Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (KJV)

Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. (NKJV)

I once admired Oprah. A pretty young black lady, born in Kosciusko, Mississippi on January 29, 1954. Her debut into broadcasting began on radio at age 17. She was successful at each step she took into TV and at age 24 had become well known and began to host her first talk show. And you know the rest, she became a phenominal success story. In 2003, Forbes announced that she was the first black lady, ever, to become a billionaire.

She certainly became an example, not only to her race but to all women and even all people. A quote that sums up her philosophy is, "It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. The ability to triumph comes from you. Always."

"In 1991, motivated in part by her own memories of childhood abuse, she initiated a campaign to establish a national database of convicted child abusers, and testified before a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of a National Child Protection Act. President Clinton signed the "Oprah Bill" into law in 1993, establishing the national database she had sought, which is now available to law enforcement agencies and concerned parties across the country." (http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/win0bio-1)

She has been very active in many humanitarian endeavors. But sadly, it appears that her wealth and influence is finally causing her to try and wield her power in directions unbecoming of her past. She has latched onto Barack Obama and, without regard for his almost total lack of experience, has thrown funds toward his campaign and all the influence she can muster. But even worse than that, she has become involved in a religious program "A Course In Miracles" begun by a woman, Helen Schucman, who alleges that she received numerous messages from Jesus. Many are blasphemous and most are in error. It deals with "A New-Age Jesus" which is non-similar to Jesus the Son of God. Schucman, like many others i.e., Muhammad, Baha u'lah, Joseph Smith, and numerous others, all who are condemned by Galatians 1: 8-9, has gained a following. It is far too lengthy for coverage here but I include a couple of links for those of you would learn more.

This is where I sit for long periods of time as I read and write articles. I read the Bible and other books. I work on my computer and write articles to be sent to others and to various Christian publications. I pray as I kneel by this window in my office here in the early morning hours. I am surrounded by my books and material to be found in the filing cabinet nearby. I feel right at home in this particular section of my home. I can shut out the rest of the world at times. But not completely for you see I observe many things from the only window in this small room I call my study’. For example, there is a beautiful tree across in the yard of a neighbor. It is radiant with its leaves in red and golden colors. Further back I see Hickory trees, Oak trees and various other kinds of trees with foliage ablaze in full color. The Bradford Pear trees nearby are so beautiful but the Japanese Maple stands out among them all with the red leaves shining in the sunlight. Much to my surprise we have experienced one of the most beautiful autumns ever in central and south Alabama!

There is a certain melancholy about the fall of the year and I suppose it is in knowing that winter will soon follow when these same trees will have lost all their leaves. But our autumn has been gorgeous! You know life is compared to the various seasons of the years. Many of us are presently in the ‘autumn’ of our lives but it is not a time to be depressed knowing that God is good. It is a time of reflection. There have been many disappointments but the good memories outweigh the bad. You are as young as you feel. How you think of life greatly affects how you feel in the ‘fall’ of your life. I love the mountains. I feel closer to God when I view His creation from a lofty height. Someone has suggested that youth is compared to the valley while adulthood is the mountainside. The view becomes better as we climb higher to the top of the mountain.

(Joel, February 1952..56 years ago!)
It's difficult to believe that 56 years could pass in a 36 months period isn't it? A lot happened in those 36 months (Okay, so it's more than 36 months....but it seems so short a time).

I had a 30 inch waist at that time, it is now 42 inches (but still all muscle) I was 5 feet seven inches tall and weighed 140 pounds, I am now about 5 feet six inches tall and weigh some 40 more pounds (all muscle). I could walk ten miles at full pace with a full pack on my back and carrying a rifle after 5 hours of calisthenics, running and falling down to fire a weapon, climbing hills, etc. Now I can still walk 10 yards at slow pace carrying nothing more than the extra 40 lbs. of muscle, fall down for no known reason, and I am totally worn out. I cannot any longer climb a hill, nor carry an army rifle, nor a pack on my back (unless it is empty). You can easily see that I have just let myself go.

I can readily remember the day that picture was taken. The temperature was well below zero F, all day long. We (the troops) had not been informed of the photographer's visit until he was there. We were in our fatigues and had to hurriedly change in to our dress uniforms. I could not put my hands on my dress cap, so a borrowed a buddie's with a little head, as is obvious if you note that it is sitting on the right front quarter of my head.

I was drafted (some back then called it conscripted, but that sounds pretty harsh to me). I really didn't want to go, but now I'm thankful that I went and did whatever they told me to do. I prayed that I'd never have to kill anyone and I prayed (probably harder) that no one would have to kill me. And I've thanked Him since for granting me both of those supplications.