Core Values

Core Values

I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.  Psalm 119: 125

            Each of us, a living breathing individual, made in the image of God, has 1,440 minutes in a day.  This writer is convinced that God holds each of us responsible for how we spend each minute.  George Washington, father of our nation, certainly the most famous president of our democratic republic said, "Any time misspent, is lost forever."  It is easy to pray in a foxhole, hospice or hospital bed.  Do you ever consider, just what you would do with your life if you knew, for a certainty, that you only had so many hours-days to live? 

            This revelation will surprise some of my friends but, I do spend $10 each week on lottery tickets.  Most of my life blind, forced into inactivity, this gives me some excitement as well as contributing to the education fund for the state.  I can truthfully say that if I were to win a "large pot" of money, it would not change my life one iota; it would give me opportunity to give money to many worthy causes, more than I am able to contribute to now.  I can truthfully say that if I knew the exact days of my life left, I would not change one thing.  I live each day knowing that death is just one breath away, last breath here, first breath there.  My eternal life started many years ago when I trusted, through the mercy of God, the redemption of Jesus Christ.  I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the next thing these blind eyes will see will be the sights of heaven.    

            In my lifetime, there has been many movies based on the bible.... Charlton Heston as Moses, etc.  Now, comes Noah, that remarkable old testament figure of history who God chose to build an ark (to save himself and his family, eight souls, and the animals of the earth which God chose to save), who was 500 years old when his 3 sons were born and 600 years old when the great flood came.  The director of "Noah," Darran Aronofsky, called his movie "the least biblical biblical film ever made."

            This writer has found, over many years-many individuals of many religious and non-religious opinions (rich-poor, educated-ignorant) that most are not convinced of their convictions, that most cannot explain their belief or unbelief; their souls have a longing for something which they attempt to fill.  This world traveler (eight around the world trips, passport stamped in 157 countries) has never found a culture or civilization that did not worship something.  The simplicity of Christianity is astonishing, if not accepting Christ's redemption, then what?  False religions offer nothing except death such as the death of their founders.  Even the hagarens (Muslims), the descendents of the handmaid to Sarah, Hagar, mother of Ishmael, were, like Isaac and his twins, descendents of Abraham.  Under stress, unbelievers, like believers, begin to pray.  Under stress and need, most people work, but, at least in America and most socialist countries, a large percentage of the population resort to living off of the work of others.  This number is rapidly approaching 50% in America.  At the upper end of the population curve, a small percentage of wealthy people who, making every minute count, have achieved great wealth.  At the other end of the population curve, a large number who work, but never get far from the hand-to-mouth lifestyle.  In between, the hardworking and the successful elitist (some from inheritance, some from excellence in education, some from just raw luck) is a vast number who just want to survive on entitlements, retirements, subsidies, grants and welfare.  Let's face it, because of our education system, secular media built up resentments of one kind or another, so we now have a population of lazy, ne're-do-well, skaters, who are perfectly happy to live a stress free life, relaxing before the television set, chasing a ball on a golf course, or in some club or another (civic-country) sitting around hashing out between themselves the world's problems to which they have never contributed one thing except indulence.

            We live in a world with people who have made bad choices.  Many want to use the excuse of family background (the way they were raised-their inadequate education-struggles through poverty).  Would it not be wonderful if all of us had been born healthy, wealthy and wise... genes from intelligent sophisticates?  Would it not be wonderful if all of us were tall, super intelligent, good looking?  Would it not be wonderful if all of us could go to a private prep school, have influential parents-friends?  Would it not be wonderful if all of us could be blessed with a remarkable talent (musical ability, athletic ability, creative ability)?  As I have told so many talented people, when blessed with talent you are far ahead of the rest of us.  Jesus told us about such things.  God just expects us to do the best we can with what we have.  Don't confuse celebrity with accomplishment... think of Helen Keller and Madonna, living-working through struggles even poverty, is part and parcel of success. 

            Satan is so much smart than we are, wants you to settle for counterfeit.  In God's book, His instruction manual, He tells us the same things over and over, to trust and depend on Him.  It takes a long time, you will make many mistakes, but as the old people in the country church sang, "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there."  Not just your burdens, EVERYTHING.  The greatest part of your value system, depend on God and leave the consequences to Him.   

Less We Forget

Less We Forget!

.... The tumult and the shouting dies—
The Captains and the Kings depart—
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!....

                                                                - Rudyard Kipling    

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I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"I will bring this third part through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold!" Zechariah 13:9 

I gather from this verse, that though the days are ever so evil, God will always have His chosen ones. There always is the third part--there always are the few in Sardis, who walk with Christ in white. I trust that I belong to the little flock.

I learn also that, though the members of His Church are insignificant in this evil world--they are very precious to Jesus. He compares them not to dull lead--but to silver and gold. He has Himself clothed them with their attractiveness. My Lord, I draw my silvery sheen and golden brightness from You alone.

But I see that, as beloved as His people are, it is His purpose to refine them. The jeweler uses every method to beautify the metals which he prizes most. If the citizens of this world escape the sharpness of God's discipline--the citizens of the heavenly Kingdom cannot. He chastens me, because He loves me!

And I find, too, that the sorrow may be very severe. He brings His children through the fire--the quivering and scorching fire! "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10 

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it!" Hebrews 12:11. Oh that blessed Afterward! The fire purifies the dross from me; it kindles my hidden graces to life! 

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            Again, this writer has been reading "talking books" about America's early history, the sacrifices of our forefathers during the American Revolution.  I have been listening to a book on General Washington, again, astonished that we were able to win the war against the British.  Just think of these unprepared, colonial states, putting together a fighting force against the world's greatest power!  Many early Americans were very comfortable living under England's rule.  Just a small percentage of the early colonials participated in the revolution.  General George Washington's army was so poorly prepared for war that they were actually fighting with spears... Benjamin Franklin had suggested bows and arrows.  Often, farmers' cows were killed and their hides used to put around their bare feet as make shift shoes.  They did not have tents or blankets to keep out the cold in those desperate winters.  One American soldier, in rags, a ragged blanket over him, body covered in puss pustules, bushy beard and hair, was not recognized by his own brother. 

            These are our ancestors; the nation which we have inherited.  Surely God chose America for a special place in world history.  Surely God chose America for a special mission of His church.  90% of all Christian missionaries to remote corners of the world have gone out from America.  Almost any city, town, cross-roads, the length and breadth of this great prosperous nation you will find a church edifice, a place to worship God.  These churches, whether a majestic cathedral or simple wood framed building, proclaimed the free will of free men.  God's greatest gift to man, free will.  It is a real tragedy that after more than 200 years the benefactors-heirs of this great national struggle, political and spiritual are willing to surrender their freedoms so easily.  

Desperation

From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.  (Galatians 6:17)

            Henry Thoreau, author of Walden Pond, said, "Most men live lives of quiet desperation."  This writer has often said, "The test of a man is not what happens when everything is going good, but what happens when everything goes bad."

            On recent news broadcasts, we have had almost continuous stories about people caught in desperate situations.  As one who has traveled around the world many times, many flights on every type plane, I can well imagine the desperation of the 239 passengers on Malaysia flight 370.  After almost three weeks of continuous searching by many nations, spending millions of dollars, speculation-conspiracy theories of every type, we still have no idea what happened to that large 777 plane.  Different is the community-village lost in the state of Washington mudslide, we know about the many buried alive there, the desperate struggle of not only the victims, but also of those who were trying to rescue them. 

            No person, no thing, is born or invented great.  Greatness must be achieved.  Many inventions, brain child of someone with superior motives, never advanced in any way.  Many did not believe the telephone, television or teleprompter would ever amount to anything.  Yet, we know just how much people depend on this technology today and how many billions of dollars have been made on these inventions.

            Most individuals who have achieved greatness were born into adversity, a penalty of success.  One would never compromise morality or fall into very much sin, if he just spent his life in bed, doing nothing.  Like a flickering candle flame draws the unwary moth, Satan has a way of drawing us into his web, ensnaring us.  How does one survive, particularly a Christian, who does not EVERY day beg-plead with God to keep the temptations of Satan away from him?!  God puts his chosen where He wants them and gives to them the knowledge He wants them to have.  This writer, born and raised in poverty, saw in the desperation of farmers-cotton mill workers of Eastern North Carolina the desire, from their own inner resources, to achieve and make a better life for themselves, their family and their community.  I believe my ancestors-parents, many of the desperately poor students and soldiers with whom I came into contact, the thoughts they were being smothered-broken by the powers of government control that surrounded them.  The paradox, with technology-progress of every sort, lifestyles which should be so much better, life has not improved.  I find the greater percentage of the population has just as much trouble paying their bills, staying healthy, and facing an uncertain future now, as ever before.  I find that many Christians-politicians-intelligentsia are just blind actors pretending.  Christians pretending to follow Christ, politicians pretending to be concerned about their fellow man, the intelligentsia-academicians pretending to produce knowledge to help every one.  Really, most are just eaten up with the nihilism of meism... doing what is best-most profitable for me (WIFM - What's In It For Me?).  Is this what happened to the pastor of the world's largest church located in Seoul, South Korea (Yoido Full Gospel Church) where the pastor, Rev. Cho Yong-gi, just went to jail for three years for embezzling church funds?  Is this what happened to the mayor of North Carolina's largest city, Charlotte, where Mayor Patrick Cannon, will probably go to prison for bribery (he had only been in office for six months), for taking at least $48,000?  We know that this pastor, mayor and every politician is well paid.  God only had to say it once, "For the love of money is the root of all evil." (I Timothy 6:10)  It lead to the down fall of a disciple who actually walked and talked with our blessed Lord, Judas.  Seldom does a week go by when we don't hear of some politician or leader in the business world caught up in this trap.  Like tyrants, most embezzling, thieving politicians trip and fall over the flag of the United States of America... proclaiming their patriotism, love of God, family and country as they attempt to deceive everyone AND often thinking, fooling God.  In their desperation for reelection, possessing more than they will every need, their greed, their thinking they can be successful in decent, often supersedes respect for family, friends and associates. 

            George Washington will always be the father of our country.  Abraham Lincoln will always be the savior of our country.  WHY, after our history, after our progress does the American voting population insist on placing men and women into public office (from the white house to the local court house) who are guiding us quickly and stoically into the sewer?!

            Jesus Christ will always be the head of the church.  Christ-like people, whether the pope of Rome or a Godly grandmother will always be a stand in for Christ.  Technology has made it convenient for all of us to find or seek reparations in someone else... the street homeless people must suffer for their own sins... the government will take care of veterans and welfare people.   Many live vicariously watching the sins of others on soap operas and situation comedy on television.  Most pretending Christians, I know about-hear about, are envious of their non-Christian, unbelieving friends who are enjoying a "sin for season." (Hebrews 11:25)  Sinners are so much fun!  We like their phrases-language... we like the way they dress, their music and their designer lifestyle.

            BUT, at a time of desperation-terminal illness-crash of some sort-climate act of God, to whom do they turn for help?  There are no atheist in fox holes, and much to the surprise of those who have never been there, not comfortable.  Most pastors, politicians  and patriots, not knowing the difference in the walk and the talk, want comfortable, air conditioned fox holes for our war fare against world-flesh-devil.  Desperate followers of our Lord are protected by the whole armor of God.  (Ephesians 6:11)  Whatever comes, sickness, weather, desperation, ANYTHING, whether we live or die we are winners, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8)