Exercise does the body good if done consistently and correctly. Exercise can strengthen us to become a better version of our self. However, many of us are too busy with our workday schedules to be anything more than a weekend warrior, assuming that’s good enough. But exercise isn’t confined to the body. So shouldn’t we be exercising our mind and spirit and shouldn’t that be more often than in our spare time?

We live in the age of rebellion with protests going on in colleges, schools and professional sports ranging from immigration to minimum wage, gay marriage to euthanasia, and nearly every conceivable issue. There are presidential protests and, has forever been, racial protests.

Protesters are a loud minority that seems to like their 15 minutes of fame as they gain the eyes and ears of the media. Of course freedom of speech is protected under the constitution of the US but that does not mean they are speaking wisdom, truth or for the (often silent) majority.

Sometimes it’s easier to protest than it is to work within the proper channels to achieve a favorable outcome. People protest to raise awareness of their cause, and then there are times they manipulate the public by preying on their emotions of sympathy and compassion.

Although there are two sides to every coin, it has been my observation many of these liberal protest groups gain support with fabricated facts, contrived statistics and unverified stories. Claiming inequality or infringement of their rights based on how they “feel” they should be treated. When emotion instead of truth becomes the measure of justice our society is in jeopardy.

We have seen this, in the past couple of decades, in regards to jury decisions against deep pocket defendants. Underdog plaintiffs might have a case but suddenly they are awarded punitive damages in the amount of six figures, because the jury, comprised of fellow citizens, is empathetic to the plaintiff. Sure there is such a thing as mercy, but mercy does not penalize others in order to bestow benevolence.

Truth, prudence, and fortitude seem to have weakened within our society. Perhaps it’s time to exercise virtue to regain strong ethics in faith, family and work. Drawing from the old adage “use it or lose it”, it looks like we are losing many of our Christian values. Far too long we have been indifferent to this tumultuous culture. Economically our society has been good to us. We have more discretionary money than ever before. In other countries our poor would be wealthy by comparison.

Sadly, we may have been too preoccupied with our wallets to notice that the path we have been on is filled with many pitfalls and decadence. Perhaps now is the time to exercise the virtue of wisdom with knowledge obtained by studying the issues of today. Consider strengthening the gift of understanding, flexing your prayer life by repetition, step up your training regime of Christian ethics and piety and engage in speaking truth.

After all, the participation in the democratic process is our right as Americans and our duty as Christians. We should desire to help our neighbor by supportively helping them find their way, which can be achieved with words and by action. Living our lives in accordance with our Christian ethics can be a powerful witness.

Family Policy Alliance (https://familypolicyalliance.com/issues/) has a great web site to educate on the issues threatening Christian values and also provides the names and addresses of our governmental officials. Let us be called into action and let our voices be heard by committing pen to paper.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

BREAKFAST: Sunday, November 26, Eagles Auxiliary Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

CARDS: Open to the Public Bid Euchre Tournament at the Versailles Vets Club this Thursday beginning at 7 p.m.

VHS “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE”: Thursday and Friday (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1) at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

KARAOKE: Next Friday, Deceember 1 and Saturday, December 2 downstairs at the Versailles Vets Club beginning at 7:30 p.m.

SANTA CLAUS: K of C Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. next Sunday, December 3.

Birthday wishes to Alma Kissinger (98), Mishaylee O’Reilly, Carrie Cusick, Keith Fourman, Nicole Lyme, Tim Wagner, Mike Hoying, Judy Criswell, Doris Goettemoeller, Karen Shardo, Kristy Earick, Penny Treon, Karon Cromwell, Kara Knapke, Nickie Meyer, Jeremy Litton, Angie Moran, Jerry Pequignot, Brooke Timmerman, Bryan Bartram, Natalie Bruns, Bill Klipstine, Betty McKenna, Julia Kremer, Randy Garrison, Landen Knapke, Marilyn Pohlman, Andrea Schmitmeyer, Donna Tebbe, Dorothy Gariety, Patty Barga, Diane Magoto, Dottie Platt, Kris Hart and David Barger as their birthdays approach. Wedding wishes to Andrea and Kyle Francis and anniversary wishes to Amy and Jason Hoying (13), Jamie and Ben Dues (14), Lisa and Brian Winner, Cindy and AJ Bey (25), Becky and Jerry Chrisman (35), Dee and Brian Monnin (36), Julie and David Heuing (37), Sharon and Paul Monnin (44), Judy and Terry Pepple (48), Linda and Basil Mangen (50), Lavon and Lester “Benny” Bernholt (60), Miriam and Ron Poling (65), and Bill and Arabella Krites (68).

Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Jack Borgerding, Tyler DeMange, Kim Smith, Robert Condon, Denny Subler, Paul Marshal, Ed Bulcher, Jane Huber, Aiden Meyer, Sylvester Meyer, Earl Gigandet, Madison Berger, Anthony Gehret, Terry and Donna Black, Tim Bayless, Jim and Pooch Barga, Chris Apple, Ruth Wirrig, Wilma Heiby, Carl DeMange, Miriam and John Harman, Jack Monnin, Mary Batty, Norma Magoto, Betty Kremer, Denny Grilliot, Beverly Brown, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Anabelle Subler, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Samantha Smith and those not mentioned by name who are recuperating, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of James “Kearney” Pequignot (71) and John “Bill” Pierron (75), also remembering the lives of Donna Bridenbaugh, Mary Martin Pullins, Orval Schwieterman, Shirley Seger, Delores Vian, Marjorie Rethman, Wilma Dues, David Oliver, Bob Dieringer, Roger Heitkamp, Don Voisard, Alverda Bohman, Larry Hoffman, Rita Gerling, Lois Ann Grilliot, Tom Rindler, Cecilia Borchers, Bud Schieltz, Robert Bulcher, Scott Winner, Larry Nance, Keith Davis, Carl Kunk, Norma Bulcher, Mike Dapore and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing nears.

“The squeaky wheel gets the grease” ~Unknown

“Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it.” ~Unknown

“Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make change.” ~Unknown

“If you think you’re too small to make a difference try spending a night in a closed room with a mosquito.” ~African saying