Replies

“...Trolls...etc”

No, I don’t think so...people have a lot of anger built up and just vent. Maybe more tact could be used, maybe some of them trolls for sure, but I think most of us folk out here share one overriding quality - love of our country, our heritage, culture, and people.

This is a guy who has devoted his life in office and used (or misused) his position of authority (authority that God placed on him, no less) to undermine all those qualities I stated above. Actively, and with malicious intent it seems, or maybe he honestly believed he was doing the right thing (benefit of the doubt).

I don’t know how to read his heart, no one does, except by his own actions and by the company he chooses to keep. He keeps company with people I consider enemies of all I love, and by their actions directly endanger my country’s, my neighborhood’s, my family’s, and my OWN life. People who would order my death, your death, in a heartbeat if they thought they could get away with it to further their agenda.

Harsh? I think not...realistic is more like it.

That anger is directed his way is understandable; but hatred and vitriol when the man is dying is, well, tacky and unbecoming of gentlemen (and ladies) that we ourselves should try to be. We’re bigger than that.

Wish him well, have a shot of whiskey, say a prayer for him and pray for someone wiser to replace him. That’s about all we need do.

We’ll ALL be there someday, and we’ll ALL need someone to pray over us as well. Not one of us is righteous; not a one.

God will take care of the rest of it. Pretty much the way it’s always been.

On the way home yesterday I was praying...for a couple of reasons....one is because I have a 45 minute ride...another is because I TOLD some people I would pray for them, or situations, and I'm bad about simply forgetting. Also, I hadn't just talked with the Lord for awhile. So I had a good long talk with Him.

Anyway... as I was praying for Ted and his family I sort of came up short on words. I just got honest with the Lord and said, "Lord! I don't know what to ask! SOMEBODY must love the guy! ...and he must love somebody else! He must be important to somebody! ...certainly his illness is causing worry and trouble to those close to him." I thought about some other people I know personally who have done me evil and have not been good to me and others in my "circle". They've actively attempted to do us harm! ...and in many cases succeeded!...EXCEEDINGLY!

But suddenly, from out of nowhere (seemingly), the verse about heaping hot coals on our enemies' head came to mind. I thought it was a little strange since I don't want to pour hot coals on the head of somebody I'm praying for. But anyway, I found the reference to the "hot coals" and it's out of Paul's letter to the church at Rome in Romans 12, starting at verse 14. Verses 14 through 21 pretty much covers the essence of what we've been talking about here and answers the CORE of why at times like these we intercede for people who have done us harm such as Ted.

Part of Paul's letter that was particularly meaningful to me is Romans 12:18-19 where it says (KJV) -

18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

That part about the Lord OWNING vengeance stops me in my tracks...as it has all of us (you KNOW who you are!)...and it should give pause, and cause each and every one of us to bow the head in gratitude because it is an outward sign of God's presence in us.

I'm one of the most apt to declare at the top of my lungs, "DOWN WITH TYRANNY! DEATH TO LEFTISTS!" My gear and weapons are ready always, and I'm part of a group who thinks likewise... but for that one seemingly small bit about vengeance belonging to the Lord that stops us at that LINE which Gilbo has rightly observed.

We live in perilous times gentlemen. If during these times we discard that which is right, we will forfeit EVERYTHING and reap the rewards of faithlessness, which (IMHO) is far worse than any grief we'll come to in this world! But if we do what we know inwardly (through the Spirit) is right and correct, then no matter what happens here, everything will be "good", and inwardly we get assurance of this from the Spirit. Those separated from God (most of the left!) don't have this, can't perceive this, and are confused and angered by it when they outwardly observe it in us! If you want to see this illustrated in RAW form, mention the name of Jesus to one of these I'm talking about, and see if you don't at least bear a hostile expression in return!

...and that, gentlemen is WHY we are ENABLED to do things such as praying for Ted Kennedy with an honest and sincere heart...for him and his family.

Lord help them all if our restraint is ever withdrawn, but as with vengeance, this too belongs to the Lord and like it or NOT we are BOUND by it!

Happy Saturday! :-)