BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC - Johnny Cash

We Must Continue

"He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored... His truth is marching on."

And may it march on.

Thank you to the young men and women who have paid such high prices.

May we never send you into needless battle.

May we highly value you.

May we always honor and respect you and you.

And should you come home wounded in body or soul, may we heal you and restore you.

Jackson's Genocide

 

On this day in 1830 – The Indian Removal Act is passed by the U.S. Congress; it is signed into law by President Andrew Jackson two days later.

Framed as compassionate, it facilitated mass genocide.

Jackson justified this ignoble law and policy in his state of the Union address as follows:

 

Andrew Jackson's Annual Message

It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages.

The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States, to individual States, and to the Indians themselves. The pecuniary advantages which it promises to the Government are the least of its recommendations. It puts an end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the General and State Governments on account of the Indians. It will place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of country now occupied by a few savage hunters. By opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north and Louisiana on the south to the settlement of the whites it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier and render the adjacent States strong enough to repel future invasions without remote aid. It will relieve the whole State of Mississippi and the western part of Alabama of Indian occupancy, and enable those States to advance rapidly in population, wealth, and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under their own rude institutions; will retard the progress of decay, which is lessening their numbers, and perhaps cause them gradually, under the protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community.

What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and ranged by a few thousand savages to our extensive Republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms embellished with all the improvements which art can devise or industry execute, occupied by more than 12,000,000 happy people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization and religion?

The present policy of the Government is but a continuation of the same progressive change by a milder process. The tribes which occupied the countries now constituting the Eastern States were annihilated or have melted away to make room for the whites. The waves of population and civilization are rolling to the westward, and we now propose to acquire the countries occupied by the red men of the South and West by a fair exchange, and, at the expense of the United States, to send them to land where their existence may be prolonged and perhaps made perpetual. Doubtless it will be painful to leave the graves of their fathers; but what do they more than our ancestors did or than our children are now doing? To better their condition in an unknown land our forefathers left all that was dear in earthly objects. Our children by thousands yearly leave the land of their birth to seek new homes in distant regions. Does Humanity weep at these painful separations from everything, animate and inanimate, with which the young heart has become entwined? Far from it. It is rather a source of joy that our country affords scope where our young population may range unconstrained in body or in mind, developing the power and facilities of man in their highest perfection. These remove hundreds and almost thousands of miles at their own expense, purchase the lands they occupy, and support themselves at their new homes from the moment of their arrival. Can it be cruel in this Government when, by events which it can not control, the Indian is made discontented in his ancient home to purchase his lands, to give him a new and extensive territory, to pay the expense of his removal, and support him a year in his new abode? How many thousands of our own people would gladly embrace the opportunity of removing to the West on such conditions! If the offers made to the Indians were extended to them, they would be hailed with gratitude and joy.

And is it supposed that the wandering savage has a stronger attachment to his home than the settled, civilized Christian? Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers than it is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous. He is unwilling to submit to the laws of the States and mingle with their population. To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement.

 

Resist #reisstance #evil #civildisobedience #speakingout #standingfirm #...

I failed to elaborate on the word, "Insist," but read it and heed it.

When the world is upside down, what is our part in turning things around?

#reisstance #evil #civildisobedience #speakingout #standingfirm #politicalspeech

We Must Stand Against Fascism!

 First, we must recognize it.

Stupidity Is the Problem

 

If wisdom is good for God and is God's favorite tool in creation, why do we resist it so?

Why would we ever prefer shallow, voluntary stupidity?

''The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.''
(Proverbs 3:19-20 ESV)

According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, stupidity is "a more dangerous enemy of the good than evil"

"Neither protest nor force can touch it. Reasoning is of no use. Facts that contradict personal prejudices can simply be disbelieved. ... "the stupid person will also be capable of any evil and at the same time incapable of seeing that it is evil"

"Stupidity can easily be proved the supreme Social Evil. Three factors combine to establish it as such. First and foremost, the number of stupid people is legion. Secondly, most of the power in business, finance, diplomacy and politics is in the hands of more or less stupid individuals. Finally, high abilities are often linked with serious stupidity." - Walter B. Pitkin , History of Stupidity

We can choose to dig deeper, ask better questions, think more clearly, examine more closely, and more profoundly value wisdom and truth.

In that, there is greater joy.

''There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.''
(Psalm 4:6-7 ESV)''

Picture - By Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14570879

 

Spiritual or Political?

 

Am I going to be political or spiritual here?

You call it whatever you like.

What if we could divorce each issue, from the powers and people who support the various positions and assess each on principle?

Would it be easier not to dismiss an idea as belonging to a demon party or ideology?

"It is not well for a man to pray cream and live skim milk." - Henry Ward Beecher

Beecher was right and I want to apply it to the prayerful intersection of public and spiritual life, or politics and theology. Our problem is that we are a mile wide and an inch deep in so much of our thinking – especially integrating the spirit and the intellect.

Politics is about setting tables where people of differing perspectives come together to hear and be heard. How do we restore that?
We have too many established labels set in concrete.

Most labels we assign to others and to ourselves are grossly inaccurate and inadequate.

In civil society, the best politic is to treat each person and voice with respect and dignity, making the table big enough for all.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” - Zechariah 7:9-10 ESV

"As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God." Psalm 40:17 ESV

Take this application to heart.

Bold and willful:

It is a reflection on arrogance and sin. I need that sometimes because I am often in need of such correction and adjustment in attitude.

Did you ever notice the word "JUST" in "AdJUSTment?"

Some adjustments bring us into alignment with what is right.

Whose heart has not, at some time, been well described by Peter's words below?

" and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.
"Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness." - 2 Peter 2:10-16 ESV

God grant that I might not be bold and willful in my opposition to truth and you, the God of truth today.

Adjust me God, that I might be more useful in your temple and in the public square.

And furthermore…

When will we get it? God does not like "iniquitous decrees," laws that inscribe injustice, rob the poor, deprive people of their rights, walk over the widows and orphans, and generally marginalize the powerless.

It evokes His wrath. He is the champion of the weak and the advocate for the poor.

If we read the scriptures without our filters, they are very clear about this.

"Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees,
and the writers who keep writing oppression,
to turn aside the needy from justice
and to rob the poor of my people of their right,
that widows may be their spoil,
and that they may make the fatherless their prey!
What will you do on the day of punishment,
in the ruin that will come from afar?
To whom will you flee for help,
and where will you leave your wealth?
Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners
or fall among the slain.
For all this his anger has not turned away,
and his hand is stretched out still."
-Isaiah 10:1-4 ESV

" The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine."
-Psalm 33:17-19 ESV

And even more …

The more powerful a nation is, the more it is in danger of being caught up in the arrogance of its own counsel. The more we accumulate and dominate, the more we risk being rebuked by time and the overriding plans of God. The more we exalt ourselves, the more likely we are to be brought low.

"The nation whose God is the LORD," refers to only one historical nation during one extended period of history. There has only been one God-ordained theocracy and that is a "type" of the Kingdom of God. However, there is a call to humility for all the nations -- a "knowing" that kings, courts, constitutions, and parliamentary bodies are not sovereign over history, over peoples, nor over other nations.

The "nations" need not be at odds with God's plans, but often are. What they must recognize is their limitations and that they are not divine. God is LORD of the nations and a first step toward God is always the recognition that, "I am not God."

Nationalism to the extreme will always counter God's purposes. Nations are under God and never given preferred status nor delegated with divine prerogatives. If nations usurp God's authority, position, or prerogatives, they will oppress people (even with religious language) and will offend God.

Who has He chosen for His heritage? He chose ancient Israel and the successors of Israel and He has invited all who will become subjects and citizens of His Kingdom to be blessed on one simple criteria: His Sovereignty and our acknowledgment of it.

We do not have to make this happen. The power is already in place. We do well not to fight it,

The oldest profession of faith in the early church was a confession of Lordship. It still is.

" The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing:

“… he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! "
-Psalm 33:10-12 ESV

" O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies."
- Psalm 59:9-10 ESV

But to the wicked...

Here is what they do.

1. They talk God-talk, but hate discipline, letting truth roll off their backs.
2. They hang out with and celebrate thieves and adulterers.
3. They "talk smack" against people with evil, lying lips.

But God speaks truth into their context and to their hearts -- which they ignore or resist. Yet,

God reaches out with His voice of warning to rebuke and restore all who will have a change of mind and attitude.

" But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.
If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
and you keep company with adulterers.
“You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.
You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother's son.
These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
“Mark this, then, you who forget God,
lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!” "
-Psalm 50:15-23 ESV

Call upon God in the day of trouble. He will deliver. We shall glorify Him.
We worship not because of God's need or ego, but out of gratitude.

1. We call.
2. He delivers.
3. We glorify Him.

That is the pattern set forth.

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
- Psalm 50:12-15 ESV

All of this was collected from over 15 years of social media posts. I asked, "Am I going to be political or spiritual here?" 

I do not think I can label it, but I need to go back and think about it.

#victoryday or #veteransday #patriotism #veterans #honor #respect ...

Racist Covenants

 

On this day in 1948 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Shelley v. Kraemer that covenants prohibiting the sale of real estate to blacks and other minorities are legally unenforceable.

In 1945, an African-American family by the name of Shelley purchased a house in St. Louis, Missouri. They were unaware that a restrictive covenant prevented "people of the Negro or Mongolian Race" from occupying the property

The ruling held that the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause prohibits racially restrictive housing covenants from being enforced.

An interesting side note is that The United States Solicitor General, Philip Perlman, who argued in this case that the restrictive covenants were unconstitutional, had previously in 1925 as the city solicitor of Baltimore acted to support the city government's segregation efforts.

A unanimous decision by the Supreme Court included this opinion:

"We have no doubt that there has been state action in these cases in the full and complete sense of the phrase. The undisputed facts disclose that petitioners were willing purchasers of properties upon which they desired to establish homes. The owners of the properties were willing sellers, and contracts of sale were accordingly consummated. It is clear that, but for the active intervention of the state courts, supported by the full panoply of state power, petitioners would have been free to occupy the properties in question without restraint. These are not cases, as has been suggested, in which the States have merely abstained from action, leaving private individuals free to impose such discriminations as they see fit. Rather, these are cases in which the States have made available to such individuals the full coercive power of government to deny to petitioners, on the grounds of race or color, the enjoyment of property rights in premises which petitioners are willing and financially able to acquire and which the grantors are willing to sell. The difference between judicial enforcement and nonenforcement of the restrictive covenants is the difference to petitioners between being denied rights of property available to other members of the community and being accorded full enjoyment of those rights on an equal footing."

The Court held that standing alone, racially restrictive covenants do not violate the Fourteenth Amendment. Private parties may abide by the terms of such a covenant, but they may not seek judicial enforcement of such a covenant, as that would be a state action. Thus, the enforcements of the racially restrictive covenants in state court violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. - https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/334us1

https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1787&context=lawreview

https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/104545/shelley-v-kraemer/