--still standing--

   there was an article in the paper the other day,
about a soldier receiving the congressional
medal of honor(i think it's about time someone
won it who's still standing from this war)--



     the paper printed some of what he said while
receiving it, he said he was angry his friends had
to die for him to be honored with a medal...
    that says a lot, i think it tells us, that when
another person gives their life for you, that's
a gift above all gifts, one you would never dream of
asking for, and when you receive it, you want like
hell to give it back, but you can't, and that's the rub--
   he said very much with few words, a trait often seen
in serviceman--
  the tip of the sword never rusts, it stays clean from constant use,
and hard times, though it be strong, we keep it in a high place,
away from harm, remembered with great pride...
(he really deserved our highest honor)--

                                                    --best wishes--

(rd)

--faith and casual conversation--

     i wrote this note to my pastor, but right now i'm
not sure i sent it--

     my faith, and television, are often at odds...this
really shows itself in my daily conversations--
   here in america, we tend to respond negatively
about a subject, if whom we are speaking to has
made a negative reference first--
    i catch myself doing this often, and as i study gods
word( filled with love and hope), this contrast is
becoming more apparent--
     when i get home, and reflect on the days
conversations, often, what i recall having said,
does not reflect my true overall feelings about
a subject--
    for example, you may admire someone at
work, but sometimes their socks don't match...
during a casual conversation with someone
at work that day, the sock problem may
be mentioned--
   should you blindly chime in to this negative tune,
even though you highly regard this person?...

   this issue is very similar to the shyness i have had,
on occasion, when my beliefs have been questioned--
it takes practice(and a thimble full of courage), to
go against the grain of all things--
   i hope, as whom-ever reads this, sits inside...i
must suggest that there are endless opportunities
just outside that door, where america awaits--
    take a few breaths, or count to five, before
answering someone setting a negative tone--
    is it really how you feel about the subject?,
grandmas always say "if you can't say anything
nice, don't say anything at all", grandma knows
best, almost every time(and with frightening
precision, i might add)...
   so, speak the positive, and save the rest for
your prayers--

 (i prayed for a new pair of socks for my friend,
instead of slandering him for it...)

                                                     --amen--

(rd)