Welcome to the back porch, seems like each week something kind of gets to us and we can’t really have a good conversation. Of course our conversation means pondering, we like to ponder on things as they are, we have no solution. We just talk about them and ponder. It’s just a few of us this time on the porch and how we ever got into this I’ll never know but of all the things in the world to come up of course was the condition or shape of our nation today, what’s going on across our land. We all agree that we most likely are seeing a society that’s in collapse. It was brought up about the Opium Wars. I guess if you ponder along enough, you can kind of make the connection between that and the drug wars that we’re involved in today in this country so I want to read you a little piece of history. The very first opium war was fought from 1839 to 1842 between China and the British empire it was triggered by the Qing governments campaign to enforce its prohibition of opium, which included destroying opium stocks owned by British merchants, and the British East India company. Now I think you could pretty well imagine this was a little bit over the head of most of us old duffers here on the porch, but we listened while the gentleman explained to us why he felt it was important to us to understand. They were actually two wars 1839 to 1842 and then again in 1856 to 1860 and they were conflicts between Great Britain and France in the second war and China’s Qing Dynasty, it was brought about because of China’s attempts to stop the British from illegally smuggling opium into China, which caused massive addiction and severe trade-in balance. The influx of drugs was destroying the Chinese society. They were weakened by this influx of drugs, which was destroying the people’s ability to function. They had in time moved from a strong dynasty to one that was weakened by this influx of drugs that was destroying the very fabric of their society. That brings us to our very first Ponder …sound familiar. We have an administration at the moment that is honestly trying to put an end to this influx of drugs into our country. The biggest amount of opposition to this is coming from of all things within. We have an element of folks in this nation of ours who have grown to disrespect the law and are agenda driven for whatever reason it may be but it just seems the destruction of the United States as we’ve known it all these years is pretty much their goal. This is a pretty heavy subject I think it would be fair to say that it takes pondering to another level. All of us here on the porch this evening agreed that we’re seeing the slow collapse of our society. It’s not so important to enforce the law as it is nowadays to debate the law. Make no mistake, our nation has been weakened by people who are not disturbed by rape, murder, robbery, and general disobedience of the law. 

So far, I figure this particular meeting on the back porch has descended into ramblings and rants and we all agree that’s not a good thing. If you have time look up the different generations that’s a big thing nowadays, we have baby boomers generation , millennials generation, Y generation, Z generation A, and now we’ve got a new one, Beta. There is a trend or as I happen to feel like a habit to blame the generation now and their cohorts as being responsible for the shape we’re in. All of us here on the porch agreed that we all spend too much time blaming somebody else for something. We should’ve been paying attention a long time ago. Most of us, here on the porch, were born in 1943 or earlier. Today we are kind of shuttled aside. We don’t see as well as we used to nor do we hear as well but for the most part, we’re not senile individuals. So I’ll close with this. If you were born in 1943 you belong to the Silent Generation. This is a group typically defined as those born between 1928 and 1945, following the greatest generation and proceeding the baby boomers, we are characterized by traditional values, hard work, and reliance after growing up during the Great Depression and World War II.  The birth years that are being considered are 1928 through 1945. We have some key characteristics. I’m not bashful. about it. I’m going to go ahead and list them right here. We were hard-working, loyal, modest, respectful of authority, patriotic, self-reliant, and disciplined. Those of our generation experienced the hardships of the depression and World War II and it fostered within us a sense of duty and perseverance. A book was wrote about us the “Greatest Generation”. I know that’s up for debate, but I’ll leave you with this Ponder for the day. We’re beat up, in many cases ignored and put to the side, but one thing is certain. Ponder this…

We are proud of our Faith, Family, and Country. To the best of my knowledge and those here on the porch with me 45% of the people in our country today don’t feel that way. How did this happen?… Ponder That!

Kurt

This week we’re out of the pew and back on the road looking for the Good Way. This week we add to our roadmap, Proverbs 3…when we read this proverb, we see the author Solomon encouraging us to put wisdom first over self reliance, and living a life of integrity, which brings peace health and divide guidance. The key to much of this is our acknowledgment of God in all things which leads us to a straight path, honoring him, and the blessings to come by living in such a manner. There are, of course, some key themes here, they include the value of wisdom, acknowledging God’s discipline as love and finding favor by fearing the Lord and helping the needy, and understanding God exults the humble. Now there are many things that point to the good way but trust in the Lord is one of the most important and not leaning on our own understanding. Wisdom is presented as more valuable than silver, gold or jewels bringing long life with riches, honor, peace, and security. This issue of divine guidance is extremely important when we acknowledge God in all that we do and look to him for guidance, such behavior  keeps our paths straight. The word fear is used quite often in the Bible, but it really refers more to being in awe of the powers and blessings of God when we follow him. This fear of God leads to us turning away from evil and bringing health to our bodies and refreshment to our lives. We must realize that discipline is God’s way of showing His love for us, it’s a sign of his love and it’s not something to be despised. We should be generous in our lives, giving unto God that which is his, and to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It’s almost inseparable, but kindness and humility they go together, and they uphold truth and kindness. God will always favor the humble and oppose the proud. Solomon in this proverb is teaching his son that true success and good life comes from seeking divine wisdom, trusting God completely and living righteously, promising blessings and security for those who follow this path. Life will always present us with challenges, and there will always be God’s discipline to keep us on the Good Way.

Please read Proverbs 3, God’s word is better understood when we sit quietly and read His word allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us to His Divine Guidance. 

Life is Good

jk