What is Christmas?

Christmas is that hamlet small,
That offered haven to them all
That Judean night,
There came a light
To mend man's plight. 

Christmas is that manger worn
Wherein the Son of God lay born
For you and me
So patiently
'Mid poverty. 

Christmas is that shining star
That summoned Magi from afar
Adore this King
Gifts to Him bring
While angels sing.

Christmas is that warming glow
That in man's heart begins to grow
Till we're full of
That gift of Love
From God above. 

Who Stole Christmas From Out Of Our Town? (The Poem)

Who stole Christmas from out of our town?
Who committed that crime that brings us all down?
It wasn't overnight, it's been going on for long,
And it won't be satisfied till Christmas is gone. 

We took Him from our schools, now we'll take His  Birthday
We'll call it something else, say a Happy Holiday.
We'll take His Praise and Glory and we'll trade it for our Own
We'll worship our passions and we'll make them our home.

They can steal Him out of Town, but they can't steal our hearts
We'll worship Him forever till death do us part
And when the trumpets blow, we'll see this King again
Who was born that Silent Night, back there in Bethlehem. 

Who Stole Christmas From Out Of Our Town?

This post was written as a response to libbiali as she wrote "Wow, Louie, I don't know how things are in Canada, but I'm in California, and Christmas is alive and well here."

"Well, libbiali, It's nice to hear that Christmas is alive and well in California, but Christmas isn't doing so well here. 

I would say Christmas was doing a lot better around here 20some years ago. I remember going to town and man was the city ever dressed up! Going down a certain street there were big green and red banners  with streamers that spanned the street declaring 'Merry Christmas', huge decorated stars depicting the star of Bethlehem, nativity figurines, and wishes of peace and goodwill on earth. Just the sight of all those colorful decorations made you feel all warm and fuzzy and Christmassy. 

Now those same streets are bare but for a few sparsely spaced decorated candles and greenery on top of lamp poles. Further down the street small banners state: 'Tis The Season'. 
 Season of what? Is Christmas a bad word? Has is declined that much in importance?

Storekeepers had their stores dressed to the hilt with Christmas decorations, Overhead speakers belted out Christmas Carols and songs, O Little Star of Bethlehem and Silent Night, clerks were dressed up and extra friendly, cheerful and helpful, and every customer received a very robust and meaningful 'Merry Christmas' and answered in kind. There seemed to be a special bond between all who wished each other a 'Merry Christmas'. Excitement  filled the air, there was no doubt that this was a special holiday. 

Today these same stores are busier than ever, but the buzz is missing. You have to look hard for decorations, signs of 'Merry Christmas' and nativity figures are nonexistent. Store flyers have now inserted the word 'Holiday' where not so long ago it read 'Christmas'. It's all Holiday Savings, Holiday Stocking Stuffers, Holiday Gifts, Holiday Trees, Holiday this and Holiday that. People, what is wrong with the word Christmas? Overhead speakers now sing generic tunes for fear of offending potential customers, store policy commands check-out and courtesy clerks to wish customers 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'.

Walking into places of business you just felt that something important was going on. Decorated Christmas trees were prominently displayed, handshakes and 'Merry Christmases' were all around, it was a special time of year and everybody was affected by Christmas. 

But alas, those times are gone, except for a few exceptions here and there, where store and business owners still hold the values of Christmas, where you can still get a warm and heartfelt 'Merry Christmas' but these places are few and far between. 

So libbiali, the Question is 'Who stole Christmas? And why?

Are we not still a Christian Country? Did not the first flag that flew on this Great Land bear a cross?

Or is it that we are now a multicultural society and do not want to offend anyone?

Or is all this just natural progression that we as a society have now accepted adultery, abortions, gay rights and gay marriages, and don't want to be reminded of Christian values shared by our founding fathers,  with the Birth of Jesus Christ : Christ-Mas, or even of His death : Easter, which has now turned into 'Spring Break' or 'Spring Holiday' , but that is the subject for a whole other rant."

War On Christmas.

There's a war declared on Christmas
War on Nativity
War on this festive season
And all things Christmassy. 

No Christmas songs at Walmart
No Carolers at night
No wish of 'Merry Christmas'
Christmas is sanitized.

No Christmas in the classroom
No Christmas now at work
What in the World will happen next,
No Christmases at church?

We're ashamed to share His story
With our children and our peers
For fear of being old fashioned
In this Twenty First century. 

Let's reclaim this Christmas season
With all it's hope and cheer
Let's end this War on Christmas
And keep it near and dear. 

Let's greet with 'Merry Christmas'
In the stores and in the street
In the workplace and the office
To everyone we meet!

"MERRY CHRISTMAS "

Questions on Hutterites. Part 3 of 3

Q) How is success judged on a Hutterite farm? (profitability, economics, ability to grow, lifestyle, or something else?)

 A) A successful Hutterite farm could be described firstly as a place where you would want to raise your Family. Where children can be children, growing up riding horses, climbing trees, adventuring outside during the summer holidays, but also with the responsibility of certain chores such as helping in the summer garden, yard maintenance such as cleaning up or mowing grass, helping with livestock, feeding calves, gathering eggs or a many other things young people can do around the farm.... An atmosphere that is conductive to Christian life where it is as David mentioned in the Psalms 133. Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
 If we (Hutterites) can be sustainable that is all we truly want. Our goal is not necessarily to get rich; it is rather to sustain a lifestyle that is conductive to a Christian life for us and for our children.

Q) Do Hutterite colonies contribute to their local communities, and if so, how or what?

 A) Hutterites contribute to their local communities is various ways. In times of need and disaster Hutterites are more than willing to chip in, such as a local neighbor having health problems and needs to get his crop in before the snow, or  local disasters such as flooding with manpower and equipment. 
Hutterites also are regular to the Red Cross with blood donations, also charities such as the Cancer Society and the National Institute for the Blind, local hospitals, Food-grains Bank and also international disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti. 
 You will also find many Hutterites on local volunteer fire departments and first responder teams. 

Q) Is there lessons which non Hutterite farmers can learn from a Hutterite farm? Something that you feel non Hutterite farmers could benefit by doing?

 A) Other than pooling our labour and property we have no big advantage over other farms. We pay taxes, are price takers when we buy and sell commodities like all other farmers. I believe farmers could get together and form a buying company to purchase multiple pieces of equipment or other farm inputs.
 Farming is what we want to do, however  it is tough adjusting ones heart and mind to the fact that it may not be possible and or profitable to do so. We understand very well that for the Hutterite community to sustain an agriculture livelihood, there will be challenges and up hill battles, just like for anyone else.  With farming and the challenges that we face  we recognize that more  proactive planning will be necessary i.e. Cost of production, future marketing, working with consultants.

Q) Any other points you would like to make in this story about Hutterite farm operations? Any thing else you feel is important Country Guide readers should know about Hutterites?

  A) In conclusion I'd like to say that we too are human and an imperfect people who from time to time make mistakes and we certainly don’t claim to be utopian, really we are all the same just living out the challenge in different ways. We labor, worship, relax, chat and have fun, wanting to live in peace with our loved ones, as well as our neighbors. I would like for my fellow man  to know it is these similarities of the human existence that unites us. We are all God's children looking for ways to support each other through life's journey. When we behave this way we feel more connected to our Creator and that is truly the only way to experience any degree of freedom. Isn't that what you would want for your children?

 Hutterites are a mosaic part of the multicultural Canada and we are thankful to call it our Home and Native land, Thankful for our freedom of Faith and livelihood. It also helps that Canada is the best country in the entire world.

Decision Making On A Colony.

Q) How are marketing decisions made on a colony? (when do we sell, at what 
price etc)

A) The key here is to know your cost of production, your break even prices and try selling into a rising market. Marketing decisions vary from colony to colony depending on financial situations, bin space and cash flow, and is the financial managers decision with input from the frontbenchers.  The key is not to get too greedy.

Q) How are production decisions make on a colony ( what crops to plant, when 
to purchase equipment, inputs etc.)

A) Hutterite colonies have different levels of decision making, but 
virtually no decision is made alone.
There are the front benchers, who consist of the minister, financial manager, field manager and one or two advisors, and the backbenchers which consist of all baptized male members. The elders have a brief meeting every workday morning to discuss things like the days plans and activities. Subjects are first brought up at these everyday meetings.
  Deciding what to plant and level of input is the field bosses decisions with input from these meetings. 
 Equipment purchasing is also discussed and prices from various dealers are then gathered by the financial manager.
 Major decisions, (like equipment upgrades and purchasing)  are then made at a general meeting with all members attending and providing input,  preferences, pros and cons.

Q) What are the strengths or advantages of a Hutterite farm operation?

A) Being interdepentent, Working together, the community is more important than any individual. There is no room for selfishness. Marketing and promoting our product as, fresh with good quality, adding value rather than shipping the raw products, i.e. processing meat.
Other strengths or advantages would be the willingness to share the workload, which provides the labour force needed for farming. Also important is a willingness to share a vision where the profits go towards a common good, such as caring for the elderly, widowed and disabled, while providing a stable, somewhat sheltered upbringing for the young, and providing for future generations.
Our goal is not necessarily to get rich, it is rather to sustain a lifestyle 
that is conductive to a Christian life for us and for our children. 

Questions on Hutterian Brethren and their unique way of life.

I will be posting a series of questions posed by Country Guide magazine in attempt to gain insight into the Hutterian Brethren. The responses are compiled by the famous Paul Vetter and myself. Comments are welcome along with any further questions you may have. Louie. 


Q1) I realize that a colony is subject to the same weather, production, and 
market variables as any farm so there are good years and bad years, as well as some colonies are more successful than others. But overall I personally believe colonies in general are as successful if not more so than most farms. What factors contribute to making Hutterite farms such successful farming operations?

 A) There are approximately 31000 Hutterites in Canada, with 340 Colonies that are made up of approx 18 families each, who farm  an average of 8800 acres per colony which divides into 490 acres per family. That is not enough acres per family (farm) to be sustainable with today's machinery. On a colony, since there are more than enough operators, equipment costs are minimized by sharing fewer pieces of machinery. 
 Also with that many families on those few acres, Hutterites have the ability to be self-sustainable in many areas. With food; they are able to raise and process their own beef, pork, poultry, dairy etc. On farm carpenters, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, welders take care of building and repair needs. The ladies can full time moms, homemaking, housekeeping, cooking, canning, etc.

2) Well managed farms usually have goals or objectives they want to achieve and that the farm manager uses to judge the success of the farm. Do Hutterite colonies set goals for the farm and if so, what are they?

A) Some Colonies work close with financial advisers, keep good records and are continually monitoring the cost of production. The goals Hutterites colonies set are very simple ones. Our whole objective is to put a roof over our head and food on the table. Like any other Family farm we are consciously aware and pay attention to planning They are not the get-rich quick type; retire, build a mansion or travel the world to enjoy or savor the fruits of a hard well-earned career or  endeavor . No, its about leaving the colony (land and barns) in better shape than we first got them for the next generation. Preferably in a environmentally friendly and sustainable way, for we are working with God's creation (the land, earth) and we respect and honor that. Yes, its all about caring for our children and children's children.

3) Is there a farm business strategy common to most colonies that is 
typically followed?

A) As a general rule, yes. The basic Hutterites model is mixed farming, 
consisting of dairy, beef, poultry, hogs and agricultural land. But we have to take into consideration that some colonies are situated in areas that may better suited for let's say farming, or ranching, or closer to certain markets such as a hog slaughtering plants, oil field manufacturing or other opportunities.

The Unborn's Plea.

Oh, what have I done and what Is my Crime?
Or did I just happen at not the right time?
And how can you sign that Death warrant for me?
Or am I the Child of a Pagan, that you sacrifice me?

A hasty decision, but Oh what it means,
A life of Regret, second guesses and Shame,
You'll see me and hear me when children walk by,
My Memory will haunt you, with all the reasons why. 

For as sure as God created Adam and Eve,
He knows all my Members before I'm Conceived,
He sees my Heart beating, He watches me grow;
I'm part of His Plan, and please treat me so.

You may grow to love me, my small Hands and Face
And maybe in your Heart, I'll win me a place
I'll make you so proud, I promise you so
I'll love you and honor you, even when you grow old. 

So many barren Wombs cry out in Despair,
They want what I am, they know it's not fair,
Oh, there'll be a Reckoning for sure and for real
If you end my young Life with cold stainless steel. 

Psalm 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Shönster Immanuel, Herzog Der Frommen.

Dearest Immanuel, Lord of the faithful,
And solace of my soul, come soon, oh come,
You are my highest love, my heart you captured,
And now it burns so bright, consumed with love,
Nothing is so dear, treasured and held near,
As when I have you Jesus in my soul.

Your name is oh so sweet, sweeter than honey,
Fair, full of love, fresh as the morning dew,
Thats cools the meadow green, with all it's flowers,
Jesus, my only hope in life Is You,
Then fade my sorrows, and all my worries,
When I in faith, look up to You and pray.

When my afflictions here, seem far too heavy,
When every step becomes an uphill stair,
If then my soul cries out, asking for Jesus,
My heart lifts up, and roses fill the air,
No stormy weather, can be too bitter,
With Jesus, I can see the skies turn fair.

When Satans ploys and power, start to surround me,
When life's transgressions book, my sins reveal,
They in their multitude, threaten to drown me,
And fears of hell arise, when death looms near,
I stay un-waivered, Jesus my savior,
For in His Blood, lie conquered all my fears.

And if I in this world, face persecution,
Despised by everyone, threatened with harm,
And even by my friends, lastly forsaken,
My Jesus waits for me with open arms,
Strengthens my journey, says child don't worry,
I'll be your friend, I'll keep you safe and warm.

So travel on ye world, vain and conceited
My Jesus I am yours, and you are mine
I'll let loose of this world, and start preparing
You shall control my heart, my tongue and mind
My earthly living, to you is given
Till when I draw my final breath and die.

Ach, Das Mein Herz Ein Alter Wär.

Oh, how I wish my heart would be
An altar, sweet with prayer
Offering worship, awe and praise
To the Lamb of God so fair.

This faithful worthy Lamb of God
Saved me from heinous hell
In bitter pain hung from the cross
Love kept him tethered there.

Knew I not of this Lamb a thing
For naught it all would be
And on that certain judgement day
A fatal sentence see.

I know this Lamb of God carries
The sins of all mankind
For us a shame and curse was He
A ransom for all time.

A ransom great that us redeems
That does enough for all
It quells the woe and pain of sin
That ransom is His blood.

Praise God that we are now redeemed
Hallelujah I sing
Saved by His blood on Calvary
Unworthy men are we.

Where have my trespasses gone to?
That sea of grace so deep
I know that Righteous Lamb of God
Will of them never speak.

I know to Him I'm loved and dear
That Lamb of God that died
My hearts journey is now complete
And I am satisfied.

I fear no longer toil nor death
Nor enemies distress
His holy wounds that ran so red
I now can safely rest.

So heart be glad and spirit sing
And praise quell up inside
The source where all this peace comes from;
The Lambs blood as He died.

Hallelujah, praise Deity
O Lamb of God so fair
Oh, how I wish my heart would be
An alter filled with prayers.

Ist Auch Eine Freude.

Where is all the Pleasure
Of this Life on Earth?
How can we rejoice over
Our Human birth.

There is so much crying
So much Fear and Pain
Suffering, then Dying
Is all that remains.

But we have a Savior
And a God above
He is our Creator
And His name is Love.

Oh, We'd weep in sorrow
If there was no God
But His Son came down to
Open Heavens door.

Who to Him will utter
My Lord and my God
Lives in Fear no longer
Surrounded by love.

Oft amid the Journey
Affliction comes and Pain
But under each Burden
We look up again.

And through Heavens Curtains
Our Lord gazes down
Gives us Strength and Courage
That we Journey on

Finally and gently
Jesus takes our Hand
Leads us from our Journey
To his Promised Land.

Hold On ToThat Tail.

Advice from a cowpuncher I once knew.

Now listen here lad, and listen up well
Remember this wisdom that I'm a'gonna tell
If you're want to be a farmer of God's good ground
Make sure you have some cows around.

Now cows are scavengers of the land
They survive in the bush and eat what they can
They clean up the sloughs and when winter draws near
Thrive and get fat on what's left behind the Deere.

Some guys sell off their cows when times get good
When there's lots of money and lots of food
And out in the field stands a bumper crop
The bins get full and prices goes up.

But when times get hard, and your luck don't hold
The trees grow thin and the wind blows cold
The dinner plate looks lonely with cheese n' mac
Its sure nice to have those cows in the back.

This saying dates back to the days of old
When the times get tough you need cows or gold
And when you get stuck and starting to drown
Grab a hold o' that tail and she'll pull you out!

The Stone.

A boulder lays on everymans' stair
Be it big or small but it is there
Its how we cope with that stoic stone
That defines our life and makes our home.

The rock at Dillan's door was huge beyond belief
He could take what he was given, or he could wallow in his grief
Either one or the other, but he had a choice to make
Which way will he go, there is so much at stake

Will he shout and scream at God, with anger and with rage
Or call to Him for help, for strength and for courage
And trust that God will find a way to help him understand
Or will he turn his back, and curse, and be a bitter man

Let's try to bear our burdens brave, refrain from questions why
Its only when we ask for help, that we learn how to fly
Reach out, accept the hands that reach out unto you
We're here to help each other, that's the healing thing to do.

That boulder lays on everymans stair
Be it big or small but it is there
Its how we cope with that stoic stone
That defines our life and makes our home.

Wolf vs Wolf.

As black as sin, shrewd hate in his eyes
Evil and angry, full of false pride and lies
Greed, guilt and arrogance all marked his cruel gait
Resentment and ego was what this wolf ate.

No room for another, here jealousy rules
How dare a white stranger, intrude into my home.

The pale wolf called Truth then softly walked in
Full of kindness and hope, so benevolently
With love, understanding and peace in his eyes
Compassionate, content, full of faith and wise.

"Start packing your bags, Truth said, for I'm moving in
Not enough room for us both, O black wolf called Sin."

The battleground is set, the line is drawn
The contestants entered, the fight is on
Who is stronger, who will win? We all want to know
They're so evenly matched, the black and the snow.
This fight can rage on for years an years
While the watchers watch on with smiles and tears.

But then in the end only one can succeed.
The stage is in your heart,
The victor:
The one you feed.




*inspired by the cherokee legend 'the two wolves inside us all'

Harvest Blessings.

Fields are full of combines, threshing ripened grain
Trucks are hauling bounty, to the bin and to the train.
Barley, wheat, canola,and all the crops of worth
Harvesting a miracle, bread and oil from dirt.

So after all the sweat and toil the grain is in the bin
Another good year, some more nice yields, satisfaction
But before we get too proud and vain, let's remember one more thing
Without the grace of God we are and remain nothing.

We go and plant the seeds with the very best of care
Fertilize and spray to protect whatever's there
But there's still one thing that's beyond our realm of control
Is what makes that little seed awaken up and grow.

So let's thank our Lord for blessings, for abundance in the fields
For water and for sunlight, for the reaping of the yields
For bountiful safe harvest, for all that is in store
For strength in times of trouble when we knock upon His door.

Another World.

Gazing at the stars tonight I feel a feeling start to grow
An awesomeness, a hunger for something that I don't know
I can feel it pulling at my very core and soul
If I could only catch that essence I just know that I'd be whole

Its a hunger in our breast that we cannot identify
That all the offerings and pleasures in this world won't ever satisfy
Although we search and try to fill that deep and hidden void
We can only smell and taste a bit, the just like that it's gone

Its there again on a drop of dew on that freshly opened rose
That newborn babe , the fiery sunset, that mountain topped with snow
Those precise mechanics of that vast and glowing universe above
And deep inside our soul recognizes that handiwork; the signature of God

Looking out at the crashing ocean waves, I feel so very small
This is not the result of chaos, its the result of a creator God
I sense Him all around me, I feel Him everywhere
And on your darkest day and hour, reach out He will be there

Some men try to fill that longing with the hoarding up of things
The gambler with his gambling,the drunkard with drink
The proud and the vain with vanity and gold
But it can't be filled here on earth, its the longing of the soul.

What is this thing that makes my heart yearn so?
Could it be
Could it be that we were made for another world?

"But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

FreedomTo Sell What I Grow.

Grain farmers of the west, its time to make a stand
Against the propaganda that's sweeping across our land
The wheat board of Canada is quite the selling tool
Taking all the farmers wheat to sell into a pool.

That's not a bad idea but still not to fair to some
Who want control of what they grow under the prairie sun
Who want a say on when they sell, on how much and to whom
Not to some preordained sale in some preordained room.

Its by the sweat of each mans' brow that brings wheat to the bin
Its satisfaction of a seasons work and the stresses all therein
And when we hand over to those sellers on the board
We lose control of what we've grown and what we sell it for.

So all the folks that want the board, well power to you guys
We won't dictate what you can do and neither would we try
So how can you decide and say what's best for me and mine
Its only freedom that I want, in a free land I reside.

Yippee yi ya
Yippee yi yo
Freedom to sell what I grow.

September Haiku.

Stately, proud they stand
Trees clothed in ornate mantles
Yellow, orange, red

Golden ripened fields
Waving in the autumn sun
Beckon harvest time

Harvest moon aglow
Old and wise, has seen it all
Birth of mankind

Dancing northern lights
Ghostly green on velvet black
Since the dawn of time

The cry of wild geese
Fill the night as they circle
Land of living skies

Bountiful bounty
Thanksgiving to our Lord
Creator of all

Harvest Time.

Golden ripened fields
Waving in the wind
Patiently awaiting
Harvest time

Across the prairies
Combines threshing
Dust plumes rising
From farmers' fields

Orange harvest moon
Soft clear nights
Leaves whispering
Harvest time

The sound of geese
Fill the night
Landing everywhere
From living skies

Seasons bounty
Thanksgiving
To our Lord
For Harvest time.

Stewards Of The Land.

Every morning I get up at the crack of dawn
Jump into my carrharts and then I'm gone
Red Wing work boots and bare callused hands
Holidays are work days for this steward of the land

Trying to grow a crop ain't as easy as it sounds
Its hurry hurry hurry just to get it in the ground
Its frost and weeds and insects, a biting of the nail
Drought, disease and flooding, or devastating hail

Now we are not complaining, we're made of sterner stuff
We rise up to the challenge when the going gets tough
We strive for perfection in everything we do
We can't afford to fool around, we have to feed the world!

We're farmers, we're the backbone, the bottom of the chain
Without us, fancy suits and ties would start to feel the pain
They'd soon come running, hat in hand, a begging for our trust
Better start believing boys and girls, it starts and ends with us.

Rain.

The sound of rain
Wakes me up
Makes me smile
I walk to the window
And see the rain
Coming down

I walk out
Into the night
And feel the rain
On my face
Reviving, refreshing
Coming down

This rain
Feeding the planet
Preventing
Drought and famine
Free for all
Coming down

Life
Rain
Reminding us
Of your Son Jesus
Thank you God
For coming down

One Kind Word.

What's it gonna cost to say one kind word.
Or don't you want to be overheard.
Are you afraid to speak from the heart.
When someone you know is traveling in the dark.
One kind word.

Don't you know what one kind word can do.
When someone's going 'who knows what it is' through.
That one kind word can turn their whole day around.
Or even just a smile, when you can't make a sound.
One kind word.

Theres something about kindness, that you should know.
When you give it to others, it sorta helps you.
It makes you feel happy, and so it should.
Cause you know you're passing on a gift from God.
With one kind word.

The part about being kind that's good to know.
Is the more that you use it, the bigger it'll grow.
Before you know it, you'll be a brand new man.
A good one, a kind one, and part of God's plan.
Starts with one kind word.

The Moon.

The moon slips silently into view
On this warm dark evening
Huge, round and bright
As I watch it climb the heavens
I wonder
How many generations before
Have gazed the same gaze
And felt the same wonder.

Its never changing
Stoic face
Orbiting since creation
Has seen it all
Dinosaurs and Leviathans
The Ark of Noah
Alone on the waters

Civilizations rise again
Pharaohs and Pyramids
Kings and Prophets
David and Bathsheba
Under its full gaze

The birth of its Creator
That night in Bethlehem
His teachings and travels
And at last
Crucifixion and Death
It must have wept
To see that empty cross
Stained with blood.

Wars and Uprisings
Destruction
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Tsunamis
The rise and fall of nations

The progress of man
From beginning
To present
From mankind's first steps
To those that landed
On its foreign surface
From stone tools
And animal skins
To computers
And department stores

Murder and hatred
From the very start
Cain and Abel
Lies and evil
Crime continues
From mans heart

Lust and Love
Hearts meeting
Silently, some secretly
Embraces and kisses
Under its moonlit spell

It has seen it all
But never changes
Watching and waning
Expressionless
Changeless

Hey, Canada.

Hey Canada,
Thank you
For being wild, strong and free.
Hey Canada,
Thank you
For harboring me.

For I am just a humble man
Who's only passing through.
And I am Oh so happy
To share it all with you.

For your wild n' carefree beauty
Means so much to me.
There's no doubt whatsoever
Of where I want to be.

We have the best of everything.
We live in peace, you see.
And that my friend is worth it all.
Canada, My Home, My Country.

So let us give the glory
To the Maker of this land.
For you know we are all sitting
In the palm of His hand.

Hey Canada,
Thank you
For being wild, strong and free.
Hey Canada,
Thank you
For harboring me.

Storiesfromthefarm. The Cow.

It was a beautiful early spring morning, the sky was such a deep brilliant blue with not a cloud to be seen anywhere. The air was still and fresh, as it always is shortly after sunrise. Drops of dew where glistening on the now greening grass as I made my way to the calving pen to check on any new overnight arrivals.

 I could see a couple new calves wobbling around on newly found legs nosing around looking for a drink of fresh milk from mommy. Ah, I thought to myself " what a beautiful start to the morning" and just then I heard the song of my favorite bird, the meadowlark, piercing the early morning quiet. I stopped to listen and then smiled, life was good.

I opened the gate and then carefully closed it as I entered the pen with my new carrharrt coveralls and my knee high muck boots. The pen was muddy from the near torrential rains we had all spring. Oh well, I thought, at least we'll have good grass for the cows this summer. I made sure to check behind the calf shelter to see if there were any more newborns. Ah yes, there was another one, still wet from birth. The first time momma cow was licking it and making impatient mooing sounds. Uh, uh, I thought "looks like an overprotective mommy" but that's usually the case with heifers. Seeing that the calf was alive and moving around, I turned away, pleased with the arrival of 3 more healthy additions to the herd.

Still smiling and feeling quite good with myself and the world I started towards the now faraway gate. All of a sudden from right behind me I heard the sound of pounding hooves and an enraged, almost unearthly sounding loud bellowing bawl that only a mother can make while protecting her young. I quickly glanced over my shoulder and seen that bovine weapon of mass destruction heading straight for me at full speed. I saw every bit of that furious 2000 lb female in great detail, eyes wide open mean and red, nostrils flared wide and quivering, saliva streaming out of her gapin mouth in long streams. She was a mad cow. In fact she was the mother of all mad cows. And was closing fast.

And I was scared. I was really scared. I snapped my head back and I started hoofing it for the safety of the gate. Time seemed to slow down to a crawl as I started high pumping my arms and legs. I ran. Hard. My muck boots were touching my carharrts I was moving so fast. Mud was flying. From me and from that crazy cow. She was bawling so hard and loud from right behind me I was sure the incensed noise was pushing me.

I could now feel her expel her hot methane filled breath on my backside, so I expelled some right back at her, involuntarily of course, but that didn't seem to speed me up or slow her down at all. The muck started pulling at my boots till I lost first one then the other one. That seemed to speed me up a bit. My heart was pumping furiously as I was racing towards the waiting gate. I could feel her nose pushing me about every three steps, as I was know skimming the earth as a flat rock skipping on water. I was sure I was approaching warp speed and very close to breaking the sound barrier. I had never run so fast in my life. And talking about life, it was flashing before my very eyes and I started feeling sorry for every one I ever troubled or harmed.

But here now was the gate, I leapt high, grabbing frantically at the gate bars and started climbing, the crazy cow caught up to me and planted her head under my carrharrts and heaved, hard. It hurt. I flew. I was now over the gate to safety and horizontal with the earth. Hands and feet spread wide. I was flying! Before I got to enjoy my flight I crashed. Time sped up and was current again as I plunged straight down into a puddle of stale watery cow byproduct and mud. I slowly sat up spewing mud and water out of my mouth and wiped my eyes so I could see. I was a mess. But I was alive and safe.

And there you have it folks, life on the farm. And I  wouldn't have it any other way. louie.

For Jordan And Delilah.

Two young children.
At the phone.
Waiting for
Their daddy's call home.
But it never comes.

It never will.

Cause daddy and mommy
Have passed on by.
Have left this earth
Without goodbye.
And that's what hurts
So deep inside.

They left this world
Without their will.
A terrible crash
And time stood still.
They left you two
Without goodbye.
They never had a chance
And we all cry.

Now all our hearts break
And our tears start to flow.
It hurts so much
It's so raw you know.
It was just too sudden
It was just too fast.
And all too final
And too soon past.

We ache to do something to help.
We ache to have something to say.
But alas, it's bigger than us.
All we can do is pray.

For there's a God up above.
With healing hands.
To help us through.
When nothing else can.
He salves our hearts
Helps us through the day.
There is help from the Source.
So let us all pray.

louie.

The Decision.

Ummmmmm ya, you guessed it. Monday morning I went and got a new phone.

Life Without The 'Berry.

OK, so here I was without a phone.

Without my blackberry messenger, without my daily farm business emails, without my funny emails, without text, without my weather forecast and radar to show which way the storm systems were moving, which is oh so important for us farmers especially at spraying time, without twitter, without access to my favorite forums and discussions, sports and news.

Jeepers, I felt like I was a primate back in the stone age. Well, that'll be a good for me to go unconnected, I was free! I told myself, as I squared my shoulders. I was going to prove to myself that there is life after blackberry.

So to start things of my hands felt kinda empty and my thumbs restless. Sort of like reverse carpal tunnel. But, being Sunday and all with the morning church sermon and a good roast duck coming up for lunch, I had no time to contemplate these early withdrawal symptoms. After lunch I was feeling drowsy and decided to go have a nap. So far so good I told myself.

After I woke up from my Sunday afternoon nap feeling refreshed and ready to go, I brewed myself a good strong cup of coffee, picked out my favorite chocolate bar and that's when the withdrawal symptoms started to kick in.

What will my 50+ BB messenger buddies and groups think when I won't return their messages? They know that I'm always on and really like to socialize and chat about everything and anything. Plus I've always got my two bits to add and am very opinionated.

Thinking (albeit foolishly) about how I was starving the world with my wit and knowledge I walked over to the window and looked out and seen some nasty storm clouds brewing on the horizon, without thinking I reached over for my blackberry to see which way the storm was tracking. Then I realized I was doing without and threw it back on the couch. "Darn it, anyways" I said.

I was missing my phone!

"Oh well, to bad so sad" I consoled myself. I was made of sterner stuff than that. I was not gonna let a bitty phone control my life.

I went outside to do some yard work, pruned a few trees, pulled a few weeds from the flower garden which was really coming into its own after the beautiful rain we had had a few days before, also pounded in a few stakes and made some supports for my two grape plants/vines which had started to take over the side of the house, they were looking really good this year and I could see that I was going to have a nice crop of grapes. That done, I started to feel better. "Who needs a phone anyways?" I asked myself "Sure not me".

That night I took louie l'amour and a cup of my favorite tea (chamomile with honey) with me for my soak in the tub. "AHH, this is the life" I told myself. "This is the way it used to be, simple and uncomplicated, who needs to be bombarded with information that may or may not be useful. Is it really that important to read and and respond to all those social updates? Does it really matter if I know what goes on in the middle east with all the uprisings? Do I really need to know what is going on outside my comfortable little world? Am I actually happier with all that information at my fingertips, than my forefathers were just a scant 50/100 years ago, or even myself just a decade or two ago? Do I need my head spinning with information overload when I go to sleep at night?

24 hours without a phone. Yes (fist pump). With these and other thoughts I went to bed.

-thoughtsfromlouieville-

Coming soon and up next.

"The decision". To be or not to be, connected that is.

Wetberry Bold.

Saturday evening relaxing in my favorite spot I was going through emails on my brand new blackberry , checking the weather radar, and just generally admiring this highly sophisticated piece of modern engineering when all of a sudden it just fell out my hands. Now that may not seem as too big a deal and most of the time it isn't but given that my favorite Saturday evening relaxing spot is the bathtub the fall had some dire consequences.
 I watched in horror as my blackberry slipped out of my hands and in slow motion gracefully dived into the lavender scented bath bubbles.
Memories of the hard earned 700 dollars I had paid for it a short month ago ripped through my brain. I frantically dove in after the elusive berry. Desperately grasping I found it right away only to have it squirt out immediately. With both hands I finally corralled it and threw it out unto the waiting towels. I was out right after it and tore open the back cover to extract the battery but not before I glimpsed at the dripping face to see the last light fading from the screen.
 Oh no, I thought, how stupid could I possibly be to take a sub-thousand dollar phone into the bathtub!
 Well, I immediately  took some toilet paper and started to dab off the dripping water from the battery cavity and the front face and keyboard all the while with a sinking feeling in my stomach.
 With the greatest of care I took the various pieces of my now disassembled phone and laid them gently out top of the fan part of my dehumidifier which I had going down in my basement to dry out all the spring moisture which had abundantly taken over my downstairs.
 Oh well I thought, I'll let it dry out overnight and then in the morning see if I'm lucky or not.
 Sunday morning I go check on the phone where I placed it in front of the fan, feel it and by gum it looks and feels dry. So holding my breath I slowly insert the battery and then turn it over to see if it'll start up. The  power light comes on, yes siree, "come on baby, please start up" I say. The screen lights up and the progress bar starts to move, "Ah", I say, while slowly releasing my breath, when all of a sudden the screen starts to flicker, "Oh No" I cry, but to no avail. The screen flashed twice as if to say goodbye and then it died. No Sunday morning resurrection was in the cards for my beloved blackberry.
Mentally kicking myself for even taking my phone close to the bathroom I put the battery cover back on and gently and sadly laid my berry on the end table beside my lazy boy where it had laid so many times before.

To be continued...coming soon..... "Phone withdrawal syndrome. "

The Perils Of Uncle Jack.

Man, it sure was dusty, hot and dry that day.
I just had to make that stop along the way.
For a stiff shot of rye and a six of beer.
So handy to have the bar that near.
It felt like having booze was the way to go.
And the last few years it seemed I needed more.
Well, It sure felt good when I poured it down.
Started warming up my belly then I headed outta town.
It was all going good till I was nearly home.
Then I hit loose gravel and I started to roll.
Got thrown out the window by the very first turn.
And when I came to, this world was a blur.
Checked for cuts and breaks but none to be found.
My truck I found wrecked and sitting upside down.
I was chuck full of luck just to walk away.
From the twisted hunk of metal that forlornly lay.
Made a promise to myself which I keep to this day.
Stay away from that drink, it just don't pay.

Now I'm the kinda guy who don't say much.
But have a few too many and I'll sure to be in touch.
I'll tell you just how easy it is to get the bug.
Before you even know it you'll be hooked on that drug.
I know all the symptoms and I know all the signs.
For I've been through them all, many a time.
I know all too well what waits down that road.
It gets worse and worse and its just no good.
The worst of it is when we sit behind a wheel.
The innocents suffer, the consequences real.
So if we can't stop at a glass or two.
That's a warning sign to quit and to say adieu.

Cuz when you sit down with Uncle Jack.
Captain Bacardi or Johnny Black.
Sure good friends for a little while.
They make you talk and make you smile.
Before you know it they own your soul.
They drag you down in a deepening hole.
And all the while you think that you're in command.
Its something you can handle and that you're a man.
But to that fiery liquid its just a game.
Its bent on your destruction and total shame.
Till you're sitting with nothing left in the bag.
A failing liver and shaky hands.
A life that has somehow passed you by.
Your wife and kids, a blur gone by.
What started out as a social thing.
Has ruined your life and.... everything.

Farming.

I love the smell of freshly turned earth made by the drill on the first pass of the year. Going down on my knees and checking if the seed and fertilizer is placed just right, sifting the moist soil through my fingers and yes deeply inhaling that smell of spring. There's something about that smell that makes me feel young and good and proud all at the same time.

I love seeing the GPS straight crop emerge in perfect rows and progress leaf stage by leaf stage.

I love walking through the early crop checking for weeds and insects, feeling the warm sun on my back and the early summer breeze in my face.

I love scanning the skies in summertime, from the perfect blue early morning sky with nary a cloud, to the late afternoon when the clouds and towering thunderheads develop with the promise of rain.

I love to drive the countryside 'checking' crops, noticing the change in color in the countryside as the crop goes through its stages of growth.

I love standing in the middle of the field with crop gently waving in the breeze, reminding me of the ocean with waves passing through the entire field.

I love the change in color in fall in the crops and trees, seeing the long lines of swaths winding around sloughs and bushes.

I love harvesttime when its go go go, dust flying, fuel stops, meal stops, moving from field to field, moving augers from bin to bin, go go go, gotta get that crop in the bin.

I love the first chill of late fall, the honking of the geese as they migrate south, the first fall of snow blanketing the resting earth.

I love the power of the sun in spring making the creeks and rivers run merrily, and awakening the budding trees and the waiting fields.

I love the continuing cycle of the seasons, every year so much the same, and yet so different.

And O Ya, did I mention; I love farming.
- louie-

Information Overload.

Way back in the good old days.
We worked so hard from day to day.
Nighttime would come we'd roll into bed.
Exhausted and tired we slept like the dead.
Body was tired but not the head.
Those were the days.

How times have changed from those simple days.
And not for better in so many ways.
So much stuff we don't need to know.
Apple iPhone and Blackberry bold.
How much data can we hold.
Information overload.

Everybody's tweeting like a bird gone mad.
Social skills disappearing and that's so sad.
What's a heart to heart or a face to face.
Internet insulation is now in place.
Worlds moving on at a dizzying pace.
What'll happen to the race?

We're being controlled by Internets power.
No time stopping or smelling the flowers.
Trading in nature for words and strife.
Missing the very essentials of life.
Caught in a web that's not so nice
And we don't even realize.

Kids everywhere got a phone in their hand.
Texting and tweeting in facebook land.
Held captive to a power they don't know.
Filling their heads with junk as they go.
As further away from God they grow.


How I pine for the days that have passed on by.
Content with the simple things in life.
Like sitting and watching the end of the day.
The sun coming up and then going away.
Acknowledging Gods Works and to Him pray.
Going to sleep with a smiling face.
Its all about Amazing Grace.
And that's what'll save this human race.

But while we're moving at this blistering pace.
Have we time for His saving Grace?

Sam.

Every morning at breakfast you'd see him arrive.
Had just turned 15,and weighed 135.
Kinda narrow at the shoulders, the same at the hip.
And everybody knew he was full of it.
Big Sam.

This son of Sam was a real cool guy.
He'd wink at girls, they'd start to cry.
Was always good for a joke or two
Everybody called him a walking cartoon.
Sam cool.

Now everybody knew this Sam on sight.
He lived on the colony, a real hutterite.
Black pants, suspenders, a ten gallon hat.
They seen the hat a'walking, they said who dat?
Dat Sam.

One day he tried his at hand at his bro's guitar.
Dogs started howling from near and far.
Babies started moaning and men shook with fear.
And that was the end of his new career.
Poor sam.

Then one night late, probably two am.
He started getting restless and thoughts began.
Maybe gonna try my hand at the rigs one day.
That's when he knew he'd run-away.

And one Sunday morning before the sun came up.
Sam packed his bags and moved on out.
Took off to the rigs, for a job he applied.
T'was easy hiring on for this working hutterite.
This sam.


His first paycheck bought him a pair of blue jeans.
Some booze and smokes and his first big screen.
And all the things that he couldn't have back home.
Nintendo and movies and his own iPhone.

He walked with a swagger cause man o life.
He was finally free, no more hutterite.
Away from the orders and all those rules.
He was his own boss now and man was he cool.

When sunday rolled around he would crack a beer.
Who needs church? Look what I have here.
I can watch some movies or a bit of ball.
Or maybe just sleep, all day long.

"This is the life" he would say to himself.
Should a done this sooner, just look what I have.
My own credit card and a nice set of wheels.
But most of all I can do as I please.

He worked real hard and he loved his pay.
But something was missing at the end of the day.
Something all the good times just couldn't fulfill.
He finally figured out that he'd never fit in.

A lonesome feeling crept into Sam's bones.
And deep inside, his heart was pulling home.
But his stubborn pride was equally as strong.
For to go home now was to admit he had been wrong.

For it all added up to a bunch of wasted years.
Trying to get ahead of the debt around his ears.
And all he had amassed wasn't really worth a lot.
And couldn't give him comfort when his life he tallied up.

For you see back when, when Sam was home.
He worked for the young, the sick and the old.
Working for all, no personal gain.
And all that he did was for his fellow man.

Poor Sam was in a bind, and was being pulled apart.
Pride was on the one side, the other side his heart.
What he'll end up doing at the end of the day.
Is really up to him, we can only hope and pray.
For Sam.

The Christ.

The Messiah, nailed to the rough hewn cross, blood streaming from gaping wounds, hanging naked between two criminals. The Creator, sentenced to die by crucifixion by his creations. The wrought iron nails that pierced his wrists and feet fastened him to the cross, but they surely didn't keep him there, what kept him suspended there on the cross was his supreme love for us, also the sins and transgressions of those he came to save, they had to be paid for in blood and suffering, each and every one, the sins of you and me. If we choose to accept the offering of God's Son on the cross.

Just a short time before he had cried out to them "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!"

And yet they had no compassion for him. The cry had rang out "crucify him, crucify him." And their wishes had come true. They crucified the Son of God, their Messiah. A death reserved for hardened criminals. The most agonizing and dehumanizing death known to man. Had they really known who He was, they might not have crucified Him. But they had eyes and saw not, they had ears and heard not, they had all the signs and prophecies, but they chose not to accept Him.

And how are we different in this day and age? Do we choose to accept him? Are we still nailing Him to the cross? Are our sins part of what prolonged His time on the cross?

Sobering questions from louieville.

Why Communal Living?

After Jesus was crucified and then rose from the dead, he spent 40 days on earth showing himself to be alive to many and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Then before Jesus ascended into heaven he instructed his apostles that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which was to be the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit.
The apostles then returned to Jerusalem and according to Acts 1:14 "continued with one accord in prayer and supplication." And when the day of Pentecost came; Acts 2:(2) "There came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
This new gift of the Holy Spirit moved the apostles to preach to the masses in Jerusalem, (37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles "Men and brethren, what shall we do"?
(38)Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and all your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
(One might ask; How does the Lord call us? The answer to that question is 'through his Gospel', as we see in 2 Thessalonians 2:14. "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" and as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.")
(41)Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about 3000 souls. (42)And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (44)And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45)And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
So here we see that one of the very first acts that this new gift of the Holy Spirit compelled these believers to do was to form community and to have all things in common.
We as Hutterites believe that this early act was very significant and was the will of God, even as David had foreseen and prophesied in Psalms 133; (1) Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

God's ultimate plan for us is to be and dwell with him and all believers forever and ever in his majesty, and what better way to prepare for that glorious time then to practice community here on earth. Where if we fault and hurt a fellow brother or member we reconcile, where we cannot simply ignore different personalities (that clash with ours) but learn to live together and sort out our differences. Where all our effort and work is not for our personal gain, but for the gain of the whole community, the old and sick that can't provide for themselves anymore, the widowed, the young...

Maybe that's why the Holy Spirit compelled the very first Christians to form community. Maybe its a foreshadow of the kingdom that is to come...thoughtsfromlouieville...

Don't Touch That Cross!

This is a story about some travelers that started out on a long journey.

At the start of their journey each traveler was given a physical wooden cross to carry or drag on their journey, and everyone was told that at the end of their journey they would need that cross as proof to pass into the great city.

So they set all set out on their journey dragging their crosses. These crosses were actual size, roughly 12 or 14 feet long, made of rough timbers and were quite heavy and cumbersome.

So a bit into their journey, the travelers started getting tired and weary, as the sun was beating down on them and the crosses were hard to bear. They had to rest often, and after resting awhile could start up again on their journey. A few days later into their journey a few of them were sitting and resting in the shade of a big rock one hot afternoon, grumbling a bit at their heavy burden, one traveler suggested why they couldn't cut off their cross a bit at the end to lighten their load. "A grand idea" a few others said, so when they saw the next town off to one side they turned and went to get a saw and then they happily each cut off a foot of the end of their cross. "Ahh" they said, "this is so much better now, plus what will it ever matter if a piece off the end is missing, no one will ever even notice it."

They soon caught up to their fellow travelers who were laboring under the midday sun and asked them if they wanted to borrow their saw to cut off their crosses too, thus lightening their load and making the journey easier.
Their fellow travelers declined and said "Don't you remember our instructions at the start of the journey, where we were told we would need our crosses at the end?"
"Ach, who will ever know, but if you want to burden and bondage yourself dragging that heavy thing, that's your problem. Look at your shoulders, can't you see how sore and chaffed they are by thickheadedness?" They scoffed, shook their heads and continued on.

A few days later they said to each other, "Hey, this cross is starting to feel heavy again, where's the saw?" So they each sawed off a foot more and continued on, feeling afreshed by their lightened load. This was repeated a few more times till they finally came towards the end of their journey and saw their destination.

Their mouths gaped with the beauty of the scene ahead. A beautiful city was lying ahead, gleaming and sparkling like a million precious jewels, seemingly from a source from within.
Lush green meadows with gay little creeks happily running through surrounded this awesome city. Huge shade trees with the sound of birds singing from within the graceful limbs was faintly heard.

They hurried on and suddenly came to a large crack or rift in the ground, endlessly deep and oh, about 12 or 14 feet across. Impossible to jump. They saw no way across, this path was the only passage into that whole different world.

They stared in disbelief and when reality hit they started crying and wailing "O this is cruel. We are so close and had such a long hard journey was it all for naught, how will we get across?"

Then they saw their fellow travellers coming in the distance labouring under their load, their crosses still the original length. Oh, about 12 or 14 feet long as they came to the great rift and saw the distressed travellers wailing there, they asked "what's wrong?"

"Oh," they cried "there is no way across this chasm into the promised land."

The weary travelers eyed the great rift, then looked at their unaltered crosses and then as one cried out "Hey, that looks about long enough to span that chasm! So one tried and sure enough it fit across, just barely..
He walked gingerly over the chasm on his cross and then shouted back with great happiness to the others, "It works! try for yourself," then took his cross and started running towards the city.
They all crossed the chasm while the rested travelers with the shortened, lightened crosses watched with amazement and growing horror. "Hey" they asked, "Can we cross over on your crosses, please? We cut ours off and now they won't span the chasm."
"Sorry," the others replied, "we can't do that, cause you see, we each have to show our cross to the keeper of the gate at the city, don't you remember your instructions at the start of the journey when we were told we'd need them at the end?"

John Deere Green.

Way out in the middle of this great big world.
Lives me and my wife, and my two little girls.
We farm for a living, and guess what we drive.
Its all John Deere; top of the line.

John Deere rules, at least around here.
And all the good farmers, you know they're driving Deere.
By far the best equipment that money can buy.
Superior engineering, the long green line.

(Chorus)
John Deere to us farmers is a way of life.
If we ever get married we want a John Deere wife.
A John Deere house that's John Deere nice.
I guess you could say we want a John Deere life.

And on our days off, when we all go to town.
My John Deere wife and her eyes of brown.
With her John Deere looks and her John Deere smile.
She sure looks good, John Deere style.

We farmers of the land are a real strange breed.
We'd empty out our wallets just to drive green.
We really love our Deeres and that's how we stand.
And I'm telling you now, I'm a John Deere man.

When spring comes around and we hit the field.
Our shoulders square up, cause you see, we're driving green.
We're sitting extra tall, and were feeling extra proud.
And we wanna shout out, in John Deere loud.

When we're driving to the fields and see you in your cars.
Don't be a bit surprised when we wave from afar.
We know you're missing out, cause the view from up here.
Is out of this world, thanks to John Deere!

We're farmers raising food, this is what we love.
But this John Deere thing runs in the midst of our blood.
We're taking good care of these wonderful machines.
And we wanna paint the world, JOHN DEERE GREEN!

30 below.

It seems to me that winters draggin on.
I long for the melt, I long for the sun.
I long to see the creeks beginning to flow.
And I wanna get rid of this 30 below.

But I look outside and 30 below.
The wind is creeping up, and its starting to snow.
I look at my watch it says March the first.
The weatherman says it'll only get worse.
The forecast he gives really makes me cold.
As far as he can see, more 30 below.

Al Gore's been telling us we're all gonna die.
This planets heating up and we're the reason why.
Well I welcome you sir, to my part of the world.
And try telling us its not 30 below.

The hay stacks are full of starving deer.
While Mr. Al Gore is cracking a beer.
The drifts outside have four feet of snow.
And the mercury is still at 30 below.

My teeth are chattering hard along with my knees.
And all the treehuggers are safely sipping tea.
The cows that are in calf are starting to show.
And the temperature outside is 30 below.

I guess what I'm asking of you Mr Gore.
Along with all the treehuggers sitting at your door.
Is why in the world its so flipping cold.
On March the first; still 30 below.

Sunday On The Colony.

Seven AM.
Breakfast bell.
Communal kitchen.
Communal life.
Hutterite.

Plain garb and dress.
No worldliness.
Simple life.
Hutterite.

Black 10X hat.
Beard to match.
Suspender attached.
Home-sewn pants.

Long dress.
Happiness.
Head covering.
Submitting.

Nine AM.
Church service.
Hear the Word.
Honor God.

Sonntag.
Mittag.
Enten fleisch.
Dank speiss.
Mittag schlaff.
Shlaffe fest.
Das ist best.

Sunday school.
Learn the rules.
Christ set up.
Follow up.
Obey.

Day of rest.
Reflection.
God's grace.
God's love.
For us.

The Runaway.

What was you thinking that fateful day.
When you made up your mind to runaway.
Do you know that you broke your mama's heart.
That she prays and cries for you in the dark.
And you ran away.

She never goes to sleep without thinking of you.
And prays with all her might that her wish will come true.
That the good Lord will keep you safe and trust.
That when you come home, it won't be in a box.
Her runaway.


What's keeping him out there, she don't know.
Is it the bright lights, the city or the dough?
Cause his bloodline speaks of a simple life.
To raise what he needs, to care for his wife.
Bring up his children to what's right and good.
Not in some slimy neighborhood.
Away from the anger, the greed and crime.
Where you get killed for a nickel or even a dime.
Where its booze and drugs and shady girls.
A dog eat dog kinda crazy world
Its sleeze and slime, every kinda sin.
Where a hutterite really never can fit in.
So why can't he do what his heart longs for.
When nights comes around and he locks his door.
His mind goes back to days gone by.
And all he does is wonder why..
He ranaway.

For his sibs are growing up and his parents getting old.
When he thinks about that his blood runs cold.
If he'd listen to his heart in the dead of the night.
He knows he'd come running back with all of his might.
And the welcome would be with open arms.
Can always use another hand on the farm.
The only thing that can turn him aside.
Is that terrible thing in us called pride.
That never admits that we can do wrong.
And if pride wins out, you can say so-long.
And stay runaway.

Hutterite Cowboy.

I'm just a hutterite cowboy
That's what I love to be
Up on that well worn saddle
Sure feels like home to me
When riding down that dusty trail
My cow-dog by my side
There's nothing better in this world
Then doing this cowboy ride

Yee-haw here we go
Feeling that wind blow by
Letting loose with a cowpoke yell
Oh, isn't this the life

Getting up before the sunrise
Sure feels good to me
Breathing in that cool fresh air
Feels like harmony
Before those city folk get up
Before they start to stir
I'm out under that morning sky
Singing with all the birds

But hey, it isn't all just fun
As you already know
We cowboys have to work so hard
To bring in a little dough
Its hey, go fix that barbwire fence
And hey, go move those cows
And then, go clean the old corral
Good thing we got knowhow

So when you city folk sit down
At your fancy eating place
And start out with a little wine
(We hope you first say grace)
But don't that menu look so good
When the feature is on steak
The cowboy was a hutterite
That raised it for your plate

Yee-haw here we go
So happy, wild and free
Away from all the smoke and noise
They call the big city
Yee-haw let's head out
Let's turn that baby loose
Let's saddle up and start to ride
This country is my home

And when I see you passing by
That four lane, fancy car
Don't wonder why I wave to you
When I see you from afar
Because I'm under Gods big sky
Under his clouds 'n sun
I'm kinda feeling sorry guys
For having all the fun

For you see I love this simple life
Out on the open range
Just me, the cow, the horse, the bull
And please don't think me strange
And do not try to wipe that smile
That's plastered on my face
This is my life: my hopes n dreams
This is my special place

Jesus du allein

Jesus only ye.
Shall my leader be.
Show to me your holy pathways.
All your truth and narrow walkways.
Stay with strength by me.
That I follow thee.

While you came for those.
That you saw were lost.
To lead them back to salvation.
Losing no lambs to perdition.
As a knave I plead.
To you Lord me lead.

True and good shepherd.
When you see I've have erred.                
Lost little sheep out in the wild-earth.
Take me to your fold and safe-hearth.
Lead me back please do.
That I am with you.

When time comes to die.
Please be by my side.
Lead me on through deaths dark valley.
And prepare me for great glory.
That I see me stand.
Near at your right hand.

Ye Größer Kreutz, Ye Näher Himmel.

Ye greater cross, Ye better Christians.
God puts on on the proving grounds.
Just like a garden becomes wasted.
When from heaven no rains comes down.
As gold is purified by fire.
So a Christian in time of trial.

Ye greater Cross, Stronger believers.
Palm-trees thrive near the oasis.
The grapes surrenders all their sweetness.
After they have been all pressed out.
In troubled times, our faith builds up.
Like pearls after a salty flood.

Ye greater Cross, Ye stronger Godlove.
A wind just makes the fire burn.
And even if the skies are cloudy.
The sun is shining up above.
The Cross it multiplies our love.
As pouring oil on fire does.

Ye greater Cross, Greater believers.
Crushed leaves of herbs,smell all the more.
If on the sea, the winds were quiet.
No one would ask which way the pole.
And where did Davids Psalms come from?. Had he not trials overcome.

Ye greater Cross, Ye more the longing.
From the valley we climb the hill.
And when the desert has been travelled.
The longing is for Canaan.
The dove is finding here no rest.
Back to the Ark it flees to then.

Ye greater Cross, Ye sweeter dying.
Man is at terms with coming death.
Soon no more troubles, no more crying.
And all his troubles come to an end.
The Cross that maketh death so sweet.
It proves that man has triumphed here.

Ye greater Cross, Ye greater crown-jewels.
A treasure that God laid on us.
That crown we'll bring and lay before him.
It'll prove that we have conquered all.
Oh how this precious crown-jewel makes.
That we our greatest Cross forsake.

O Crucified, O let your Cross be.
So lovelier and sweeter be.
Help that no impatience may sway me.
And plant a such good heart in me.
That loves and hopes, believes in you.
Till my Cross takes its crown to you.

"Pride"

What is Pride?

Well, in it's lowest form, it's probably satisfaction on a job well done, in it's average form it's most often a high sense of one's personal status or ego, and in it's highest form it is self-idolatry, in which one rejects God for one's self image and therefore thinks of himself as God, as we can see with the example of Lucifer.

Ezekiel 28:12 says Lucifer was "The seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." He was one of the most powerful archangels. Verse 17 says it was Pride that did him in: "Your heart was Proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor, I cast you to the ground." And believe it or not he took a third of all the angels with him.

We've all had Pride of some sort, but it seems Pride does not want to stay at it's lowest form. It's a very competitive and greedy emotion that's never satisfied and needs to be fed and wants to grow. You also cannot start at the top. You have to start at the bottom with Pride and work your way up. Pride does not like when its growth or progress is hindered.

Pride is a haughty emotion. It does not like to see pride in other people because it sees that pride as competition. Pride is the opposite of humility and hates humility with a passion. It will often get in the way when you know in your heart you should do this or you should do that. For example if you wrong someone and want to undo that wrong, pride will stand in the way.

CS Lewis writes that pride is the one vice of which there is no man in the world is free; and the more we have it ourselves, the more we loathe when we see it in someone else.

Also Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man.

Lewis also states that "Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind."

Still, Pride in it's lowest form such as seeing a job well done, receiving well deserved praise, or seeing one's children meet or exceed expectations, is probably a useful and healthy emotion.

But the question is: Can we keep Pride to it's lowest form? Can we handle Pride when it decides to grow and expand like a tare?

For we all know Pride is not content in it's lowest form. Pride wants to grow and include self-importance, arrogance, self-conceit, haughtiness, self-love, boasting and bragging, etc.

For you see Pride has no room for God or even a fellow man. Pride is all about one's self. Even the word Pride itself has centered in it's middle the letter "i".

"When you're running on empty spiritually, Pride will keep you going." - louie.

Fake It 'Til You Make It.

The first time I heard this catchphrase was a few years ago from a recovering alcoholic. It was something he had learned from Alcoholics Anonymous, and he firmly believed it. My reaction to him was something like 'Why would you want to fake anything, don't you know that you're only fooling yourself?'

But for some reason that phrase, as foolish as it sounded at the time, has always stayed in the back of my mind, and one day as I was reading C.S Lewis when it finally made sense.

CS Lewis wrote "When you are not feeling particularly friendly but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do, very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. And in a few minutes, as we have all noticed, you will be really feeling friendlier than you were. Very often the only way to get a quality is to start behaving as if you had it already."

Jesus said the exact same thing in Luke 6:27-31. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Now we all know actions like turning the other cheek, doing good to those that hate you, blessing those who curse you and even praying for those that mistreat you are not actions that come naturally to us humans, for we would far rather retaliate and seek revenge. For more than anything it's our "PRIDE" that needs to be satisfied (but that's a topic for a whole new discussion).

So in a way we have to go against our nature and feelings and "fake it" to a certain degree.

There is even an ancient Buddha saying from around 500BC that goes "What you think, you become."

Hence the phrase "Fake it 'til you make it."

Salvation and Born again - Ivan and louie at the coffee shop

Ivan you once asked me my views on being born again, so as we haven't been able to meet for coffee, these are my thoughts: After thinking about being saved or born again, about salvation and  our relationship with God this is what I came up with.

Our relationship with God is amazingly similar with the relationship we have with our spouse, and I think God designed it so that we have an everyday reminder on how we should live and behave. Like when you read the Old Testament, there are so many parts that though they where written literally, we can take them spiritually, and take examples and guidance from them.

So here we go: Once we reach a certain age, we are drawn to the opposite sex, and we start looking for a mate. After we get a little older we start looking a little more seriously and earnestly for that one soul-mate. And once we spy that certain special someone, we try to woo him/her
and if it's the right one, things click, if not- keep on looking.  And after a certain period of time and courtship , if we fall in love with our future spouse, then we marry. Marriage is like a contract, vows-where we promise to be faithful and love each other when the going gets rough and never forsake till death do us part. And once we are married then the work begins, it's never all roses (as we all know) there are ups and downs, but we have to work them out, we can't just quit and leave. And it seems it's those tough and hard times that strenghtens our love.
So how are we drawn to God? It seems that when all is well we do not yearn for a God. It is when we go through our darkest hour and toughest trials and tribulations, when we see that we are nothing and powerless is that we look skyward.  When unexplained tragedies hit, or death of loved ones. And hence the aphorism: "There are no atheists in foxholes".

 So what has all that got to do with being born again? Let me explain.  Being born again is like the falling in love part.  There are many ways to fall in love; There is the love at first sight that hits you like a ton of bricks that you can physically feel (that is the born again moment that some people can name a certain day and hour), or there is the high school sweetheart love where you've known each other for a number of years and have fallen in love in stages, or the girl next door love where you've known each other all your life and all of a sudden realize you've been in love all along, you just can't define one moment.  Thats what I think most Hutterites can relate to as they've known Jesus from kindergarten on and are exposed to His teachings almost daily for all of their life. Or there is the arranged marriage love where the marriage is arranged and you work on the love later (for example in the Old Testament Isaac and Rebekah).

Then comes the marriage part which would be baptism, where you vow and promise yourself to God.

Then comes the being married part which is then the hardest part and is the rest of our life. We all know that we just can't fall in love, get married and live happily ever after, that only works in fairy tales, not in real life. It is through the rough patches in marriage that we have to work through that increases our love and respect for our spouse. It's about keeping our promise to love, honor, and obey. Through good times and bad, never to forsake...We all know how it is when we withhold secrets and wrongdoings from our spouse, there is tension in the air till we come clean, and if (forbid) we have an argument how uneasy both partners are till that gets reconciled and forgiven. And we won't even talk about breaking our marriage vows and being unfaithful.....
 So in thinking about our salvation this way, the whole concept about faith and works and grace gets a lot clearer. Grace being our spouses love, faith being the belief in our love and marriage, and works being whatever we have to do to initially earn and then keep our spouses love and respect.
And lets be clear here, we can never earn true love. But we have do our part or we will never find that true love. And once we have that true love, we have to work to keep and grow that love.......
Over to you Ivan, 'wow' I've talked so long my coffees gone cold, better get me a fresh one...

Answer to why do you think the Christian God is the creator of the universe?

I would say "Mr. Stranger" the reason I believe the Christian God is the creator is of the universe is this:

First of all Mr. Stranger I refuse to believe such an exquisitely beautiful planet and such a precisely tuned universe could happen by mere chance. I also refuse to believe that we were created by some vague power that just plopped us here as to say "here u go, run along and when u die too bad so sad".
So Mr. Stranger I believe that we were created by a loving and caring God. And that when he created this universe he left his signature behind for us somewhere if we only cared to look. He would have also provided us with some clues as to how and why he created earth and everything in it and on it, I also believe our creator would also tell us how and why he created mankind and I believe he would also tell us what is expected of us and how we should act. He would also "hard wire" our brains so that we look and crave for our creator. He would make us feel good when we do right and he would make us feel bad when we do wrong.
For example Mr. Stranger have you ever felt so unexplainably good and uplifted when you let's say held the door open for an older lady or stopped your busy schedule to help out a total stranger or any random act of kindness? He would design us so that if we would only listen to our heart we would live our life pretty well exactly like he'd want us to.
He would leave behind details on the history of planet earth and would tell us exactly what will happen in the future. He would give us exact instructions as to how we should live and the consequences we face if we choose to ignore them. He would make sure that his instructions are available on every corner of the earth. He would also make sure that his instructions are handed down from generation to generation as accurate as they were on the day he wrote them. He would put all his instructions into the best-selling book of all time and he would call it the Bible.

And that book Mr. Stranger is the signature of God our Creator.

Conscience - Our Direct Line To God?

Here's my theory and argument. When Adam and Eve picked the fruit from the tree of knowledge (good and evil) that was essentially their conscience. The voice of God in our hearts. So when we do whats wrong for God, our conscience twitches and makes us feel uneasy and not right, but when we do something that's pleasing to God, for example helping an old lady across the street, we get a warm and wholesome feeling and glow that can last for days, unlike the almost unholy glee that only lasts for a short time when we do something bad. So can we tune out this conscience? Absolutely, but never all the way. When we listen and obey this conscience our "line to God" gets stronger and clearer, but if we choose to override it and it can get fainter and fainter. So why do I believe this? I believe in a loving and compassionate God, one who doesn't want to see one of his creations in hell and will give them every chance, if they so choose to follow him and not their free will. So I believe he "hard wired" each and everyone of us with a "fail-safe" (called our conscience) so that even if we get born in Africa in the bush, and have never heard the word of God that if we only listen to our conscience, we will know right from wrong.
So my questions to you are: Is our conscience from God? Is it a product of our environment? Or is it something we get after we are born again?

Answer to why are you dressed that way?

I would say "Mr. Stranger I dress this way because I am a member of a very humble and christian Anabaptist group called the Hutterian Brethren and was baptized on the following articles of faith. 1.I believe in God the Father,the almighty creator of heaven and earth. 2.And on Jesus Christ,his only begotten son.3.Begotten out of the Holy Spirit and born to Mary who was a virgin. 4.Suffered under Pontius Pilatus, crucified,died and laid in the grave. 5.Journeyed down to hell and on the third day was resurrected from death. 6.Ascended to heaven,sitting at the right hand of God,the almighty Father. 7.From whence he will come to judge the living and dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Spirit. 9. I believe a Holy Christian Church-the community of believers. 10. Forgiveness of sin. 11 Resurrection of mankind. 12 And on life everlasting. And by dressing this way my dress is telling you that i still believe these 12 articles of faith (the apostolic creed) and that I'm proud of my heritage that was started over 400 years ago. My dress is also telling you that I fully support and am in good standing with my church.
But Mr.Stranger if we should ever meet and you would fail to recognize me as a member of the hutterian brethren then you would know that I am now ashamed of my heritage and that I no longer support or agree with the some or all of the beliefs of my previous generations and you will know its the beginning of the end for the hutterian church. For now i am "enlightened" and know better than the founders of our church, I want to blend in so I don't have to face uncomfortable questions like this.
So Mr.Stranger I am very humbled and feel very fortunate that I can carry on the beliefs and traditions that were born out of blood and fire and deemed so important by my hutterite ancestor. For you see Mr. Stranger we now carry the torch that was handed to us from our forefathers and it's our responsibility to tend it then to pass it on to our children and grandchildren pure and untarnished

UFO's. Is there life out there?

Do you believe in life out there? Are UFO's proof of life out there? Do UFO's disprove the validity of the bible? Here are some thoughts from louieville.
It is my theory that there are no little green men out there. I think Lucifer is in the big cigar shaped ufo, and his demons are driving the smaller ones. And here's why I think that way. Lucifer doesn't want anybody to get to heaven so if he can create doubt amongst us earthlings, that's half his battle. If we really believe there's life on other planets then we get to doubt the bible, so what better way to create that doubt than to zip around in his unearthly UFO's and make us wonder who really is in control of the universe.
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic.

Respect

"The most significant change is the loss of respect for the forefathers, and for what the older people hold dear. In my later years, I have observed that the young people treat the older people with much disrespect. When I was growing up, we quietly listened to our elders. If an older person was talking, we would listen until he had finished talking. Now days, the young people interrupt right when older people are talking. They do not regard what older people are saying. "

Peter V. Janzen (1889-1989) when he was asked what he considered to be the most significant change that occurred in the Mennonite church in his lifetime. -Jerald Hiebert-

Genesis 1-6

The first 1656 years of earth's history has always held my fascination as there is very limited information on it. All we know for certain is that God created earth and the heavens in 6 working days. He created a mature solar system, with light from millions of light years away instantly reaching earth. He created a mature earth with everything in it we will ever need, gold, copper, silver, oil, coal, gas, etc.

It was a very different earth than we know today. One of the important features was the layer of water around the earth which turned the earth into a greenhouse with stable tropical temperatures all over the globe.

He created mature trees, plants, also fish, birds, animals. He also gave them their instincts so they would know how to take care of their young, how to build nests or dig holes for shelter, and everything else they needed to know for survival.

He also created mature human beings with pre-programmed wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We can be certain that they were the most intelligent humans that ever existed. Original man designed in God's image used 100% of his brain, not the fraction we use today. From Adam's time on, knowledge decreased as we can see in the builders of the tower of Babel, in the pyramids, even the Mayans all possessed knowledge that we even now don't have. In Biblical times people could even read the stars for prophecy.

But as pointed out in Daniel 12:4 at the time of the end "knowledge shall be increased". It has been said that 80% of the worlds current knowledge has been bought forth in the last few decades or so.

Which makes us wonder what could original man do that we now can't. Louie's theory is: the part of the brain that is dormant now was the part that controlled communication (Telepathy, and other powers of the mind). If you think about it, a lot of our current technology consists of communication, and all this technology would look primitive and useless compared to the communication original man had. All humans at that time had one language, and with the long life span and memory they had there would have been little need for the written word. As knowledge and lifespan decreased they had to then develop the written word to archive knowledge. Also their understanding of medicine would have been far superior.

A formula for calculating preflood population was published by Henry Morris and according to his calculations with 6 or 7 children per family and 18 to 20 generations it worked out to a rough average of 10 billion. We can read in Genesis 4 that Cain built a city and named it after his first son Enoch. Also Cains descendant Jubal was the ancestor of all those that played the lyre and pipe, and Tubel-cain made all kinds of bronze and iron tools, so that tells us there was some mining going on.
The continents were not divided yet (that happened after the tower of Babel in Pelegs day, according to Genesis 10:25 and 1 Chronicles 1:19) so the need for cross-ocean travel wasn't there and since there was a global tropical climate with no deserts or polar icecaps food could be grown everywhere.

So these are the thoughts out of louieville today, and you are all welcome to comment or voice your opinion of earth's first 1656 years.

Fate

 Fate: destiny: an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future.

Do you believe in fate? Louie does. And here are some thoughts from louieville.

My theory on fate is that we are all fated to be born on a certain day and fated to die a certain day. We are also all fated to go to heaven because I think that’s how our Creator would have wanted it and I think he already knows and has always known who will make it there because He is omnipotent. And the only one with the power to change that fate is ourselves. And we can do that with our own free will, namely by our own selfish desires, decisions and choices.

What are your thoughts on fate, or is there no such a thing as fate?

Does poverty, pain and suffering disprove God?

On the contrary I think it proves God. For we can reason this way, and reason that way but we have to remember that our ability to reason has been given to us from God. We will only ever figure out as much of the mystery and ways of God as he wants us to figure out. He does not want us to have all the facts and answers because then faith becomes obsolete. We have to believe; as Jesus told Thomas in John 21:29 "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed."

Now lets take my fictional home town of louieville for example. On one side of the tracks is the poor side, dirty walks and rundown houses but the people here are happy for the most part. Little Billy with his gimpy leg is playing ball as well as he can with the kids, his family doesn't have the money for the operation. Grandpa Caleb is starting to get forgetful and his daughters and daughters in law are taking turns helping Grandma out. In the evenings since nobody can afford TV's family's get together to sing, visit, play board games and socialize. On Sundays and church holidays the little local one-room church is always full and everyone always got their same seats reserved, so if someone is missing you know and try to find out if he/she is sick or away. And the preacher is a throwback to the old "hellfire and brimstone" days and sorta reminds you of the dolly parton song "daddy was an old time preacher man". Theres no fancy programmes in this church, just the pure straightforward word of God.

So now we go to the other side of the tracks and it seems like a whole new world. Fancy two story houses with two car garages. Immaculately kept shrubs, freshly mowed lawns, beautiful yards, clean streets. Not too much action though, as everybody is either away at their jobs or at home watching their favorite program. The kids are so involved in their social networking or newest video games they don't have time to go and play. Very few know who their next door neighbor is or even seems to care, this is in stark contrast to the seemingly different world a few minutes away on the other side of the tracks. When Sunday comes around and whoever can make it does, they come in their fancy sedans to the brand new multi-million dollar church dressed to the tee, suits and ties for the men. The ladies immaculately dressed with hair and nails freshly done. The children dressed like little gentlemen/ladies with their perfect smiles and teeth. Everybody sits down, the lights dim and the service begins. The preacher is someone that was hired in and has a fairly entertaining sermon but is careful not to step on toes and evades touchy subjects, he has a job to keep after all. After the sermon everybody files out and all those with handicapped children or elderly parents in the local home care go visit.

So on which side of town do the people feel a greater need and desire for God? On the poor side where the pain, poverty and suffering is before their eyes daily or on the rich side of town where everything is esthetically clean and pleasing?

And yes, there are exceptions on both sides of town. Theres some God-fearing families in the nice part of town and some really bad people on the poor side of town.

So if you're trying to figure out what point I'm trying to make, its this; Our idea of how God should run this world, no poverty, no poor, no handicapped children, no diseases or cancer, or alzheimers and different ailments of the elderly. If everything runs perfectly and we are in control, when do we look to God? What will make us pray and search for answers? For it is written 'Seek and you shall find.'

If once we are dead and will look back at our life from the other side, won't things look a bit different? Won't we be glad of the trials and tribulations that we had here on earth? At what point in our life where we closest to Jesus, or more correctly was he closest to us?

Churches

After reading the National Geographics article about Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Church in Spain that is 128 years in the making and is projected to be completed in 2026, it makes a fellow wonder what does God really think to those mind-boggling extravagant churches? Do people really think they can build a house for God? Should we really be in awe of the architecture and the man made idolatry when we walk into a church? After hearing the wonderful Christmas sermons where our Savior was born in a barn in the smallish lowly town of Bethlehem and the shepherds that came to worship him there, it makes us think of how God really wants to be worshiped. Nowadays it almost seems as if the more elaborate the church, the further away is God...thoughts from louieville.