Saturday, August 27, 2011

The Coming Storm

 
 
 
It’s coming
(by R.P.Edwards)

“Take cover!”
Just won’t cut it
“Batten down!”
It just won’t do
There’s a killer storm a comin’
And it’s coming, sir, for you
So before this surly slayer
Comes surely cross your path
Seek refuge in the tower
That delivers souls…from wrath


The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
(Proverbs 18:10)


At the time of this writing, Hurricane Irene is still in the process of chewing up the eastern seaboard. It’s a big’n.  Spanning hundreds of miles this slow mover blows hard and waters much.  She’s the talk of the news and many have and are preparing for her coming.  Following is what Mayor Ray Sturza told a Fox reporter.

“Our principle goal is not to lose a life. There’s no reason anyone should lose their life as a result of this. We know it’s coming. We’re implementing safety measures. But, it creates a sense of anxiety because it’s getting ready to turn your whole life upside-down if you live out here.”

The good mayor is the leader of the small town of Kill Devil Hills.  Located on the outer banks of North Caroline, said community is just a little south of Kitty Hawk; yes, of Wright Brothers fame.  Supposedly the Midwesterners spent some time there testing their gliders before the powered flight they are so famous for.

Anyway, just another centering thought.  It seems the collective “we” have enough sense to prepare for the coming hurricane, but, dear reader, the storm called “death” is also on the horizon; and it is definitely coming, unstoppably, for you…and me.  The remedy; the solution; the answer to this killer, however, is not a matter of our “doing,” not a matter of boards on the window, or running in the roadster, but it is a needful recognizing and reaching out to the one who has already “done.”  And that person; that strong tower; that one who has conquered the storm…is Jesus Christ.  And so, as the waters of death come closer; as it begins to lap at our feet, and then creep ever higher, threatening and promising to swallow our hopes, our dreams, our very life and soul; let us just do what those in the icy waves do instinctively.  Those whose trusted vessel has gone under and their mortal strength reveals its fatal unfaithfulness; let us just look to the compassionate rescuer nearby and cry out, “Jesus, save me!”  And then, as his hand is offered…just take it. Yes, take his hand…and live.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Supreme Solution


A song about the supreme court.  And you thought we didn't have royalty in this country. 



Pilot Error
(by R.P.Edwards)

The ground is unforgiving
For flight plans…gone awry
And with the pilot error
A crash
And people…die


It was a monstrous airship; a multiengined stratoliner that carried a multitude, higher, higher, faster, faster through an often turbulent and storm-tossed sky interspersed, from time to time, with huge granite peaks piercing the white canopy, promising, with the slightest error in judgment, a quick and violent and certain…end.  But, with a reliable and tested flight plan, and a competent crew, the many on board felt fairly secure that their destination would be reached.  That is, until the nine navigators began quibbling over the course.  For, you see, four were adamant that the written instructions were to be taken “as is,” and four thought there was wiggle room in the reading of the coordinates (indeed, their predecessors established the precedence of throwing babies out the rear exit to lighten the load, and “their” predecessors thought Americans with dark skin could also be likewise treated)  And the final navigator, the decider, he waffled back and forth betwixt the two.  Finally, after the horrified passengers saw the wingtips barely brush the branches on a speeding past peak, they banded together and decreed (for these many actually “owned” the aircraft) that “wayward” navigators could be overruled, and if need be…fired.

____

Although it seems I’m on a Rick Perry run, I’m actually still in a wait and see mode.  However, the recent publication of his “to do” list caught my eye.  Abolish the income tax; balance the budget; make abortion illegal; defend traditional marriage, and a couple of provisions to rein in activist judges.  Concerning the “Kings,” these would have term limits and, if a heinous or outlandish ruling came down (such as Roe v Wade) the congress, with a two thirds majority, could “overrule” the judges without going the amendment route.  I like that; and it’s about time. But I have to wonder; how did we even get to this spot where we nonchalantly accept the fact that some judges can rewrite the Constitution without consequence?  Of course there should be provisions short of impeachment to correct a wayward judiciary!  I only hope it happens before the “navigators” turn us into the ever-nearing cliffs.

Rick Perry’s “to do” list:  Gov Perry's list

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Saturday, August 20, 2011

It's a fact? Really?

 
 
 
Bad Science
(by R.P.Edwards)

Science is subjective
By definition…shouldn’t be
But scientists are human
With biases
like you and me


It wasn’t farfetched.  I knew it could be done (people on TV could do it!). So, why could not I, a tot of sub-kindergarten age, jump off the brick wall (a railing of sorts; perhaps two feet tall) dive, do a mid-air flip, and land safely and triumphantly on my feet in the meager pile of leaves I had gathered adjacent my launch-point. And so, with a simple bend at the knees and a vigorous bound, I took off! And, a second later, I landed squarely on my head (the leaves offering little comfort).  Yes, my experimentation ended with this sore-headed performance.  I concluded, therefore, that it was not as easy as, at first, supposed.  And, if I had not had the knowledge that there were actually people who could do this feat; perhaps I would have surmised through my “failed” experiment that it could not be done…at all.
____

You start with a question.  You gather data. You propose a hypothesis, a solution, an answer; and then you test, test, test to see if the hypothesis holds water.  It’s called the scientific method and it is absolutely essential in the hard sciences, such as Physics and Chemistry.  It is not, however, a tool that can be used in the area of history, or origins.  Oh, there are plenty of questions, and educated guesses, but there can never be testing.  And, even though a “majority” may repeat the mantra, and though armies of lock-step lab-coated men and women with impressive titles in front and letters behind their names swear their allegiance to Darwin’s child and shout with full conviction, “Scientific Fact!;” it can never, never be more than an untested theory.  And though they love to malign and belittle those whose faith reaches beyond the natural realm; those who believe that the human spirit is more than the result of the astronomical alignment of blind chance mutations; these men of science remind us all that they are indeed human.  Filled with bias.  Biases that would not be tolerated in the “hard sciences” from which we all have benefited. 

And so they come out.  Those who would label Christians such as Rick Perry as anti-science.  But, as the previous paragraph infers, there is a big difference between the evidence-heavy “hard sciences” and the mushy, malleable “believings” of Darwinists and their ilk who, seeing the left-overs of long ago events, and grasping for even the hint of an evolutionary “change,” (and taking, as a given, no “unnatural” influences) these, with abandon, extrapolate wildly backward and boldly assert, “Evolution is a Fact!” What utter hogwash!

I’ll not go on and on.  But I will name a few of the results of the two experiments we "have" seen in our lifetime (if you have a few years on you, that is).  On the one hand we have seen a great--though imperfect--nation; one where the majority of its people held to the belief in the God mentioned in the Declaration of Independence; this nation was unmatched in strength, moral virtue, wealth and prosperity; and, on the other hand we now see the results as evolutionary thought has taken hold in the Universities, the courts, public schools, the media and government.  Now, this nation that is rejecting our former beholdence to God, it is, and has become anemic (not yet militarily, thankfully), sickly and bankrupt.  We, following the tenets of the proclaimed “scientific fact” murder our children and muddy our institutions.  Yes, even our credit rating is down; but our moral rating is, as a result, far lower.  And, though I doubt any reasonable candidate would seek my advice; if they did, he or she, when challenged, might dare to read the list of the test results.  Then…let the social scientists among us (those who vote), based on the data, decide the better of the two “theories.”

Here’s a site you might find interesting:  Answers in Genesis


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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Perry and Global Warming

 The Chicago Cubs and Global Warming.  Yeah, that's me singing. Read the piece, then listen to me croon.

Because we say so
(by R.P.Edwards)

“Because we say so!”
That’s the gist
The liberal stamp
On favored lists
Global Warming
Married Gays
Spread the wealth
The rich man pays
Evolution
Man from bugs
Bullets bad
We’ll fight with hugs
Babies only, when they cry
In the womb?
Ok to die
Worship gods
But not the Christ
History, ok to heist
America, the planet’s scum
But tyrants?
Well, we call them “chum”

But Perry's opinion runs counter to the view held by an overwhelming majority of scientists…”  A lined gleaned from an AP piece concerning Texas Governor, Rick Perry’s expressed doubts that the activity of man has caused global warming.  Translation: “Anybody who’s anybody “knows” that human activity is causing the globe’s fever. We have a list.”

I’ll not belabor the point (the job beckons), but Mr Perry’s not falling for the “a bunch of us says so” line is just another reason to look his way.   “Majority rules” may work in Congress, or on the playground, but it shouldn’t be the standard for scientific fact.  It’s refreshing when, from time to time, the emperor is reminded that he is buck naked.  Kudos, Texan!

Here’s a link to “another” list.  Scientists who respectfully disagree with Al Gore’s child http://www.petitionproject.org/

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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Rick Perry for Prez

 
 
 
 
Suggestion: read my little preamble, then click on the video above.
 
Rick Perry
(by R.P.Edwards)

Far from Harvard’s Ivy ick
That squishy speech that makes you sick
A Texan talks
In honest drawl
Reminding we
Of freedom’s call


Past the midnight toll.  Still catching up a bit.  I looked to youtube to find Texas Governor, Rick Perry’s, “running for president” announcement.  He chose to avoid the “straw” poll in Iowa and spilled the beans in South Carolina instead.   I’ll not ramble (as “his” words are first hand, and mine, second) however, I was immediately endeared because he didn’t use…a teleprompter.

The question: Am I fully behind Mr. Perry?  Still deciding, but yes, I’d take him any day (you know the rest).

Here’s a link to a site that shows where the governor stands on a variety of topics.
  Issues

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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Iowa Debate 2012






For mood enhancement, click selection above, then read on...




Dad I
(by R.P.Edwards)

As a little lad
I thought it sad
That daddy watched the news
I thought it dull
To sit and mull
While talkers talked the blues
Now here am I
So far from spry
But something’s taken hold
I stay up late
And watch debate
I guess I’m getting old



It was waiting for me.  Somewhere near the top of the list the Iowa debate from a couple days ago.  I knew it was there, but I was detained and drained, but now…for fun…I’ll watch it.

Ok, I “watched” it.  After whipping up some pancakes, and with momma out of the house, I reclined on the bed and watched the eight presidential wannabees face off.  Those in attendance were, former governors Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman; Congressfolk Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul; former speaker Newt Gingrich; former senator Rick Santorum, and business guy, Herman Cain.  And, not in attendance, but a presence none-the-less, Texas Governor Rick Perry.  Now, I really did watch it.  Even took notes. And only dozed off about five times (for a moment or two, rewinding to regroup).  But, I just don’t feel like tediously expounding (there are plenty of other expounders about).  So, I’ll summarize with a poem.


The Gist of the List
(by R.P.Edwards)

Pawlenty and Bachmann
Duked it out
Ron Paul’s posse
Gave a shout
Cain knows more
Than he knew before
Santorum said,
“Give me the floor!”
Newt was grouchy
That was clear
Huntsman, huh?
Should he be here?
Mitt was cool
In his tailored suit
All had come
Their horns to toot
They spoke of how
They’d save the farm
Fixes for
Obama’s harm
Traditional marriage
Babies worth
America’s place
On planet earth
Then they were asked
Of Perry’s plan
Of how they viewed
The Texas man
Then one and all
With tepid grin
Said
“The water’s fine
Just step on in!”


And again, my assessment?  I’d take any one of them over the current occupant of the white house.
_____

One more thing.  The previous post shares some family happenings this week.  Thanks for the messages of sympathy.  Also, it just so happens that in my Bible reading I was slowly cruising through the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes.  Here was a verse that stood out (appropriate, I thought).

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living take it to heart.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2)


At the funeral of my father in law there was an abundance of tears and tender hearts.  The minister, as many ears were open,  wisely reminded these that there was also a coming “end” for each, and that the proper preparation for the inevitable involves a personal reaching to the way maker…Jesus Christ.  I invite the reader also, for a moment, to pause and consider your individual end (it‘s not that far away).  And, if considering brings unction, click on the section titled, “Of first Importance” in the upper right corner.

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Coming to Ground

 
 
 
 
Coming to Ground
(by R.P.Edwards)

Coming to ground
Emptied of “things”
Puffed up distractions, have all taken wings
Gone with your dying
Our trivial tome
Yes
We’re coming to ground
As you travel…home



Four heads bowed…and mournful weeping.  Four hearts raw and rent…and lowered to earth.  Four delicate petals surrounding the center; the remains of a father, husband, leader, friend.  He…has died.  And we; lonely we…are the less.

My father-in-law passed away a few days ago.  The call came at the midnight toll and, before we got there; before my wife had another chance to look into her “daddy’s” eyes…he was gone.  And, as I stood back--before the influx of the many (though it was so late)--I saw she and her two sisters, and their precious mother, bow their heads and express with tender tears that for which words are without strength.

Now, I usually reserve this space for less personal observations.  But I, with your indulgence (and as we are still in the process of release) would like, for just a moment, to honor the man who was so much to so many. His name is Russell Edwards (I write “is” because he still “is”. Death is but a door). A rather intimidating figure when we first met (as he was well over six foot and I, barely there).  And, as I remember it, he was more than a match for me and my navy buddies who sought, on one occasion, to test his mettle. And, though he was a bit of a bear on the outside, when love needed to be shown…his mushy middle was exposed.  And, perhaps the greatest expression of this (relating to me and mine) was when, at a very difficult and dark time, he offered his home to be shared by my family of four.  No conditions. No limits or lease.  Just…come. 

So, Russell Lee Edwards, till we meet again.  You have traveled on; but your gifts…continue.

_____

“Coming to ground.”  Getting to that place where only the essential…is essential.  It seems to me, through the many difficulties that have and are coming upon our land, that we, as a nation, are coming to ground.  Coming to that place where the foundation…is laid bare.  How much better it would be; yes, how much better if we actually “sought” that barren spot which demands renewal and restoration, rather than to be forced, kicking and screaming, to lay aside our consuming toys and trivialities.

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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Look into the casket

 
 
 
The Whole Truth
(by R.P.Edwards)

Judgment distant
Judgment poor
Look in the casket
Then
Be sure


Fifty-six years ago, this month, a fourteen year old African-American boy named Emmett Till went from his home in Chicago to visit some relatives in Mississippi.  He apparently said or did some inconsequential “something” that rubbed local whites the wrong way and, in the middle of night he was abducted, brutally tortured, murdered, and his body was dumped into the Tallahatchie River. His grieving mother, wanting the world to actually see what had been done to her child, ordered an open casket at the funeral.  Emmett’s horribly disfigured remains became a rallying point for a nation that was beginning to come to terms with the appalling injustice suffered by millions of their fellow Americans  The open casket…showed the truth. And the truth…led to action.
____


The other day, as I was searching for pro-life sites to send a book invite (Sir John & the Dragon’s Boast has a strong pro-life subplot) I ran across “The Center for Bio-ethical Reform.”  It’s homepage greeted me with an Emmett Till moment.  For there, on the screen, scrolling before me, was the truth of abortion.  Graphic? Yes.  But jarringly eye-opening. And, I dare say, if the seven black-robed men who, in 1973, took on the mantle of godhood, and passed the death sentence for over 50 million Americans; if these had paused to look into the casket of their actions…they might have reconsidered.  And, if the millions of “I love Jesus” Christians who, without remorse, vote for those who support the slaughter; if these dared to look into the casket…they might reconsider.  And, if the local populace and government of Granite City IL, took a moment to see what their (our) indifference tolerates; they too might reconsider.

You know; I often hesitate at the using of the “M” word but, with the help of the visual truth, I now have no problem calling abortion what God calls it…murder.  And, dear reader, I challenge “you” to look into the casket.  But, be warned, “known” truth …makes demands.  Here's a link: http://www.abortionno.org/

Following is a verse from a Bob Dylan song having to do with the injustice done to Emmett Till.  I have no idea what the “blowin’ in the wind” folks singer thinks of the unborn.  But…the words fit.


If you can't speak out against this kind of thing, a crime that's so unjust,
Your eyes are filled with dead men's dirt, your mind is filled with dust.
Your arms and legs they must be in shackles and chains, and your blood it must refuse to flow, For you let this human race fall down so God-awful low!
(
from The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan)

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