OUR BEST HOPE

This morning, as we powerup our ubiquitous devices to consult our chosen media, we find the very foundations of civilization tested at home and abroad. Our choice is to recognize these threats or deny and ignore them. In any case, what influence do we as individuals have over world events? Our best hope is civil discourse and our determination to be one more stitch in the tattered fabric of civilization, as opposed to one more tear. Our best hope is peaceful participation in the prayerful pursuit of truth, justice, democracy and peace. Our best hope is our respect and support for the time-tested institutions of our American government, and compassion, mercy, and tolerance for one another. Our best hope is our own realization that there are daunting challenges ahead, and our only hope for success is to face them together. SC

Good news about death

Many of my friends are getting old and facing death. I've spent twenty years volunteering at a nursing home. I've seen a good deal of death. There's money to be made in the field of religion. Religion is lucrative, and faith can be rewarding, but there's nothing scary about being dead. There are actually only two options, and neither one is scary. Either the stories of God's mercy are true, and we go to a better place, or they're not, and death provides release into the most peaceful, carefree sleep we've ever experienced. In either case, death is release from our aching hearts and tattered robes of flesh. Relax and enjoy life while it lasts. SC

Mark Twain would be deliriously happy!

They've banned Huckleberry Finn again! Mark Twain would be deliriously happy! I still have no Literary Agent for my three historical novels. I'm desperate to have them published, because it should be great fun when they're each banned for their historically accurate content! SC

I've been asked if I'm a Democrat.

I've been asked if I'm a Democrat. I'm a person of faith and an American. My beliefs and convictions are those of the Bible, America's founding documents, and our Constitution. I believe in doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God. And I recognize your right to walk with yours. I believe in freedom, to the full extent freedom is possible, without infringing on the rights of others. I believe, as Americans, we have a responsibility to protect these liberties for ourselves, others, and future generations, and to defend our republic against all threats both foreign and domestic. I believe any threat to our democratic republic is a threat against me, and as such, I advocate for quick and certain justice for anyone who threatens the peace, the rule of law, or the peaceful transition of power. And I believe to do otherwise is inexcusable. I believe liars and convicted criminals should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. And I intend to vote accordingly. SC

TRUTH

This is the time of year during which some people of faith observe a number of Holy Days. They celebrate their God, who the Bible calls "The Spirit of Truth", and they worship Christ, who is called "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." According to the concordance, the Bible uses the word Truth 452 times. When accused of a crime, our legal system gives the defendant the opportunity to stand before God and tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Even then, some people are only capable of lies. Lies before God have consequences, consequences for the liar and for those who believe the lie. "The definition of Truth according to Webster's dictionary varies depending on the edition and the context. However, some common elements are conformity to fact or reality, exact accordance with that which is or has been or shall be, and a true statement or proposition. Truth can also refer to a transcendent, fundamental, or spiritual reality, or the quality or state of being accurate." It appears that truth is real after all. Who knew? So, the next time the crooked attorney for some slippery conman tells you there is no such thing as Truth, and that the pursuit of justice is merely an illusion and a political witch hunt, you can enlighten him with some sources. SC

Literary Agent wanted

My name is Shannon Thomas Casebeer. I've written three historical novels, dozens of poems, and hundreds of essays and political commentaries. Surely, somewhere out there, is a Literary Agent who'd be interested in promoting my work. On this blog, in a post from April of 2023, I posted a query letter and some examples of my work. Visit me on Facebook, watch my videos on YouTube, or Google me.

STCasebeer@gmail.com

Our future and the wellbeing of all future generations depend upon this.

Most of our polarization is the result of each side's entrenchment on one side or the other of a handful of sensitive partisan issues. For lack of better judgment, I will share mine. As a person of faith, I believe we are called by God to provide stewardship to this planet and all God's creatures great and small. I believe climate change poses a threat of Biblical proportions to God's Creation. And I believe we'd better do everything possible to address this threat immediately and with all due sense of urgency. This includes a gradual transition away from fossil fuels, toward a variety of more sustainable energy sources. Our future and the wellbeing of future generations depend upon it.

As an American, I believe in America's principles of liberty and justice for all. I believe in a person's right to privacy and their rights as provided by our Constitution to make personal decisions regarding the health and happiness of their own family without interference by the government or those who believe their fundamentalist views supersede an individual's liberty and their right to make their own personal choices based on their own beliefs and their own priorities. That, after all, is what freedom is. I feel no personal animosity toward anyone, but I strongly oppose those who threaten our democracy and the many benefits of citizenship that my ancestors have fought for generations to secure and preserve. SC

imperfections and gender issues

Let me tell you something about people who truly follow Christ. They don't hate others because of their imperfections and gender issues. They don't hate people because they're terrified and homeless. God in heaven is The Spirit of Truth. People who serve God seek Truth. They don't struggle to conceal it. People who follow Christ do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with their God. SC

Truth, Justice, and The American Way, or the unthinkable alternative. You choose.

The election of 2024 is not about which old man you prefer. This election will literally determine whether we have an administration that supports our Constitution, or one which does not. Truth, Justice, and The American Way, or the unthinkable alternative. You choose. SC

Join us on my You Tube channel for nostalgia and good clean fun.

 (302) shannon casebeer - YouTube

Call out evil. Seek truth. Pursue justice. Repent.

I marvel at people who are content to remain furious over proven falsehoods and entirely oblivious to verifiable facts. As a proud American and a person of faith, I was taught to seek truth, pursue justice, value freedom, and except and exercise my responsibility for the preservation of America’s principles of liberty and justice for all. Our country is under threat by a segment of our society who detest the principles of truth and justice on which this nation was founded, determined instead to jump on the bandwagon of a campaign of baseless lies and prevarications intent on obscuring truth, preying on those who feel disenfranchised, and ending forever our republic and the institutions of law and order by which America has prospered and raised high the torch of freedom and democracy for all the world to see. People who profess to value and respect the service of generations of veterans who sacrificed for this great nation are prepared now to spit on their sacrifice and pursue instead the destruction of everything those veterans achieved.  Whether whispered in secret, shouted in defiance, or preached from a pulpit, lies and insurrection are evil and should be recognized as such and reviled.

Call out evil. Seek truth. Pursue justice. Repent. SC   

Surely, our democracy and truth will prevail over tyranny, insurrection, and wicked deceit. SC

During the year ahead, we will either vote to continue our forefather's pursuit of a more perfect union, or we will vote against truth, justice, and everything that America has stood for since its founding. One party continues to support America's institutions and founding principles, and the other apparently supports a candidate who promises to jail those who oppose his insurrection, eliminate our Constitution, and claim his place as divine ruler of his maga republic. Surely, people of faith and reason will defend the America that generations of veterans and patriots have given their lives for. Surely, our democracy and truth will prevail over tyranny, insurrection, and wicked deceit. SC

A robust federal government which adheres powerfully to our Constitution and its rights and provisions.

 As citizens, we pledge our allegiance to the flag of The United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. (the key word being all) Our republic’s best hope for the future is the protection and oversight of a robust federal government which adheres powerfully to our Constitution and its rights and provisions. As citizens, our pledge does not qualify our rights by suggesting they are protected unless we have the misfortune to live in a renegade state which no longer subscribes to America’s principles of liberty and justice. SC

My New Year’s resolution is to continue putting in my two cents, but not be surprised when I get back a nickel in change. SC 😉