Shepherd's Staff

Ever wonder why people don’t like Christians, or church, or the idea of a God. It’s because of us. Have you seen how apathetic Christians can be? Even moreso than people who believe in no higher power. The church is made for the broken, the abused and the needy, and where will they go if they can’t come to us, the ones representing God? I am a believer, and some of the rudest people I know are in church, they call themselves believers, we call ourselves believers. Please do your best to set an example of compassion, and downright kindness for those who have less, the ones who don’t have Christ. Because if I can’t approach my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in faith, looking for someone willing to help, then how can they?

I lay here next to my husband while he’s napping after a long day at work, browsing through Facebook talking to friends. I never thought through all the mundane and motions I’d be this happy. For who I have in my life, my family and friends. My home, my life I appreciate more than ever. God has kept me sane through all the craziness, but now things are being set into motion. Things are the way they’re supposed to be. I’m so excited to move forward spiritually, emotionally and mentally. This year is a year of growth. A year of time being well spent. Not being wasted or thrown away. I em even more excited that I have this amazing man beside me to join me in this journey of growth. He is the head of the home, with a good head on his shoulders. A man I greatly respect. I have had time off and have done a lot of studying and reading. Spent some time at the park, jogging and playing basketball. Spending more time with family. I plan to keep all of these things in rotation this year. No more being in one place, I’m growing. Join me this year. Allowing God to make you new everyday, just don’t forget to do your part. God moves with you and in you, His spirit guiding you.
Stay blessed;
♥ Audra Alcott

This morning has been cold, and windy. This whole week in fact has been freezing. A warm cup of tea and some French toast helps keep you toasty. It’s a good morning. I’m in bed currently, in the warm, sleepy, but it’s hard to sleep without my husband next to me. After all these years of sleeping alone, you’d think I’d be able to. We’ve been married a week, a week today. I love him, and what he brings to my life. God knew exactly what I needed in a man, and He provided. I know it sounds funny to say, but it’s true. He is amazing. These last eight months I have experienced some things. Some good, some bad, and some absolutely wonderful. I am finding myself thanking the Lord for every little thing. Everything. I have become so grateful, and so thankful over these past couple of years. I have slipped up, made some not so good decisions. I’ve also made very good ones. The Lord is opening doors, not only in ministry, but in my heart. When you struggle, it seems like you can’t help others, but on the contrary, while you’re blessing someone, you’re also being blessed. It helps your walk, gives you insight on things you’ve never realized. Revelation. Sweet revelation. I am so glad for it. I don’t want blind spots, who does. I want to see clearly, no blinders, an open view. I sit here in my warm bed thinking how much I miss my husband when he’s at work. But I’m so glad he has a job, that we have a home, and that I get to keep this man forever. It makes me smile. How beautiful life can get after a tragedy. Hillsong’s song ‘Aftermath’ is an awesome song. You find hope, you are found. That’s why I’m blessed, because I’ve found hope in the aftermath. The Lord provides, everything, every little thing. You don’t think about it and then boom! The Lord shows His heart for you. He’s with us the whole time, and I don’t want that to leave my mind or my heart. God is with us. He waits for us to be with Him. So while you’re at home alone, or with family, enjoy life, even when it seems dim, soak up the Lord in your life. He’s brighter than you’ll ever imagine. And He can turn you into a beautiful masterpiece. Have a wonderful day in the cold, or inside where it’s warm. The Lord loves you, sometimes it just takes many things to get that through our thick skull.
God Bless,
Audra Alcott

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don’t believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos’n Mate. Now I live in a “rest home” located on the western end of Pearl Harbor , allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can’t figure out what country you are the president of. You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:

” We’re no longer a Christian nation” ” America is arrogant”

– (Your wife even announced to the world,” America is mean-spirited. ” Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)

I’d say shame on the both of you, but I don’t think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said,” America hasn’t lived up to her ideals.”

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn’t mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don’t think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don’t, I’ll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue . You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don’t want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts , who was putting up a fight? You don’t mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don’t want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you’re the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you’re not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you’re thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president. You’re not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That’s not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now. And I sure as hell don’t want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle…

Sincerely, Harold B. Estes