Appifiny of the Unwashed

#1745  All things by immortal power,
Near or far,	30
Hiddenly
To each other linkèd are,
That thou canst not stir a flower
Without troubling of a star; -Francis Thompson

Henry Kissinger once said, "The boundaries of history have been marked by the masses of the unwashed."

This writer never takes a shower, never turns a faucet in the kitchen, without thanking God for water. What water means to life, both animal and plant. The fact that water has made the determining factor of almost every event in history. 70% of the Earths crust is covered by water, and makes up 70% of any animals body weight, water determining all plant life (mystery of the ages, routes in the soil, and the magnetism involved in water traveling even to the top of the tallest tree).

I never get out of the shower, without thinking that my ancestors never knew what it was to have a decent bath... The unwashed. 

This world traveler has seen unwashed people, the world over In Africa- Asia, Hundreds of men and women in rivers, beating their dirty clothing against rocks, washing their laundry in a river. 

From one side of the world to the other, people spending their day, with great jugs many times on their heads, transporting water from a creek to their home. 

As with characters in the bible, as with our ancestral forebears, to understand them, we must put flesh and blood on and in their bodies. I fully realize that today and in the 21st century, their are children born who never know their  parents, or knew their grandparents. 

Please God forgive those who do not have "precious memories," who do not have "family ties" to hold onto. 

I have all the empathy in the world, for the unwashed masses whose life is a struggle, in remote corners of the world, which God has blessed me to visit. I must remember, however, my own family. 

In-between the ancient farm homes of both my mother and father, my grandparents, and great- grandparents before them, a distance of about two miles, a curve in the dirt country road. In the grave yard at that curve, are the tomb stones of these, "saints of old" who I want to remember. 

Their were very few photographs back then, most of their ephemera (paper products), destroyed in their activity and just survival of daily life. People just did not prize old things. Every time this world traveler was near a monastery, I thought of the monk who found the sisters in 

Saint Catherine's Monastery

 at  Mount Sinai, burning old biblical scrolls, just trying to stay warm.

We think that God is tough. My ancestors were really tough. Think of their horror story, before leaving England, flaying to keep their Christian belief. Crossing the treacherous Atlantic in a small ship... Sick, some buried at sea. Landing on the shores of this promise land, near Morris town, NJ 1677. Battered by the sea and the New England winters. Think of what they encountered with their very few possessions, clothing- food- tools- medicine. But they eek out of existence out of the soil of New Jersey, founding Morris town. Then the hard working farmers moved south to North- Carolina. 

To show how tough they really were (and only a few family members know this). In my lifetime, few automobiles, cousin Barney, who owned a car, drinking liquor, drove his car into the ditch right there at the graveyard. His family had built our church in 1874, still there- still beautiful. His own family "kicked" him out of the church for drinking. So many times I wanted to tell his beautiful Christian wife and children (now dead and in Heaven), that story.

how things have changed at the church house, the school house, the court house, and all my relatives houses. Places which have had such a tremendous influence on my life. 

I still want to meet a perfect man, other than my blessed lord. My own "warts," "sins," though forgiven, still bother me. But even though we fail him, he never fails us. 

Not only did those folks buried in that graveyard, never have a decent bath, how they suffered from disease, not only wants but needs, at the one room school-house, which even my own mother attended, my grand-parents along with NC education governor Charles B. Aycock, they had to go to the woods and cut wood for the stove. Also buried in the graveyard, aunt Catty, the teacher... Uncle Turner, who once a year would go into a nearby town, and buy ice for everyone's once a year treat, ice-tea and ice-cream (July 4th celebrated at the school house). In the graveyard is my mothers 2 year old brother, who died from a dread disease. Until her death, my grand-mother thought every young boy looked like Seth. 

There is a long line of those in the graveyard who I can remember from stories which were told to me. Such stalwart ancestors, who knew nothing but handwork-hard times, and the all preserving power of God, will keep those of us who had it much easier, from complaining. They never heard a radio, but heard the voice of God from beautiful birds in the trees. They never saw a television set, but saw the hand of God in the lives of the sick and lonely. They never tasted "fast food" but knew the thrill from healthy- green- real food. They did not worry about diet or exercise, because farm work, walking most places, kept them in shape. 

In a world of political correctness, were the price of a soul is so cheap, God help us to remember the values of real Americans, real "Christ like" individuals. 

Gawking

"Calvary covers it all,

My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all."

At the heart of liberty, is the ability to make decisions because of free will, the liberty given to man by god who makes the ultimate decision about everything. MAN PLANS, GOD LAUGHS.

The writer is a blind veteran, often in contact with the BVA (blind veterans association). In talking with one of the officials, a much younger veteran, he said, "I see you are from North Carolina." We found that we were reared in nearby counties, that he knew some of my relatives, the Rains family from Princeton NC (my paternal grandfathers sister, was a well known member of the Rains family). He further told me how he had lost his eyesight, while in the Air force, traveling on a highway which we both knew, a horrendous curve in the highway which we both knew, the location of many terrible highway wrecks, he was a survivor of a multiple collision at that curve. But lost his eyesight. It was amazing that there were so many traffic hazards made by men, men falling under the spell of politicians... Politicians indebted to a vote-getter and party-giver. North Carolina roads were known to be under the purvey of politics. 

"The Democrat party controlled everything in North Carolina for 140 years...All roads, all the people who worked on those roads, you could not get a job working on roads in North Carolina unless you were a democrat, a job in a hospital- school teacher- post office, etc. To this day, Democrat controlled counties, not even a job driving a school bus."

This BVA employee- blind veteran told me that his worse adjustment was the gawking of the public, even his own family, he said, "I was always an accomplished athlete, well mannered with great potential, and now I'm like a lepers, citizens gawking at me"

This has always been the plight of the disabled, The gawkers- starrers do not think anything bad will ever happen to them, and any veteran can tell you that no one much cares. Oh, like the church, there is those words of pretending. How many disabled people do you see at your church? Jesus loved the disabled, lepers. Most of his attention- miracles were spent on them. In the 21st century, there are other sounds for justice and freedom. At the state-house- courthouse- church house- even at your house the 21st century attitude towards the disenfranchised is "political correctness." On the talk shows- political reports, the "talking heads", speak of race- sex- gender- discrimination. But never go near the topic of bigotry toward the disabled... The nations largest minority. 

Life is not a destination, but a long rough road. There can be an unexpected curve in anything. There can be an unexpected "wreck" on any highway. 

One half of the nations population already has cancer. It is believed that in 20 years the entire population will be cancer ridden. When I was in school, just 50 years ago, cancer and diabetes were rare diseases. Diabetes is the disease of rapid aging, Cancer, a disease of just living. We know that, the prevention of cancer involves 3 things; nutrition, exercise, and water. We know that sugar "feeds" cancer cells. Sugar is the most addictive substance known to man. Every foodstuff in restaurants now invaded by sugar. Cancer is one of the worst curves in the road. In the case of any downfall, downfall of any type, disease, immorality, habits, there are "sign posts" along the way. Warning you about what is about to happen. With all of the technical knowledge, the bottomless ocean of technology of today's world. The phenomenal money spent on education, people still do not read the sign posts. Like jumping off the Empire State Building, just before hitting the street, all jumpers- livers think, "so far so good." 

At the heart of liberty, freedom of choice, knowing the absolutes of right and wrong, everyone wants to jump into shadows of grey...Even knowing what to do, even wanting to do . And yet deciding to take the low road instead of the high road, paying no attention to sign posts, such as one like "deer crossing." Most of the millennial generation are more interested in animal life, for instance deer or turtles, than human life. At nearby Topsail beach NC millions were spent on a Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation center. This blind veteran never had one minute of rehabilitation to assist me with my life as a blind person. This blind veteran was not even supplied with a white cane from the Veterans Administration. The Veterans Administration pays radio, T.V, advertising, purporting interest in veteran suicides (3 veterans commit suicide everyday) THE VA WANTS VETERANS TO COMMIT SUICIDE. A CHEAP TIN CASKET WITH A FLAG IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN A VETERANS HEALTHCARE FOR MANY YEARS. 

Stroke has moved into the second cause of death. Most Americans think stroke only happens in old age, but strokes happen to young people. 

The common denominator in the risk of all your problems involves just one person, you. I have very clear images in my mind of my problems, me. It was always a problem with me of clinical depression which no one recognized, family, school, military, etc. Clinical depression is what cause my social and even marital problems. With the problems that afflict all of us, that our fellow man only recognizes- appreciates accomplishments. We can easily get trampled in the rat race toward the finish line. In my lifetime, schooling, military, one recession after another, the financial harshness of me-ism ( everyone looking after his own interest) it is almost impossible to maintain financial sanity. I have lost more money with wealth advisors than I ever gained through them. Every stock-broker, only one philosophy, if you have a hole in your roof just drill a bigger hole in your floor. 

When your fellow man, even your friends and your family. are gawking at your life, finding fault with your life, get over it. The message was given to us long ago, it has never failed, take the weight off your shoulders and put it on the shoulders of Jesus... He is always at the cross roads, the curves of your life, before you get there. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29). "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (Peter 5:7).

#1731

Theological Smoke

An easy answer, the world's mot beautiful church edifice, St. Paul's cathedral, London. It's great dome is as large and majestic as St. Peters in Rome. The original church honoring the Apostle Paul, was built in 604 AD, destroyed by fire. From it's ashes, early 17^th century, Christopher Wrenn designed the present structure, which from 1700 – 1962 was the tallest building in London. Many of us will remember the funerals of Lord Earl Mountbatten and Winston Churchill and the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana held there.

Just down the street is another cathedral designed by Christopher Wrenn, St. Margaret's, an evangelical church. Tourists line up to view St. Pauls for a fee of $20.00.

Every mind, if in the least normal, constantly thinking-contemplating. Why do so many occupy prisons, mental hospitals, military barracks. A new group of occupiers, “so called” Wall Street occupiers now occupy the area around St. Pauls cathedral which now called by Anglican prelates a welcoming area of discourse as, all over the world, occupying because of historical geography. The bishop and dean of the cathedral first refused admission to the disgruntled, disguised, disdained of society. But then, as always, the mantra catapulted, “What Would Jesus Do?”. We do not know what Jesus would do, a man who never protested anything (at His own trial, said nothing) never traveled very far from where He was born, never led an army, never wrote a book, but armies of the world have marched in His defense, no library large enough to hold the books written about Him.

Beyond the smokescreen of Theology, we know the certainty, brevity, and eternity of life. Known in the mind of God, chosen for gestation, the believer in God is born twice (physical birth and born again) but only dies once. (clinical death) The unbeliever, born once, twice dying. (clinical death and eternal damnation) Of course, the occupiers like any of us, think they will never die and that, at death, their soulless body would just become compost.

Little do they realize that these great cathedrals as well as small crossroads churches, around the world, were built by the tithes and offerings of people invested in and committed to the cross of Christ. Much of the world has become void of idealism of any kind, physical or spiritual. A religious prolificate, such as Joel Osteen, does not preach the cross nor do you see a cross in the auditorium in which he performs. A political stalemate, such as an Obama shuns both religious and political symbolism, honoring neither the cross nor the flag. In his narcissistic world of “me-ism”...godless theism, commitment to idealism in worship is as foreign from his mind as the idealism of the preservation of the life of the unborn..

The Christian, the Holy Spirit of God grafted into the old body of sin and disbelief overcomes the foibles of this world as a new creation. We all know the difficulties of escaping the smokescreen of this theology... even the Apostle Paul. This very cathedral named for him. (Romans 7: 19-20) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Ethical behavior is as important in the market place as in religion. Individual wealth always comes because of common good... productive living as well as giving... a life of preparation in order to toil and give.

No one refutes that there has been an exploitation of the poor in history but, Adam Smith, a moral philosopher, promoted the idealism of stewardship, the discovery of social conscience... profitable-producers-supporters of the church and other charities.

Many need God to ratify their actions, more interested in God believing in them than they believing in God, thinking they are doing God a favor by giving time, talent, or treasure to Him.

Children of the depression know the honor of service, hard work, denial of self. In this day, when even children have cell phones in their pockets, this writer well remembers children never having seen or talked on a telephone.

50 million voters can elect a president, nearly 45 million are on food stamps, 47 percent of the population pay no income tax. Now we know who elects presidents. Small doses of welfare, like small doses of Christianity never heal anything. From the pulpit down every pew, to the back door of the church, a better theology, a smoke-free-clear theology. Forget the action-pretending of the “outer court”, choirs-suppers-meetings and go into the “inner-court” where there is only an altar.