In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Thought for the day...

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by T.Jeff Veal, Oct 31, 2018.

  1. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    A story going the rounds has a moral for test-happy executives who rely on complicated, expensive tests in hiring employees: A firm needed a researcher and they boiled down all the applicants to three interesting people. There were a scientist, an engineer, and an economist. Each was given a stone, a piece of string and a stop watch. They were instructed to determine a certain building’s height.
    The scientist went to the rooftop, tied the stone to the string and lowered it to the ground. Then he swung it, timing each swing with the stop watch. With this pendulum he estimated the height at 200 feet, give or take 12 inches.

    The engineer threw away the string, dropped the stone from the roof, timing it’s fall with the stop watch. Applying the laws of gravity, he estimated the height at 200 feet, give or take six inches.

    The economist, ignoring string and stone, entered the building, but soon returned to report the height at exactly 200 feet. He was exactly correct as the building was 200 feet tall. How did he know? He gave the janitor the watch in exchange for a copy of the building plans! He got the job.
     
  2. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  3. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  4. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    If you are not willing to stand behind our troops, please, feel free to stand in front of them!


    A. Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys.

    B. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback

    so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back.

    C. It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow coloring and sold it to people to use in place of butter.

    D. How do you like it?

    E. They have come out with some clever new flavorings.
     
  5. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  6. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    WORD From The Woods



    Philemon 1:8-11

    8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)



    This passage marks the opening third of Paul's appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. As I reflected on verse 11, I found myself pausing. What could Paul mean when he describes Onesimus as "formerly useless" but now "useful"? Perhaps this comes easily to mind for some, but for me, it required deeper thought. After diving into several commentaries, the answer became obvious—and I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Of course!” If you’ve wrestled with this verse as I did, let me share my learnings that reveal not just how Onesimus became useful, but how we all undergo a profound transformation in Christ.

    Outside of Christ, we are all spiritually useless, separated from God, and incapable of fulfilling His purpose for our lives. But in Christ, we are made new creations. This truth isn’t groundbreaking new revelation as it is foundational, but it raises an important question: How does being made a new creature make us useful?

    Consider Onesimus. The only change we know of in him that would cause him to be useful is his conversion under Paul’s influence while in prison. Through this transformation, he moved from being a child of wrath to being a child of God. Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:30 resonate here: "Whoever is not with me is against me" (paraphrase). This shift in allegiance, from opposing Christ to being with Him, redefines our purpose and usefulness.

    As followers of Christ, our priorities change. No longer are we consumed with serving ourselves; instead, we seek to glorify God in everything. Our desires align with His will, and we embrace servanthood by preferring others above ourselves. The Gospel doesn’t make us better, it makes us vessels for God’s glory. The Holy Spirit, now residing in us, is equipping us to serve others and bring honor to His name.

    Matthew Henry offers his reflection on this transformation:

    "What happy changes conversion makes—of evil good! Of unprofitable useful! Religious servants are a treasure in a family. Such will make conscience of their time and trusts, promoting the interests of those whom they serve, and managing all they can for the best."

    Paul’s argument to Philemon follows this reasoning: Onesimus, once unreliable and unprofitable, has been changed by the Gospel. Philemon can now expect Onesimus to be a dutiful and faithful servant, qualities that stem from his newfound identity in Christ.

    This transformation isn’t limited to Onesimus. As believers, our lives should reflect this same change. In everything we do, whether eating meals, raising children, changing logging roads, or loading trucks, we aim to glorify God by working with excellence. Matthew Henry reminds us that "religious servants are a treasure." As ambassadors of Christ, we honor Him by striving to be treasures wherever we are: in our families, workplaces, churches, and communities.

    Let us embrace this calling and seek to glorify God in all we do. May our actions reflect the life-changing power of the Gospel, making us useful and faithful treasures in every area of our lives, bringing glory to God through our service and excellence.



    God bless! -Ethan
     
  7. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible.

    But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris And Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq means country with deep roots.

    Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

    No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq

    And also, this is something to think about: Since America is typically represented by an eagle.
    Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages. The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)

    Koran ( 9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; And there was peace.
     
  8. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  9. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of Empire building by George Bush.

    He answered by saying, “Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.”

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Then there was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying, “Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?”

    A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly, “Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people. They are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities. They have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day. They can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships. How many does France
    Have?”
     
  10. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  11. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French Admiral suddenly complained that, “Whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.” He then asked, “Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?” Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, “Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.”
     
  12. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  13. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  14. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically.

    Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready," said the customs officer. The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

    "Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!" said the customs officer. The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to."
     
  15. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, 'Taps'. It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

    Reportedly , it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.


    The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

    The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born. The words are:


    Day is done.
    Gone the sun.
    From the lakes
    From the hills.
    From the sky.
    All is well.
    Safely rest.
    God is nigh.

    Fading light.
    Dims the sight.
    And a star.
    Gems the sky.
    Gleaming bright.
    From afar.
    Drawing nigh.
    Falls the night.

    Thanks and praise.
    For our days.
    Neath the sun
    Neath the stars.
    Neath the sky.
    As we go.
    This we know.
    God is nigh
     
  16. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Thanks for sharing
     
  17. ammoaddict

    ammoaddict

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    That is a great story.
     
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  18. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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  19. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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