There are times in life when attention on the wrong thing makes us unaware of the good things: sunshine we ignore because the meteorologist said we needed rain, the laughter of children because we needed to concentrate on a project, the fresh smell of dirt because we wanted clean fingernails instead, or the sound of a church singing Amazing Grace because someone was off pitch. So many treasures line our path, but we miss them because our earbuds are in and our eyes, well, they might as well be closed.

And yet it is those very things – the precious things we miss because we are so used to them or because they have become so much a part of our lives that we take them for granted – that we should, we must, hasten to value before they are gone. For they will go as surely as the mist over a lake rises and disappears in the next minute.

You don’t need to tell someone what you think, but it’s nice to have the choice, isn’t it? You don’t need to carry a gun or even want one, but it might be a valuable option when you come face to face with someone who’d as soon kill you as look at you. You don’t need to go to church, but . . . I’ll stop there. I think everyone benefits from being part of a church who reveres God and loves Jesus. But God is better than I. He doesn’t force anyone to do anything. Free will is one of His best things. And freedom is a treasure.

All I know is some people think its unfashionable to love their one nation under God. Every once in awhile someone argues themselves into not voting or maybe not caring. Maybe they think their action and effort doesn’t matter. Or perhaps they feel too important to do such a common man thing as voting. Maybe a passionate professor or friend convinced them the old fashioned ways of our country need an upgrade. I can’t say because I don’t know. But whatever prevents someone from doing even a small thing to fight for his country – well I’m glad it didn’t prevent David from picking up some small stones when he saw Goliath. Dear friend, there could come a day – maybe very very soon – when those treasures you didn’t know you had will disappear because of your apathy or arrogance. And then. Then. You will long for something you had, but failed to treasure.

https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2024/07/03/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2024/05/21/the-why/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2024/03/27/the-company-of-the-impossible/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2024/03/11/our-lives-our-fortunes-our-sacred-honor/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2023/08/14/the-power-of-old-words/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2023/08/01/the-heirloom/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2023/07/03/relearning-something-old/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2023/05/18/to-tell-the-truth/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2023/03/08/seeing-things/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2022/11/22/november-4-2020/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2022/11/07/the-precipice/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2022/05/22/the-importance-of-a-good-boat/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2022/03/14/weve-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2021/07/01/brave-words-by-brave-men/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2021/05/26/oh-i-remember-now/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2021/01/22/in-the-middle-of-the-muddle/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/12/30/the-strip-search-of-2020/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/11/06/stand/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/10/30/appeal-to-heaven/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/10/07/if-you-can-keep-it/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/08/18/great-must-be-good/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/05/06/guilty/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/04/29/were-not-gonna-take-it/ https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2020/03/14/time-for-a-speech/

Image: declaration_of_independence_2___getty.jpg

I had a 7th grade English teacher who was a favorite of everyone – well, most everyone. In addition to delivering some pretty solid teaching, she liked to have fun with the kids. One day she brought caramels (those individually wrapped Kraft caramel squares) to class so we could all enjoy one or two. One of the boys in the class had gotten braces the day before and it was her joke on him. In those days, most people enjoyed jokes, even if they were on them. He thought it was funny, she thought it was funny, we all laughed.

Sometimes people talk to the elderly like they’re small children. I suppose they get used to it, considering it’s probably a well-meaning effort to be kind. I hope no one ever talks to me that way.

People who are abusive can be downright mean in their comments. But they can also be silky smooth and convincing. It depends on what type of abuser they are.

In a war, opposing sides are not likely to be polite to each other. Each side is defending something or someone. Are demoralizing comments appropriate? What about name-calling? What about harsh answers that don’t turn away wrath? Is war a time to point out bad things about the opponent?

Most of us favor easy-listening speech. We cringe a bit at words that we don’t typically use, ourselves, although I’ve noticed that human nature sometimes prefers to ignore or even agree with ad hominem attacks rather than discussing the matter of argument. We’d rather repeat that attack than actually argue a valid point. Some people are suggesting yesterday’s assassination attempt could be the fault of the one who offends some folks with some pretty tough words. I thought of some crusty prophets who offended kings and I thought of Jesus who garnered the hate of plenty of people. Still does.

But it’s our responsibility to examine what situation someone’s words are used in. I don’t suppose a dentist has a bowl of caramels in the waiting room. And if you don’t understand that our nation (and world) is and has been in a war for a long time, a war to save a whole lot of people who are sold and sacrificed, a war to defend our nation’s freedoms, and a war of influence in which some folks are doing whatever they can to keep things from going kinetic, you might criticize words and phrases used more in war than, for instance, typical political speech. You would be wrong.

People are of two minds during this season of what now. One segment is able to pretty much ignore much of the weirdness invading the every day; things such as institutions most of us have trusted in the past claiming opposing things. (This, fellow traveler, is called talking out of both sides of your mouth.)*  The happy folks belonging to this group don’t anticipate any significant collapse of our banking system and, while they’ve noticed the cost of groceries has increased, figure things will eventually change back to normal.

The other segment has begun to recognize unsettling patterns. They do what they can to keep their attitude positive, but see that an abnormal number of fires destroying food plants, unfortunately-located rail explosions, inexplicable fires, and things like – oh -let’s say bridge collapses are not only increasing, but also curiously explained away without proper investigations. Of course it was an accident. The idea that anything like fifth generation warfare is taking place on American soil is out of the question. Just ask Reuters. Or Google. Or the AP. Or (your favorite propaganda news station here). This group of folks wants to say something about it and might even do so, but are often shut down with a label (you know the one).

But there is a third small population of people who believe the source of chaos rests not only in the physical and certainly political, but in the spiritual. They believe the things we witness daily now are part of the battle between good and evil. They also believe not only in miracles, but that they, themselves, might be able to do something to bring them about during this time when miracles are desperately needed. This narrow slice of society is comprised of the bravely bizarre. One of them, for instance, talked a mortician into allowing him to pray over his deceased family member for over an hour – thinking his prayers and commands could bring him to life. They didn’t. But, I confidently add, they could have. If you doubt that, you are forgetting some of your New Testament.

One of them prayed and commanded healing over probably a hundred or more people until one day one was healed. And then another. And another.

One of them had taken a wrong turn down a dark, narrow street and was suddenly hemmed in by the car in front of her stopping. The car had young men in both the front and back seats. Its abrupt halt was clearly intended. There was nothing and no one else around. There was no way to pass it. Remaining stopped behind them spelled certain trouble. But upon praying, her car was now in front of the nefarious group of thugs where she could hasten to a more populated street. Would you like to know more about that? Because it was me in that car with my four young children. I knew there was no way to get around them, but I maneuvered around their car to what I thought would be a sidewalk, and we were suddenly in front of it. No bump of a curb, not even a visual pass. The point is that I did my little impossible part and God did the rest with a different kind of transport-ation.

(It is at this point in the post where I think – don’t lead people down the wrong path. There are all sorts of people offering magic and new age and craziness to those who are ready to grasp at anything. To clarify: the Holy Bible isn’t that. Don’t just be based. Be Bible-based.)

If you are part of this small company you might be afraid you’ll be embarrassed to try something and fail, you won’t fit in and people will talk about you should you reveal your true beliefs and maybe even experiences. You know what I say? Let them talk! It’s the devil that wants you silenced.

We, after all, are made in God’s image: the God who created the world with a word. We say we believe what we read in the Bible. We read about the sun standing still, about the lame, blind, deaf, and mute being healed, about transport, about speaking in a language you don’t actually know, about raising someone from the dead. We read about people doing these things. We say we believe it. But we relegate these events to a certain time and certain people. Not us. Not now. Why? Did God withdraw His power?

In this dreadful time in history, we are watching a thousands year old satanic cult have its way in the world and in our dear nation. Every week we discover someone else has aligned themselves with it. They aren’t playing games. They are in it to win it. It’s time to stop watching. It’s time to start understanding that we – you and I – can slay dragons. We can call out healing. We can take on Goliath. The difference between David and the whole Israeli army was that he was offended for the sake of God and disgusted that everyone was backing down.

Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, who you have defied.

If you choose to be part of this group – people who actually believe the Bible and who count themselves as disciples – you are in good company. You are in perfect company. For two thousand years ago there was a plan to save the entire world – not just through space, but also through time. Of course they wanted Him dead. But in their arrogance they missed the power of God Almighty and His Son, Jesus. Don’t make that mistake.

Let’s meet at the cross, wait two days, and then GO.

*History offers plenty of examples so what’s different this time? Good point. Maybe we should ask the thousands who died from a recent bioweapon and multitudes more who died or were injured from the injection purported to help.; Image: pexels-joagbriel-1753922-scaled.jpg; I Samuel 17:45; cross-sunset-humility-devotion-161089.jpeg; 17041243732_7619819836_b-tpswww.flickr.comphotoscoconutphotos17041243732.jpg

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Remember the old fairy tales you used to read or watch? In those stories there was often a hero and a villain. And if the villain was a witch or something of the sort, she would mutter incantations, supernatural spells, and curses which had the effect of all sorts of trouble.

Some people believe that what we say actually does affect the world in some way. I suppose preachers and professors hope so. The Bible, in fact, speaks to this. It says life and death are in the power of the tongue. Our forefathers believed it.

After three long and perilous months at sea, the first settlers of this nation landed in Virginia at a place we call Cape Henry. As they disembarked and made first plans, they set up a commemorative cross. Then they bowed their heads in prayer. They didn’t pray to baphomet, satan, osiris, gaia, or any of the other false gods so popular today. They prayed to the God of the Holy Bible.

We do hereby dedicate this Land, and ourselves, to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up Godly generations after us, and with these generations take the Kingdom of God to all the earth. May this Covenant of Dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this Land, along with England, be Evangelist to the World. May all who see this Cross, remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this Covenant and in this most noble work that the Holy Scriptures may be fulfilled. – Prayer by Robert Hunt at Cape Henry, April 29, 1607

Proverbs 18:21, James 3; https://www.groupbiblestudy.com/post/the-prayer-and-prophecy-for-america-spoken-in-1607; JFK quote from Inaugural Address;  Psalm 22:27-28 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.; John 8:32; image: 1200px-An_Appeal_to_Heaven_Flag.svg_.png

And here I was all ready to write a story for you. I’d even done research on the Chicago World’s Fair in case I needed it. It will wait (again) for another day.

You see, today someone sent me a Facebook post written by a well-meaning soul who works in sex trafficking. Good for you, I thought. In a former career I worked with people injured in a similar way as well, so I am acquainted with some of the protocols, pitfalls, and perplexities. The person’s efforts are important, and she gave good suggestions for helping people. And then.

Then she proceeded to attack a film some of whose actors and workers have been physically threatened. Because they made a film. She made accusations about the person who it was partially about.

I wonder if she’s seen the film? I wonder if she actually investigated the claims she was making or simply repeating them from someone in her preferred politically-leaning media? I wonder if she actually believes her way is the only way to help in this terrible issue? It would be a pretty myopic approach if those were the case, wouldn’t it? I’m tired of either/or perspectives. When you’re in a war, you don’t complain about your fellow soldier’s preferred weaponry. You yell, “Go! Go!”, and you go, too.

At least one husband and wife put their household security on the line to support his efforts to rescue some children. Others have put their actual lives on the line in this work. The extent of worldwide sex trafficking is astounding and cannot be ignored. Yet those from the movie industry didn’t want to touch it. The movie studio who agreed to obtain it, then another well-known studio (who acquired it from them) did what they could to suppress the film from being shown.

And we must wonder why. Why would anyone tell someone not to see a well-done decent film? Why are highly visible, “important” people anti-everything to do with stamping out sex trafficking (including a border wall)? Why is the Hollywood film industry rife with whispered stories that are never told? Why do some people quickly accept a narrative simply because it fits their politics? (I’ve asked myself this before, and regretfully conclude we have many people who are so steeped in a Marxist way of thinking, that thinking for themselves is something they no longer do.) WHY does someone whose work is to rescue discourage rescue work?

Jesus prayed for unity. It was nearly His last prayer. Why did He think unity was important enough to pray for it during His last days? It’s not easy – unity. We come from differing backgrounds and, as we are painfully aware, different political beliefs. I hope, though, that the one belief most share – the belief that God’s children are not for sale and that those who make a revolting amount of money from trafficking them not only for sex, but also (it must be said) for organ harvesting, snuff films, and satanic ritual abuse must pay a price determined by God, Himself – might unify us. Instead of repeating words of those who, frankly, I find highly suspect for their efforts to silence the movie’s message, why don’t you simply go see it for yourself and make up your own mind?

https://youtu.be/hyyyKcfJRGQ

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/tim-ballard-sound-of-freedom-85-000-children-border; US Airforce Academy lecture – https://www.youtube.com/live/a2sjLwGXAz4?feature=share; Daily Signal interview – https://youtu.be/Yge8O1qaXDI; John 17 – Jesus’ prayer for unity of believers; Luke 17:2; youtube Sound of Freedom Official Trailer https://youtu.be/hyyyKcfJRGQ; be aware of NCMEC and ICMEC and other data-base services that are fronts for harm, not good – https://rumble.com/v309ysk-greg-reese-of-reese-report-why-is-angel-studios-promoting-clinton-and-podes.html