"Ministering" & The Cowboy Code (12/12/18)

We forgot to include one other “Visitor” in our recent blog entry!

The Thursday that Chuck & Tami arrived (November 29th), I had an enjoyable dinner visit with an old friend and business associate - Bill Atkin.

Bill is the Chief International Legal Council for the Corporation of the President (“COP”) and Corporation of the President Bishop (“CPB”).

He had never been to São Paulo before, so I fit a few “big city” highlights into our 5-hour visit together (i.e. Batman Alley - via UBER; Edifício Italia for dinner -via metro; back to hotel Marriott - via taxi past Ibirapuera Park).

We enjoyed catching up on “religious freedom” issues (Bill was on his way to Uruguay for a religious freedom summit) as well as our mutual appreciation for cowboy art, music and poetry.

Bill confirmed my assumption that Latin American countries have a high “religiosity” rating as opposed to a much lower rating for the U.S. & Canada. The good news is that, as long as the Lord grades on a curve, we may still have a passing grade as it pertains to promises of “liberty & prosperity” in the Americas.

Thanks to our Latino brothers and sisters, we (collectively) have not forgotten that Christ is the God of this land.

Bill recently purchased a painting entitled “Ministering” at the Utah State Fair. The hobby-artist is a young Utah professional named Rick Kennington. Bill purchased the painting for “use by the Church.”

The painting resonated with me because one of the three ranchers in the painting looked a lot like Uncle Sig. (All three had the lean cowboy frames and “Sporleder” rumpus petunias). Besides, “ministering” is an unwritten part of the “Cowboy Code.”

I just received permission from the artist to make two prints of the painting for our personal use. One print could find a place beside the “Workhorse” print I received as a gift when I retired from the CPB way back in June 2007.

For the record, the “Cowboy Code” is as follows:

1. Live each day with honesty and courage.
2. Take pride in your work. Always do your best.
3. Stay curious. Study hard and learn all you can.
4. Do what has to be done and finish what you start.
5. Be tough, but fair.
6. When you make a promise, keep it.
7. Be clean in thought, word, deed, and dress.
8. Practice tolerance and understanding of others.
9. Be willing to stand up for what’s right.
10. Be an excellent steward of the land and its animals.
11. Always minister to those in need, no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable it may be.

The latter point is the unspoken part of the code (as per my translation). It doesn’t need to be written as it should inherent in our cowboy character.

Yep! I’m definitely a cowboy (and surfer) wannabe!

Luv,
Papa

Bill Atkin with Peacock graffiti Batman Alley (“Beco de Batman”) 

Edifico Itália (Excellent Italian restaurant on top floor!)

Ministering painting