Ecclesiastes 12:10

  A DEA Agent stopped by the farm of an old rancher. He told the man, “I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.” The rancher said, “Okay, but don’t go into that field over there…”, as he pointed out the location. The DEA Agent verbally exploded and said, “Look mister, I have the authority of the federal government with me!” Reaching into his rear back pocket, the arrogant officer removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher. “See this badge?! This badge means I can go wherever I want on any land! No questions asked!   The rancher kindly nodded, apologized, and went about his chores. Moments later the rancher heard screams, he looked up and saw the DEA agent running for his life, being chased by the rancher’s big bull.  With every step, the bull was gaining ground on the officer. The old rancher seeing his predicament moved over to the fence, and yelled at the top of his lungs, ““YOUR BADGE! SHOW HIM YOUR BADGE!”   At times it can be te...

  For generations, it was a battleground not only between the classes but also between religion and culture. When it first was introduced, the clergy condemned its use outright, arguing it went against the creation and God’s providence. Hundreds of years later, a noblewoman was rebuked for her ‘ excessive sign of refinement’ for using it and when she later died of the plague, clergymen preached her death was divine punishment for her using it and a warning to all not to follow in her example. Men that used it were labeled as finicky and effeminate. Women that used it were labeled ‘ Beyond Belief’ ! For many, it reeked of privilege and class distinction. [1]     What could be so divisive and controversial? Of all things, it was the fork.   It isn’t just our ancestors that find some interesting ways to stretch the spiritual into the everyday. It amazes me how many folks will pull faith into arguments from politics, to legal matters, to customs, to food, e...

Micromanage ˈmīkrōmanij / verb : control every part, however small, of (an enterprise or activity). control of a person or a situation by paying extreme attention to small details in a way that is usually not wanted or that causes problems   This is a word I hadn’t heard of until a few years ago but when I look back to my past it always been there.  Many folks have found themselves either at work or an organization where you been micromanaged.  It is when someone hands you control and then does everything to take it away.  It comes from a leader that must control every detail in order for them to feel in charge.  Under that form of management you are not really a person, just a part.  There is no room for your own thinking, your own judgment, your own voice. It’s generally considered a bad way to do things.   Then why is it so common?   I think it is a reaction to responsibility.  The pressure of being in charge cause one t...

            I always had a great admirer of the Boy Scouts.  Maybe it’s the motto, “Be prepared”, an idea that I believe in.  It could be the nature of a scout; he’s loyal, trustworthy, helpful, thrifty.  I sure it has to do with the oath they take to “do my duty to God”.  It could just be the young men I know that were scouts turn out pretty well. (Did you know that 11 of the 12 Americans that have walked on the moon were Boy Scouts?)  I think that is why the recent controversy involving the national Boy Scout Organization has me so upset.  If you are unfamiliar with the issue, the Boy Scouts are being pressured to remove the longstanding ban on homosexuals in their organization. Even in their own ranks, great amounts of political and public pressure are on the organization to abandon the policy.  This isn’t’ the first effort to do so.  In 2000, the Scouts were sued to force them to acc...