Is America heading towards a Civil War?

As many of you now know the election held last Tuesday has pretty much split the country even further than it had been four years ago. Some of us wept when we heard the news, and some remained stoic or in a state of denial. Yes, I have to admit that my heart ached when I realized my visions were becoming reality. Yes, I also see that one of two things will happen. States that feel strongly about their freedoms being taken away will secede from the country and/or our personal identity will be lost and millions who weren't supposed to die, will die.

Government now controls every aspect of our lives. We accept that control because frankly we like to eat....I am reminded however of the story of Esau. Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac and as the firstborn son he was entitled to his father's property and was to be given his father's blessing. Because he was hungry, he sold his birthright to his brother Jacob. The birthright entitled Esau to his father's property, so in essence he sold his soul for the temporary relief of being full. America has done the same thing here. Yes, there are some good things to be said about the new healthcare law...everyone will be covered....but at what cost? I'll tell you at what cost...the cost of our identity..

The question I pose with this post isn't simple. There are many factors that come into play when you talk about civil war. As much as this country is polarized right now with the myriad of new rules and regulations looming on the horizon and with the threat of our personal identity being compromised, I do believe that it will only be a matter of time and a few other factors before we see some real signs of a split between the Christian worldview and the Islamic worldview that is increasingly coming into focus within this country.

Reflecting on "The Star Spangled Banner" and what that means now

When I last visited Baltimore in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of 1812, I got a chance to see the flag being sown by both supporters and those who played the role of the woman who sewed that first flag that Francis Scott Key saw from a ship as it flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor.

I recalled then the story of the woman and how much time and effort she and her servants put into making the flag. (Some of it is seen here in this picture from 2010.) Today, as I recalled how the song originated and listened again to the words composed by Francis Scott Key, I realized something basic. Like we are at this present time, Mr. Key faced an uncertain future. Any number of things could have happened that night as the bombs exploded overhead and the British threatened America's future. It was only God's intervention that saved Baltimore that night. It will be only God's intervention that saves us this night. What most don't realize now is that we are in a spiritual battle more real and terrifying than any physical battle. Some would look the other way, figuring that there was nothing anyone could do to stop the forces of darkness from overtaking the world. Maybe the Lord will allow this to happen and our world will darken even more with the coming of the Anti-Christ who will promise to lift us up, only to destroy us completely. The signs are all there. No one can deny them any longer or make excuses that they can't see what is right before their faces. Yet, maybe the Lord will intervene again on behalf of the American people and keep our country whole. It will split if God doesn't intervene tonight...that's for sure.

Even if it does split because of what happens tonight....I have to believe that morning will come like it did for Francis Scott Key...Maybe....Prayerfully with the dawn's early light we will see that the country is still standing. Yet, even if it doesn't, God is with me. So I'll hang onto that now.

God's timing is perfect-Lessons from Hurricane Sandy

At times yesterday when the wind howled and the rains came down I worried that I may have to evacuate. Many people have evacuated from the Jersey shore, and will be coming back to flooded houses and debris from downed trees. I heard however many people who have weathered the storm say that they were lucky to be alive. Hurricane Sandy proved to some that God's timing is perfect. Some were calling it the "perfect storm" with its mixture of cold and warm air masses that collided with each other to form a super storm of epic proportions. I believe that God provided some lessons to be learned here.

1) Trust in the Lord with all your mind, heart and soul. Trust that he has your best interest at heart even when it looks like the timing is all wrong.

2) Hurricanes are unpredictable. So is God....in some ways. We can't understand why things happen the way they do. We can only prepare and hope for the best. God knows what going to happen, but he lets us have free will in choosing our own destiny.

3) If someone tells you to get out....Get out! You can't hang on when it's time to leave or put yourself in a state of denial that anything is happening at all. God's timing....listen for it and act.

4) Lend a hand if you can. Don't let the fear mongers rule you. Worry is a sin. So those times when I worried, I prayed for those who were in harm's way, such as the firemen, policemen and utility workers. They all deserve special recognition for all they do to keep us out of harm's way.

5) No matter how big the storm, God is bigger. He provides for our every need.

I will continue to pray for all those affected by Hurricane Sandy and are still feeling the effects of the storm. Some are saying it may months before all is restored.

A big accomplishment-My 1st book

I've been working on this project for about a year and half now. Some days it didn't seem that long. Other days it seemed as if I've been working on it forever. The funny thing is now that I have the book in my hand, it still feels a bit strange. I mean this in a good way. It is very exciting to see your words in print and know that someone, hopefully many people will read it. I don't think I have mentioned this in this blog before now, but I am a history bluff. The only history I don't like is military history, as it gives me a headache.

Book "Images of America-Collingdale Borough...coming November 19th...

What I really like about completing this project is now I'm one step closer to my goal of getting a comprehensive history of my hometown in one place and accessible to all. Local history is important, and we all can learn a lot about ourselves when we look at the many facets of a typical small town in America or anywhere else for that matter.

I guess my fascination with time also has a lot to do with my love of history. I sometimes like to conjecture what it might have been like had one or two events in the past changed. I know lately that I have been wishing that we could all go back to the time before this mess happened and shake those in charge to do the right thing. Unfortunately we are stuck with what we have. Yes, I have to remind myself daily that it is God's will that this or that happens. I do struggle with this, even as I struggle with my current circumstances. I can be thankful for many things. One of them is having this avenue to express my thoughts to the world. It is truly a blessing to be able to witness this way about what the Lord has done for me and what he continues to do. I can't give in to fear and doubt about what's going to happen tomorrow because I know he holds the future in his hands.

Reflecting on the coming election

The closer it comes to election time, the more time I feel I should be spending with my family. I know a lot seems to be riding on this election as I heard many corporations are preparing to "let go" thousands if the election doesn't go the way they want it to go. I get a sick feeling deep in my gut when I hear that. I have to ask myself why? What is it that has these companies so eager to pull up stakes and leave the country? I understand the feelings of anxiety some are now feeling right about now. It's almost like being hung by a rope over a boiling sea of water, not knowing when the rope will break or if you'll be rescued at the last minute. These past four years haven't been a "picnic" for me. In fact they have been the most stressful years in my whole entire life due to the fact that I've been an unwilling witness to the deterioration and death of America as we have known it.

I did have a premonition of this death before our current President was elected. I knew that if he was elected (and he was) that the foundations of our country would crumble. They have. Can it be revived? I don't know. All I know for sure is that God has a plan for this world. His plan is now coming to fruition in many ways. It's exciting but also scary to know that everything is coming together for the end of this current age. I know there are many that have speculated that the Lord is coming back at a certain date. There are even some, I have to admit that sometimes I'm one of them, that wish with every breath that he'd come back now to take them home with him.

I do have a mission here. Lately I've been pressed to think more and more about it due to the coming election. I know the Lord has brought to my mind the needs of the disenfranchised around me. I wonder why so many are being barred from employment due to lack of resources. It wasn't like this before. I have to admit that what's coming through electronically sometimes scares me. What is happening to this world when you can't even get a part time retail job without getting on a computer!!!!

Treasuring the time you have with your family

Today is my father's 75th birthday. As a present I wrote him a letter telling him how much I treasure him. I know I definitely treasure the time I have with him, knowing that some day these days will be only a memory. I learned that you really can't take anything for granted. If you do, then it could disappear. I also learned to be patient and wait on the Lord. Sometimes that's hard to do. You want instant gratification. Yet the sweetest joys come from those things that you have to wait and work for to receive.

Part of my ongoing journey through life makes me reflect on the attributes that my father has ingrained in me. Attributes like honesty and integrity in all he does...and like standing up for what you believe even when no one else does. His strong faith in God anchors me. I admire his willingness to help others and his empathy.

I also treasure the other members of my family. I know that I need to make time for them to let them know how much I treasure them as well. That is the lesson which I am still learning. Spending time with family isn't wasting time, it's investing it. The best investment you can make is witnessing to those in your family who don't know the Lord and showing by example his love for them.

Redeeming your time on Earth

During my recent period of turmoil I've learned a lot about redeeming time. In some ways I have looked to what I've devoted most of my time to and found that I've spent too much time on worldly things. It's hard not to when it seems as if there are a thousand different voices leading you in a thousand different directions. When I thought long and hard about all the time I've spent doing things that don't edify me or anyone else, I've tried to prioritize my time. It isn't easy. I know it hadn't been easy for me. I've had to learn to let go of some things that were dragging me down and take up others that would fill that void. I think that is my real problem, finding the right things to do....thereby redeeming my time.

Our church is currently going through a study of I Peter, and I am amazed by what I've learned so far from the first 10 verses! I learned that we are chosen by God to do his will. That means to me that we need to stop focusing on the "time wasters" such as the latest gossip, and start concentrating on his Word. It is a treasure trove of wisdom for those who would use it and share it with others.

If you are anything like me, the sharing part is hard because no one wants to hear, and you feel inadequate and pressured to conform to the world. I have used this blog to share what is in my heart. Yet sometimes I feel like I've exposed myself too much to those who would care less. I would hope, however, that someone would take these words to heart themselves and find some encouragement to keep going....and thereby redeem their time on Earth.