前几年我在日志里写了几句话关于在德国丢垃圾,中间提到在国内怕小偷来偷生锈的管子,有人回复我"别忘了你也是中国人".这几年,在论坛里也时不时有人说:你是不是中国人.这句话显然不是问句.这种提法大概是说:***,你不爱国,我爱国;而在网上也有另外一批人说:正因为爱国才批评. 这两种人经常在论坛上对骂.
其实嘛,要我说两种人都爱国.举个例子吧.父母教导小孩,经常一个扮白脸,一个扮黑脸.就是说一个表扬,另一个批评.不管是哪样,都是为了小孩好, 批评是为了让小孩改正错误,或者督促小孩别犯错误; 表扬是为了鼓励小孩再接再励. 在爱国这方面也是一样, 有人摇旗呐喊:中国加油! 也有人批评/挖苦政府******. 两种人都希望中国明天会更好.
好了,既然两种人都爱国, 那么谁不爱国呢? 其实也很简单,从字面意思出发就知道了: 做出对国家不利的事情,出卖国家利益/领土/经济利益的人不爱国,或者叫卖国贼. 三个代表提到代表"中国最广大人民的利益", 科学发展观提到"以人为本". 中国是由14亿人组成,也就是说要代表14亿的大多数人的利益,要以14亿人为本.谁出卖了14亿人的利益,谁就不爱国.说到这里,我马上想到裸官和在逃贪官.这两种官都是往国外转移国有资产,一个在位,一个不在位.具体数据相信大家在网上都经常看到.结果就是每个人带了N个亿出去,而且绝大多数是追不回来的. 美加政府一方面说帮中国追回贪官/赃款,一方面加大投资移民/金钱换绿卡. 美加当然也爱国,只是不是我们这个国了.如果我们批评他们爱他们的国好像也是不好的. 最好就是我们集火骂裸官和在逃贪官,多多关注那些不爱国者.
MEMORIAL DAY 20120522
Dear China
Friends,
MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day is a
federal holiday which is observed on the last Monday of May in the United
States. This year it falls on May
28th. Originally it was called
Decoration Day to honor the dead who died in the Civil War (1861-1865). It was called “Decoration Day” from the
custom of decorating the graves of those fallen soldiers. Memorial Day now honors those who died in any
war while serving the United States.
People today also visit the graves of their loved ones with flowers. I also put colorful flowers on my wife Mary’s
grave. I do miss her. It is a day when we remember the lives of our
loved ones who have passed on.
Christians find
comfort in the belief that there is life beyond the grave. This is explained in the Good Book:
But someone may ask, “How are the dead
raised? What kind of body will they have?”.…When you plant something, it must
die in the ground before it can live and grow.
And when you plant it, what you plant does not have the same “body” that
it will have later. What you plant is
only a seed, maybe wheat or something else.
But God gives it a body that he has planned for it.
….It is the same with the dead who are
raised to life. The body that is
“planted” will ruin and decay. But that
body is raised to a life that cannot be destroyed. When the body is “planted,” it is without
honor. But it is raised in glory. When the body is “planted,” it is weak. But when it is raised, it is a spiritual
body. There is a physical body. And there is also a spiritual body.
But listen, I tell this secret: We will not
all die, but we will all be changed. It
will only take a second. We will be
changed as quickly as an eye blinks.
This will happen when the last trumpet sounds. The trumpet will sound and those who have
died will be raised to live forever. --I Corinthians 15
I have just received
word that my son Tom will be moving to American Samoa which is Southwest of
Hawaii on the other side of the equator.
This will be quite a change for him and his family from their present
home above the Arctic Circle in Alaska.
He will be manager of even a bigger store than the one in Alaska. My daughter Carolyn lives in New York and
travels the nation selling men's clothing.
And my oldest daughter Becky lives in Arkansas and works as a nurse in a
hospital. So you can see my family is
really scattered. However, they do come
to see me from time to time. I trust
that is all well with your family and loved ones.
Your Friend,
Tom Atkinson
MOTHER'S DAY 20120509
Dear China Friends,
The second Sunday in May is
celebrated as Mother’s Day each year in the United States. It is a day for honoring mothers for the love
they have shown their families over the years.
Mothers often receive gifts and flower corsages as a token of our
love. Below is the famous tribute
Scripture pays to mothers.
A WORTHY
MOTHER
A good woman
is hard to find
and worth
more than diamonds.
Her husband
trusts her without reserve
and never has
reason to regret it.
Never
spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life
long.
She shops
around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys
knitting and sewing….
She’s up
before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her
family and organizing her day….
She senses
the worth of her work,
is in no
hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled
in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in
homemaking.
She’s quick
to assist anyone in need,
reaches out
to help the poor.
She doesn’t
worry about her family when it snows,
their winter
clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her
own clothing,
and dresses
in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband
is greatly respected
when he
deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs
gowns and sells them,
brings the
sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes
are well-made and elegant,
and she
always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she
speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she
always says it kindly….
Her children
respect and bless her,
her husband
joins in with words of praise:
“Many women
have done wonderful things,
but you’ve
outclassed them all!”
Charm can
mislead and beauty fades.
The woman to
be admired and praised
is the woman
who lives [reverencing God].
Give her
everything she deserves!
Festoon her
life with praises!
--Proverbs
31:10-31--
I hope you have found some way
to honor your mother or the mother of your children. Both my mother and the mother of my children
are now receiving their reward in heaven.
I still have many fond memories of their lives of service. I hope this finds you and your family
well. For my age I am also doing
well.
Your Friend,
Tom Atkinson
WHAT IS EASTER ? 20120404
WHAT IS
EASTER ?
This year Easter is celebrated on the 8th of April. It is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection
from the dead which is our guarantee of being raised from the dead. There is no doubt about his death on the
cross for “one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a
sudden flow of blood and water” (John 19:34).
“Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, placed it in
his own new tomb he had cut out of the rock.
He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away
(Matthew 27:59,60).
“The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief
priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that
deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made
secure until the third day. Otherwise,
his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been
raised from the dead. This last
deception will be worse than the first.”
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered.
“Go make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by
putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard’ (Matthew
27:62-66).
‘After the Sabbath, at the dawn on the first day of the
week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel
of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone
and sat on it. His appearance was like
lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead
men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He
is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples:
He has risen from the dead”’ (Matthew 28:1-7).
‘A week later his disciples were in the house again and
Thomas was with them. Though the doors
were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger
here; see my hands, Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my
God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you
have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed”’ (John 20:26-29).
“I am the resurrection and the life,” declares
Jesus. “He who believes in me will live,
even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes and believes in me will
never die” (John 11:25).
My son Tom3 and his son Sam were recently visiting in
their search for the college that his sam would best like to attend. Then my daughter Carolyn was here this past
weekend to celebrate my 81st birthday.
Family means a lot to me and I’m sure your family means a lot to
you. I trust all is well with you and
your family.
Your Friend,
Tom Atkinson
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY 20120314
Dear China
Friends,
SAINT
PATRICK’S DAY
Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday
that is celebrated on the 17th day of March each year. It commemorates the patron saint of Ireland
(c. AD 378-461) who brought Christianity to Ireland. This day is observed religiously by the
following churches: Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran. It was made an official feast day in the
early 17th century but gradually became a secular celebration of Irish culture
in general.
Religiously it is observed by attendance at church
services. However, culturally it is
celebrated by wearing green attire including green ribbons and shamrocks. If you don’t wear green you are liable to get
pinched. Also it is celebrated by
parades, the enjoying family and community gatherings as well as the drinking of
alcoholic beverages.
There are three things I find interesting about St.
Patrick. First, although he was born in
Roman Britain, when he was sixteen he was captured and carried off as a slave to
Ireland for six years. He escaped and
after many adventures made his way home in his early twenties. After studying to be a priest he heard “The
voice of the Irish” in a vision saying to him, “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come
and walk among us.” So he returned to
the very country of his enslavement and as a priest he baptized thousands of
people. Then he ordained priests to lead
these new Christian communities.
The second thing I find interesting was how he explained
the three persons that make up the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. To illustrate the concept of the
three in one he took a three leaf clover (shamrock) that grew from one
stem. I like to think of the Father as
the planner, the Son as the purchaser and the Holy Spirit as the publisher. They all work together in perfect harmony as
one God!
Finally, legend credits St. Patrick with ridding Ireland
of snakes by chasing them into the sea after they attacked him. However, all evidence suggests that Ireland
never had snakes. More than likelythe
snakes represented St. Patrick cleansing Ireland of satanic influ-ences since
the devil is often pictured as a snake.
I hope all is well for you and your loved ones. I am waiting for my son Tom 3 to come by for
dinner. He and his son Sam are traveling
to different Universities to see which one he wants to attend next school
year. This is a treat for me since he
lives in Alaska so I don’t get to see him very often.
Your friend,
Tom Atkinson
THE GREATEST LOVER 20120211
Dear China
Friends,
THE GREATEST
LOVER
Valentine’s Day is always celebrated on February the
14th. This is the day that lovers make
sure to express their love in special ways.
But who would you say is the greatest lover? Would it be some Hollywood celebrity? Would it be some famous crooner of love
songs? Or might it be your own mother or
even your mate? As great as these lovers
might be there is a greater lover than all of these. It might surprise you who this is?
Would it surprise you if I told you that it is God
Himself? Did you know that God is the
source of all love? The Bible declares,
“Dear friends, let us love on another, for love comes from God….GOD IS LOVE”
(I John 4:7,8).
But you say, “How can this be so?”
God could have made us robots who had no choice but to love Him. But He didn’t do that. He loved us enough to create us with some of
His own loving nature. Love is a matter
of free choice. Forced love is no love
at all. However, He loved us enough that
He would not leave us in the mess we got ourselves into.
What am I talking about? Originally God created us as innocent beings
who had no knowledge of the difference between good and evil. As our designer, only He knew the full
potential of what we were created to be.
But Satan convinced us that we were smart enough to be our own God and go
our own way. However, without God’s
direction we had difficulty telling love from selfish lust.
God’s remedy was to send His Son to restore our love
relationship with the God who is source of true love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life” (John 3:16).
By this means “God lives in us and his love is made complete in us”
(1 John 4:12).
--
Tom Atkinson
Love is
patient and kind.
Love is not
jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It does not
demand its own way.
It is not
irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not
rejoice about injustice
but rejoices
whenever the truth wins out.
Love never
gives up, never loses faith,
is always
hopeful, and endures through every circumstance
But love will
last forever! (I Corinthians 13:4-8).
HAPPY NEW YEAR 20120101
Dear China Friends,
HAPPY NEW
YEAR
January 1st is our New
Year’s Day in the United States.
However, in China your New Year is not until January 23rd, the year of
the dragon. You have probably already
seen the firework celebrations in English speaking countries on television. One of the favorite things to do is to make
New Year Resolutions. I can think of no
better resolutions than those expressed by the lyrics of the following
song. See what you think?
Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord
And where there’s doubt true faith in You
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there's sadness ever joy
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of Your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord
And where there’s doubt true faith in You
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there's sadness ever joy
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of Your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
I hope you and your family have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am happy to have my needs met in this
nursing home. I have good food here,
lots of pills to keep me healthy, and many friends. And I count you out there as my good friend
too! Above all I thank the Lord for
being so good to me!
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
Tom Atkinson
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS 20111216
Dear China
Friends,
THE FIRST
CHRISTMAS
“God sent the
angel Gabriel to a virgin who lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. She was
engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was
Mary. The angel came to her and said,
‘Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and
is with you’…Don’t be afraid, Mary, because God is pleased with you. Listen!
You will become pregnant. You
will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and people will call him
the Son of the most High.’”
“Mary said to
the angel, ‘How will this happen? I am a
virgin!’ The angel said to Mary, ‘The
Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover
you. The baby will be holy, He will be
called the Son of God….Mary said, ‘I am the servant girl of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!’” (Luke
1:26-28, 30-32a, 34,35,38).
“While Joseph
and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. She gave birth to her first son. There were no rooms left in the inn. So she wrapped the baby with cloths and laid
him in a box where the animals are fed.”
“That night,
some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around
them, and suddenly they became frightened. The angel said to them, ‘Don’t be
afraid, because I am bringing you some good news. It will be a joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in David’s
town. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and
lying in a feed box.’”
“Then a very
large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel. All the angels were praising God,
saying: ‘Give glory to God in heaven,
and on earth let there be peace to the people who please God….’”
“So the
shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph. And the shepherds saw the baby lying in a
feeding box. Then they told what the
angels had said about this child.
Everyone was amazed when they heard what the shepherds said to
them.” (Luke 2:6-14,
16-18).
My daughter
Carolyn will be with me to celebrate Christmas again. Already I have seen all the Christmas light
decorations from our bus.
They really
outline the trees and houses. Some even
outline the the shepherds and the wisemen visiting the Christ child. I hope you and your family have a very Merry
Christmas!
Your
friend,
Tom
Atkinson
THANKSGIVING HISTORY 20111122
Dear China
Friends,
THANKSGIVING HISTORY
This year
Thanksgiving is celebrated on Thursday the 24th of November.
Thanksgiving had its
beginning with the Separatists who wanted to worship their own way rather than
the way the state Church of England demanded.
To escape persecution they fled to Holland seeking religious
freedom. But when their children grew up
speaking Dutch rather than English, they determined to sail for the New
World. They came to be known as Pilgrims
because of their much traveling to find religious freedom. But 41 Pilgrims were not enough to hire a
ship so they found 61 others who were willing to go in the year of 1620 although
they were members of the state church.
The words on their
sail were “In God We Trust” and “God With Us.”
While still on board the Mayflower, the leaders of both groups drew up an
agreement called the Mayflower Compact.
In it they wrote: “Having
undertaken for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith and
honour of our king and country to plant ye the first colony in ye Northern
parts.” This was the first time that
North America had a system of self-government by majority rule.
It was their plan to
join the Virginia Jamestown colony but a storm blew them 150 miles north to New
England. According to tradition they
came ashore in a small boat landing on a large rock now called Plymouth
Rock. Since they had expected to winter
in much warmer Virginia they were not prepared for the long hard New England
winter. They hadn’t brought enough food
with them on the Mayflower. So
forty-three people died from the cold, starvation, and disease.
Then one Spring
morning in 1621 an Indian appeared who spoke some English because he had earlier
been captured by some Englishmen and then released. The Pilgrims felt like he had been sent to
them by God. This was because Squanto
showed them how to catch fish and to put three little fish into the ground as
fertilizer with each group of corn seed they planted. He also taught them how to
get sap from maple trees to make sugar as well as which berries and fruits could
be eaten. Also they learned how to catch
beaver for their fur and how to hunt for wild turkeys, geese, ducks and other
birds.
Since springtime no
one had sick and they had built seven private houses and four other buildings
for community use. And their crops had
been good enough to double the amount food grain for each person. It was late in October when the crops were
safely stored that 3 days were set aside for “rejoicing.” Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of
thanksgiving and prayer to God. The
outdoor feast included corn, geese, turkeys, ducks eel, clams, leeks, plums,
cod, bass, barley, venison and corn bread.
The Pilgrims and Indians ran races and demonstrated the accuracy of their
respective weapons. At first they had a
common storehouse for their food.
However, that did not work well since the temptation was to let others do
the work. So they allotted each family a
plot to raise their own food which developed their work ethic. You might say that this was the start of
capitalism.
Thanksgiving is a
family affair. My daughter Carolyn will
fly in from New York to help me celebrate Thanksgiving. We will enjoy two feasts, one at my nursing
home and another at our close friends’ house.
It is a time for
people to remember what they have to be thankful for. What are you thankful for??
Your friend,
Back to Chinese roots : 4500 years ago.
From:
To:
Subject: re: Back to Chinese roots:4500 years ago- Chinese characters
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:38:50 -0700
I thought you might enjoy seeing this.
Subject: Back
to Chinese roots:4500 years ago- Chinese characters
What a mighty mighty God we have....all Chinese MUST know this truth......
Back to Chinese roots : 4500 years ago.
This
is a Wonderful Revelation of our Awesome God and our
history.
|
COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATION 20111006
Dear China
Friends,
COLUMBUS DAY
CELEBRATION
Columbus Day celebrates Columbus’ first
voyage to the New World in 1492. In the
U.S. Columbus Day has been celebrated annually since 1920. However, it was not until 1971 that it became
a legal holiday in the United States. It
is now celebrated on the second Monday in October. Many other countries in the New World and
elsewhere also celebrate America’s discovery by Columbus.
Many Italian-Americans observe Columbus Day
as a celebration of their heritage. The
first occasion of this was in New York City on October 12, 1866. The observance
of this day ranges from large-scale parades and events to non-observance. Cities and organizations sponsor parades,
speeches and banquets.
Columbus set out
on four separate voyages by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean in search of
a sea route to Asia. He didn’t know that
there was a New World continent in the way of reaching his objective. So what he actually discovered were the
Caribbean Islands and the coast of Central and South America. All the while Columbus thought he had reached
some part of the Orient!
Another objective of Columbus was to make
Christians out of the native people.
While this was a noble ideal, yet he did this by force. However, God has always intended that people
accept Him out of their own free will. “Whoever is thirsty is thirsty,
let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free
gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
Well, what is there to convince a person on
their own that there is a God? Can you
conceive of a watch without a watch maker?
Well, the universe is more accurate than any timepiece for we set our
watches by it. “The heavens declare the
glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). God’s great clock also regulates the seasons
of the year by the tilt of its axis as it orbits the sun! “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and
harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease”
(Genesis 8:22). “For since the creation
of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature –
have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men
are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
Furthermore, man’s conscience and
intelligence argue for a Supreme Being who is also moral and intelligent. How else do you account for mankind
possessing these qualities? “The
requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also
bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them”
(Romans 2:15). God created man with a
conscience that gives him some sense of right and wrong. As a thinking being he feels he must
accuse conduct that doesn’t live up to
that “law written on their hearts” (Romans 2:15). So man’s conscience and intelligence
demonstrate that there must be an Intelligent Moral Governor of the
universe.
Also, man’s
appreciation of beauty means that there is a Master Artist. As you can’t imagine a painting without an
artist, so there must be a Master Artist behind the marvelous beauty of nature!
Jesus calls our attention to the beauty
of the flowers. “See how the lilies of
the field grow. They do not labor or
spin. Yet I tell you that even Solomon
in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28,29). Man cannot begin to compete with the beauty
God created. Someone has said, “God
created the beauty of the countryside, but man made the city.”
Your
Friend,
Tom
Atkinson
U. S. LABOR DAY 20110830
Dear China Friends,
��She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness�� (Proverbs 31:27).
��For
even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ��The one who is unwilling to
work shall not eat.�� We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They
are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge
in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat��
(II Thessalonians 3:10-12).
U. S. LABOR DAY
��The first Labor Day in the
United States was observed on
August 26, 1878, in Boston by the Central Labor
Union of New
York U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike. So President Grover
Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political
priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a
national holiday was rushed through congress unanimously and signed a mere six
days after the end of the strike.��
The first Monday in
September was chosen by the CLU of NY rather than the more widespread
International Workers�� day of May 1st. This was so it would not
become an opportunity to commemorate previous labor riots.
However, throughout most of the world May 1st is a national
holiday in more than 80 countries.
This holiday is often
regarded as a day of rest and parties. Labor organizations feature
political themes and appearances by candidates for office especially in election
years. Celebrations include picnics, barbecues, water sports, ball
games. Families with school-age children take it as the last
chance to travel before the end of summer
recess.
(Information from the
internet)
Man was created to
work. ��The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of
Eden to work it and take care of it�� (Genesis 2:15).
However, later Adam and Eve
believed they could become ��like God, knowing good and evil�� (Genesis 3:5). Because of this God
threw them out of His beautiful garden. Now work became much more
difficult for mankind. Thus God declared, ��By the sweat of your
brow will you eat your food�� (Genesis 3:19).
The wise man Solomon
declared, ��This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for
a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under
the sun during the few days of life God has given them��for this is their lot.
Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the
ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil��this is a
gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life,
because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart�� (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20).
��She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness�� (Proverbs 31:27).
��Anyone who has been
stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their
own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need��
(Ephesians
4:28).
��Anyone who does not
provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied
the faith and is worse than an unbeliever�� (I Timothy 5:8).
In the above quotations from
the Good Book you can see that labor is both a blessing and a responsibility.
Our society is dependent on good workers. Although I am retired, I
still use my time for the benefit of others. Our jobs enable us to
support our loved ones. I hope you are finding fulfillment in your
job.
Your
friend,
Tom
Atkinson
U. S. INDEPENDENCE 20110628
Dear China
U. S. INDEPENDENCE
The 4th of July is
celebrated in the United
States as the day on which the 13 colonies declared their
freedom from Great
Britain
Then follows a list of
grievances against Britain
Some additional complaints
were: ��For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the
world. For imposing Taxes without our Consent. For
depriving us in many cases of Trial by Jury��.For taking away our Charters,
abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our
Governments�� The document concludes: ��And for the
support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our
sacred Honor.��
There are other statements
from the Good Book that talk about freedom: ��Submit yourselves
for the Lord��s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the
supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who
do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God��s
will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish
people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a
cover-up for evil�� (I Peter
2:13-16).
��My brothers and sisters,
God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what
pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love.
The whole law is made complete in this one command: ��Love your
neighbor as you love yourself.��" (Galatians 5:13-14)
The Fourth of July is
celebrated ��with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics,
concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies,
and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government,
and traditions of the United
States United
States
The thing I like best about
Independence Day is the opportunity for family and friends
getting together to enjoy their freedom. I trust you too can enjoy
freedom on your National Day.
Your
friend,
Tom Atkinson
A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 20110525
Dear China friends,
A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Memorial Day is a patriotic
holiday in the United
States
On Memorial Day people place
flowers and flags on the graves of military personnel. Many
organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and fraternal groups, march in
military parades and take part in special programs honoring the dead.
In recent years it has been the custom for most families to decorate the
graves of their own loved ones. I will place flowers of
remem-brance on the grave of my beloved Mary.
For Christians there is
another time of remembrance. This is a Memorial Supper established
by Jesus Himself to commemorate His death for the sins of the
world:
��For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to
you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had
given thanks, he broke it and said, ��This is my body, which is for you; do this
in remembrance of me.�� In the same way, after supper he took the cup,
saying, ��This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, when-ever you drink
it, in remembrance of me.�� For whenever you eat this bread and drink
this cup, you proclaim the Lord��s death until he comes.�� (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
The remarkable thing about
this memorial is that Jesus�� death not only paid the penalty for our sins but
that He rose from the dead so that He could come back to receive believers into
heaven!
Your Friend,
Tom Atkinson
EASTER MEANS HOPE ! 20110419
Dear China
Friends,
These words of divine promise give hope to the human heart.
Death is not the end but a glorious reunion with our Maker! This is the real meaning of Easter. I just celebrated my 80th birthday in a family reunion. Family is a precious treasure, especially as you grow older. I trust that all is well with you and your family.
Happy Easter,
Tom Atkinson
EASTER MEANS HOPE !
Easter is celebrated this
year on Sunday, April the 24th. It commemorates the
resurrection of Jesus who had died to pay the penalty for our sins.
His resurrection means the raising from the dead for all who have put
their trust in Him as the following Scripture
declares!
��Brothers and sisters, we
do not want you to be uninformed
about those
who sleep in death,
so that you
do not grieve like the rest of mankind,
who have
no hope.
For we believe that Jesus
died and rose again,
and so we
believe that God will bring with Jesus
those who
have fallen asleep (died) in him.
According to the Lord��s
word, we tell you that we
who are still alive,
who are left until the coming of the
Lord,
will
certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will
come down from heaven,
with a loud command,
with the voice of the archangel and
with the
trumpet call of God,
and the dead
in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still
alive and are left will
be caught up
together with them in the clouds to
meet the
Lord in the air.
And so we will be with the
Lord forever.
Therefore
encourage one another with these
words.��
(I Thessalonians
4:13-18)These words of divine promise give hope to the human heart.
Death is not the end but a glorious reunion with our Maker! This is the real meaning of Easter. I just celebrated my 80th birthday in a family reunion. Family is a precious treasure, especially as you grow older. I trust that all is well with you and your family.
Happy Easter,
Tom Atkinson
ONE ANOTHER RELATIONSHIPS 20110205
ONE ANOTHER
RELATIONSHIPS
February
14th is celebrated as Valentine��s Day in the United
States
Be kindly
affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another
�C Romans 12:l0.
Let no
debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for
whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ��You shall not
commit adultery,�� ��You shall not murder,�� ��You shall not steal,�� ��You
shall not covet,�� and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in
this one command: ��Love your neighbor as yourself.�� Love does no harm to a
neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law �C Romans 13:8-10.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers
over a multitude of sins �C I Peter
4:8.
Dear
friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves
has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not
know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love
among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through
him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and
sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends,
since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one
has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is
made complete in us �C I John
4:7-12.
Live in
harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with
people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone
evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is
possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone �C
Romans 12:16-18.
Finally,
all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate
and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary,
repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may
inherit a blessing. For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep
their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They
must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it �C
I
Peter3:8-11.
In China I realize
that you have been celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. We also had
a little celebration here to acquaint the friends at my Nursing Home with some
of your New Year's customs. I hope the above quotes also describe the good will
that prevails in your celebration of the year of the Rabbit. About a week from
now I will enjoy visits from my son Tom and daughter Carolyn. I trust you are
enjoying time with your family during your holiday celebration of the New
Year.
Your
friend,
Tom Atkinson
PRINCE OF PEACE 20101216
Dear China Friends,
to help me celebrate the holidays. I trust you can be with your loved ones to celebrate also!
Your friend,
Tom Atkinson
PRINCE OF
PEACE
This is the time of year when thoughts of peace come to
mind. Yet when we look around us there is anything but
peace. But there is a peace that does not depend on the
circumstances around us. Isaiah prophesied the coming of the
Prince of Peace 700 years before His birth.
For to us a child
is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).
From the titles accorded to this child, we see that He
would be a very special person. In fact He would be God in the
flesh. No wonder it was the angels who heralded His birth some two
thousand years ago.
Suddenly a great
company of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel,
praising God and saying,
��Glory to God in the
highest,
And on earth
peace to men on whom his favor rests�� (Luke 2:13-14).
But you may be ready to say,
��Where is this promised peace? When we listen to the news, there
is anything but peace in this world today. But Jesus had in mind a
special peace. ��Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid�� (John 14:27).
What this Prince had in mind was
an inner peace of heart regardless of the conditions around us.
This peace with God is found in the person of Jesus who made ��peace
through his blood, shed on the cross�� (Colossians 1:20).
��I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome
the world�� (John 16:33). He tells us that prayer and
positive thinking will bring peace to our hearts.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which
transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever
is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable��if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy��think about such things (Philippians
4:6-8).
You can experience God��s peace
now and in eternity? ��You will keep in perfect peace those whose
minds are steadfast, because they trust in you�� (Isaiah 26:3).
��Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in
me. My Father��s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would
I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and
take you to be with me that you also may be where I am��
(John 14:1-3). ��Now may the Lord of peace
himself give you peace at all times and in every way�� (II Thessalonians
3:16).
WONDERFUL PEACE
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine away,
while the years of eternity roll!
; Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray
in fathomless billows of love!
I trust that you will have a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year. My daughter Carolyn will be hereWhat a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine away,
while the years of eternity roll!
; Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray
in fathomless billows of love!
to help me celebrate the holidays. I trust you can be with your loved ones to celebrate also!
Your friend,
Tom Atkinson
THANKSGIVING LESSONS 20101118
THANKSGIVING LESSONS
Each year in the United States England for America
Although half of their number died that first frigid
winter of 1620-21, they were comforted by their belief in a future life
beyond the grave. This same belief gives us comfort as our loved
ones pass on. In the Spring their fortunes changed when the
Indians came to their aid. The Puritans thanked God that
one of the Indians even spoke English! They taught them how to
hunt and fish as well a to plant corn. From that meager beginning
our country has become the bread basket for much of the world. Our
relief efforts are at the forefront of the major catastrophes around the
world.
As the first Indians welcomed the Pilgrims, so our nation
continues to be made up of immigrants. Since all of us have our
ancestral roots in another part of the world, so we must continue to welcome
immigrants to our shores. It is this mixture of cultures that
has made this country great. We must not let bigotry raise its
ugly head. Hopefully, our shameful treatment of Indians and Blacks
is behind us. As long as people are law-abiding they should have
their chance to experience the American dream.
Even our heritage of sports had its beginning that
first Thanksgiving. The Indians and Pilgrims competed in games and
races, including marksmanship. Sports are always a much better
outlet for competition than going to war. Wouldn��t this be a much
better place to settle our differences on a sports field than on a
battlefield? Thanksgiving wouldn��t be complete without watching a
football game after dinner!
The Pilgrims invited the Indians to a feast to
thank them for all their help. 90 warriors showed up with
their chief. They did their part by contributing 5
deer and some wild turkeys. They also feasted on ducks, clams, eel
and other fish, shellfish, wild plums, leeks, corn bread, watercress and wine
for 3 days. Taking our cue from them we too have a feast we call
Thanksgiving. Today, a stuffed turkey is at the center of our
Thanksgiving meal. In the north the dressing is from dried wheat
bread whereas in the south it is made from cornmeal. Various
spices are used to flavor the stuffing which is then packed into the turkey
before it is cooked. Our menu also includes cranberry sauce, sweet
potatoes, other vegetables and pumpkin pies. Man, is this meal
ever delicious!
This holiday is called Thanksgiving because it is a day on
which we, like the Pilgrims, give thanks for our blessings.
What do you have to be thankful for? I hope this
season finds you and your loved ones well. My daughter Carolyn
will celebrate Thanksgiving with me.
Your friend,
Tom Atkinson
AUTUMN CHANGES 20100831
Dear China
AUTUMN
CHANGES
The earth��s seasons are not due to differences in the
distance from the Sun throughout the year since these distances are relatively
small. The seasons are the result of the tilt of the
Earth��s axis as it travels around the Sun. The Earth��s axis is
tilted perpendicular to the Sun by 23.45 degrees. Since the earth
is tilted, different parts of the globe receive more sunlight in its yearly
orbit around the Sun.
Autumn is the transition time between summer and winter.
The oppressive heat of summer is diminishing. The
days are growing shorter and shorter and the nights feel cooler.
This change of seasons is invigorating.
Astronomically autumn is said to start on September
23rd in the northern hemisphere when the North Pole starts to slant
away from the sun in the earth��s yearly orbit. At this point the
sun appears directly over the equator making the days and nights of equal
length. Because of this, that date should really mark the middle
of autumn. However, because of the lag time in the oceans cooling
down, this is not the case.
The more reasonable way to determine Autumn is
climatically. By averaging the temperature on both sides of
the equal days and nights date, the months of September, October and November
are determined to be the Autumn season. The peak of the Atlantic
hurricane season is from mid-August through early October. Before
the 16th century ��harvest�� was the term usually used to refer to
the season. But as more people moved from farms to town the season
began to be called Autumn, a word derived from French and Latin.
��Harvest�� then became limited to the actual activity of reaping and
threshing.
The alternative word for Autumn in the United
States
Have you noticed that in some years the leaves seem
more brightly colored than in others? The answer is that
the leaves are brightest when the summer is warm and dry and autumn has many
sunny days and cool nights. The sunny days help the leaves to make
some food, but the cool nights will keep the food from moving from the
leaves. It is then that the trapped food will form brilliant
purple and red chemicals in the leaves�� colors.
��At the base of each leaf is a special layer of cells called
��abscission�� or separation layer. All summer, small tubes
which pass through this layer carry water into the leaf, and food back to the
tree. In the fall, the cells of the abscission layer begin to
swell and form a cork-like material, reducing and finally cutting off the flow
between leaf and tree.�� (Quote from Internet article).
This finally results in the leaves falling from the tree.
But this decaying leaf provides nourishment for future plant life.
The wise man Solomon gives us a poetic description of the
changes that take place during the Autumn of human life.
When you become old,
The light from the
sun, moon and stars will seem dark to you.
It will seem as if the rain
clouds never go away.
At that time your
arms will lose their strength.
Your strong legs will become
weak and bent.
Your teeth
will fall out so you cannot chew.
Your eyes will not see
clearly.
Your ears
will be deaf to the noise in the streets.
You will barely hear
singing.
The sound of
the millstone grinding your grain will seem very quiet.
But you will wake up when a
bird first starts singing!
You will fear
high places.
And you will be afraid to go for a
walk because you may fall.
Your hair
will become white like the flowers on an almond tree.
You will limp along like a
grasshopper when you walk.
Your desires
will be gone.
Then you will go to your
everlasting home.
And people will go
to your funeral.
Remember God before your life
is snapped like a silver chain.
Remember God before
your life is broken like a golden bowl.
It will be useless as a broken
bucket at the spring.
It will be no good,
like a broken (pulley) wheel at a water well.
Your body will become part of
the dust of the earth again.
But your spirit
will return to God who gave it.
(Ecclesiastes 12:2-7ncv)
Life goes on as usual for me. Some day I will
hear God��s call to another world. I get few visitors but was
surprised to have an old friend drop in today with his young grandson.
I also saw my son Tom and family from Alaska New
York
Your Friend,
Tom Atkinson
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