“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” (Proverbs 1:5)

As a young man, Carlos Romulo, the former president of the Philippines, won an oratorical contest in the Manila high school he attended.  His father was puzzled, however, when he noticed his son ignoring the congratulations of one of the other contestants.  As they left the auditorium, he asked Carlos, “Why didn’t you shake hands with Julio?”

“I have no use for Julio,” Carlos replied.  “He was speaking ill of me before the contest.”  The father put his arm around his son and said, “Your grandfather used to tell me that the taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bends.  Remember that always, my boy.  The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bends.”

A woman once advised a new employee:  “Fifty percent of the people in this organization will teach you what to do and the other 50 percent what not to do.  It is your challenge to figure out which percent goes with which person.”  Even if someone isn’t a good example, we can always learn from that person what not to do.

Everyone haws something tot each us - not only those who are experts in their fields or those who just tell us what we want to hear.  Every human being is a living encyclopedia of ideas, insights, facts, experiences, and opinions.  If we are wise, we will keep our eyes and ears open and learn from everyone around us. 

Power Point:  I am defeated, and know it, if I meet any human being from whom I find myself unable to learn anything.   (Author Unknown - Article from God’s Little Devotional Journal for Women, published by Honor Books, Tulsa, Oklahoma).

New Year’s Message in Song:

Higher Ground

Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Music: Charles H. Gabriel

I'm pressing on the upward way,

New heights I'm gaining every day;

Still praying as I onward bound,

"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Tho' some may dwell where these abound,

My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,

Though Satan's darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I'll pray till heav'n I've found,

"Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

CHORUS

Lord, lift me up and let me stand

By faith, on heaven's table-land,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

_______________________

SSince The Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord’s Prayer are not allowed in most public schools anymore because the word “God” is mentioned … a youth in Arizona wrote the attached NEW School Prayer. 

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds a mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green

That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith  at all.

In silence, alone, we must meditate,

God’s name is prohibited by the State.

We are allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They have outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the “unwed daddy,” our Senior King.

It is “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong,

We are taught that such “Judgments” do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No Word of God must reach this crowd.

It is scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school is a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; My soul, please take! 

Amen