Jim's Gems

Close, but no cigar

bethelyouth — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:58:01 +0000

Today the people of Baltimore are feeling what the folks of Mudville felt in 1888 when Ernest Thayer wrote –

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

“Casey at the Bat” was an instant hit when it was first published and has been repeated over and over when teams of various sports have risen to challenge the “top” spot only to be rudely disappointed and heard to sadly utter once again the time-worn words, “Wait until next year”!

This was the year that the Baltimore Ravens professional football team appeared to have its best chance of returning to the Super Bowl since its stirring and overwhelming 2001 victory there. This year’s team possessed an impressive mixture of veterans and younger players. ‘Speed’ had been added at the important wide-out receivers position. Both head coach and quarterback were entering their fourth seasons and each of the previous three had seen playoff victories. The ‘running’ game would be significantly improved through the addition of an all-pro blocking fullback. The defense – always the ‘headline’ part of the team – was battle-tested from previous seasons and would undoubtedly make life miserable for this year’s opponents.

The actual season had its ‘ups and downs’ – undefeated at home but losing several games on the road to inferior teams. Finishing undefeated in divisional play – which included two victories over arch rival Pittsburgh – helped them secure the number two seeding in the conference playoffs and a playoff home-game in which they defeated Houston. Only one obstacle stood in their path as they marched toward their second Super Bowl game – the New England Patriots!

In the week of ‘build-up’ for the Patriots game,Baltimoretook on the appearance of a “purple” city. If one did not have some ‘purple’ in his or her apparel it was deemed as almost treacherous. City leaders, sportswriters, and the fans on the street all agreed that this game – although against a tough and worthy opponent – would result in a Raven victory similar to the thrashing given the Patriots two years ago in the playoffs.

Personally, I felt everyone was over-confident. I thought we ‘could’ win the game, but I doubted that we would. The reason for me was simple – I, for several seasons now, have had very little confidence in the Ravens’ Offensive Coordinator. The offense was too predictable, too close-to-the-vest, and held too tightly on the sidelines! But even so handicapped, I believed they had enough talent and ability to win the game – unless the game was ‘close’ and then all bets would be off.

True enough, it came down to the last minute, even seconds. A dropped pass in the end-zone with lest than a minute to play might have won the game for the Ravens. But with only seconds to play and a chance to send the tight game into overtime, Baltimore’s kicker missed a 32 yard field-goal attempt. “Game, set, match!”; “wide left!”; and mighty Casey had once again struck out!

“It’s only a game”, we say with tears in our eyes. We will watch with envy the Super Bowl two weeks from now still believing that we should be on the field rather than the Patriots. It’s sad to think that this may have been the Raven’s best chance since “age” is creeping up on some of their best players. But life moves on and the importance of men playing a kid’s game will diminish as priorities in life are examined more closely. For me it will be easier than some simply because the Alabama Crimson Tide claimed their 14^th national championship a couple of weeks ago and my football mantra will continue to be “Roll, Tide, Roll!!”

Jimmy Jackson, January 23, 2012

One Marylander’s position on taxes

bethelyouth — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:42:44 +0000

In 1989 after a fifteen year pastorate inNew OrleansI was wrestling with a major personal decision. Two ministry positions had been offered to me and it was almost a certainty that I would accept one of them. I had always ‘thought’ that at a certain time in my ministry I would become what in those days was called an Associational Director of Missions. In many ways I even looked forward to such an experience and that is why the call fromParkersburg,West Virginiato serve that area of the state was of great interest to me. However, at almost the same time the offer to become a member of the staff at the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware became a reality and I was faced with making the very difficult decision of which of the two positions should I accept. It is now history that I accepted the position inMaryland; served the next seventeen years there; and have never doubted that I made the correct decision.

Now is not the time to write about the reasons for my decision but it is the time to disclose that in making that decision I sought advice from many persons, some of whom strongly recommended that I NOT move to Maryland!! Most of the reasons given had to do with one or more of the following facts: (1) In the mid-Atlantic area, which included Maryland, I would find myself in a much more ‘liberal’ theological area than that in the deep South; (2) the ‘cost of living’ would be much, MUCH higher; and (3) I would find that Maryland is a state with some of the highest TAXES in the USA. Suffice it to say that I later found ALL such revelations to be completely true. None the less, Cleo and I moved here in July, 1989; never looked back; and have been extremely happy and blessed in our lives in this great state.

Today, however, I write about one of the factors of which I was ‘warned’ over two decades ago – namely, the matter of “taxes” in our chosen home state. Maryland, like so many of our states and our national government, finds itself with a huge budget deficit (in Maryland over a billion dollars) and it appears, will seek to reduce that fact by once again TAXING its residents!! Our state’s history reveals that it is one of the bluest of blue states; that the heavy majority of its elected officials lean decidedly to the left, and as such believe in an ever expanding government. The corollary to such a position is that it can only be retained and paid for by newer taxes. (Case in point: the new transportation “tolls” that went into effect in October and will be raised again this year!) Thus the legislature presently meeting in our state capital has already given indication that it will raise the tax on gasoline (fifteen cents a gallon over an unspecified period of time); will raise the annual fee on the use of water; and will undoubtedly look for other possible “fees” (which is simply a political euphemism for TAXES) to help balance the budget. Also, our Governor is on record as saying that if he had his ‘druthers’ he would raise the state sales tax (which was raised only a few years ago in 2007). Persons like me who beg that our politicians “cut spending” before resorting to more taxes will be most likely either ignored if our voices are soft or shouted down if they are loud. And what we will see out ofAnnapolis will be a microcosm of the struggle taking place inWashington.

Surely I need not say that as both a citizen and a Christian, I believe in both the government’s authority and need to tax its people. Our governing documents give authority for taxation and the Lord said we are to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. My concern – and that of many persons today – is that government, whether state or national, has become “too big”; intrudes upon personal decisions “too much”; and resorts to paying its cost by levying more and more taxes. And today – when our economy is still attempting to recover from the “great recession” – is NOT the time for government to dip into our wallets and purses again! Such has to me the aura of ‘high-class robbery’!!

Jimmy Jackson, January 16, 2012

When a dream is a dream is a dream …

bethelyouth — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:14:21 +0000

In the life of a ‘writer’ there is always the question of “what to write?” Usually there are more topics to cover and more thoughts to be explained than time or space will permit. BUT – then there are the ‘other’ days and ‘other’ times when the mind seems as dry as a Texas summer and the ideas as absent as an Iranian admission of terrorist activity. It is on such occasions that this ‘writer’ (and I choose to use the designation ‘writer’ rather loosely) usually types something that has happened in my own personal life.

At breakfast this morning Cleo asked if I slept well. Maybe it was an attempt to get my head out of the sports page. Or it could have been she was curious since I nearly pushed her out of the bed several times with my rolling and tossing in sleep. Or, to give her credit where credit is most likely due, after only fifty-six years of sleeping in the same bed, she really was curious about my night’s rest. Whatever the motive of her asking it was incumbent upon me that I give her an answer. Stated tersely it was, “not so well”. Following is a possible explanation –

Since I am a big John Gresham fan and have read every one of his published novels with the lone exception of his latest, The Litigator, (for which I am about 517^th on the waiting list at the library), I watched with rapt fascination last night the premier episode of the new TV series based upon his first best-seller (but not his first book), The Firm. Then as is my habit, I watched the 11:00 news, spent 30 minutes reading, turned out the light, and ‘turned in’ for the night. I hardly ever have trouble falling asleep – for which I am extremely grateful – and I think such was my case last night. “Dreaming”, however, is another matter.

I may go many nights without being conscious of dreaming. Then there are other nights when I dream but upon awakening, I can’t remember their details. Sometimes, the dreams are as clear as can be and the persons, places, etc. are easily – and most times gladly – recalled the next morning. Then there are times like last night!! I dreamed, and can recall most of it, but none of it makes sense. The dream had to do with returning to some place that I had previously been. It appeared to be somewhere that I had attended school, but none of the ‘pictures’ coincided with schools I have attended. There were persons I should have known, but I did not recognize them. The dream – and it seemed to me to lasted all through the night – was in three sections: (1) I was “there”, looking around, trying to find my way, and was fascinated that nothing was as it had been before. Everything had changed! (2) There was a period of exploring – going into buildings, viewing what was transpiring, sensing that it was ‘familiar’ but at the same time not being able to personally identify with any of it. (3) Then I was involved – I remember almost being unable to climb steps that were outdoors; of having people speak to me because it appeared they knew me but I did not recognize them, and of being inside a building with a young couple with three babies. And that’s all I remember except feeling that the dream repeated itself over and over throughout the night.

Now I’m not into “dream therapy”. Neither do I aspire to the need to have every dream interpreted even though some would think that it is obvious that through my dreams my sub-conscience is trying to get a message to me. Certainly I believe the Biblical accounts of the Lord speaking in dreams and just as strongly believe that He can do that today if He so desires. But I do not see His initials on last night’s happening. What I do see is a night where sleep was not ‘sound’ and thus the reason of my answer to my wife.

But with all of that said, it can be stated with some assurance that the entire experience was not totally devoid of positive outcome. In a nutshell it provide me with material for today’s GEM (however insipid it may be) plus that fact that it kept me so busy throughout the night that I did not have to ‘visit’ the adjacent room a single time!! And for someone in my age bracket that’s a real PTL!!

Jimmy Jackson, January 9, 2012

Goodbye, 2011; Hello, 2012

bethelyouth — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:50:19 +0000

2011 is now reserved for the history books. Concerning its ‘rating’ in the minds of mortals, there will undoubtedly be mixed emotions. On a personal level some will say it was a wonderful year because of a loving marriage, a major promotion, an educational accomplishment, a large inheritance, or even a lottery win. Others will argue just the opposite due to the loss of a loved one, a foreclosure on a dwelling, a lost job, a failure at school, or a debilitating illness.

Nationally the primary story all year may have been political in nature: the beginning of choosing a Republican to challenge President Obama in November of this year and the constant gridlock in Congress. Others would vote for the far-from-resolved economic problems that beset our country with high unemployment and a struggling housing market. Of course the continuation of the war inAfghanistanand the ending of our military presence inIraqalso produced major news headlines.

Internationally, was anything most gut-wrenching than the Japanese earthquake/tsunami that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and a major nuclear melt-down. Europe’s economic difficulties often movedUSA’s Wall Street on a yo-yo course;China’s growth both economically and militarily raised concerned eyebrows;Iran’s belligerent course of defiance in the face of international resolutions and sanctions grew even more troublesome; and the recent death of the leader of communistNorth Koreahas thrown an “unknown” into the international arena.

But of all the year’s stories the one that intrigued me the most – besides being the absolutely most unbelievable – was the report out of Washington regarding the testimony given to a Congressional Committee from former U.S. Senator and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Concerning the missing 1.2 billion dollars involved in the bankruptcy of MF Global during the time Corzine was the company’s CEO, he was quoted as saying, “I simply do not know where the money is…”! Now look – all of us misplace things from time to time. Maybe it’s keys, or the checkbook, or the prescription the doctor gave, or a zillion other things – BUT – more than a BILLION George Washingtons?? I ask you – why not “look” for it until it’s found?? If I think I’ve lost $20 somewhere I’m going to turn my house, my car, my office (oophs – forgot that I no longer have an office – sorry about that!) upside down until I either find it or drop dead trying. What this situation says to me is how cavalier “money people” have become in these days. What’s a mere billion dollars when our national debt is in the trillions? Who really cares if we drop a billion or so now and then?

The only thing that I can say with absolute certainty is that the missing 1.2 billion will NOT be found in the wallets and purses of the American taxpayer. Last time I looked in my wallet that $20 was still missing. Oh, I just remembered – it went to pay the higher tunnel tollsMarylandenacted recently. And I had better start saving up for the new gasoline tax our Governor wants to enact. What a nice thought to begin 2012!

Jimmy Jackson, January 2, 2012

A glance, a gaze, and a note

bethelyouth — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:15:11 +0000

One last “backward” glance…..

At this week’s end 2011 will be no more; it will forever belong to the annuals of history. One year ago, it was the beginning of a ‘new year’ and a symbolic ‘fresh start’. Now, looking backward as the “year that was” fades completely from one’s view, it is well and wise that all of us who read these words allow God’s Spirit to help in some final evaluations. Did we grow as Christians in the last twelve months? Did we reach any of our personal goals; did we even try very hard? Are we certain that the influences we left along 2011’s path will point other individuals toward Jesus? Are we willing to recognize our errors, admit our failures, and learn from the same? It seems to me that it would be wise for each of us to make some attempt at such honest personal evaluations.

One new “forward” gaze…..

Also, by this time next week 2012 will have become a reality! God will give it to us—new, fresh, innocent, and filled with potential! A rather sobering thought is that the New Year may very likely be the last for some who read (or write!) these paragraphs. To those persons, 2013 will never dawn; rather “in the presence of the Lord” will become their new reality! Even as we continue in this life our thanksgiving for the mercy of God that has brought us to this juncture in time, let us give due recognition to the fact that the New Year is filled with heavy responsibilities and God-given assignments. In permitting us entrance into another year, surely God expects more in the areas of personal commitment, financial stewardship, and active witness. We must always remember that the year, the time, even the moment is God-given and God-allowed and we are to rejoice in it and seek to use it always for His honor and glory!

One sincere “personal” note…..

Words fail me when I attempt to think of ways in which I can express my appreciation to all of you who allow me week after week to invade your lives with thoughts that are personal to me – but desiring an avenue in which I can share them with others. The “thinking” part is not too hard but “writing what I think” often is very difficult. I would suspect that my audience sometimes muses that I have not thought hard enough, long enough, or even correctly enough before transferring them into the written word. Of such, I could not agree more. I have many times said that I might not always be right – but – I will always have an opinion! And you have granted that opinion entrance into your own precious time and personal thinking. I am humbled by such truth and awed that I have such a wonderful privilege. So, again I thank you and trust that what you read from me in the coming year will be worth the sacrifice of your time. I pledge to you that my writing will be as transparent as possible regarding my convictions while at the same time recognizing that my readers may not always agree with them. I promise attempts at humor and some GEMS that are not ‘heavy-laden’ with the ills and difficulties of the world. Most of all I give you my word that I will try my hardest in my writing to contribute something to your life so you can say after perusing a GEM, “I’m glad I took the time to read that!” To a journalist, hardly anything would sound better.

Goodbye, 2011; Thank you, Lord, for granting it to us. Welcome 2012; and may God’s blessing be ours throughout its days.

Jimmy Jackson, December 26, 2011

Whose Birthday is Christmas, anyway?

bethelyouth — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:01:39 +0000

Sometime during the month of December we will almost certainly sing (or hear sung) the beautiful Christmas song, The Birthday of the King. Because of this reminder of the Christmas experience and also due to the fact that my Christian denomination (Southern Baptist) is engaged in a major emphasis regarding International Missions during this season, let me reprint (with edited changes necessary to be up-to-date) an article my preacher brother in Little Rock, Johnny, once wrote for his congregation.

“WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS CHRISTMAS, ANYWAY?”

It seems as if lots of people can’t, or at least don’t, answer this question properly year after year! The mad rush, the gaudy commercialism, the family frivolity—all add to the ignoring of the true meaning and observance of Christmas.

“WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS CHRISTMAS, ANYWAY?”

I hope you will think about this question when you plan your schedule of activities for the Christmas season. Isn’t it unusual—and even somewhat sad—that the church many times curtails its program and activities during this season because many church members become so preoccupied with shopping, parties, and other activities that they neglect the church calendar of events? If past records indicate anything, they predict that yesterday, December 18, the last Sunday before Christmas, will be one of the lowest attended Sundays of the year.

“WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS CHRISTMAS, ANYWAY?”

I hope you will think about this as you plan your spending and giving this year. Isn’t it rather strange that we spend so much on family and friends—and often have so little left for Jesus and His work, even though it is He who makes all our giving possible? Last year our Offering Goal for the LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS for my home church was $20,000 and we gave $21,435. This year I am praying that our same goal of $20,000 will be once again reached and surpassed! I can only imagine what would be given if ALL our church families would have a part in this endeavor. Consider with me: is $100/$200/$300 too much to give to the work of Christ in order that the Gospel be proclaimed around the world? How much does a new television cost? A radio? A DVD player? A suit of clothes? A new dress? A bicycle? A Barbie doll? Your own most desired Christmas gift?

“WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS CHRISTMAS, ANYWAY?”

Jimmy Jackson, December 19, 2011

Do you have time for a laugh or two?

bethelyouth — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:32:08 +0000

It’s been a really “long” seven days so today I’m delving into my files to fill the week’s GEM space. I hope you enjoy it.

If you recall Abbot and Costello’s famous: “Who’s on First” famous comedic routine, you’ll really enjoy this modern version as it relates to Computers! You have to be old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, and too old to REALLY understand computers, to fully appreciate this. For those of us who sometimes get flustered by our computers, please read on…

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, ‘Who’s on First?’ might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I’m setting up an office in my den and I’m thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don’t own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don’t know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let’s just say I’m sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue ‘W’.

COSTELLO: I’m going to click your blue ‘w’ if you don’t start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything Ican track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That’s right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What’s bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn’t it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on ‘START’………….

What else can I say? The answer is “nothing”!

Jimmy Jackson, December 12, 2011

Grieving and rejoicing at the same time

bethelyouth — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:18:35 +0000

I find myself grieving and yet at the same time rejoicing. Maybe someone far more educated than I will tell me that such is impossible. Perhaps someone who deals with the human mind will share with me that my emotions have befuddled me. It’s certainly possible that someone who reads these words will communicate with me that my line of thinking is seriously flawed and it would be best if I saw a ‘shrink’! But there is an entire “community of faith” who knows what I’m experiencing and would underscore their understanding of it and even go so far as to add a whispered prayer of support.

You see – Homer, my brother of seventy-three years, passed away last week – and so I humanly, and rightly I believe, grieve. But in observing his physical deterioration over the last two decades from the debilitating disease of multiple sclerosis (MS) and knowing that he was prepared to die – and even longed for the release it would bring – I have great cause to rejoice. Herein is to be found the truth of the Scripture that we grieve but not as ones without “hope” for He who is entitled the “Blessed Hope” has welcomed one of his followers into glory.

There were six children born to my parents, five of which survived beyond infancy. First there were four boys – Pat Jr., Johnny, Jimmy, and then Billy Ray who lived only a few months. Another boy followed, Homer, and finally a girl, Zada Harriett, named after both grandmothers. Pat Jr. died suddenly in 1956 at age 29 of a massive heart-attack leaving four remaining siblings. Homer’s death means that only numbers 2, 3, and 6 of Pat and Ruby Jackson’s clan still breathe the air of this life while anticipating our own future ‘home-goings’ at times only the sovereign Lord knows. In our family the ultimate realization of human mortality has been experienced in infancy, young adulthood, and now in later years.

As many of you, I have lived long enough to see the passing of both parents and also the parents and only sibling (a twin sister) of my wife. As a Christian minister for nearly sixty years I have witnessed the deaths of many friends, church members, and even follow ministers – scores of whom I have participated in their burials. I have seen the “grim reaper” up close in my own family and that of others and know first-hand why the Bible identifies him as the “last enemy”. I have witnessed the shock of unexpected death, the anguish of prolonged death and the tears and heartaches that each brings to loved ones and friends. I’m aware that death severs human relationships and that it brings finality in experiencing the actual presence of the deceased one. And for all of this – we grieve!

But there is another chapter to the story. My brother, whose talents as a pianist and organist were on a par with the most gifted, had become a Christian early in life and spent many years in Christian musical service. His talents were ultimately eroded by his disease; eventually he could not care for himself and was forced to resign himself to spending the remainder of his life in a nursing facility; walking with a walker gave way to time in a wheelchair which in the last stage of his life changed to being bedridden. With the lost of muscle control his ability to talk was severely curtailed and even the manner in which he was given food had to be carefully monitored. He never lost his love for candy and ice cream and looked forward to the times when Cleo would send him a pound cake which he enjoyed so much that he would very carefully share only to the ones who were closest to him. He loved music to the end and felt that he had been blessed to share his God-given talent with so many. However, in the “end” he waited, sometimes impatiently and with questions, for God to take him “home”.

So I rejoice! He is free of the disease that held him so tightly for 20-25 years. He has been welcomed by the Lord but also by Mom, Dad, and Pat Jr. and I expect he has been introduced to Billy Ray. He will never shed another tear – so why should I, except that I will miss him. He was “family” here – a diminishing entity as counted by numbers – but he was “family” in an even more important manner – the family of God through Jesus Christ.

Bon voyage, dear brother. Like countless others, I will miss you. Life here, even in its extremes, is brief, so it will not be long until I see you again. Until then, I will grieve but I will also rejoice!

Pastor Jimmy, December 5, 2011

Let’s test the ‘gray’ matter

bethelyouth — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:34:32 +0000

One’s personal calendar sometimes gets rather crazy at times. Would you not agree? At the Jackson’s we should have enough to “do” with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and our ministries in two separate congregations, but, NO! That’s not enough because we also schedule doctor’s and dentist’s appointments during these two months as well.

The above paragraph furnishes a “lead-in” to today’s GEM. Recently I received an email from one of our church’s senior adults that provided some “tests” that elderly folks could “take” in order to make some judgments regarding mental capacities, etc. Part of it is “tongue-in-cheek” of course but it is all good fun. I tried it on the senior adult group with whom I relate in our church and they all agreed that it had “merit” (smile!). So, maybe it will be worth a few minutes of your time to take these simple exams.

First, a Reading Test –

Can you raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, is taht it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are; the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteers be in the rghit pclaes. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sltil raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Well, how did you do? Are you in the 55 group or the 45?

Next, a short three-part Neurological Test –

1. Can you find the C below in short time?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

2. How about finding the 6 below even quicker?

999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

999999999999999999699999999999999999999999999999

999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

3. Finally, find the N below asap!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

So, how did you do? Fun, wasn’t it? And, according to the “wise one” who sent this test to me, if you “pass” you can cancel this year’s appointment to your neurologist and be assured that that your brain is functioning well.

Naturally you are wanting to know how I did. Here’s my answer — didn’t I already mention all the doctor’s appointments I have scheduled in December???

Pastor Jimmy, November 28, 2011

When ideology appears more important than patriotism

bethelyouth — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:34:04 +0000

Previously I was only “ticked off” but now I am really MAD!! As I write this GEM word has been released out of Washington that the so-called Super Committee – after wrangling for several months – is unable to come up with an agreement on how to trim $1.2 trillion (that’s a one and a two followed by eleven zeros!!) in the next decade from our federal debt which now totals over $15 trillion (with a capital T) and is rising every day faster than a balloon filled with helium! Oh, we are told that there are six of the twelve members who are still “at it” BUT an agreement is about as certain as AC in the place God prepared for the devil and his angels!

What is it with these clowns? And for that matter, the entire Congress? One guy I heard on the radio today said we (meaning U.S.taxpayers) hire these guys and we ought not to pay them another red cent until they do their work. That sounds good but it’s probably not the leverage we need when just this week it was reported that over half of Congress’ membership are millionaires. Maybe they just don’t get it. Maybe when we elected them they were hiding behind a façade of intelligence while all the time being mumbling idiots!

Look! I don’t care whether they are Democrats or Republicans. They are supposed to be first and foremost Americans who have taken an oath to do what is in the best interests of our nation. Well, right now the stock market (and my retirement funds) is in free-fall again primarily because investors believe that the blockheads of both parties are so bound to ideology that they will let our country lose its economic under-girdings before bending in the other direction (meaning to the “right” or the “left”)! And if you can’t tell by now, I’m absolutely sick of it.

I’m only a measly one person in a nation of over 3.25 million and I don’t want to pay any more taxes and I believe the government is bloated and way too big – BUT – this issue is far bigger than my wants. We’re talking about the economic welfare of the nation, not some rural community in one of the 50 states. Congress – and there is no need to point fingers at “which” Congress – ones controlled by the elephants on the right or the mules on the left – has gotten us into this mess because any middle school Civics student knows that “all Bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives…” (Article I Section 7). How in (substitute your own word here!) did Congress allow us to get in this financial mess? Due to Congress’ insatiable appetite across the years for ‘more and more’ and ‘bigger and bigger’ we are no longer a “free” nation because we are enslaved by our debts. My Political Science instructor in college glibly stated that we should never worry about our national debt because we owe ourselves. It’s well that he did not live to see us bowing the economic knee toChinaand other nations who hold our IOUs. Our political “leaders” (and I use that term loosely!) got us into this quicksand and it is becoming more certain than ever that they do not have either the intelligence or will to get us out.

I would throw the whole bunch out. I have personally stated for years my belief in “term limits”. If our President is limited to two terms, why not the entire bunch of morons who occupy the Capitol? While we are concerned with removing the “Occupy Wall Street” crowd, I’m more concerned about removing the nearly 500 men and women who it appears are ready to sell out our nation as long as they can wave the flag of their particular party while the ‘ship of state’ sinks into the murky waters of red ink. Am I wrong? I’m certain you will let me know if I am.

Pastor Jimmy, November 21, 2011