Freedom of (& on) the Road:

FOURTH on the road:

As I sit here typing, the words of an old folk ballad, "I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done."  Actually, if plans go as I hope, it'll be considerably more than that.  I had breakfast with some folk out enjoying our Independence Day on their motorcycles.  Their conversation was full of route numbers and "I'll catch up."  As near as I could tell they have no where they really need to go, and they're enjoying it immensely. Part of the time I live in a nation where I'd have to drive every road in the country several times to go as far as I'll go before I go to bed tonight.  Other places I've been on the road the road is so rough that if you went five-hundred miles your back would be done.  I recall traveling a couple of hundred miles in one nation, and being flagged down every forty or fifty miles.  It's just routine there for police to check papers, question the driver, and inspect the car's contents if they choose. My big-bike riding breakfast companions have it right.  The freedom of America's open roads is worth celebrating.  It is something that we ought not take for granted.  It is a resource that God has granted.  When my DAY is done, what will I have done with it.  It’s STTA.

Does the sky prove God loves America?

Something To Think About God's Love in the Sky: 9/16

Does God love America? Yes. But there is some nuance that a one word answer doesn't give.  I'll get back to it in a moment. I was watching the news this morning.  One of the talking heads was quite enamored with this picture (I think I have the right one.)  He, quoting the claims of the photographer, pointed out that the sky looks like the American flag.  He went on to say something about this beautiful scene demonstrating God's love for America. OK.  It is a pretty picture, and in the same way that kids watching clouds see horses and men with beards, I can see that it does have some resemblance to the Star-Spangled-Banner. It's been a tough time for Americans.  ISIS has beheaded two American journalists, and bragged about it by posting video and threats online.  A nation "liberated" at great cost--most significantly of lives--now is in peril of descending into . . . I can't think of a word horrible enough to describe the thought. Our most cherished pass-time, at the beginning of a new season, is marked by controversy and scandal. So in Rorschach manner it is no wonder that one looking at the sky at the picture above would see the symbol of our nation, and then grow on to conclude, "It means God loves us." Let's all be anchor-people at this point, and anchor our thinking and imagining to some reality.   Scripture does indicates that God is in control.  The Old-Testament books of Daniel and Esther abound with evidence of God's sovereignty.   Roman's 8:28 is a straight forward statement of that fact in regard to "those who love Him."  There are no exception sub-clauses in the verses that follow.  I conclude that God is in control of the sunrise and set.   But, But, BUT, our ability to read or decipher what events around us mean is very limited--maybe to the point of nonexistence.  If the appearance of the flag of one nation in the sky indicates God's favor, does the storm that bears down on another--and one doesn't have tax the memory to recall when that was my nation--indicate a lack of Divine favor?  Might Jihadis viewing the sky have concluded that this was a sign of God's confirmation of their plans to eliminate the nation that flies that flag? "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? (Romans 11:33-35) Does God Love America? Yes. He loves Mexico, Russia, England, Iraq, and Iran. He demonstrated His love for the world by the gift of His Son. ls God pleased with what America is doing.  Clearly, not always.  Thankfully my nation has done many things right.  Sadly, there is much that is wrong.  It's not painted in the sky; it's written in the Book.    “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)   Whatever nation one belongs to, whether that country is being blessed or headed for divine judgment, the Lord is willing to deal with individuals. More important than the question of whether God loves a nation is the assurance that God loves me. Have I responded to His love? It's Something to Think About. Click here to view a message about the bad news in the Bible that leads to good.

Something To Think About Patriotism, 7/4

Most of us will just enjoy the hot-dogs, parades and fireworks.  If you are one of those folk, then maybe I should just wish a Happy Fourth and say good-bye. For some, though, the place of patriotism in the life of a Christian is one that creates considerable tension.  Trevin Wax recently blogged about this.  Since he is probably taking the day off, and might not get around to reviewing my comment, you can find ithere. You would profit from reading Wax's thoughts, but here are his "Moving Forward" thoughts, with some additions, in italics, from me: American believers should give thanks to God for the blessings of our temporary earthly citizenship, as long as we emphasize blessings of belonging to the eternal, multinational family of God. When people in our culture are celebrating the benefits of earthly citizenship, American believers should seize the opportunity to communicate solid, biblical teaching on the distinction between earthly and heavenly citizenship.  We should use the privileges we have as earthly citizens to further the Kingdom of God. As American believers express gratitude for this nation, we should be careful not to diminish the value and worth of other nations.  Even in a small congregation like Covington Bible Church there are representatives of other nations. Pastors and church leaders should make it clear that American believers have more in common with Arab believers in Iraq and Syria than they do with their unbelieving next-door neighbors. This is true not only across national borders, but concerning the various sub-cultures within our own nation. There is something beautiful about a congregation that shows respect and gratitude to people who have served their neighbors well. When we recognize veterans or law enforcement officers, we are lifting up ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things for the good of their communities.  I have been profoundly moved in this regard, as I have visited  places that US forces liberated from tyranny, Dachau, Normandy, Gettysburg.  We can, and should be thankful, for those who served our nation, and accomplished much good.  We should not allow wars that didn't turn out so well, to cause us to lose all respect for those serve, and have served. As I write on this Fourth of July morning, my American flag is hanging on my front porch.  I hope with the proper understanding, I'll wave. It's STTA:

Something To Think About Thank you, 6/6

Seventy years ago my uncle, Sergeant Hugh A. Merrell, of the 12th InfantryRegiment, 4th Infantry Division came ashore on Utah Beach, Normandy France.  Before leaving England a future president addressed my Uncle and his comrades.  I don't know if my uncle ever saw him, but  the success of the landing on Utah Beach owed much to the son a former president, General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. who famously declared, after discovering that the troops had landed about a mile South of their intended target, "We'll start the war from right here." I don't know, I'd like to think Uncle Hugh Allen was near enough that he could have heard Capt. Kaye.  Kaye was reading his New Testament, when one of the soldiers said, "If what you're reading is any good, how about sharing it with us?" Kaye did.  He read from John 14, "Let not your heart be troubled . . ." Uncle Hugh Allen was likely involved in the "Hedgerow war," as the troops literally slogged through a patchwork of lowland fields surrounded by massive, ancient hedgerows, when his baby brother, my dad, Audley N. (Doc) Merrell enlisted.  Some of those who came ashore with my uncle, fought along side my dad about half a year later.  The middle brother, Uncle Mc, Horton  McNeely, had already been in Olive Drab for a year-and-a-half.  He was taken prisoner of war about the time my dad was being deployed.  He emerged with Tuberculosis, and failing eyesight that soon led to total blindness.  It is almost certain that Uncle Mc(arm behind back) and my Dad (smiling) entered the European Theater of Operations across the Beach their brother had helped secure.  If they had known, and been able, they likely could have gotten to their brother's grave in an hour or two.  Until a year ago, when my brother, some of his family, and I visited Uncle Hugh Allen's grave, that was as near as any family had ever been. One history of the Normandy Campaign records,  "On 6 July, General Collins threw in the 4th Division, on a front mainly west of the Carentan-Periers highway. A 500-yard advance brought the 4th Division up to the first of three enemy MLR's [major lines of resistance]."  I assume that it was in this offensive that Sergeant Hugh A. Merrell died.  Less than a week later, General Roosevelt died from a heart attack.  He, Uncle Hugh Allen, and 9,385 others, are buried in the Normandy American Cemetery above Omaha Beach.  Another 1,557, who died, but whose remains were not recovered, are also memorialized there. To those who gave so much, THANK YOU. It's STTA.

The Kopp Etchells Effects, and other glories that come from abrasion and fire.

As anyone who has used a grinder or followed behind a car with a dragging exhaust knows, metal in contact with an abrasive surface at a high speed creates quite a show.  The rotors of helicopters spinning in desert sand are no exception.

Until recently this erie, halo-like effect had no name.  Photographer Michael Yon dubbed it the "Kopp-Etchells Effect."  The name 

Benjamin S. Kopp Corporal, U.S. Army 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment January 20, 1988 - July 18, 2009

is in honor of two servicemen who died in Afghanistan in 2009, Joseph Etchells and Benjamin Kopp.

It is entirely appropriate to name this mesmerizing phenomena after two who served their countries at great sacrifice.  Natural occurrences---rainbows, lighting, cold, sunsets--often cause us to think about matters far greater than than the physics of what is making the show.   

Joseph Etchells Corporal, U.K. Army 2nd Battalion,      The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers March 27, 1987 - July 19, 2009

It is the stuff of poetry.  I figure Mr. Yon had something like that in mind.  I hope "Kopp Etchells" sticks.  I find it much more satisfying than "Sand and Rotor."

The story reminds me of truth from scripture.  Many who are ignored, forgotten, even persecuted for their faith in this faith in this life, will be honored in such a way that "sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed" (Romans 8:18).  The abrasion that sometimes leaves us bleeding will result in praise to our Lord.  It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  (See Revelation 7:13-17 for an example.)

 

  

It's STTA

Some Nonexplosive Thoughts on the Fourth of July:

I'll likely watch the fireworks this weekend. I can "Ooh" and "Ahh" with the best.
I remember several years ago landing a Dulles Airport on the evening of the Fourth. As the plane descended it was interesting to see various communities' displays blossoming below. They look a lot bigger from down here.

Though the cumulative force of patriotism is a powerful force, it can become an evil power, or it can devolve into weakness, unless it is imbued with a far greater might--that of a people whose collective will is to do what is right.

In short, as important as our armed forces are, our ultimate strength will not be seen on the battle fields, or political campaigns, this weekend, but in our pulpits and pews.

Let's band together to pray for our nation. I'll be talking about that this Sunday at CBC.

Here are three websites, two mine and one from a cyber-friend I respect, that take this thought further.

http://hoggback.blogspot.com/


http://hoggback.blogspot.com/


http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/before-we-celebrate-freedom/


On the Birthday of our Nation it's STTA.

If I were wearing a hat I'd take it off to the people of Weston Missouri. Weston is a town of 2,000, yet last Saturday hundreds of town's people showed up for the funeral of Sgt. First Class C.J. Sadell, who was killed last month in Afghanistan.
I live in a small town and one of the times when I am most proud of my community is when we come together to honor one of ours who has passed. People pull over and stop when the funeral procession passes. Friends, associates, and neighbors come together to let the family know they care. It is common for the grieving family to receive more food from neighbors than will fit in their refrigerator. But the gathering of people in this heart-of-America community was beyond that.
News had come that Fred Phelps and his, so called, Westboro Baptist Church, were coming to hold one of their despicable protests at Sgt. Sadell's funeral. The good people of Weston weren't going to wait for the Supreme Court to decide whether what Phelps and his ilk are doing is legal. They said, in essence, "This is our son. He gave his life in service to our nation and these creeps are not going to keep our neighbors from burying their loved one with the honor he deserves."
The picture above came from a KHQA news story (http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=537382). It's worth watching the ad that precedes the short video to see the account of small-town America doing good.

Here is the conclusion to Lindsey Boetsch's story: "Westboro Church members disappeared."

Lead on Weston!


It's STTA.