Many people in other partsof the U.S. don't know that north Georgia (where I live) goes through all four seasons. Right now, November 16, we are in the height of fall colors, with all of the many hardwoods blazing in reds, browns, and many hues of yellow. It is gorgeous, and I love it. My family (or parts of it) has lived in this part of the country at least since the 1790's, so I guess I can safely admit to being a "true born son of the South." We have a lot of history here, not all of it good, not all of it salutary, but it is what it is.

Southerners in the U.S. are pretty transparent people. No any different from you, we love our families, we work hard, and we have our foibles. This part of the U.S. is sometinmes called the "Bible belt." That is not to infer, I suspect, that we southerners are any more holy than any one else, its just that here we tend to wear our religion on our sleeves. The suggestion that religion is something not to be discussed in polite company is foreign to us. I have heard some people say (especially media commentators) that people should by and large keep their politics and their religion to themselves. I couldn't agree less!

Leaving politics aside for another day, I will only say that my religion is very important to me. You cannot and will never know me if you do not know that I strive daily to love, honor, and serve Christ. I am animated by my love for Christ. In turn I am driven by that love to love you! Why would I keep that a secret? Christ himself told us to go out and "tell all the world!"

Some day I will (we all will) face God and be asked, did you keep my commandments, did you love me, did you love your brother, and, did you spread my gospel? And in my own country I am told to keep my religion to myself? No thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving, all you good people.

John