Arnold Kropp

5 yrs

Been editing a novel I wrote a few years ago when I came upon this passage.
“You pledge that you will … do your duty to God. What duty do you have to God? Duty is a word that means you are expected or required to do something as an obligation. You are obligated to someone for something, perhaps because something was done to or for you and you owe that one something in return. Now, it’s expected of you. You are required to do something. No second-guessing. No questions asked. You’ve been informed as to what is required, so you do it as a duty.
“But what did God do for you that you owe the Almighty something in return? You’re living, you’ve got life inside your body. God gave you the ability to choose, to reason, to imagine. You have a body to navigate around this world. God has done it all for You. He created this marvelous universe and put you here in this particular spot where you can breathe and learn to live abundantly enjoying the benefits of a sun rising every day, with animals to enjoy and feed on, water to drink. And in these waters fish to catch and eat. You have others to talk and fellowship with, and on and on.
“God has done this for you, so what do you have to give as a . . . duty . . . in return for this life you’ve been given? God has also sacrificed His only Son for you. So how do you repay Him for that? You choose to live the way God wants you to live; no lying, no stealing, no cheating, none of that wanting what your neighbor has. And, yes, there’s usually an and. You want to tell others about this gift.

5 yrs

Words of wisdom.

"He who dares not offend cannot be honest."
THOMAS PAINE

6 yrs

Proverbs 27:12: “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Oh, boy. In this culture of ours, we certainly want to "foresee danger" as it has been happening all over, from the large cities to smaller communities. Precautions?

"Proverbs 3: [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

6 yrs

Well, I've just submitted a request to publish my newest novel. Now, the wait time. Start another one while using all the patience I can muster? Play more golf? Read more? Watch more TV?.

6 yrs

In the condition of our current political and social climate, there is no respect, no civility, no rules, no sense of togetherness, none of the country and our rules of law comes come first. There’s no possible let’s sit down and talk this over and come to a mutual understanding. Nope. Trump Must Go, whatever the cost, whoever gets hurt does not matter, but do what it takes, bend the laws, break the traditions apart, break anyone, even the innocent children of whoever does not side with us. But all that matters is: TMG. TMG. TMG.

I was skimming through a book this afternoon where the author highlighted the state of the world before Jesus returns. Yes, folks, we’re in that condition NOW.

We’re killing the innocent before they have a chance. The concept of marriage between one man and one woman has been shoved out the door. The idea of a loving family training up a child is being torn to pieces. The concept of right and wrong, truth or lies, up or down, right or left has been relegated to antiquity. You can be your own judge and jury. The idea that seeking truth brings wisdom has been discarded; you can create your own truth, you can do what you want, when you want and how you want, and do not look at me with that frown on your silly face. That offends me.