Sometimes I look around and just wonder how we got here! I was reading a bit of social media this morning, which is seldom ever a good idea! I was just appalled at some of what I saw. Schools catering to kids who “identify” as cats or dogs! A woman upset because she just moved into a new neighborhood and some of the neighbors were flying the United States flag! A student being kicked out of school because he used the term “illegal aliens” in a paper he turned in! What in the world is happening around us??
And, the truth is, some of what I just said might have “triggered” you. Trigger being the new term used for things that you find offensive, but the majority of the world is perfectly fine with. As my daddy would have said, “Brethren, these things ought not be!” We have suddenly found ourselves a pretty far piece down the road from where we ought to be.
I have a card that I keep on my desk that is called Ten Principles to Live By. It is from the Cowboy Ethics organization. Their principles are:
- 1. Live each day with courage.
- 2. Take pride in your work.
- 3. Always finish what you start.
- 4. Do what has to be done.
- 5. Be tough, but fair.
- 6. When you make a promise, keep it.
- 7. Ride for the brand. (My personal favorite!)
- 8. Talk less and say more.
- 9. Remember that some things are not for sale.
- 10. Know where to draw the line.
I think these are good principles. I think we would do well as a nation to live by these words. I know there is another pretty good list of Ten Rules to Live By. God wrote it. It is found in the book of Exodus in your Bible. Here is a summary of these.
- 1. Put God first.
- 2. Worship Him only.
- 3. No bad words.
- 4. Work six, rest one.
- 5. Obey your parents.
- 6. Harm no one.
- 7. Don’t cheat.
- 8. If it is not yours, don’t take it.
- 9. Tell the truth.
- 10. Don’t be jealous of other people’s stuff.
Can you see how much better off we, as a nation, would be if we had all kept the Ten Commandments, and then also followed the Cowboy Ethics? What a difference we would see in our world today!
Well, I will tell you. It is not too late to start following God’s plan for your life. It is never too late. Take that those Ten Commandments to heart. Follow them. Put the Cowboy Ethics principles in place in your life today. They were also inspired by God.
Do you want to have a better world for your children and your grandchildren? It starts with you! It starts with you following God’s plan for your life! Make a difference in the world around you! Start today!
