HAPPY HOLIDAYS - MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

These three greetings have one thing in common: you are wishing someone else happiness and joy. They’re very unselfish words that can uplift another’s moment with joyfulness. And it will make you, the greeter, happier as well.

Cheerful greetings are used mostly around the holidays, but are appropriate at any time. Saying anything from “Have a nice day,” to “Nice to see you,” may encourage another person and will lighten your load too; especially if it’s said with a smile.

But a friendly word around Christmas is most important. Many folks are less than merry around this time of year. Memories from past holidays about family problems, loved ones lost, financial pressures, health issues – all detract from the joy of the season.

And joy is what Christmas is all about: the joy of giving and receiving; the joy of remembering the good times, the joy of counting our blessings, the joy of being alive, and the joy of God’s gift of joy for each of us.

The Bible, through which God has revealed Himself to us, informs us that God is full of joyfulness. The word “joy” and its synonyms are found in over 400 verses in both the Old and New Testaments. God wants me to be joyful and He wants you to be joyful – at Christmas and all year long.

When Jesus was born the angel greeted the shepherds with words of joy, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.” Why? It was because the Savior had arrived on earth as a baby, and He would grow up to fulfill His mission of salvation for all who believe. It is His birth that brought “Joy to the World.”

It was then Christ’s life and teachings that implemented the opportunity for joy to all of us. Jesus said in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” His words bring joy, as do His death and resurrection.

When the disciples saw Jesus just before His ascension back into Heaven, Luke 24:52 says, “And after worshiping Him they returned to Jerusalem with great joy!”

When we’re missing joy in our lives, which may happen more than we’d like, we can ask God for the joy He promises to give us.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

MILLSTONE APPLICATIONS

Millstones have been used for several millennia for grinding grain to make bread. The stones for the hand grinding just weighed a few pounds, but as grist mills became common the stones could weight over half a ton. Millstones are still in use today for grinding grain, coffee, and other items. They are made of hard rock like granite or made of synthetic materials. Although most today are made in factories, some are still formed by hand – an obvious time-consuming procedure.

Millstones have also been used as weapons, with records of some being dropped from fortress walls on invading armies. When you’re being attacked, any weapon will do. They were also used as collateral for loans, but this practice was discouraged in the laws of Moses. Today, however, most antique stones are used as garden decorations.

One of the more illustrious applications for the millstone is a form of Divine punishment.  In the Gospels, Jesus said that it would be better for a person to have a millstone hung around his neck and be cast into the sea, rather than to cause a child to stumble.

Children are especially vulnerable to adult abuses, both physical and emotional, and most of us would agree that such awful treatment of a child deserves the worst punishment.

Sadly, there are those today who are causing children to stumble spiritually. Some examples are those who make movies and TV shows that are harmful to kids; teachers who do not teach God’s truths; or the Secretary General of the UN who is scaring youth with his idiotic projection of climate apocalypse; and those forcing gender changes on the young.

Only God knows the future of our climate, not the United Nations nor any politician. God has promised that the seasons will remain as long as the Earth exists. Although Mr. Guterres is Portuguese and possibly a Catholic, he obviously doesn’t believe God’s promises.

But do you? Regardless of your age, don’t let the climate fear mongers cause you unnecessary emotional stress. And please reassure the children in your life that God is taking care of the Earth as He promised He would.

Sadly, these extreme climate warnings are causing what Psychologists are calling “ecoanxiety.” Some have said it results in kids having suicidal urges, and can you blame them? They’ve heard the warnings: “10 years to go; 12 years before the end.” What a terrifying prospect to the younger generation.

I suspect that God is sizing the millstones now for those guilty of causing these children to stumble.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

ENERGY AND LIFE

Energy is displayed in the work and heat it produces. Sources of energy range from sunlight to wind power to combustion to gravity to chemicals to water and others. But to me the most amazing source of energy is life – from the largest animal to the smallest microscopic viruses all living things are full of energy.

Our Great, Loving Creator shared some of His omnipotence with all living creatures – giving them the energy they need for living. Thus they can move and breathe and eat and do everything necessary to sustain their lives and their kind. And for humans, He also gave us the “breath of life” – the eternal dimension than only mankind has.

We can’t know how animals feel, but we feel more or less energetic based on several factors, such as our diet, our sleep, our enthusiasm, our activity level, and our age. The older we get the less energy we seem to have. But at any age, others can uplift us and increase our level of energy.

For example, when a friend calls and says, “Let’s go golfing or biking or swimming or to the ball game,” we suddenly feel a surge of energy even though we may have been ready to take a nap. On the flip side, when our spouse says, “You need to do this or that,” we feel more tired than we did a moment ago. Go figure!

Sadly, there are some in the world who need most of their time and energy just to stay alive; just to find food or shelter for themselves and their family. Survival and love are energy boosters. People find the energy to do what is necessary.

And when we feel completely void of energy, we can remember what God has told us in Isaiah, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

 In short, we are energized by God!

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

ENERGY IS ESSENTIAL

In physics, energy is the quantitative property that, when applied to an object, results in work or heat being transferred to that object. It’s a nice scientific definition, but it doesn’t explain much about energy, per se. For example, what is the original source of energy? How can energy be everywhere and in everything? In short, what is energy?

Another scientific explanation of energy is found “the conservation of energy,” which says that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed or transferred from one form to another.

And then there’s Einstein’s famous energy formula; e=mc ² – which led to the enormous amount of energy being released in the atomic bomb.

But these scientific notes about energy are primary mathematical explanations of how energy is measured. Whether in Joules, Ergs, or Planck’s unit, energy is only measured by the work or heat that it generates. Thus watts and horsepower are extensions of the actions that energy can force.

We know that the four forces that display energy are the Strong Nuclear Force, the Weak Nuclear Force, the Electro-Magnetic Force, and the Gravitational Force. From atoms to solar systems these forces are always at work using the energy that is available. But there is also biological energy, which includes human energy that is displayed as part of, but separate from, these four forces.

The philosophizing could go on and on, but the point of this discussion is the true source of all energy as well as the Grand Unified Theory solution. These truths are found in God’s Word, the Bible. It starts in the beginning, when God created the Heavens and the Earth by the power of His Word. God is the original source and provider of all energy in the Universe.

And we learn in Colossians that in Christ “all things hold together.” This explains how nuclear forces, magnetism, and gravity are all from God. It is He who has gifted us with energy and the natural forces that hold us in place. And He has given us the human energy that we need to know Him and to serve Him and to serve others as well.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

NEVER IN HISTORY

Never in history has so much knowledge about God and His truth been available to so many people. Except perhaps when Adam walked with God in the Garden, or when Christ Himself was teaching on earth. Books, videos, computers, phones – all are readily and easily available to more individuals than ever before.

Bookstores still sell books, and many of them are about our great Creator! Videos from Christian sources are replete with messages that help us understand the Savior better. Computers allow us to access everything from books and videos to live sermons and lessons from the Bible by some of the best preachers and teachers that have ever preached or taught.

And our cell phones – what a marvelous tool for learning and studying the Gospel and sharing it with others via texting or other messaging apps. There seems to be no limit to what Christians can do for the Kingdom! It’s a great time to be alive.

This is especially important since schools at all levels and the mainstream media are ignoring God’s power which is available to those who need it. [Who doesn’t need God’s help every day?] There is a vast empty void that we can help fill by sharing with those who read our messages.

I was speaking with a friend who said he was reading R. C. Sproul’s book on the Holy Spirit, where Jonathon Edwards’ great sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” was quoted. To show the change in our culture, when I was in High School our literature text contained this sermon and we were assigned to read and study it. I don’t know if it’s still in the books, but I’d be surprised if it were.

So take advantage of modern technology, as well as printed, and become a serious student of God’s Word and ways; and then use the same technology to share His way to eternal life with others.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

PLASTIC IS FANTASTIC

Plastic is a fantastic discovery! It’s getting a bad rap these days, although it’s not the plastic per se, but how it is being discarded. Civilization today would not be as civilized were it not for plastic. Food preservation, medical uses, automobile applications, clothing, tools, weapons for national defense, games and toys, electronics, entertainment, straws – government, homes, businesses, churches – these are some of the products and recipients of wonderful plastic.

Of course there is not just one plastic, but thousands of chemical compounds that make up what we call plastics. Plastics are made from petroleum, cellulose, coal, natural gas, and other chemicals. There are seven classifications of plastic, each with its own physical characteristics and primary applications.

Life without plastics would be unhealthy and unsafe. This is why God created so many different chemicals and taught humans to use them for the betterment of everyone who has lived in the past 112 years. The first plastic based on a synthetic polymer was made in 1907 from phenol and formaldehyde, and called “Bakelite.” Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian-born American living in New York State discovered the first viable and cheap synthesis methods for making Bakelite and coined the term “plastic.”

We don’t want to get rid of plastics – we need them more than ever. But we must find a better way to dispose of them. One value of plastics is the thermal energy released in combustion. Some places burn plastics to generate heat and electricity. The fumes need to be scrubbed or collected, of course, but that isn’t hard to do. Some places simply bury them, but they are generally not biodegradable. But burying them is definitely better than littering them where they mar the landscape and may end up in the waters and eventually the ocean. Recycling is a good option, but it seems like the cost of doing so has been prohibitive.

I have faith that as God gave us the means and ways to make plastics, He’ll also inspire us to find a way to deal with their waste stream. Hopefully soon!

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

GOOD LEADERS AND BAD

History is replete with nations whose leaders were alternately good and bad. The good leaders would provide security and prosperity, and then the bad leaders would come along and cause discord and poverty. The cycle repeated itself time and time again.

The same could have happened in the USA were it not for the president’s limited terms, either by losing an election or by assassination or death, or simply choosing not to run again. And now the President has a limited time he may remain in office which is two terms or eight years. This purges the bad but also, unfortunately, limits the good.

The United States has had forty-five presidents in its 243 year history, which is an average of 5.4 years for each. Compare that to the USSR which had eight leaders in its seventy years, which is about 9 years for each. And ancient Israel and Judah had nineteen kings in about 450 years, averaging 24 years a piece.

The Bible gives a detailed account of both the good and evil kings who reigned over the two nations. The evil ones were evil indeed and the good ones very good. Of course some were just mediocre, like a few of our presidents. What separated the aforementioned kings was their devotion to Jehovah God and his laws and commandments. Theirs was a spiritual standard, and God still has these standards.

But unlike a monarchy, the USA is a representative republic wherein Congress and the Supreme Court have coequal authority with the Executive. So the overall spirituality of our nation is laid at the feet of all three branches. And that actually trickles down to the individuals in our government, both elected and appointed. We vote for the elected officials who in turn appoint staffs, assistants, and department heads. These then hire more unelected persons. All of these make up our federal government. And the states, counties, cities, villages and townships all operate in a similar fashion.

God judged Israel’s leaders, but He also judged the citizens. Some folks followed the leaders, good or bad, and some followed God’s leading despite who was king. We can learn from the Bible or ignore its teachings about national spirituality. We can follow leaders who are opposed to God or we can follow God in spite of what some in the government are saying and doing. The choice is there for each of us.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

DIVIDED HUMANITY

Along comes a man who disrupts the status quo of the nation’s leadership. He’s not from the ruling class, not an insider; he’s an interloper in the minds of some. He doesn’t deserve the attention he’s getting. Criticism is heavy against him from some party leaders.

Yet there are many who also like his refreshing character. He’s less political than popular. He’s not afraid to speak his mind and openly criticizes those who condemn him and his ways. He is like a folk hero to a lot of citizens. And his public speaking ability is without peer.

So two camps arise and not many are indifferent toward him. It’s either love or hate, and the haters get more press than the lovers. Some extremists even call for his assassination; others simply for his removal in some “legal” way.

He’s not the first in history to be misunderstood and treated this way. Many others before him were driven away more easily than he, and this tenacity infuriates the haters even more. Their rage is like a derangement.

In some public gatherings violence breaks out between the two camps and people are injured or even killed. The authorities often seem helpless to intervene. The hatred is very evident to outside observers.

And yet he perseveres and attracts larger and larger crowds to his events. It is a worshipful experience for his followers. They chant and cheer and applaud at nearly every statement. They think deeply about his words and challenges and look forward to hearing him for years to come.

But alas, the hatred prevails. Liars are paid to present all sorts of sordid and untrue accusations. The opposition doesn’t allow much of a defense and he is indeed condemned to die after a mock trial.

He is crucified on a cross between two thieves.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

EVOLUTION'S LOGIC

“Let’s see now, it doesn’t make sense that God could have created life in six days about 6,000 years ago,” is how the argument begins. “So I’ll come up with something that does make sense,” the evolutionist says.

“A universal common ancestor” is how the variety of life is described. Instead of a Divine Creator, there were prokaryotes, eukaryotes, exons, and introns. And by chance they developed over billions of years into a human being. It’s all very logical.

But some developed into birds, and fish, and cows, and alligators. Why were there so many variations? Why are there not only humans on earth?

Let’s say that A was the first organism. [Where it came from nobody knows.] It was a single-celled creature that exhibited all the features of life: respiration, digestion, reproduction, motion, etc. One day its offspring became B, a multi-celled creature with the same life attributes. Then another offspring became C. Then B and C both had a B and C offspring, but also D & E offsprings. This continued until F through Z were born.

To regress in this argument, we have never seen any organism reproduce anything other than in its own likeness. Genetics limits any changes beyond physical characteristics within the defined specie’s traits. It’s therefore a very huge stretch in logical thinking to assume otherwise, even in the supposed distant past.

Getting back to the alphabet, when we got to Z, it may have been a horrible creature, not at all like man. So what happens then? Does the entire process begin again so that the second M, for example is different than the first M? This progression repeats itself over and over again so that T and X are new organisms? This would take billions of years! It’s all very logical.

Since there is no way to observe what truly happened in the past, any theory is presentable. Anybody could make one up. Sometimes clouds look like animals, so maybe one fell to the earth and became the beast it resembled. Who knows?

I believe God knows, since He was the only one there at the time of Creation. And He has kindly told us exactly what transpired and in what order. In six days He was able to create life with His Power and Word, including making man from the dust and “breathing in man the breath of life so that man became a living soul.” Read it for yourself and see genuine, actual logic.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

INSIGHTS FROM HONDURAS

I recently had an opportunity to interview Stu Reed, an Alliance man who has been a missionary in Honduras for the past twenty years. He was an engineer at B&W Research in Alliance where he received twenty patents. Stu retired from B&W after twenty-seven years with the company, and became a missionary with the Friends Church in the city of Santa Rosa. He ministers with his wife Odilia, who is from Honduras, along with their four children still at home, ages seven to thirteen. His insights are very helpful for our understanding of the current immigration situation.

Carl:    Your mission in Honduras is with children?

Stu:     Yes, with children and adolescents. Most of the ministry is for preschool children, ages 3-5 (there are three years of pre-school in Honduras); the ministry for adolescents is primarily grades 7-12.

Carl:    You and your wife Odilia meet the needs of how many children each week?

Stu:     We are teaching approximately 3000 children each week, and are feeding almost 1000.  We have 5 teachers who teach in the kindergartens and a team of 16 volunteer teachers, who are mostly pastors, from various local churches who help teach in the High School.

Carl:    How and where do you shop for food for the kids? Grocery stores? Open air markets? Walmart?

Stu:     Our projects in the kindergartens are all cooperative.  The teachers administer the funds for the food and line up someone to buy the food and prepare it for the children, usually one of the mothers.  At the end of each month, they provide us with a report of what the menus were, and how much was spent for each meal.  In this way, the work for any given class is not so huge and can be managed by a single teacher and her designated person.  We provide a reimbursement to the teacher who manages the funds at the beginning of the next month, sufficient to cover costs for the upcoming month.

For our Saturday projects, we and our teachers generally do the food preparation ourselves.  In most all cases, the food is purchased at the open air market or agricultural fair, where we buy directly from the growers.  Bread is purchased from a bakery outlet, and tortillas from a woman who makes her living making and selling them.  Where we live, there is no Walmart, but there are several larger grocery stores which are pretty well stocked, although not by USA standards.

Carl:    Why are there so many kids in need?

Stu:     Honduras is a very poor country with great inequality – about 2/3 of the population lives below Honduras' definition of poverty, and nearly a 1/5 in what is called extreme poverty, which is a family income of less than $2 per day.  Little is being done to improve the situation of the poor, since they comprise a profitable supply of cheap labor.  The percentage level of poverty in Honduras is largely unchanged since I first arrived there in 1999.  The absolute number of people living in poverty now is significantly larger since the population has grown substantially in those twenty years.

Carl:    Does the government allow / support your work?

Stu:     We are permitted by the government to teach the Bible in the public schools. Our projects are supported by the teachers who are government employees, and by the departmental board of education, a government agency.  At present, we are the only ministry that is permitted by the department to teach the Bible in the kindergartens.

Carl:    Are living conditions as bad as we see on the news?

Stu:     Definitely. The conditions are very bad, and a great many people feel they have no recourse or hope that things will get better, or that they can make things different or better for their families.  The poverty is grinding and it affects the majority of the population, especially since agriculture is on a downturn. Gangs and narcotraffickers are endemic. Many in the government, including the police and the military, are corrupt. Most people feel both hopeless and powerless.

Carl:    Have you had any encounters with the gangs?

Stu:     Yes. Encounters with gangs in Honduras, including in Santa Rosa, are commonplace.  We have not been specifically targeted by the gangs as of yet, but we and our ministry are still affected by them and their presence.

Carl:    Do you personally know any who have fled for the USA?

Stu:     Yes we know a fair number who have fled to the USA looking for work, both family and friends, some before the current caravans, some since.  And we are aware of many that are still actively considering it.

Carl:    What do Hondurans say about the USA?

Stu:     Hondurans generally see the USA in a positive light. It is seen as a very wealthy country, with workers that are well paid and where decent paying jobs are readily available.  Even the minimum wage is considered to be very generous.  The USA is considered to be a safe place to live in comparison with Honduras – less corrupt and less violent, with a much more extensive “safety net” for the poor and disadvantaged. 

            North Americans are seen as generous and willing to give to those less fortunate, and it’s generally assumed that all Americans (especially tourists) are rich and have money and goods to give away.  Interestingly, one of the largest sectors of the Honduran economy consists of the money which is sent to Honduras by Hondurans working in the US (both legal and illegal) to support their families.  Most people are very aware of what is going on in the USA in politics and international affairs.  They are sufficiently sophisticated to know the difference between what is reported about the government in the USA and what its citizens are like.

Carl:     Is there a middle class in Honduras?

Stu:     Yes, there is a middle class, but it is not anywhere near as large as in the USA While in the USA there are perhaps 5-10% rich, 80% middle class and 5-10% poor, in Honduras, there are about 5% rich, perhaps 10% in the middle class, and 80%+ who are poor or very poor.  From our point of view in Honduras, we are not moving towards the income distribution present in the States, rather the USA is moving toward the situation in Honduras.

Carl:    What utilities are available, such as water, sewer, gas, electric, or fuel oil?

Stu:     This depends a great deal on where you live. In larger cities, most utilities are available.  Electricity is available in about 80% of the country. Water and sewage services are available in cities, which are provided by the municipality. Sewage is typically not treated, even in some of the larger cities. In outlying areas people rely on wells or streams to provide their water.  In Santa Rosa, our water comes typically once a week – we have 4 tanks on the roof to store the water to use during the week. 

There is no gas distribution in Honduras, neither public nor private. Propane is available in tanks for those who have a gas stove.  There is no central heating and no water heater in a typical house, so gas is used strictly for cooking.  Firewood is widely available from vendors, although in cities like Santa Rosa it’s not legal to use it for cooking – but some still cook with it.

Carl:    Are there many thriving commercial businesses?

Stu: There are many thriving commercial businesses in Honduras, and most are subsidiaries of, or suppliers to, companies in the USA and Europe.  They are generally owned by the rich or large international businesses.

Carl:    Are you allowed to give suggestions to national leaders for improvements?

Stu:     I personally am not, because I am a resident and I’m expressly prohibited from stating political opinions.  While in theory Hondurans have the right to express their opinions, in practice it is not so, and they are rarely heard.  For that reason, there are very many large public demonstrations (thousands of people). Frequently the people involved in protests risk their lives because they fear police or military repercussions.  Dissent is actively discouraged and so is organizing opposing political entities.  The government controls virtually all print and broadcast media; so much of the work to organize protests and to disseminate news is accomplished through social media.

Carl:     So you have Facebook and Twitter etc. readily available as well as internet service?

Yes, we have pretty much all social media which is internet based, including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp,  etc. But we are also well aware that licenses for these are granted by the government and can be withdrawn at any time – this has happened in the case of radio stations and newspapers that have supported opposition views.  The government owns and operates the telephone system and licenses and controls cell phone networks and has the ability to monitor both voice and text messaging. We are a bit careful because of that. If the social media become more inconvenient for the powers that be than the international backlash, these will no longer be available, but for now they are.

Carl:    On a personal note, how and when did you come to Alliance?

Stu:     I grew up in Canandaigua New York, and graduated in 1970 from Bucknell University in Lewisburg PA with a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering. I moved to the Alliance area right after graduation to work at B&W.  I also studied at Malone College, and earned an MA in Christian Ministries in 1996.

Carl:    You had a very successful career at B&W Research.

Stu:     In addition to the patents, I was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame, and was McDermott’s Inventor of the Year in 1996.  I’m a lifetime member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a Registered Professional Engineer (Ohio), and a member of the Society for Experimental Stress Analysis and the Instrument Society of America.  I have written approximately 100 technical reports and publications, both internal and external to B&W.

Carl:    When did you start going to the Friends Church?

Stu:     I grew up in the Methodist Episcopal Church until age 17, when I went to college and became secular.  I started going to the Friends church after volunteering on a Disaster Service project in 1990.  We went down to Shadyside OH on the church bus, and by the time we made it back to Alliance I was convinced by my fellow workers.  This was on a Saturday and the next day I was at the Friends Church and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I’ve been part of this wonderful church ever since.

Carl:    What is your long term goal for your mission?

Stu:     Our ministry is known at Alliance Friends as “Stu’s Kids”.  In Honduras, it is known as “MInisterio VIVE”, an acronym for Vida Integral, Vida Eterna (full or complete life, eternal life).  Our motto is “Feeding Body, Mind and Spirit”.  Our goal is to introduce our children to Jesus, so that they know Who He is, and to prepare them to recognize His voice when He calls them, and to prepare them to follow Him.  We want them to be healthy in body, mind and spirit, and to see that there is hope for a different and better life, and that that hope comes from following Christ.  We seek to follow the Lord’s leading in our ministry and cannot say what the long term holds for us or our ministry, but we are confident that He holds the future, and know that at present we are where He would have us be and doing the work that He has for us to do.

            Right now there are major disturbances going on in Honduras, so we need Americans’ prayers!

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

June is a month for patriotism, with Memorial Day, D-Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day all so close together. Flags are flying, flowers are blooming, and summer weather has arrived. It’s time for singing about our beautiful nation.

The praises of the United States have been sung for many generations. The question is, will these anthems continue in the  future? When I was in elementary school we had music every day, and many of the songs we sang were of the patriotic kind. In Junior High and High School, when music was voluntary, I was in the choir where national pride continued through our concerts. And there are so many great examples of inspiring words that thrill the American heart and soul.

The National Anthem – “The land of the free and the home of the brave”

My Country ‘Tis of Thee – “Sweet land of liberty” “From every mountainside, let freedom ring”

America the Beautiful – “God shed His grace on thee”

God Bless the USA – “I love this land – God bless the USA”

U.S. Navy Hymn – “Eternal Father strong to save” … “Thus evermore shall rise to Thee, Glad hymns of praise from land and sea”

U.S. Air Force Hymn – “Lord, guard and guide the men who fly”

U.S. Army Hymn – “God of our fathers” … “glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine”

Marine Corps Hymn – “First to fight for right and freedom”

The Battle Hymn of the Republic – “God is marching on”

Stars and Stripes – “Hurrah for the flag of the free”

You’re a Grand Old Flag – “You’re the emblem of the land I love, the home of the free and the brave”

Taps – “All is well, safely rest, God is nigh”

There are many more, but these in particular have two things in common – the gratefulness for freedom and liberty, and our dependence on Almighty God. These thoughts go hand in hand – without God there is no liberty or freedom – with liberty and freedom we can worship and praise God.

As it says in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

RABBITS, HAWKS, AND SQUIRRELS

A few years ago we had lots of rabbits hopping around our yard. They built nests in the grass and we had to avoid them when mowing until the bunnies were big enough to escape the whirling blade. Every morning they were munching on the vegetation.

And then the hawks came. Obviously attracted by a tasty meal, they swooped down on the earth-bound hares which were defenseless against the winged predators. Soon the hawk population grew and the number of rabbits decreased drastically.

So the hawks went after the squirrels, but alas, squirrels can climb trees and hide in the foliage. It was not so easy for the big birds to grab a meal at the fly-through. They got discouraged and hungry, so they’ve moved on to greener, or should I say whiter, pastures, so to speak. And the rabbits are coming back.

Now there is an overabundance of squirrels in our neighborhood. They run around and chase each other, scurrying up trees and poles, having more fun than one can imagine. And the most interesting thing to me is that we see black squirrels, and gray, and brown all romping together. Are they color blind, or do they realize instinctively that the color of their fur has no bearing on their “squirreliness”?

I’ve never eaten squirrel [that I’m aware of] but I’m guessing the flavor is about the same regardless of the tint of their covering. And I doubt that anyone call tell the fur difference between two skinned squirrels’ carcasses. A squirrel is a squirrel – regardless of the color of its skin – I mean fur.

I believe there’s an analogy here for humans as well. A human is a human regardless of the color of their fur – I mean skin. After all, the Bible says we are all “One Blood” – referring to men and women everywhere for all time. And genetics verifies this – we are all human beings, created in God’s image.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

THE DAY THE LEAVES TURN GREEN

It’s one of the events that jump out at us, even though we know it’s coming. Spring arrives and the flowers start to blossom, the grass greens up, and the trees are budding. But one day, usually late May or early June, I’m driving down the highway and all of a sudden, I see that ALL the leaves are green! It just dawns on me that they’re all green. It happened gradually, but now the process is complete. And it’s quite pretty!

A similar experience happens every autumn when all the pumpkins turn orange. I drive by the same fields every day, but whammo – suddenly the pumpkins are all orange! This seems to happen more quickly because the green pumpkins are shrouded in the green vines and the green weeds. So the orange seems brighter than ever.

Other events in life are also like this. Wow, I just turned 40 [or 50 or 60 or (gulp) 70] – even though we knew it was coming, suddenly it’s here. But unlike the leaves and pumpkins, our age doesn’t repeat each year. Once we reach that milestone, it’s on to a new one.

I think it’s human nature to avoid thinking about future events over which we have no control. Tax day, for example – If we’re wise we’ll prepare for it. But it still seems to sneak up on us. Retirement is another – we save and invest and then we ask if we did enough.

There is one event that we can also prepare for, and that’s the return of Christ to the Earth. He told us to be ready at any moment for this blessed and hopeful event. We know it’s coming, but do we avoid spending very much time thinking about it? If we’re not sure how to prepare, God has giving us His plan in His word, the Holy Bible. Be sure to look it up. I did, and I’m ready for His return or the moment He calls me home – whichever comes first.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

APRIL 20th - A VERY MEMORABLE DAY

There was so much sad tragedy in Colorado, but for me it was a day for a miracle!

I had my cancerous left kidney removed by Dr. Black in Alliance Community Hospital. There are two types of kidney carcinoma – Renal Cell and Transitional Cell. Thank God, mine was Transitional Cell because Renal Cell does not respond to chemotherapy.

So I did have chemo, and it was just as grueling as I’d heard, but it saved my life. I have had some long term side effects, such as peripheral neuropathy, plus I have Chronic Kidney Disease in my right kidney. But I’m very much alive thanks to Dr. Black’s and his associate’s skill, and for modern medicine.

 And thanks also to my wonderful wife for sitting with me during the chemo treatments and helping to nurse me back to health. She even drove me around so I could make sales calls that summer. And she’s been so supportive ever since.  I’m so blessed to have such a great helpmate. God was very wise to provide Eve for Adam!

When you look into death’s door, it changes your perspective. The initial fear I felt after the cancer diagnosis has been shared by all those who faced this health threat. It’s always unknown if the cancer is treatable or how long you’ll live and the quality of your life after any surgery or treatment.

I feared the worse, which is natural I suppose. So when I went to the hospital that morning I was ready to wake up from the operation with the most negative prognosis. But I’ll never forget the overwhelming peace that God gave me when Sherman Brantingham, one of our pastors, prayed over me and anointed me with oil. Calmness blanketed my mind and soul like I’d not experienced before nor have felt since. It was God’s peace that “goes beyond comprehension.”

So I’ve been blessed with an additional twenty years with family and friends. Even though the cancer didn’t get me, I know that someday something will – this is life. But the good news that we celebrate each Easter is that beyond death’s door is the door to Heaven. Because Jesus was crucified and rose again, those of us who have put our faith in Him and received his salvation will pass through the door of death to the door of eternal life.

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

KETCHUP - A GREAT CONDIMENT

Ketchup is a great condiment – my favorite as a matter of fact. It goes well on burgers and fries, hot dogs, sandwiches, mac and cheese, and so much more. I must admit, however, most of my friends don’t appreciate the flavor enhancement ketchup provides on a well-done filet.

A recent edition of the Saturday Evening Post ran a three-page article about ketchup, and I learned a whole lot about my delicious tomato topping. The timing is perfect as we prepare for the upcoming grilling season.

Some interesting notes from the article are listed here.

“Ninety-seven per cent of Americans have ketchup in the fridge, usually Heinz, and we buy 10 billion ounces annually – three bottles per person per year.” Ok, we buy two or three times that much in our house, but it’s so good!

Ketchup originally came from a Chinese fish sauce, “but ketchup became truly American once it was wed with the tomato and bottled industrially.” The tomato originated in Latin America and the Spanish introduced it to Europe and the rest of North America.

In the nineteenth century homemade forms of ketchup were used to flavor and spice up bland meals, but toward the 1900’s it was being mass produced and bottled. Vinegar was added as a preservative, then sugar to balance the sourness. Heinz was the first company to balance this flavor into a “platonic ideal of ketchup.” Soon they were selling 5 million bottles a year.

An important side effect of Heinz’ processing of ketchup was that they were “instrumental in developing, perfecting, and promoting sanitary production methods, not only for its ketchup but for the dozens of products it manufactured.” They began bottle and can sterilization and rules for cleanliness for workers. Thus “ketchup influenced the way everything else was processed.”

Thank God for the tomato and for Heinz perfecting ketchup! Writing this has made me hungry for a well-done steak. Please pass the ketchup!

COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

THOMAS JEFFERSON QUOTES

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe." 

Thomas Jefferson 

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."  

Thomas Jefferson 

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its' own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."  

Thomas Jefferson 

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them."

Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." 

Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." 

Thomas Jefferson 

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."   

Thomas Jefferson 

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes, the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."   

Thomas Jefferson

THANK GOD FOR THE RICH

Although I’m not one of them, I am very grateful to God that there are those with enough money to keep our economy rolling. They may be rolling in cash, but they don’t simply swim in it like Uncle Scrooge.

According to CNN, 59% of the very rich give to charity, and their gifts total more than thousands of ours combined. In addition they are involved in Business, Finance, Manufacturing, Technology and Construction.

Of course they cannot do all of this work alone, so they hire and pay employees. These workers support their families, pay taxes, and purchase goods and services that help our national economy. Thus the wealth of the ultra-wealthy is distributed to and through the rest of us.

Forbes Magazine had an article by John Tamny about the benefits we reap from the richest Americans. Some of the points are listed here.

“…rich people can claim the vast majority of investable wealth in this country, and because of it…their savings and investment create the vast majority of jobs.”

 “Since they have income that they don’t consume, their excess goes into banks and brokerage accounts so that businesses can access capital to grow and hire.”

“Banks don’t pay interest on money only to warehouse it, rather they lend it out… they merely shift it to others, including middle class individuals who borrow it to buy a house, a car, clothes for their kids, or best of all, access the savings of the rich to start a business.”

“Employers have no choice but to share the wealth, and that’s the case because if they don’t pay what the market will bear, their profits will shrink even more due to turnover.”

“Once again, there are no companies and no jobs without investment first, and the more money we leave in the private economy, the more money there will be chasing workers. Taxes logically reduce the amount of capital available, and as such are very anti-worker.”

Although it sounds like a good plan, when the government takes from the wealthy the tax bill trickles down to the rest of us.

                                     COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON