Prayer A to Z

I’ve gotten in the practice now of picking up my breakfast and coffee at some fast food place, getting a newspaper, and then parking at this place near a walking trail where people walk by. I like to wave and greet them. Yes, we can still wave from a distance. We need to make the most of this pandemic.

There were some things in boot camp that weren’t on a daily basis. Here are eight of those events.

1. The three-mile run. This was a regular exercise, but not daily; more like every other day. And we usually ran in full gear: boots and backpack. I didn’t mind this event or any of the other more physical events. I was in pretty good shape.

2. The twenty-mile run and walk. We only did this a couple of times during boot camp, and it was also in full gear. I think this exercise was planned especially for those who would be going to Vietnam (most of us). What a workout!

3. The rifle-range. I think I remember going to the rifle-range about once a week. It was basically an event to learn how to hold your rifle steady while shooting, and in different positions. We would shoot…

After boot camp processing, and all the preliminary instructions of the first day were completed, we finally settled into somewhat of a daily routine—except for events that we did less frequently, which I will cover in the next blog post. Here are six things that I remember doing on a daily basis for my three month long stay at boot camp.

Our regular morning routine. The first thing we did after getting up was to do our business, shower, and shave. Then we got dressed, made our bed (tight), and lined up outside for roll call and inspection. If we shaved properly (closely, without misses or blood), and if our boots were shined and clothes were fairly well pressed and clean, the drill instructor would usually pass us by, which was usually the case for me. But…

I didn’t use to pay much attention to the news. I just lived my life from day to day, not worrying about anything else in the world. I suppose that describes a young and irresponsible person. Well, people grow up—most people. And I guess I’ve finally been growing up and paying more attention to what’s happening around me. It’s been like that for the last few years; and now a more responsible change in me has made me kind of fearful. I mean I’m reading the newspaper more than I ever did, and I tune into the news channels more than I ever did. And I think that that is why I am feeling more anxious and fearful these days. But I have just now begun to think that reading and listening to the news doesn’t have to be a cause of anxiety. If I take it in with…

I had been thinking for a while about joining the Marines. Then one day I suddenly made the decision. My mom was the first one to get the news. “Mom,” I said, “I’m gonna enlist in the Marines.” I guess she knew I was serious, because I don’t remember that she was too opposed to it or tried to talk me out of it. I quickly got out the phone book to find where to go, and on that very day I talked mom into driving me down to the Marine Corps enlistment building, downtown Minneapolis, to get signed up. I was very excited.

I don’t remember exactly, but I don’t think it took very long. It’s my guess that they were eager to sign guys up during that time of war (1969), and the requirements were quite low. If you could walk and breath, you were in. Seriously, there…

An article by the Los Angeles Times together with the New York Times, in my newspaper, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, entitled Trump suspends WHO funding, was quite revealing as to where the Media stands. Of course, they present a glowing picture of both China and the WHO (World Health Organization), and a very critical picture of President Trump. No surprise! Let me just highlight a few of their words, and my comments (in Bold).

The article begins by stating…

The suspension threatens to undermine the WHO, the United Nations agency for international public health, as it seeks to coordinate governments in the battle against a pandemic that already has left more than 125,000 people dead in about 200 countries. 

Note the use of their words. It says…

One thing that was sadly lacking in my life was someone to come along side me and counsel me in the area of sexual temptation and dating and marriage. I think young people really need that guidance, especially in those high school years, when their bodies and thoughts are swiftly moving in that area.  All through high school I wasn’t at all seriously thinking of marriage or even dating. In fact, I purposely set my mind toward God and bringing people to Christ any way possible, especially through Hi-C club, the Christian group I was involved in.

Then again, when my guard was down, which was too often, I couldn’t keep my eyes and my mind off of girls. And I didn’t exactly know how to handle it. I didn’t feel ready or bold enough to ask girls on dates, but still I had eyes…

The main reason why you can’t find toilet paper on the shelves is because people have been hoarding it.

And the next question you may ask is, why can’t we just make more? Here’s the answer:

The big three U.S. toilet paper companies – Georgia-Pacific LLC, Proctor and Gamble Co. and Kimberly-Clark Corp. – were already running their toilet paper plants 24 hours a day before the new coronavirus hit…Toilet paper is bulky and not very profitable, so retailers don’t keep a lot of inventory on hand.

(Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press)

So apparently, companies are already producing as much as is possible, so when people board it, it is impossible to meet the demands—unless more companies are built or more machines are made. But in the meantime, Companies can’t keep up and the shelves will be empty much of the time.

What can be done?

Here are four possible answers:

Hi-C actually started in Junior High, as I have already written about. But it continued into high school. I am so thankful to God for this group, because it kept me excited about my Christian life. And one of the verses that I remember using during that time was John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” Yes, I think Hi-C for a me was all about living the abundant life in the midst of so much pain and turmoil at home, and also in the classroom—I just wasn’t a very good student.

I think God was using Hi-C, along with sports, to…