This quote from Will Rogers in March of 1932 is certainly relevant today! Sometimes when I read one of his brilliant humorous quotes, I have to laugh out loud. But as I ponder the meaning, it sends a chill up my spine. This is one of those quotes.
One of the reasons it costs so much to govern today is because we are over-governed ten times as much. Federal programs and regulatory agencies reach into virtually every area of our lives – health care, food, property, transportation, etc.
The latest victim of government over-regulation it our old buddy Tony the Tiger. It seems that the FTC, CDC, FDA and DOA have linked Tony and his evil friends to childhood obesity. Either make your cereal taste like cardboard, or fear the wrath of the Federal Government.
This administration seems to have blundered into about every possible means to drive a business into bankruptcy. After one oil spill, they shut down all drilling. Insurance companies don’t insure everybody, so why not force them to? Force airlines to pay for tighter security and then humiliate passengers and make them late for their flights. You have to seriously wonder if anybody in the current administration has ever run a business in the real-world.
Recently, the president complained that automation, in the form of ATM machines, was the reason for the lack of hiring. Now, this might explain the huge surge in government hiring. Rather than use computers, and put accountants out of work, the government must be getting rid of outdated computers, COBOL programmers and IT staff; ordering truckloads of paper ledgers, #2 pencils and thousands of accountants that just graduated from college and couldn’t find a job.
Business people learn from failure. If something isn’t working, or isn’t profitable, they move on. In government, spectacular program failures are rewarded with more funding. Our Vice President put it best with this quote: “Just because the stimulus was a monumental failure, doesn’t mean it’s not working.”
I think we should all stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Tony the Tiger and demand some common sense from Washington. We’re tired of paying ten times as much to fund a government that cannot govern one-tenth as good, as Will Rogers says.
In this image, Will Rogers is shown in front of the pontoon aircraft flown by Wiley Post on the fateful Alaska trip. On August 15, 1935 the aircraft crashed killing both men. It was a sad day for America.
The image was taken directly from pictures at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum archive. I apologize for the quality of the image, but this is exactly what the 1920s photo looked like when I scanned it. In the hundreds of images contained in this iPhone application, I wanted to share as many different Will Rogers photos as possible from as wide a variety of times and situations – movies, cowboy, vaudeville, with famous people, and family scenes.
Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
The mules were hee-hawing the other day in the lower chamber – I mean lower stall. They were kicking and bucking something terrible. There was so much commotion and noise that there wasn’t even a need for microphones – you could hear ’em clear across town. They was all bunched up in groups, trading oats back and forth until enough mules joined the group with the most oats.
The leader was a stubborn old mule, with a hee-haw so terrible loud, it would scare the hair off your ears. Listening in on all the noise, I couldn’t understand a thing they were braying, but there wasn’t any need to. Everyone knew that new leader was going to be the old leader. The only reason I was there was for the entertainment!
Image Information: This image is from a Will Rogers’ silent movie called Jubilo, released in 1919. Rogers plays Jubilo, a tramp, who makes himself useful doing odd jobs in a small farming community while he looks for the wife who deserted him while he was off in the war.
The image was taken directly from movie stills at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum archive. I apologize for the quality of the image, but this is exactly what the 1920s photo looked like when I scanned it. In the hundreds of images contained in this iPhone application, I wanted to share as many different Will Rogers photos as possible from as wide a variety of times and situations – movies, cowboy, vaudeville, with famous people, and family scenes.
Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
Will RogersOn March 1, 1933 Will Rogers wrote this quote in his syndicated Daily Telegram column. If we knew where the current administration stood on anything today it would be considered a major breakthrough!
These days it seems we elect politicians on the basis of personality and promises. Knowing where they stand on important policy issues, or scrutinizing their history of voting doesn’t seem to be of much importance. Honesty seems to have gone by the wayside as well.
The irony of all this is that as a society we rely on the honesty of others to function. We have to trust the salesperson, the pastor, the businessperson and their promises. When that trust is broken we look elsewhere for fellowship, products and services.
If a politician changes their stand on an issue and breaks that trust with their constituents, the voters might just take their votes elsewhere on election day. I hope that a good statesman wouldn’t be just a curiosity.
Image Inforamtion: The image of Rogers is from his 1921 silent film Guile of Women. Rogers plays a Swede named Yal who travels with a friend to America to seek his fortune. After misfortunes in love and business, his girlfriend finally arrives from Sweden.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
Sometimes we engage in struggles to accomplish a particular goal. I was out shoveling snow this morning. It’s a lot of work! The more I shoveled, the more tired I got. My heart was racing and my body was getting weaker. I did finish finally, and sat down in a warm room to catch my breath. The work was accomplished, my energy spent, and the struggle was over.
The image shows a fish swimming upstream in an epic battle to reach the spawning grounds. All of his energy will be spent reaching the goal. The Psalmist, in this passage is engaged in struggle as well. There are prayers, tears and earnest pleas for help. He has committed a tremendous amount of energy toward seeking God. The Psalmist also recognizes that he is a sojourner. His stay on earth is temporary, and while here, his hope is in the Lord.
Dear Lord, Help me to turn to you in earnest prayer with passion and energy, that I may find your peace. Show me your salvation in Jesus as I seek you. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 39 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes ESV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? I think all of us have at some time or another. Actually, movie plots are filled with these types of stories. The protagonist is cast out of society unjustly and has to fight against the odds to prove their innocence.
The Psalms are filled with passages that echo the theme of justice for the poor and relief for the afflicted. The Psalmist suggests thanksgiving from the righteous.
What the movies typically show is the person fighting their way back under their own strength. Believers can trust in God’s strength for relief and justice.
In 1 Thes 5:18 Paul gives us some remarkable advice. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” If we want to know God’s will, it is to give Him thanks for our circumstances.
Dear Lord, help me to give you thanks in all circumstances, when I’m poor and afflicted, when I’m going about my daily tasks, for everything, at all times. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 140 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NASB iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Will Rogers delivers another zinger with this quote. He had a genius for teasing politicians without offending. We also find Rogers’ quotes as relevant today as they were in the 1930s. I don’t like to fish myself, but I’m sure that if I did it would keep me out of trouble!
I took this picture at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, OK this spring. It was a beautiful sunrise behind the statue of Will Rogers.
The museum is a great family destination. The exhibits are great. I couldn’t walk by one of the video exhibits without stopping to watch for a few minutes. It featured a movie showing some of Will Rogers’ roping tricks. Some of his tricks have never been duplicated.
I spent three days in the archives collecting images for the iPhone app. The staff was great and without their help the project wouldn’t have been possible.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
I had the honor of meeting a former Navy SEAL while waiting for a flight at DFW. He was 70 years old and looked every bit as fit as men half his age. Last year he was invited back to temporary active duty to assist training today’s Navy SEAL candidates, and compare it with his experience from years ago. The attrition rate for SEAL training has been and is still over 70% for First Phase training. It’s still the toughest military training in the world!
As we looked at pictures from the Navy Psalm Daily Quotes ESV iPhone app, such as the one in this blog post, he could tell me exactly what was going on when we came to pictures of SEAL training.
One thing Navy SEALs have to learn is teamwork. Nobody makes it through training by relying only on themselves. You are responsible for your teammates, and they are responsible for you. For SEALs, it can be a matter of life and death.
This thought brings us to Psalm 108:12. While our natural tendency is to do things on our own, we must understand that we cannot save ourselves. We have to trust God for salvation, and with God, “we shall do valiantly.”
Dear Lord, Help me to put my trust in you. I can do nothing without your help. Amen.
Psalm 108:12 Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 13 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Image info: SAN DIEGO (Feb. 25, 2010) First phase Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL students navigate small inflatable boats through the surf during a navigation training exercise. First phase is an eight-week course that trains, prepares and selects SEAL candidates based on physical conditioning; water competency; mental tenacity and teamwork. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shauntae Hinkle-Lymas/Released)
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 108:12 and the accompanying image taken from the Navy Psalm Daily Quotes ESV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
As you read the Psalms, it becomes clear that God defends and protects the poor. Psalm 14 indicates that restoration and better days are ahead. In fact, if you are responsible for oppressing the poor, God takes note of it, and is not pleased.
Poor in terms of possessions is not the only thing that the Lord is concerned with. In Matthew 5:3 Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
I am truly poor however, if I do not follow Christ. If I serve a king, I am rich because the king is rich. I am protected because the king is protected. If I turn my back on the king’s calling I will remain poor and unprotected.
The Bible is where we can learn about God’s salvation and calling. Read the Gospel of John and ask the Lord to become your king.
Dear Lord, I am poor and needy. Become my refuge and salvation. Reveal yourself to me through your Son Jesus. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 14 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Below is an extra treat! The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 14 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.
| Psalm 14b – Rain Album |  |
When we see a beautiful sunset it can trigger a moment of thanksgiving and praise to God. It speaks of the order and wonder of the universe put into place by the Lord for our well being and pleasure. This simple event that happens each day also speaks of eternity as we consider its vast distances and unending regularity.
The sunset image fits well with Psalm 72 and I hope it will help us remember to praise the eternal God and “increase His name” in our lives daily.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 72 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NASB iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Hurry up, God! I need this, I need that – right now! Perhaps we are far too impatient, which is why we can identify with the plea in Psalm 70 – “make haste to help me, O Lord!”
I have trouble waiting for paychecks. They never seem to come in time. Yet our needs have been met every time. Unexpected income and help from friends have taught us to “rejoice and be glad” as we see God’s provision for us time and again.
The beautiful dolphins in the image convey speed, power and grace as they glide through the water. Perhaps we can believe that God comes to our aid with speed, power and grace. Make haste, O God! For God’s provision let us say with the Psalmist “Let God be magnified!”
Dear Lord, When I am poor and needy, come quickly and deliver me. Let me love your salvation and magnify you continually. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 70 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes ASV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Here’s another great Rogers quote for the day. If we have to live cheap, as Rogers says, why can’t the government learn to live cheap?
This was written in Will Rogers Daily Telegram syndicated newspaper article in 1932!
The image is from one of Rogers’ many movies. In the early 1930s he was one of the most popular movie stars.
I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
.
Will Rogers Daily Quotes
|
Inspirational Daily BlogPlease follow us on Twitter and Facebook by clicking on the sidebar icons. Subscribe for daily emails. Read these sample Will Rogers blog posts for a chuckle. Can’t get enough? Browse the Will Rogers blog postings for more! I Never Met a Man I Didn’t LikeDrunken Sailors and CongressmenSons of Wild JackassesDefinition of “Lame Duck Congress”Raiders of the Lost TARP |
Will Roberts on Twitter @WillRogersUSA – “Common sense in this day and age is about all we can afford!”
Will Rogers (1879-1935) was born in Indian Territory, near the present day city of Oolagah, Oklahoma. Growing up on his father’s ranch, he became proficient at roping and riding. He was so expert with the lasso, that some of his roping tricks have never been duplicated. In early years he was involved in Wild West shows and later in the Ziegfeld Follies. He starred in both silent films and talkies, and went on to become one of the most famous actors of his time. His daily commentary, which was syndicated in newspapers across the country, ran from the mid 1920s until his death in 1935.
Will Rogers Daily Quotes offers a small glimpse into his life and times. Please visit our blog, Twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.
Even before my oldest daughter was born, I was thinking about her. So was my wife. After she was born, we spent a lot of time thinking about her, praying for her and caring for her. That’s a lot of thoughts!
If I could add up all those thoughts, I don’t think I could come close to the number represented by the grains of sand in the image on the left.
The Psalmist give us an idea of the vastness of God’s precious thoughts toward us. Before we were even born he was thinking of us. From the day we were born, and every day and night – his thoughts are on his children.
Dear Lord, help me to understand even a small part of your thoughts and care for me, especially in the work of Jesus – his life, his cross, his death and his resurrection!
I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 139 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NASB iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
Below is an extra treat! The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 139 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.
| Psalm 139 – Rain Album | |
Those of you that follow this blog know how special the Psalms are and the blessing they can have on your life. Recently, the Sons of Korah held a concert at our church here in Upland, Indiana. They have put the Psalms to music, which adds a new dimension to the impact they can have on your life. Below are links and samples of cuts from the Rain album.
–
| Rain – Sons of Korah |  |
|
| Psalm 139 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 84 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 99 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 116b – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 42b – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 103:1-5 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 42a – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 114 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 3 – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 14a – Rain Album | |
| Psalm 14b – Rain Album | |
| Essence – Rain Album | |
![O redemption, how wondrously resplendent dost thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us henceforth the hearing ear, the understanding heart! E12-16</p> <p>[resplendent – Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant.]](https://systemsofmerritt.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/spur015i.jpg "Spurgeon Daily Quote")
In today’s world, redemption seems so bland and colorless. The reason is because sin is only seen as a light shade of gray. It is barely mentioned these days, even from the pulpit. Sin is rationalized, in order to avoid personal responsibility. Sin is made comfortable in order not to offend the sinner. It is our very nature to avoid dealing with sin in our lives.
Now consider the difference between turning on a light in the middle of the day, verses turning on the same light in the blackness of the night. In one case there is little or no effect from the light, but at night we have to shade our eyes and turn our head from the brilliance of the light.
Only when we begin to understand the deep blackness of our sin can we fully understand the “resplendent” redemption of God. We must shade our eyes, turn our head and give deep heart-felt praise to God for such great grace.
Dear Lord, As I consider the terrible suffering of Christ on the cross, help me understand that it was because of my terrible sins. It is then that my redemption does resplendently shine. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
When I was young, I was a Navy brat. My father was a career military man and we lived in a number of different places, including abroad. We also travelled across Europe, following his ship from port to port. I’ve seen the beautiful cathedrals, Roman ruins and great works of art. I’ve also observed the …
The concept of eternity is something that we just can’t comprehend as time-bound human beings. Whether the most ignorant or brilliant, everyone must ponder what happened before the ages began and what will happen after the ages to come. Are the mountains pictured in the image eternal? As unchangeable as the mountains might seem, we …
Cindy and I just became grandparents recently. She had the privilege of being with our daughter when the baby was born. The pictures of our newborn grandson are precious. The closest I can come to the concept of a shining face is that of a new mother gazing upon her baby for the first time. …
When asked about the first thing they want to do when they get to heaven, most people say something like “I want to see my mother and father,” or “I want to say hi to Uncle Bushrod – he was my favorite uncle.” Those are nice thoughts, and I’m sure we will have fellowship with …
This is one of Will Rogers’ most famous quotes, and it’s probably just as true today as in 1930. I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy …
For whatever reason we don’t seem to take notice of problems until they become a crisis. Government seems to be especially bad about this, and the news media knows that crisis headlines sell. Will Rogers makes a great observation with this quote. In fact, sometimes it seems that the government prohibits putting out the fire …
I’m always interested in contests where we are asked to guess the number of jelly beans in a jar. I might make an attempt to count some of them through the glass, but soon give up in frustration. Usually I make a wild guess, which turns out to be nowhere the real number. I’ve never …
When I was working on my masters degree at the University of Illinois I built instrumentation for their Aeronomy program. We made rocket payloads that would gather data from the upper atmosphere which would allow us to look at the nature of energetic particles that stream down the earth’s magnetic fields. I love science and …
When I visited Pompeii years ago I was struck by the suddenness and completeness of the destruction of the city by the Vesuvius volcano. People were found frozen in position. Artifacts were preserved by the covering ash. Some volcanoes move more slowly, as in Hawaii. The hot lava spews from vents as in the picture …
I love peaceful scenes like the one in the picture. A glassy lake, the ocean in the morning, fog settling over the mountaintops, a quiet evening at sunset are the times I remember. With the busyness of life we enjoy the peaceful times that God gives us. As I have time to relax and enjoy …
More than 365 unique Will Rogers quotes and images!