Thursday, September 24, 2015

Dr Ben Carson and Fried Bologna





Fried Bologna
(by R.P.Edwards)

Fried bologna
In the pan
Forget your bacon!
Forget your spam!
Forget your sausage!
Patties! links!
Ignore their comments
And what they thinks!
It's comfort food!
A round delight!
The craving hit you
in the night
So grab the package!
Pull the slice!
It's fried bologna!
Really nice
:)


And so, Presidential candidate, Dr Ben Carson, said, in essence, that he didn't want a devout Muslim in the White House. Why? Because their allegiance to the Koran, the Hadith and Sharia law would supersede their allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. 

Not really that controversial (although some try and make it so). Look around. "See" for yourself the fruit born of those who closely adhere to the "prophet's" teaching. Observe the societal conditions of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, etc. And we want that here? Obviously not.

But, let's pause a moment for a minor study in perspective. Concerning Dr Carson; it is my understanding that he is a "devout" Christian. As one myself I take that to mean that his "faith" is hardly superficial. He, no doubt, is keenly aware of scripture's admonition to--love your enemies; pray for your persecutors, do good,  respect authority; defend the helpless; recognize the life in the womb and God's definition of marriage--and on and on. You see, the good doctor's "belief" molds HIS behavior, and he might naturally expect others who proclaim another faith to be as serious as he.

On the other hand: there are many (including quite a number in the media) who often view Christianity as a garnish; an add on; a placating name-drop. Thus, many who claim to follow the Savior, prove, by their actions, that they haven't a clue. And some, by their actions, prove that their hand placement on the Bible meant virtually nothing.

And as far as the "fried bologna" goes; my youngest wanted it for breakfast. Simple fare. And, might I add, Dr Carson's unpolished tendency to tell the truth; this too is another kind of comfort food.

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Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Hug






The Hug
(by R.P.Edwards)

A gentle holding
Brief and sweet
When words and eyes
Are incomplete
To show the love
When loved ones meet
When paths are crossed
And paused to greet 



It was unsolicited, but oh so welcome. The beautiful child--an angelic face with long blond hair flowing behind--darted to my arms from a jumble of strangers and then...she was gone.

It was Saturday morning and, as I sometimes do, I went to our local abortion clinic to add my presence to the others already battling from the sidewalk for the lives of the children being carried to the government sanctioned slaughter. There was much going on this day: singing, praying, speaking, and some shouting; all in the hopes of opening a mother's eyes (father's too) to see the preciousness of the life they carried. Nevertheless, most marched in and surrendered their offspring to the cruelest destruction. 

But, midst the huddling on the edges (there were visitors from out of town this day) there was a young lady who, just a few years prior, was a passenger in the womb of a woman whose initial thought...was to remove this inconvenience. Long story short: the ministry present that day (and this) not only persuaded the birth-mother to NOT kill the child; but they also adopted the baby as their own. It was this child, years later, that gave this writer a hug. 

Oh, abortion is a monstrous act! Murder on its face, but so shrouded by the tempter's lies as to convince many that small humans...are not human at all. And, like the evil of slavery before it, there is an inevitable reaping that must attend a nation laden with the blood of the innocent millions. But, for now, at least one has survived the abortionist's claws. And, who knows, perhaps with her hopeful maturing this nation may yet come to the place of repentance and delay the justice that is so richly deserved.


www.smallvictoriesusa.com





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Monday, September 7, 2015

It's Personal this time






























 It's Personal
(by R.P.Edwards)

It's personal
When our food is less
Because you fill your treasure chest
It's personal
When our health declines
Because your will is "more be mine"
It's personal
When my children cry
Because only YOURS can touch the sky
So when you say
"It's business, sir"
Please look behind
The calloused words
For the hurting blows
You proudly place
They hit MY family
Each child's face
And remind ME, sir
As you wage your war
That's it's business, yes
But it's so much more




Normally I would just watch the Labor Day parade (usually accompanied for the last two decades or so by a candy-hoping child) but this time I was actually in it.

You see, I am, among other things, a Steel Worker. And THIS year there's a genuine battle going on concerning the new "contract." In years past there would be some nominal give and take (mostly give on our part) but THIS year it seems like there is a concerted belief and effort to hurt the Union; bad.

Oh, in one sense I see the logic. The steel industry is suffering due to a variety of variables (currency devaluing, foreign steel, lower gas prices) and that would give the "owners" an advantage at the table. After all, if the company isn't making much money, neither should the employees expect to.

But, there's something different here. It's not just a body blow we're getting (using a boxing analogy); it actually feels like a knife has been smuggled into the ring and has been thrust into our side. Some of the demands are so outrageous, so over the top, so "I can't believe it;" as a result they have pushed us not simply into the ropes--into a defensive posture--but they've pushed us into a survival mode.

Listen, I won't drag this out. I'm a Union supporter, but I haven't surrendered my heart and mind to the USW. I'm actually quite conservative in many ways and there are times when I am genuinely grieved at the ever leftward leanings of the leadership. But, concerning the contract, we are in solidarity. And, it comes down to this: for whatever reason the high-priced strategists are giving for their actions; the result is that I feel my family is being directly...threatened. And that shared belief (by my Union brothers and sisters) means sacrifice--even great sacrifice--is the order of the day. I'm sure the "owners" would do the same if their families were threatened. But of course...that will never happen.

Following is a clip from the movie, "You've got mail," that seems appropriate.


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