Posted on 08/24/2003 2:05:52 PM PDT by bluesagewoman
By way of introduction, Snowflake has often joined mid-Missouri Freepers in countering the peace coalition’s “peace vigils” in front of the Columbia Post Office. Several times over the years members of the peace groups have accosted military families as they enter or leave the post office on business. The Freepers try to make a presence there each week in order to show the military families, armed forces members, and veterans that they have support in Columbia. Several of us are dedicated to this presence and we post short articles about our experiences each week. Sometimes discussions, arguments, or confrontations occur. We try to learn from each experience.
I usually write up the report for our group. Occasionally, to keep the Operation Infinite Freep reports fresh and interesting, another author will write up a report. In this case, Snowflake has written an essay from her heart. It includes some of her experiences on the corner, as well as reflections on Biblical implications and imperatives. Please read her essay and post serious discussion or observations here.
The author of this essay, Snowflake, standing alone.
The Essay:
“This morning (August 2) there were a little under twenty people on the other side of the street next to the post office with their signs and posters. I was the only one on the opposite side of the street withstanding them. But, I still felt honored to stand in support for our President and all of our troops. And, I am always very proud to hold my husband’s folded flag! The others that are usually there [with me] were in Jefferson City at that time showing their support four our President and our troops. And, I appreciate and respect their courage to do that!
This morning, I held three different signs which said as follows:
1. Freedom Is Always Worth Fighting For! – held with unfolded flag.
2. God Bless President Bush and all our Troops! – held with unfolded flag.
3. Freedom Is Always Worth Fighting and Dying For!!! – held with my husband’s folded flag.
I appreciate having received some positive feedback by others today as they were coming and going. And, I am very appreciative and want to thank others for their support and encouragement today. It seems to help give me a little nudge to continue on. However, and at the same time, I am not there to try to win popularity points. Or to try to gain the praises of men-as flattering as that might be sometimes.
My basic, overall purpose for standing on the opposite side [of the street from the protesters] is to support and honor our President – President Bush – and all of our troops, our flag and our country. And, to show appreciation to all of our troops for the freedoms we all enjoy now, because of the sacrifice they were willing to make for that.
But, equally important, another major reason I stand on the opposite side is to Honor my Beloved husband who served our country both faithfully and well during the Vietnam era. And, he would have even been willing to die if need be, for that cause and that purpose, for our flag and our country, and for the many freedoms we all enjoy today. Whether or not he did this directly, or indirectly, it all still counts in my book!
I am willing and glad to continue to stand alone if no one else dares to come and join me or stands with me. But, I know that I do not really stand alone, because The Lord always stands with me and by me. As I am able, I welcome opportunities to support our President, and all of our troops. I am always very proud to hold by Beloved husband’s flag. I am very proud and want to honor him for his sacrifice and service to our country, too.
In my overall general observation this morning, I would say the other side was basically the center of attention, and shown approval by most of the general public. Many horns were honking in their favor and there were many waves and smiles of approval by many passersby. But, I still did not feel that my time and my effort were in vain! And, it would have still been worth it all had I gotten no recognition or approval at all.
In addition, some of the signs on the opposing side were as follows:
1. Bring Our Sons & Daughters Home Now-This War is Wrong.
2. Weekly Vigil for a Humane Foreign Policy
3. Stop War
4. Human Dignity Demands Non-Violence
5. Bring Our Troops Home Now
6. United We Stand
7. Stop War Now
8. Say No to Bush’s Star Wars
9. Impeach Bush and Channey-Liars
10. War Is Not The Answer
11. President Bush “Thou Shalt Not Kill”
12. Declare Victory and Withdraw
13. Stop War
14. Honk 4 Peace
15. Teach Peace, Keep U.S. Troops out of Liberia
My conviction was that all these signs were in error (and/or) incomplete. For example, I felt it would have been more appropriate for some of them to read as follows:
1. Bring Our Troops Home Now, and Let The Enemy Take Over
2. Declare Defeat and Withdraw
3. Teach Peace (???)
My questions [about #3] are: What makes them qualified to teach Peace? How can anyone teach, know and experience real and lasting peace without first coming to know Jesus - The Prince of Peace?
4. Peace is Patriotic (???)
My questions [on #4] are as follows: Is your so-called Peace really Patriotic? Is it patriotic to cower, surrender, withdraw or bow to the enemy? Didn’t Patrick Henry say, “Give me liberty or give me death?” How can his words be so easily and soon forgotten, which also apply to the present day and always? Also, didn’t Queen Esther say ,”If I die, I die?” But, she was willing to go before the king for her people. She was willing to lay her life on the line for her people. Shouldn’t we do the same?
At different times the opposing side on the opposite side of the street has held a very large banner which reads,” Everything War Is, Jesus Isn’t.” I do not agree with these words. One reason is because in Psalms, He (Jesus) is referred to as The Lord Mighty in Battle! In fact, Psalms 24:8 says about Jesus, “Who is The King of Glory? The Lord Strong and Mighty! The Lord Mighty in Battle!”
The banner across the street that says, “Everything War Is, Jesus Isn’t” does not accurately portray the Real Jesus of The Bible--NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! Jesus was not just an ordinary man. He was The One and Only Son of God as He is now and always will be! He indeed is The Lord Mighty in Battle. In the Psalm, He said to Joshua with His sword drawn, “Nay, but as Captain of The Host of The Lord am I now come!” And, this was before the walls of Jericho fell flat! A little later, Joshua commanded his soldiers, “Shout! For The Lord hath given you the city!!!” And He, Jesus, will also both fight and win the last battle still to be fought on this earth, which still remains, future tense. This world has not seen anything yet, folks! There is MUCH, MUCH more to come beyond our wildest dreams and imaginations, a whole lot worse than it is now. This is only just the beginning, friends. And, it does not even compare to Freddie’s nightmare, either.
In the meantime, and as time continues on for those who try to reduce The Real Jesus of the Bible to less than what He really is – are actually committing blasphemy, and are committing a great dishonor to The Lamb of God!!! And, God has a penalty and a very severe Judgment on anyone who does that. I would not want to stand in their place on Judgment Day!
Actually, many times the real Jesus of the Bible was a confronter. In The New Testament, we read about Him often confronting people. He also both spoke and taught with authority and boldness. A few examples are as follows: Mark 1:22, “and they were astonished at His Doctrine: for He taught them as One that had authority, and not as the Scribes.” Luke 4:36, “And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying “What a Word is this! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they came out!”
John 7:25-26, “Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this He, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him! Do not the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?”
John 6:44-53, “And some of them would have taken Him; but no man laid hands on Him. Then came the officers of the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, ‘Why have you not brought Him?!’ The officers answered, ‘Never a man spoke like this man!!’…and then a little later as the chief priests and Pharisees being filled with anger and envy retorted to their officers, ‘Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?’ ” But, even then the officers were able to recognize that Jesus was much more than just an ordinary man, and that He both spoke and taught with Great Authority and Boldness. Many believed in Him then, and later on as The True Son of God, as many also have done today, and still continue to do so until the end of time.
Again, the banner that says, “Everything War Is, Jesus Isn’t” does not represent The True Jesus of The Bible--not even close!!! No, The Real Jesus of The Bible was not the pacifist, pushover or wimp that many people still try to reduce Him to even today. And, it is my conviction that this banner and other banners like it really are doing just that. Jesus was tough, He was willing to suffer and die and let His Blood be poured out for you and me, and for a wicked, cruel world, so that we would have a way to have our sins forgiven and not have to go to Hell.
Jesus allowed His Body to be broken, and His Blood to be poured out for you and me. He could have bailed out and called twelve legions of angels to rescue Him (Matthew 26:53). He did not bail out. He did not chicken out as some would hope. He was willing to hang tough for you and me, and for the whole world so all our sins could be forgiven, and to make a way for us to go to Heaven. That does not sound like a wimp, pushover, or pacifist to me. Does it to you?
Furthermore, people in general that are guilty in trying to reduce Jesus to less than what He really is, need to beware and take great heed, and be very careful to make every effort not to do that! Because God’s coming Wrath, Punishments and Judgments will be poured out on anyone for daring that, and for adding to or taking away from His Word-The Holy Bible.
In The Book of Revelation, Chapters 6 & *, Jesus Himself (The Lamb) opens all of the seven seals of punishment and Judgment yet to come on this earth. Revelation 6:1, “And, I saw when The Lamb opened one of the seals”…Revelation 6:3, “And, when He had opened the second seal”…Revelation 6:5, “And, when He had opened the third seal”…Revelation 6:7, “And, when He had opened the fourth seal”…Revelation 6:9, “And, when He had opened the fifth seal”…Revelation 6:12, “And when He had opened the sixth seal”…Revelation 8:1, “And when He had opened the seventh seal”…
Again, that does not sound like a wimp, pacifist or pushover to me. Does it to you? He is the Lord Mighty in Battle!!!
If I may please, I would like to challenge and strongly encourage anyone that has never done so before, to check it out for yourself, to read it for yourself, and to see for yourself whether or not these things really are so. Do not believe me, but instead, believe God’s Word! Then, you cannot go wrong. His Coming Judgments for adding to and taking away from His Book (the Holy Bible) can be found in the very last chapter of the very last book of the Bible. Again, I challenge you to take the time to read it all for yourself, if you will.
In the Book of Isaiah, it tells us, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him!” (Isaiah 59:19). These are only just a few examples, just a small beginning, to show that Jesus, the Son of God, the Perfect Lamb of God, was not, and is not a pacifist that many still try to reduce Him to even today. He just won’t fit in a little box, folks. He’s too big and too powerful for that, to be so confined by us!
I only barely touched the surface, but there is so much more! Another option, and not a good one, is to instead face the certainty of learning the hard way, via experience, for yourself someday. Most likely all this could happen sooner than we all think, and it could end up being too late, end up being without remedy.
It does not really have to be that way though, if I, if we, if you choose to make the right choice now, today, while there is still a little more time left to do that. I believe God in His Mercy has given all of us as a nation the whole world, and also as individuals, a little more time and a short space left to repent, before all Hell (literally) breaks loose on this earth. But, there is an expiration date to repent! We do not know when that expiration date is! None of us can afford to waste precious time, friends, as time is short. Time is swiftly running out for me, for you, and for all of us in this wicked, old world to repent, and to turn from our sins and to turn to the Living God who made heaven and earth.
If I, if we, if you choose to make the right choice, now, today, while there is still a little time yet left to do that, I, we, you can be spared from The Terrible Punishments and Judgments of Death and Hell yet and soon to come upon this earth. It speaks about it in The Book of Revelations and many other places throughout The Bible.
The right choice is to choose by Faith the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the real Jesus of the Bible, to be your Messiah, Savior, and King…Now-Today (Isaiah 9:6). Paul said to the Corinthians in II Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time! Behold, now is the day of salvation!” Later may be too late! Please do not harden your heart and turn a deaf ear! Because Big Things are soon getting ready to unfold and happen in this wicked, old world like this world has never or will ever know before!
Almost in conclusion, I also recall in the Gospels, the words of Jesus. He said to His disciples before He was willing to go to the Cross, “What, could you not watch with Me one hour?” Could He also be saying, “What, could you not stand for Me one hour?” Or, “What, could you not stand for our troops, our Veterans one hour?” “What, could you not stand for your President one hour?” “What, could you not stand for your country, your flag, one hour?” “What, could you not pray for your President, our Veterans, our troops, your country, one hour?”
Once again, my question is this. Where are the rest of the people in this city, the city of Columbia, Missouri, along with all the other faithful and loyal Americans that do not agree [with] and do not and will not succumb to the False so-called Peace Movement? Is it possible, that even though peace is on their lips, that really, war is in their heart for most, or the majority of them [peaceniks]? I have my opinion and conviction. What is yours?
But, again and instead, where are all the other “silent” Americans in this city and throughout our whole nation, the United States of America, who are willing to pray and stand in the breach, to stand in the gap, for our President, President Bush, and for all of our Veterans and troops, our flag, and for our country at such a time as this…at least for one hour. One hour once every week?
If all silent Americans throughout our country would dare to be willing and committed to do that, then we would be better and more united as a nation, wouldn’t we? If we would all agree and pull together to do that, then we could better take pride as a nation, and as a people; as Americans in better turning the motto into a reality, “United We Stand!” Will you?
Revelation 19:11-21
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
That's a terrible thing for God to do!
Snowflake does not own a computer and will probably not be able to read these comments for a day or two. I was impressed with her writing skills, as well as her documentation and reasoning. She was excited by the prospect of a good discussion. Please, continue to monitor this thread for a while and post your thoughts.
NO.
When does the word 'pacifist' first appear in a political context?
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