In Times Like These

So many people have lost so much money in the last few days.
The economy is tanking.
So many killings in the city that I live next to.
So many are happy or sad about the baseball season,this is all fun but not life changing.
How many are behind in paying bills,mortgages and all.
How many will lose their homes this year?
These times are very hard for so many,imagine the depression taking place in their lives.
I have even seen my own neighbor abandon his home,take off for parts unknown with his car packed full.Kids in the back seat among groceries,chairs,bedding and all the stuff you need to live.
Many are unhappy in their jobs,their marriages,just life in general seems to be one unhappy life.

My own life has been happy,but I have to watch myself carefully.
If my work is slow,I am down.
If my wife and I have a disagreement it bothers me a lot.(This happens much less the longer we are married.)
Sometimes an old hymn comes to mind,sometimes a verse from the Bible.
Tonight it is this:
In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Words and Music by Ruth Caye Jones

For My Maddie

Dearest Maddie,
I heard that you were baptized recently.
My health has been a bit on the down side so I could not see it.
A few things I wanted to say to you,and writing them last lasts longer than me telling you in person.
Baptism is truly a wonderful thing,it is one of the things Jesus said to do.
I was baptized when I was a baby and obviously have no memory of it.My parents meant well and for them it was a form of dedicating my life to God.
When I was about 35 or so I was baptized again.How well I remember it.
You have made a wise decision,this is something you will remember for the rest of your life.
When tempted by life's bad things you can bring your baptism to mind and say to your self,I am baptized,I followed the Lord Jesus by doing what He asked.I am His and nothing can change that.I have the Lord Jesus living in my heart and I have no use for evil.
My dear granddaughter,this shows a great maturity in your life,it shows how your life in Jesus has grown.You have touched me in a great way and reminded me of my own commitment to Jesus.
How often I have prayed for you,how often you are in my thoughts.
You are continuing the legacy of our ancestors who also loved and lived for the Lord Jesus.
May you grow always in Jesus,and I know He will always be with you,like He is with me.
You have made me very happy and very proud.
Your papa loves you very much.

Sadness

I have written about losing a pet before.
Now once again we are losing another Golden Retriever, Norma Jean.
A most loyal and loving companion.
She can longer eat.We thought maybe it was just a passing virus,but this time it is serious.
It is time for me to make a decision.I don't think I am brave enough.
I hope she goes peacefully in her sleep,very soon.

Chicago Killings

More kids killed this weekend in Chicago.
One was killed in a park, one killed in his home.Stray bullets.
Chicago you sicken me.
I pray for you Chicago,hoping and praying that there still is hope.
I do not believe there is any thing man can do.Al Sharpton Jesse Jackson,continue with your rhetoric.Continue talking about the problem.Nothing will happen.
The murder rate is now 18% higher than a year ago.

Now only a miracle can change this horrible city.
May God intervene.