It was all the rage just a few years ago. A big fashion item. It started out as a simple bracelet, but it soon spread to almost every imaginable item where people thought they might could make a buck. I feel quite certain that the person who came up with the original idea did it with the best of intentions, and if these products made some people stop and think, then the idea achieved its purpose. This innovator, the one from whom this idea originated, came up with a simple four word phrase, which was then reduce to four initials, but most everyone knew what they meant: WWJD...."What Would Jesus Do?" It turned out to be a fad, and like all fads, it was here one day and gone the next. But I also have to wonder if the message behind it may have also been just a fad, and just like those bracelets, it's now yesterday's news.
Is it possible to bring something like that back? I don't necessarily mean that I'd like to see all the WWJD accessories come back in style, but what if we could bring that phrase back and let it become a part of our lifestyle? If we could get everybody on the bandwagon to just ask that question before every major decision, our crime problem would disappear. Family problems would go away, everyone would love each other again, and all of us would start getting along with each other much better. Yes I know that the idea that we could get every person to start asking themselves that question is just a dream, but what if just you and I would get back on that program....what kind of difference could we make? Because, you see, I have to admit that I don't always stop and consider what Jesus would do if He were in my situation, and I'm pretty sure that you don't either.
And yes, I know that we could take it too far. What color car would Jesus buy? Would He prefer carrots or broccoli? What time would He have his breakfast in the mornings? Those are non issues, but there are some other questions that could alter how we live our lives. What about "Is this a movie He would watch?", or "Would He say what I'm tempted to say right now?" What would He think about the way I treat my spouse? How would He react when the cashier accidentally gave Him too much change? Does He think I'm too selfish? I could go on and on, but the truth of the matter is, when we stop to ask ourselves those questions, in most circumstances we really already know what the answer would be. Maybe that's why we've quit asking.
I would like to think that in most circumstances, the choices I make would line up with His. And maybe if I compare myself with the majority of the general population, I'm really doing pretty good. But that leads me to ask this question: "Does God grade on a curve?" I don't think He does. When He looks at how I'm doing, the actions of other people never even become a part of the equation. And who do I think I am if I feel that I can approve of something of which He would disapprove? Do I think I can overrule His decisions? I don't have that kind of authority! Nor does anyone else.
Preston
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXV
Sometimes people go to their graves without receiving the honor they deserve. There are also times when the honor is bestowed, but it comes after the death of the honoree. And then there are times when the deserving party gets to experience the recognition he or she deserves, but it's many years after the event for which they are being honored. Today I want to talk about the latter, and it involves someone who is very special to me. His name is Elliott Fontenot, my father in law. He, along with the other men and women that I want to tell you about are World War II veterans, and there is no way to actually give them the credit they deserve, and although the gift they received was long overdue and could not come close to repaying them for everything they endured during those battles so many years ago, it was a once in a lifetime event...a day they'll never forget.
The big day was the Saturday before Memorial Day, 2011. The honorees, all Louisiana World War II veterans, were told to meet early that morning at the airport in Lafayette, where they boarded a big commercial airliner that had been chartered for this special trip to our nation's capitol. The huge jet was filled to capacity with a diverse group of men and women, and practically all of them were in their eighties and nineties. Some of them had to use walkers, many were in wheel chairs, and others, including my father in law, were in excellent health. After they had touched down at the airport in Washington and were making their way down the hallway, there were hundreds of people of all ages lining both sides of the corridor, applauding, waving flags, shaking hands, and thanking them for their service to the American People.
I'm really not sure where they went first, but one of the stops was the World War II Memorial. As they toured this beautifully touching edifice that was built to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of all those who risked their lives protecting our homeland during that horrific time in our history, many of them posed for a picture in front of the Louisiana monument. Another stop took them to Arlington National Cemetery, where they were able to witness the Changing of the Guard. This is an event I've been privileged to see two different times, and all I can say is, if you've never seen it, I hope you get the chance. After the Changing of the Guard, two of the veterans, both confined to wheel chairs, were selected to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Trips like that are not cheap. Each of these veterans who were selected for this day of honor had someone to sponsor them, but these were more than sponsors. As I've mentioned, many of these heroes have reached a stage of life where they are not as mobile as they once were, so not only did the sponsors fork over the cash for the trip, but each one accompanied the veteran he/she had sponsored, staying by his/her side the entire trip. There's no way I could mention all the names involved, but I would like to give a big shout out to Mr. Skip Arnould of the Entergy Corporation for sponsoring and accompanying my father in law for this once in a lifetime event.
Much too soon it was time to head back to Louisiana, and when they deplaned in Lafayette, there was a band playing and hundreds more were applauding and cheering as soldiers escorted each veteran down the escalator toward the baggage claim area. I've watched the video, and I admit, it brought tears to my eyes. And one thing that is so unbelievable to me is everything I've told you about happened the same day. They had traveled so far, seen so much, and done so many things that it makes me want to borrow a statement from the Bible that's not quite a direct quote, but almost: And the morning and the evening were one day.
Preston
The big day was the Saturday before Memorial Day, 2011. The honorees, all Louisiana World War II veterans, were told to meet early that morning at the airport in Lafayette, where they boarded a big commercial airliner that had been chartered for this special trip to our nation's capitol. The huge jet was filled to capacity with a diverse group of men and women, and practically all of them were in their eighties and nineties. Some of them had to use walkers, many were in wheel chairs, and others, including my father in law, were in excellent health. After they had touched down at the airport in Washington and were making their way down the hallway, there were hundreds of people of all ages lining both sides of the corridor, applauding, waving flags, shaking hands, and thanking them for their service to the American People.
I'm really not sure where they went first, but one of the stops was the World War II Memorial. As they toured this beautifully touching edifice that was built to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of all those who risked their lives protecting our homeland during that horrific time in our history, many of them posed for a picture in front of the Louisiana monument. Another stop took them to Arlington National Cemetery, where they were able to witness the Changing of the Guard. This is an event I've been privileged to see two different times, and all I can say is, if you've never seen it, I hope you get the chance. After the Changing of the Guard, two of the veterans, both confined to wheel chairs, were selected to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Trips like that are not cheap. Each of these veterans who were selected for this day of honor had someone to sponsor them, but these were more than sponsors. As I've mentioned, many of these heroes have reached a stage of life where they are not as mobile as they once were, so not only did the sponsors fork over the cash for the trip, but each one accompanied the veteran he/she had sponsored, staying by his/her side the entire trip. There's no way I could mention all the names involved, but I would like to give a big shout out to Mr. Skip Arnould of the Entergy Corporation for sponsoring and accompanying my father in law for this once in a lifetime event.
Much too soon it was time to head back to Louisiana, and when they deplaned in Lafayette, there was a band playing and hundreds more were applauding and cheering as soldiers escorted each veteran down the escalator toward the baggage claim area. I've watched the video, and I admit, it brought tears to my eyes. And one thing that is so unbelievable to me is everything I've told you about happened the same day. They had traveled so far, seen so much, and done so many things that it makes me want to borrow a statement from the Bible that's not quite a direct quote, but almost: And the morning and the evening were one day.
Preston
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXIV
I'm not a shopper, but one of my favorite places to visit when I make the trip to Chattanooga is called McKay Books. It is a huge store that sells used books, and you can find a huge selection of books on most any subject at unbelievable prices. (Bill Clinton would be thrilled to know that I purchased his book, "My Life," in hardback for 75 cents.) We went by there this past Sunday afternoon, and when I picked out four books that I wanted to purchase, I had to stand in line for fifteen minutes at the checkout, and they had four cash registers going. I was a small time shopper compared to the average customer, since most everyone I saw was buying more like twenty books at a time. With that in mind, when you first look at it, you might think that a used book store like McKay Books might be a good investment, if they can attract that many buyers, and no doubt the McKays have made a fortune from that business. But I have to wonder what that business will look like in ten years. I believe that books, as we know them, will eventually cease to exist.
I'm not saying that in the next couple of decades people will stop reading....in fact, I believe the opposite is true. It's just that books made of paper may be about to become obsolete, and when that happens we may no longer have a need for bookshelves or even libraries. Modern technology is changing our lives in more ways than any of us could've ever predicted, and if you think we've gone about as far as we can go, I've got news for you: We haven't even scratched the surface. Most of us will live to see scientific advances that we can't even imagine...new breakthroughs that will completely alter our culture and even the way we speak.
Here's another example: How much longer will it be until the U.S. Postal Service is a thing of the past? People don't use the mail any more, compared to the way it was done just a few short years ago. A few days ago, since I had to run by the Post Office anyway, I decided to pick up a few stamps, since I was down to just one. I bought ten stamps. When I got home, I had to ask myself why I had bought so many...it will take me months to go through ten stamps. (I used to buy them in rolls of 100.) It's gotten so bad that the Postal Service is considering cutting back on mail delivery days, reducing service, and raising prices. Do you know what happens when businesses cut back on service and increase prices? They go out of business. Technology has changed the way we live. Fewer and fewer of us are writing checks any more. Most of us don't even receive a check when we're paid our salaries...it's all done electronically. How long will it be until we no longer see a bank located on every other street corner the way we do now? How many of us still subscribe to the newspaper? I don't. We read it online.
When we stop to consider how many jobs will be affected over the next few years by these changes, it will blow our minds. The paper industry will be hit especially hard, which will, in turn, affect an untold number of other industries like loggers, printers, ink manufacturers, etc. The list goes on and on. And yes, I do understand that we are going to have to start thinking more in terms of high tech jobs, but how many of those can be obtained in America? It seems to me that so much of that industry is located in Asia. If we want to continue to hold on to our status as the World Economic Power, we must become more competitive in the field of technology. It can be done, and we have the brain power to accomplish it if we do it right. It just simply boils down to our ability to compete. Capitalism works when we give it a chance.
Preston
I'm not saying that in the next couple of decades people will stop reading....in fact, I believe the opposite is true. It's just that books made of paper may be about to become obsolete, and when that happens we may no longer have a need for bookshelves or even libraries. Modern technology is changing our lives in more ways than any of us could've ever predicted, and if you think we've gone about as far as we can go, I've got news for you: We haven't even scratched the surface. Most of us will live to see scientific advances that we can't even imagine...new breakthroughs that will completely alter our culture and even the way we speak.
Here's another example: How much longer will it be until the U.S. Postal Service is a thing of the past? People don't use the mail any more, compared to the way it was done just a few short years ago. A few days ago, since I had to run by the Post Office anyway, I decided to pick up a few stamps, since I was down to just one. I bought ten stamps. When I got home, I had to ask myself why I had bought so many...it will take me months to go through ten stamps. (I used to buy them in rolls of 100.) It's gotten so bad that the Postal Service is considering cutting back on mail delivery days, reducing service, and raising prices. Do you know what happens when businesses cut back on service and increase prices? They go out of business. Technology has changed the way we live. Fewer and fewer of us are writing checks any more. Most of us don't even receive a check when we're paid our salaries...it's all done electronically. How long will it be until we no longer see a bank located on every other street corner the way we do now? How many of us still subscribe to the newspaper? I don't. We read it online.
When we stop to consider how many jobs will be affected over the next few years by these changes, it will blow our minds. The paper industry will be hit especially hard, which will, in turn, affect an untold number of other industries like loggers, printers, ink manufacturers, etc. The list goes on and on. And yes, I do understand that we are going to have to start thinking more in terms of high tech jobs, but how many of those can be obtained in America? It seems to me that so much of that industry is located in Asia. If we want to continue to hold on to our status as the World Economic Power, we must become more competitive in the field of technology. It can be done, and we have the brain power to accomplish it if we do it right. It just simply boils down to our ability to compete. Capitalism works when we give it a chance.
Preston
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXIII
I'm a fairly decent guy, yet I'm totally disgusting! I have a lot of good friends, yet at times I can be completely repulsive. Every one of these friends that I'm telling you about are also high quality individuals, although a sizable number of them will do some things that are just as reprehensible as the things that I do. I'm talking about things that would humiliate our mothers if they knew what we were up to. So what traits do we have in common that make us commit such taboo acts? It's this club that we've joined. It doesn't require its members to see just what kind of degrading acts we can perform, but there's something about being an active member that automatically causes us to go completely against our upbringing and do things that we ordinarily wouldn't even dream of doing...in fact we would be glad to participate in a protest against anyone else who attempted to commit some of the acts we've done. We would say they must be out of their minds.
One of the worst things we've been guilty of doing: Some of us will urinate on the ground in the middle of town in broad daylight...men and women, side by side, minding our own business while "taking care of business." We will accept a drink of water from a total stranger...someone we've never seen before and will never see again...drinking from the same bottle that was just used by another complete stranger. We may pick up a used cup from the side of the street, even one that's been stepped on and mashed, and use it do dip into a tub of Gatorade to get us a drink. Yes, our moms would be so proud if they could see us while we're in this "zone" that temporarily moves us outside of the realm of human decency. Oh,and while I'm on this subject, I should mention that I'm in the middle of a recruiting drive to bring more members into this club. Do you think you might be interested in joining? I'd be glad to give a list of names of notable citizens who are members...some of them newly recruited.
The name of this club is "The Marathoners." There's only one simple requirement for membership, but actually meeting this requirement may be more of a challenge than what some may expect: All you have to do is run 26.2 miles. That's it. Just register for an official 26.2 mile run, then go our there on race day and actually perform your required task, and you're automatically a member. The benefits are tremendous! First of all, you get a free tee shirt. But here's the big perk: As soon as you finish, they will hang a nice medal around your neck...that is if you have the strength to continue standing with the additional weight of the medal, which is about four ounces. Just remember however, the medal and the tee shirt aren't really free...you have to earn them, and over the course of 26.2 miles, things can happen. They almost always have adequate supplies of water and cups along the route, but in case of a heat wave, like we saw in Chicago in 2007, the marathon support groups may find themselves unprepared for the excessive amount of water needed by the runners, and desperate times call for desperate measures. And, yes, there will be Port-a-Johns stationed all along the course, but if they have 11,000 participants and 300 Port-a-Johns, runners may find themselves standing in line, and sometimes that's just not an option. During one marathon, after seeing the lines at the Port-a-Johns, I decided to duck into a narrow alley, and when I got there, I saw three women and two men who had the same idea that I had. During desperate times, you do what you've gotta do. That was one of those times.
Maybe this is not the best job of salesmanship that you've ever witnessed, but all in all, completing a marathon is one of the most rewarding challenges I've ever experienced, and I believe it's the challenge that makes it so rewarding. Trust me, if I can do it anyone can. We'd love for you to join us, but when you do, don't be surprised if you find yourself committing an act that heretofore would've been unthinkable.
Preston
One of the worst things we've been guilty of doing: Some of us will urinate on the ground in the middle of town in broad daylight...men and women, side by side, minding our own business while "taking care of business." We will accept a drink of water from a total stranger...someone we've never seen before and will never see again...drinking from the same bottle that was just used by another complete stranger. We may pick up a used cup from the side of the street, even one that's been stepped on and mashed, and use it do dip into a tub of Gatorade to get us a drink. Yes, our moms would be so proud if they could see us while we're in this "zone" that temporarily moves us outside of the realm of human decency. Oh,and while I'm on this subject, I should mention that I'm in the middle of a recruiting drive to bring more members into this club. Do you think you might be interested in joining? I'd be glad to give a list of names of notable citizens who are members...some of them newly recruited.
The name of this club is "The Marathoners." There's only one simple requirement for membership, but actually meeting this requirement may be more of a challenge than what some may expect: All you have to do is run 26.2 miles. That's it. Just register for an official 26.2 mile run, then go our there on race day and actually perform your required task, and you're automatically a member. The benefits are tremendous! First of all, you get a free tee shirt. But here's the big perk: As soon as you finish, they will hang a nice medal around your neck...that is if you have the strength to continue standing with the additional weight of the medal, which is about four ounces. Just remember however, the medal and the tee shirt aren't really free...you have to earn them, and over the course of 26.2 miles, things can happen. They almost always have adequate supplies of water and cups along the route, but in case of a heat wave, like we saw in Chicago in 2007, the marathon support groups may find themselves unprepared for the excessive amount of water needed by the runners, and desperate times call for desperate measures. And, yes, there will be Port-a-Johns stationed all along the course, but if they have 11,000 participants and 300 Port-a-Johns, runners may find themselves standing in line, and sometimes that's just not an option. During one marathon, after seeing the lines at the Port-a-Johns, I decided to duck into a narrow alley, and when I got there, I saw three women and two men who had the same idea that I had. During desperate times, you do what you've gotta do. That was one of those times.
Maybe this is not the best job of salesmanship that you've ever witnessed, but all in all, completing a marathon is one of the most rewarding challenges I've ever experienced, and I believe it's the challenge that makes it so rewarding. Trust me, if I can do it anyone can. We'd love for you to join us, but when you do, don't be surprised if you find yourself committing an act that heretofore would've been unthinkable.
Preston
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXXII
How in the world are we supposed to make these kinds of decisions? Choosing our leaders is among our most important responsibilities, and should not be done on a whim. To some extent, it will always be a guessing game, but if we do our homework and properly educate ourselves, it will take most of the guesswork out of the equation. The candidates who are running for office will, without a doubt, try to play on your emotions, but the word "emotion" should never be a part of this decision making process. An older gentleman gave me some advice many years ago when I was in the process of choosing between two different paths that had life-changing implications, and I've stored it in my memory and used it time and time again when I was faced with life's most important choices: "Look as far down the road into the future as you can see, and ask yourself this question: 'How will the decision I make today affect me when I get down there?'"
Do you keep up with what's going on in our country and around the world? If not, how do expect to know how to choose your next leaders? What are the primary issues of the day? Do you keep up with the news enough to have an opinion on current events? Ladies and gentlemen, it's time that we all get ourselves up to date on the issues facing our nation, because if we don't, we could end up making decisions that would adversely affect generations to come. Who is Harry Reid? Who is Tim Geithner? What about John Boehner? Have you ever heard of Rick Perry? Can you name the Secretary of State? Can decisions made by the Attorney General affect you? What significance do the words "Fast and Furious" have to us a nation? Should we close Gitmo? Why? Do you even know what I'm talking about? Do you have any idea which news media outlets can and cannot be trusted to give you unbiased, fact-based reporting? Can you distinguish between a politician or pundit who is stating honest facts and the ones who are simply giving you their party's talking points or political spin?
Every question I just asked, I know how to answer; but then, like I've told you before, I'm a news junkie. I know who all those people are and what they stand for, and I have an opinion on "Gitmo" and "Fast and Furious." I admit that the fact that I'm in my car many hours each week, listening to the news on satellite radio, gives me an advantage on keeping up with current events, but even with the knowledge I've acquired, I will still have to do some digging to make sure I'm voting for the candidates who best fit my philosophy. That leads me to ask how can a person have any idea how to vote when they don't keep up with what's going on in our world. Those are the people who vote based on emotion and how good looking the candidates are, and believe me, the candidates know how many of those people are out there, and they'll be playing up for their votes, saying what needs to be said for that particular audience. I find that scary.
Next year is an election year, so if you hurry, you still have time to educate yourself enough to make a proper decision...but you must act quickly. There's a lot to be learned in a short amount of time, but it can be done. One thing I've learned is that just because a person has the same basic opinions as I do, it doesn't mean that he or she would be a good leader. What qualities should we look for in choosing a leader, besides sharing our philosophy? I have a little checklist that I like to use:
Do they have the courage to express their honest views, even to a hostile audience?
What does this person's background say about what type of leader he or she will be?
When this person expresses their faith, is it for real, or for political purposes?
Does this person's record coincide with the views they express during the campaign?
How will my children and grandchildren be affected if this person is elected?
Can this person admit when he or she is wrong?
And there's little statement that should go at the bottom of the page: Never follow leaders who have not shown that they can follow their own leaders.
Preston
Do you keep up with what's going on in our country and around the world? If not, how do expect to know how to choose your next leaders? What are the primary issues of the day? Do you keep up with the news enough to have an opinion on current events? Ladies and gentlemen, it's time that we all get ourselves up to date on the issues facing our nation, because if we don't, we could end up making decisions that would adversely affect generations to come. Who is Harry Reid? Who is Tim Geithner? What about John Boehner? Have you ever heard of Rick Perry? Can you name the Secretary of State? Can decisions made by the Attorney General affect you? What significance do the words "Fast and Furious" have to us a nation? Should we close Gitmo? Why? Do you even know what I'm talking about? Do you have any idea which news media outlets can and cannot be trusted to give you unbiased, fact-based reporting? Can you distinguish between a politician or pundit who is stating honest facts and the ones who are simply giving you their party's talking points or political spin?
Every question I just asked, I know how to answer; but then, like I've told you before, I'm a news junkie. I know who all those people are and what they stand for, and I have an opinion on "Gitmo" and "Fast and Furious." I admit that the fact that I'm in my car many hours each week, listening to the news on satellite radio, gives me an advantage on keeping up with current events, but even with the knowledge I've acquired, I will still have to do some digging to make sure I'm voting for the candidates who best fit my philosophy. That leads me to ask how can a person have any idea how to vote when they don't keep up with what's going on in our world. Those are the people who vote based on emotion and how good looking the candidates are, and believe me, the candidates know how many of those people are out there, and they'll be playing up for their votes, saying what needs to be said for that particular audience. I find that scary.
Next year is an election year, so if you hurry, you still have time to educate yourself enough to make a proper decision...but you must act quickly. There's a lot to be learned in a short amount of time, but it can be done. One thing I've learned is that just because a person has the same basic opinions as I do, it doesn't mean that he or she would be a good leader. What qualities should we look for in choosing a leader, besides sharing our philosophy? I have a little checklist that I like to use:
Do they have the courage to express their honest views, even to a hostile audience?
What does this person's background say about what type of leader he or she will be?
When this person expresses their faith, is it for real, or for political purposes?
Does this person's record coincide with the views they express during the campaign?
How will my children and grandchildren be affected if this person is elected?
Can this person admit when he or she is wrong?
And there's little statement that should go at the bottom of the page: Never follow leaders who have not shown that they can follow their own leaders.
Preston
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