Perspective

There's nothing like the untimely death of a long time friend to bring perspective to one's life. Fifty-two years was not nearly long enough for us to share Becky's vivacity and wit. It grieves me that she had to leave us, and suffer in the process. I hurt for the pain she endured so bravely.

But suffering, as I have to remind myself, is not a bad thing. Not at all. I've learned this on my own cancer journey, though it's hard to explain to most people.

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

Joy in the same sentence as trials? It's true because our concept of "joy" is not the same as God's. Joy is greater than mere happiness, because joy sees the bigger picture, beyond our present gratification. Joy is part of God's eternal plan. We endure today's pain and trials because we know by faith that they are a blink in comparison with eternity. If we endure whatever this life deals us and grow in faith in the process, we have the hope of heaven's joy to sustain us.

Becky had that faith. She now has the joy, the perfect joy that we can't even imagine. That's worth all the pain and suffering in the world.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

The Best Weapon

For a long time now I have debated whether or not to purchase a handgun and take the course to obtain a concealed carry permit. What holds me back is the fact that I don't have great eyesight and that I am a total klutz. I would hate to think that someone's life could be endangered unintentionally.

The Scripture reminds me where the true battle lies: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." II Corinthians 10:3-5

And then I think about Ephesians 6:11-12, where we are admonished to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Our sword, our only offensive weapon? Verse 17 says our "sword of the Spirit...is the word of God."

It's so much more powerful than a handgun, or a real sword, or even a nuclear bomb. "For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

So I've decided, rather than purchase a handgun, I'm going to spend more time with God's word, to increase knowledge, and in prayer, to ask for wisdom and the courage to speak out without fear.

My letter to a local Presbyterian youth ranch

It has been brought to my attention that a group of Muslim youth will be at Mo Ranch during the week of Christmas. Since it is possible that you are not aware of the true goals of Islam, I would like to encourage you to make yourself informed. Their leaders masquerade as a "peaceful" religion, but they are also allowed by Sharia law to lie in order to achieve their final goal of worldwide Sharia law and death to all infidels (which includes Christians, Jews, Buddists, etc.).

It is incumbent upon all Americans, but especially those who claim allegiance to Christ, to educate ourselves about Islam and expose their lies. It is not possible to "get along" with Muslims for they do not worship the one True God, Jehovah. Their "Allah" is a servant of Satan, and we must not be "ignorant of his devices" (II Corinthians 2:11).

The Bible commands us to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11).

I pray that you and the leadership of Mo Ranch will look into this serious situation.

My letter to our Congressman

In this battle of light vs. dark, good vs. evil, it fills me with anger when I see the blasphemy and pornography that wicked people use our hard-earned tax dollars to fund. If you haven't heard about this, please be forewarned that the article has small images of the abominations being displayed as "art" in our taxpayer funded Smithsonian portrait gallery:

First of all, Congressman Smith, I want to say how grateful I am that you will be helping lead the charge in DC beginning in January. I have hope that we can turn this nation back from the edge of the abyss.

In case you weren't aware, the Smithsonian portrait gallery has an abomination of a display going on through the Christmas holidays in which, among homoerotic "art" is featured a crucifix of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ crawling with ants.

As our tax dollars pay for the Smithsonian's facilities and employees, it's an outrage that something like this is allowed to be viewed by the public, among which are groups of schoolchildren.

As you and the new Congress are cutting budgets, would you please consider this as one of the cuts?

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/smithsonian-christmas-season-exhibit-fea

Thank you, Veterans!

If it wasn't for the sacrifices of a long line of men and women from the Revolutionary War until now, we would not be the people that we are. Even though wicked people in high places are trying to destroy our freedoms, we have over two hundred years of heroes before us and among us to remind us what true courage is, why we need to fight to keep this nation free, and why we must never forget their sacrifices in the cause of freedom.

I definitely do not want those sacrifices to be in vain. If that were the only reason to keep fighting for freedom, it would be more than enough.

May God be with our troops and all of our veterans. They are true heroes, every one!

Woman Blockwalking Run Over by Own Pickup

That MIGHT have been the headline in our local paper thanks to my own stupidity.

I was in a hurry to get home, but I had just one more house on my list. We designed postcard-sized doorhangers with voter info on one side and candidate info on the other. I left my pickup running and THOUGHT I'd set the parking brake. I ran up the sidewalk and attached the card to the door handle.

When I turned around, my truck (standard transmission) was rolling backward toward the T-intersection, headed for the street sign and the neighbor's rock flowerbed. Panicked, I raced for the truck and like an idiot opened the door and tried to jump in. I'm too short and chubby to "jump" into a Ford F150 cab while it's gaining speed.

Fortunately I realized I could fall and be run over by the front wheel, so I backed away, and at the last moment the truck missed the street sign, rolled across the busy (and at that time empty) street, jumped the curb, and stopped momentarily in a yard, missing the mailbox!

As it began to roll the other direction, I DID jump in the cab, shift to first, and got out of there as fast as I could while shaking uncontrollably. I don't think anyone saw me. If they did and happened to video what happened, look for me on America's Funniest Home Videos....

I get to educate an Obama zombie at Bucee's!

On the way back from the North Houston Tea Party Patriots rally to encourage people to vote beginning Monday (early voting in Texas), our caravan stopped at Bucee's, a great "pit stop" on I-10 not quite halfway from Houston to Kerrville. Because our fife & drum corps had played at the rally, I was still in costume although most of the kids had changed out of theirs.

A young woman about 19 or 20 kept staring at me and finally asked, "Who are you supposed to be?"

"I'm part of a Revolutionary War fife & drum corps. We played at a Houston tea party this morning and are on our way home."

"What's a tea party?" she asked. Seriously, and without rancor.

So I explained about the tea party movement, how we took our symbolism from the original tea party (by this time the girl's mother had joined us and was nodding).

"What are you protesting?" asked the girl (who was blond, I'm sorry to say).

"Out of control government."

"How is the government out of control?" (At this point her mom says, "That's your guy, Obama's doing.")

I explained how the elected officials in Washington were no longer listening to their constituents and were instead "ruling" as they saw fit rather than follow the Constitution.

"Are they really doing that?"

I think her mother was excited that somebody other than her was explaining "how things work" to her clueless daughter. I don't know if I made any headway, but at least she was willing to listen. It's been a while since I watched someone's gears turn so slowly (maybe they're rusty inside that propaganda-filled brain of hers).

It occurs to me that this is how we turn things around--not at huge rallies with thousands of like-minded people, but one-on-one, toe-to-toe with the zombies themselves. It reminds me a little of how the Apostles "turned the world upside-down" in the first century preaching the gospel to any willing audience, but often just to one or two individuals because each and every soul is precious in God's sight!

My letter to the editor re: Governor Perry

October 5, 2010

Kerrville Daily Times

Dear Editor,

After hearing radio ads for Bill White yesterday and seeing the full page ad in today's Times, I felt compelled to respond.

White sounds "folksy" in his radio ads and blasts Perry for cowardice in his newspaper ad. Facts may be obfuscated but are there if one is willing to dig for them:

Under Perry's leadership Texas has become the strongest state in the nation, even during these dire economic times;

There is no "missing money" in the state budget as the Texas Constitution requires a balanced budget and the Republican-led Texas House has kept a balanced budget;

Perry refuses to debate White only until he releases all of his income tax returns for the years he served the Clinton administration in Washington and the state Democratic party chairman (Austin-American Statesman);

White encourages illegal immigration (which is against the law as opposed to legal immigration) as evidenced by policies enacted while he was mayor of Houston (Houston Chronicle);

White has not ruled out raising taxes while Perry has brought about property tax reform that has saved Texans billions;

White is a liberal Democrat, and we've all seen the results of what liberal Democrats do when they are given power (Obama, Pelosi, Reid); Perry is a conservative Republican.

It comes to this: Do you want to keep Texas strong or see her brought down by the proven destruction of tax and spend policies that are bankrupting our nation? I want to keep a thriving Lone Star State so I'm voting for Perry.

We Pledge Our Sacred Honor

The phrase "sacred honor" is not commonly used anymore, so I will define the words using Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language.

Two hundred years ago, the noun honor meant "reputation; good name; true nobleness of mind; magnanimity; dignified respect for character, springing from probity, principle or moral rectitude; any particular virtue much valued, as bravery in men, and chastity in females."

The adjective sacred meant "holy; pertaining to God or to His worship; separated from common secular uses and consecrated to God and His service; inviolable, as if appropriated to a superior being; as sacred honor or promise."

Since people once used a larger vocabulary than we do today, a few more terms contained in the definitions also need defining to make this phrase crystal clear:

Magnanimity was defined by Webster as "greatness of mind; that elevation or dignity of soul, which encounters danger and trouble with tranquility and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in acts of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to sacrifice personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects."

Probity meant "primarily, tried virtue or integrity, or approved actions; but in general, strict honesty; sincerity; veracity; integrity in principle, or strict conformity of actions to the laws of justice."

Inviolable meant "not to be profaned; that ought not to be injured, polluted or treated with irreverence; as, a sacred place and sacred things should be considered inviolable; not to be broken; as an inviolable league, covenant, agreement, contract, vow or promise; not to be injured or tarnished; as inviolable chastity or honor."

Wow! When you consider what this phrase really means, it seems the embodiment of men like George Washington. None of the founders were perfect, as they were human beings and not God, but they certainly held themselves to a high standard, and that standard has been all but lost today.

I am humbled yet encouraged to hold (or pledge) myself to that same standard. If even a fraction of our fellow Americans would do the same, what a revival of honesty, integrity, respect for the rule of law, and sacred honor would shine to illuminate our way!

We Pledge Our Fortunes

Until the 2008 election, I had never before contributed money to a political candidate. I reasoned that (1) they didn't need my money, or (2) whatever pittance I could send them would be laughable in the scheme of things.

I believe I was not alone in such thinking. The political realm, especially on the national level, had become corrupt in part, I now believe, because ordinary Americans like me believed they couldn't make a difference. So corporations and leftist organizations stepped in to fill the coffers of very human politicians, appealing to their dark side and causing them to lose sight of the true nature of public service.

Since 2008 I have sent as little as $25 and as much as $100 to individual candidates. Those are drops in the bucket, but if just 10,000 of us "little people" sent a candidate $25, that's $250,000, a quarter of a million dollars. That's a lot of advertising money, especially for a Congressional race.

It's time we all did our part to take back our nation and restore the Constitution. Alone we can't accomplish much, but if each of us does his or her small part simultaneously, imagine what things we can accomplish! Each vote, each dollar contributed, each phone call, letter to the editor, or acquaintance persuaded to join with us will be democracy in action, the way our Founders intended.

George Washington and other leaders during the Revolutionary War never expected that they would have to dig deep into their own pockets in order to finance the cause of freedom. They were willing to sacrifice their own comforts to ensure that their posterity (and that includes us) would enjoy the fruits of their labors. How can we do any less in the face of mind-boggling debt and erosion of personal freedoms happening on a daily basis which will turn our children and grandchildren into slaves of the government if we don't do something about it?

Choose one or more local, state, or national races that you feel passionate about. Study the candidates, and when you find one you can fully support, do more than lip service; open your wallet to help them defeat the progressives!

Judas was a Democrat!!!

It never ceases to amaze me how liberals self-righteously invoke "the poor" in order to rob all of us of our hard-earned wages when they have no intention of making things easier for the truly needy. The merchants of racism (i.e., Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton) come to mind, as well as any liberal politician during election time.

If they ever "solved" the problem of poverty these crafty people would have to find an honest way to make a living.

Sadly, this is not a "new" problem:

"Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.

"Mary therefore took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

"But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 'Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor people?' Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.

"Jesus therefore said, "Let her alone, in order that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me." (John 12:1-8)

We Pledge Our Lives

I remember when I had a life that didn't include hours of waking moments spent in political discourse--re-learning the history of our nation's founding, reading the news, listening to talk radio, reading conservative blogs, writing emails and letters to elected officials, attending or planning to attend T.E.A. party events, sewing costumes for my fife & drum corps and for George & Martha Washington re-enactments, and now helping precinct chairs encourage others to vote Republican (as county secretary).

And then I remember those who gave up their normal lives, some very reluctantly, in order to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that this country was born a free Republic. George and Martha Washington, John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, and countless thousands of others pledged their lives to the cause of freedom, one that took many, many years to come to fruition.

That's one of the responsibilities of a free people--to make the sacrifices necessary to guard our liberties which have been bought so dearly by those who came before us. After all, we are only holding these blessings temporarily as guardians for our children and their children to enjoy.

This is no time to be selfish! It is vitally important that we pledge our lives to the cause of freedom or it will surely be taken from us forever.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." --Ronald Reagan

Another Freedom Fighter

Rebecca Cervera is fighting a tough race for State Representative District 41 in McAllen, Texas. Her Democrat opponents have been harassing her and her family with such niceties as slashing her tires and calling child protective services with false complaints.

She is an amazing, passionately conservative Republican who simply believes that our country is on the wrong track and she wants to do what she can to make things right. This is from her website:

"Rebecca Cervera is an entrepreneur, business owner, musician, community activist, and mother of four boys.

As one of 13 children raised in a transient and uneducated family, Rebecca had her first job at age 11. At age 12 she enrolled in high school and earned her diploma while living with classmates, teachers, and foster families. In college she worked full time, participated in campus outreaches, studied abroad, and was a delegate to the Intercollegiate Legislature. She received her B.S. in International Business.

While attending graduate school, Rebecca was recruited as a full time missionary to set up adult education programs for impoverished indigenous people in Northern Mexico. At the end of her term she began work as a cross cultural business liaison, specializing in loss prevention and employee retention. While living in Mexico she continued volunteer service with American expatriate and local youth programs.

Since returning to the U.S., Rebecca has become a managing partner in a customs brokerage and owns a produce distribution company. She founded Royal Readers, a literacy campaign that promotes the virtues of literacy through motivational concerts, radio segments, public education, literature, and the arts. She is also an Hidalgo County Juvenile Court Conference Committee member, mentoring non-violent first time offenders.

Rebecca believes that District 41 is ready to elect a delegate who represents the values and makeup of our district. She understands that building a strong and stable community is the foundation and future of our district."

I was going to add her photo, but my toolbar has mysteriously changed. If you'd like to see what she looks like, here is her website: http://www.rebeccacervera.com/

My letter to NPR

Just now (8:20 Sunday morning) I happened to walk into the room where my husband was listening to KTXI 90.1 and heard a male voice make a misstatement. He said that the reason 1 in 5 Americans believe President Obama is a Muslim is because of "attacks by his opponents." No, sir. The reason why I and many millions believe he is a Muslim is because of his words and actions before and since his Presidency:

Sometime during his campaign he told a reporter that the evening call to prayers was one of the most beautiful sounds on earth.

Also during his campaign he was speaking to a TV reporter and mentioned "my Muslim faith" and the reporter corrected him saying, "you mean, your Christian faith?"

His first overseas call as President was to the Islamic network Al-Jaheera (sp) and he gave that speech in Cairo praising all the "Muslim contributions" to the United States.

When speaking at a Catholic university, he had them cover up a Christian religious symbol.

He does not participate in the National Day of Prayer but hosts Muslim dinners at the White House and shows support for a Muslim day of prayer at the U.S. Capitol.

He supports building a mosque on the hallowed ground where over 3,000 were killed by Muslims!

His father was a Muslim, and he was educated at a Muslim school in Indonesia during his formative years.

He attended "Rev." Wright's "church" for 20 years where Black Liberation "Theology" is taught, which has no resemblance to the Bible but every resemblance to an angry version of Islam.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but not all Americans are stupid. We have been paying attention and doing our own research, the research that "journalists" should have been doing all along. I knew before he was elected that he was not what he portrayed himself to be. You are enabling him to destroy this nation by continuing to "cover" for him. That's why I no longer voluntarily listen to your station.

The Rule of Law

We hear this phrase a lot these days, probably because our system of law provided in the Constitution is being trampled, daily, by the very ones who made an oath before God to uphold the law.

What is the origin of law?  The Lawgiver, of course.  In order to help our children develop self-control, we place controls upon them to keep them from self-destruction.  In the same way, the LORD gave us law, not to make us miserable (as hedonistic folks would have you think) but to protect us from our worst impulses and help us become the very best we can be.

In their humble wisdom America's Founding Fathers based the Constitution and our rule of law on the principles of God's Word.  We find the three branches of government in Isaiah 33:22:  "For the LORD is our judge (judicial—court system), the LORD is our lawgiver (legislative—House and Senate), the LORD is our king (executive—President); it is He who will save us."

Unfortunately, in recent years those in positions of authority have abused their power and made more than one set of laws:  one rule for them in order to justify taking from the public treasury to line their pockets and buy votes, and one rule for the rest of us in order to gradually restrict our individual freedoms.  This they have done by legislating laws against the will of the people, "interpreting" the Constitution in ways that it was never meant to be interpreted, or simply cheating through the slick lawyer tactics of "finding loopholes" in order to avoid following the law.

All of these things have had a terrible cumulative effect.  A nation that is no longer governed by the rule of law will descend into the darkness of anarchy, where the basest instincts of each individual are no longer restrained.  Violence and destruction is the result, and a police state then becomes the only way to restore order.  In that way all of our freedoms are stripped from us and we lose all dignity and humanity.

What can we do?  First, actually read the Constitution and its Amendments.  It is a short, concise document that everyone can understand.  Then, educate your family, friends, and neighbors.  Make sure you are registered to vote, and then exercise your right to vote in the upcoming election.  Unless ALL law-abiding citizens vote to replace the law-breaking men and women in civil government, this may be our last opportunity to have a voice in our future, our children's futures, and the future of our nation.

A Freedom Fighter

We are in a battle for the soul of America.  There are two profoundly different sides in this war.  One side, made up of ordinary Americans—We the People—believe in the limited government specified in the Constitution and in the God-given right of individuals to direct their own destiny. 

The other side, made up of the current Federal government, all branches of which are run by extremely liberal Democrats, believe that a handful of Ivy-league educated idealists know better how to run every facet of our lives than we do.  These "leaders" have NO experience in the real world; all they know is theories which have been proven unworkable every time they've been tried in other countries and have led to horrible suffering and death for citizens who dared to criticize their governments. 

Freedom works, every time it's tried.  There is no perfect system of government because humans are inherently imperfect.  But our democratic Republic has been a beacon of light to oppressed people throughout the world for over 200 years.  We the People do not want a handful of overly educated and power hungry bureaucrats to steal it from us and our children.  Millions of men and women from the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror have suffered and died that we might be free.  We owe it to them and to the generations coming after us to do all in our power to preserve these freedoms. 

YOU can make a difference on November 2nd of this year.  We the People have an opportunity to replace some of the politicians who are destroying our freedom.  Here in Kerrville, Texas we are represented in Washington D.C. by Lamar Smith, who has become more and more conservative since Obama took office. 

But in Senate District 23, which encompasses a huge piece of Texas from the northern part of San Antonio (UTSA area) all along the border to El Paso, the current Democrat Congressman is Ciro "Zero" Rodriguez, who has voted for every bailout, health "care" legislation, and every other bad bill presented in the House over the last 18 months.  He is on Nancy Pelosi's team to destroy our Constitutional Republic. 

His opponent is a conservative, freedom-loving, Constitution-following Republican named Francisco Canseco (everyone calls him "Quico" which is pronounced "Keeko").  He needs our help!!!!  If you are interested in keeping your God-given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, please contact friends and acquaintances who live in SD 23 and ask them to vote for Quico Canseco.  OR help him with a donation, no matter how small.  OR help his campaign as many across the nation did for Scott Brown in Massachusetts.

Here's Quico's website so you can read about him:  http://www.cansecoforcongress.com/

A Call for Help in Preserving our Freedom

At yesterday's "Hands Off Texas" rally in Austin, Ted Cruz read the first letter that Col. Travis wrote from the Alamo asking for help when the 13 day siege began.  The words struck me as they never have before; we are surrounded, as Travis and his men were, and each of us must do our part to stir up the love of freedom in the hearts of our fellow Americans:

February 24, 1836

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world

Fellow citizens & compatriots, I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna.  I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man.  The enemy has demanded a Surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken.  I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the wall.  I shall never Surrender or retreat.

Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch.  The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.  If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country -----

Victory or Death

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt

Happy Birthday, America!

When the Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery, it was not their might that did it.  It was all the power of GOD through Moses.  It did not happen overnight, either.  GOD had allowed Israel to be enslaved in order to bring them back to Him, and at the time of their deliverance He sent a series of miraculous events to remind them Who was in charge.

After they were freed, the Israelites were commanded in the law given by GOD through Moses to remember this deliverance and His care for them through a series of feast days and other events.  One, called the Jubilee, happened every 50th year:  "And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.  It shall be a jubilee unto you..." Leviticus 25:10

When the Continental Congress proclaimed independence from England on July 4, 1776, they acknowledged the hand of GOD in all their dealings.  Even so, the birth of this nation did not happen overnight.  It took a huge commitment and unbelievable sacrifice on the part of a minority of Americans over many long years of battles (more lost than won) and deprivation before the goal of independence was realized.  Perhaps this nation became free through such tribulation in order that we might remember it was GOD's might, not ours, that accomplished it.

On this 234th birthday of the United States of America, I pray that we will humble ourselves and not trust in our own strength, but pledge "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor" to the One Who created everything and from Whom come our lives, our freedoms, and our inalienable rights.

The Star Spangled Banner

On this day in 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as our official flag.  In honor of Flag Day, here is our National Anthem--all FOUR verses:

The Star Spangled Banner
lyrics by Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Freedom isn't free

Those words can become trite unless we ponder their meaning and the sacrifice that millions have given so that we, their posterity (descendants) might remain free.

From the Revolutionary War through today's War on Terror, those who have fought and died or been horribly and permanently injured on our behalf have been mostly young men (and now women).  Teenagers, early twenties at most, but all in the prime of their young lives.  They gave up their futures fighting for a cause greater than themselves.  It humbles me profoundly.

What are we doing to ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain?  We are the guardians of that precious gift of God--freedom.  Most of us are not called upon to defend it by giving up our lives, as our heroes have done.  But we have a duty to keep their memory before us always as a reminder to see our freedom as a blood-bought gift, very similar to our soul's salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Honor the dead.  Pray for the living who are in the midst of the fight.  And don't take for granted our legacy of freedom; defend it for generations to follow.

My favorite patriots

Here's an updated photo of the Young Patriots Fife & Drum Corps plus our commander, General Washington, just before we marched to the Kerr County Courthouse in pouring rain for a T.E.A. party.  I just finished our newest recruit's official blue waistcoat, so at our next event at the local Veteran's Hospital next week, he will have the uniform, just not the period drum.

Doing our part to educate Texans about the Revolutionary War era....

How big should government be?

After reading an article in this weekend's Parade magazine, I had to comment on their website in answer to their question, "How big should government be?"

The best government is that which governs least; government should stay out of the citizens' way and provide only those things that individuals cannot do alone, namely national security. When government does what individuals should do, it robs us of our creativity to solve problems and our compassion to help our neighbors. Our allegiance should be to the rule of law, not to power-hungry individuals, for even the best-intentioned public servant will become corrupted over time when tempted by unlimited power over the national treasury.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." President Gerald R. Ford (a paraphrase of an original quote by Thomas Jefferson)

Social Justice?

We hear this term a lot these days. On the surface it sounds like it must be a good thing. After all, when we pledge allegiance to our nation's flag, we end with, "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

"Justice" implies fair, equal treatment under law. God is perfectly just. Because He is omniscient, all-knowing, He can make perfect judgments. He is Lawgiver and Judge.

We imperfect humans often make imperfect judgments, even when we are trying our best to follow the perfect law that God has given us.

But when humans pervert true justice and bend it to further their greed for money and power, they make a mockery of God's justice.

So it is with "social" justice. Although we may think that term has to do with helping folks down on their luck, those currently in power see the term far differently. They use it as an excuse to take from those who produce and give to those who will not help themselves--i.e., redistribution of wealth, otherwise known as Marxism or communism.

Stealing from those who work hard to take care of their own families and giving that money to ungrateful recipients helps no one. Workers should be encouraged to do their best by allowing them to keep the fruits of their labors; shirkers should be treated with "tough love" so that they might grow in character and learn to earn their own way. ("If any will not work, neither let him eat." II Thessalonians 3:10)

True justice would send those who push for "social" justice to prison for thievery as well as aiding and abetting the destruction of our society's moral fiber.

Tea Party Time!

April 15th has long had significance as "tax day," but beginning with last year's T.E.A. parties ("Taxed Enough Already"), it now has a new incarnation.

In nearly every town and city across America average, hard-working citizens like you and me will exercise our Constitutional rights enumerated in the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Some may scoff or cynically say, "What does a rally accomplish?" I can tell you from personal experience that it accomplishes much. The most important reason to attend is to be encouraged that YOU ARE NOT ALONE! The concern and patriotism of so many of your friends and neighbors, all gathered in one place as you pray to Almighty God, pledge allegiance to the Flag, sing the National Anthem, and listen to others put into words what you are feeling in your heart is priceless. You will be lifted up and motivated to continue to educate yourself and be involved in the political process.

Remember, the current crop of Alinsky disciples wants to make you feel alone and hopeless, full of despair. That's part of their tactics: "Isolate the target. Freeze it. Polarize it. And then destroy it."

If we stand together, arm in arm, not only in our local communities, but state by state across this land, we can become a human tsunami to wash away the rotten taint of hedonism and Marxism that has invaded and pervaded our centuries-old values and institutions.

"If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

Corrupting the Heart

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23

Just as our physical heart is vital to sustaining our life, our spiritual heart is vital to our morality, our moral compass, if you will. Our heart can be trained, along with our conscience, to seek God's ways. Conversely, if we neglect our heart or seek baser ways, it will quickly be corrupted.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 says, "A bribe corrupts the heart." Bribery is defined as a "Crime of giving a benefit (e.g., money) in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust (e.g., an official or witness). Accepting a bribe also constitutes a crime."

How does giving or accepting a bribe corrupt one's heart? By shifting the heart's allegiance from the Creator to a created thing, by corroding the godly principle of justice with covetousness, by leaving the path of light and truth and entering the shadowy realm of darkness and sin.

It's no accident that Article II, Section IV of the Constitution states, "The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." If elected officials engage in bribery, there is no respect for the rule of law. Our Republic cannot survive such corruption. It must be rooted out.

"But there will be no justice, there will be no government of the people, by the people, and for the people, as long as the government and its officials permit bribery in any form." John Jay Hooker

Getting out of the comfort zone

Let's face it: we all have a comfort zone. It's not easy pushing beyond that self-imposed boundary. But often it's necessary to do more than we feel comfortable doing; sometimes it's absolutely vital.

When God called Moses out of the burning bush to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt, Moses didn't jump right up and say, "Of course I will!" He was comfortable as he was. He even gave excuses why he couldn't do God's will. But God didn't relent and Moses eventually obeyed. He learned to trust God and grew mightily in faith as a result.

When God called Gideon to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites, he must have thought God had made a mistake, for he kept asking God for a sign, for proof that he was hearing God correctly. But once he trusted God and did what He said, Gideon's army of only 300 defeated an enemy that was too numerous to count (with God's help, of course).

Many of our country's founders were initially reluctant to declare independence from England. But the time came that they had to leave their comfort zones when liberty was threatened as the growing tyranny of the British increased beyond their ability to bear. Had they not been willing to "pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor," the United States of America would have been stillborn and the world would be a very different place.

Let's resist the temptation to remain in our comfort zones. If we step out in faith, we may be amazed at the spiritual growth and moral courage we will find, even during (and probably because of) this dark time in our nation's history.

The Cost of Ignorance

It has been said that "ignorance is bliss." There sure are a lot of blissfully ignorant people in this country.

Sometimes I envy them. Often I wish I didn't know what I know.

But because I choose to be a truthseeker, I turn over many rocks that expose ugly crawly things living in dark places.

Who is behind all the evil in the world? Satan, of course. He is real, and even though he has already been defeated by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, his mission is to take down as many of us as he can to join him in eternal torment. (Hell, BTW, was prepared for the devil and his angels--Matthew 25:41.)

Why is ignorance a bad thing? If we're "ignorant of Satan's devices" he will get an advantage over us (II Corinthians 2:11). A person does not sleep alone outside in the area where a man-eating lion has been known to hunt. A prudent person is watchful, on guard. And that takes knowledge. "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour." I Peter 5:8

Some people serve Satan willingly; others serve him and don't even know it. We must judge each person's words and actions by the yardstick of truth and not let smooth words deceive us: "Satan changes himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness...." II Corinthians 11:14-15

Jesus said, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16

We can't remain ignorant and be wise to the way of the devouring wolf or lion.

"In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

True Courage

If you haven't read the actual account of David and Goliath in a while, look in I Samuel 17. It's an amazing true story: The Philistine army had God's people cowed at the presence of this giant (9'9") who defied them. Not one man in Israel's camp had the fortitude to stand up to him.

But the teenage shepherd David, youngest of eight sons, brought food to his brothers who were in the army and heard the giant's challenge. He was amazed at the fear displayed by God's people and wanted to answer Goliath. He told King Saul, "The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine."

He refused Saul's armor and weapons and chose his shepherd's staff, sling, and five smooth stones.

When Goliath saw David coming, he made fun of and cursed him. But David, full of faith, replied, "I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day will the LORD deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear, for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands."

It didn't take five stones; it only took one to dispatch the giant. Afterwards, the Israelite army had courage to defeat the Philistine army. Courage is contagious!

What need we fear as long as we have true faith in the LORD? No matter how big the evil giant, the LORD is far, far greater. Let's enCOURAGE one another to greater faith and fortitude.

Resurrecting this blog

After months of wondering if adding my words to the din was worth the effort (as well as spending many, many hours sewing Revolutionary War costumes for George & Martha Washington and the Young Patriots Fife & Drum Corps) I've decided that I need to keep writing, even if I'm the only one who reads it.

The present course of our nation's federal government often brings me to the brink of despair. In the last months I keep reading and reminding myself of these verses:

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3-4

I KNOW that God has a purpose for everything. He doesn't send evil to anyone, but He sometimes allows evil to happen in order to chastise His children, to help us see that we have strayed from His noble purposes.

I have to trust Him with my whole heart and remember that He is bigger than any evil man can devise. Just as Peter was able to walk on water as long as he focused on Jesus (Matthew 14:29), we can accomplish the seemingly impossible as long as we fix our eyes on "the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

I'm going to work on growing my faith and trust in the LORD. How about you?

No Fear

During these dark and uncertain times it's easy to become distracted and fearful of what the future holds. Will America remain a free Republic? Or will our amazing experiment in democracy be "fundamentally transformed" into a socialist/Marxist state?

Only God knows for sure. He holds the future in His hands. It's encouraging to read the Psalms, many of which were written by David as he was being persecuted by King Saul, because the Word cuts through distractions and reminds us where to focus:

"Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation on thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 25:4-5

Same Psalm, verse 2: "O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me."

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

And of course, this verse that has deeper meaning now: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

What is the worst thing that could happen? Death? For a child of God, death opens the door to eternal life. Like Paul we can say, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 2:21

The very worst thing is to die unprepared to meet our God. We must repent and live for Him so that we can honestly say, "whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Romans 14:8

Compared to eternity in heaven, we can handle this "light affliction, which is but for a moment." II Corinthians 4:17

The Lifter Up

About once a week I get "worked up" nearly to the point of despair against the foes of liberty that have infiltrated our Republic like a cancer.

And then I remember that God our Heavenly Father is in control, that none of this is too big for Him, and I pray instead of screaming.

Last night I read Psalm 3 and for the first time these verses popped out at me:

"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.

"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

Wow! I knew that He was my Shield and my Rock, but He is also The Lifter Up when I droop or feel weary.

The fight for liberty is truly a spiritual one, because the same Enemy who wants to enslave each and every one of us to a totalitarian form of government also desires to enslave our souls and prevent us from serving the One True and Living God and following "the perfect law of liberty." (James 1:25)

May you always turn to God, The Lifter Up.

A New Year

I love the beginning of a new year. It's a time to start afresh. And one of my resolutions (or revolutions, if you will) is to post more often!

I have no idea who, if anyone, reads this blog, but I still want to write. Any words that we put down on paper are valuable, if for nothing else than "priming the pump." And frankly, after over 700 letters and postcards written this year, my pump wants priming in other directions.

So I plan to post here at least 3 times a week, maybe more. Writing is communication but also helps one solidify one's convictions. I know I don't have the faith that I should; maybe you don't either.

So here's to faith, hope, and love (I Corinithians 13:13) and a better year for freedom!