Safe Harbor

This post may confuse some of you out there, but bear with me. I’ll try to keep it short.
Just a few minutes ago a friend mentioned that she is “Not afraid to die.” and I know exactly what she means. There is no fear of death for a child of God. I do not want to live a single second longer than God has use for me on this earth. I can echo Paul’s famous, “21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” Philippians 1:21-24
I will never have such a ministry as Paul‘s, and I’m not really comparing our journeys, but we share the same Spirit, and destination.
Consider what this means for a child of God-with no fear of death, what is there to worry about? Nothing.
How would you like to go through life without carrying the burden of worry? I’d be a liar if I said that I had no worries at all-I’m human, and have fears and concerns like anyone else. But they are piffles, small change, hardly enough to break a sweat over. And even the few tiny worries that I do carry around I can lay down at the feet of my Lord.
“6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7.
No matter what happens in this life, I know that I am assured of both God’s Love and His Providence, meaning that nothing can happen to me that He does not cause or allow to happen, both good and bad. The good is to bless me, and the bad is to teach me, so really, it’s all good, all working to Glorify God by conforming me to the image of Christ. Which I do not deserve. Charles Spurgeon, in writing a foreword to one of his books, signed as “His unworthy servant”. I am also His unworthy servant. I have been quite a reclamation project, but His Grace is greater than my faults and weaknesses.
If you wish to go through life stressed out and worrying about every little thing (and the BIG things, like life and death) you can go for it. You might even think that I am a deluded fool to trust in an invisible God Who, according to most of the world, doesn’t even exist. Most of the world is as wrong as kittens on ice skates.
I follow Jesus who said, “28“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Amen.

And Now For Something Completely Different…

Steak and eggs, ham, hamburger, chicken done in interesting ways-I like it all. I enjoy meat and potatoes, but if you fancy up a dish with sauces and crinoline, and it’s good, I’ll eat that, too. I will never be mistaken for a gourmand. Part of that comes from years of working in kitchens-like the magicians assistant, I know all the tricks.
No one would peg me as a musical gourmand, either-I love many different types of music, and some of it is fancy, much of it is plain, but what I enjoy, I enjoy. Flatt & Scruggs and Scriabin. Mozart and Willy.
In the picture accompanying this post the object of Horowitz and Borge’s admiration is an artist I’ve recently found: Gabriela Montero. She is THAT GOOD. I was listening to her rendition of a classic tonight and she was note perfect with Vladimir Horowitz-she wasn’t copying him, but they were both absolute in their interpretations of the piece.
Montero has moved to America after being born in Venezuela. Horowitz found sanctuary here in America in 1917 a few steps ahead of the Russian Communist uprising. He returned to Moscow in 1986 to play a triumphant concert which turned out to be the first sounding of the death knell for the Communist Party, which remained in power for just a few more years.
Victor Borge arrived on these shores in 1940 after his native Denmark fell to the Nazis-luckily he was playing a concert in Sweden at the time, and made his way to America.
Hugo Chavez may not be a Lenin or Hitler, but Gabriela Montero moving to America seems to follow the same pattern. Here there is freedom to be an artist, to make a living, to BE.
I encourage everyone to seek out her music, see if you also enjoy her interpretations of Classical favorites. She is young yet, and becoming established. Enjoy.

Looking For Holy In All The Odd Places

I wonder if the 2006 edition of Barbra Streisand ever looks back on her previous incarnations and thinks, “What the heck she was doing?”
Through the years Barbra has blessed many songs and songwriters with her voice. It is a great voice, and I enjoy her music, although the cliché gag doesn’t hold true: I’m straight as a ruler.
Anyway, tonight I was listening to the 1967 edition of Barbra Streisand-The Christmas Album, and as she sang “Silent Night” it occurred to me that “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” is said to the baby Jesus Who, being the Prince of Peace, Would sleep Heavenly. Others may have made that connection decades ago-I never said I was quick.
On the same album, after “Ave Maria”, Barbra presents a reverential, faithful, “Lord’s Prayer”. I wouldn’t have thought to include it on a Christmas album, but there it is, and I like her rendition.
Again, as usual, Bethlehem is too dangerous for many tourists to visit this Christmas-there’s no room at the foxhole. But the Prince of Peace, when He returns as King, will make all of Israel a peaceful, beautiful garden. Israel itself will be much larger then the few acres they inhabit now-
“14The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; 15for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. 16“I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. 17“Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” 18Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.” Genesis 13:14-18

24“My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. 25“They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever. 26“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. 27“My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. 28“And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.” Ezekiel 37:24-28

“He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.”
Thanks, Isaac Watts, Lowell Mason. You were looking forward to the return of the Lord, just as we are. Let Earth receive her King!

The Muslims Are Attacking Our Free Speech

It’s here. Remember when we had the freedom to speak our mind without having our heads lopped off? Here in America we are supposed to enjoy Freedom of Speech. You are allowed to disagree with someone else, even your own government, without fear of being silenced.
My friend Vilmar over at Right Wing Howler has been silenced. His ISP took his website off-line because CAIR-the Council for American Islamic Relations-sent a letter complaining about his anti-Muslim exercise of Free Speech. When it disappeared I wrote to Vilmar, and he told me what happened-he doesn’t know when or if he will get back online. I warned months ago that Fine Dry Wit might disappear someday because of this type of censorship, and now it’s happened to someone I know.
Do you get this? Do you understand that this is a serious attack on Free Speech? One activist group has effectively silenced someone who spoke out against them. A group which defines itself as a propagator of interaction, a go between for relations between cultures. CAIR. Council for American Islamic Relations.
It seems as if the only relationship they are looking to bring about is their foot on our necks.

Another Army

As you flit and flutter through the season of twinkly stars, jingly bells, and happy little faces, remember that there are families and individuals who struggle year round, and Christmas can feel very empty for them. Give generously in this season of giving to those who really need your charity. I like to give to charities at Christmas which have not compromised the message of Jesus and His visit to the world, and one of my favorites is The Salvation Army. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

le

Harmony

Harmony. What a wonderful word. We enjoy the concept of harmonizing, blending together, being in perfect order with our world. Orange marmalade is a great example of harmony between fruit, sugar and pectin. I’d love some orange marmalade on toast with right now. Do you know what makes it work so well?
Heat. Without heat there’s no proper combining of the ingredients.
It may sound odd to state it this way, but our world’s finest moments of harmony have come when we’ve been feeling heat, have all had to depend on each other.
What I see in America now is the opposite of “United We Stand”. It may be our undoing. We can’t even agree that we are still “One Nation, under God” without some saying, “God who? There is no God, and you’ve just offended me by mentioning one.”
Be offended. I would rather offend you by mentioning Jesus Christ than offend Him by keeping quiet.
“I want to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…”
But the song is “Amazing Grace” and the world is out of tune.
How will God bring the world back into harmony with Him?
Heat.

The Tinfoil Burlesque

Psychodramaturgical. In reference to the latest hate letter from the Iranian President/Puppet, Psychodramaturgical comes to mind. I don’t know if he’s on the pipe, but golly he sounds multi-dimensional. We all exist in space and time, but I think the half pint may be visiting a few rotations “X” and “Y” in his spare dimensions. Consider this an answer to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who probably wouldn’t appreciated being contracted even further to: MADnejad.

MADnejad: You are all wrong. At least Borat makes me laugh. You have called me corrupt, evil, and I take issue with that. You see, you have referred to my government that way, and here in America it is, “We, The People” who govern. Our President was not selected for us by Mullahs. You could look it up: nearly half the people voted against his gaining the office of the President. That doesn’t denote weakness in us, but strength. Even if our political beliefs divide us, we are still all Americans, and we all much prefer to live free from oppression. We do not fear our Government-can your people say the same? No wonder you are sending so much trouble over the border into Iraq. If the freedoms there were to catch on in your Iran, it would no longer be Your Iran.
I note in your letter your one-note Palestinian screed. I can almost hear you speaking in the UN General Assembly about Israel: “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for us that one Nation perish for the people, and that the whole World not fall into Chaos.”
MADnejad, you stink. Those of us who refuse to accept your fantasies as Reality are in mortal danger from you and your ilk, but guess what? Mortal danger doesn’t scare us- it is hard to terrorize those who do not fear. You are a loser because you want the world to be the way you like, instead of liking the World we have. It’s a beautiful place, and you and your Muslim buddies are trashing it with all of your Islam stuff. Without going all Hindi-Vishnu on you, we create and you destroy. But you’re missing the bigger picture. Greater than all of us is God,(not Allah) Who will take all that we do to His Creation very seriously. And if you think an elephant never forgets, wait until you’re standing in judgment before God. You are on the wrong side of history, and your future has an expiration date.
May God continue to Bless His People.

The Tinsel Burlesque

Burlesque (n)-From the French/Italian burlesco/burla: A jest, mockery. Any broadly comic or satirical imitation; derisive caricature; parody.
The most despised day of the year is now behind us; during the long torturous month ahead, be cool, be patient/long suffering, persevere and if you can, buy an iPod or other music player. Anything with headphones. The most despised day is of course the one in which Christmas music begins infesting your radio.
John 4:23,24
“23“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
The verse mentions nothing about dogs barking “Silent Night”. Or Chipmunks with their Uncle Dave singing “Feliz Navidad”. Or Ozzy Osborne singing “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”.
God is not mocked, and I’m certain that He’s not amused, either. In my church we will sing the Christ-honoring Christmas songs as we worship God together. That is Holy communing of God and His people such as Jesus mentioned in the verse above: “In spirit and in truth.” When I sing to God, in the car, at work (very quietly, as not everyone uses headphones) or at home, it is worship and praise, and it happens most every day of the year. When Buddy Hackett tells the ‘Christmas story’ with a string of expletives, when the Red Hot Chili Peppers do “Oh Holy night” it is an unholy affront. When ten thousand variations on this unholy theme regurge out of our radios for the next 30 days, it is overwhelmingly offensive.
Tinsel. Tinsel is shiny and pretty, but has no light-it only reflects the light which touches it. Christians are called to be the ’Light of the World’ which is only possible as we are lit from within, having the Holy Spirit indwell us. We should be shining brightly in a darkened world. In the analogy of the Christmas decorations, we Christians would be the bulbs strung together, and those who do not have His Spirit would be the tinsel. The tinsel looks pretty in our light, but take us away, and there’s no shine for nothing.
If you sing, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” in the next month, whether in your car accompanying Perry Como, or in a church service, or just by yourself, listen to what you’re singing:
“God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.”
We are born astray-born into sin, and singing songs from the point of view of Christians no more makes you saved than quoting Mel Brooks makes you funny.
Worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Don’t be tinsel.

Even So

Although there have been attacks and threats that have plummeted our country into a time of war and dissension, even so, I am thankful that we have a government in place that continues to bend to the will of the people to find equitable and just and noble solutions, and that we still have those who are called to lead by serving their countrymen with commitment to the sovereignty of our nation under God.

Although there are those who would like nothing better than to see the destruction of this great nation, even so, I am thankful that there are those who still love and appreciate the ideals of liberty and justice that began this country and are willing to protect its existence and the lives of their countrymen with their own.

Although there is still hunger and disease and injustice around the world and in our own country, even so, I am thankful that there are those in this country of bounty and blessing who are compelled by their compassion and concern to give time and money to organizations that try to relieve those miseries.

Although there are neighbors and friends and family who do not acknowledge the existence of God, even so, I am thankful that our country upholds the right of religious freedom so that one day, if any of them comes to the knowledge of the truth, they will be able to worship freely and without fear.

Although everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and deserve nothing less than total destruction, even so, I am thankful that God has made a way of deliverance from what we deserve, by the sacrificial action of His Son on the cross, to mercifully and gracefully provide a way of eternal fellowship with Him.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of family and friends, both near and far, with whom we can share this day of thankfulness, and who make our lives so much more dear. Our hearts are full of gratitude for Your provision and sovereignty. Please bless us and protect us today.

le

Muslim or Martian?

Muslim or Martian?

It’s quiz time on FDW! This won’t be a fancy fill in the blank and see how many correct answers are tabulated when you click a button. Have pen and paper handy and keep score for yourselves. Think of it as being interactive with tools from an earlier generation.

Each of the statements or questions below have to do with either Martians or Muslims. Have fun!


1. “GENERAL CASEY, DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION?”
“WELL, SIR... DO WE KNOW THEY'RE HOSTILE?”

()Martian ()Muslim

2.“AN ADVANCED CIVILIZATION IS BY DEFINITION NOT BARBARIC.”

()Martian ()Muslim

3.“THEY'RE AN ADVANCED CULTURE. THEREFORE, PEACEFUL AND
ENLIGHTENED…I SUSPECT THEY HAVE MORE TO FEAR FROM US... THAN
WE FROM THEM.”

()Martian ()Muslim

4. “MR. PRESIDENT, WE MUST NOT SEND THESE PEOPLE THE WRONG MESSAGE.
WE NEED A WELCOME MAT, NOT A ROW OF TANKS.”

()Martian ()Muslim

5. WE COME IN PEACE. WE COME IN PEACE. WE COME
IN PEACE.”

()Martian ()Muslim

6. “LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN, THIS COULD BE A CULTURAL MISUNDERSTANDING… HE DID SAY THAT... "WE COME IN PEACE."

()Martian ()Muslim

7. “THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT "THAT WE TWO PEOPLES HAVE A GREAT DEAL
TO OFFER ONE ANOTHER. AND LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR, YOU HAVE NOTHING
TO FEAR FROM US. OUR CUSTOMS MAY BE STRANGE TO YOU, BUT WE MEAN NO
HARM."

()Martian ()Muslim

8. “I'M NOT GOING TO START A WAR.” “WE'RE ALREADY AT WAR,
SIR.”

()Martian ()Muslim

Okay! I’ll have the answers on the comment page. Last one there is an infidel.

Tiny Dancer

Elton John suggests banning religion:

"From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."

Seriously. Okay, so some of his beef is with the bible, I imagine, which condemns homosexuality as sin. And as we all know, homosexuals are being tortured and put to death left and right by Christians around the world. Okay, that sarcasm was a little over the top. How about this? Christians routinely picket businesses that employ homosexuals. No? Maybe Christians regularly vandalize the homes of homosexuals? Christians harass homosexuals in their workplaces? Okay, on occasion, Christians give homosexuals disapproving looks.

I don't believe that the Book of Mormon is true. I think that every word of it is a falsehood. Any suggestion that I should embrace Mormonism as the true religion is met with a polite "no." And yet, for some reason, I don't feel compelled to suggest that we start a petition to ban Mormonism. Why? Because I believe in religious freedom. And quite clearly, Mr. John does not. He's also not very knowledgable if he believes that Christianity turns people into hateful lemmings. I wonder if he knows any. The Christians I know are the most decent, kind and charitable people I associate with. I think Christianity had a great deal to do with the abolition of slavery. It also had much to do with the civil rights movement. Now, it is concentrating much of its efforts into stopping the holocaust of unborn human beings that is happening worldwide. I think that is quite compassionate.

Sir John needs to do some research. And I don't mean from 1200 A.D. He is right about one thing, though. There is an organized religion with a lot of antagonism towards gays. Actually, antagonism is quite the understatement. Sir John might want to turn his attention toward that religion. It is pounding on his doorstep.

le

A Thousand Words

NV

Every Day

The Day For True Veterans

There are many fine tributes to our Veterans out there today, remembering those who have sacrificed and fought to keep our Nation whole and safe. Allan has a fine tribute in the Nudas Veritas folder: click the second picture, hear the song and watch the video.
Another tribute which honors out Veterans is found at:
http://www.military.com/VeteransDay/VeteransDayTribute.html
I was a peace-time veteran, but still was proud to serve. My nephew in law is a Marine in his second enlistment. Yesterday was the ’Birthday” for the US Marines, and I’m sure that he and his buddies celebrated.
And that’s at the heart of it all: We celebrate Life and honor Death, honor those who sacrificed so that we may live free. I Praise God for our Military, all branches, every member. Tomorrow in church they will ask all Veterans to stand, and we are honored to accept those thanks, that appreciation. Veterans Day can last all year long in our hearts.

Campaign Promises

Someone emailed this to me. One of those St. Peter things, which of course, is not scriptural at all, but it made me smile so here it is:

While walking down the street one day, a senator is hit by a truck and killed. His soul arrives in Heaven and is met by St. Peter at the pearly gates. "Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "We seldom see a high official around these parts, so we're not sure what to do with you." "No problem, just let me in," says the senator." Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do, is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"There's no need! I want to be in Heaven," says the senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator, the doors open, and he rides the elevator down, down, down. When the doors open again, standing in front of all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in formal dress. They run to greet him, and they reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They dine on caviar and lobster and are having such a good time that, before the senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up, and the door reopens in Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. So 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by, and St. Peter returns."Well, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now, you must choose where you want to spend eternity."He reflects for a minute and then answers, "Well, I would never would have thought it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better satisfied in Hell."
So Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator, and down, down, down he goes into Hell.
Now, the doors of the elevator open, and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags. And it's hot, hot, hot, and the odor is just horrible. Sweltering hot. Hot and miserable.
The Devil comes over to him and smoothly lays his arm around his shoulder." I don't understand," stammers the senator." The day before I was here, and there was a golf course and club, and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now all there is, is a wasteland full of garbage, and my friends look miserable."
The Devil looks at the senator, smiles, and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning."

Tee hee! Why does this seem funnier when my guys didn't get elected?

le