Randy

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Archives for the ‘Meaning’ Category

Don’t Be Afraid — Wish People JOYous CHRISTmas

Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 9:35 pm | Randy Thomasson

I don’t wish people “Merry Christmas” — although that’s MUCH BETTER than the soulless and anti-Jesus “Happy Holidays.”

Instead, in recent years, I’ve said to both people I know and don’t know (such as store employees) “I wish you a JOYous CHRISTmas in your heart, because true Christmas is about celebrating Him” (and different variations of this).

And sometimes, I’ll say “I wish you the joy of Jesus this Christmas,” which also focuses on the Savior Jesus and being glad about Him.

And you know what? By talking about Jesus Christ with a smile on my face, I’m having great success at glorifying my Savior and reminding people to think about Him and His goodness. You see, wishing others “Merry Christmas” just doesn’t make many people specifically think about Jesus. And have you ever heard about someone named “Chris” on a cross?

Stop and realize that between Thanksgiving and Christmas every year, you have a significant opportunity to stimulate people with whom you talk or email to remember and give attention to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. It’s all part of your purpose here on Planet Earth. I encourage you to risk loving others in this Christian way.

But whoever denies Me before men,
him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Jesus Christ in Matthew 10:33

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words,
of him the Son of Man will be ashamed
when He comes in His own glory,
and in His Father’s and of the holy angels
.
Jesus Christ in Luke 9:26

This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
2 Timothy 2:11-12

 

How I overcame ‘Hernia Hill’

Sunday, November 26, 2017, 9:10 pm | Randy Thomasson

Sometimes, the most powerful story of perseverance is your own.

Like that impossible situation you determined to take on…
Or that amazing opportunity where you gave your all…
Or that crucible where you did what’s right, despite temptation or opposition.

For me, learning about perseverance started on “Hernia Hill.” It was an incredibly steep hill I faced many times running on the cross-country team in high school.

That hill was dreaded by every guy on the team, including me. But oh, the goodness that awaited just beyond the peak as “Hernia Hill” descended to flat land — the coveted finish line!

During one race, I ran my best and found myself in second place just before the steep incline. Pressing ahead in pain when my body was telling me to quit, I pushed myself past my opponent and won, setting a school record.

At the time, I didn’t realize the impact that conquering “Hernia Hill” had on me. I could have quit when it looked impossible. I could have walked away when it got too hard.

Thankfully, I didn’t.

That young story of perseverance helped build in me the fortitude that I would eventually need to work in Sacramento for pro-family values, and ultimately the leadership of SaveCalifornia.com.

To be bold and persistent. To stay the course when it gets hard. And to do what’s right for our side — no matter the outcome — and despite opposition from enemies of the moral and Biblical values you and I hold dear.

Yes, the lessons then prepared me to live out of my comfort zone. Like lobbying politicians at the State Capitol; debating liberal opponents on local and national TV; working on a slew of challenging issues impacting moral values and our freedoms in this state.

I hope as you reflect on your times of perseverance — your own “Hernia Hill” — you will recall the magnificent endurance you learned, and how it helped you be a stronger person today.

Because we both know that perseverance is absolutely required by moral patriots such as you and me.

And just as you have persevered so many times, like I persevered in cross country, SaveCalifornia.com has been persevering for children and families in California since 1999.

THANK YOU for being a part of who we are and what we do. Thank you for allowing me and our Team to work FOR you and your family, and AGAINST the radical Left that desperately wants to silence our voice for Godly values and remove our freedoms.

Together, let’s keep persevering for all that is good and right and true. Let’s keep running the race and fighting the good fight in California. Thanks again!

P.S. It’s an honor to represent your voice and your values in the fight for what’s right in California. As we persevere on behalf of your family values, we would be honored to receive your generous support. Your tax-deductible gift to SaveCalifornia.com will give a voice to your values, and provide bold representation on key issues impacting your family. Together, let’s make sure our voices are heard, not silenced! Give your gift here.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation;
for when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Roman 5:3-4

What I learned on my first visit to Yosemite

Saturday, August 12, 2017, 6:41 pm | Randy Thomasson

Can you believe it? I’ve lived all my life in California and have never visited Yosemite National Park. Fortunately, some dear people invited me on a mini-vacation and I finally got to experience it. My half-burned-out mind and body needed the rest!

While enjoying the visual feast of God’s beautiful creation at Yosemite, I was also surprised to experience or learn that:

1. Yosemite is clogged with cars and the Yosemite Valley is a long drive from the park entrance. All the visitors made it feel overcrowded to me. At the main “view” area, there were lots of foreign tourists, all talking in their native languages.

2. The government is making money off visitors. A vehicle with one or more persons is charged $30. The cheapest price, $10, is if you’re 62 or older. But is this a fair pay-to-play arrangement, or does the National Park Service regard visitors as a revenue source? With official stats reporting 5,217,114 visitors in 2016, and a projected 2017 budget of $27 million, they should be collecting only $5.17 per person. Yet it seems We the People are paying more than that to visit Our property.

3. There’s a big grocery store in Yosemite that sells a lot of alcohol. I asked a store clerk whether the liquor buyers are folks who are “partying” or simply trying to drown their depression. He said probably both types bought the booze.

4. There’s a United States courthouse right in Yosemite Park. This federal court has somehow acquired California state court powers to judge all citations and misdemeanors in the 750,000-acre park. And the alcohol-related crimes are very high. I can’t help but think that the big liquor aisle at the Yosemite grocery store is part of the problem.

After a robust day hike, during which I enjoying dipping my feet in the cool waters of Lower Yosemite Falls, I was glad to have finally witnessed in person the famous “postcard images” of Yosemite. It’s a day I’ll never forget, full of memories with folks I love.

Yet, to me, modern-day Yosemite has too many cars and people, too-high prices and too much government. No offense intended to any Yosemite aficionados, but next time I hike, I think I’ll find a quiet hill or mountain that gives me more for less. Having gone on several High Sierra hiking trips in my youth, I’ve become quite a nature-lover because I’m simply fascinated with God’s creation!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.
In His hand are the deep places of the earth;
The heights of the hills are His also.
The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:1-5