Memorial Day Thoughts

For, brothers and sisters, you have been called and delivered into liberty; only do not use liberty to selfishly gratify the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galations 5:13


The movie "Saving Private Ryan" brought some of the horrific realities of warfare into focus. War historian Steven Ambrose said that the only thing missing from the movie was the smell of blood and graphite. I think the numbing, sickening fear of warfare--men going for days with feces and urine in their pants because they can't take time to clean themselves--also  cannot be cinematically depicted in its full horror. But we should try to grasp it because we have so much of what we have because our ancestors and friends were and are willing to enter into it. My Uncle Dwight walked ashore on Omaha beach on D-Day. I asked him what he saw. "A lot of dead soldiers" he replied somberly. He almost drowned because the Higgins Boat captains were so anxious to pull away from the German gun fire coming from the cliffs that they barely got the men close enough to shore. He also said he saw a church burning on the hill. How metaphoric!
My son entered the military [Army] more than twenty years ago and is still in the service. When he entered, knowing the instability of world affairs, we both had to face the possibility of him being in a combat zone. A question I had to ask myself is "Is this nation worth the life of my son?" I think every parent sending a son or daughter into combat asks that question. I struggled with it. I love America--what she has been, her founding principles, government for and by the people, freedom endowed by our Creator, built-in system of checks and balances to prevent corruptive power, freedom of religion, press, bearing of arms, peaceful assembly, etc. I believe, along with the Founding Fathers that this form of government was divinely inspired through the Christian faith.
But I have seen a drift away from the Christian Faith in my sixty-six years on this earth. And I have seen this nation evolve [or devolve] from [for example] the moral sensitivity that would preclude showing Elvis Presley from the waste down when he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show [I saw it], to the likes of Victoria Secret commercials and flaunting sexuality to the fullest extent possible. I have seen and continue to see rampant violence and entitlement to rights to have sex "any way I want it", and you'd better approve of it! I've seen partying taken to the level of the absurd. I've seen "ridiculousness" celebrated, I've seen people go to astounding lengths of absurdity simply to gain attention and notoriety, I've seen entertainment refined to the point that you can be entertained twenty-four seven; and I've seen children idolizing those who entertain, even if they provide no other service to humanity than to occupy the brains of millions of people for no other gain than to be entertained. And I've seen us trying to export this tripe to other nations, some of whom are balking and putting on the brakes of that importation--and I can see why!
Here's the upshot: I wonder how long we will maintain a volunteer army of good men and women who are saying "I'll die for this nation" when they and their parents and spouses are surveying the horizon of what they say they will die for. "I'll die so you can have more and better sex. I'll die so you can demand better service at your restaurants. I'll die so you can figure out ways to make more money in the stock market. I'll die so you can complain about how miserable this nation is. I'll die so you can support politicians who will vote in ways that benefit you but not the common man. I'll die so you can march in the streets preaching hatred, stirring up strife, burning and looting. I'll die so you can get fat on fast food and lay around in your parents' home making excuses for not being able to work. I'll die so you can have sex with girls who don't have a clue what love is, get them pregnant then move on to the next girlfriend when they get a little moody or when you have to get up in the night to change a diaper. I'll die so you can ignore every noble effort to do some good in the world while you focus exclusively on your entertainment, vacations and retirement. I'll die so you can continue your meaningless, selfish, depressed existence.
Or maybe....maybe....I won't. Maybe I'll let those dark forces that always lurk at the fringes of freedom come in like a beast and wreak some havoc in your entitled, stingy little world. Maybe that will wake you up.
Then I realized, that's not a son or daughter contemplating military service speaking; that's the God of creation; the God of Jesus Christ; the One Who's voice has faded into the noise and chaos of our prosperity.
Oh Lord, please speak louder! Some of us are still listening.

Public Education and the Bible

Benjamin Rush

SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SURGEON GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; “FATHER OF AMERICAN MEDICINE”; TREASURER OF THE U. S. MINT; “FATHER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations! . . . My only hope of salvation is in the infinite tran¬scendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the Cross. Noth¬ing but His blood will wash away my sins [Acts 22:16]. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly! [Revelation 22:20]⁹⁷
I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.⁹⁸
By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their moorings upon all moral subjects… It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published.⁹⁹
[T]he greatest discoveries in science have been made by Christian philosophers and . . . there is the most knowledge in those countries where there is the most Christianity.¹⁰⁰
[T]he only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.¹⁰¹
The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effective means of limiting Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools.¹⁰²
[C]hristianity is the only true and perfect religion; and… in proportion as mankind adopt its principles and obey its precepts, they will be wise and happy.¹⁰³
The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world.¹⁰⁴
The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life… [T]he Bible… should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.¹⁰⁵

America and Christianity

http://www.youtube.com/embed/YjntXYDPw44

https://wallbuilders.com/founding-fathers-jesus-christianity-bible/

John Adams

SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.¹

Without religion, this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell.²

The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.³

Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!⁴

I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.⁵


Thomas Jefferson
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.⁶³
The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.⁶⁴
I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others.⁶⁵
I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.


Benjamin Rush

SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SURGEON GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; “FATHER OF AMERICAN MEDICINE”; TREASURER OF THE U. S. MINT; “FATHER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations! . . . ⁹⁷
I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.⁹⁸

Religious Freedom

“We are never beyond the point of hope as Christians; but this is now at the steps of the church, and the church can no longer stay behind its four walls and hope somebody fights their battles for them. We have to contend for the faith. That's what's been marked out as the target with what has unfolded in Indiana—the faith, your ability to live your life according to your beliefs as a Christian. This should cause us to take an inventory of what we really believe, count the cost, and stand firm.”

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council [in response to Indiana RFRA fiasco]

“I suspect there are some people who would like to spread it as far as they can and basically say 'Either you get on board and show up and celebrate whatever we want you to celebrate or you can't even run a pizzeria.' Communist countries run that way. It's a pretty sad thing to see anyone thinking that way in America.” Mark Rienzi, senior counsel, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty [in response to Indiana RFRA fiasco]

Those folks in the LGBT community who work against the Christian faith are shooting themselves in the foot—or heart. They are unwittingly tearing down a wall that protects them [and all freedom-loving people] from the encroachment of Islam. If Islam gains a foothold with significant power, it will not tolerate their protests; and it will do a lot more than simply refuse to cater their weddings. There is no greater protection against Islam than Christianity. We have seen clearly that the military and political systems cannot subdue it. Anyone who loves freedom, regardless of their political, religious or sexual orientation, should support the Christian faith, which provides the fertile soil in which liberty can flourish—even the liberty to violate Christ's teachings. Islam does not provide such liberty. And we should not delude ourselves into believing that we can subdue Islam with our laws and protests. They do not respect our laws—they only respect sharia—and they detest the freedom of the “infidels”. Christianity is our nation's immune system, protecting us from the violence and chaos that lies dormant in the human heart like a virus waiting to erupt. Non-religious humanitarian kindness and tolerance do not stand a chance against religious zeal that ordains violence. The peaceful religious zeal of Christianity is the only protection because it converts the heart. [See Son of Hamas, by Mosab Yousef]

Mark Graham


http://www.youtube.com/embed/YjntXYDPw44


John Leland, 18th century Baptist minister and religious liberty advocate, said, "The liberty I contend for is more than toleration. The very idea of toleration is despicable; it supposes that some have a pre-eminence above the rest, to grant indulgence; whereas, all should be equally free, Jews, Turks, Pagans and Christians. Test oaths and established creeds should be avoided as the worst of evils."

Peace

What is the source of unhappiness or disquietude of the soul?

Feeling that I should be somewhere other than here; experiencing something other than what I am experiencing; more perfect than I am. Or silently dreading future pain and death; knowing that something bad is ahead. Needing to do something. Not sure if I am on track, going in the best direction. Uncertainty. Restlessness. Worrying about myself or my loved ones. Seeing the growing darkness of this world.

Any or many of these can be going on in our complex minds, creating some suffering, while we are only vaguely aware of it. A tightness in the gut, a headache, fatigue, frustration, impatience, etc. may give you a clue. Pay close attention. Are you at peace? Deeply?

Jesus said, “Peace I give to you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives.”

How does Jesus give peace?

When all those issues are resolved? When you can be sure that no difficulties lie ahead? When you can erase the fact that your body is going to die? When all is well with your loved ones? When you finally stop doing anything wrong? When your mind stops being distracted by useless or futile thoughts? When you retire or get enough money invested? When you finally get everything [or at least a few more of the most important things] fixed? When good seems to be winning over evil?

To answer “yes” to any of those questions reveals that you are seeking peace the way the “world gives”--not the way Jesus gives. And if you look deeply into that pursuit, you will see that it will never end in this life. You will never have peace in this life.

But how does Jesus give peace?

He delivers us from the world while we continue to live in it.

He makes us lie down in green pastures beside still waters. He restores our soul.

He makes us aware, ever more deeply, that He has overcome all those issues—the worries and cares of the world; the tribulations that He told us plainly that we would have—and that He is IN US! Here and now! He delivers us from tribulation while we are in the midst of tribulation. We become like air to the sticks and stones of tribulation—it passes right through us. We become like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—not only are we immune to the fires of this world, we don't even get the smell of its smoke on us! In the earthquakes of life, we walk calmly on a solid foundation. Nothing can penetrate the Light shining through us. Nothing can change who we are in Christ—an eternal child of God! We will pass through death into the perfect, eternal Light that is even now shining brighter and brighter within us.

Just now, take a few minutes to bask in the SonLight of this eternal Reality. You are eternally safe in the Love of the Creator of this universe.

Becoming a Self

How we became who we are seems to be a random process emerging out of the spontaneous thoughts that have been stored up in our mind in response to life experiences, combined with our particular genetic inheritance. As neuro-scientist Wolf Singer says, "The mind is an orchestra without a conductor." We become what we choose through devotion: Devotion to core characteristics [love, peace, courage, faith, hope, gratitude, etc.]. We set these as our default to come back to from the thousands of distractions that we inevitably experience in daily life. This is one of the primary functions of our religious life. The word "religion" derives from latin words meaning to "bind back". True religion binds us to what we are trying to become, and thus shapes us, over time, into that person. We have the wonderful opportunity [it is an obligation, but should be felt as an opportunity] to consciously cooperate with God in the shaping of our personalities. 

Mark Graham

Elected Officials and the Common Good

Elected officials should consider themselves public servants. They should be sincerely devoted to the “common good”, in the purest sense of that term; and that devotion should be evident in both the covert and overt means by which the official/servant exercises the power that people have vested in him/her. A public servant should be willing to sacrifice a larger portion of her/his private life than an average citizen in order to demonstrate his/her devotion to the common good. Elected officials must live above the level of offering power for sale; that is, they must use power for the common good no matter how or by whom their campaign is funded. Public servants should maintain an acute awareness of the perennial temptation of corruption that accompanies the investiture and use of power, and should practice stringent self-examination and accountability to trusted, mature others to avoid such corruption. Public servants should maintain the humility that accrues to an awareness of his/her fallibility. No human has the final, immutable word of truth. There is almost always truth on both sides of issues; and public servants must not allow the pursuit of election or popularity to preempt his/her willingness to see the truth on the other side. Public servants must not demonize their opponents in order to gain or maintain power, but they must always be given license to speak the truth regarding what they believe to be the best direction for the common good; and to expose dereliction in any realm.

Elected officials should sincerely pray for/seek wisdom, and exercise compassion for all humans, even their political opponents. We war against wrong ideas, not the humans who espouse those ideas.

In a Democracy, the general population always has a greater responsibility than the elected officials. A Democracy only works in a culture of mature and compassionate populace. It is impossible to properly serve a selfish, entitled, irresponsible population. Their demands will always exceed what is provided, and they will always feel deprived and mistreated. The government is neither the primary solution nor the primary cause of our problems. Our own individual and collective level of psycho-spiritual maturity will always be the primary determinant of our experience of peace and prosperity.

May God bless us in this regard.

Mark Graham


In government, compromise is a factor. There can be too little or too much of it. Too little compromise tilts the scales toward tyranny; and too much is betrayal of fundamental principle. Compromise must never be bought or sold, but rather always used to leverage for the greater common good.