Conquistador II

Judges 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel.

When perusing through history there are things that, because we can stand back and look from afar, seem about as self evident as those things written in the Declaration of Independence.

The Separatists left everything they knew; sacrificed their way of life in the old world to settle in a strange and hostile land. The group arrived in November and during that winter half of their small group died. Many paid for their desire for religious freedom with their life. Their governor, John Winthrop, envisioned them as a model of Christianity...a city set on a hill. Unfortunately, the Puritan fathers' sense of spiritual mission did not transfer...too much success got in the way of the next generation.

They became wealthy, and settled on their lees, they forgot God. Satan knows how to tempt the children of Adam. Some people can not stand pain and suffering, and that will tear them away. Others? Wealth will be their down fall. When humans become too full of them self the old proverb comes true time after time.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

But wait, yes, pride, egotism, wealth, these are all recipes for disaster, or maybe a novel on the best seller list. However, even though Satan knows how to tempt the children of Adam, in many descendants of the Puritans/Separatists, the desire to 'walk with God' is still strong. There is something that still wants to come back to a right relationship to our God.

To many people this may come as surprise, however, in the past there have been many so called 'depressions'. Severe economic downturns if you will. In these harsh times people became more 'humble'. Returning to their God and to their 'roots', many times moving back to a 'farming' lifestyle in which they could sustain themselves. In short these depressions caused people to turn back to God.

Change happened more slowly in past generations, and the 'change agents' were slower at work. Charles Darwin...published his book on evolution in the 1850's, and by 1870's many had accepted it as fact...without proof. They were assured by many prominent philosophers that as scientist, continued to explore the world, they would soon discover the proof to support this 'new' theory. ~The discovery has never happened, by the way, and is being attacked by its own scientific community.

Another change agent reared its ugly head when our public school system was hijacked in the 1800's by people who wanted to 'train future generations' for their own purpose.

Couple these changes in our society with our Federal government's subtle tentacles growing into everyone's life, by the 1930's many people were ripe for falling into the basket of government handouts. The depression was hitting hard, some harder than others, but yes, many were hurting. Some tightened their belts, turning to a deeper faith in God growing together as families, much in the same way that past generations had done. But many, with the subtle prodding of big government, instead of turning to God, turned to government--government 'should DO something' they insisted.

Now, continuing into the 1900's, others (socialists/communists/humanists) are changing our future as a nation by indoctrinating our young in their precepts.

No, I'm not kidding. Check out these names and references: Michael J. Chapman, Education; John Taylor Gatto, The Underground History of American Education; Marlin Maddoux, Public Education Against America: the Hidden Agenda. Separately these are shocking, taken as a whole they are chilling.

When we take a step back and look at what is still happening, and like a snowball in an avalanche it is happening faster and faster, we must ask ourselves, Is there a way to stop this? I honestly have no affirmative answer. Our sovereign nation is giving up its sovereignty hand over fist to nations that want to see its downfall, as well as to people in our own country that lust for power. We are in debt up past our eyeballs, mortgaging our children's future for the next gazillion years...

Some folks say it's our leaders' fault, but this is a country with 'elected' leaders...didn't we know whom we elected? Some believe 'term limits' are the ticket...but if you have a good representative why limit him to just a few years, and if you have a scoundrel one year is too many. Term limit should be set by the ballot box. These leaders have records, and oddly enough those records are public. Check them out and if they are scoundrels...throw them out! Remember, anyone giving you ANY handout is really taking it out of your own pocket, not their own.

Some people hold up one political group as being better than another. I do not labor under any such banner. Mavericks...cattle from the herd that don't have a brand, they don't fit anywhere... Tea Partiers seem to be the ultimate in mavericks. It is precisely because no matter how the main stream parties attempt to control them, they just don't play the game by the big boys' rules.

Some people of this country can see where the main stream leaders are leading, and we do not like it, Sam, I am...we do not like it at all. Some of it goes back to the independent spirit that led to the settlement of this land. Some have accused certain people of 'clinging to their guns and Bibles', as if this were a bad thing, but as my adorable cousin stated about her ancestors and their food (specifically 'bacon grease dripping from their lips)it IS where we came from, and it IS why they survived, and it IS why we have survived. Guns and Bibles...The question is now that some people have begun to wake up, will it be enough; will it be in time?

2Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I have not physically been able to fast as I did in my younger days, but if I was able (not to say that I won't fast on a small scale even now, but...)a morning till evening fast for Christians would be in order, and prayer...and yes, (as the story of the woman in the hospital who exclaimed 'Has it come to that?!') it has come to that!

No truer words have ever been written than, "These are the times that try men's souls,". We are staring at the face of evil, and this has come to us in our time.

Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

Cycles...what goes around comes around. This isn't new. We are still fighting the age old battle against 'principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.'

Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages. 4) Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.

Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: 46) and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Just as the martyrs paid the full price for religious truth, we all must be willing to pay the price. We also know...ultimately, who will be victorious.

1Corinthians 16:22 If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha. 23) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24) My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Conquistador I

I have thought on the blessings of family--past, present, and future family. In doing some research into genealogy I have come across some interesting people. Henri-Anna Ewert, her young son, Samuel, her father, mother, and at least one sister embarked from County Down, Ireland on an adventure. It was an adventure of a life time--actually, of many lifetimes...

What would impel a family to leave everything they knew to come to something unknown? Somewhere along the journey Henri-Anna's father died, but the rest of this feisty, hard working family made it to America, and to a new life...

It is a rich heritage that many in this country can claim. People willing to put everything on the line for freedom. Through sheer labor, sweat, and against all odds, they persevered. We hear much these days about 'freedom isn't free', and so that is, but this isn't only about freedom--or toil, or sacrifice, it's about life.

There are several 'threads' that must be followed--at present we will fast forward several generations. My adorable cousin is standing in a grocery line waiting to pay for her groceries while the shopper in front of her-- and the cashier-- are discussing how 'unhealthy' bacon and several other foods are. I'm sure they weren't picking on her or her choices--but she does have several of these items in her cart. When her turn comes she slaps her articles on the conveyer. As she is paying for them she, angrily says, "If my ancestors could walk across this country, bacon grease dripping from their lips, I guess it won't hurt me either!"

I haven't traveled extensively, but I have traveled. I have also read, and wondered...

America -the beacon on a hill. America -the siren, a warning. I enjoy writing. I enjoy the research and trying to put into everyday language what I have found in order to pass on what I've learned.

What has made America the beacon? Part is the sweat and toil of our ancestors--but... As some attempt to re-write our history into a secular past, a person doesn't need to dig far before we reject a secular beginning. You can not discount the Separatists, landing at Plymouth Rock, after fleeing England for 'freedom to practice religion' as they read it in the Bible.

Let's add a new thread. In world history we learned that Columbus 'discovered' the new world, and thus set in motion the Spanish quest for gold and treasures. They were of course searching for a route to China and all her splendors. As the Spanish went in search of these treasures they went to conquer and acquire in the name of the King and Queen of Spain, and the Catholic Church. We see the soldiers--the 'Conquistadors' kneeling in the sands as they give thanks for safety of voyage, the cross held high above their heads...

Christianity--a very important part in the world in those times. The Separatists brought their families and their Bibles to eke out 'a city set on a hill'. "Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid." --Matthew 5:14
Conquistadors setting out to conquer for their King, Queen, and the Church...

Fast forward again. As my husband and youngest son are preparing for a mission trip to Mexico, I receive a call from my adorable cousin. As we chat she begins to tell me that it's all over the news. The president is talking about sending troops to secure the southern border because violence has erupted in Mexico and along our border. I'm listening wondering if we are talking about the same country, or even for that matter the same world. I mumble something about the 'boys' are getting ready to head into Mexico for a mission trip, and when my words finally hit her mind...No! she says, they can't go! Tell them they can't go... Lately there has been a number of things reported in the news about happenings along the border or in Mexico. Drugs, shootings, gangs, murders...

America is the greatest nation--A city set on a hill. I can still see the pioneers walking, riding in Conestoga wagons, carrying their rifles, Bibles, and axes across the mountains and plains...

Compare--the Spanish Conquistadors; the English Separatists. Conquistadors in a ruthless quest for gold and treasure. The Separatists and their families striving for a religion like what they saw in the Bible.

Foundations--I've wondered about why. Why is there so much poverty, crime, and corruption in these (what we would consider) poor countries? We have walked and driven down some of these streets, seen the beggars, seen the sorrow. The stark contrast of driving down one of our streets versus driving down a foreign street is hard to express.

"Mom, I think it would do American kids good to visit Mexico," my daughter says thoughtfully. --This happened several years ago, but...

I agree, but I think it might do most Americans good to visit one of these countries, not just the children. What is the difference between America and other countries?

My aunt married an Irish Catholic man. He looked as Irish as any picture ever. He could tell a story, and he loved to pull pranks. He and she were married for quite a long time. Then she divorced him. Although she re-married, he never did. It seems that she divorced him for committing adultery. According to him he could not re-marry because it wasn't allowed 'in the church'. This may be an erroneous observation, but it seems he could commit a sin (in this case cheating on his wife) go to the priest and be forgiven, but he could not remarry...

Does it make a difference what a person believes religiously?

Under Catholicism if you commit sin--you go to the priest and he absolves you of your sin. It appears that no matter how many times you commit the same sin, as long as you go to the priest you're good to go, but...

When the light of the gospel began to be exposed (the Catholic church did not want the 'common' people to have copies of the scriptures) when the scriptures came to light through Luther, Wycliff, etc. common people began to see and read passages such as:

1Peter 2:5 ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1Peter 2:9 But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:...

And the people realized that they were responsible to God, not to a mere man. Not to a priest--Why, they them selves were the priests! They were to 'show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:'. And they read 1Peter 1:15-16 'but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.'

As things evolved, the Church of England came about, and the Separatist came about, and...the Separatists came to the New World bringing their families and their Bibles. They brought also their ideas of moral law and order, of moral responsibility before God...a moral, and just, and righteous God...

1Samuel 2:25 If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against Jehovah, who shall entreat for him?

"America is the greatest nation in the world...help me change it--" Not really funny, but that was supposedly someones' campaign spiel--but, as many have asked, why would you want to change it?

But America IS changing. Why is it changing, and into what is it changing? Indeed, is it really becoming that city set on a hill? Or was it a city, a beacon as it were, and now it is just a warning siren?

Things I Have Not Seen

"I want cake, Grandma!"

My little grandson climbs up on the chair expectantly, his precious little face all aglow with anticipation. He has been here before, he has had cake here before, and he is sure he will have cake here again...I laugh. That boy does us proud when it comes to cake--he sure does like eating cake!

There are many things in this life that we hope for. When we are, say, five years old--we hope to be six. When we are ten years old we hope to be fifteen. So it goes. Hope--what is it?

If I have a new pair of shoes I may 'hope' for another pair of new shoes, but I wouldn't 'hope' for the same pair of new shoes that I already have.

Romans 8:24 For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? 25) But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

We, this household, are not what you would call, 'socialites'. Most of the movies we watch are viewed at home. Those movies must pass a very stiff test before they make it into the player. So it isn't much of a shock that there are quite a few movies we have not seen in the past thirty plus years, and yet somehow we have managed to survive.

It would be no surprise then as well if I said we have not seen the movie, 'Titanic'. I have read different articles about the ship and the happenings surrounding its maiden voyage. How magnificent its furnishings were, how astounding its construction was, how amazing the entire ship was. It was so amazing that it was described as 'unsinkable'...someone was reported to have made the statement that, "Not even God himself could sink...". Of course that statement makes us shudder and want to throw our hands up in warning.

According to what I have heard the ship's orchestra played, 'Abide with Me' as the ship was sinking, according to the movie. Last moments of some passengers lives were shown as the end of the movie drew to a close, but...

There were on the great ship many fabulously wealthy people; there were some very poor people. Some people had much more than they could hope for, and others had only a hope for something more to come.

Most of us have hope as did my little grandson. We've had good things before just as he has had cake before, and we hope for more blessings in the future. However, no one is guaranteed more time, more life, more blessings to come.

A number of years ago--back in our television watching days, we watched a 'special'. Why it was special I don't recall, and it doesn't rate up there with all time great shows...

The story line was of a married woman that had returned to her hometown and in so doing reconnected with a high school romance. He is wanting to renew their 'friendship', but she is not receptive to the idea. Not until...she is grocery shopping and notices a young couple that are very 'into each other' as they are shopping. However, as they leave the parking lot after purchasing their groceries they are in a terrible accident...perhaps a fatal accident. The woman calls her ex-sweetheart and they of course spend the night together...

No, my take on the whole thing is not, 'life is short, grab all the fun you can while you can'. My take is: 'life is short, prepare for the hereafter, before you are forever thereafter'.

I wondered at the time, where has our culture gone wrong that it came up with such a twisted conclusion? Why would someone forsake a loving husband, a loving family, not to mention a promise/vow made to the aforementioned husband before God, and for what? A one night stand?

Since we have left God behind...oh, yes, make no mistake our modern day society has left God behind. Even people of 'faith' have~if not left God behind~remade him in their own image...or others believe that they can explain God away. God is actually just a secondary piece ~a piece that we have no need for~ but wait...

1Corinthians 15:19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 20) But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of them that are asleep. 21) For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

We all have partook of the blessings of this life. Those blessings are all around us. The food we eat, water we drink, the very air we breathe. The good things in our lives all come from a loving God. The trials and temptations come from Satan. God allows trials in order that we may come forth as precious gold or silver. Are we, as the wife in the fictional story above, swallowing hook, line, and sinker the devil's lure? There was no real moral to the story...no real story in reality. It didn't make her life better, or her better, or have any point to it at all.

Many people today are in that very same situation. They don't have a point, no real reason for their existence. Satan has many lies in his pack of cards. Back in the 1800's when humanists got a hold on our education system, they subtly began inserting little by little their teachings. Now, even though Christianity is supposed to be the main religion in this country, we find ourselves in the minority. We can't reach out to teach others lest we 'offend' someone. Excuse me? What country do we live in? When we see sorrow, sin, and pointless lives we are supposed to sit on our hands and do nothing?

1Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. 33) Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. 34) Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God:...

There are many 'worthless' shows, articles, items of entertainment, in this world. All are designed by Satan to distract our minds and our allegiance from God. From video games, sports activities, movies, and yes, even television shows that have no apparent point except to subtly hint that adultery under 'certain circumstances' happens and why, yes, it's alright...but it really isn't. How many subtle hints have we been fed through the years? The sneaky snake of the media has fed us a steady diet through the years, much of what we don't see.

I can not even begin to remember, let alone share the many times I have been living my life just bopping along trying to survive; raising children, paying bills, eking out a living by the skin of the proverbial teeth...when, Wham! Something catches me unaware. Trouble with the children, trouble in the congregation, trouble in the community. Wham! I didn't see it coming. It shook me out of my dream; out of the box/world I was floating through. There are far too many things that I did not see. At this time in history we need to wake up out of the dream world and become vigilant.

We need to be vigilant against evil that creeps into our homes via these things that we invite into our homes. Stand against the corruption of this world...

In the movie Titanic the older couple know this is their final hour. Their life is coming to an end. They lie back on the bed, holding hands as the haunting musical strains continue to waft through the scene. "Abide with me, tis eventide..."

No, this is something I have not seen, I am just imagining what someone else has described to me, but...

There are many things I have not seen. As a writer I enjoy writing 'my own ending' to scenarios. Creating my own worlds where I can see 'the big picture'. But I'm not in charge of this story; I'm not in charge of this world. I know who is victorious in this battle of life, but I don't know how we get there.

"I shouldn't have to die, just because I don't have the money for treatment!" The woman is shocked because the medical treatment isn't free any more. Even though we can empathize with her plight, we have all missed part of the big picture...

Rest assured whether it is the woman that needs medical attention, or if it is a strong, healthy young individual...no one will live forever. No one. Even the vigorous individual may be struck down quickly in the prime of their life.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Therefore, live your life toward God as if today is your last. Stop creating God into your own image. Realize that God is an all powerful God. Greater than any king, he is supreme being over all creation. He doesn't have to ask his creation what their thoughts on certain things are. He knows what their thoughts are, and especially, God knows what is best, what is right, what is needful.

1Corinthians 15:54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55) O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? 56) The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: 57) but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.