Monthly Archives: May 2014

I’m rooting for California Chrome

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In 1978, Affirmed was the last horse to take the triple crown. Before that, in 1973, Secretariat was the first to accomplished this coveted feat in 25 years.

Since 1978, 12 horses have won the first two rounds and fallen short of winning the third leg..

I guess the reason I’m so up on California Chrome is the fact that he was purchased as a colt by co-owners Coburn and Martin for only $10,000, when many champions go for millions. Also, his trainer is 77 years old. I like fantastic success stories. This colt was an unlikely winner, and now has taken 6 straight races and is in good form to take it all.

Although I’m not an avid horse fan, I’ve been to a race at Kentucky Downs and it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill. I’ve also been to Kentucky Horse Park at Lexington and seen the Thoroughbreds up close.

Kudos to jockey Victor Espinoza! Though he is a celebrated winner, the whole enchilada had to work together to get California Chrome to where he is today. With the Belmont Stakes three weeks away, my hat’s off to him and I offer my fondest wish for a thrilling finish for a deserving team.

 

Angus Buchan, an unusual man in today’s world

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This morning I went for a ‘meet and greet’ with Angus Buchan.

A lot of folks would be overwhelmed or turned off at his overly direct, lay-it-all-out style. No matter what you think may of him, he is truly an unusual man by today’s standards. But he is for real, not a put-on. I really enjoyed meeting him and getting to know the real person behind the legend.

The following is from Wikipedia:

Angus Buchan was originally a Zambian maize and cattle farmer of Scottish descent[1] who started farming in Zambia but was forced to sell everything and move to Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1976 due to political unrest in Zambia.

In 1980 he started the Shalom Ministries to preach in his local community. Over time he has become a full time evangelist while the farm is now being run mostly by both his sons.

In 1998 Angus wrote a book about his life, Faith Like Potatoes, the book was turned into a film of the same title in 2006. Angus Buchan’s Ordinary People is a 2012 semi-biographical film that tells the story of the growth of Buchan’s ministry from the 1970s to the present, and that of three fictional characters whose lives are changed after attending one of his conferences.

About criticism: “Not one cent goes to Angus. He lives in the same wattle and daub house that he built on his farm. He drives the same old car. He doesn’t even have medical aid.” said Bruce Winship.

 

The serenity prayer – Living at peace

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In my 2006 book entitled “Prayers of Prophets, Knights and Kings,” I included versions of the mysterious “Serenity Prayer.” The longest version is attributed to American theologian, Reinhhold Neibuhr, said to have been written about 1926. The basic prayer, however, is much older. In 1957 it was printed in the Methodist Devotional, The Upper Room with the title, A Soldier’s Prayer from the 14th Century. It was reprinted from an out-of print book by Fredrick Ward Yates named, Between Dawn and Dark. Here is that version:

“Almighty God, our heavenly father, give us serenity to accept what cannot be changed, courage to change what should be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other.”

Regardless of what version you may have heard or read, the message is the same: There are some things over which we have no control . Those things must be accepted so that we can move on with our lives. Some things we have the ability to change for the better. Those are the only things with which we should concern ourselves.

The news on the television, radio, Internet, and in the newspapers, is constantly negative, and dwelling on those things is a waste of time unless we have it in our power to make a difference. When this is the case, some have stood apart from the pack and dared to be different. I applaud those precious people!

So if you have the ability to right a wrong, God bless you. Do it.

Otherwise, choose to live at peace with yourself and those about you, and only involve yourself in making your life and that of those in your care the best it can be. Spread good tidings and joy.

There are many positive books available through St. Clair Publications. A good number of them are also on Kindle. Go to our website at http://stclairpublications.com. You may obtain books there directly from us. Or you may go on Amazon worldwide. Every day folks like you are doing just that! Godspeed, and have a blessed day.