Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I'm already way out on a limb here; I may as well begin sawing. I've always considered myself a Christian, but in recent years the label has taken on increasingly negative connotations. I believe I know why.  The concept of being a chosen and exclusive people is immediately problematic.  That’s why the Bible is peppered through and through with variations of the word humility. Early Christians were called to go out as sheep among wolves and be harmless as doves.  They were called to love their enemies, turn the other cheek, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God. Christians were called to spread the good news that Christ and His teaching provided answers to all their problems.  Those answers were Hope, Faith & Charity.  In short, they were called to love their God above all things, and love all people, particularly sinners and their enemies, as they loved themselves.  If you've read and believe the Scriptures, then you have to believe those were not merely suggestions, but requirements. There are sincere but mislead believers all over the world, praying for Revival, but there will be no Revival until self-righteous pretenders actually repent and follow the teachings of Christ. Today Christianity has been largely hijacked by big money and politics.  Too often in organized religion today, love is given lip service, but followers are encouraged to beat others into submission when other attempts fail, and to force their beliefs on others in any way that proves effective. Churches have expenses, and once again the love of and need for money becomes the root of evil.  I love Christ with all my heart, but I’m increasingly hesitant to call myself a Christian.  That breaks my heart, but that is how I feel. SC

Be patient, prayerful, hopeful, and above all, involved

Students of history will have heard of the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, the fall of the Roman Empire, and numerous other events throughout history, which took place largely because wealth accumulated in the hands of a select few, until things eventually reached a tipping point, and it all came crashing down.  Over the last few decades, a remarkably small number of people in our country have found themselves in the position to abuse great wealth in order to accumulate additional wealth beyond anything we can imagine.  In the process, the vast majority of us have found ourselves hard pressed to survive. The fabulous wealth in the hands of these relatively few, has allowed these people to manipulate the media and every aspect of our lives.  As a part of this manipulation, they’ve deliberately and very successfully created a degree of enmity between us, which dwarfs the degree of animosity responsible for our first civil war.  We’ve never fully recovered from our first civil war; it’s entirely possible we’d not survive another.  If unleashed in our streets today, the degree of hatred and contempt among the numerous inflamed factions of our country would result in a level of death, destruction, and chaos along side of which most doomsday scenarios would pale.  Through our entertainment media, we in this country have become fascinated with imaginary doomsday scenarios, after which we all leave the theater or turn off the widescreen, and find everything largely intact.  That will not be the case if the level of dementia in this country reaches the point at which we deliberately create a real one.  We’ve reached a point now that it’s entirely within our power to destroy our civilization as we know it.  Despite the wishes and expectations of some, this old world is likely to go on, in one form or another, with us or without us, for a long time to come.  If we’re able to regain some degree of sanity and compromise, we may well be here to enjoy it.  These days we hear a great deal of hogwash regarding the collapse of our government.  This Nation has the most effective form of government anywhere in the world.  We have had for over two hundred years.  It seems foolhardy to me to tear it all down unless we have something other than anarchy with which to replace it. There are real signs for hope in our world today.  Despite its current disarray, our system of government suffers from nothing that can’t be set right by working within the system.  Unregulated, unimaginable, and untaxed wealth in the hands of the few has created our current dilemma, and absolute power inevitably corrupts and eventually self-destructs. There are countless examples of this throughout history. One way or another, time will rectify our current imbalance.  It always does. Lord willing, through the passionate and civil efforts of reasonable people, unity, prosperity, and even patriotism will once more be achieved. Be patient, prayerful, hopeful, and above all, involved.  The future of our children, our way of life, and the very planet on which we live, is in the hands of those who’ll protect and preserve it.  SC

Mankind marvels, Truth prevails, and the whole world reverberates within

The vast, moderate majority moves slowly onward toward the goal, as expressed in the preamble to our Constitution. They advance with glacial speed, force, and size, and much like a glacier in other aspects, but they advance.   The Palen’s, Cruz’s, and radical crazies of the world sprinkle the surface of this impervious force like dust on the snow, having little impact, and leaving only a barely perceivable stain which fades with time.  Beneath the massive surface, the Mandela’s, Gandhi’s, Kings, Lincolns and countless others form the strong, rhythmic, beating heart of peace, benevolence, freedom and strength through unity, E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one. Mankind marvels, Truth prevails, and the whole world reverberates within, from the irresistible force for liberty and justice for all.  SC 

Mercy, far more productive than contempt

I realize that we’re well into the first week of January, but it’s probably not too late for a New Year’s resolution.  There’s no question that our country is beginning the New Year with some serious challenges, and I freely admit that there are a handful of media celebrities and politicians in the country today, whose actions I hold in an almost uncontainable contempt. I’m not talking about our current President or any President past, present or future, or anyone else who truly values the principles of liberty and justice for all, upon which this remarkable nation is founded. I’m talking about the haters, the obstructionists, and those who value and serve their money over anything admirable, merciful, or just.  But you know what?  If you believe there’s a merciful God in Heaven, then you have to believe that positive actions are always better than negative reactions, that compassion is better than hatred, empathy better than apathy, and mercy far more productive than contempt. I’m resolved to remember that in the year ahead, and make a concerted effort to behave accordingly. It’s not my intention to encourage inaction. If ever there was a time to respond and act, it’s now.  I would simply like to encourage civility as the voice of action.  The vast, moderate majority of this great nation responds to reason when it’s not overwhelmed by the clamor of money and those who control and abuse it.  The future of this country will not be won by the belligerent voice of apathy and division, but the quiet voices of reasonable people joined together in hope and common cause.  SC

Button up your overcoat, when the wind blows free...

Expected Missouri temperatures over the next few days: lows below zero, and highs in the single digits on Monday, with intermittent snowfall this weekend and additional chances through the week. I hope you're warm and safe where you are.  Be careful out there.  SC   

“Obie, the Camp account.”

HANGTOWN, at The Bell Tower

 

At our approach, several nostalgia stricken old veterans jumped to attention, removed their old campaign hats, and saluted sharply from the balcony; the community brass band tooted out a tinny but rousing rendition of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”, and a crowd of several dozen onlookers lined the thoroughfare, reigning in youngsters and cheering enthusiastically. The streets were adorned with all variety of colorful banners, in celebration of the foothill’s annual Bartlett Pear Festival, and the atmosphere was absolutely festive! SC

Ambrotype, OLD HANGTOWN, CALIFORNIA & THE CARY HOUSE, LONG, LONG AGO

HISTORIC HANGTOWN, CA

I've taken great pains to produce a humorous, yet historically accurate and compelling account of my beloved ancestor's quest for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, during our remarkable country's rambunctious youth.  I believe that as we soberly asses our options for the future, we might benefit from a fresh perspective of who we are, where we've been, and what we hope to be.

SHANNON THOMAS CASEBEER