Monthly Archives: December 2013

O.K. pull up a chair and let me take one more swing at making my point.  It is the season of peace and joy, and my remarks have not contributed to peace or joy, or so says my wife.  We went to church this morning and I was continuing to grumble and she let me know, in no uncertain terms, she was tired of it, and would like to move on to Christmas in peace.  Got it, she’s right, so this is my last attempt to clear the air and then I will in fact move on to better, more pleasant subjects….

 

Let me share with you what, about all this,  that got me so exercised.  On the second day after the Duck Dynasty thing blew up, I was obsessed with hearing what all the news channels had to say about it, (big mistake)!  I know I don’t have to tell you that I’m a born again, evangelical, politically conservative, Christian. That being said, the one TV news outlet that I never watch, because their take on the world is 180 degrees polar opposite from mine, is MSNBC.  When I turned over to see what they had to say, two commentators were discussing the issue.  To be honest, they were being pretty even handed about Phil Robertson’s right to say whatever he believes, (free speech issue), but I nearly fell out of my chair when they said, “This is and example of extreme hate speech.”  I find this to be beyond comprehension!

 

So as I see it, this is what happened.  Phil Robertson did and interview with GQ magazine. During that interview he was asked if he thought being gay was a sin.  He should have said, and I quote,  “According to my faith, God says it is.”  He did say that but he added some descriptions and his opinion about why would a man would prefer another man versus a woman in some rather graphic terms.  But essentially he simply answered the question and said, yes in God’s eyes, it is.  The MSNBC translation is, “if you say something we don’t agree with or don’t won’t to hear, it’s Hate Speech.”

 

The Christian faith is based on the belief that there is a God, and He loves us above all else.  He loved us so much that He sent His Only Son to serve as an example for us, and then died on a cross to pay the debt of our sins.  Our faith teaches that there is no other way to receive forgiveness than to accept Him, repent, and ask for His forgiveness.  If I suggest to a sinner, (keep in mind that I am a fully confessed, but forgiven, sinner myself),  that all they have to do to be forgiven is confess to God, repent, (which means turn away from that sin), and receive His forgiveness.  How is that hate speech?  Wouldn’t that be Love Speech??!!

 

If you do not believe in God, and if you do not believe that anything written in the bible applies to you, I can understand your rejecting what I’ve said here.  But even if you think I am wrong and I’m believing in a fairy tale, why would my, in good faith, trying to help you, be hate speech?  Wouldn’t I be just kindly, mis-guided

 

I don’t know much about what happens on MSNBC or TV shows that depict the gay lifestyle, because I don’t watch them.  Since I’m not interested in what they portray, I simply don’t go there.  If someone thought I was a fool for believing as I do why wouldn’t they just avoid people like me.  This is my point.  An atheist organization hung up a billboard in New York that said who needs Christ in Christmas?  If you don’t believe there is a god, why would you waste your time poking your finger in the eyes of those that do?

 

I’ll tell you why, because the agenda is being driven in the spiritual realm.  The opposing forces to God, (and I’m not talking about human beings), are encouraging the culture war. Nothing would serve the enemy more than to turn us against each other, and deepen our hatred for each other’s actions and beliefs.  Jesus said love your enemy and pray for them.  Can you see how this attitude defeats evil?  I was too quick to try and defend myself, I should have been calmer and recognized where the criticism came from.  Let’s have the kind of Christmas God meant for us to have, starting with confessing our sins and accepting Him, and then forgiving those that have hurt or harmed us.  Their is no hate in loving others and praying for them.

 

Merry Christmas,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

The image above sorta gives one view of the 2013 Christmas Season.  After an entire day of coverage on television yesterday of the Phil Robertson saga, the Obamacare debacle, NSA wiretaps, frightening Benghazi revelations, Iran’s Nuclear weapons program, and the sheer, unadulterated, panic in Washington as they realize the American public may have come out of their collective coma, and see what is being done to them, I would like to offer some suggestions for your Christmas list and New Year’s resolutions!

 

 

Demand that your Cable Company drop A&E or block it on your Dish or Direct TV Box.

 

 

Cancel plans for vacations to Disney World or the California Magic Kingdom (Disney is a major stock holder in A&E), and be sure to tell them why you’re canceling.  Just for the record, Disney has made previous major stands for the LGBT community, and bashed the Baptist church for their scripture based views.  But hey, have a Magical Day!

 

 

Buy Duck Commander Duck Calls as gifts for everyone on your Christmas list, no matter whether thy hunt or not.  Throw in a poster or coffee mug from Duck Dynasty too! Go by Walmart and clean them out of Duck Dynasty merchandise, trust me you can double your money!

 

 

Buy and wear a Duck Dynasty hat or T-Shirt.  Tell everyone who asks that you are standing with Phil and his family!

 

 

Write President Obama and demand he instruct the IRS to harass A&E with audits, delaying applications, and denial of tax status requests.  * (never mind, that’s ridiculous, that would be illegal!  Our President would never do a thing like that!  What was I thinking, targeting groups someone doesn’t agree with, never mind???!!!)

 

 

Go to local merchants who hire gay and lesbian people and demand they release them from employment because you find their beliefs repugnant.  * (Once again that is ridiculous, I mean would ESPN let someone go for saying a quarterback was being propped up in the press because he was black??!!  No wait a minute, they did do that!!  O.K., would a company fire a guy because he said he was Pro Life!!!  No wait a minute that just happened, saw it on Fox News this morning. This is confusing?  Do some research and see if you can find any example of someone being fired from their job because they were; Pro Abortion, Pro LGBT, a member of the Communist party, or anti Israel.  Come to think of it is it o.k. slander a Christian, or a Church?)

 

 

 

When Duck Dynasty returns to the air, on another network, set your DVR to tape every episode, turn all your TVs to that channel for each broadcast to make sure the ratings sky rocket!  Help us make A&E look like the idiots they are for ever firing the first shot in this culture war!

 

 

 

Build a live manger scene in the back of your pick up truck or better yet a flat bed trailer and pull it all over town parking it, legally, with a plugged meter in front of every government building in your region!  One hour per site.  See how long it takes for the ACLU to show up.  * (You’ve lost it young man, what are you thinking, honoring Christ at Christmas…..)

 

 

 

Donate toys and food to a local church or shelter, in the name of Phil Robertson.

 

 

 

Donate money to any organization that is actively standing up for the legal rights of Christians.

 

 

 

Study the voting records of all your Senators and Representatives, state legislature members and the Governor of your state, and in the next election reward them for their stands, or send them packing if they do not represent your interests and beliefs. 

 

 

 

Please know that I have many gay friends, and I love them with Christ’s love, I do not judge them. As Phil said that is God’s job, not mine.  According to the teachings of my faith they are living in sin, but then I’m a sinner as well.  I have and continue to ask for God’s forgiveness for my sins, what others do is their decision, but my life is about encouraging others to get right with God.

 

In the spirit of Christmas I am suggesting and offering a truce with those who’s views I oppose and who oppose my views.  I think the Liberal, Progressive groups have one thing exactly right, let us be tolerant, and non judgmental of each other’s differences.  You’re right, I’m fully in, but in fairness, you start first…….

 

 

………and for a little Christmas cheer enjoy the video below!

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-D1KVIuvjA

 

You may have to copy and paste this link into your browser!

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  It has been brought to my attention that products with the tag line Duck Dynasty are actaully benefitting A&E, Duck Commander products directly benefit the Robertsons!  Just thought you might want to know!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

Well, I’m not!  For all those pin heads out there, that are running in circles “debating what does all this mean???!!!!”  Please allow me try to explain it to you.

 

In keeping with the blessed Christmas Season, let’s put it in Christian terms.  First if you are not a Christian, have never read the Bible, or not heard over five sermons in your life, you may want to stop now.  If you don’t stop now you are going to end up either, confused, angry, or irate, and in this season of joy I would not want any of that for you, so please skiddadle.  Trust me, you won’t understand, or may be unwilling to accept what I have to say.

 

Just the believers? or those open minded enough to “really” think about what I have to offer?  Good, shall we proceed?  Christmas is the celebration of the birth of “The” Christ, Jesus the Messiah,  the Holy Son of God, the Savior, the preeminent, most important person in history.  He came to this world so that we could all be forgiven for our sins if we would accept it.

 

What sins?

 

Romans says, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  Wait a minute it says all!?  Yes it does, according to God, we are all sinners.  What are sins?  Any act or thought that is in conflict with God.  Want some examples?  Stealing, adultery, coveting, not honoring your father and mother, cheating, telling lies, hurting others, murder, blaspheming God’s name, lusting after the possessions of another, physical relations with your same sex.  Like me to go on, it’s a very long list?   Now Jesus once said that “it is as much a sin to look upon a woman with lust in your heart as to commit an act with her.”  It was his answer to a question about what sins are the greatest.  He made it clear that all sin is sin, he did not offer to set up a scale, no one sin is greater than another, except for rejecting God.

 

So the important question is; have you never committed even a single sin?  I’m gong to take that silence as a no.  O.K. so if you have committed one or more sins, you are a sinner, doesn’t matter if it was stealing, cheating, telling a lie, or taking part in an immoral act.  Now my understanding is that Phil, in the interview that started all this mess, answered a question that homosexuality was a sin.  He also said it was not his job to judge, that it was God’s.  He further said his job was to offer God’s love and forgiveness.  He is absolutely correct.  You can be forgiven for any sin, if you stop committing it, repent, and ask God for His forgiveness. I’m failing to see what he did that was wrong?!

 

The problem is that some groups of people that represent supporters for certain sins don’t want to be told that they are sinning. Let’s say that I’m a thief, I steal things that don’t belong to me. Let’s further assume that someone points out that I am committing a sin, that of thievery.  But let’s further assume that I say,  “well I like to steal, and it’s nobodies business what I do when no one is looking!”  In addition to that, “it hurts my feelings and makes me feel bad when someone says I’m committing a sin!  I want you to stop, I demand you stop!!!!”  But what if I don’t stop, what if I continue to say that according to my faith, stealing is a sin.  If I were asked if I thought if it was a sin to steal and I said no, to save your feelings, then I would have lied, another sin, because my faith teaches that it is a sin to steal and also to lie.  What if my employer says if you are going to say things that hurt people’s feelings we are going to fire you from your job.  So my employer is saying,  A. you cannot work for us and say things that hurt others even if it is true or according to your faith, or  B.  In America we have freedom of speech accept for certain protected classes of people, like thieves.  or C.  We don’t believe in god, and we don’t believe his “so called” laws should have anything to do with behavior at this time in our history.

 

Take your choice folks, either there is a God and His Word matters, or there is not.  But as the old knight said in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, “Choose wisely!”

 

Merry Christmas, and may we all be forgiven,

 

the pilgrim

Christmas is a lot of things, and of course the celebration of the birth of Christ is at the center, but I have to admit, my personal Christmas experience every year involves some of my favorite Christmas movies!!  Please allow me to share some of my favorites!

 

Let’s start with Five Classics from years gone by;

 

1. A Christmas Carol.  The classic story written by Charles Dickens.  There are many wonderful adaptations, but my favorite is the 1951 film version starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge.  Before Christmas I will share how this film changed my life!!!!

 

2.  White Christmas.  This perennial favorite starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney is top notch old fashioned Christmas fun!

 

3.  It’s A Wonderful Life.  This wonderful Christmas Classic, filmed the year I was born, 1946, and directed by Frank Capra, and starring James Stewart and Donna Reed is on to never be missed.  It’s message will inspire you through out the rest of the year.

 

4.  Holiday Inn.  The incredible music of Irving Berlin’s graces this fantastic tale of two entertainers and their Christmas adventure in New England.  This holiday tale is one of the most entertaining and best acted of all the old classics.

 

5. Miracle on 34^th Street.  Though done again in the 90’s the original version from 1947 is still the best.  If you still want to believe, this is a must!

 

6. The Bishop’s Wife.  Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven star in this wonderful tale of faith and love at Christmas.

 

 

Now some of my favorites from the modern era;

 

 

7.  The Muppet Christmas Carol.  This beautifully done version of a Christmas Carol with the heartwarming music of Paul Williams and the capable acting of Michael Cane, not to mention, Kermit, Miss Piggy, The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat!

 

8.  Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas.  I could never leave this movie off my list, because it was the favorite of my daughter Catherine when she was little girl!  To this day she can recite every single line a fraction of second before it comes on the screen!

 

9.  The Santa Claus.  Tim Allen has made two fortunes with this franchise, but the first was truly brilliant and touching, worth the time to revisit this great film, the others?  It’s your time!

 

10.  Home Alone & Home Alone 2.  If you want to get in the Christmas mood and laugh good and hard, these are two not to miss!

 

11.  Christmas Vacation.  Christmas without Chevy Chase, you have to be kidding!

 

 

O.K. let’s make it an even dozen.

 

 

12.  A Christmas Story.  This one is hard to miss, and you really shouldn’t, if for no other reason but to see what Christmas was like for all us gray beards in the 1950s!

 

Merry Christmas,

 

the pilgrim