Wars and Rumors of Wars

  Over the past few months I have limited the amount of time I devote to

either reading the news or watching televised broadcasts.  It's not that I 

have chosen to be uninformed, rather I believe excessive reading and

stewing about the events I cannot control is harmful to my emotional

health.  Recently, the drum beats of possible war have increased in 

volume and have become so loud that they are possible to ignore.

World War I was once called the war to end all wars, but of course that

was not to be as it was followed shortly after by World War II.  Our

ability to kill one another has dramatically increased since then and

the consequences of nuclear warfare will be far more devastating than

we have ever known.  

Despite the desire for peace by many of this world's citizens, there

always seems to be some tyrant, dictator, instigator, etc, who wishes

otherwise.  Control of resources or wealth or just power for

power's sake, dominates the minds of some and brings devastating

consequences for the masses.  Will this cycle ever end?  It does not

seem so.

Books are written about how to swim with the sharks and how to

outwit others.  The Art of War dates back to the 5th century BC.  It has

been read by military strategists, businessmen and lawyers for

centuries.  It is essential reading for those who want to get the 

upper hand and win the game.  This is not a philosophy only adhered

to by politicians or in business, I know of someone who used these

principles to cheat their family members out of their inheritance.

Those who wield the power over others are not always good hearted.

Hence the famous quote ...

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely 

 ~ Lord Acton

So here we are in an environment that is just ripe for a major world war.

There is great and ever increasing unrest in the Middle East.  There is

a political leader in North Korea who is insisting on wiping out our

nation just because he thinks he can.   Other nations in Asia are flexing

their muscles and entering into power plays.  

Struggles between man and nation have continued for thousands of years.

Nothing has changed, just the players have different names from different

eras.

And here I am, just a little blogger from a small city in South Texas

and my only goal is to have a happy home life and share the pleasures

of a cozy cottage with my readers.  While leaders on the world stage

make threats and beat drums, I will continue to talk about decorating, and

cooking, loving my little dog and telling you about the latest book

I have read.  I will keep showing you my successes and failures in

my garden and telling you of the dreams for my she shed.  While I

won't be burying my head in the sand, I refuse to live in a constant

state of fear either. 

From the New Testament, Matthew 24:6

And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that ye be not

troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is

not yet.

I'm not sure what tomorrow's post will be about, but I will keep

it cheerful and together we will live our lives in hope and not fear.

God bless us all.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley