Extremism

I really don’t like being labeled, but for the sake of disclosure, I guess you might say that I am a Christian Conservative.  That should be understood, however, in light of the fact that I might not fit in too well with other Christian Conservatives.  Regardless, most of my life I have been registered to vote as an Independent.

Since most elections in Idaho are decided in the Republican primary, I am now registered to vote as a Republican.  When we lived in Colorado’s San Luis Valley in the 1980’s, I was registered to vote as a Democrat, for the same reason.  My belief is that the Democratic Party has moved too far left, and now I couldn’t be registered to vote as a Democrat for any reason.  I am sure that some people would feel the same about the Republican Party moving too far right.

American politics in recent years has been like a pendulum.  It swings left for a while, and then it swings right.  The problem, as I see it, is that the swings are becoming too extreme.  I do not support either extreme, and I am pretty sure most other Americans are more comfortable with politics that are closer to the middle.

I have often regarded Democrats and Republicans as two sides of the same counterfeit coin.  That coin is a political class that is more concerned with personal and party political power, than with the best interests of our country.  They value their ability to be reelected and using public service as a means of personal enrichment; rather than acting in the best long-term public interest. I don’t like that.

I like having the ability to choose between clearly differentiated alternatives.  However, I am very concerned, as I see our people becoming more and more polarized. The 24 hour broadcast news media have been complicit in creating this oppositional political and societal atmosphere.  The ”talking heads” on television and the radio hammer away day after day with the same old divisive “talking points;” rather than reporting the facts or discussing possible solutions that, while not perfect, could be acceptable to both sides.

I have a few expectations once elections have been held.  I would like our elected officials to treat each other with respect; if not for the person, then for the office.  When Rep. Nancy Pelosi withdraws the invitation for President Trump to deliver the state of the union address at the capitol building, she is not just showing disrespect for Donald Trump, she is showing disrespect for the Office of the President.  It poisons the political atmosphere, polarizes the opposing parties, makes coming to agreement more difficult, and sets a terrible example.  When President Trump gets up and walks out of a meeting with congressional leaders, all of the foregoing applies to him.

I seem to recall promises to temper the dialogue, to show mutual respect, and to work together following the tragic shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.  What are the American people getting instead?  Our elected representatives hold stubbornly to untenable, extreme positions, refusing to give even the slightest accommodation.  They attack the character of good people to deny them appointments to high office or contest the suitability of duly elected persons to hold office.  They abuse the criminal justice system for political advantage.  Everyone knows politics is a dirty business at best, but today’s politicians are giving a dirty business a bad name.  In doing these things, they show disrespect for the American people.

We all have memories of our antics in school, and there are some stories we could tell. However, we were kids and not holders of high office in the greatest nation on earth.  I call for the president and all senators and congressmen to stop acting like school children and to get the peoples’ business done.  I expect you to work together to find mutually acceptable solutions to contested matters.  Presently, in your extremism and bitter antagonism you are offering lose - lose alternatives.  Then you remain deadlocked until the fight leads to a win - lose outcome.  After that you gloat, smirk, and crow about it, creating more hard feeling.  It is expected that you do your job, which is to find enough common ground to craft win - win outcomes.  In short, GET THE PEOPLES’ BUSINESS DONE.

Extremism on either the left or the right in the United States of America will wreak the county.  Our Lord said:

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (Mk 3:24 NKJV)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/mark/3.html

Relationships

In my experience of life, I have learned that relationships can be likened to bank accounts.  If you draw out more than you put in, the bank will close your account.  With relationships, the other party may tolerate it, or end it, but in either case the relationship will sour.

Marriage

You may have heard that for a marriage to be successful, each partner must meet the other half-way.  If you do that, you will have a half-way marriage.  It may continue on, but it will become lukewarm.  Little surplus accumulates from 50/50 contributions, and the time will come when either partner may need to draw out of the account more than is being put in.  When that happens, the 50/50 account will rapidly become depleted.  For a marriage to thrive, each partner (according to their ability) needs to give 75 or 100 percent all the time.  Then, something will be there when the rainy days come; and believe me they will.

Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

           (Eph 5:33 NASB)*

Friendship

Friendships are subject to definition.  Some are very inclusive in their use of the term.  Friendly acquaintances, friends of friends, amicable coworkers, and occasional companions are often called friends.  Others require a certain level of emotional security, dependability, reliability, and trust to call someone a friend; or a “close friend.”  In any case, for friendships to grow and last over time all parties need to invest in the relationship in order to value it.  People need to have a sense of “give and take,” and to feel that things are “not just one-way.”

In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matt 7:12 NASB)*

Family

Relationships between adults and their children and grandchildren change over time.  In the beginning, parents and grandparents put far more into the bank account than the child does.  Their role is nurturing and custodial, whereas the child is dependent on their parents and grandparents for almost everything.  If parents expect cooperation from their children, they must invest time and love in them; so that the children do not develop feelings of exasperation and poor self-worth when guidance, correction and humane discipline must be given.

Fathers do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
(Col. 3:21 NASB)*

Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  (Eph 6:4 NASB)*

However, as parents and grandparents become infirm due to old age, roles reverse.  The nurtured become the nurturers.  Throughout history, when that happens the primary responsibility for the care of the elderly has fallen to the family.  To make this reversal of dependency work, the relationship account needs to be full.  In recent years, the state has stepped in to make institutional care for the elderly financially viable.  The end result is that, as longevity increases, the “nanny state” will not be able to afford to continue it.  Further, it undermines the family’s need to maintain cohesiveness.  Please listen.  This is important.  Parents, children, and grandparents need to keep that relationship account full.

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. (Ex 20:12 NASB)*

Closing

There are many other kinds of relationships that could be listed, but I do not want to belabor the point.  Of course, the bank account analogy is not the only way of building and maintaining relationships.  My own relationships are not perfect, but I believe they are better than they otherwise might have been because I tried to apply this simple idea to them.  Hopefully, it may help someone else.

* https://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/

Mea Culpa

It has been over a month, since I last posted.  Please accept my sincere regrets.  I know it makes it difficult to follow a blog if a blogger does not post regularly.  By way of explanation, I plead the following:

1)    I’m beginning to feel my 70 years, as the new year begins.

2)    The weather has been gloomy, and I have not wished to bother anyone with my foul mood.

3)    Most importantly, I want never to post unless I have something to say.

This blog is a ministry, and I don’t want to post anything if I don’t feel moved in my heart to speak; nor can I comment on anything if I feel it does not honor my Savior.  So, please bear with me as I begin the new year, and wish me well.  Thank you for your patience.

Prime the Pump

In 1963, the Kingston Trio recorded a song called “Desert Pete.”  I always liked the theme, and I thought I would share it with you.

Desert Pete

I was travelin' west a Buckskin on my way to a cattle run
'Cross a little cactus desert under a hot blisterin' sun
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump
But I tell ya I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump
I took it to be a mirage at first, it'll fool a thirsty man
Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can
This pump is old, the note began, but she works so give'er a try
I put a new sucker washer in ‘er, you may find the leather dry

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe

You've got to give of yourself ‘fore you're worthy to receive
Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet
Leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, desert Pete

Yeah, you'll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there's a fire

Under that rock you'll find some water I left in a bitters jar
Now there's just enough to prime it with so dont'cha go drinkin' first
You just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you'll quench your thirst

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe

You've got to give of yourself ‘fore you're worthy to receive
Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet
Leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, desert Pete

Well I found that jar and I tell ya nothin' was ever prettier to my eye

And I was tempted strong to drink it, 'cause that pump looked mighty dry
But the note went on have faith my friend, there's water down below
You've got to give until you get—I'm the one who ought to know

So I poured in the jar and I started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound

Of water bubblin' and splashin' up outta that hole in the ground
I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treat
I thank the Lord and thank the pump and I thank old desert Pete

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe

You've got to give of yourself ‘fore you're worthy to receive
Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet
Leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, desert Pete
Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet
Leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, desert Pete[1]

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/17353229/The+Kingston+Trio/Desert+Pete

I hope you had a Merry Christmas, and that God richly blessed you.  Jesus promised:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;

knock, and it will be opened to you.

"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,

and to him who knocks it will be opened.

(Matt. 7:7-8 NASB)

---

[1] *Written by: BILLY EDD WHEELER

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided b

On Government and Related Foolishness

Our friends in Washington DC are fighting each other again.  The Democrats say they will never agree to fund a wall along the border with Mexico.  President Trump says he will not sign legislation into law to provide money for the US Government operate on, unless it includes funding to build the wall.  The Democrats are accusing the Republicans of wanting to “shut down” the government.  President Trump says that he will be “proud” to shut down the government if that is what is necessary to provide for the national defense and the safety and security of the American people.

To set the record straight, nobody can shut down the entire United States Government.  Some spending is mandated by law, and it will continue.  Further, the last time the government shut down, during the Obama Administration, NOBODY MISSED IT!

So, what are they all afraid of?  It seems to me that the biggest favor our “elected representatives” could do for us might be to stop passing laws and spending money unnecessarily … even if just for a little while.

Following, you will find a few acerbic, funny, and thought provoking quotes about government:

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

Will Rogers

I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

Will Rogers

Giving money and power to government

is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

P. J. O'Rourke

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time,

and your government when it deserves it.

Mark Twain

Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.

Ronald Reagan

Government exists to protect us from each other.
Where government has gone beyond its limits
is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.

Ronald Reagan

Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many

for appointment by the corrupt few.

George Bernard Shaw

The philosophy of the school room in one generation

will be the philosophy of government in the next.

Abraham Lincoln

I have embraced crying mothers who have lost their children because our politicians put their personal agendas before the national good. I have no patience for injustice, no tolerance for government incompetence, no sympathy for leaders who fail their citizens.

Donald Trump

The best argument against democracy is

a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

 Winston Churchill

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.

Winston Churchill

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money.

Margaret Thatcher

When there is a lack of honor in government,

the morals of the whole people are poisoned.

Herbert Hoover

My brother Bob doesn't want to be in government - he promised Dad he'd go straight.

John F. Kennedy

The story of Detroit's bankruptcy was simple enough: Allow capitalism to grow the city, campaign against income inequality, tax the job creators until they flee, increase government spending in order to boost employment,

promise generous pension plans to keep people voting for failure.

Rinse, wash and repeat.

Ben Shapiro

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

Ronald Reagan

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed;

and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

Alexander Hamilton

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. 

George Bernard Shaw

Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. 

George Bernard Shaw

There are a great many other pointed and inspiring quotes to read at:

https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=government

They include the following:

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

James Madison

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be,

we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds,

we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,

we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.

Winston Churchill

I recognize the need for government.  I just wish our friends in Washington, DC would focus on what is good for the country and the people, and not on what may help them get reelected and make them rich.

One last message to the US Congress.  Our recent experience with caravans of persons who are trying to enter the country illegally proves the need for a wall at the border with Mexico.  The wall is not about thwarting or resisting Donald Trump.  It is about protecting the United States of America and its people.

Build the Wall!

Crackdown on Churches in China

As I left my home for church today, I may have been observed by my neighbors, and my sister’s neighbors may have seen me pick her up at her house on the way.  We have a pattern of doing this pretty much every Sunday, and from our dress and the time of day it would not be hard to conclude that we were going to worship services.  We did not, however, have cause to fear that someone might report us.

We did not have to fear that our church might be raided because it was not approved by the government, and that the pastor and others might be arrested, cuffed, and taken to jail.  Our church was not shut down because the pastor refused to allow the government to install surveillance cameras in the church.  We didn’t have to fear that the government might use facial recognition technology to identify us as Christians.

We have not been forced to join an underground church that meets in a different location each Sunday, so that we can worship God in the way that we choose.  Our livelihoods have not been threatened because we go to church, and our property has not been destroyed or confiscated.  We have not been threatened or beaten by government sponsored gangs of thugs, and neither have our family members.

We have not been imprisoned or required to do forced labor.  We have not “disappeared.”  We can freely buy Bibles online or at our favorite bookstore.  We can keep religious literature in our homes and distribute it to persons who are willing to accept it.  We can talk about our Lord to those who are willing to listen.

We can vote for candidates who share our views, and petition our elected representatives.  We can run for office.  When we are harassed, as we sometimes are these days, we can avail ourselves of appropriate legal recourse.  When the secular, humanist, progressive politicians, judges and interest groups try to silence us, we have the right to equal justice under the law.

Last week, I received a newsletter from The Voice of the Martyrs, which informed of the escalated level of persecution of religious groups, including Christians, that has been happening recently in China.  This information was corroborated by an article by Samuel Chamberlain on the Fox News Website (12/10/2018).  Mr. Chamberlain based his report, in part, on information from a Texas based group called China Aid.

I thank God for the religious freedom we Americans are blessed with.  Please pray with me for persecuted Christians in China, and in other countries where the persecution is frequently worse.  Voice of the Martyrs provides Bibles to persecuted Christians worldwide, and they help the families of the victims of persecution.  They provide help to local churches in country, and to native born Christians who are witnessing and growing church groups. https://www.persecution.com/

People in China are placing themselves at risk by witnessing for Christ, attending church and/or holding positions of leadership.  We who have the freedom to worship as we choose sometimes do not use that freedom.  I read somewhere that “A freedom not used is a freedom that has been forfeited.”

Nobility of Character

These days, some folks seem to think they are more high-minded, smarter, more talented, or just plain better than others.  Robert Burns, Scotland’s farmer poet, lived from A.D. 1759 to 1796.  However, the power of this poem transcends time, and it rings just as true today.  Please try to wing it a little with the Scotch wording, and apprehend the point of what “The Great Burns” is saying.

"For a’ That," by Robert Burns

Is there for honesty poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that;
The coward slave - we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that?
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,
A man's a man for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their tinsel show, an' a' that,
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that;
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband, star, an' a' that,
The man o' independent mind
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

A price can mak a belted knight,
A marquise, duke, an' a' that;
But an honest man's aboon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities an' a' that,
The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,
Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a' that,)
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
That man to man, the world o'er,
Shall brithers be for a' that.

https://www.poemhunter.com/robert-burns/