energy without a day of rest.

The time frame that causes confusion is the EON. This is primarily a geological term for a long range of time divided into eras and periods. Sometimes the fossil record gives a clue to the period in question, such as the Jurassic made famous by movies with that name in their titles. However, this is a completely hypothetical, man-made-up time with no natural or observable frame.

The attempt to date fossils and rocks with Radiometric Decay methods is not without error and assumptions. The range of the assumed ages of these items is sometimes a factor of millions or hundreds of millions of years. Fifty year old lava has been dated from 133 million to 3.9 billion years old.

The science seems pretty straightforward. Simply put, over time Potassium becomes Argon. If you measure the amount of Argon in a rock you can tell how much Potassium was there to begin with, since all natural rocks contain Potassium. By measuring the Argon you should be able to tell how long it took to produce that amount.

But here are the assumptions and unknowns. What was the condition of the rock forming? How many Potassium atoms were there originally? Was there any outside contamination of the Argon from water or other chemicals? Has the decay rate been constant? These all point to unprovable theories regarding Radiometric Decay dating. After all, the only one around more than 6.000 years ago was God Himself.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

WORSHIPING THE LORD IS A BLESSING

The music may be bad, the preaching less than perfect, but being in church on Sunday morning is a blessing. This is because just by making the effort to get up and attending with other believers to worship God together is a blessed activity.

Greeting brothers and sisters with a smile and a pleasant word encourages both you and them. Singing along as best you can is healthy both spiritually and mentally. Learning from the sermon is uplifting to mind and soul. Listening to the Lord is enlightening to our total being.

Giving is also a part of worship; knowing that we are advancing the Kingdom both locally and around the world. All we have comes from God, so we are simply returning a portion of it to His work.

But we need not worship only on Sunday. We carry on throughout the week by reading our Bible, listening to Christian music, [and singing along] and talking about Jesus to others with whom we come in contact.

And doing good for others is an extension of our worship. Our good works glorify God and demonstrate our love for our fellow man. This enables them to see God in us and through us. And together we praise God in our hearts and vocally too.

So, plan on attending a good Bible teaching church; plan on singing and greeting everyone with a smile; plan on giving to the church and other good causes; plan on listening to Christian music all week long; plan on reading your Bible – either the bound edition or on your phone; plan on talking about the Lord to others; and plan on doing good whenever and however you can.

And the more you do all of these things you will be both giving and receiving greater and greater blessings day after day.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

I LIKE TO SMILE

I try to smile as much as possible. I don’t mean walking around with a goofy smile all the time, but when I see someone I smile at them, and most of the time they smile back at me. It makes me feel good to help someone else smile.

I don’t judge them if they don’t return the smile however. We never know the pain or discomfort others are feeling at that moment. So I say a prayer that God will help them with their situation.

Smiling is very healthful too. I’m sure there’s a study to prove this, but if we feel better smiling, it has to be good for us.

I recommend the closed-mouth smile. Showing teeth makes it look more like you’re laughing, and it seems to illicit fewer return smiles – just strange looks.

Remember the old song? “Let the sun shine in, Face it with a grin, Smilers never lose, Frowners never win.” It’s not a universal truth of course, but there are benefits to smiling. It makes us feel better, it makes others feel better, and it’s a slight form of exercise, moving some face muscles.

And if smiling is the sign of a cheerful heart, the Bible says it is as good as medicine!

If you see somebody repeatedly, find out their name so you can smile and speak their name too. This is even a better way to spread the sunshine. Or make a courteous comment like “Another beautiful day in Ohio.” [Or wherever you are] Even if it’s raining or snowing you’ll get a smile or a pleasant comment in return.

Remember what Jesus implied in Matthew 5:47 – If we only greet people we know, we’re not doing much. So give a friendly greeting, with a smile, to everyone you can!

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

CLIMATE SPECULATION IS BACK IN THE REVIEW

The opinion pages have recently carried a few views on climate change, so this will be another one. I’ve written about this subject in the past, but it’s time to “review” my thoughts on the subject.

As we all know, the climate changes drastically four times a year – with each passing season. In the 80’s the fear was for catastrophic cooling of our planet that was most likely irreversible. Now it’s panic about increased heating. I predict that in a few decades we may become very happy with whatever the climate becomes.

In the meantime, it’s unfortunate that there is so much fear mongering by the UN and others who are predicting a 10 year limit to man’s actions to thwart this bogus threat. The science is not conclusive; all scientists do not concur; and many in the public realize that the sky is not falling, and never has – despite warnings to the contrary.

I won’t discuss the science here because this is an editorial piece, not a technical treatise. But based on my education in Chemistry and my limited experience in the laboratory we are a long way from “proving” any future drastic weather events beyond a few weeks, let alone a decade.

There is plenty of science available, such as from Judith Curry who looks at the same facts as the UN. Her conclusions and mine are based on the same scientific mindset that we have no idea what a 1.5+ degree centigrade increase will do to or for the earth. It may make life more uncomfortable and raise our air conditioning bills or it may increase crop production so much that starvation could be eliminated. We simply don’t know.

Plus we have no concrete evidence that hot trends in the past were detrimental to life on earth. Mankind has survived after all. And the Bible tells us that God promised Noah and the rest of us that the seasons will continue as long as the earth lasts, and the earth will last until God Himself creates a new one. I’m looking forward to finding out what the climate will be like then.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

LEVELS OF ACQUAINTANCE

We walk through the mall, go to church or work, attend a sports event – and we see a lot of people, most of whom we don’t know. Then, we spot someone we do know and immediately feel the tie that we share. That tie is acquaintance.

When we meet someone for the first time, we may say, “Pleased to make your acquaintance.” This is the first level – the initial meeting. We can’t help but to immediately analyze the other person in our minds. Their appearance, the way they talk, what they say, how much they speak or listen all contribute to our first impression. And as we’ve all heard, one doesn’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

This is not to say we should always be trying to impress all those with whom we come into contact. It’s much better to simply be yourself because your true self will always eventually be revealed. It’s much too stressful always trying to be who you really aren’t. So have confidence in who you are by remembering that God has made you this way, and so you are exactly whom you are meant to be.

We either like our new acquaintance, dislike them, or remain neutral. If we like them, we’ll continue to have a conversation and find common ground. We may have similar likes and share friends or interests. This enhances the tie and moves to the second level. We’d like to see them again and continue the discussion.

The third level happens when we do see them again and we pick up where we left off. Then we make promises to set aside a time to meet again for food or going to an event or sharing an activity. The future plans won’t happen immediately, but both parties depart knowing they want to do something together. This level can happen several times before something is actually done.

The fourth level is crucial to the tie. When we participate in any activity and spend additional time together, we form a more permanent and lasing opinion of one another. We think either, “Okay, this is enjoyable and positive,” or “No, this won’t work after all.”

If it’s the latter, we may or may not ever see one another again. If it’s the former it could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship!

From this time on, regardless of how frequently we see each other, the tie is there. The friendship has been formed and our friend becomes the familiar face in a crowd of strangers.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

LAST CENTURY ARRESTS WOULD FILL OUR JAILS

In July of 1918, The REVIEW listed the arrests for that month. In addition to Assault and Battery, which is a current crime, others were charges for some actions that seem to be overlooked today.

Intoxication, seditious utterances, being a slacker, and being a loafer were justifiable reasons for police action against the perpetrators. It seems foreign to us now to think that these abuses were reason for arrest. It was during World War I, actually about three months before it ended, but it still seems a bit extreme.

We see on the news daily all the slackers and loafers in some of the big cities, especially in San Francisco, for example. But they aren’t arrested or even warned by police to stop slacking or loafing.

And what about seditious utterances? Some people utter more sedition today than was heard one hundred years ago. Facebook and Twitter are full of such unpatriotic statements. But nobody goes to jail for this now.

One online definition of sedition is “conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch. Synonyms are rabble-rousing, incitement to rebel, subversion, troublemaking, provocation.” Sedition is short of Treason, however. Wow, this sounds like the recent speeches of too many politicians.

The Bible encourages the opposite of sedition in Titus 3:1-2 where it reminds us “to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”

Not every criticism is sedition, of course. In the USA we have freedom of speech and we may praise or criticize anyone, whether they hold a public office or not. But it’s important to maintain a level of civility that seems to be lacking in some people. The adage, “If you can’t say something nice about a person, don’t say anything at all” seems to be long forgotten.

And of course the Bible sets a high standard for speech in other verses.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.”

And in the book of the Bible that contains so much wisdom, Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the taste and good for your health.”

Think of how nice it would be if only helpful and kind words were used in all of our communications.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

TRUMP AND TRUMAN

Presidents Trump and Truman have more in common than the first four letters of their names. This information is from “PRESIDENTIAL ANECDOTES” by Paul F. Boller, Jr.

Truman was the Vice President under Franklin Roosevelt, and became President upon Roosevelt’s death. Then he ran on his own in 1948.

Neither Truman nor Trump was expected to win the election. Truman’s opponent, Thomas Dewey was so favored that the Chicago Tribune published their paper early for the morning after the election printing, “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.” Thus the photo was shown as Truman held the paper with its iconic headline.

Labor leader John L. Lewis said he wouldn’t appoint Truman dogcatcher. On election night, Truman started out leading, when one news commentator said, “He cannot win – his early lead will fold up.”

Second, both were not hesitant to criticize their opponents. Truman would have used Twitter as much as Trump, but had to rely on writing letters instead of tweets. In response to one politician’s criticism, he wrote, “The campaign in your state … was carried on in a manner as low as anything I’ve ever seen.”

When Paul Hume, a music critic for the Washington Post roasted Truman’s daughter Margaret after one of her piano recitals, Truman wrote that if he ever met him he’d need a new nose, and “a guttersnipe is a gentleman compared to you.”

Third, despite the negative press and much criticism, Truman made some excellent foreign affairs decisions, such as supporting the Marshall Plan to aid Europe after the War, the Truman Doctrine to contain Russian expansion, and NATO.

Both were friends and supporters of the Jewish people. Truman recognized Israel as a sovereign nation, and Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by moving the US embassy there.

Domestically, Truman proposed the “Fair Deal” – “a series of measures extending the New Deal and guaranteeing civil rights for America’s black citizens.”

We can now see the good that President Truman accomplished, but it may be some time before we can determine if President Trump will receive any accolades for his decisions. Either way, both Presidents will be remembered for their perseverance though challenging times.

As with every election, we need to remember that “God controls the course of world events; he removes Presidents and sets up other Presidents.” [Daniel 2:21 – paraphrased]

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

DON'T LET BAD NEWS OR POLITICIANS SPOIL YOUR DAY

It’s so sad when someone is having a wonderful day, with beautiful weather, and a nice lunch with a Coney dog and milkshake – and the news comes on and ruins it. It’s so sad. So very sad!

If watching a political speech is so upsetting, my advice is to stop watching said politician ever again. Why subject oneself to such punishment? Especially on a pleasant day with one’s spouse.

Personally, I seldom, if ever, watch any news any longer at any time. The old adage, “No news is good news” could mean a couple of things. Originally it meant that if there were no news to be had, then there was no bad news to be had. Bad news has always traveled faster than good news.

It could also mean if most of the news is bad; that there’s no good news at all. If this is the case, then don’t listen to or watch the news.  And hearing no news at all is actually good news for our mental state.

But there is plenty of good news available if we look for it and listen for it. It’s probably not on TV or the radio or the internet; but from friends and family. 

I could go on and on, and I’ll bet you could too!

And remember the Good News from the angels on Christmas night – to paraphrase – “DON’T BE AFRAID. WE HAVE THE BEST NEWS EVER! THERE’S NEVER BEEN BETTER NEWS! THE SAVIOR IS BORN!:”

KNOW THE TRUTH - BE FREE

Knowing the Truth results in freedom from several things – freedom from uncertainty; freedom from error; freedom from confusion; freedom from falsehoods; freedom from doubt, and more.

The truth is a very narrow thing. In accounting, the truth can be one number, one digit, one answer – and only one. In science, truth is one chemical reaction, one biological process, one physics calculation – and only one.

In many disciplines, truth is conclusive – It’s unique, it’s accurate, it’s the only conclusion. When all the facts have been accounted for, one can clearly see the truth.

 As a result, uncertainty vanishes, error has disappeared, confusion is clarified, falsehoods are revealed, and doubt is swept away. A sense of confidence arises to the extent that when someone attempts to dispute the truth that has been learned the evidence can be presented to refute any claims to the contrary.

In philosophy and theology, however, the truth is less demonstrative. It is there, for sure, but much harder to see and to prove. Without the physical senses to confirm truth, the mind becomes open to uncertainty, error, confusion, falsehoods, and doubt.

But the truth can still be found, and when it is discovered, the self-assurance of its accuracy is just as concrete as any scientific or mathematical evidence would provide.

Thus, when one encounters an unbeliever of the truth, and one answers any criticisms of his certainty, he may be accused of being narrow minded, closed minded, or even addle minded. The doubters of the truth cannot accept the narrowness of the truth or the confidence that the believer of the truth demonstrates.

But the freedom that results in knowing the truth allows the believer to have complete assurance of his faith in the truth. There is no need to further examine or study contrary opinions or to keep an open mind about distracting ideas.

The sealed mind is secure in the truth, if it is indeed the truth. After all, Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

  

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

CHURCHES DO MORE THAN JUST PRAY

On April 21st The Review ran a very nice article about local churches joining together for a prayer chain along State Street on Sunday afternoon, the 15th. It was a sign of spiritual unity in our community, and an effort to seek God’s guidance and help for our city and schools and surrounding townships. This is a very common and normal thing that Christians do – they pray together.

It was surprising, however, to see some negative Facebook comments about this faithful activity by our citizens. Some folks thought the churches should do more than just pray – and thankfully they do.

We could fill several pages with both public and private acts of compassion and service done by churches and Christians in the Alliance area. In fact there are at least thirty-one area churches involved in a variety of programs to help families and individuals in need. Here are just a few examples of what is being done.

Five days a week at least one meal is provided, plus food pantries and free hygiene products. Clothing is given away free or for a small price. Homeless shelters are available. School supplies and backpacks are handed out before the school year begins. There is help for rent, utilities, and other needs.

Services include pregnancy tests and counseling at the Alliance Pregnancy Center and employment opportunities through Men’s Challenge.

There are activities for kids at the skate park, basketball programs, bus trips, and Days in the Park.

Every church involved in the prayer chain as well as every other church in this area follows Biblical teachings about helping others, serving others, loving others, and praying for others!

The critics are welcome to join one of the church’s activities that are so very helpful to folks in need and they may discover first-hand what followers of Jesus are doing in addition to prayer, and thus see what Christ can do for them as well.

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 04/28/18.

FAKE NEWS ISN'T NEW

I’m currently reading the book, “PRESIDENTIAL ANECDOTES” by Paul F. Boller, Jr. I’m up to James Buchanan, but already have read ridiculous news items about several presidents. Here are some highlights.

One story about John Adams claimed he wanted to reunite the US with England by having one of his sons marry a daughter of King George III.

Thomas Jefferson labeled opposing news stories as 1] Truth; 2] Probability; 3] Possibility; and 4] Lies.

During the War of 1812, a member of the opposing party asked Dolly Madison’s sister, who had very long hair, if he could cut it off and make a rope with which to hang the President.

John Quincy Adams was called a snob, a hypocrite, a drunk, a Sabbath-breaker, a spendthrift, and a gambler

Andrew Jackson was regarded as “a crude, ignorant, bellicose brawler” who would probably shoot anyone who disagreed with him. “His enemies thought he was reckless, intolerant, wrong-headed and dictatorial.”

Martin Van Buren’s enemies “accused him of living in luxury in the White House while people went hungry.”

William Henry Harrison’s opponents “accused him of profanity, drunkenness, and loose living.”

John Tyler was called, “a man destitute of intellect and integrity, whose name is the synonym of nihil.”

James Buchanan “was regarded as unimaginative, legalistic, and morally obtuse.”

There are many more examples of the Freedom of Speech which we enjoy in the United States, both historically and currently. One unfortunate side effect is that dishonest writers and newscasters often do provide FAKE NEWS for public consumption in order to denigrate a political opponent and advance their own candidate or party.

But as it says in Job 34:3 (NCV):^”The ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.” In other words, as we can distinguish good and bad flavors, we can discern truth from error.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

THEY CALL ME MO

They’re calling me “Mo.”  It’s not my full name, but someone called me that this morning – on my first day here – and it stuck.  This is a pretty amazing place – friendly folks, a strong economy, good leaders – a utopia, no doubt.

When I moved here, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I’d heard that the houses were very nice and the utilities and roads were excellent, and the climate was perfect.  Still, it will take some adjustment.

I came from a smaller town, so the larger population seemed frightening at first.  But then I realized that a big city is simply made up of smaller places – neighborhoods and communities with things in common. 

Large or small, having grown up in the country, I prefer city life.  Everything is closer and more convenient.  Neighbors right next door to chat with and compare notes about anything and everything.

     
I had to move on in without my family because they couldn’t come with me yet due to work and school and other activities and responsibilities.  My transfer will be hard on them at first, but I’m confident that they’ll adjust.  Plus it won’t be that much longer until they can join me here.  I’m looking forward to that – being together again with my wife and having my children and grandchildren visit.

     
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that many friends and a whole lot of relatives live on the other side of town; some of whom I didn’t know that they had moved. You know how hard it is to keep in touch with everyone you’d like to.  Oh, sure, I’d send Christmas cards some years, but not everybody did that anymore, so I’d lost touch with many of my buddies and aunts and uncles and cousins.

     
But that’s one nice thing about friendship – a good friend is always a good friend.  It just takes a hug or a handshake and it’s like you were never apart: a few minutes of catching up and it’s just like old times.  I haven’t been around to visit all of them yet, but I plan to as soon as possible.

     
I also need to find out what all is required in my new work assignment and how much overtime will be needed.  Most of my career has been spent in building trades, so I’m looking forward to how I can continue to contribute to the success of the organization.  I had been laid off a few times in the past when companies closed or were sold, but I’ve been told that this job is “permanent” – at least until I choose to change positions again.  That’s a big relief!

     
One of the best things here is the welcoming committee.  They made me feel right at home almost immediately.  They told me all about where everything is and how to get what I needed to set up housekeeping and where to get the best organic food and so forth.  I learned about transportation options and the parks and recreation facilities and libraries and museums.

And they said I could be on the committee to welcome other newcomers; which I’m considering, especially since I learned that one of my grandsons will be moving here in the not too distant future. It will be great to see him again. 

He’s only twenty-one, but an outstanding engineer already.  He played baseball in high school and college, so I hope there’s a team up here he can join. I always loved to see him pitch; although he was good at any position.  Actually, he was very good at every sport he tried; golf, bowling, tennis, swimming, or soccer – you name it, and he could do it.  I remember when he was very young he could throw a ball clear over the roof, when other kids his age could hardly throw at all.  

Sorry about that, just bragging a bit about my one of my grandkids.  He must have inherited his skills from his other grandfather, who was also an excellent athlete.  Although I didn’t have the opportunity to play sports when I was younger, I did enjoy hunting and fishing.

I was always a very good shot.  And I seemed to have a built-in compass, because I never, not once, got lost in the woods. God provided meat for our sustenance, and venison was one of my favorites.  But I also hunted partridge, pheasant, quail, and other small game.  And fishing was always fun too.  I hunted and fished with my father-in-law every chance I could.

In fact, her he comes now – along with a whole crowd of relatives.  It looks like a great family reunion is getting under way.  Fantastic!  And everybody looks so terrific.  Just the way I remembered them back on Earth, only healthier and more robust.

Oh, I failed to mention that I’m in Heaven.  A couple of angels brought me here after the cancer got me, and St. Peter welcomed me. Of course the highlight was seeing Jesus – you won’t believe how great that is until you come up here yourself!  Look me up when you get here: ask for Mo.

Copyright 2018 by Carl E Gustafson

IT KEEPS YOU HUMBLE

1. A PERSPECTIVE ON SUCCESS A newspaper reporter was interviewing an old rancher and asked him to what he would attribute his success as a rancher. With a twinkle in his eye the man replied, "It's been about 50 percent weather, 50 percent good luck, and the rest is brains."

2. A WORD FOR HUMILITY Muhammad Ali was in his prime, and as he was about to take off on an airplane flight, the stewardess reminded him to fasten his seat belt. He came back brashly, "Superman doesn’t need a seat belt." The stewardess quickly came back, "Superman doesn’t need an airplane, either." Ali fastened his belt.

3. BROKAW THE CELEBRITY Success can sometimes dazzle you in the achieving, but there's usually someone around to help you keep perspective. TV newsman Tom Brokaw has a story about that:

Brokaw was wandering through Bloomingdale's in New York one day, shortly after he was promoted to cohost on the "Today" show. That show was a pinnacle of sorts for Brokaw after years of work, first in Omaha, then for NBC in Los Angeles and Washington, and he was feeling good about himself. He noticed a man watching him closely. The man kept staring at him and finally, when the man approached him, Brokaw was sure he was about to reap the first fruits of being a New York television celebrity.

The man pointed his finger and said, "Tom Brokaw, right?"                "Right," said Brokaw.

"You used to do the morning news on KMTV in Omaha, right?"        "That's right," said Brokaw, getting set for the accolades to follow.

"I knew it the minute I spotted you," the fellow said. Then he paused and added, "Whatever happened to you?"

4. MORE HUMILITY A pastor was asked to speak for a certain charitable organization. After the meeting the program chairman handed the pastor a check. "Oh, I couldn't take this," the pastor said with some embarrassment. "I appreciate the honor of being asked to speak. You have better uses for this money. You apply it to one of those uses." The program chairman asked, "Well, do you mind if we put it into our Special Fund?" The pastor replied, "Of course not. What is the special fund for?" The chairman answered, "It's so we can get a better speaker next year."

THE NEW PRESIDENT - (A POST FROM 2018)

Once again another President has begun his term. I’ve lived through several Democrat and Republican presidencies. Some have been very good, others not so much. But I’ve learned that what was said in the campaign is not always what happens after the inauguration.

I respect the President whether I agree or don’t agree with everything he says or does. And I pray for him on a regular basis, as well as the other leaders of our nation, state and city. I suggest this practice for every conscientious citizen. Our officials all need God’s wisdom and guidance. As with each President, this one is neither the Messiah nor the anti-Christ. He’s simply a man with a very important job to do.

I’m greatly bothered by those who claim this President was not legitimately elected. They don’t seem to realize that the candidate with the majority of the votes in a majority of the states, resulting in a majority of electoral votes, wins the election. That’s how we’ve been electing Presidents for a long time now. That’s what the writers of the Constitution, with Divine Guidance, crafted in that magnificent document. It’s the law of the land, as is the Bill of Rights.

Since the Bill of Rights provides freedom of speech, we all can express our beliefs and opinions [even erroneous ones] without fear of government retribution. However, this amendment doesn’t protect us from opposing views which are also freely expressed. The sad condition of our current public debate however, whether by social media or the press, is the rude and often violent attitude with which some respond to posted opinions.

Of course these types of responses are highly emotional as a result of fear or anger or perhaps misunderstanding. This can even be seen on our own opinion page from time to time. But the important thing is that opposing or even conflicting views are printed or broadcast for the reading or viewing public to evaluate and discern. We can then decide the validity of the words which were spoken or written. Wouldn’t it be great if more were valid than not?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. – AMENDMENT 1.

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 02/09/17.

THE SOURCE OF AMERICA'S PROBLEMS TODAY

THE SOURCE OF AMERICA’S PROBLEMS TODAY…….

If you seek HIM, HE will be found by you, but if you forsake HIM, HE will forsake you. 2 Ch. 15:2.

Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your GOD and have no awe of ME," declares the LORD, the LORD ALMIGHTY. Jer. 2:19.

Those who turn away from YOU will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water. Jer. 17:13.

THE SOLUTION IS TO TURN BACK TO GOD!

"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among MY people,

If MY people, who are called by MY name, will humble themselves and pray and seek MY face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Now MY eyes will be open and MY ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.  2 Ch. 7:13-15

SAVE YOURSELF - IT'S TOO LATE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD

At first look, this may seem like a very selfish idea.  “Forget everyone else, just take care of yourself.”  But in reality, until we are secure in our own future, we cannot help others become safe in theirs.  Besides, it’s only our own salvation with which we can personally deal.

Sadly, even when we know the truth about the status of our fellow earthlings, there is nothing we can do to save them from destruction – they need to make the necessary preparations for themselves.  And when they see us in a prepared state, it is hoped they will have the desire to join us.

And the world’s predicament is indeed bleak!  There no need to describe the handbaskets headed for Hell in which so many find themselves.  Current news and history plainly account for the demise of so many.  Nonetheless, most people will ignore any warnings and accept evil and wickedness as the unchangeable norm.

It is neither smugness nor conceit that enables us to know our eternal destiny. Rather, it’s the ultimate need for self-preservation that gives us this impetus to prepare.  And thankfully God has provided the way of escape for us now, just as he did for Noah and his family in the Ark. Then it was the Ark, now it is the Cross of Christ. They survived the earthwide flood, just as we can survive the fiery judgement that’s coming to the world. There is great pleasure and peace in being prepared, as well as tremendous joy!

But it isn’t pleasant to think about God’s judgement – and He will judge countries as well as individuals.  So before Divine discipline comes to the United States and other nations – save yourself.  It truly will be too late for the rest of the world!

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

GEORGE WASHINGTON - THE LAST AND ONLY NON-POLITICAL PRESIDENT

No opposition party. No mudslinging. No negative press. No hanging chads. No foreign collusion. No electoral votes against him.

However, the VP election was another story. While Washington got all 69 electoral votes available, John Adams received only 34, with the remaining 35 being split between John Jay, John Hancock and others.

The system then allowed for each of the 69 electoral voters to vote for 2 candidates for President. The person with the larger number of votes became President and the second place candidate became Vice President. So to become VP, Adams had to also run as President, knowing Washington would get elected.

And then began the fun that we know today. Adams, like Washington was a Federalist. Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican. [A phrase you’ll never see today.] The election of 1796 was won by Adams with a 71 to 68 majority. Jefferson went on to win in 1800 after a tie with Aaron Burr at 73 electoral votes each, so the tie breaking vote was held  in the House of Representatives.

Adams was a northerner, Jefferson a southerner. Thus began one of the many divisive patterns in American politics. It became north vs. south, east vs. west, coasts vs. the middle, red vs. blue, liberal vs. conservative, etc. etc.

 The purpose of this brief history is to remind us that political battles are nothing new. Our current president is not the first to receive harsh criticism, irrational opposition, non-stop verbal and written abuse, and unfounded accusations. Nor will he be the last.

It is our freedoms that allow for such fights. These freedoms were established and upheld through all of our 58 Presidential elections. Let us pray that they will continue for the remaining elections we will have.

God has blessed the USA, is blessing the USA, and will bless the USA – we hope and pray.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

OUR AMAZING BRAIN

I was thinking the other day – about thinking.

How do we think? How can the cells of our brain enable us to craft thoughts and ideas? How can we then turn these concepts into spoken and written words? How can we work and invent and laugh and cry? How can we love and grieve and hope?

Animals have brains, but they can’t do what humans can. This is only one of the many differences that place us far above the mammals and other creatures. Man truly was created in the image of God!

We were once told that we only use a small percentage of our brain power, but more recent studies show that we utilize most of our gray matter in daily activities, and even while sleeping.

But sadly this great capacity for thought can be used for evil as well as good. Words can either hurt or heal. Writing can be constructive or destructive [including tweets.] Movies can contribute to society or demean our culture, as way too many have done.

Thankfully, we can decide what we read and watch and therefore we can control what goes into our brains. Because this brain power we have includes a tremendous amount of stored memories, the input from the past affects our thinking in the future.

This is especially important for children. What our schools teach; what parents teach; what TV and movies teach – all affect the lives or our kids and therefore the future of our nation.

This is why the Bible reminds us to think about what is good and wholesome and positive and healthy, and why we must meditate on God’s Word and encourage one another as often as we can.

So, as you think about thinking, think about what you think you should add to your memory. Think about what you should add to the memory of others. Think about using all this thinking power for the good of our communities our churches and especially our families.

COPYRIGHT 2018 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

THE MICHIGAN ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE

I grew up in Davison, Michigan – just east of Flint in Genesee County. Like most of this region the state was divided into mostly rectangular counties with nine townships, and each township had nine sections, and each section had a one-room schoolhouse. Thus on my first day of kindergarten at Goodenough Elementary I was in a room with K-8 grades and one outstanding teacher. [How the teachers handled this is beyond me. Of course how any teacher handles kids is a complete mystery.]

But in first grade they doubled the size of the schoolhouse and put K-3 in one room and 4-6 in the other. This multi-grade classroom provided a huge learning advantage. One received a preview of the next year and review of the previous year. So I was reading with the 3^rd grader when I was in 1^st; and doing math with the 6^th graders when I was in 4^th. As one of my college professors said, “Repetition is the basis of knowledge.” This statement played out well in the one-room schoolhouses of the 1950’s.

Although we had recess and played and exercised a lot one disadvantage was the lack of organized sports because we had no gymnasium, thus no dodge ball. But our 5^th grade teacher, who had been a basketball coach, decided we should learn that esteemed sport. So he padded down some dirt around a pole and hung a net. [There was not a square foot of concrete on the playground.] We practiced until he thought we were prepared and then he took us to the city school for a real game. Needless to say, the city team wiped the floor with us – we really weren’t ready. In fact many of us had never even been inside a gym before. This was the end of my basketball endeavors.

Additionally my sister and I live about a quarter mile north of the school, and in the winter we walked both ways uphill in deep snow. We were too close for the bus to pick us up.

Thankfully the academic enhancements of a one-room schoolhouse served me well throughout the rest of my education!

Copyright 2018 by Carl E Gustafson

MY FAMILY TREE IS DRIVING ME NUTS

Not the members on the tree [especially not the mothers] but the process of developing it. A couple of aunts and uncles, my brother, some in-laws and cousins had all started recording various family members – which was very commendable. But somehow they thought it would be nice to share all this with me.

So I took all of this information and started to compile it in one place. I found a user-friendly genealogy program, and began entering the data. It was quite fun to see all the ancestors’ histories and read their stories.

The thought has always amazed me is that I’m alive today. When one considers that if a great-great-great-great grandfather or grandmother had not lived long enough to have children – “POOF” – I’d be gone! In fact, I’d have never been born!  Somehow God kept my forebears alive and forbearing children.

This is true for each of us, of course. Since we are living, God must have wanted us to be born. And He loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives.

But, back to the tree. I figured it would take a few weeks to get everyone’s information loaded, which was almost true. I discovered pretty quickly that there were missing links in the family.  [Not the evolutionary kind – since that’s a myth.] But there were spouses, children, siblings, in-laws, divorced husbands or wives, step families, third and fourth cousins removed several times, and on and on and on…

So after months, not weeks, I’m up to 513 members of the tree, and I’m still adding to it. There seems to be no end to all the relationships. Thus the ensuing insanity I’m experiencing.

I may not live long enough to complete the entire family tree, and I now understand why this was passed on to me. Now, if I can only find a younger branch that I can send all this to so they can have as much fun as I’ve been having…

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 05/18/17.

THE NIGHT LIGHT

I keep a small night light on for safety, and when it’s dark the 4 watts are enough to light the hallway. Of course, wattage is no longer the way to determine the brightness of a bulb, since fluorescents and LED’s have become popular. [I miss the old incandescents.] Now it is lumens; and 4 watts is about 10-15 lumens. But it’s all I need at night. Since darkness is only the absence of light, even a candle will provide enough brightness to see. However, for more important tasks a much brighter light is needed – up to 1,000 lumens or more.

When God created the universe, darkness was the default state and would have continued as such had God not said, “Let there be light!” And since He is the source of all light, and life, the earth now has both.

But there is a night far more dangerous than the physical type. It’s the darkness of the mind, heart and soul. Like one said, “The problem is not that children are afraid of the dark, but that adults are afraid of the light.” The Bible even says that people love darkness better than light, because it hides their sins, or so they think.

Sadly, darkness is the default state in human lives as well. We cannot bring light into our lives on our own because light must come from an external source. The sun and moon and stars are the external sources that God created to light the earth. And just as we need lamps in our dark homes, we need lamps in our lives.

The spiritual darkness with which we are born will continue until we have the Light of Life – provided by Christ. And His Light never shone brighter than on that first Easter morning!

Thankfully it has continued to shine through today and will continue to shine for eternity.

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 04/13/17.

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

Of course, without God, there is no bright side! As the hymn says, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Examples are easy to find and list and I know there are a lot more than I have here.

We have a Representative Republic wherein free elections take place which allow for new and better leaders to replace old and worse ones.

We have a power grid that supplies electricity to our homes and businesses and schools.

We have been able to harness the electromagnetic frequencies that provide the technology to operate TV and Radio and Cell Phones and Tablets through wireless transmissions.

We have more food in our stores than we could possibly need and about which many other nations only dream.

We have clean water that is conveniently piped into our homes for drinking and washing and cooking.

We have clean air to breath and we have heat in our homes for winter cold and air conditioning for summer heat.

We have the freedom to worship in the church of our choice and we have many, many churches from which to choose.

We have men and women who are willing to serve as police officers and firefighters to keep us safe in our homes and community, as well as those willing to serve in the Armed Forces.

We have cars and trucks and motorcycles and also streets and highways on which to travel anywhere we’d like throughout the USA with no border restrictions.

We have low priced gasoline to fuel our vehicles that can be bought at a plethora of gas stations.

We have well-built homes in which to live and pleasant neighbors with whom to visit.

We have a free press from which to glean news and weather and sports and in which to read letters to the editor.

And we have the freedom to write either negative letters or positive letters such as this.

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 03/13/17.

THE NEW YEAR - 52 MORE WEEKS

Our current dates are based on the Gregorian calendar, developed by Pope Gregory XIII and his assistants in AD 1582. It replaced the Julian calendar which was from way back in the age of Caesar – 45 BC to be exact.

And calendars are exact.  They must be to keep everyone in the USA and around the world in sync. Imagine if we didn’t have a calendar. One would ask, “When is your birthday?” and you could reply, “I think it’s tomorrow,” and nobody would know any better. You could celebrate whenever you wanted and get lots of presents. But you wouldn’t know if you were 20 or 30 years old. One day you’d look in the mirror and think, “Wow! I must be pretty old now.” Of course this happens even with calendars.

Back to the 52 weeks: The year is based on the solar cycle. We can stick a post in the ground and see how the path of its shadow changes to determine when a year has passed. The month is based on the lunar cycle – full moon to full moon [including some supermoons] or new moon to new moon. [No green cheese.]  And days are a result of the rising and setting sun. As it says in Genesis, God created these to be “for signs and for seasons and for days and years.”

But what is the seven day week based on? Several websites have come up with all kinds of historical speculation – the Babylonians, India, Persia – all had seven days in their week. But where did they get this idea? Again, it comes from the Bible. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. All of the ancients had received a verbal history of creation week, so they adopted it for their calendars.

By the way, in 1929 the Soviet Union changed their calendar to a ten day week, but it didn’t last long because of all the confusion it caused. They went back to seven days like other countries.

So I hope we all have a Happy New Year, which will once again provide us with 52 weeks of seven days each in which to do our work, eat, spend time with our family, sleep, have vacations, golf or participate in other sports, worship our Creator, and enjoy a weekly day of rest as God planned.

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 12/31/16.

THE SUPERMOON

A couple of weeks ago we witnessed a “supermoon” that was the closest one to Earth in the moon’s elliptical orbit since January 26, 1948, and won’t be this close again until November 25, 2034. Technically they’re called Perigee Full Moons, and they occur several times a year, though they don’t come as close as the latest one. This event was detailed in The Review on November 15^th.

It’s very interesting to me that we can know exactly when these events will occur, down to the day even 18 years into the future. How is this possible? It’s because we live in an orderly solar system and a well-designed universe. Our Creator made the Earth, as well as the sun and moon and planets – in all the galaxies – like a finely-tuned timepiece, but on a gigantic scale.

There are some, as we know, that believe this happened by accident or as the result of a massive explosive bang. [But with nobody alive to hear, did it really make a sound?] To me the illogical chance of that occurring with the systematic results we witness is an impossibility. Try as one might, no human explanation can account for the beautiful cosmos that has been created.

Thankfully our fantastic, powerful, ingenious Creator has plainly spelled out the history of the world, as well as its future, in both His natural and written revelation to all men everywhere. We can choose to study and learn from His Word, or ignore it and believe the men who, because of unbelief, dream up their own explanations for the supermoons.

This was posted by Carl E. Gustafson in The-Review – Alliance OH on 11/30/16.