Well we are in the holiday season, first Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I am remembering back over the last 80+ years, back when we didn't have much of anything, but in reality, we had everything and didn't realize it. I was just a kid during World War II, I remember the shortages on everything, and the rationing, and the ration books you had to have to buy anything. But there wasn't any hoarding or riots, we just accepted it so our men and women fighting the war could have the supplies they needed to keep fighting for our freedom. We had love and respect for each other, reverence to our God, and we lived in the greatest God fearing nation in the world (America) and we were willing to sacrifice to keep it free. Everyone did it because we were Americans, no matter where we came from.

Back then everyone worked and welfare was a dirty word, my parents would have been too embarrassed to take something they did not work for. Handouts were just for people that were too sick or disabled to work, no able bodied person took welfare.

Thanksgiving was a time when families got together for a big meal, fellowship and thanked God for all their blessings. Christmas was a time of giving gifts and the cost was not an issue, as most gifts were homemade, it was about the thought and the love not the price. My how times have changed. I learned a long time ago the more you have invested in something the more it means to you. The more you are given, the more you want, and none of it has any value to you. That's the problem with the “you deserve it” generation; everything has been given to them so it has no value. They have never worked or sacrificed for America, so our freedom and all this nation stands for means nothing to them. This great nation was built on work and sacrifice, and if we don't go back to that practice we are going to lose it. All political offices should be limited to two turns and you leave with no pension, then we might get some honest and dedicated political leaders interested in serving the people instead of themselves.

Until we put God back in our schools, our government and our individual lives, our nation is doomed, and the end times are here, but people aren't preparing for it.

Matthew 25:1-13 “Then shall the Kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Things to ponder from the old cowboy preacher; Keep your lamp full and your wick trimmed, he is coming soon, don't get caught without the “oil” Jesus Christ.

The Old Cowboy Preacher Jerry Canterbury