CHRISTMAS SEASON 2013: Peace on earth may actually be attainable

CHRISTMAS 2013: Peace on earth for all mankind, or division and animosity forever? You decide. I know this sounds preachy, but bear with me for a moment. I find this intriguing. In LUKE 12*57 Christ says, “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?”  Decide for ourselves what is right? According to Christ, we have choices. The American ideals of liberty and justice for all, are all about having rights, making choices, and deciding for ourselves what is right, just as Christ suggests. There are laws of course, but in a democratic government, of, by, and for the people, we the people make the laws, and just laws recognize, respect and protect our rights to decide for ourselves what is right, just as long as we don’t infringe on the rights of others.

Peace on earth is a mighty limited commodity in our world today.  Many are disinclined to accept the choices of others. We can choose peace on earth, or we can choose hatred and endless disagreement. Until we accept that we are each different, and that our perceptions, attitudes, principles, understanding, values and  traditions are as varied as the stars in the sky, peace will remain elusive.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Among the bible’s incomprehensible mysteries, Christ has provided one very simple solution. JOHN 13*34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” I realize that many find this very sentiment sickeningly sweet and distasteful. Following Christ’s principles are not popular when they require empathy and humility, but, according to the bible,  If we can follow one simple commandment, and love each other unconditionally, as Christ loves us, accepting our differences and respecting the choices of others, peace on earth may actually be attainable. We have a choice.  We can wield Christ’s message of mercy and compassion like a battleaxe, imposing our narrow, uncompromising positions on others, or we can chose to follow Christ and do as Christ commands, loving each other unconditionally, doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. It’s been over two thousand years.  Perhaps this will be the Christmas Season when mankind chooses love and embraces peace. SC

Autumn At Littlethicket

SC

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM LITTLETHICKET

Boooooooo!

;)

UP ON THE HILL

Up on the hill where the pines grow dense

Where the fields are green and the sky immense

 Scatter one day my last remains                                                  

To be drawn in the earth by the gentle rains.

Gladly did I tread this place

With the gentle breeze upon my face,

A faithful dog for company,

And benevolent sun beaming down on me.

Thank the Lord for the time we had

When rest was blessed and toil was glad,

When joyous hearts rejoiced in truth,

And we shared our hopes and dreams and youth.

Look to the heavens bright and blessed;

See me satisfied, caressed;

Know at last I’m free from care,

My dust is here, but my spirit there.

10/18/13

SC

                                                                 

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

During a visit with an acquaintance, I enquired about her political leanings.  I was told that her husband was a staunch conservative and a lifelong Republican. She went on to say that she had been a Democrat when she arrived in Howell County, but soon realized she would be better accepted by the community if she became a Republican. This feat she had evidently accomplished.  I too arrived in the Ozarks as a Democrat, but have never succumbed to the temptations of conversion.  My convictions are not so easily amended.  I’m an American, a Christian, and a Democrat.  My true and irrevocable conviction is to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God, and to vote and do everything else humanly possible to support the right and freedom of others to do likewise.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  SC

ter•ror•ism

/ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/ Show Spelled [ter-uh-riz-uhm] Show IPA

noun

1.

the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.

2.

the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.

3.

a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.

When extremist factions use terrorist tactics to achieve their purposes, they become terrorists.  They should be recognized as terrorists and treated accordingly. SC

Back in the ‘70s, when my family and I first reestablished our roots in the Ozark Mountains of south central Missouri, we were almost immediately adopted by members of the local Baptist church.  It was a small church, old and well established in the community, the kind of church you might expect to find in a Norman Rockwell painting.  Its congregation consisted of about fifty god-fearing souls, native Ozarkers for the most part, steeped in the old traditions and steadfast in their faith and their beliefs. The little rock structure was modest and unassuming, boasting few accouterments beyond a well tuned piano and the little tin outhouse in the back.  When we enjoyed dinner on the grounds, it was literally on the ground.  We filled our plates with the sumptuous bounty that the women folk provided in vast variety and abundance, and we sat in the shade on the ground. When I was baptized in 1979, we all drove to the creek and the congregation gathered with song books in hand as Brother Billy praised God and washed my sins away, in the icy waters of a pristine Ozark stream.  The worship music for this and all occasions was chosen from our Heavenly Highway Hymnals, rousing, southern gospel selections, guaranteed to touch hearts, win souls, and praise our God on high. I was a member of this little church for twenty years, until my children insisted on a larger, more modern facility, with a more thriving youth group and contemporary Christian music. Many things have changed since those golden days at Dry Creek Church.  Our country itself has changed.  Mercy, compassion and the grand old fellowship have become complicated, compromised and convoluted by partisanship politics and the grand old party. Traditional southern gospel selections rarely grace the morning worship service, and once welcome visitors are scrutinized or scorned if they appear to lean politically to far left. Some people today are ashamed of the old hymns, the old traditions, the old hospitality, and Christ’s unconditional love. Not me.  Give me the old hymns, dinner on the ground, and the outstretched hands of humble people, welcoming sinners and serving a merciful God. Give me people who serve their God, cherish our flag, and offer their hand unconditionally to any who’ll have it.  SC