Matthew Cordle's Incomplete Promise

In a Columbus, Ohio courtroom, Matthew Cordle was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison. He is the young man who gave an online video confession that he had killed a man in a drunken-driving crash. The judge also fined Cordle  $1,075 and revoked his driving privileges for life.  Cordle promised never to drink and drive.  It was an incomplete promise.  I think that it was the wrong promise.  The promise should be: "I will never drink again."  Why do I say that?  Because drinking and driving is not his problem.  Drinking is.  Drinking caused him to do things he should have never done.  Drinking is dangerous for him and others.  Driving a vehicle while he is intoxicated is just one of the dangerous things he can do.  There are many others.  He needs to never drink again.

A Fool

"The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.  They are corrupt, they have done abominable (vile) works, there is none that does good." (Ps. 14:1)  We have been counseled by Jesus Christ not to call someone a fool.  So I do not call anyone by that name. (Matt: 5:22)  This does not mean that fools are not around us.  We deal with them.  They have a tendency to criticize, gripe, and condemn.  Is being a fool a choice?  Yes.  Can they stop being fools?  Yes.  But I also think that it can be difficult for some fools to change.  They can start by believing in God.  They need to be taught.  They need to be willing to learn.  In the Hebrew tongue, a "fool" is someone who is morally deficient or devoid of morality.  Apparently the "vile works" are too overpowering and desirable, and the unwillingness to give them up is far too great.  One last thing:  Is it possible to be a fool, and still believe in God?  I have two answers to that question.  They are related.  In the movie entitled "Forrest Gump," the main character said: "Stupid is as stupid does."  Jesus said something similar, but did not sound as cruel.  "You shall know them by their fruits."  Also, there is a difference between believing that there is a God, believing in God, and being a child of God.    

"He Who Lives By The Sword"

God does not make mistakes.  Recently a high ranking gang leader was ambushed and shot to death.  That man was responsible for the deaths of many.  He met his fate due to the fact that he made choices that created his fate.  God does not make mistakes.  If he says something is true.......then it is true.  In three different Gospels:  Matthew (26:52)  Luke (22:50)  and John (18:10),  when Jesus was about to be arrested, Peter, (the impulsive disciple) pulled out his sword and cut off the right ear of of the servant of the high priest.  The servant's name was Malchus.  Although the three accounts vary, several things in particular remain in my memory.  The first is that  Jesus healed the servants ear, the second is that Jesus told Peter to put his sword away.  But the words that ring out through the centuries are "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword."  I sometimes think of men who like to murder people.......... for whatever the reason.  I can guarantee that if a person continues to live that kind of life.  He will end up with the same results that he caused in others.  "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword."  I am not saying that it brings God joy.  I am just saying that this is the way it is.

18 Quotes Of Abraham Lincoln

That I am not a member of any Christian Church, is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or any denomination of Christians in particular.
--July 31, 1846 Handbill Replying to Charges of Infidelity

I do not think I could myself, be brought to support a man for office, whom I knew to be an open enemy of, and scoffer at, religion.
--July 31, 1846 Handbill Replying to Charges of Infidelity

In their enlightened belief, nothing stamped with the Divine image and likeness was sent into the world to be trodden on, and degraded, and imbruted by its fellows.
--August 17, 1858 Speech at Lewistown, Illinois

To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.
--February 11, 1861 Farewell Address

Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulty.
--March 4, 1861 First Inaugural Address

The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong.
--September 1862 Meditation on the Divine Will

If I had had my way, this war would never have been commenced; If I had been allowed my way this war would have ended before this, but we find it still continues; and we must believe that He permits it for some wise purpose of his own, mysterious and unknown to us; and though with our limited understandings we may not be able to comprehend it, yet we cannot but believe, that he who made the world still governs it.
--October 26, 1862 Reply to Eliza Gurney

Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance on God, knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right.
--October 24, 1863 Remarks to the Baltimore Presbyterian Synod

On principle I dislike an oath which requires a man to swear he has not done wrong. It rejects the Christian principle of forgiveness on terms of repentance. I think it is enough if the man does no wrong hereafter.
--February 5, 1864 Memorandum to Secretary Stanton

If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills also that we of the North as well as you of the South, shall pay fairly for our complicity in that wrong, impartial history will find therein new cause to attest and revere the justice and goodness of God.
--April 4, 1864 Letter to Albert Hodges

To read in the Bible, as the word of God himself, that "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," and to preach therefrom that, "In the sweat of other mans faces shalt thou eat bread," to my mind can scarcely be reconciled with honest sincerity.
--May 30, 1864 Letter to George Ide and Others

I am very glad indeed to see you to-night, and yet I will not say I thank you for this call, but I do most sincerely thank Almighty God for the occasion on which you have called.
--July 7, 1864 Response to a Serenade

Enough is known of Army operations within the last five days to claim our especial gratitude to God; while what remains undone demands our most sincere prayers to, and reliance upon, Him, without whom, all human effort is vain.
--May 10, 1864 Telegram Press Release

We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein.
--September 4, 1864 Letter to Eliza Gurney

I am much indebted to the good Christian people of the country for their constant prayers and consolations; and to no one of them, more than to yourself.
--September 4, 1864 Letter to Eliza Gurney

All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.
--September 7, 1864 Reply to Loyal Colored People of Baltimore upon Presentation of a Bible

Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.
--March 4, 1865 Inaugural Address

Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them. To deny it, however, in this case, is to deny that there is a God governing the world.
--March 15, 1865 Letter to Thurlow Weed

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Prelude To 18 Quotes Of Abraham Lincoln

I write this because there are those who have accused Abraham Lincoln of being an atheist.  Lincoln, an atheist?  How ridiculous can you get.  I stand firm in my persuasion that he is the greatest President to ever hold the office.  To me it is quite simple.  His knowledge of the Bible and his willingness to pray molded his character.  Belonging to an organized religion did not define him because he was not a member of a particular Church.  Knowing the Word of God and adhering to its principles caused Lincoln to be a great leader.  There are those who have attempted to convince me otherwise.  Although I have been a willing listener, all have failed to convince me.  The following 18 quotes are just a small portion, considering that nearly everything he wrote had a reference to God and/or His Word.  I do not have an actual measuring device to be able to determine his influence in making this a greater nation.  I will just simplify things by saying that his greatness is due to his knowledge of the Word of God, and how it guided his actions and words.

"Its Okay....Its Just Broken"

He is a tough young man.  He is a college football player.  He is a linebacker.  He is a star.  He loves to play football.  He loves to hit.  I saw him last week.  He had a cast on his right arm that covered his hand and ended just below his elbow. "What is wrong with your arm?" I asked.  He answered by saying:  "Its okay, its just broken." I saw him play tonight.  He was still wearing his cast. He had a great night.  I don't remember how many tackles he made.  Like I said:  He is a tough young man.  And his arm?  "Its okay, its just broken."

Love Is Not Overrated

How could it be overrated?  How could it be overrated when life itself comes from it.  Love is the source of life and life is the source of love.  Love makes one alive.  Love keeps one alive.  Love is the purpose for living.  It is not just for "show," but you show your love when you show your kindness.  You show your love when you show your patience.  You show your love when you share your time.  You show your love when you work, help, consider, listen, guide, sustain, nurture, instruct, protect, sacrifice, wait, support and even more.  At times, love may be embarrassing, but others may say; "No, love is never embarrassing."  Does love hurt?  Maybe.  Love is so powerful that it travels to areas we may not understand.  If anything, love is underrated.  Love can be misunderstood and possibly abused, but no..........Love is not overrated.

Chargers VS Raiders 1961

It was September 17, 1961, just a couple of months before my 18th birthday.  It was the first year the Charger professional football team resided in San Diego.  What a year it was!  In San Diego's Balboa Stadium, it was the San Diego Charger's debut.  It was against the Oakland  Raiders.  What a game it was! The Chargers looked great against the Raiders.  Bo Roberson and Charlie Flowers scored two touchdowns each for the Chargers.  The Chargers were great on defense as well.  The Chargers won 44 to 0.  What a game it was!

Faith Has No Limits

"If you think you can do it, you can."  I know that it may seem to be a melodramatic thing to say.  It is old.  It is tested.  Some have believed it, some have not.  Nevertheless, because of a belief inside of them, many, many people have achieved great things.  Many marvelous works have been accomplished.  Why?  Because people have believed.  They have tried.  They have worked hard and smart.  They have not given up.  They have made sacrifices.  They have achieved.  The odds were against them, because logic and reason were against them.  They had something superior to logic and reason.  They had faith.  Not only did they have faith, they had strong faith.  They achieved.  they succeeded.  They realized their dream.  They were ahead of everyone else.  They had no limits........Faith has no limits.

"Faith is a sounder guide than reason.  Reason can only go so far, but faith has no limits."     Blaise Pascal

Freedom Is Dangerous

The subject of freedom is probably my most favorite subject to write about.  Obviously, many before me have written about the subject.  Most persons cherish their freedom.  People are free to believe in what they want.  Sometimes this causes arguments, disagreements, and even violence.  So yes, freedom can be controversial and even dangerous.  I still prefer it over a police state.

"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."   Thomas jefferson

Some Thoughts About Taxes

It was stated a long time ago by a man who is considered one of the founders of this great nation.  It had to do with society being divided into two classes.  Those who paid their taxes and those who lived off the taxes.  I realize that we all benefit from taxes, but not all of us depend upon taxes for our living and survival.

A Quote about taxes

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God, the things that are God's."
(Matt. 22: 21)