LemmonsAid -- a new blog

My good friend, David Lemmons, has a new blogsite. You will benefit from accessing and learning from it. You may find it by following this URL...

http://lemmonsaid.wordpress.com/

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Information concerning Indonesia

One of the best, most accurate, informative summaries of information concerning Indonesia may be found on the following U.S. Department of State web page. As I read it I found it completely reliable. You may find it very interesting.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_2052.html

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Reaping the Whirlwind

An interesting statement is made in the Old Testament by the prophet Hosea. "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..." (Hosea 8:7). Although these words were said of the people in the days in which it was written many centuries ago, there is an application that may be made today.

The "wind" of secular humanism (which is atheism) has been in the public school systems and universities of America for well over 65 years. This "wind" of "no absolute truth," "moral relativism," "situation ethics," "values clarification," "organic evolution" "do your own thing," "no one can tell you what is right or what is wrong," "what is right is what is right for you and what others think is right or wrong is not so significant," "there is no one set standard of right and wrong," "there is no one set standard of truth," "if it feels good or right for you, then do it, etc., etc.," has been sown into the minds of American youth for generations. For the past few years we have witnessed and even experienced the "whirlwind" of degrading, damaging, destructive results of such a godless philosophy.

We witness the shootings and murders in high schools, the senseless beatings of teenagers against teenagers, the rise of illegitimate births, abortion, promiscuity, the seduction of students by teachers, the exaltation and glorification of popular people (entertainers, movie stars, etc.) whose lives are a downward spiral of immorality from day to day, perversity of all sorts which is beyond belief. We hear little girls screaming the names of their favorite singing stars who (the stars), although they may of marriageable age, are often too immature to be married and have children. Rather than practice discipline that works, we are told to let the child have his way, let him vent his anger and his frustrations, after all we do not want him to have a "complex." Everyone is not always right, and should not be made or allowed to believe that being wrong is right or okay. Those who fail in school or in some contest do not deserve to be rewarded in their failures just to make them feel good and avoid hurt feelings. The result of humanism is a bunch of undisciplined, rude, arrogant, angry, selfish, rebellious, disrespectful young people who act out their frustrations by killing each other, or their family members, or those toward whom they have a grievance. Respecting the rights and property of others has never been heard of by some of these upstarts. American young people have been "dumbed down" to the extent that many of those in high school cannot even write a decent sentence or legible paragraph. Americans who follow and practice this philosophy are setting a bad example for the rest of the world. When people of other nations hear about and watch the unholy, immoral antics of well-known American entertainers and celebrities on television and in movies, then see them living out those things in their lives, and when they witness the squandering of millions of dollars on selfish interests by such people, they develop an impression of America and Americans that is not good.

There is no question that America is now reaping the "whirlwind" of this godless philosophy. And, it appears that those who seek to bring sanity back to America by setting forth the Bible as the objective standard of God for man, the result is for the Bible-believer to be belittled and ridiculed as "out of touch" or "not facing reality" or "old-fashioned." It is high time to start in the public school systems to eradicate this godless philosophy and those who advocate secular humanism and situation ethics. It is time that those who believe in an objective standard of right and wrong, and who are patriotic, be given a place of leadership and influence among our young people. There is right and there is wrong! The result of the humanist philosophy is bringing America down so very fast--faster than most people realize. Those who espouse and uphold secular humanism need to be relieved of their duties if they are in places of influence over young people. I am not advocating any kind of violence, for that is wrong. I am simply saying that it is time to fire those who can be fired and to not hire those who only have themselves as their own standard. Even in modern religion, secular humanism has taken quite a stand. Many "churches" are filled with moral and religious relativists who want to have religion their own way, not necessarily God's way. It is time to learn how to say such things as, "No," "There is a way that is right and you can know that it is right," "There is a way that is right and is not wrong," etc.

Secular humanism is a selfish, self-glorifying, self-gratifying, self-exalting philosophy that results in immorality, murder, bias, and the devaluation of human life and the traditional American way of life.

"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" John 17:17.
Jesus said, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." John 12:48.

Requiting Our Parents

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. (NKJV) 1 Timothy 5:4

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (NKJV)1 Timothy 5:8

The context of these verses discusses the care of widows by the church, and it gives some requirements or specifications about what constitutes a "widow indeed." But, at the same time, Paul (an inspired apostle of Jesus) lets us know that the church should not have to care for all widows because those widows who have children, grandchildren, or other family are to be cared for first by their own family members.

Many times childen and grandchilden grow up in some ways, but some seem never to grow up enough to understand that those maternal hands that loved them, changed their diapers, fed them, kissed their boo-boos, watched over them when they were sick, and worried over them when they went out of the house, are now to be cared for by those who mother or grandmother cared for many years before.

When mothers and grandmothers reach a point in life where they need help and loving care, we should not expect them to continue to "fork over" money to us for this or that, or to continue sacrificing for us, or to pay us back monetarily every time we spend a dime on them. Now, the "tables are turned." It is time for us to help mother! It is time for us to pay Mom's way in this world. It is time for us to do things for Mother and Grandma that we can do when she can no longer do things for herself. And, we are to do it without expecting her to repay us for our efforts! These are some ways we "requite" or repay the love of mother.

When mother's hands become feeble, when her steps falter, when her sight is blurred, when her hearing is not as acute as once it was, when she is forgetful, and when her health fails or she cannot provide for herself, we must step in and help. We must repay the love that she so freely and graciously gave to us when we were small and unable to care for ourselves, when our feet faltered, and when we could not feed and provide for ourselves.

Paul, the apostle, informs us that if we fail to provide for "our own" or "those of our own household" we have denied the faith (denied Christianity, the system of the one faith) and we are worse than infidels or unbelievers. It should never be said of of a Bible-believer (or of one who claims to be a disciple of Christ), that he or she was so hard-hearted or self-centered that he would not take care of his widowed mother or grandmother in her latter years on earth.

Are you repaying your mother's or grandmother's love? How often do you visit her? Call her? Communicate with her? Take her out (if she is able to go out)? Take her to the doctor? Run errands for her? Clean her house? Prepare her meals? Allow her to talk about the days of her youth that she remembers and cherishes, and listen to what she is saying? How often do you say, "I love you, Mom!"?

Think about it!

SPW

The beautiful southern states in summer

In the last few weeks I have traveled by car in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The beauty of these states is indescribable! The tall corn in the fields, the hay freshly cut and baled, the livestock, and the numerous varieties of blooming flowers, crepe myrtles, and tall southern pine trees, all give one a greater appreciation of the beauties of nature.

One may feel the heat from the blazing southern summer sun and see thunder clouds forming on the horizon. One may feel a cool breeze blow as the storm clouds gather and smell the ozone as the rain draws near and large drops of rain begin falling. Steam rises from the hot pavement when the rain falls. The beautiful lakes and rivers provide boating fun and recreation.

To be able to eat "new" potatoes, fresh buttered corn, red ripe tomatoes, yellow squash, onions, okra, green beans, and cucumbers (accompanied by cornbread) is a great culinary experience. There is nothing quite as tasty as fresh vegetables and fruits from the garden. The ponds teeming with grain-fed catfish give promise of a delicious dinner of fried catfish, hushpuppies and coleslaw (usually served with either green onions or a big slice of sweet onions). Barbeque pork (pulled or chopped), pork ribs, and barbeque slaw dogs, or barbeque chicken with white sauce, slaw, baked beans, homemade pickles, and potato salad accompanied by a tall glass of sweet southern iced tea are part of southern culture. Homemade pecan pie and ice cream are a great way to finish off such a meal.

Lightning bugs, the baying of hounds, the lowing of cattle, and the croaking of frogs and crickets are great sights and sounds to southerners. There is something unique about being out in the country on the farm in the late evening, sitting in a swing as the sun sets and the calm and quiet shades of night begin to creep in. The sweet scent of honeysuckle vines fill the air. There is nothing quite so peaceful or relaxing.

I know why those who live in the south love the south.

Insults against southern folks

As mentioned in an earlier post, I enjoy the south and the way people express themselves in southern English. There are many native southerners who are very highly educated and many who have contributed so much to the greatness and success of America. Most southerners I know are highly intelligent, industrious, entrepreneurial, and patriotic. They are good, down-to-earth people. They are mostly very deeply religious people with strong convictions.

It is for all the above reasons that I deeply resent the often expressed arrogant attitude of some from outside the south who refer to all southerners in condescending ways. Some joke about "red-necks." And, as they say the phrase, they do it with an attitude and tone of disgust and disdain. They do it as though they are so far above a southerner in all aspects of life that the southerner is less than a piece of garbage. Many of us who live or have lived in the south can take a joke, even a "red-neck" joke. Some of them are very funny! We can laugh at ourselves and our "ways." But, do not try to belittle us and act as though we are stupid!

I am here to testify that most southerners can hold their own with almost anyone! I find it very interesting that many from outside the south who hold southerners in such disdain are the very ones who would claim to be educated, compassionate, accepting, open-minded, and liberal in thought toward all other groups of people. The trouble is that some folks really believe that all southerners are stupid, ignorant, illiterate, backwoodsy slobs who drive pick-up trucks with gun racks, chew tobacco and spit, and cuss. Actually (with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy whose humor I enjoy), there are some "rednecks" in the south. I must admit that there are a few folks like that whom I have known. But, there is another meaning to the term "red-neck" of which many are not aware. Many do not understand that the "red" neck is actually "red" from hard working in the sun from "sun-up" to "sun-down." Further, many "red" necks are the result of native American Indian heritage. The dark skin turns deep red and dark brown when one is in the sun for long periods of time. Many southerners derive their ancestry (in part) from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Creek Indian tribes.

A few years ago a young woman of my acquaintance from the midwest traveled in the south for the very first time. She traveled through Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama all the way to the Gulf coast. When she returned to the midwest she said, "It was so beautiful in Alabama! I did not know it was so pretty." Of course it is. Many have known the beauty of the southern states for years. And, many have known the beauty and genteelness of southern hospitality and the wonderful smells and delicious flavors of down-home southern cooking!

Another midwesterner who traveled in the south for the very first time a few years ago, spoke with disgust about the wood-frame houses with washing machines on the front porches in the rural areas. He bemoaned the poverty in the south, and how backward it was. I guess he did not stop to think about the slums and ghettos in the north and midwest where people live on top of one another in poverty-stricken, drug-infested, high-crime, high-rises!

Some of those who speak so disparagingly of their fine fellow American brethren from the south should remember that were it not for farming in the south and midwest, one might not be able to go to a grocery store in his neighborhood and pick up a can of peas, beans, corn, tomatoes, or other fruits or vegetables (peaches, pecans, or peanuts from Alabama, Mississippi, or Georgia), or a bag of rice (from South Carolina or Arkansas). One might not be able to go to the department store and buy that nice cotton shirt or blouse! After all, the cotton in that shirt was probably grown and picked somewhere in the south (from Texas to the southern Atlantic coastal states). And, that beautiful, fine furniture in the furniture store may have been manufactured in North Carolina.

Many Americans outside the south are unaware of just how modern and highly industrialized much of the south is. And, many of the nation's highest rated colleges and universities (both public and private) are in the southern states. Some of the most highly educated and highly paid people in the USA live in Huntsville, Alabama where technology reigns.

All Americans need to appreciate the contributions of one another to our total society. Grouping together people of one race, ethnicity, region, gender, or religion, and condemning or low-rating them is just about as narrow-minded and prejudiced as one can be. It is also very stupid!

In Matthew 7:1-4, Jesus said,
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.