Yep, it's a tax

Candle Sense

(by R.P.Edwards)

Johnny loved the candle

It's warm and friendly glow

But when he'd try to touch it

His mother told him, "No!"

"That light will hurt you, honey."

Her tired and worn refrain

But Johnny finally listened

 And what taught him was...

The pain

Well, it's been over twenty-four hours since the "Obama Care is Okay" decision handed down by the Supreme Court.  I have to admit, like most I was a bit surprised. Especially at the revelation that Justice Roberts was the deciding nod.  And, although I haven't spent much time with the "whys" and "wherewithals," I've heard that the persuading argument given was that the Federal Government has the right to tax and, when it comes right down to it, the individual mandate is a tax; albeit a wolf in sheep's clothing, a bald faced lie to the public, an obfuscation leading to emasculation...tax.

And so, it seems, we the people, via the reasonings of the Chief Justice, have been given the opportunity to fix the mess that we the people inflicted upon ourselves in 2008.  Yes, rather than have the Supreme Court do our dirty work, it turns out that if "We the People" actually want to remain a viable constitutional republic, then we must, in the coming months, roll up our sleeves, rally, and then roust out those who promised hope, but have delivered instead...chains.  

And so...the poem.  Like the little boy who is best taught by pain, we, who were in 2008 dazzled by the eloquence of the current administration, we now have touched the flame...and it burns. The question however is; have we learned enough to remove our hand, our favor, from that which injures us?

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For your viewing pleasure, the Supreme Court song: 

Keith Green and me

Get up you bum!

(by R.P.Edwards)

Candy Bars

And coffee quaffed

Shaken from

My lazy loft

"Up, you sluggard!

To the chair!

And pound the keys

Your simple...share"

Candy bars and coffee. Those were my obsessions this early morn. You see, my sweet sixteen year old daughter (having recently discovered the world of work, and pay) well, she indulged her old man by purchasing for me candy bars (a big Hershey, and a bag of bite sized 3 Musketeers) along with some bagged brew...for Father's day.  Yum. 

Well, when my older offspring then approached with their gift; rather than a bottle of slightly more expensive wine than I'm used to (sorry, my tea-totaling brothers and sisters. I am among those who believe the wine Jesus provided was actually that...wine; and that non-abuse can be of use [a topic for another day]) well, instead they gave me a four CD collection of Keith Green's work.

To the younger crowd: Keith Green was the modern Christian artist of my day (1977-82). Talented, tenacious; his passion for the work and message of Christ set many ablaze and, as I meandered in the kitchen this hot summer's day, I listened anew...and a fire...stirred.  

And so, to the keys!  Honestly, I had resigned myself to the notion that my meager offerings were of little import, but perhaps, PERHAPS! there is even one whose notch is mine to fill.  So, as my system valiantly nullifies the sugar and caffeine in my system I offer two things to ponder. One: the song Mr Green sang that helped me awaken (at least a bit). And two: a reminder (via an article from Small Victories ministry) of the tragedy of abortion in our midst. A tragedy that an awakened church...can alleviate. And an awakened electorate...can mitigate.

 

Small Victories article. Please read: Small Victories 

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We Remember

True Remembrance

(by R.P.Edwards)

And so we stand

And bow the head

And whisper thanks

To honored dead

But no greater tribute

Can there be

Than to keep their country

Good...

And free

The video, The Stone (below), was one of my first efforts a few years back.  Written before the fiftieth anniversary of WWII, Youtube and Windows Moviemaker brought the simple tune...to life.  It's a bit long...and unprofessional.  But, I hope, on this Memorial Day, you have a few minutes to pause and remember the sacrifice of the many.  God Bless.

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Romney/Huckabee 2012

The Ticket

(by R.P.Edwards)

Two governors

No waiting

No hurtful OJT

The People's choice...

Mitt Romney

And his choice...

Huckabee!

I thought it was gone with the beloved XP (moment of silence).  Yes, when my former engine of communication and creation had an untimely death last year, I thought the many unprotected items also went to the bottom.  But, hallelujah!, garnering some sense from somewhere, I had actually backed up at least a few things and put them on a flash drive.  And...when uploading from the little tyke, eureka!, my "Huckabee Run" song...was intact.

History:  Yeah, I'm a Mike Huckabee fan.  Yes, yes, I know there are many who chafe at his populist ways.  But...I really like the guy!  And, last year, hoping to encourage him to jump into the presidential fray, a simple song and video were written and sent into cyberspace.  The result? Well, Huckabee on Fox is doing quite well.

Now, fast forward.  The Republican choice for President, Mitt Romney, is weighing his options for a second banana.  No doubt his many counselors are clamoring for a niche man or woman; you know, someone who can help deliver a state, or an ethnic, or even a gender vote.  But, Mr Romney, may I suggest you put your old adversary (think 2008) Mike Huckabee, to the front of the line?  Not only is he a "get along and still get things done" conservative.  But, like you, he actually knows what it's like to govern.  To bear the weight...and delegate.  To do what's right...in spite of sight. Yes, Mr Romney, I think you would do yourself, and us, very well by giving Mike a call.  

Romney/Huckabee 2012!  I like the sound of that.

So, here's the video. Watch, listen, and pass on if you are so inclined.

The National ill

The National ill

(by R.P.Edwards)

I resign myself

To the National ill

As evil rises

And has its fill

With God debased

And man...held high

If not abated

We'll surely

Die

Ah, it's Mother's Day (nearing the end thereof) and although I had thought to drop a line or two in praise of mothers who truly are, the national dialogue on President Obama's weigh-in on same sex marriage grabs my attention.

I fear for my country. Why? Well, it's not that a prominent politician (decent fellow that he is) is on the wrong side of the God issues (abortion, marriage), but that, from recent polling...it seems so many of my neighbors are leaning in the same direction.

You see (and call me naive) but I really do believe that this nation had a divine birth.  That deity was mentioned four times in the Declaration of Independence...deliberately.  And that, what was so obvious in the beginning (that WE need HIM), now we wise inheritors have assigned the Almighty to the role of flavor or tint.  He is insignificant.  A "not real anyway" inconvenience.  A vestige organ in our body politic.

But, dear reader, it behooves us to recall that so many of our modern "ministers;" (the 'mouths,' if you will) be they in academia, the media, Hollywood, Washington, or even behind a once sanctified church pulpit; it behooves us to remember that our blessed America came not one whit from these who so confidently dare to define what is right; and what is wrong.

And so...I fear.  I fear that we who dance the dance of carefree apostasy; hopping, and skipping, and twirling ever farther from our stable center and ever closer to the precipice of pride; I fear that without a national revival...we will surely, soon, step off...and in.

And, as for me--as the once unthinkable becomes thunk and done-- I cannot fathom how any person who cracks their Bible, and believes; I cannot fathom how one of these of genuine faith can enter the sacred booth and cast their vote for those who mock their God and invite His rebuke.

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We Pigs?

Pretty Please

(by R.P.Edwards)

Would it be possible

Pretty please

To lean towards good

And not towards...sleaze?

To practice truth

In the inward part

Where outward polish

Reflects the heart

When words like "honor"

Include your skin

To love the light

And shun the sin

To tame the flesh

With its wayward ways

To pause the paws

To kneel...and pray

Oh, is it possible?!

In this tawdry time

To remember virtue

And make it mine

To choose the better

Though 'gainst the flow

To walk the walk

The selfless...show

And build anew

With common stones

A republic worthy

Of God..to own

And give the children

At our knees

Who reach and whisper

"Pretty please."

⁶ Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?
⁷ A righteous man who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him. 

(Proverbs 20:6,7 NAS)

In response to those of the Secret Service who were doing a, er, Disservice to us all.  

I'll not belabor the point.  Some of our "protect the President" professionals were caught doing unprofessional things with prostitutes.  Yes, shameful. Yes, disturbing.  But, to this weary one who tires of "our" tendencies towards the tawdry...it's just plain sad.

Yes, I know we universally have the "flesh" to deal with.  And yes, I know the human heart naturally leans towards the unclean; thus we need a Savior (and yes I'm a big fan of the second chance.) But can't we, at least today, can't we at least TRY to be moral; try to be virtuous; try to be someone our heritage might possibly be proud of? And maybe, once we get our own house in order, perhaps we can remind those over us that it would be nice if they...set the example.

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April fools

Atheist Day

(by RPEdwards)

Agnostic?

Yeah, I get it

They say that they're not sure

But Atheists

They're different

Their faith is strong...and pure

The Agnostic is uncertain

A candidate for school

But the Atheist

He knows it all!

So God declares,

"The fool!"

It was billed as "The Reason Rally." An out of the closet sort of thing concerning Atheists and their ilk.  Yes, "finding their voice," this growing minority is letting us know that they exist...and that they vote.  Take that, Religious Right!

Not much to say, but, as April Fools Day is--at this writing--tomorrow; I would like to commend the ralliers at placing their pronouncement so close to their holiday.  Not to be cruel, but the inherited America we enjoy; the inherited America that supplies the luxury and leisure for lunacy...it was birthed, mainly, by those who believed in someone greater than themselves, a divine someone who created, and endowed, and is the Supreme judge of the world.

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