When you come to the end of the road
It doesn't matter which horse you rode
It's not what you did, but what you left behind
Were you loving, forgiving and kind
Your life and mine will end someday
Jesus died for our sins, did pay
But what did you leave for those behind
Memories and blessing, your personal kind
Some people live and don't prepare to die
Why they are so stubborn, don't ask me why
They live for self and no one else you see
They leave behind only bad memories
So look to the future, my dear friend
This life on earth will surely end
Then you must face the Master face to face
He will decide if heaven or hell is your place
So live each day as it were your last
The problem of this day too will pass
Love and enjoy your family and friends
Make sure all are saved,
So you can be together again
Here my friend, is the rest of the story
Your life in Christ, the promise of glory
This earth will cease, and the dead will rise
To live with Christ is the final prize
Bud Yoder
The mass population of ours country is our great wealth. Wealth in talent, wealth in creativity. Wealth in producing food and manufacturing. Wealth in education and recreation. Wealth in opportunities for different life styles and careers.
Our wealth is in the people. God created people to be stewards of the earth. We are social beings with a purpose in life. To live, love, reproduce, work, and find true meaning in life. Those who find it are fulfilled and enjoy their time on earth. Those who don't find true purpose, live and die in frustration and a life is wasted.
When we Americans have a major disaster in this country it brings out the best or the worst in us. Disasters are a fact of life. We control a great deal in ours lives, but we don't control wind and water. We don't control the weather or seasons. These are beyond our control. However, realize the strength in people to adapt and over come. Sometimes we do very well and other times the decisions made by leaders are not the right decisions. Even with the best planning and preparations things may not develop as expected. In fact sometimes just the opposite happens.
All through history the people of this earth have lived through wars, hurricanes, floods, forest fires, tornadoes and anything that could challenge life. And still life goes on. People overcome, rebuild and go on. We always have and always will, know the truth that God is in control not man.
Our latest crisis in American has revealed that we have become co-dependent upon fuel, electricity, and our highways. We are over-populated and under prepared for the future. Our future generations must do a better job of preparing and equipping communities for disasters. We have created a monster not only in America but around the world.
Does anyone really have the answer for the real questions about the future? Has education and intelligence really given us the answers?
No, I believe the answer is in the will of the people. To survive and enjoy the wealth listed in the beginning of this article, we Americans must stop being selfish and self-centered. Each person must assume the role God created us to fulfill. This means being good stewards of the earth. Being our brother's keeper. Each person using common sense regardless of the rules. The answer is not government but the will of the people.
Unless each individual is responsible for his actions, the monster will continue to destroy us. We need to use common sense when it comes to buildings. Don't build in flood plains or on ocean fronts where storms continue to destroy. Don't eliminate our best farm lands for housing developments. We need food and it must be grown on the land God gave us. The list could go and on.
We have found the enemy. And the enemy is us. Unless the will of the people changes, we in America are on a slippery slope. Our future is predictable. Let's return to God as a nation. Let's reestablish the values that made us a great nation. It begins with you and me.
Chaplain Bud,
The Christian Church at Cogan Station
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I don't know who made that statement, but it is true. The tough get going and the weak will perish.
Who would have guessed five years ago that America would be tested like it is today? We are in a war with terrorists, and now, with this destructive hurricane in the South that has crippled our nation.
We are a nation that has built our everyday lives on oil. Gas for our cars, gas for our trucks that move America's goods, oil for our plants that make electricity, gas to mow our yards and run all kinds of small engines, gas for our ships and pleasure boats. Let us not forget all the products that use oil in manufacturing. Also, all the planes that move our people around the world everyday.
Every budget in every home, business, city, state, and as a nation will be affected. Hard decisions will have to be made as to the future. Some people will lose their jobs, while others will prioritize to survive.
What has really happened to the American dream? Since World War II, America has become crazed with materialism. Spend, spend, spend. Buy, buy, buy. Now all of this has caught up to us.
Someone asked me where is God in all of this? Right where He has always been. In Heaven. As America became more and more materialistic we moved farther and farther away from God. We did not need God. We have become a pagan nation putting God out of school prayer and out of all public offices.
Money and oil has replaced God and become king.
Oh this country as a whole believes there is a God, but they refuse to obey Him or live under his authority. The churches have not changed America, America has changed the churches. Liberal thinking and teaching continues to come out of our colleges and seminaries. Liberal people control our governments and our schools.
Now we are reaping a harvest of rebellion against God. Did God cause all this to happen? I don't think so, but He didn't stop it either. He has no obligation to America if we are rebellious and not obligated to Him. History has revealed in the Old Testament how God will allow a nation to destroy herself if they refuse to honor Him.
What about the true Christians in America? And, there are many. God has always provided for His children. Does this mean we will suffer right along with other Americans? Yes, we too will suffer and sacrifice to feed our families, but our hope is not in this world. True Christians understand this and accept our lot in life.
These are the last days and the real war is between good and evil. Between God and satan. To the world without God, survival is more important than character. We Christians know this is not our home, we are just passing through.
Can America be saved? Yes, but only if we as a nation repent and turn to God. It has happened in the past and it can happen again. (But, Christian, don't grow weary of doing good.) Read Gal 6: 7-9
Chaplain Bud,
The Christian Church at Cogan Station
It has always been interesting to me to watch people. They come in all shapes and sizes; all ages and races; male and female. There are too many different careers to count and every job you can think of.
We have schools, schools of higher learning called colleges and universities. We have trade schools and still others learn by apprenticeship. Yes, we are people who populate the earth and we work.
Not everyone works though. Some are too young, others too old and others weak or sick, and still others just too lazy.
The question today is not whether you work or not but does your life matter?
We are all given so many years on this earth. Some live to be old or very old and others die young. But, we all live and we all die. That is for sure. Knowing this, does your life matter?
Think of it this way. In the years you have had here have you found your purpose? Does that purpose produce so others can benefit? Or is your purpose just to survive and you live just for yourself? Is your purpose fulfilling and does it give your life joy?
Now take time and think of your past. Were the years good or bad? Were they hard or easy? How many things can you think of, if given the chance, would you do things differently? Then ask yourself why? Think of your successes as well as your failures. Think of other people in your life who made a difference.
Now think of the possible years you have left. With the experience you have gained from the past, did your life matter?
The good news is that you can still change what you believe needs changed. Now is the time to say, my life does matter. I can make a difference.
The difference between people who succeed and fail is very simple. Some people just work and make a living, others work and make a life. A life that matters. This life is built around family, community, friends, hobbies and church. Happiness and purpose are a bi-product of these relationships. Without these relationships life is empty and meaningless. We become bored and selfish.
Yes, today would be a good day to take inventory. Set some goals and develop a good plan for the rest of your days here on earth. Only you and God know your needs and future. How you spend those days is up to you.
To me a miserable, wasted life is the greatest disaster I could ever think of. You can make your life matter. You can make your job a joy. You can make your family proud. You can become a loyal friend. You can be a good servant to God and a good citizen for your country.
In fact, your life does matter. The question is does it matter for the right purpose and motive.
Be safe and stay well.
Chaplain Bud