September 29, 2023

To undermine the false authority of an absurd proposition that offends reason, laughter can sometimes also be a suitable instrument. ~Umberto Eco~

I suppose this is why we have groups like the Babylon Bee to poke fun and point out absurdities and idiotic ideas that people come up with. Shakespeare knew a thing or two about satire and sarcasm. However, we must not allow our soothing satire, humorous lampooning, our amusing mockery, and righteous ridicule to distract us from the actual danger that is upon us. The danger is seen in a decaying that includes denying truth, debunking history, depreciating Christianity, and degrading morality that is destroying our culture.  The reason this is so obviously noticeable is that America was created with all the signs of divine blessing. Both the Pilgrims and Puritans came with a Judeo-Christian value system and created a legal system that was the foundation for a republic form of government for the people and by the people. Most social commentators from Benjamin Franklin to Alexis de Tocqueville realized that America was unique and would only stay as such if its people remained educated and religious. That does not mean that all Americans were or are Christians, but it did and does mean that a baseline of a theistic worldview and a Christian moral values system is what allowed America to become what it was so quickly. Great and Good! However, America is not that old and just as its creation was supported by divine influence so now its corruption has all the signs of demonic influence. We are being decimated because we have lost our moral footing and value system. Drag queens teaching our students, Governor Gavin Newsom ordering filth to be taught to all kids in public schools, and a Supreme Court justice not knowing what a woman is. “Foolish” does not describe the wanton and reckless evil that is being perpetrated upon this country and its people. As Arnold Toynbee appropriately reminds us; “Civilizations die from suicide not by murder.” Alexis de Tocqueville observed as he traveled throughout America in 1831-32 and concluded. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. To whom much is given much is required. I think that says it all. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

September 22, 2023

Whenever people have a choice of following a madman or a man of reason, they unhesitatingly choose to follow the madman. - Aldous Huxley-

I will leave it up to you to discern Who is What and What is Who and Which is Which. There are plenty of options to pick from these days.   I assume you are following Jesus. In America in the old days that was considered a good thing. Then it became a neutral thing. Now it is considered a dangerous thing. We Christians are those mystic prophets of the absolute that believe we know the truth and the world does not tolerate that well. Jesus himself reminds us; If the world hates you; you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  (John 15:18-20)   It is the nature of power that creates its abuse. It was true in the time of Jesus and it is true today. But it is true that for every day, Jesus gave us a message to receive and a model to follow. As TS Elliot reminds us, “When the whole world is running toward a precipice, one who walks in the opposite direction often looks crazy.” The world may think we are crazy……. but what else is new? Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

September 15, 2023

We Are Living on the Far Side of Paradise

Christians are sometimes overwhelmed by uncertainty, atrophied by anxiety, crippled by fear. We know that faith is the answer to such difficult situations that produce these reactions and responses. The Scriptures provide two lines of two faith stories. This is the faith story we like: And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:32 -34) This is the faith story that terrifies us: ...Others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy) wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11;36-38) It seems that many times there is a middle ground as Christians can stave off defeat but not secure victory. The result is strategic spiritual ambiguity. Sometimes I find myself “navigating by the stars under cloudy skies,” which feels like I am flying blind. I sense I am in unmapped territory. This is when I need the wardrobe of moral courage. The Scriptures provide just what I need, for they remind me that I have the Person of Christ and His sinless seed indwelling me. I have the power of the person of the Holy Spirit to fill and guide me. I have the promise that God is the Father of mercy the God of all comfort who provides His personal concern and the power to comfort me no matter what I find entering my life. (2 Corinthians 1:3) Faith stories are important. But we must remember that Faith is not knowing everything is going to turn out Okay. It is being Okay no matter how things turn out. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

September 8, 2023

When words lose their meaning people lose their liberty.  -Confucius-

We are living in the land of the liar. Unfortunately, there is enough truth to validate this diagnosis. The analysis of evidence is more than overwhelming. It is self-apparent from the White House to the state house, from the FBI to the IRS, from Wall Street to Main Street “my word is my bond” is meaningless. Our current cultural experience validates this verdict. Our theology declares that the devil is the deceiver, the father of lies, and a counterfeit. From the primordial garden of Eden (Genesis 3) to the end of the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20), deception is his way. The whole world lies in the lap of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) However - living in the land of the liar offers Christians the opportunity to speak the truth in love and live the truth boldly and noticeably. There have always been consequences for taking a stand for truth. Luther, King, Lincoln, Bonhoeffer, and countless others spoke truth to power and paid the price. Let us not forget Peter, Paul, and Jesus. The Church is to be the pillar of truth. (I Timothy 3:15) The Church is to be the salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-14) The Church is to be a “Point of light” because Jesus is the light to the world (John 8:12). The Church is us. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

September 1, 2023

Fame, Fame, How Many Lives of Worthless Men Have You Exulted ~Euripides~

The pop culture manipulates the masses and has created quite a mess. As we think of our political classes, the Hollywood cult, and the spokespersons of sports, we quickly discover that “The Great Man or Woman has disappeared, and we are left with and led by as TS Elliot opined, “men without chests.” This is because many have achieved a great name based on the false opinion of the masses. As Marshal McLuhan said, “the medium is the message” and the media has created cardboard cutouts with character as thin as tissue paper. Great men and great women are to be measured by the virtue of truth in their personhood rather than by popular esteem. It is the quality of their actions and not the extent of their dominion that reveals true greatness. The media manufactures heroes and Hollywood produces superheroes. But the fact is we are living in a world without heroes. However, true greatness and true celebrity are seen in the hero from Nazareth. Jesus came to accept the consequences of others’ sins in a way no ordinary man could possibly do. As Saint Anselm reminds us, "Jesus came into the world not out of curiosity, nor out of any sense of personal need. The Father sent the Son on an errand of mercy, solely to accomplish man’s redemption.” Such an accomplishment indeed that Napoleon on his deathbed declared; “I die before my time and my body shall be given back to earth and devoured by worms. What an abysmal gulf exists between my deep miseries and the eternal kingdom of Christ. I marvel that whereas the ambitious dreams of myself, Alexander the Great, and of Caesar should have vanished into thin air, a Judean peasant, Jesus, should be able to stretch his hands across the centuries and control the destinies of men and nations.”      Jesus is the king who has authority, a prophet with God’s message, and our priest in service for His people.  This is a hero to be worshiped.  Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred