At any given time across the United States there are at least 100,000 state, county and city law enforcement officers on duty.

These men and women put their lives on the line every day, they willing accept the fact they may be seriously injured or killed, yet they are there, ready to give their life that others will be safe.

This past week there were two incidents of officers using deadly force and PART of the use was videoed.  Until ALL the facts are in we really don’t know what happened, if they were wrong they will face the consequences.

Ferguson should have taught the cop-haters that things are not always as they ‘originally’ seem, witnesses lied and deliberately pointed fingers at an officer - the result was the causing of millions of dollars in damages and stealing from merchants in their neighborhoods threatening the lives of officers AND the citizens of the city.

Not to mention crucifying, from what all evidence I am aware of, a good officer.  He made a couple of mistakes, one of the FIRST things you are taught is do not confront someone that is breaking the law, no matter how minor, while seated in your car, always get out.  Most officers, have made that same mistake at one time or another, it is an innocuous situation so we let our guard down, and rarely does anything come from it.  However, this officer paid a horrible price by not using proper safety precautions and had to use deadly force to protect himself – doesn’t give anyone the right to attack him, but he might not have had the problem had he been standing outside of the car.

Yesterday, at least two men chose to take revenge on officers in a different part of the country and fired upon them, killing several and injuring others.

From the videos I have seen, while the crowd fled in fear (rightly so,) the officers at the scene stood fast, protecting as best they could the citizens, covering them with their own bodies, while searching for the shooters.  Even though it was clear the killers were killing police, the police still stayed, making sure the citizens were as safe as possible, while hunting down the killers.

Immediately the gun control crowds leap up and say guns are the problems, take guns away from law abiding citizens so only those sanctioned by the government can have firearms.

The irony of these particular calls for action is that it starts with two officers in different parts of the country, on two different days, using deadly force killing two black people.  The claim is the officers were using unnecessary deadly force to subdue their suspects; two incidents, on two separate days while over 100,000 of their brothers and sisters in arms – each day - took no such actions.

The cry is we can’t trust the millions of citizens who legally own firearms and have never misused them.  But we can trust the government to always have the right mind set and will protect us.  Yet, the most recent incidents stemmed from perceived misuse of firearms by a government official.

Once guns are removed from the citizens only government officials will be allowed to carry guns; government operatives, who many claim are one of the reasons for banning guns because they are using excessive force.

Many would propose that the government should make the rules on who can possess weapons and what kind, and best to outlaw any guns at all. 

It isn’t a stretch to see that before long, because most claims of excessive use of force comes against those state, county and city law enforcement officers, that the federal bureaucracy will decide that only federal employees should have guns and take the guns away from any enforcement agency that isn’t federally ran.

Mistakes by federal law enforcement officers not withstanding.

If we think that can never happen, we need to take another look at how federal government has taken more and more control away from state and local governments – not to mention private citizens - and are now telling them what they can do and not do on almost every level.

If the state and local governments balk, their funding, money that is sent by those entities’ citizens to the federal government is threatened.

It is also ironic that the cities with the strongest gun control laws have the highest crime rate where crimes are committed with a gun are found.  Honest citizens cannot defend themselves from the hoodlums that don’t care about the law in the first place.

And the majority of those crimes, in those cities, are perpetrated by black criminals against unarmed black citizens.

The heart of the problem in America is not the guns.  It is the destruction of moral values.  It is the unwillingness of people to confront the real problem, a lack of respect for others, having a ‘me first’ attitude. 

An attitude of entitlement that says I deserve because I am, not because I worked hard or help others – let the suckers earn a living and make them give money to me so I can play, create havoc, or whatever – anything but be held responsible for my actions when I choose to not work or support my family, or teach my kids that EVERYONE is important and due respect until they prove otherwise.

And lastly, of course, is the denial of anything related to the Lord our God, demanding He be shut out of any decision; demanding that people not follow the Bible and if they do they are threatened with financial ruin and destruction; persecution, condemnation and incarceration; even reaching into the pulpit and telling ministers what they can say.

AW Tozier reminds us “that while it may look like things are out of control, behind the scenes is a God who hasn’t surrendered His authority.”

Psalm 47:7-9 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

⁸ God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

⁹ The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

Whatever comes, God is still in control; my concern is that He may just give us the government we seem to collectively deserve to bring America to our knees to acknowledge His rightful place.

I just hope we wake up in time, not so much for my generation, but for our children’s and grandchildren’s sake!

Later, Art :-)

Quiet today.  At the moment I am writing and listening to AllClassical.

It is nice to have a station where you don’t have to hear negative comments from one side of the political spectrum to the other.

While we need to be aware of what is happening around the world and, in particular America, we are being so hammered by it that it can overwhelm us.

One of the ways that I get away from all that histrionics is to turn up the volume and listen to AllClassical while I go about my day.

IF you have never listened to them, I highly recommend you start.  The hosts are very good and the music is varied, with an occasional screeching high soprano singing opera (not one of my favorite genres) but the vast majority is instrumentals.

I feel like I am receiving a course on music appreciation 101 as the hosts talk about the music, the composer and often the relationship to our times.

I would encourage you to go to www.AllClassical.org.  If gives you that settings you can listen to if you are in Oregon – at least some of the places and if you can’t get them via radio you can listen to them via the internet.  All you need to is hit the listen button at the top of the page.

It is on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without long commercials to interrupt the ‘mood.’

Just nice to have if you in anyway like classic music.  Much better that satellite or other internet spots I have listened to and a lot more variance than just listening to cd’s.

Revelations 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

We read this verse and many equate it with physical wealth.  Having money in the bank, nice home paid for, money to buy whatever we may need without wondering where the next dollar was coming from.

It isn’t much different from the rich man, who had an abundance of crops saying he was in need of nothing.

Luke 12:18-20 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

²⁰ But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

But it is more than just material things that God warns us about in these passages.  These men thought they had nothing to worry about that they would live in luxury.  Yet, they were not rich in God’s eyes, thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

He looks at our hearts, He wants to see purity and a desire to love and obey Him.  He wants us to strive for righteousness. 

More than once in my life I have listened to a sermon, read the Bible or was in a discussion with a fellow Christian and thought to myself, I have overcome what is being said, I don’t have to worry about that sin, anymore, I have conquered satan.

Then as I went about my daily business I was tempted to do the very sin I said I was above and didn’t need to concern myself with those temptations because I was too good to yield – I ended up doing exactly what I thought I was above doing anymore.

There is a big difference between confident in your salvation and faith – and being arrogant.

The Holy Spirit WILL guide us if we are willing, He warns us of being so sure of ourselves that we know longer have to be concerned about sin taking over our lives.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

But God doesn’t stop at warning us.  Whether or not we wish to acknowledge our vulnerability we are vulnerable to the wiles of satan. 

He knows our every weakness and will use whatever means possible to encourage our yielding to those weaknesses – anything to make our testimony to man appear hollow.  Anything to make ourselves feel we will never be able to serve God and give up trying.

But no matter what be falls us, no matter how hard satan works on us, if we listen to the Holy Spirit we will find the courage and ability to not yield to satan’s devices.

Verse 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

We need to always bear in mind that satan doesn’t like Christians; especially Christians that are standing up for God, His Son Jesus Christ and His precious Holy Spirit.

He isn’t as concerned with the Christian that sits in a pew and then leads his life that belies his need to serve God.

He isn’t as concerned about the Christian that tries to make God yield to the world’s opinion of what is right and wrong, good and evil. 

And why should he have much concern - these Christians are playing his tune in one way or another.

God on the other hand wants Christians to strive for righteousness always willing to follow where He leads us and no matter the consequences stand for Him.

Ephesians 6:12-14 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

He expects us to be ready to do battle for Him at all times and to stand by Him as the world attacks His Word and His right to have our allegiance.

He has given us the tools and weapons to fight satan’s minions who or whatever they may be subtle or bold.

I know I have God’s assurances, now I need to accept that truth and go forward for Him.

Later, Art :-)

Hmm.  I was wrong yesterday when I ‘thought’ the fire on Cherry Hts. had been contained.  It HAD on our side of the hills, but not on the west side.  They have it pretty well contained NOW at about 300 acres, if the wind doesn’t get too wild they can probably have it controlled today.

They did have the conflagration act signed by the Governor that allows other fire departments come into the area and help with the fire – part of that, I believe is for insurance and compensation issues.

Not much else going on in our neck of the woods.  Hope it stays that way, at least as far as fires are concerned.

Don’t know what caused this one, but I do know in our neighborhood this year, fewer neighbors were setting off illegal fireworks which shows some intelligence, finally.

Carla’s been working hard at keeping an infestation of bugs that hit her squash last year from doing it again this year.  She has been striping the leaves of bugs and eggs and the past couple of days has found very few on.  Hope it works, it is aggravating.  Lots of hard work with insects getting the produce, we can do without that.

Acts 14:8-15 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

⁹ The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

¹⁰ Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

¹¹ And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

¹² And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

¹³ Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

¹⁴ Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

¹⁵ And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

People are very fickle, Paul and Barnabas had made it clear that they were preaching the Gospel of Christ – BEFORE this miracle – but the people were more interested in their own beliefs, their old gods and chose to lift these two up to their gods coming to earth.

Paul and Barnabas quickly went before them as soon as they heard what they were doing and again preached the Gospel.

In a short time, Paul and Barnabas went from ‘gods’ to heretics when the Jews from Antioch and Iconium turned the people against Paul and they tried to kill him.

Vs 19-20 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

²⁰ Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

It would have been easy for Paul and Barnabas to accept the accolades of the people to let themselves be put on a pedestal and worshiped.  It would have been a lot easier than being hunted down, stoned and left for dead.

But they knew who they served and were determined to not let false praise or danger deter them from their mission of preaching the Gospel of Christ and teaching new converts how to live for Him.

We have seen too many preachers AND many more just plain Christians listen to the praise of others and instead of being humble, taken it to heart.  After a while they think they deserve all the tributes and strive to receive it in any way possible. 

Even if it means false doctrines.  It is easy to believe the praises of men, but much more difficult to put it in into perspective, reminding ourselves that what we do is for Christ and His glory, not our own.

Christians aren’t on this earth to make men feel good about themselves, or to do things that makes THEM feel good about themselves.  We aren’t here to mass large fortunes and praise for us – we are here to preach Christ crucified, resurrected and living today.

When that happens people get upset, they don’t want to hear about their sins and what they must do to have their souls cleansed.  They don’t want to be challenged; they want to live a religion that allows them the freedom to ‘be themselves’ and not beholding to the Lord God.

Here in America we have had an easy time of preaching and telling others about Him.  Very few of us have been physically attacked and left for dead.

However, we get quiet and fearful when met with sarcasm or ‘high intellect’ that put us down as primitive fools that are highly superstitious. 

We need the courage of Paul.  We need the faith of Paul.  We need to follow his lead of never being ashamed of who we serve and always willing to share our love of Christ with others.

We don’t have to stand on a soap box and preach; when we live our lives for Christ and are willing to listen to the Holy Spirit as He directs our paths, people will be saved.

Not all, no.  And we can be sure that when we take a stand for Christ we will suffer in one way or another, but we are no better than Christ and His Apostles, we are very similar. 

Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

We need to act like them.

Later, Art :-)

Had a fire up Cherry Heights last night.  It burned a total of about 200 acres, but they got it taken care of – despite the low humidity and high winds – before it reached any homes.  You can see some, those white specks on the photo, that were literally just a few yards away from being engulfed.

The fire departments did an outstanding job, it is pretty much out, little wisps of smoke on occasion, but they get them taken care of.

Steven, Celinda and CeeCee passing through town, we met them at Sorosis Park so CeeCee could get the wiggles out. They are staying with her grandparents, Pastor and Mary Jepson, tonight and interviewing for a Children’s Pastor position tomorrow morning.  It is not exactly what he thought he would be doing, his background is a Youth Pastor and he was looking for a regular, Assistant or Youth.

They prayed about it and decided to have an interview on Tuesday.  The Pastor called this morning and said his week was free and since Steven might have to work on Wednesday they chose tomorrow and have been rushing ever since.

It is always good to see the kids and grandchildren even if for just a few minutes.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Obviously this was directed first at the Jewish people, but, America can attest to this promise also.

For centuries, despite our turmoil, despite our treatment of each other, the vast majority of the citizens loved and worshipped God. 

Churches were built and the congregation took to heart the Words of God about serving our fellow man.  Our government recognized the importance of God in our founding moments and through many trials and tribulations as we grew into a strong nation.

We have natural material to use that makes our living easier.  The vastness of the country gives us different products to trade and sell and buy thus keeping an economy healthy.

We have materials that allow us to build homes, factories items that make our lives easier and more efficient.

We have learned to grow our food in such a manner that we can provide for a growing population of people not only in our country, but others in need.

But while we have taken advantage of all these resources, we have pulled away from God.  We think we no longer need His guidance, His direction and certainly not His Word in our lives.

Where churches used to be active in charity, providing for the widows and orphans and truly needy people, we have allowed our government to usurp our duties.  If a charity accepts funding from the government they are under strict orders not to preach the Gospel, not to allow their ‘religion’ to interfere with their mission which is dictated by the government.

We used to value hard work, duty and loyalty.  Now we give away food and money to those that refuse to work, refuse to provide for their families and they have grown dependent on the government handouts to the point they don’t know how to work.

We have taken charity to the point that it doesn’t just go to the needy, or those that cannot provide for themselves to those who refuse to give up their games, their televisions and other entertainment items that they do instead of working.

Instead of recognizing those that do work, those that strive to do the best they can taking care to do their job well, raise their family with a respect for others; instead of giving praise to those that succeed, they downplay their accomplishments so those that refuse to try don’t feel bad about themselves.  We stroke their egos by giving everyone a ‘participation trophy’ and pat them on the back.

When they hit real life where they are expected to produce, they get upset because when they don’t – instead of telling them they are doing great, the boss fires them.

So, it is easier to just accept the government handouts and not do anything constructive at all.

The government, like so many governments before us, is becoming the new church that preaches and punishes and tells us what we can say and when we can say and where we can say and persecutes those that ‘rebel’ by saying only God has that right.

We have ‘leaders’ saying that America is no longer a Christian nation.  That we have such a varied people now, that what the God of the Bible wants is no longer necessary or important.

Meanwhile our country is spiraling downward in ever increasing sweeps and picking up speed daily.

Lip service is still given by many politicians that they believe in God, but which one?

This nation’s foundation is on God; the Lord our God.  All the documents that have defined who and what we are are based on God’s Word and His commands.  We knew which God we were referring to, it was the Lord.

Are we losing that blessing now?  Have we gone down so far and away from God so badly that we have no possibility of redemption?

We know what happens to countries who worship gods other than the Lord – on this day people are being reminded why we became a nation and despite the work of many who have down played the founding fathers’ influence.  Despite the churning of lies that would undermine our strength and unity under God, there is still a foundation of men and women who understand that God must be worshiped and given credit for Who He IS.  We have a responsibility to pray for this country and remind others that we are a great nation, only if we call the Lord our God.

“I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right; but it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation be on the Lord’s side.”  Abraham Lincoln

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Let us pray that this nation will be on the side of the Lord so that He will continue to bless us.

Later, Art :-)

Another windy day up here.  I find it strange that even though our winds are in the 20’s and 30’s today, they are called ‘breezy’ by the weather service.  What is even stranger we sometimes are much windier than that with gusts in the 50’s and it is still labeled ‘breezy.’

Goes to show, I guess, that a lot of what we see in interpreted by the eye of the beholder AND some arbitrary number that delineates the differences in definitions.

To me it is WINDY!  Don’t really care what the weather bureau calls it.

Philippians 2:13-15  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

I often find myself failing in this lofty ideal set by Paul.

But that is what GOD wants of us.  I look at so many Christians I have known in the past that have not only taken these verses to heart, but live them.  Most are very humble and respected for their wisdom not only by me and other Christians, but by those that don’t know Jesus.

They can be trusted with secrets.  They can be trusted to obey God in even the most difficult of times.  They are calm and confident in their faith and the power of God just flows out of them.

When you are in their presence you know that you are in the presence of an angel.  You have some idea what drew the people to Christ, the love, the wisdom and the strength makes you feel like they can do anything – and we are better for them.

How can I be like them?  How can I so shine my light that others can see Christ in me and be drawn to Him?

I try to be patient, but it is one of many things that I struggle with and often fail.

I struggle to be non-judgmental, yet find myself making comments – mostly to myself – about others instead of seeing how I might be able to find positive aspects to praise.

The Lord and I talk, several times a day, as I go about my life, yet, I still find that if I don’t remind myself, or listen to the Holy Spirit I slip and my light grows dim.

I am so thankful that people are forgiving (most of the time) and so is God. 

We might think it is easy for some people to be like Christ, but every one of the people I can think of that I would like to emulate have gone through tragedies of some kind, or have had their own battles with whatever demons satan has thrown in their paths, and they have arrived at this point in their lives as triumphant followers of Him.

I want that same relationship with God.

Later, Art :-)

 

Cooler today, and very windy. 

The cherry orchardists must be extremely happy.  It would appear it has been a good year.  We have had cherries from several parts of town and they all are plentiful, juicy, sweet and delicious. 

Numbers 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

The Jewish people never seemed to be satisfied, they complained about food, about being in the wilderness without the tyranny of the Egyptians.

God provided food; He provided a safe journey with His protection.  He had performed many miracles on their behalf, still they were not satisfied – finally it was the last straw and He punished them.

And Even though they had been warned and disciplined for their continued complaining, they never fully stopped complaining – usually just stopped long enough to have Moses pray for them, interceding and then quickly forgetting.

Not only were these lessons the Jews must learn, they are their for out edification.

1 Corinthians 10:5-6 & 10 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

When we are complaining about whatever our circumstances are, when we find ourselves not able to say anything positive about what God has done for us we are pitying ourselves and not serving God.

Whatever we go through, God is there for us.  It may be difficult at times, we may not like experiencing what is happening and we have a right to have our problems heard, we still must acknowledge that God is in charge and trust Him to help us through – and instead of constantly complaining, trust that He is there for us and He will make us stronger.

That doesn’t mean we can’t confront our accusers, or tell the authorities, whoever they may be, but when we continue to dwell on the situation, continue to grumble and complain we need to reassess our condition.

Ask God for guidance and then follow Him.  There will be times we can correct the circumstances of our distress, but not always and then we must decide to either stay under that duress or move on with our life.

I realize that there are circumstances where we really feel there is nowhere to turn we can’t leave, we can’t control anything.  Grumbling and complaining just drives us deeper into despair, we need to pray for guidance, pray for strength to carry on, and then do what must be done without continually complaining about it.

Later, Art :-)

Got back from this morning’s appointment with the deletion of the medication that has the most impact on my side-effects.  I am hoping that after a while those side effects will no longer be a problem.

I am told it stays in the system a while, but it also slowly dissipates.  The medication actually goes into the fluid of my eyes and affects my vision – and not in a good way.  Why some days are worse than others I am not sure, but I am told these too will clear out and should make a big difference in my vision in the next few weeks.

At least that is what we are hoping.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

As Gentiles we often don’t think about how fortunate we are.  Christ died for us, as well as the Jews.

Jews rarely invite Gentiles into their religion.  As you know they are admonished to keep within the religious fold when choosing spouses, etc.

During this time they were being persecuted and driven out of Jerusalem, however, God used them to spread the Gospel of Christ, at first they shared it only with their fellow Jews.

To them, it was still just a Jewish religion and gentiles were not invited.

We know that most of the people Christ preached to were Jewish, however, we also know that He preached to and met Gentiles, but the Jews were still unable to understand the Jesus came that all people might be saved.

Peter, of course, was the first to deliberately preach to Gentiles as he had been lead of the Holy Spirit to do so and when he did he saw the same Spirit that had entered into him and the other 120 in the upper room, inter these gentiles.

When these Jews heard what God had done they rejoiced in the fact that even the gentiles could be granted salvation.

Sometimes we too forget that salvation is for all men.  We get so wrapped up in our own religion and use ‘jargon’ that only other Christians fully understand that we don’t realize that as we talk to non-Christians in what we think is testifying and witnessing to them they do not understand.

We need to remember that our mission is to reach all for the Gospel, speaking of the salvation available to them, praising and witnessing in such a way that those we talk to understand.

Later, Art :-)