Browsers and Buyers

#1797

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause

And did the Holy and the Just,
The Sovereign of the skies,
Stoop down to wretchedness and dust,
That guilty worms might rise?

Yes, the Redeemer left His throne,
His radiant throne on high,
(Surprising mercy! love unknown!)
To suffer, bleed, and die!

He took the dying traitor's place,
And suffered in his stead;
For man (O miracle of grace!)
For man the Savior bled!

Dear Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell
In Your atoning blood!
By this are sinners snatched from Hell,
And rebels brought to God!

What glad return can I impart
For favors so divine?
O take my all, this worthless heart,
And make it wholly Thine!

-   Anne Steele, 1859

In 1897, published in a New York newspaper, a young girl asked the question which the Editor answered about the reality of Santa Clause.  In my lifetime, 85 years, I have witnessed the reality of a sin cursed world's Santa Clause, the fact that most human beings, heading for that broad path that leads to destruction (hell) are only interested in "getting" instead of giving.  Most millennial, welfare recipients I know, are browsing the programs all the time to see what they can get, to see what Santa Clause USA can give them.  AND, not limited to the "have nots" I noted yesterday that 6 types of pie were being served at the Chief of welfare recipients, living in a big house on Pennsylvania Avenue with 14 fireplaces...living better than Mitas, flying on a plane where the gold playing cards on the plane cost $85,000 a deck.   

In the meantime, those warriors and their families, who have kept this country free are treated like not even second but 9th and 10th class citizens.   The migrants/refugees who slip in across the border are treated much better.  This old blind Veteran learned long ago that noone cares, that the VA would much prefer for all Veterans to commit suicide...much cheaper to bury one than to care for one.  A citizen runs for public office because he is that much closer to the big pot of money, and he will give heart, soul, all his principals to stay there.  Next in line are the bureaucrats who have only one thing in mind, their package deal and retirement.  WHILE, the average peasant/serf God fearing, tax paying, hard working "Joe and Jane Citizen" are too busy buying the American Promise...working hard to support a family, keeping a home nice for the community, knowing that they do not have anything to look forward to except "blood sweat and tears".  The citizen knows that unless he pays the bill (taxes, license, permits) these same bureaucrats, politicians will take everything he owns.   This is the dilemma in which we find ourselves in the early years of the 21st Century, Browsers and Buyers, saved and unsaved.  Those of us who know our salvation who claim the precious promises of eternal life know that God never promised us a bed of roses here on this earth.  Can you even imagine what it was like when our blessed Lord's feet nourished the soil around the sea of Galilee to see what was going on with pretending religionist.   The harassment of Roman soldiers.  He tolerated the insults, the spittle, even the thorns and nails to give us an example.  He could have called 120,000 angels to defend himself.  Just one angel, one night, outside Jerusalem, killed 265,000 invading soldiers.  After all, he was the son of God, he was with the Father when he chose to bring somethingness from nothingness.  Just think, he knew my name/chose me, before the very foundation of the earth.  He knew how the 160,000 soldiers of America would be buried on foreign soil defending your rights.  He knew about the thousands buried at Arlington, those who have gone down in ship.  He knows about the hundreds of Christian missionaries who have gone across the world proclaiming the gospel message of redemption. 

Modernistic, mostly unsaved pastors/seminaries have tried and failed browsing Madison Avenue and the world to bring the gospel message down to the fairy tale of Santa Clause.  The pretenders know their reality.  The soul which never dies does not lie to them.  Pew warmers, pastors, politicians who have spent their lives browsing and pretending know the direction in which they are heading because God cannot lie.  The most blessed, born again, saved by grace, faith plus nothing Christian.  Eternal life has already begun with us and we can well tolerate all the indignities our families, associates, neighbors, those who rule over us, can throw our way.  We have bought, we have paid the price, because we KNOW the price that has been paid for us.  The thing I ask is that you learn to forgive those around who just "tolerate" you because you know the one who has tolerated all your rotten sins.   This old, blind, committed, concerned, convinced Christian, only one message, I have failed HIM many times, but HE has never failed me. 

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

 (Psalam 63:3)

On this Black Friday, when the  unsaved/pagans of our Country are knocking one another down trying to get "things", remember that the greatest gift known to the mind of man, is free.

Poison In The Well

#1796

A recently released video shows an Al-Nusra Front field commander thanking the FSA commanders for giving his forces TOW missiles, according to a report released by the Iranian news agency FARS.

The agency reminds readers that the two groups, the Al-Nusra and the FSA, formed an alliance in March, the Army of Conquest, or Jaish al-Fatah in Arabic, to fight against the forces of President Assad.  Since then, they have fought together “at almost every single battle in Aleppo, Lattakia, Hama, and Idlib Governorates of Syria.”

Through this alliance several militant groups like the Al-Nusra Front and the Ahrar al-Sham movement have been given access to FSA's US-made heavy weaponry, which has been supplied to the militant group by the US, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

According to the agency’s estimates, Saudi Arabia sent 500 TOW missiles to Al-Nusra directly last month.

The US, however, claims that it is just supplying aid and weapons to FSA or the so-called moderate militant groups in Syria.  The BGM-71 TOW is one of the most widely-used guided anti-tank missiles. The weapon is used in anti-armor, anti-bunker, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing roles.  TOW missiles are used by the armed forces of more than 40 countries and are integrated in over 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms worldwide.

This writer has traveled through most of the 42 Muslim countries of the Middle East and North Africa.  This blind veteran could not see very much but his other senses were very acute.  I know from much questioning that most Muslim countries do not have the technology to build a bicycle.  Where do they get all this war making equipment? 

The poisoned gas used by Sadam Hussein to gas and kill the Curds was purchased through the United States.  Too many greedy sales people USA and Europe are so anxious to get those petro dollars from Saudi Arabia and other Muslim sympathetic countries.  Most evangelical Americans do not realize that those Saudi petro dollars are building Islam Mosques in our country.  Most hard working, tax paying Americans living a little better than slaves do not realize that the high living Bush family (41&43) like Grandpa Bush before them, (trading with the Nazi's) have all that money because they are so friendly with the House of Saud...all those rich Prince's.

AND, to top it all off we have another rich Bush son who believes in killing babies (says he would have killed Hitler when he was a baby, and claims to be pro life).  America needs psychological/psychiatric treatment. 

I was once in Algeria, Southern part of the Nation, I was in the Sahara several times, but that time I asked my guide to get me a ride out into the upper Sahara, completely away from everything.  Can you even imagine the stars (and I had some sight at that time), in a desert sky?  We're told that there are 45 billion stars, billions of light-years away from us.  Just think, Jehovah God, who designed it all is available for our consultation, anywhere, anytime. 

I have been told that 258 young American's went over to join the ISIS warriors...many more young people from Europe.  These young people consider these Islam State warriors present day "cavemen".  They were raised admiring action figures, Superman, Spiderman, Batman, etc.  Our young people were raised in front of a television set, where they saw nothing but killing, and killing thrills them.  The Christian doctrine of turning the other cheek, asking forgiveness, does not appeal to them.  The millennial generation is searching for something to fill that hole in the heart.  Our church people, instead of following the great commission and "going out" have been content to go inside and keep our marvelous Christian message inside the church.  I have found that most "so called" church people are much  more excited by what goes on, on the outside of the church.  (TV, movies, sports, parties) than the gospel message of sins ruin and Christ's redemption that should be preached and then lived before others.  The greatest sermon is a real sermon, it is our lives in front of an unsaved world that will change anything.  You cannot expect your children not to drink if they see beer in your refrigerator, see you imbibing cocktails.  You cannot expect your young people to detest warfare killing by Muslims when they know that you are silent about how your taxes are  used.  Surely we know by now that the power brokers of the world, particularly the US Congress, do not care.  Their main object in life, is just staying in office, putting more poison in the well.  

Thanksgiving And Training

#1795

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  (Proverbs 22:6)

It has been said, "The children of godly parents go to church every day!" 

Never doubt for a moment, that genuine piety and eminent holiness are the first requisites for all parents. No parent can expect to influence their children for good, without themselves walking wisely and worthily in the narrow path of holiness.

Here may be seen the reason that sound faithful teaching in Sunday schools, has comparatively effected so little good. It is not the fault of the church--but in the home's pernicious influence! The evil that is witnessed at home, more than counteracts the lessons learned at church!

It is the will of God that parents should exercise control over their children. They must command that which is right--and they must forbid that which is wrong. It was spoken to the praise of Abraham, that God knew that he would command his children after him to keep the way of the Lord. It was the overthrow of the house of Eli, that his sons made themselves vile--and he did not restrain them.

In Scripture children are compared to arrows--but all depends upon the direction given to the arrow by the hand that guides it. 

They are compared to vine branches--but an unpruned vine will bear no fruit worth gathering. So it is written, "A child left to himself brings his mother to shame!"

In training their children, let parents begin early. Long before a child is two years old, it will know the meaning of an emphatic "No." Even at that tender age, some measure of discipline may begin.

Yield not to the self-will or pettiness of a child. What you once say--let it be law. Without some special cause--do not turn from it. Especially punish lying and disobedience--they are the root of all that is evil.

Yet with firmness, be very gentle. Harshness is a cold wind, that nips in the bud the beginnings of better things in the heart. Byron's character was ruined by the cruelty of a harsh and unfeeling mother.

Win your children by love. Draw, rather than drive. 

Make home the happiest place in the world to them.

Thanksgiving is strictly an American holiday.  The rest of the world, does not celebrate it.  I was in the Sudan once on Thanksgiving, the hotel realized that it was an American holiday and they attempted to serve an American Thanksgiving meal.  I don't know what the birds were that they cooked, seemed like char coaled pigeons...but they tried. 

Thanksgiving comes under the penumbra of both Halloween and Christmas...the two most celebrated holidays of the year, holidays on which the most money is spent.  Halloween, celebrating the devil and his followers.  Christmas, which should celebrate the birth of our savior even though we know that Jesus was born probably in September and the holiday of spending and spreeing has degenerated into a time of satanic trees and tinsel. 

The Christian should celebrate Thanksgiving everyday.  Thankfulness for every blessing of life. 

It may seem strange that a totally blind, 100% disabled Veteran could celebrate thankfulness.  Service to my country took away all the promises of this Nation which most "normal" people enjoy.   It took away my future, my security, and lastly my dignity.  The worst part, very few care.  Don't believe the government malarkey about honoring Veterans, about care for the disabled and handicap.  The disabled and handicap know where they stand.  At the courthouse, school house, even church house.   How many disabled or handicap people do you see at your church...those of you who are sighted... in restaurants/at concerts/in public parks?

The things for which I am most grateful at this Thanksgiving season, and I thank God for this each and everyday of my life.  The home from which I came, the hard working/God fearing/tax paying/concerned parents who raised me doing the best they knew.  It is because of the hard work/sweat/their ability to adjust to hard times that I have been able to adjust to what life has handed me.  Most of us did not win life's lottery, but you are a real winner if you had God fearing parents. 

My parents, their parents before then, did not ask us if we wanted to go to Sunday School or Church.  They did not ask us if we felt like going to school, felt like doing our chores, felt like eating what was on the table.  We were taught to be thankful for our home, our church, our school (as poor as our homes, churches, schools were) because in spite of everything we did the best we could with what we had.  We were taught about our heritage what our ancestors had endured in establishing themselves in this country.  I still have here in my house the iron fireplace cooking pot which was brought over form England in 1677 and which my puritan ancestors cooked their food.  It is such a disgrace to see pictures of early Americans celebrating Thanksgiving with their platters of food/decent clothing/decent housing it was a matter of survival.  Whatever they could find edible, cooked in one pot over an open fire. They did not have work animals or farm equipment...eaked out food growth not from tilled fields but from the fertile areas around the stumps of trees which they had cut down for shelter.  Just think how few tools of any type, cooking equipment, seasoning, clothing they had brought over on those small boats such as the good ship Kent, from which my ancestors landed on the shores of New Jersey.  I am so thankful I have the heritage of hard work, frugal living, loyalty to God, Family, Country.  My fellow Americans who by hook or crook have made fortunes often from the misfortunes of others do not know the inner qualities of integrity...the new birth in Christ which only the Christian can know that God looking at the Christian, sees in the Christian, the richousness of Jesus.  This is true Thanksigving!  ...not purchased at any grocery store, not cooked in any kitchen.

Wealth Beyond Compare

#1794

Prayer is the great balm of human woes! Go from house to house through a country village, or through a single street in a large town--and what a sad catalogue of sorrows you may reckon up! 

In one, there is a dying parent--or a child fast sinking into the grave. 

In another, there is dire and distressing poverty. 

In a third, perhaps, there is a heart bleeding through some bitter disappointment, or the unfeeling conduct of a beloved one. 

In a fourth, there is some secret sorrow which may not be told.

In every case, through prayer, relief may be found. By it the sorrowful, afflicted one comes near to a most pitiful Father, and His loving care becomes a sure rest to the weary spirit.

The excellencies of prayer may be summed up in the words of John Chrysostom:
"Prayer, in a spiritual sense, is . . .
  a haven to the shipwrecked man,
  an anchor to those who are sinking in the waves,
  a staff to the limbs that totter,
  a mine of jewels to the poor,
  a healer of diseases, and a guardian of health.
Prayer at once secures the continuance of our blessings, and dissipates the cloud of our calamities. O blessed prayer! You are . . .
  the unwearied conqueror of human woes,
  the firm foundation of human happiness,
  the source of ever-enduring joy,
  the mother of all comfort. 
The man who can pray truly, though languishing in extreme indigence, is richer than all beside. While the wretch who never bowed the knee, though proudly seated as monarch of all nations, is of all men, most destitute!"

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need!" Hebrews 4:16

This writer does not know how many times he has used the Hebrews scripture "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  I used it so many times because I am convinced that the saved as well as the unsaved has no idea of the wealth involved in being able to ask the Creator of the Universe for help.  The greatest prayer in the world, "help me", for those who are so self sufficient, so think they have the world in control through their wealth , their education, their power or influence, their time will come. 

I have talked about it many times how this poor country boy worked his way through 8 years of university education, my last years in Memphis, I worked at night and on weekends, selling pre-need cemetery property at one of the Nation's largest cemeteries, the one where  Elvis was buried before being moved to Graceland. 

I still remember the Sunday when as a representative of the cemetery I was present at services for two babies.  On one side of the cemetery, where the poor people were buried a pick up truck came up carrying a small cheap casket in the rear of the truck.  In another pick up truck a grieving young couple got out to bury their baby.  Later, at the cemeteries mausoleum (where Elvis was first entered right after his funeral) a fleet of stretch limousines came up, one containing a small gold casket with a baby.  This baby, from a very wealthy family was entered in the mausoleum such as life, the haves and the have not's; the right and the poor.  Science can change the habitats/circumstances of people BUT only God knows the love and grief of each mother; weather poor or rich.  Just as was the case as the first Passover, God did not ask any questions, there only had to be blood over the door.   God has been silent on many things but this one thing we can know, God hears the prayer of "the beloved", the needy. 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Unbelievable Is Now Reality

#1793

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the end of bombing hospitals in war-torn Yemen, accusing U.S.-backed Saudi forces of carrying out the attacks.

The ICRC says “close to a hundred” hospital attacks have occurred since March, with the latest in the city of Taiz. Al-Thawra hospital, which has cared for about 50 injured people every day, was shelled several times on November 8. Before that, a Doctors Without Bordershospital in Haydan district of Saada was attacked on October 26.

“The neutrality of health care facilities and staff is not being respected. Health facilities are deliberately attacked and surgical and medical supplies are also being blocked from reaching hospitals in areas under siege,” Kedir Awol Omar, deputy head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen, said.

Officials in Saudi Arabia have not addressed the most recent bombing, according to Common Dreams, but have denied being aware that the October airstrikes in Haydan targeted a clinic.

“Saudi authorities are denying the evident truth of having destroyed a hospital,” Laurent Sury, head of Doctors Without Borders emergency operations, said. “This is an alarming sign for the Yemeni people and for those trying to assist them. How are we to draw lessons from what happened when all we face are denials? How can we continue to work without any form of commitment that civilian structures will be spared?”

Amnesty International has criticized the U.S. and other states for fueling the conflict while doing little to stop human rights violations.

“The U.S.A. and other states exporting weapons to any of the parties to the Yemen conflict have a responsibility to ensure that the arms transfers they authorize are not facilitating serious violations of international humanitarian law,” Donatella Rovera, Amnesty’s senior crisis response adviser, said. “Lack of accountability has contributed to the worsening crisis and unless perpetrators believe they will be brought to justice for their crimes, civilians will continue to suffer the consequences.”

Your writer is a totally blind, 100% disabled, service connected Army Medical Officer, since WWII medical units no longer display the red cross which, for many warriors was a signal for help.  When I was a young Officer, the red cross would be on a field medical tent.  Ambulances were marked with a red cross but, we found that the enemy enjoyed destroying medical facilities. 

Todays, and even in my day, the Military Medical Officer must turn inside the collar of his shirt, so that the medical caduce/military rank cannot be seen.  The enemy enjoys shooting doctor's and nurses.  To show how things have changed, during the civil war, wounded on either side were cared for by medics.  It made no difference what uniform they wore. 

We hear on radio and television the blarney about the care for Veterans.  22 warriors commit suicide everyday, the Veteran's Administration wishes all Veteran's would commit suicide, it is far cheaper to bury a Veteran in a cheap casket than to care for one. 

To show you just how much Veteran's are appreciated, last week, Veteran's Day, this 85 year old Veteran was invited to a Veteran's Day event at the local Arboretum, sponsored by New Hanover County, NC.  I seldom get out of the house, but one of my friends insisted that I go.  I put on my suit, Veteran's cap and went to the event.  Not one member of the arrangements group approached me.  Another visitor there, a man who like me had never been in the arboretum before, said, "Colonel, they are serving lunch, I am going to get you some lunch".  I could tell he was very embarrassed and soon left.  He brought back to me, on a paper plate, a hamburger roll and some beans.  It was supposed to be a BBQ luncheon but the food had given out. They had no food for the honored Veteran's.  I'm sure some of the politicians, their families, the bureaucrats and their families were well fed.  I wrote a letter to the County Manager about this embarrassment, he admitted that they ran out of food.  Is not the incipient attitude as the irrational, radical indifference frevelant on the local level as well as in these warring places with "strange sounding names".  The VA took from me the promise of America/my future/my security/now my dignity.  Can you even imagine what warfare is taking from other people in war torn areas?

VA Leads Country On Road To Infamy

#1792

The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center will provide transgender veterans with primary care, hormone therapy, mental health care, and social work services, says local NBC affiliate WKYC. A calendar of events from the VA states the medical center will celebrate the opening of the transgender clinic on Thursday, November 12.

This totally blind, 100% disabled, service connected Medical Officer Veteran of the Korean Era has trouble believing the infamy with which the VA, representing millions of Veterans is leading this nation. 

Thomas O'Kempis, IMITATION OF CHRIST, said, "I am what I am, before God, no more no less."  Most Veteran's do not sit in judgment of anyone.  We know that the best men we ever knew are buried, many in foreign soil, believing that they were giving their lives for the promises of America. 

The Disabled Veteran, particularly the blind, loses his joy, his future, his security and then lastly his dignity.  In a cocoon of blackness we think what could have been...life, family, enjoyment...perhaps even some fun. 

This Veteran was born in poverty on an Eastern North Carolina tobacco farm, hard work/hard times.  I saw the sweat of my parents, grandparents and all those wonderful people who just wanted an opportunity to live responsible lives, serve God, pay just taxes, keep the laws of God and man. 

This Veteran went to a small strident country school...13 in my graduating class.  There was one incandescent light bulb hanging down from the ceiling.  Running water was a new thing, a real plus for that school.  My parents/grandparents had attended schools on the same school grounds with privies/hand pumps. 

The county superintendent made arrangements for me to be accepted at the oldest State University in the Nation, UNC Chapel Hill.  I remember my mother saying, "life will be very different for you there.  But if you did not want improvement, you might as well stay home.  You will be different from others but you are smarter than others, you will have to work, but you can do both."  So, working at night, going to class in the daytime (I still remember running from work to get my head in a book and study for an exam) I sold bibles during the summer, door to door (covering every pig path in Eastern North Carolina)...I could talk their language, I was able after 8 years of traumatic study, to have a "Dr." in front of my name. 

During the Korean Conflict, every Dr. served in the Military (Draft Dr.'s Law) I jumped through all the hoops to attain all the necessary requirements for a Commission, to have the expertise to give care to service members.  I had believed during those years of study and hard work that someday it would pay off with my being able to have some of the better things of life.  After all, I had been raised on a dirt road, a God blessed home, without power, phone or waterlines.  Other than Hinton James who walked the 90 miles from the town where I live to Chapel Hill UNCCH's 1st student that I was the only student ever there (most were sons of the elite of NC...legislators/judges/men of  power) who came from a home without running water.  Recently I heard representative Virginia Fox in the US Congress say that her husband did not have running water in his home when he went to Chapel Hill.  We are not stuck where we start, one man plus God and anything is possible! 

Your writer is the worlds best example of this...that I can come back from the military, blind, and with determination/instructions from Jehovah God, travel every continent of the world.  Work/invest/give of myself entirely to God and Country.  AND only God knows what this 85 year old man has endured; living alone, taking care of myself completely.  The joy of the Lord is the happiness one knows in realizing that the evil of the world cannot reach him.  To make a living, I have carried on with a business in my home...investments, rentals, sales.  I am convinced that many of the employees who work for me went to picking out as soon as they came in my house what they wanted to steal.  I have known what Paul was talking about when he talked about "bearing in his body the marks of our Lord Jesus" (Galatians 6:17) and the fact that we must "wrestle" against the powers of the air. (Ephesians 6). 

Life for me has been a wrestling match and my country has not helped out very much.  The VA never even gave me a white cane, not one minute of rehabilitation, 50 years after I asked for one, they finally sent me a reading machine so that I could enjoy books on tape.  The last time I was at a VA hospital, the Dr. would not treat me because he said "in your file I find that you write letters, make complaints about the VA".  I have made complaints about the VA on the behalf of many Veterans who aren't able to complain, who don't know how to complain and I have found that no one cares.  I said to the Chief of Staff of the same VA hospital that refused to treat me last time I was there (Durham, NC) "across the street at Duke Eye Center there are volunteers who lead blind people around... to the various clinics etc. in the maze of treatment, the Chief of Staff said, (and I have this recorded) "We do not need your advice Dr. Morris, we are just waiting for you to die."  We can see where Government's interest lie, in protecting the "sexually confused".   AND the American citizenry expect to win another war.

Veteran's Day - 2015

#1791

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:5-6)

The real Christian does not believe there is a maverick molecule in the universe.  God is boss, in charge of everything.  He knows the cattle on 1,000 hills (Psalms 50:10), he knows the location of every jewel, every element, all the gold in the crusts of the earth.  He knows that if the crusts of the earth were gold, men, His chief creation, would kill one another for a handful of dirt.  Nothing surprises God.  Like a worm, looking at a man, we do not understand God.  But, why would you worship a God you can understand?  That is the reason so many of our fellow human beings worship false Gods, false idols, trash from the talking box, millionaire sports figures running up and down a field.  The finery of a home, letters, military rank, political designation after a name.

This writer, blind veteran, was in London, England with a well seeing guide in St. Mary's Catholic cemetery looking for the grave of his favorite poet, Frances Thompson. (Love is a many splendored thing.)  Having felt his tombstone we were moving back towards the entrance my guide said, you will never believe what's heading our way.  I had just recovered from almost falling into an open, newly dug grave and we were talking about how dangerous it was.  We went over to read another large tombstone, but he told me that a cemetery worker was pulling a cart on which was a casket covered with an American flag.  He said right behind the casket is an old woman in a wheelchair, being pushed by evidently the driver of the hearse.  Walking next to her wheelchair, a Catholic Priest.  They were heading to the open grave I said "this must be an American Veteran, let's go back."  The Priest had already closed his book, grave diggers were already throwing dirt on the casket, the Priest said to me, "He is a World War II Veteran, met and married this lady here in England and they lived here their entire life.  Both are dying in separate nursing homes, she is not very cognitive but I am sure she is happy you are here."

I reached down and took her gloved hand and squeezed it, I said, "I am American".  She handed me the American flag.  When you say you are "an" American, it means something different than just saying "I am American".  There are many types of Americans, those who say "I am an American", those who just want what they can get out of the Country, not what they can give to their Country: those who just want it's benefits.  But, a real American gives as well as gets.  It became obvious to me that this Veteran, buried in this London cemetery, without any type Veteran's benefits, had given.  On the heading of the flag was written "Battle Flag" and the date of the Battle of the Bulge", this tattered flag, evidently, had survived the Battle of the Bulge of WWII in which this soldier participated.  I later sold this flag, along with all my 48 star flags, but there is no price that anyone could pay for the story involved in this one flag, this one Veteran's life or the sorrow of the widow who buried him that day.   

Your writer is a world traveler, every continent, though blind, passport stamped in 157 countries,  near Agra, India, I went to a carpet weaving place.  One family will spend months weaving one carpet, sitting on mats on the ground (very poor lighting, most are blind before they are adults) multiple spools of silk thread above, they work all day long on a pattern on which only they understand.  There is always a family member on the other side of the carpet passing the needle back through after having made knots, etc.  You can tell the back of the carpet from the front because of all the knots and entanglements but the front of the carpet is a thing of beauty. 

Such as our life, the Christian believes planned by God before the foundation of the Universe.  He knew there would be knots and entanglements, U.S. Veteran or not...parents who produce and raise young warriors to defend their Country, we all have much to give. 

In the American experience, next to slavery, the greatest shame of our Nation is it's treatment of handicap citizens and disabled Veteran's.  But, as this disabled Veteran has said many times, it is hard to support a government that takes your future, then your security, and lastly your dignity.  But as one of my wounded uncles whose wife was the sister of my mother, said to me after he had returned from the South Pacific of WWII (a man who went on to live a very successful life), "War changes you, but the new birth in Jesus Christ changes you more."

Bottom Line

#1790

The federal government is about to pay doctors who speak with patients about the type of medical care they want when they are "near death."

The rule announced on Friday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid service will reimburse, starting January 1, 2016, healthcare providers if they have conversations with Medicare patients about advance planning--also known as end-of-life discussions, reports WSJ.

Make no mistake about it, this is about cutting the cost for the government of patient care,

They say what will happen is an attractive girl trained in these "advance planning" talks will come in with slick brochures showing pictures of people in horrific states and saying to a  patient, "Do you want to live in this state and burden your family?," when in fact the patient is being asked to sign-off on the cutting-off of treatment at a point unlikely to be anywhere near the state portrayed in the brochure picture.

And don't think this is just about Medicare and Medicaid patients, It is the first step. The current government-controlled crony health insurance sector will also benefit from these kill-yourself talks.

Bottom line: When you are a drain on government coffers rather than a taxpayer, and the crony health insurance sector fears you will become expensive to keep alive, the government would rather see you dead.

It is another way that research into drugs to extend lives of people, who possibly can recover from severe illnesses, will be disincentives, while treatment will stop on others that have a chance of recovering from a serious illness.

Addition, by Dr. Morris:

Anyone with an IQ above room temperature should know that it was coming to this.  A nation that will kill (Planned Parenthood) 3,000 innocent babies every day certainly will not mind ending the lives of the sick and disabled.   It is a matter of the bottom line.  Old people, who planted the flowers that the rest of us are picking, when they can no longer live productive lives/pay taxes/spend much money in the public square, are no longer needed in our society.  Old people cost the government more in their last years than any other time in life. 

We play games with God, we play games with the government, why not with one another?  Veterans know that the VA had much prefer for a Veteran to commit suicide than to give him needed care.  A cheap casket and a flag cost much less than care in a VA facility.   After all, America/Europe is being captured by migrants who want and expect the benefits/entitlements promised to citizens who have paid their own way, raised the children to protect their country and now, last months and years of their lives, no longer wanted.  And, it's not just a matter of their country not wanting them, their own children, burdened down with the processes/expenses/controls of just daily living are not too grieved to see them go.  The only question most relatives, neighbors have at the passing of an old person "how much did they leave"?  THEY LEFT EVERYTHING.  But the bottom line, how much they gave while here. 

Living next to me, for many years, my friend Bill.  He was a graduate of Williams College, brilliant accountant.  He could afford to have a CNA to come in but, deep depression he just turned his head to the wall and died.  When the funeral home came to "collect the body", they came over and told me that Bill had died.  About one hour later I have never heard such a racket, his relatives in his house fighting over his things.  Bill had nice antiques/collectibles.

A neighbor, Margaret, took me to Bill's funeral.  There were only 3 persons at his services, the two of us and the person who took care of him.  None of these relatives who fought over his things were there.  

"Phone Home"

#1789

To very many, both learned and unlearned, the Bible is like a sealed book! They see the words, but they do not discern the meaning. Or if they understand something of the meaning, they do not feel its mighty power. It does not convince them of their sin--nor does it help them to know and love the Savior. And why is this? Because the veil is upon their heart.

Reader, be sure you never neglect to pray whenever you take the Bible in your hand. It is only in this way that you will find real profit and comfort in reading it. Pray that you may understand whatever you read.

If you read there of one who committed sin--then pray that the grace of God may preserve you, that you may never fall into the same snare. 

If you read of any one who exercised any particular grace, as faith, or repentance, or love, or patience, or obedience--then pray that the Spirit may plant the same grace in your heart. 

If you read any solemn warning or threatening--then pray that the curse or punishment spoken of may never light on you. 

If you read any gracious promise--then pray that God may make good the promise to you. 

If you read anything of Christ, as the Good Shepherd, as the High Priest--then turn in prayer to Him, and ask Him to guide and guard you, to make you and keep you as one of His sheep, to bear your name before the Father, and to intercede on your behalf.

There is no part of Scripture that you cannot in some way turn into prayer--and the more you do so, the more you will find it like a well of living water. You will never fail to find help and refreshment from it.

Reader, may you learn to prize God's precious Word, and to find it food and drink to your soul. The Bible is the only book that tells us . . .
  about the way of salvation,
  of Christ and His cross,
  of the gift of the Holy Spirit,
  of the new life, and
  the blessed hope of everlasting life. 

May it be yours to use the book aright, to meditate therein, and as you read to grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord.

Addition:  Dr. Morris

According to the news, yesterday, the writer who wrote the most famous 3 words in American Movie History, died.  The words, "E.T. phone home".

In my lifetime, phone service has increased exponentially.  There was never a phone in the home in which I was raised until after I had finished college.  My aging parents living alone way out in the countryside, I had to force NC Utilities to provide them with a phone.  Now, everywhere you go and this sightless veteran is informed, every car, everyone talking on phones.  Yet, the greatest need for supernatural communication in the universe the Christians need to communicate with God through prayer.  The church has nothing to offer the unsaved except salvation.  I don't believe God hears anything from the unsaved except a repentant plea for salvation but the Christian needs to "phone home" often...praying without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:16), seeking healing, help, advice, the grace for every area of human living.

Many years ago, yard sale, I purchased vinyl recordings of the Bible.  I played the new testament over and over.  I was always so amazed at the things I had missed...new things revealed to me every time it was read.  I have encouraged Christian leaders to read and reread the Bible constantly.  He always has a new message in His words for us. 

One of my women employees was always sick I told her one day to read the gospel of John at least once a week, and you will get healing.  Of course she claimed to be a Christian, but she never read the Bible.  A male employee, as do so many young men I try to inspire, when I asked him if he believed in God, "my religion is none of your business".  Later, he said, "I don't believe in fairy tales."  I encouraged him to read Psalm 139 every day for one week.  Forever, the word of God has changed the hearts of men...the only hope of the world. 

This writer was speaking before a ministerial conference of a large denomination, computers were new back then, these men were talking about all the information that could be stored on a computer, they thought it was just marvelous...this bottomless ocean of technology. 

When I got up, I said, you were so amazed by the computer, your speaker has traveled to both the North and South pole, 240,000 square miles of glaciers both at the top and bottom of our earth...these glaciers formed by one snow flake at a time, each different, each designed by God, never two alike.  I said, under a microscope you can study the grains of sand on every sea shore and will never find two alike, I said, I have studied the human body, trillions of cells, yet, each cell in your body totally you.  You can take any one cell of your body and the DNA information from your family, enough to fill many many pages, is there for your perusal. 

This is the greatness the power, the mercy of our Creator God.  In the beginning, He was all alone, with all his love, mercy and power.  Through the Trinity His beloved son, His Holy Spirit, He gave to us the gift of Grace. 

My parents never kept the realities of the world from their Children, did not shield them from anything.   As a very small child, my mother's first child, I remember my first experience with death...the bleak days of the great depression, holding onto my mother's hand, we went in the house where there was a cheap cassette sitting in the hallway.  A friend of my mother who had died in childbirth.  Back then death was not sensitized/sanitized as now.

People were fortunate just to buy a cheap cassette. I remember my mother told my father that the baby, who never breathed, was wrapped in a blanket in the mother's arms, that was love, but not as much love as Jehovah God has for us in leaving us his answer book, the solution for the problems of every person in this world, "phone home."  Our citizenship is in heaven.  (Philippians 3:20)