The Choice of "We the People"

 

The Chosen
(by R.P.Edwards)

Mushy, moldy, moderates
Lying on the mat
Put there by constituents
Tired of…the fat
Bewildered at the counting
Confused by all the din
They thought they were the people’s choice
But no
“They” chose…to win

I don’t know why it gives me a degree of satisfaction; this whole anti-establishment thing.  I’m speaking of some of the “upsets” that happened in primaries of late where the GOP’s choices…were unchosen by the people.  Maybe it’s because I’ve become aware that even among Lincoln’s heirs…there is an elite; an upper crust, an “expectant” royalty and, though perhaps not as pervasive as in the donkey’s den, it is still there and, when it is, shall we say, unsettled, well…I kind of like it.

Last night there were some primaries where the “favorites” …went unfavored.  Joe DioGuardi (former congressman, dad of former American Idol judge, Kara), well, the big guys of the elephant party did not want him to have an opportunity to occupy the vacant Hillary Clinton senate spot, but the voters thought otherwise.  Today he said, “Last night validated ‘We the People.’ I’m a product of the people, not the party.  And today people are fed up; no matter what party they’re in…this is going to be a political revolution in November…today the people trump everything.  They’re upset, they’re mad, they’re gonna change things, and I’m gonna lead them to that change.”

Christine O’Donnell, the tea party favorite in the Republican Party primary for Joe Biden’s Senate seat; well, the “wise ones” wanted the more moderate, Mike Castle.  The people chose differently. Here’s a few words from her victory speech.  “It’s more of a cause than a campaign; and the cause is restoring America…Don’t ever underestimate the power of “We the People!”…this partnership doesn’t end on election day; it begins on election day…we have to unite for the greater good of what is right in America.”

Let me finish with Carl Paladino, a real estate developer who won the Republican primary determining who would have an opportunity to move into the Governor’s mansion.  He, too, beat the “chosen one.”  Here’s a few memorable words:  “And I’ll reform Albany.  I’ll clean up the cesspool of corruption so our government serves the people once and for all…government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Imagine that; We the People…choosing.   God Bless America.

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The Fiscal Phantom

 

 Fiscal Phantom
(by R.P.Edwards)

Fiscal Conservatism
Merely a plank
If solely constructed
Afloat…becomes “sank”
The movement is deeper
Than a budget…in check
For the compass awry
And the vessel…must wreck

Fiscal Conservative.  Another label.  Another narrowing of definition.  Another herding into a less populated pen.  Granted, it’s a big one.  For, under this outsized umbrella…are many.  Many, who, although not traditionally associated with “the right;” these diverse droves join the ever growing number who see the necessity of getting our financial house…in order.  And thus, if for no other reason than the desired “blackness” of the bottom line, they, especially in these days, gravitate towards the Republican Party. 

Now, perhaps a reminder is in order.  For the familiar and uninitiated alike, this writer, such as he is, has his feet planted firmly on both sides of the political isle.  Indeed, associated and sympathetic to the idea of Union and collective power, this scribbler nevertheless leans consistently to the starboard side.  Why?  Because, for whatever reason, it is the Party of Lincoln that is more likely to protect the innocent unborn.  It is the GOP that is more likely to defend traditional values, and it is the Republican Party that is more likely to stand along side our ally, Israel, and say, “If you mess with him; you mess with me!” And, by the way, of the two parties the elephant is more likely to restrict and reduce government, and they just might figure out how to rein in an out of control budget.

So, what was the impetus for this piece?  Simply this: of late I’ve been “schooled” on the obvious excesses of the people in power.  And, most of these “lessons” have to do with, in one way or another…money.  And, along with the teaching, there is a call for Republicans to come back home.  And it’s here I suspend, for, it was not the dollar that gave strength to the abolitionists hands.  It was not the budget that prompted the donning of the blue, and the giving of the red.  And it was not the wallet that paid the awful price of a nation united…and free.  And, if Republicans cannot remember this; if they allow themselves to be seduced and reduced by the Fiscal Phantom, well, they may indeed ascend to the captaincy and even chart the “new” direction of promise, but, as the officers man the rail and fill their lungs with the invigorating salt air, there very next breath might be interrupted by the unseen berg…the chilling relentless blade that viciously pierces our national heart…and sends us to the icy bottom.

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To see the President

To see the President
(by R.P.Edwards)

O, to see the President!
It once was hard to do
‘Specially for your average Joe
The chances, far…and few
An astronaut
A princess
Or a player on some team
Yes, these might shake the big man’s hand
But for me, twas just…a dream
But now I’ve learned the secret!
I’ve seen it on the news
A way to meet him
One on one
To share a beer…or two
Just raise a royal ruckus
‘bout religion, or ‘bout race
And say that “he’s” the only cure
Yes
A meeting
Face…to face

It’s Friday morning and the huge natural gas explosion in California has taken the “Koran” burning story off the front page.  Yesterday, as I prepared to do that “work thing,” one possible “solution” was a one on one with the Prez.  Yes, pastor Terry talking it over with the Commander in Chief, Mr. Obama.  Of course, now, twenty-four hours later, all that has changed.

A few thoughts.  First: The media.  Wanting to actually hear the guy, I listened to an ABC piece that’s currently up.  Then I went to good ‘ol youtube for more.  I clicked on a Nightline piece and then clicked it off well before it’s end.  Why? Because, as controversial as Pastor Terry is, the oozing sanctimonious sentences coming from the commentator…were turning my stomach.

Yes, it’s becoming an ever expanding burr under my saddle; the redefining of the culture by the “godless elite.” I cringe when they use phrases like “American ideals,” or “core values,” as if what they currently espouse in any way resembles the Judeo-Christian womb from which we sprang.  And, true to form, they deride and belittle the Florida “Troublemakers,” pointing out the smallness of the congregation (soon to grow, I’ll wager) and they readily waft words like “fringe” and “cult”--even though they wouldn’t know “orthodoxy” if it hit them in the face.

To conclude:  American Missionaries are murdered in the name of Allah…and we only mumble our discontent.  But, let a Christian Preacher threaten to burn a Koran…and the world does somersaults.
Concerning the controversial preacher and church, I’d like to do a little more research, but their website is down and, sadly, the media filter has shown itself to be untrustworthy.   However, at the end of the day, we may discover that they are not extreme; we may discover that we…are just…wimps.

Like the cartoon above?  It’s done by the award winning editorial cartoonist of the Belleville News Democrat Newspaper, Glenn McCoy.  Here’s a link where you can see more.  Glenn McCoy

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Offend me, please

 

 

Offend Me, Please
(by R.P.Edwards)

Yes sir
Please offend me
If it saves my clueless hide
Though it ruffles all my feathers
And you bruise my foolish pride
And I scream in my discomfort
And I curse, and raise my hand
At the end
When I’m still breathing
Perhaps then…I’ll understand

Some say it was the sign that struck the match.  Yep, some say it was the simple three foot by three foot white washed and red-lettered sign tacked to the street-side of the little Baptist church--that caused the fire.  Hard to believe, in this enlightened age, that some folks would get so riled that they would let five little words--painted by an upstart preacher--to cause them to nail the doors shut, douse with coal-oil, and strike the match.  According to eye witnesses it took a full half hour before the screaming stopped, and now, as I walk the ashes, I find it kind of ironic…that the sign somehow survived.  Let me see if I can still read it.  Yep.  Still readable. “Slavery is of the Devil.” Yankee fool.  What did he expect to happen?

The above story is a fabrication, but the one-time anti-abolitionist sentiment, hatred, violence…is not.  Imagine, a church going out of its way to expose that which is evil.  Imagine, a church taking seriously its mandate to be salt and light and to be a proclaimer of the sometimes offensive…truth.

Now, enter the little Florida church that dares to display a sign which reads, “Islam is of the Devil.” Surely you’ve seen or heard of it?  The “Dove World Outreach Center,” a little non-denominational protestant church in Gainesville, Florida, has made international news by saying out loud what Bible-believing Christians believe in their hearts and heads.  I must admit, even though I’m one of “those” believers my first politically correct reaction was… “offense.” You see, I couldn’t wrap my “win them to Jesus” mind around this “slap in the face” message.

So…I went to their site.  And, although half expecting one of those crazy off-shoot religions (you know, like the ‘believers’ that protest at funerals?) instead I found a congregation that is simply not afraid to confront the culture.  They’re not afraid to protest porn shops, or abortion clinics, or “be careful or I’ll cut your head off” Islam.   And, although I may not agree with their methods (I’m still pondering) rather than giving a “yea” or “nay,” here’s a link for y’all to do your own research. http://www.doveworld.org/

In conclusion:  True story. In my home-town we have an abortion clinic.  Over the years more Americans have died there than in World War I, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan…combined.  And, although any serious minded Christian knows that killing babies in the womb is murder; for the most part--save a few faithful intercessors--the local churches remain silent.  Well, a few years back one congregation decided to put out a sign that condemned the practice; even going so far as to keep a running tally.  One sign was stolen.  It’s replacement; vandalized (more than once).   And, although the “affront” is gone now, I can’t help wondering; what if “all” the local churches, instead of whispering in the shadows; what if all the local representatives of Christ had rallied to the cry of the unborn.  I dare say the abortion clinic would be gone.  But for now…it remains…and the children…die.

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Just "too" Busy

 

 

Maintenance
(by R.P.Edwards)

What would we do without maintenance
Keeps us busy…until we decay
A something to fill all our time with
Agenda
And something…to say
But how sad we neglect what is needful
The tending to care…and to love
With a word…and caress…and a being
And a reaching
To God
Up above

It’s counterintuitive: to do less…in order to do more. 

Maintenance.  Our lives are full of it.  Aside from the job there are myriad other things that cry for our attention: hair, nails, teeth, skin, clothes, house, yard, cars (O, the cars).  And then…we die.  Busy, busy, busy.  And then…we up…and die. 

Jesus got it right (imagine that); when the very busy Martha bemoaned her sister, Mary’s, “dawdling” at the feet of the Master, “the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

“Only one thing is necessary”  Hmmm.  And…there’s a “choosing.”  To choose…the good part; the necessary part.  To choose to fellowship, communicate with, listen to, spend time with…the Lord.

And yet…we are so busy.  Filling up our hours and days and years in the kitchen, the garage, the yard, the basement; all the while Jesus is patiently waiting; waiting…in the den.

And what brought on this thoughtful entry?  Perhaps the passing of a couple days leisure.  A couple unwritten days that ended without much (alas) maintenance…or…fellowship being done. 

Another scripture comes to mind: “Physician, heal thyself.”

Scriptures (Luke 4:23, and 10:41,42  KJV and NAS) retrieved using  The Bible Gateway 

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Newton or Hawking?

 

 

Thus says the Fool
(by R.P.Edwards)

Something from nothing
O, to believe
Nerons and genomes
No magician
Or sleeve
Just blind chance mutation
Complexity…come
Direct indirection
No difference or sum
O wonder!
O beauty!
Of no one’s design
O perfect imperfect
Yet, perfect in kind
Yes, I see it!
I see it!
As I’ve known from the start
I’ve proved there’s no God
Says the fool…from his heart

In the news, Stephen Hawking (a really smart British physicist), has teamed up with a like-minded American brainiac, Leonard Mlodinow, and produced a book titled, “The Grand Design.”  According to the article I read, Mr. Hawking has modified his view of God….thus:

"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist…It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.” 

Honestly, it’s a terrible thing to take people out of context, but just the thought of reading coming tome wearies me. So, for the moment, I’ll presume that the writer of said piece (Michael Holden) has it right. 

So…wanting to comment on the subject, where do I go?  Well, since Mr. Hawking had, for decades, occupied the distinguished chair (Cambridge Universities Lucasian Professor of Mathematics) once occupied by Sir Isaac Newton, I thought I might contrast Isaac’s “yes God” view with Stephen’s “not necessary” declaration.  Nah.

Then I thought I might try and wrestle with the evolutionary mechanisms that somehow caused a reptiles scale to turn into an eagles feather; or how and why asexual reproduction…turned sexual.  And, for a time, I did some research.  But this too, wearied me.

And…since this site is supposed to be only a moments diversion, may I simply conclude by suggesting to my “naturalism or bust” friends that they, like I (a resolute believer in God); that we both walk in the ethereal realm of…faith?  Indeed, one of the most famous scriptures in Christendom defines it:  “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.  The evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)  So, when you (my Darwinist pal) see the backwards flying hummingbird, won’t you admit by the smallest degree, that you don’t fully understand why that happened and how an unknown or planned for “advantage“…became a destination?  And, more concretely, when your small daughter smiles at you and squeezes your leg and your heart melts just a bit; don’t you, just a tiny step, wade into the ocean of “belief?” For why, when emotions can be so disadvantageous--as far as survival goes-- why, as you pick her up and press your moistened cheek against hers…are we so full of them?

To wrap up:  Macroevolution?  I just can’t see it.  However, I will grant you this; that, when an incredibly complex human mind is free to dream, and explore, and propose, and ponder; well…almost anything’s theoretically possible.  And, acquiescing here, I wonder; yes, I wonder what the was the evolutionary impetus…to produce such a mind?

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Naughty Glenn

 

 

Naughty Glenn
(by R.P.Edwards)

Consider all the applecarts
Laying on the ground
Toppled by the naughty boy
The troublemaker
Clown
And see the righteous vendors
Aghast at what he’s done
But notice all the rotten fruit
Exposed…in purging…sun

And I have to lean back, put my hands behind my head, gaze towards the upward sloping ceiling (converted attic) and just say… “wow.”  And what prompts my measured exclamation? The phenomenon known as, Glenn Beck.

You know, like the many, I’m a multifaceted mutt.  No, not lineage, or bloodline--though I certainly am that-- but in my beliefs, views, tendencies, priorities, etc.  Sure, I’m a working stiff, but far above my card-holding status I am a Christian, a husband, a father, a patriot, just a plain ‘ol concerned American citizen.  And, since I and the many are deeply troubled by the downward slide of our precious U.S. of A, we pray, vote, talk, and in smallish ways…do.

Now, enter Glenn Beck.  Years ago I remember giving ear to his on-air shtick (hardly an avid listener), finding it somewhat amusing, but usually not staying long enough to digest the whole hog.  Then…something happened.  Apparently Glenn hit personal bottom and, reaching up…he found God.  And now, incredibly, this often comical communicator is being used by the Almighty (yes, I believe that) to help encourage a hurting nation…to return to the basics. To return to the foundational and humbling place that acknowledges the Supreme Being, with the understanding that not only do our “rights” come from He, but that our--in all ways--prosperity, cannot be divorced from his hand.

Yeah, yeah, I know this unusual messenger does not pass our “expectation” muster.  A former drunk.  A clownish beginning.  Not Ivy League groomed (or any college sheepskin for that matter).  Not a pastor, or preacher, or a certified somebody in religious realms, he even has the audacity of being a…Mormon! (yes, I'm aware of some notable doctrine issues)

But, with all these apparent detractions, his words ring true.  Indeed, this fellow has been driven to discover our “best” past and, drawing inspiration from this and the tutelage of the like-minded, he exhorts all of us to do the same.  And, though many try to smear him, defame him, malign, criticize, and belittle him; their attacks seem as nothing more than the desperate rails and rants of a counterfeit royalty…now disrobed.

And so Glenn…keep on.  Keep talking.  Keep exhorting.  Keeping attending.  Keep crying.  Keep praying. Keep loving America.  And maybe, with the aid and unction of “Natures God, the Creator, the Supreme Judge of the world, divine Providence” we’ll have that Great Awakening…that we so desperately need.

 Here’s a passage that reminds me of Mr. Beck.

26 Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen the world's foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world's weak things to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen the world's insignificant and despised things; the things viewed as nothing—so He might bring to nothing the things that are viewed as something, 29 so that no one can boast in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Here’s a link to a previous “I like Glenn” blog.  "Beck Me!"

The Bible passage was gleaned from the "Bible Gateway."  A fine site if you want to search different versions of the Scripture.  Bible Gateway

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