May 2022 Thread

[joecool]

Mixed snow and rain the last few days has sorely been needed. What isn't needed is another summer full of forest fire smoke, like last year. One other benefit: with the ground softened up, the road repair company was able to get their equipment in and smooth out a couple of years' worth of washboards and potholes. (Now if I can only get my fellow HOA members to slow down, it might last for awhile.) But the real blessing was that the company didn't charge us a cent. "We just want to be good neighbors."

Speaking of which, we don't have a church service this morning. Instead, we're all meeting at a small state park on the edge of town, and cleaning it up after a winter's effects. We have occasionally used it for Saturday BBQs and baptisms in the pond, so it feels like a part of us.

[joecool]

Speaking of which, we don't have a church service this morning. Instead, we're all meeting at a small state park on the edge of town, and cleaning it up after a winter's effects. We have occasionally used it for Saturday BBQs and baptisms in the pond, so it feels like a part of us.

Made the front page of our local paper. (Must have been a slow news day )

[joecool]

So there I was, grilling some t-bone steaks outside...and it started snowing. My wife watched me from the comfort of the living room window. But, hey, it's Mother's Day, right? They deserve the sacrifice this day and every day.

[joecool]

Spent most of my day at a 7-school track meet where my grandson killed it. Scattered sunshine with falling snow. How's it going for you sea level boys?

[joecool]

Trails tend to follow the path of least resistance. How many of you guys have ever hiked cross-country? If you have, it was probably to save a little time in getting to your destination. But it's usually more strenuous, or invites a little danger.

Most people want to follow that path of least resistance, doing (or ignoring) whatever the culture demands. They're following a pathway to Hell, and only those leading in front can see the eventual destination. The Church is always multiple steps behind the crowd, rarely catching up to them and barely able to make those in the back take notice.

The Church needs to go cross-country in order to get ahead of the crowd. Yes, the going will be rougher and tougher. But we need to ask for God's leading for the right direction to go in order to head off the crowd.

[Claymore]

How many of you guys have ever hiked cross-country? If you have, it was probably to save a little time in getting to your destination. But it's usually more strenuous, or invites a little danger.

Um, how about parachuting in at 2:00 AM, and hiking 7 miles in 10 degree weather with a 70 pound ruck to destroy a (simulated) Russian Missile Launcher.

Does that count?

[ccm2361]

We went from cold & rainy for weeks to instant summer for 1 week. been in the upper 80's all week.
We neded a dry out-farmers couldnt get into thier fields it was so wet.

[joecool]

Are you familiar with the "broken windows" philosophy? It may have started under Rudi Guliani in NYC. More attention was paid to the little things in neighborhoods, and then the medium things, and then the big problems. Things got better and better...until the socialists and modern-day Marxists took over. Now, it's the pits, like most big cities.

Here in my little Rocky Mountain town, it seems like we're also going in the wrong direction. The little societal things are breaking down, and that doesn't portend well for the future. Fewer people pay attention to traffic laws, the homeless (mostly by choice) are taking over street corners, and crime is definitely up. And here's another broken window...ratty US flags flying on poles. My neighbor, my bank (I let them know 3 times in a month, still not corrected), my Home Depot, and even at the ROTC house at the college.

At a gas station today, I talked to the gentleman next to me, thanking him for his pro-LEO stickers. He is well into his 80s, and bemoaned what this country is coming to, especially under the current administration.

Lord, I don't want to be in the last centuries. I want to be in the last days.

[Claymore]

JoeCool, You know from your own experience as a Commander that people perform to the same standards that you require of them. The main thing that differentiates the people in a Marine, Airborne, Ranger, SEAL, or Special Forces Unit is the standards that are required of the members and their willingness to perform to those standards. I have seen Vietnam Veteran Paratroopers get transferred to a LEG National Guard Unit. For about 2 months, they maintained Airborne Standards (clean, starched uniforms, spit-shined boots, close military haircuts), but after that, they saw that the mutts that were putting minimal effort into the unit and only showing up were being paid as much and treated as well as those putting in the extra effort. It didn't take long for them to slip down to the level of the majority.

We are doing the same with our society. Much of it is "soft racism", stating that minorities are incapable of achieving the standards that society requires, and so the standards must be lowered for those members. It doesn't help, and often causes resentment by the recipients, because they are being told (in effect) that they are not as capable as the rest of the members of society to succeed without assistance.

And the results?????

You're looking at it.

[joecool]

,,,the standards must be lowered...It doesn't help...And the results????? You're looking at it.

Last week, I was leaving a cafe and noticed an E-6 sailor at one of the booths. Talking with him, I found out that he was a recruiter. The next day I stopped by his office and gave him one of my devotion books. I don't think that I could make it as a career sailor in these times. I know when to keep my mouth shut, but I hope I would have walked away from all the nonsense that's being pushed on our military members these days. I only know of one person who has done that. The Marine LtCol who called out his Pentagon superiors in the middle of the Afghanistan debacle.

[joecool]

Not feeling like going to church this morning to mow the lawn. Maybe it has something to do with 2" of snow and still falling. Break out the hot chocolate.
Meanwhile, my LEO son is attending training this week in Arizona, where it's 103 degrees.

I'd rather be here.

[ccm2361]

Been fighting the batlle of the hayfield lately. I mow the lawn & 3 days later it doesnt look like I mowed it & have to do it again. Plus, I am mowing the church yard too & have that same battle there.


Otherwise everyone is well. Hope you all are too

[joecool]

Just back from a long road trip to another state. One of the highlights was a dinner-cruise, where I met another Navy enlisted-to-officer gentleman. His story: His dad forced him to go to college, where he earned a degree in forestry. His first job was directing forest fire-fighting aircraft in hitting the hot spots.

He was then drafted, but ran straight to the Navy recruiter. At boot camp, they found out he had a college degree and re-routed him to OCS. From there, he was sent to Vietnam and moved between amphibious ships. His job? Riding helicopters in-country to look for hot spots and direct the fighter-bombers in.

[joecool]

On this Memorial Day, my local son and his wife are on a trip, leaving their 4 kids behind (ages 14-19). That gives me the opportunity to put together a trip of another kind for them. We'll start by visiting a nearby memorial that commemorates a joint US-Canadian special forces team that trained here during WW2 and fought in Italy. After that, it's a stop at a military cemetery where their great uncle rests, having fallen due to Agent Orange exposure. The next generation needs to know what sacrifices were made to ensure their freedom. Finally, we'll watch Top Gun 2 at the theater.

[Mark Jones]

I really enjoy it. We do it often and on most hikes I try and get them on a bush whack off trail. It's fun but some folks get lost pretty easy so that is why they need to stay on the trail! HA! With the WORD and a GPS as my guide I have the faith to finish the hike and find the destination Heaven or some cool place we need to visit.

Trails tend to follow the path of least resistance. How many of you guys have ever hiked cross-country? If you have, it was probably to save a little time in getting to your destination. But it's usually more strenuous, or invites a little danger.

Most people want to follow that path of least resistance, doing (or ignoring) whatever the culture demands. They're following a pathway to Hell, and only those leading in front can see the eventual destination. The Church is always multiple steps behind the crowd, rarely catching up to them and barely able to make those in the back take notice.

The Church needs to go cross-country in order to get ahead of the crowd. Yes, the going will be rougher and tougher. But we need to ask for God's leading for the right direction to go in order to head off the crowd.

[Mark Jones]

I see the same thing happening in our Rangers and Churches. I don't have the answer for it other than end of days. Most people in and out of the church are investing their time in this life we live. That is shown by what they do. Faith with out works is dead. Sadly I see so many dead people walking. I shake my head and keep doing what I know to do that God has called me for. Having said that I have not been to church on a Sunday morning in a month...... 5 birthdays, grand kids, kids, inlaws. Rarely miss a RR wed night meeting.... Sunday I thought I was going to get to go to church. My 90 year old Mom called and requested I take her to see her 93 year old sister that is about to make Heaven her home. So church this next Sunday.
Council of Achievement (COA) on Sunday morning. Keep about the Masters business and we will be fine!

JoeCool, You know from your own experience as a Commander that people perform to the same standards that you require of them.  The main thing that differentiates the people in a Marine, Airborne, Ranger, SEAL, or Special Forces Unit is the standards that are required of the members and their willingness to perform to those standards.  I have seen Vietnam Veteran Paratroopers get transferred to a LEG National Guard Unit.  For about 2 months, they maintained Airborne Standards (clean, starched uniforms, spit-shined boots, close military haircuts), but after that, they saw that the mutts that were putting minimal effort into the unit and only showing up were being paid as much and treated as well as those putting in the extra effort.  It didn't take long for them to slip down to the level of the majority.

We are doing the same with our society.  Much of it is "soft racism", stating that minorities are incapable of achieving the standards that society requires, and so the standards must be lowered for those members.  It doesn't help, and often causes resentment by the recipients, because they are being told (in effect) that they are not as capable as the rest of the members of society to succeed without assistance.

And the results?????

You're looking at it.

[joecool]

Most people want to follow that path of least resistance, doing whatever the culture demands...The Church is always multiple steps behind the crowd, rarely catching up to them and barely able to make those in the back take notice.

I believe that part of the difficulty is our inability to communicate in terms that the unchurched can understand or relate to. For example, the words "temptation" and "sin" don't resonate with people the way they used to. On the other hand, this might... "Little by little, the culture is grooming you. The culture is just like a pedophile, drawing you closer and closer to that line you know you shouldn't cross. As tolerant and inclusive as you believe yourself to be, you know there are still some lines left. But they'll disappear the longer you follow the culture's voice. Don't allow yourself to be groomed."

[Claymore]

I see the same thing happening in our Rangers and Churches.  I don't have the answer for it other than end of days.  Most people in and out of the church are investing their time in this life we live.  That is shown by what they do.  Faith with out works is dead.  Sadly I see so many dead people walking.  I shake my head and keep doing what I know to do that God has called me for.  Having said that I have not been to church on a Sunday morning in a month...... 5 birthdays, grand kids, kids, inlaws.  Rarely miss a RR wed night meeting.... Sunday I thought I was going to get to go to church.  My 90 year old Mom called and requested I take her to see her 93 year old sister that is about to make Heaven her home.  So church this next Sunday.  
Council of Achievement (COA) on Sunday morning.  Keep about the Masters business and we will be fine!

Mark,

You bring up a good point.  Years ago, ladies wore dresses and men wore suit jackets (or at least nice sport shirts) and slacks to church.  Today, we say that God does not care what you look like, just come to church.

This is true, but what you display on the outside can show your respect on the inside.  I don't expect for everyone to wear a suit jacket to church like me (they don't have to conceal a pistol), but it is nice to show that you put a little bit of effort into coming.

Jesus said that the Pharisees were like seplacures (pretty and shiny on the outside, and rotten & stinky inside).  However, I have seldom seen a barn that was shaky & falling apart on the outside that looked much better within.

[joecool]

You bring up a good point.  Years ago, ladies wore dresses and men wore suit jackets (or at least nice sport shirts) and slacks to church.  Today, we say that God does not care what you look like, just come to church.

A long, long time ago, my pastor said, "We dress up to go out. So why do we dress down for church?"

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