BSA RIP

Morally Straight?

(by R.P.Edwards)

Happy Boyscouts

Going gay

No matter what

The Oath may say

Liberals cheer

Their kerchiefs wave!

With founders spinning

In their grave

Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

It was a "get 'em while they're new" kind of thing. New employees; encouraged to donate an hour's worth of pay, each month, to the United Way. I donated two...for quite a while. Until, that is, the United Way on the left coast started harassing the Boy Scouts about their "No Gay" requirement. I pulled my funding and placed it...elsewhere.

And so the BSA has caved on the issue of openly gay scouts. Alas. No doubt the constant drumming that "Gayness" is akin to ethnicity, has swayed the necessary deciders. It's a false premise, of course, but belief has weight (consider the last election) even if the consequence is destructive.

So, what to do? Many will do nothing. But many, as I did in my opening illustration, will pull...out. Indeed, those whose Christianity is not mushy and malleable will remove their precious sons from the listing vessel. Many Church sponsors will say Sayonara and, if they delay long, the membership will leave the pews. The BSA may very well end up DOA. But if it doesn't...it will never be the same.

But fear not. Just as individual Churches and denominations have apostatized in the past (albeit retaining the same name) the TRUE believers that were once their members have not disintegrated or dissolved;  they have merely moved on. And so it will be with the Boy Scouts. The older values of the institution will live on. Live on...elsewhere.

Now, what to do with the oath? Particularly the last part of the last line..."morally straight." Here's some suggestions: instead of straight, might I suggest obtuse, subjective, vague, or my favorite...bankrupt.                

In the sixties there was a Disney flick, staring Fred MacMurray, about a man and wife who took on the responsibility of a scout troop. It was titled, Follow Me Boys, and, being a wee lad at the time, I found it rather inspirational. Following is the theme song. Listen, and remember how it used to be...

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Real Martyrs

Real Martyrs 

(by R.P.Edwards)

Martyrs are not murderers

Proclaim this loud and clear

Teach it to your children

And to any you hold dear.

For martyrs die for their beliefs

They never, never kill

Martyrs are not murderers

Never have been

Never will

Let's begin with some of my "beliefs." I am a Christian. I believe Jesus is who He said He was...the Son of God. I believe He is the only way to heaven. I believe His death on the cross was/is the only acceptable sacrifice to bring atonement; that is, pay for our sins in order for us to have access to our Holy Heavenly Father. I believe it's Christ...or nothing. And, I truly believe this is what the Scripture reveals.

So, believing and knowing this, I can confidently say that "all" other paths...lead to Hell. An eternity away from the God "who so loved the world (John 3:16)" That includes Islam, Buddhism, and any other "ism" or belief or lack thereof.  

Here's the difference.  I truly, dearly want others to share my faith. The methods to achieve this are, prayer, scripture, testimony, prayer, kindness; but never, never, NEVER...murder. How utterly damnable to think that shedding the "infidels" blood will get you brownie points. Damnable. And that extends especially to the "teachers" who take advantage of the impressionable young.

 

The Mouthpiece 

(by R.P.Edwards)

Tiny soldiers

On the tongue

Marching to

Defile the young

Turning minds

From peace to war

Cruelty, murder

Even more

Twisted doctrine

Satan's truth

Spoken to

Enslave the youth

All from safety

Devil's den

And when they're dead

Begin...again

Older Brothers

 

 VS

Older Brothers 

(by R.P.Edwards)

Here's to older brothers

Who influence for good

Who help their younger siblings

The way a brother should

Who've learned from life a thing or two

And teach the better way

Who help to raise the children

Apart from parents say

Yes, here's to older brothers

Who pause to reach behind

Who help the younger siblings stand

Maturity to find

A simple word

A playful nudge

A counselor

A peer

God bless the older brothers

Who help the others...hear

 I have an older brother named Bill. We haven't seen each other in a while. He lives states away and, truth be told, even growing up our acquaintance was limited. Why? Well, being ten years my senior, by the time I was cognizant he had joined the navy and our meetings thereafter...were memorable...albeit brief. 

But...Bill had an influence on me. Always prone to "lecture," I was often his sounding board; be it about his many scientific experiments or theories or, after he later committed his life to Christ, he spoke of his relationship with the Savior. His words (and no doubt, prayers) were a needful nudge in the positive direction; an added weight to the scale that tipped his younger, bull-headed brother, more in the direction of the Bible, rather than bombs. Thanks Bill.

Now, enter the brothers Tsarnaev; those responsible for the recent terrorist activity in Bean Town. Let's concentrate on the older, Tamerlan;a twenty-six year old, married, father of one, who, along the way latched onto the "it's okay to murder" branch of Islam. Well, his younger brother, Dzhokhar, was fodder for his fanaticism. And the result? Two young ladies, a boy, and a police officer from MIT...murdered all. And one of the great tragedies of this story (one of many) is that an older brother (now dead and keenly aware of the error of his views), instead of leading his younger towards maturity, and meaningful manhood; instead he filled his pliable skull with satan's thoughts. The result: murder.

And so, here's to the older brothers, like Bill, who pause long enough to actually do some good for their siblings. God speed more of them into this troubled world.

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The Revote

The Revote

(by R.P.Edwards)

A bit ironic

Sour...and sweet

The people voting

With their feet

The liberals win

Then tax...and tie

So freedom lovers

Say goodbye!

The company's name is PTR Industries; they make rifles; the scary looking ones. They are (soon to be "were") based in the "Constitution State"...Connecticut. Why were?...well the Connecticut law makers, eager to do "something" after the horrific Newtown incident, quickly passed a law that many say would have done exactly "nil" to prevent the elementary school massacre had it been in place at that time. It does do one thing however; it makes it hard for a company like PTR Industries to remain viable in the Nutmeg state. So...they're leaving. And I don't blame them. Here's a link to their website where you can read for yourself their reason for "leavin'".  PTR Industries

I just found it funny, ironic, and in a way...satisfying. Why? Because when the state of my birth and other liberal bastions (you know, the "blue" states) start having their progressive way in the legislature (i.e. exorbitant taxes and regulations that adversely affect business and the everyman) many, both businesses and individuals...simply leave. And, if you think about it; it's a flight that is as American as the Jones' pulling up stakes in the congested east and steering their prairie schooner westward towards the Oregon trail. Yes, businesses are fleeing for greener pastures. And where are they going? Where Big Brother is not so big. Where regulations do not strangle, and taxes do not stifle. Where the reward for the sweat of your brow is not parsed to the multitude. And, if this trend continues; if the bloodletters do not wise up; then their states will become anemic, anorexic, anathema. And, if I may make an observation; though we do not have the old divisions of North and South, slave and free; we are seeing a sifting that has as its impetus, money...and morals. And I suspect it will continue. Texas anyone?

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Introducing...God

Introducing.....

(by R.P.Edwards)

Introductions

Are in order

"America...meet God!"

To some

This smacks of foolishness

Absurdity
Quite odd

For we have Him on our currency

Our lips oft drop His name

But our actions

Prove hypocrisy

Apostacy

And shame.

This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me...

(Jesus, Matthew 15:8, quoting Isaiah, quoting the Holy Spirit)

You don't care?...I'll MAKE you care!

(what dads say)

An associate recently, in casual conversation, asked if I'd heard of some of the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis (you know, experimentation, skin lampshades, not to mention wholesale slaughter/genocide). Well, sure. Pop's a WWII vet (one of the few remaining), and I've seen my share of documentaries and such.

The dialogue quickly turned to the potential evil in "all" we humans. After all, the scripture declares that the heart is "desperately wicked." And...as much as we think not...even "American" hearts can slip into the mindset that does horrible, horrible things.  Enter the segue: I gently changed subject (only slightly) that very close to our position there was a place where a physician gladly reached into the wombs of women and tore their innocent unborns...to pieces. Thousands, thousands, and hundreds of thousands. Many, quite large, viable, feeling. Yes, murder on a massive scale. Horrific, loathsome, heinous, vile, and the deliberate hand was, and is, guided by the same heart-essence that bludgeoned the slave; slaughtered the Armenians, and tried to exterminate the Jew.

Of course, the doers of any crime (repugnant or no) tend to think their actions justified, even wholesome, or at least necessary, and such is the case of the abortionist and his supporters (academics, politicians, clergy, media, etc). But, what is God's view? What...is God's view?

Listen; this little blurb is as much a finger-pointing at myself as anyone else. Why? Because, although definitely in the "pro-life" camp, I often find myself apathetic, lethargic, unmoved. Even though I know; I KNOW! that murder is happening just down the street (so much greater in scope than the recent Newtown travesty), I choose to block it out. Perhaps to maintain sanity...I block it out.

But, and this IS the point; I truly believe there is a God...and He is NOT lethargic and unmoved. And as such...I believe He will stir us. Yes, in answer to infanticide, but to the greater truth...of our forsaking and forgetting...Him. And although I, like many, like to dabble in the symptoms of the disease (i.e. conservatism vs liberalism); these are merely the externals. Our solution; our awakening, will require a stirring by the the divine hand. And, I fear it will be a terrible stirring indeed.  And...I believe it has already begun.

Here's an excerpt from Lincoln's second inaugural address. Something to ponder as OUR time of testing...comes.

"....Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

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Doubly Damned

The Good Kind

(by R.P.Edwards)

The fear of God

Will guide your way

But those without

Will go astray

Believing theirs

The Righteous way

Until they meet

Their painful

Pay

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

(Proverbs 9:10) 

I started the day with a Cumin and Cinnamon Bagel. Oh, it was supposed to be sugar and cinnamon, but that darn Cumin container (nestled against the Chili Powder. Why do we need both anyway?!) gave the illusion of the sweeter stuff and, since I wasn't about to throw my Chili (minus beans and Carne) round bread away, I made a more careful search and proceeded to smother one, with the other.  Yum (not really). And then my foot set off the mousetrap...

I didn't watch the inaugural address but I have perused the written version. President Obama quoted the most famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence (We hold these truths...) and then he spiced the rest of the nest with "God" at least five times.  And, if I must quote something, let it be this:

"My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this capitol, was an oath to God and country..."

However, the greatest affront; the most grievous gesture, was that he said said oath with his hand not on one Bible...but two.  And not just two, but the sacred writ once cradled and read by two beloved American martyrs ...Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Here's the gist: President Obama has, before the world and heaven, invoked the name of God. President Obama, the most anti-life president, who has added his Amen to the 55 million murdered unborn...has invoked the name of God.  President Obama, who champions a lifestyle that the Lord of Heaven has deemed unacceptable and can never bless...has invoked the name of God. And, although I have to believe he is either ignorant of the volume or assigns it to the bin of fables (how could he say such things otherwise?) I do know this: there is a God. And He is not one to be trifled with.  And, I truly expect his pleasure or displeasure will become evident soon enough.

But again: I don't blame the President. No. His dispositions have long been evident. The greater blame is upon those who have sold their birthright for a bowl of porridge.  Who have traded the spiritual for the spatial. Who have grossly compromised their Christianity and their convictions.  Yes, in this Democratic Republic...there is enough blame for all. I suggest, therefore, that the universal "we" repent and get to prayin'. Perhaps...just perhaps...the real God will hear...and turn our President...and our America...back to Him.

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Hobby Lobby and the Tyrant

Evil

(by R.P.Edwards)

Evil thoughts

May come and go

But actions

Prove the sway

And when the court

Betrays our trust

Then Evil

Rules

The day

You know, I don't like to use the word "Evil" when it comes to political dispositions or propensities. And...I usually don't. For instance, the reelection of President Obama--one whose economic methods may very well bankrupt this country and whose handling of foreign affairs may, in the not so distant future, embroil us in a conflict that will make Afghanistan and Iraq seem as schoolyard spats--I don't consider these "actions" by the chief executive...as Evil.  However, when it comes to abortion; when it comes to the butchering of the unborn...this is squarely in the camp of Hell's will. 

Enter the Hobby Lobby and the tyrant. "Tyrant"...another word that should be used sparingly, but, when it comes to The Supreme Court and the unborn, one of the definitions of said word, thus: "a usurper of sovereignty"...fits.  

A member of the Green family (owners of the Hobby Lobby) said previously:

"Our family is now being forced to choose between following the laws of the land that we love or maintaining the religious beliefs that have made our business successful and supported our family and thousands of our employees and their families. We simply cannot abandon our religious beliefs to comply with this mandate."

However, this strongly held religious sentiment was not enough to sway Justice Sonia Sotomayor and, as a consequence the company now faces crippling fines unless they abandon their faith and bow to the idol (see Daniel 3).

So, what to do? My humble encouragement is that the Green family continue to stand; continue to be true to their faith. You see, the Supreme Court--and by extension the Obama administration--as powerful as they are, have now put their challenge...to God Himself.  They have, in this area, chosen to side with evil and, as the nearly omnipotent ruler of an ancient empire once discovered...there is only one God...and He will not be mocked.

Following is the excerpt from Daniel 3. The context: facing a death sentence, the three Hebrew men...stand their ground.

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. ¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

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