A Can of Worms

  I've put this off  as I could, but now I guess its time to open this can of worms? First, who am I? Good question, for those of you who have read me for a while already know, I asked that very question of some of you, back in the Wisdom Quest days I think? Anyway, any of you who have been on board that long, thank you! I'd love to hear from some of you. What I am is nothing any of you can't be. Some people love to talk about themselves, I'm not one of them. So badly I did I not want to do this, that I wrote it out once, corrected it twice, and finally it came down to this. to A "shooting from the hip one,"' which means I'm typing directly what comes to mind, and this old wooden chair kills my back. But anyhow, back to the question at hand. Its a deep subject, but I am less confused about it now, than then. But there were people on line who thought I was Jesus. I can assure you that I'm not. I've been a Jersey Kid all my life, my wife's from Irvington, which was a kind of suburb to Newark I was born in Jersey City, so between the two of us, You can't get more Jersey than that. I'm a Christian Writer, but as a person, I'm kind off like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. Politically, I'm considered a conservative, and thats a fair label, as I am a believer in States rights, rather than a centralized government. And that belief is not only for this country, but for the world, Congratulations to all you British patriots who stood your ground for  freedom from the central government and this so called attempt at globalization. Each country, except by vote otherwise, should remain autonomous. Remaining to be proud countrymen, a separate nation, who is an equal and willing partner in the global community.  Your stand was grass roots, your stand was for the working man, your stand was a brave step toward fighting the tyrant who is sure to come. Don't all of histories worst mass murderers always start so subtlety, as a gentle Socialist bearing gifts? Im gonna stop now, as even I know I'm meandering. I'm back, been gone for quite a spell I suspect? Just realized that the date might be important. Not sure why, but I went back to see the start date, but there was only current information. Anyway, I started this thing about would two  weeks or so ago in July, and now its August fifth. Be back in a flash..

  So anyway, let me get this debt paid, afterall, a promise is a promise. Where to begin is half the problem and how and where to end is the other. The square hole round peg reference is to the fact that politically, I'm considered conservative, while religiously, I wish there was a better word, but in that way, I'm considered a liberal. I can't win? The truth is that the truth hurts, and telling it will lead to more enemies than friends. As Kermit once said, It isn't easy being green. This really is hard, there are so many directions I can go? I believe I could probably make stereo instructions interesting, but when it comes to writing about yourself, I haven't got a clue?
  Maybe just a few personal stories, but that would take too long. Perhaps just a few beliefs. I believe there is one God, and that everything that is, is because of him. Recently, I was watching National Geographic, or something like that on TV. I don't know their names, but they are the new Carl Sagans, physics is their game. The premise of the story was that these two guys were all excited that according to their math, everything came from nothing. This is true enough, but trying to explain what they think is news, and their genius in math, left them woefully short in explaining it in English. Smart in math, but their oratory skills were somewhat lacking. The explanation they gave was that the universe condensed upon itself, until the pressure of this mass became so small and heavy that it exploded. I've also heard it explained that two objects collided causing this big bang. Your equations may be correct sirs, but no matter how you slice it, something had to pre-exist before the big explosion.  You either believe that all of the perfection of life had an intelligent designer, or you believe that all of this was just a lucky accident? An intelligence far beyond our own is responsible, God exists!
  I believe in one God, and though he has many names, there is only one way to that God, and that is through belief in his son, Jesus Christ. I believe that the U.S. constitution is the most perfect basis for any country. As personal as I can be is to tell you that I am logical to a fault. I'm not good with emotions. Things have to make sense for me to accept them. It was the same way with becoming a Christian. Though I agree that his thoughts are not ours, I could never accept that as an answer to a tough question, and just move on. I figured that God is the God of order, and not disorder, and though I don't claim to have all the answers, I know that I am right, because of the questions I did pursue, I did get the answer, and they made perfect sense. The key to remember is that the Lord doesn't want blind obedience, he wants you to understand. Don't be afraid to challenge him, that doesn't make it a sin, it makes it a conversation. I believe that there are others, but I'm sure the Lord intended me to be like a 21st. century John the Baptist. His job was to tell the people of His first coming, mine is to tell about His second coming. I'll tell you one more thing, and then I'm done, God has blessed me with knowledge, but I can also tell you that sometimes it seems more a burden than a blessing. It really isn't easy being green. 

Finding the Truth (3.)

  And so obviously, I've been doing a lot of thinking about this truth stuff, and so the Lord said to me, Yup Ed, you're right about that, and people have to learn to trust each other again, to speak to each other, rather than speaking at each other. Great idea, but what about you? Me? I speak the truth, you know I named my site Tested Truths. I always tell the truth. Have you told them who you are, and by what authority you think to say such things? Shouldn't they know about who it is that writes such things? Have you told them what it is you believe and why? You don't have to explain it to them, unless of course, someone asks of you an answer, but you do have to tell them what it is you believe. I think they know all that already Father, I've been telling them... Tell them what you believe! yes Lord.
  Um, OK, well you heard it, its fess up time for me, but first, let me get in one more political point. The country is so divided, that we have begun to splinter off into sub groups within groups, nobody really knows what is going on. But why? How have we become this divided, why is it that we are as divided now as we were in the time of President Lincoln, at the time of the civil war. Again, how has this happened, how is it even possible, and most importantly, who is to blame? Well gang, there just isn't a way around it. Spin it how ever you want, blame the Republicans, blame the Senate, blame the press, blame the people? No, this violently divided country is the sole responsibility of President Barack Obama. As another president once said, the buck stops here. He was not only the President, but also the Commander in chief. Besides the racial tensions he helped stir up, the rest of the world is on fire during his watch. I can still hear the desperately stupid ones say weakly, yeah but Bush? What? That was 8 years ago man, he owns this mess. Because he was the first man of color elected, history will tread lightly on him, but his true legacy is that under his leadership, the country is so violently divided on so many issues, its ridiculous. I voted for him in 08. I did so because I hoped that it would fulfill Dr. King's dream, that we had made it, we had lived up to our creed. Finally, this nation could put the ugly scars of racism away forever. But no, it wasn't to be, instead he took us backward. Hollywood stars would recall the dragging death by some KKK people from the early fifties and equate that with I believe it was the Trayvon Martin kid, the one killed by some over zealous cop wanna be. The point is, the country had people of color in every powerful position in the country, and we were being told we are racist? Obama's true legacy is that he has been the most divisive President in the history of this country. Black people deserved better, all Americans did.
  By the way, this ends the Finding Truth series, but I haven't forgotten, I'll fess up in the next one.

Finding the Truth (2.)

  Speaking the truth isn't easy and it takes a fair amount of courage, because more often than not, the truth will make you more enemies than friends. The truth hurts, it slaps you upside the head with common sense, there is no wiggle room with the truth, the truth just is. Often, the truth can be troublesome for politicians, and so they will use semantics to blur the facts, and pepper what they say with partial truths. The best of them are masters at avoiding speaking truthfully. These are the ones who flip like flags in the hot air of the day's public opinion. They want only to say the words that the crowd wants to hear, even when they themselves disagree with it, and know it to be untrue.
So what is it that can be done, now that the country is so hidden in this bed of lies, what can we, the average citizen do against the lies spread by the powerful? What is needed is the truth, even in the smallest things, speak truthfully to your fellow citizens, because big changes always starts small. It really is up to us, you and me, the people. We certainly can't count on our political leaders as they are the ones who got us all so confused with their political double speak, that it is hard to find the truth about any subject. Political lies is what has changed this country so much that for many, it doesn't seem if this is still the country we grew up in? If things like honor and integrity are important to you, we, the people of this once honorable land must act. Want your country back? If yes, then the responsibility begins with you citizen. When asked about, or discussing an uncomfortable subject, and in this environment, what isn't an uncomfortable subject, simply speak the truth, political correctness be damned! It is a tall order I know, speaking truthfully which should be a natural thing, has become almost dangerous today, as those who look to stifle free speech are masters of PC speak. These are the types who will call you a racist if you disagree with the president, or will accuse you of suffering from some sort of phobia. One thing is always true about the left, they hate facts, and the truth that logical reasoning brings. When threatened by the truth, and name calling doesn't stop you, you can expect to be shouted down. So how then are we to speak honestly and respectfully to those so threatened by anyone who disagrees with them? Remain calm, no matter how emotional the subject, your goal is to debate your fellow citizen with facts, not emotions. Remember, it doesn't really matter how you or the other person feels about the subject, feelings only clouds logic, and the truth is always logical. Remember to present your case calmly and without yelling or raising your vote, because nine times out of ten, the person doing the screaming is usually wrong, and always the one who is an idiot. If a respectable debate is not possible with that person or group, leave, because you should never cast your pearls to swine. Its a biblical term that loosely translated means, Don't waste your time with idiots.    

Finding the Truth (1.)

  The strangest part for me is that I'm writing this at all. For the first time in my life, I didn't want to write. The problem was that try as I might, everything I started to write turned out being political in some way. I tried so hard to get away from it, I stopped watching the news and pretty much ignored the internet. But still from bits and pieces, the headlines found their way in, clouding over far more important subjects. Recently, the Islamist murder of the kids at a dance club, and now this dumb racist targeting white cops, and it became too much! What in God's name is happening to us? Both are hate crimes and should be tried as such. But yesterday's attack wasn't only about whites, but as the radicals themselves have said, Its a war on police. Cops are being shot and killed at alarming rates, all across the country, and the majority of them were probably black and hispanic. This kid may have been a racist nut, but he'd a killed any cop, black or white. No matter your politics, you have to admit that these men were heroes, they ran toward the bullets, like our military, fire firefighters and the like, they ran toward the danger, not for themselves, but for others, and you have to respect that.
So what has happened, how has it come to this, will this be the end or only the beginning? When I think about the country I love, I am saddened by what I see. There is so much wrong, and we have become so divided, how can any of it be fixed? What is needed is an honest conversation, a conversation where PC speak is ignored, and a person speaks honestly and unafraid. Speak the truth about what you believe and why. And even though you think you'll probably disagree, listen to the other guys point of view and treat him with respect. There is always a lot of talk about phobias. racial phobias, sexual phobias, and Obama's personal favorite, Islam a phobia. Strangely, the biggest phobia is the most dangerous for the country and the least well known. Amer a phobia, or the fear of embarrassment for being called a patriot. In our schools words like liberators when landing on foreign soil is being replaced with invaders? The lessons being taught is that America is not a great nation, and that we are just a mean ole bully. How else do you explain so many kids thinking that maybe this time socialism will work? Obama just got back from the second apology tour, where he apologized for the dropping of the bomb that ended the war. Key word, ended, and though terrible, it saved millions. Historians on both sides agree on that point. That is just one of many examples, but the bottom line is our children don't know their own history, and are being made to feel ashamed of their heritage. That same lack of respect is why that evil man thought it was OK to feel like that, and justified in his decision. Disrespect for our country, and disrespect for those who defend her, and that is a politically learned response. That is at the core of what is wrong.

LGBT?

  The question mark is because I legitimately don't know what the letters mean. I was going to refer to your group as the Alphabet people, you know, kind of tongue in cheek, but figured for sure that someone would take offense? As an outsider, it might be fair to say that you guys aren't the only ones confused by all this sexual identity stuff.
  For those of you who have never read anything of mine before, from your political views, I am probably the worst of the worst? Meaning, that I am a bible believing conservative, a veritable double shot of the dreaded other side. For the record, I, as do all good Christians, share your grief, and we mourn for those of you who lost family and friends. I know what its like personally to have someone who died at the hands of these same terrorists. I knew two people personally who died in the Twin Towers. I know of your pain and your anger. It is righteous anger.
  I tell you this because your community is about to be used as political pawns by those who wish to separate us for political gain and worse. Soon, during what is shaping up to be one of the filthiest and vile political campaigns will soon to be unleashed on all of us. You will be told vicious lies about the Christian right, that we are all homophobic, and that secretly we think you got what you deserve, but don't you believe it! Because though we hate the politics that you represent, we love you. In short, Christians are told to hate the sin, but love the sinner, because all are guilty, and no one but God has the right to judge. For the record, it isn't your love that is a sin, Jesus is love, and to love is natural. It is only when the natural love which is spiritual, becomes the unnatural, that sin occurs. But enough about that, except to say, if any would like to have an honest discussion about the subject, Please, feel free to comment.
  No doubt you've heard that politics makes for strange bedfellows, and so it is here as we share a common enemy, so slide over baby, and quit hogging all the blankets! Across the world, genocide is in full swing, and Christians and gays are definitely targets. What happened at that club in Orlando is just the beginning, a church service could very well be next. One thing we know for sure, is that like the club, it'll happen in another place where the only ones who have guns are the bad guys. So here's the point to all of this, Though Obama will do everything in his power to divert the motives of this latest murderer, to the availability of guns, or the story that the married man did it because he was battling with his own homo-sexual feelings, the plain truth is, you were a target because you were gay, by another Islamist terrorist who screamed Allah Akbar while he calmly executed the innocent. You and I might be miles apart politically, but we share one thing, we both have targets on our backs. We can no longer ignore the enemy who makes himself so obvious and kills so arrogantly. We, not just Christians and gays, but all Americans, must come together to fight this common enemy. We either put the politics away for now and join as one people, or we will die as one people, some faster than others.

Ticks on a hound

  How are things looking in your neck of the woods? Things are looking pretty bleak from here. If nothing else, it is getting interesting, wouldn't you say? We have never been so divided, 50 American kids are gunned down by a guy who's god is murder. But within minutes of the horror, while the floors were still wet with blood, everyone retreated to their fox holes and dug in. These are the type whose mind has been closed on the subject long ago, these are "the hard liners". Hard liners live in abject fear of giving an inch, for they will surely take a mile. This is the motto of the hardliners, on both the right and on the left. Their fear borders on paranoia when it comes to anyone even discussing their pet project. For some, they consider it the hardliners in the NRA that bothers them, for others, its Roe vs. Wade, and then there is the largest group, those who fear touching Social Security. For these, the fact that the fund will be broke very shortly means nothing. The problem for the rest of us, no matter our pet law, is that the hardliners usually lead the rest, us included. Usually, the only reason they tend to lead is because they scream the loudest and are the most obnoxious. To follow a bunch of loud obnoxious fools isn't easy. You can never find a good moderate when you need one.
  No, the saddest news is, that thanks to the most divisive president in history, no one will give an inch. Why their dug in deeper than ticks on a hound.

Social Christianity

  If I were to tell you that Socialism has it's own religion, would you believe me? Turns out they do, and its' called, Social Christianity. Key word, Social. So then, socialism, what is it? On it's surface, it looks very appealing. It's appeal comes from the fact that if Heaven was to have a government, Socialism would best define it. With socialism, the theory is, that everyone is equal. Everyone that is, except for the ruling class. If our government were today, socialist, the only wildly rich people would be the elitists, those who are high up in government, hollywood actors. People like that would remain filthy rich, but as for the rest of us, No, not so much. In heaven of course, everyone truly is equal, everyone that is except for the Lord, as he would provide all our needs and then some, and they would all come from a loving God, and not from a government hell bent on self perpetuating. With the heaven on earth attempt called socialism, men are in control, and their power is great. In heaven, it isn't men in control, but God, huge difference! Sooner, rather than later, all that money and power goes to your head, and it is absolutely true that with people, absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

  Believe it or not, I came upon the existence of this little cult quite by accident. I was thinking of doing a piece about peace, and when looking up the Serenity Prayer, I noticed the author's name was Reinhold Niebuhr. Another German I thought, and went about looking him up. His heritage may be German, but he was born in Missouri, USA in 1892. As an acknowledged theologian, he helped to put in place child labor laws.  He also was a faithful follower of Karl Marx, and if you don't know who Karl Marx is, he was one of the founders of Communism, and like any good tyrant, was responsible for millions of deaths. As a follower of Marx, it isn't hard to understand his left leanings and ideology, and why when mixing his politics with his religion, that he would come upon the idea for Social Christianity. Social Christian teaching is still very much alive. In fact, for the twenty years of Barack Obama's Christian walk, he sat under the tutelage of the heavily racist, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Social Christianity is based on a kind of "it takes a village" mentality, in that all power comes from a select group. In Mr. Wright's point of view, that group was black. Before him, Adolf Hitler's use of this false doctrine was to limit his group to what he called, "those of aryan blood. The key to this cult, as with all the others, is its demand that all within the group be like minded to the point of being in lockstep. Like goose stepping little soldiers? There can be no thought or opinions outside of the group directive, free thinkers need not apply.  But speaking from a purely Christian perspective, let me tell you why these teachings are so wrong. They believe that salvation can be achieved only in a group setting, but we know from Jesus's teaching on the subject, that salvation,  that come to Jesus moment, is uniquely personal, and though we often praise God in a group setting, our salvation is personal. Secondly, their gospel tells us that before Christ's return, the second coming won't happen until the church cures all the social ills of the world? If the church, (people), could solve the social ills of life, then Jesus died for no reason.