Mailing address:
August 2, 2001 |
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Stephen Pape |
Email: Speak to me. |
Someone Said It Better.
Every since Independence Day, I have been struggling with writing an article that I wanted to illustrate how we are slowly but willingly loosing our freedom. This is happening day in and day out as City Councils, State Legislatures, Congress, and other Regulatory Agencies meet and pass laws, adopt ordinances, and write rules that restrict our ability to act independently. I think the individuals that make up these bodies need to seriously consider what they are doing to our freedoms. We also need to follow their actions and hold them accountable when their terms are up and they are seeking re-election or re-appointment to their powerful positions. However, I have struggled getting a balance between light humor and the serious topic.
Tonight, I received the work of an unknown author that said it better than I had been able to do. Giving full credit to this unknown author I hope you will join me in considering what type of Country we are leaving for our decendants as you read his or her "humerous" account of Noah's difficulties.
NOAH'S NEW ARK
It is the year 2001 and Noah lives in the United States. The Lord speaks to Noah and says: "In one year I am going to make it rain and cover the whole earth with water until all is destroyed. But I want you to save the righteous people and two of every kind of living thing on the earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark."
In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark. Fearful and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the Ark. "Remember," said the Lord, "you must complete the Ark and bring everything aboard in one year."
Exactly one year later, a fierce storm cloud covered the earth and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw Noah sitting in his front yard weeping. "Noah." He shouted, "Where is the Ark?"
"Lord please forgive me!" cried Noah. "I did my best, but there were big problems. First, I had to get a permit for construction and your plans did not comply with the codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans.
Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system and floatation devices. Then my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission.
I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S. Forest Service that I needed the wood to save the owls. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me catch any owls. So, no owls.
The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Union. Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls. When I started rounding up the other animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They objected to me only taking two of each kind aboard.
Just when I got the suit dismissed, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the universe. Then the Army Corps of Engineer demanded a map of the proposed new flood plain. I sent them a globe.
Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking godless, unbelieving people aboard!
The IRS has seized all my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got a notice from the state that I owe some kind of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a "recreational water craft."
Finally the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it is a religious event and therefore unconstitutional. I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another 5 or 6 years!" Noah wailed.
The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully. "You mean you are not going to destroy the earth, Lord?"
"No," said the Lord sadly. "The government already has." AMEN!
THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL! Becky and I have received notice that the Federal Government's IRS will be sending us a check for $600 in the next few days. This check as well as the reduction in future withholdings is directly due to President George Bush keeping his campaign promise. Thank you Mr. President!
I know there are people that have accused Bush as being short sighted and these same people have accused us of being greedy for taking this money rather than allowing it to be spent on "worthy Federal Projects". Do they really believe this or do they just enjoy the rush from sewing discontent? I guess we can watch and see if they return the money to know for sure.
So how can I spend $600? Can I spend it more wisely than the Federal Government would have? There definitely will not be any administration fees, overhead, consultant fees, handling charges, or other hidden fees reducing the $600's effectiveness. Let's see what we can do.
There probably isn't a treat that brings more excitement to a child than a snow cone. Young business owners in training are operating snow cone stands all over the country. They are learning about supply, demand, inventory control, cash flow, savings, and you name it. Since me and my kids enjoy snow cones and I enjoy helping young people learn about business, I will definitely be spending a portion of my $600 buying snow cones and I call on my fellow Americans to do the same.
In the Old Testament, the Bible clearly lays out a plan for supporting the Priests in which 10% of everyone's income is returned as a Tithe. Before we started making much money both Becky and I committed to live our lifestyle in a way that we could tithe back to God. It really is easier to start when you don't have a lot because we, like the Federal Government, don't like to part from money we already have. In spite of our commitment to tithe, I cannot recall ever missing a meal and rarely even worrying about paying day-to-day expenses. We really believe that all good things come from God: including our jobs, our health, (and even ethical leaders). We should thank God for his good gifts and we should be willing to share a portion, a tithe, with him. So I will definitely be spending a portion of my $600, tithing to God and I call on my fellow Americans to do the same.
Cooking, cleaning, working, catching a little sleep and starting over. That is the typical day for many of our wives. Last week was May and next week will be August. We are so busy. What ever happened to dating? While lack of money really isn't the cause, I for one have not done much "dating" this summer. Well that is gonna change. We might go to a fine French restaurant or Catfish Alley but we definitely will be going on a couple of dates. (By not drinking, it really isn't that expensive anywhere.) I will definitely be spending a portion of my $600 wooing my wife and I call on my fellow Americans to do the same (TO THEIR WIVES - NOT MINE!).
I could go on but I think the point is made. We need to all carefully consider how we spend our money, how we spend our time. We can really change our world, our country, our town, our neighborhood, our home, only by starting with our self. Thinking about how to spend this $600 should cause us to think about how we spend all of our money. Do we invest in people and things that will make the future brighter for the next generation? Do we invest in people and things that will improve the quality of life of for us and our families collectively? Do we invest in our families? In our life long relationships? This "Prodigal" $600 being returned to us could be the best investment of any Federal initiative in history. It is up to us, not our government to decide.
Teaching business principles to our future business leaders, funding ongoing benevolent and life changing ministries, preserving marriages and saving American families across the country. Not a bad investment for President Bush (and the Democrats and Republicans working together).
Let's get to work.
Stephen
It's been a while since I gave an update on Cole Burgett but a lot has been happening for Cole (and his mom and dad). Cole is now two years old (as of May 30). Cole is still undergoing Oxygenated Hyperbaric Chamber treatments and has just completed a round last week. Rather than going to Florida for these treatments, the Burgett's located a treatment facility in Olney Texas.
During the last treatment, my family was able to travel to Olney to see the town, do a little work, a little fishing, and see the treatment facility. We met some other families that were also undergoing treatments while we were there. They, like the Burgetts, are seeing improvements in a loved one as a result of the treatments. We also were able to see the chambers in operation. You would probably never expect such an important medical treatment center would be located in this small Mayberry type town in rural Texas. It was quite impressive.
For those that have not seen Cole recently, or at all, I would describe him as much more active, more alert, more responsive, and happier than he has ever appeared before. One morning while we were in Olney, Cole got "dropped" onto my bed and his kicking and wiggling helped me to quickly wake up. In many ways, Cole is progressing very well.
The first couple of times Cole underwent treatments in Olney, the Burgett's rented a room. Since there is not a Holiday Inn in Olney, they rented a house. The Burgett's have made the decision to continue to expose Cole to the treatments because it is obvious that he is improving as the treatments continue. Real Estate is surprisingly very inexpensive in Olney, so it didn't take long to figure out that it would make really good sense and not take long to pay the cost of purchasing a small home. With the long term in mind, they now have purchased a small home and fixed it up right there in Olney. It is called Cole's Cottage. Many friends and family members have traveled out to Olney to help fix up Cole's Cottage and many other friends that they have made while undergoing treatments will have a nice place to stay during their future trips as well. Cole's Cottage is an old, but beautiful, wood frame home with two bedrooms, a newly refinished bath, a newly refinished kitchen and two living areas. It also has a newly added air conditioning system. The whole house cost about what most of us would pay for a good stereo system or a family would spend on a vacation trip.
Cole finished up his latest round of Oxygenated Hyperbaric treatments just last week and has returned home. Another family will be staying in Cole's Cottage for the next few weeks. Cole seems to be a very happy baby and he is doing many things that you would expect. He responds to sights and sounds and does a lot of grinning, kicking, and wiggling. It is a real joy to see him now knowing how motionless he was about a year ago. We rejoice with the Burgett's in seeing these improvements and we continue to ask God for healing.
Donations for Cole are still needed since many of his needs are not covered by insurance.
You can send or drop off funds to "The Cole Burgett Fund at Abrams Centre Bank", 109 W. Ovilla Rd., Glenn Heights Texas 75154.
Congratulations to Raul and Lisa Acosta for the birth of a healthy new baby daughter. She was born around noon on Tuesday, (26th). Marlena Josefina Acosta weighed seven pounds three ounces and is 20 inches tall. Mom, Dad and the kids are doing fine and resting well.
(By Bob Perks, *Professional Speaker, Author, and vocalist, member National Speakers Assoc. and National Writers Assoc.)
Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough."
She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed and she left.
He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man was experiencing.
"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?," I asked.
"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead, and the reality is, the next trip back will be for my funeral," he said.
"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"
He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed
down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He
paused for a moment and looking up as if
trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.
"When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the
other person to have a life filled with just enough good
things to sustain them," he continued and then turning
toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting
it from memory:
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough"Hellos" to get you through the final "Good-byes."
He then began to sob and walked away.
I wish you enough...
If you want to have a good neighbor you must be a good neighbor.
Other articles from Stephen's Desk.