Perpetuation of Racism

It’s been a century and a half since the end of servitude and slavery in America. While some of black America seem to have gotten the word, many others have not. Is it not time that America asked itself, “Why is that?” Well, one of the reasons is that there is money to be made in race baiting and keeping the word slavery alive.

Have not more than a few “people of the cloth” made money by exploiting the myth of racism and minority repression today? Has not the Democratic Party attained political influence and made its well-to-do, white enablers fortunes at the government feeding trough, exploiting racism and the myth of slavery? Has not a host of businesses evolved that are now dependent upon “slavery reparations,” also known as welfare assistance way of life dollars, for their existence or lucrativeness?  Has not the myth of modern-day slavery built a mindset of entitlement into black thinking, resulting in a failed worldview that guarantees a life of failure and deprivation? 

All of which brings us to Ferguson. It’s a tragedy when anyone’s life ends before its time. That’s true of both a black teenager who made some poor decisions, and a white policeman who thought deadly force was his only option to save his own life. Ferguson burned and violence was unleashed. Quoting Michael Savage, “thanks to the reckless liberal media, the lawless administration…exploiting the shooting to smear police departments across the nation, phony civil rights demagogues, race-baiting politicians and radical hate groups.”

If the mentioned type racist mentality exists today, and I believe it does, it exists at the upper levels of our government down into the depths of communities like Ferguson, which are one or two poor decisions away from anarchy. Why do I say this? Look no further than Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” that transferred hundreds of billions of dollars into bank accounts of those who made the problems worse.

But atlas, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. A Ferguson, Missouri, prosecuting attorney, who is a democrat  and a grand jury gave us some respite from the evils of race baiting. Yes, they did this in spite of the unethical, ongoing, subversive interventions from the attorney general of black America and the president of black America, on the side of the Brown family, swayed a grand jury guided by the search for truth. For fact-finding is the essence of the law – the law is not an abstract idea of imagined social justice that exists in the arid minds of the perpetually aggrieved. 

Now I ask you, is there hope for tomorrow in this racially divisive country? I am not sure about tomorrow but today the sunshine is looking a little brighter through the dark clouds of exploited racism. At present, we should give thanks for a prosecuting attorney and grand jury who grasped the evidently archaic idea of ordered liberty. That was a good day for American justice. To illuminate the darkness of the perpetrators of racism we must defeat the left’s war on civil society. To do this we must speak out in defense of law enforcement and others trying to safeguard the community and advocate the rule of law. Most importantly, we as a nation need to again, embrace the God of our Founding Fathers and "seek the Lord while He may be found; call on him while He is near." And just maybe, racism and its perpetrators will become a memory of the distant past.

Thanksgiving Message 2014

From what I understand, Americans and Christians in general are increasingly turning to Philippians 4:6-7 which the apostle Paul begins with these words: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Be anxious for nothing? One must admit it is a lot easier said than done these days. Look no further than the morning or evening newscasts or  headlines, and you’ll quickly discover ample reasons to agonize: Home grown terrorism, Islamic Jihad, Russian and Ukrainian tensions, beheadings, kidnappings, global pandemic and the angst list grows.

No wonder so many people believe that things in America are “out of control.” And my feeling is that many of the world’s citizens feel the same way about their nation, though their angst list may differ somewhat. And it is therefore no surprise that Americans and many Christians favorite verse these days contains not only a command against apprehension or uneasiness but a remedy for it: “prayer with thanksgiving.” The New International Version translates this verse this way: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In other words don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.

The Apostle Paul adds that our prayers need to be coupled “with thanksgiving.” By “thanksgiving” the apostle is not referring to the once-a-year American or Canadian practice of ingesting large portions of turkey, stuffing and accompanying foods of choice but to the invaluable and healing mindset of thankfulness.

Regularly expressing thanks to God and other people for the good things they have brought into your life is a powerful remedy to lessen anxiety. Reflecting on the ways God has protected and provided for you in the past can protect you against the fear of an uncertain future.

Expressing thankfulness should not be reserved for a particular day in a year but needs to become a way of life. As a blogger I use the written word to express myself about events that I find troubling or inspiring. As a Christian, I fear not for my future but instead give daily thanks to my God for his blessings in my life.

Why not Question He Who Reigns

I question two components of President Obama’s amnesty plan; his steps to secure the southern border of the United States. And his proclamation that the newly authorized illegal aliens would not be eligible for subsidized health insurance plans under Obamacare. You are probably wondering why I question President Obama and his executive order.

His past deceit speaks volumes of his character. Notwithstanding this unconstitutional immigration travesty, have we so soon forgotten Benghazi, Fast and Furious, IRS targeting and Obamacare that was designed to exploit the “stupidity” of American voters and elude honest accounting by hiding both its cost and taxes necessary to pay for it? I for one have not. Obama claims he was unaware of these travesties or incidents prior to them being publicly exposed. I for one believe he or someone in his administration knew something about each of the just mentioned events/programs.

Obama’s hypocrisy know no bounds. Regardless of what he say’s to a national audience. He is not going to change anything. Obama knows everything he’s doing. He knows who he lies to. He knows why he misrepresents his administration and himself, and he anticipates getting away with inaccuracies. He knows he’s not going to be called on it, As Rush Limbaugh explained. “You’re not going to stop Obama by pointing out his … hypocrisy.”

The point is much larger than Obama is a charlatan or fraud. He is exactly what he claims that he is not. And he knows the American people are not ready for a totalitarian or an authoritarian. He knows the American people would not support that. And that’s why he often lies. … He knows he’s violating the Constitution and the trust of the majority of this nation’s citizens. There is though a glimmer of hope as I understand it. Obama, out of ignorance may be paving the road for future GOP presidents to act similarly to contravene laws that Democrats revere. What a web we often weave and find ourselves entangled in.

The Will of God in One's Life

A friend I hold in high esteem recently asked me if I had any suggestions or insights on knowing what the will of God is as it pertains to her life. The question posed was one that would require some thought. The question asked is apropos to everyone. What is the will of God for one’s earthly life? Thus, I decided to share my response to both my friend and all who read this posting.

Knowing God’s will is sometimes difficult because it requires patience. It’s natural to want to know all of God’s will at once, but that’s not how He usually works. He reveals to us a step at a time—each move a step of faith—and allows us to continue to trust Him (see James 4:17). Too often, we want God to give us specifics.  As we walk with the Lord, obeying His Word and relying on His Spirit, we find that we are given the mind of Christ (see 1 Cor. 2:16). We know Him, and that helps us to know His will. We find God’s guidance readily available. If we are walking closely with the Christ and truly desiring His will for our lives, God will place His desires in our hearts. The key is wanting God’s will, not our own (Ps 37:4). All this said, how do we really know what He has in store for our lives? As the psalmist said: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105). In essence the journey begins through God’s written word. You will never go wrong in consulting Scripture. Just be sure you pay close attention to the context and the peace of God will guide and guard our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7).

God also leads us through the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:12-13). The inner prompting of the Holy Spirit gives us a sense of God’s leading, although that leading is not always what we might call a feel good experience. One must remember that the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Prov. 16:9). The inner prompting is crucial, because much of the time we simply cannot figure it out. Let us not forget that man’s steps are ordained by God.

Additionally, God leads us through the counsel of wise, experienced, faithful, trustworthy people. Wise and trustworthy counselors are persons who want for you only what God wants. Such persons will stay objective, listen carefully, and answer deliberately. Often they won't give you an answer at the time you ask for it. They want to sleep on it; they want to think and pray about it.

Finally, and most importantly, God leads us into His will by giving those who seek His will an inner assurance of peace (Col. 3:15). God's inner assurance of peace will act as an adjudicator in your heart. The will of God for our lives is not theory; it is reality. The bottom line: we have to live out His will in the real world. Doing God's will demands a decision. And that decision requires Faith and Action. You can't see the end, so you have to trust Him in faith and then step out. You have to act. Faith and obedience are inseparable.  

To my young friend and others who read this posting, I in fact did contemplate the question asked. My posting was written following a passage of time which enabled me to think, pray about and respond to the previously stated question: How do I know what the will of God is as it pertains to my life? To all I say, earnestly seek and you will find His will for your life.

Veterans Day Message 2014

Veterans Day to this writer is more than a day off from work, or the opportunity to hear the same old rhetoric from some politician who espouses veteran issues but continually does little to address the issues they in fact claim to champion.

Veterans Day is in fact a special day that I take serious and display that seriousness in my thoughts, prayers and actions. You ask, why Veterans Day is so special to me. You see, I share a common bond with veterans both living and dead. As a retired veteran, I appreciate the sacrifice they made. For this reason I will always embrace our veterans with more than a nod and lip service.

Come with me, if you will, let us take part in an American Veteran’s journey through time. Let us experience some of the trials they endured when called upon. Most of us, if not all of us can only imagine what horrors our “Doughboys” faced in the “War to End All Wars.” The numbers tell the tale. In four years more than 10 million soldiers would die on the battlefields of Europe. Among them are 50,000 American veterans. These 50,000 die in only 7 months.

Two decades later, my father would be part of a first wave that would assault a beach protected by tens of thousands of land mines, beach obstacles and high ground that was fortified by a well-armed and prepared adversary. Two thousand American Veterans would pay the ultimate sacrifice on that 2 mile wide beach code named, “Omaha.” World War II would result in the deaths of 405,000 American Military members.

Within a decade of World War II’s conclusion, Americans Veterans would find themselves enduring not only a merciless enemy but the harshest of winters in a most desolate of lands. This war, the Korean War or “The Forgotten War,” would find our veterans standing steadfast in the face of human wave after wave while at the same time braving the elements. Fifty thousand veterans would perish in a most inhospitable and hostile land.

The next war is the story about time and memories. It was the year I became an Airborne Infantry soldier, it was the year I became a veteran. The time was 1965, a different kind of year, a water shed year when one era was ending in America and another beginning. It was the year that America decided to intervene in the affairs of obscure and distant Vietnam. It was yet another year in which the American veteran would again go to war. In the broad, traditional sense, that “we” who went to war was all of us, all Americans, though in truth at that time the larger majority had little knowledge of, less interest in, and no great concern for what was beginning so far away. For ten years our soldiers, your veterans, would stand tall in the Central Highlands, the Citadels of Hue, the hills surrounding Khe Sanh and the battles for the towns and cities of South Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968. While our veterans were doing the honorable thing, many people at home were doing the dishonorable thing. Through it all, the veterans, our veterans continued to march the honorable route. Fifty-eight thousand would die on the battlefields of Vietnam.

The 1990’s would have us travel roads that veterans like myself are all too familiar with. First there was “Desert Storm”; America’s veterans liberated Kuwait. Next came the “Battle of Mogadishu”; America’s veterans fought, rescued and extracted Task Force Ranger survivors. Next came the invasion of Haiti, again our veterans came through. They restored order in a very short time with little loss of life.

The new centennial brought with it and continues to bring more conflicts, deeper ideological divisions and radical fundamentalism. Veterans brought temporary stability to Iraq by toppling a tyrant who outwardly supported terrorism. Our veterans continue fighting and serving on ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, West Africa and in the skies over Syria and elsewhere around the globe. Our veterans are Citizen Soldiers, (Guardsman and Reservists). They are Professional Soldiers. They are America’s Veterans. They are America’s Patriots. Without the Veteran there is no America.

Slippery Slope of Indifference

Is it just me or have other’s not noticed the West’s abject indifference to the plights of Christians can also be found in our own declining State Department led by our ostensibly Islamic commiserating administration. Harsh tokens of Obama’s disinterest are everywhere. From clearly admonishing the rights of a German family fleeing Germany, to ignoring the appalling quandary of a Christian Woman fleeing Sudan, to near lethargy when close to three hundred Christian girls were kidnapped from a school in Nigeria. Obama has made it rather clear he’s not interested in defending religious liberty, especially those of Christian faith.

Apparently, the world has learned little from history, including very recent history. One only has to look as far as the Internet and other media forms to find beheadings, crucifixions, stoning of women and murders of tens of thousands of innocent people. And what were their crimes that warranted such displays of barbarism? Their crime was their Christian faith.

 As Americans, we should take these actions or inaction, if you will, to heart because in the last two decades we have lost vast amounts of our own rights of religious freedom. Let me remind the readers that ‘it’s a long slide down a slippery slope before the great fall into the abyss of religious irrelevancy’. When the drafters of our Constitution wrote that citizens were to exercise religious freedom, I am fairly certain they gave little thought to political correctness or non-Christian religious groups, fringe or otherwise. Most likely they intended that our God given inalienable rights did, and would always include the freedom to live our lives according to our Judeo-Christian faith.

There is a Difference

You've seen this a lot in the last decade and a half: Liberals declaring a moral equivalence between radical Islam and Christianity. There’s usually requisite reference to the Crusades. True enough, Christianity, like most religions, has had some less-than-flattering moments. But then again its history. Can one point me to any mass graves, severed heads or burned-out buildings done in the name of Christianity during our lifetime? Christianity is an easy target for the progressive left; it has seen its share of violence in the distant past. It is easy to point fingers at the Holy Papal of Rome. Additionally, the left loathes Christianity. And why does the Left abhor Christianity? Because it preaches independence and a Supreme Being, not a supreme leader. Christianity has one Savior born 2,000 years ago. Look no further than the voting booths during a voting cycle to see the many redeemers of the progress left and those whose lives are are grounded on Christian faith as written in the Bible. Both, the Christian and the Progressive are based on faith – one in a creator, the other in legislation. But while you can believe there is no God, you can’t prove it. It’s all speculation. On the other hand, it can be proven that progressive policies are failures, that they do definite damage. The recent past century is littered with more than 100 million bodies of victims of progressive’s attempts to produce innumerable manifestations of heaven on earth. No such equivalent exists for Christians. Christianity and the Judeo-Christian belief system, upon which the vast majority of the civilized world is based, took more than a few millenniums to arrive at the point where it is today. And there were growing pains, the Crusades among them. But that was 1,000 years ago. To be continued...