Blog Archives - North Florida Writer

Special Notice to My Readers and Followers

6/29/2015

I just wanted to let you all know that my daily blog will not be published over the next few days. I have unfortunately been the victim of a nasty computer virus and will have my platform cleaned and re-set over the next few days and I will try to post on twitter and Facebook and run my radio program as the situation allows through other means. I will be able to notify you of my shows via the blogtalkradio platform.

I put up the smiley face to try to improve my own spirits; I know this is just one of life's little setbacks but frankly it has ticked me off. Anyway, keep up the good fight for America, help keep America on course with the guidance of God and I will be back as soon as possible. God bless you.

Must Christians Always Adhere to Government Authority?

6/28/2015

God IS the Ultimate Authority

The following narrative is a repeat of one written and published one year ago tomorrow. It is reprinted today in the light of the actions by our government this past week. I think it is fitting that we all remember the ultimate authority for law for our nation was founded under God and God the Creator expects us to honor his law in all that we do.
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Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Romans 13:1 (NKJV)

Nearly all Americans have noticed a major change in the tenor and direction of our government over the last six years. The economy isn't doing well, we as a nation have seen a great increase in moral decadence, our borders are wide open, food and fuel prices are through the roof, and we wonder what the future holds. Now this didn't just begin six years ago, it has been going on for generations, but it has clearly been on steroids of late.

At the same time we question what is ongoing around us, we still want to believe that our government is trying to do what is right, but the growing number and intensity of corruption scandals has all thinking that things clearly aren't right and that something dire is about to happen. There are rumors about the establishment of FEMA camps for detaining citizens, food shortages, and potential loss of property in the event of a national emergency and executive orders have even been signed allowing the President to deploy civilian and even military forces against citizens in the event of a major event causing violence and chaos. It is just a situation which none of us could have predicted even ten years ago and the tension appears to be growing in tempo as the government lurches ever more distant from the will of the people.

At the same time, we Christians are confronted with the words of Paul concerning our relationship with governing authorities. We look at what is going on and we read those words and we see a major conflict between the two, so what exactly did Paul mean when he wrote those words so many years ago?

Man being a social animal must organize to maintain order and that's where government comes in. Protection and safety were the two most necessary factors and over time such things as highways and infrastructure naturally followed. The evil of taxes followed to provide the funding, but as we have seen in the modern world it has gotten totally out of hand. But the key to Paul's writings has to do with government authority being a grant from God since God IS the authority for everything. So if you take it to the next step, his writings don't mean that government has God's moral authority to do anything it wants. It is supposed to be godly, that is, compliant with the Word of God.

Finally, we understand that unless the government operates in a manner which does not require you to relinquish your requirements to be godly you will no longer be held accountable for its edicts. A government that no longer represents God's will is no longer one that serves man as well. It's this very factor that served as a key point in the writing of our Declaration of Independence. Americans declared their independence from a Britain that no longer followed God's laws but instead followed ungodly laws of the King. He clearly lost his authority from God by his treatment of the colonists and therein went beyond the tipping point of social order.

Are we in the early phase of such a predicament today in America? Well, there are clear signs that we are but there is also time to turn this situation around if Americans put their hearts and minds to it. Our requirement is to pray and ask for God's help in reaching our conclusions, but if it then becomes clear that our government no longer performs its godly purpose and oversteps its bounds due to greed, corruption, or any other sinful goal, people of God have the right to refuse to submit.

And as I think this clearly points out, the Bible is the base source for all wisdom, knowledge and good in this and all matters, all written by men who had been inspired by the Holy Spirit and the knowledge they were given to impart. Read it daily, study it and, of course, refer to other works and research which has been done to more clearly explain the deep meanings of the Word as written. The Holy Word is the base source of all the information we need to live the godly life and minister to those who need our help. It leads us to the answers of life and opens us up to the gifts that each of has received to be used in making life better on this earth. Only a loving God could have inspired such a work.

Believe, my friends. Read, study, pray, discuss and attend worship with the Bible as your guiding handbook and you will always find the answers to life's puzzles and the trials and tribulations that you will face. If you don't believe me, just try it, but give it some time. You will be amazed at how it opens your heart and mind and clarifies your life in a way that you could never before be imagined. God bless you and God bless America.

A Bad Week for Bible Believing Christians in the USA: Pray for Our Future

6/27/2015

As the weekend finally arrives, it's a blessing that the past week is finally done. As a Southern, Christian Conservative, I must admit that it would be hard to top this week in my mind in terms of overreach by government and a media chomping at the bit to advance an agenda which I find at best foolish, and at worst tyrannical. Sometimes it just seems that we have turned life upside down, hence the picture to the left. But we must labor on and do what we can to influence our fellow citizens to the Way, the Truth and the Life. Our work on this earth is not done until we breathe our last breath. Won't you join me in prayer?

Dear Lord Above, Thank you for the many blessings that you give to us, for despite our fears and concerns we still inhabit what is the best place on earth. And help us to work in earnest to keep Thy Spirit alive and our hearts open to Thy guidance and The love.

We know that we are sinners and inhabit a world full of sin, but help us to turn our sights toward Thee and always listen to that voice of the Spirit that is within us. And give us the strength to lead our lives in a manner that would be pleasing to Thy son, our Savior, for we know that He suffered greatly for us and we are expected to give our all for Him.

And guide us in our prayers for our own salvation and for the salvation of our loved ones and for this nation that we truly love. We know it was created under Thy guidance and we truly want to return her to a place where she is favored by Thee, but we also know that can only happen with a change of moral standing through the opening of the hearts and minds of all Americans. Give us the courage to stand for Thee amongst others, many who will both scorn and persecute us, for we know that we are called to be Thy modern day Disciples on this troubled earth.

Bless our loved ones and our friends and keep them safe and secure in the troubled times ahead, but also make them modern day Christian soldiers spreading Thy word wherever they go. We all must do our part by putting Thee first and ourselves second, knowing that our second place status will lead to Glory beyond that which we can even imagine. And infect the souls of our leaders and change their direction where misguided to honor Thee as this nation should. Only in this way can we expect to see the Glory of America in full display again.

We ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, who died for us so that we might have the opportunity to live forever, Amen.

Please, Politicians, Just the Truth, the Plain Truth

6/26/2015

I put this picture of George Washington up this morning for two reasons. First, I am fearful with the way events are going today that we won't be exposed to this great man and what he stood for very much longer and, second, he is a great symbol of what the term Patriot is all about.

While the discussion of the new government in the late 1800s was in dead earnest for a number of years following the Revolution, the Articles of Confederation were established to allow some semblance of order and governance to be maintained while the Founders came to agreement on a more adequate structure. The Articles left things extremely "loose", with a single legislature and no central leader, resulting in the new states more or less operating as independent entities. There was no real unity in operation hence the push over time for a federal system with a President, two legislative bodies to represent different categorizations in the country and a judiciary which would insure that constitutional principles would apply to all lawmaking. Boy, what a change we have seen in that department today although that is a subject for another day.

And Washington, the general who snatched victory from defeat thanks in no small part to Jefferson and Franklin for building support from the French, became the natural choice for President. There was even serious talk of making him King with a parliamentary system, but he wanted no part of that, knowing that a monarch would open the new nation to the same problems with tyranny from which they had escaped so recently.

Fast forward to today and we see that the importance of truth, of recognizing the will of the people and their concerns and even the tenets of the Constitution have all been thrown out the window. The Supreme Court has taken upon itself a legislative role when it feels it is necessary to make a favored law work and the Congress, well it just sits back and whines but proceeds to give up its powers to an ever more power hungry Presidency which is approaching the level of a monarch.

The centralized government, its officials, the politicians who live in the lap of luxury and the justices who pose while admiring themselves, are the winners. We, the people, are the losers and it's hard to see a way that we can even bring this country back to its roots. The last best hope we have is the 2016 election, but if the elites have their way we won't even have the opportunity to elect a man who truly wants to represent us.

Our hopes or our fears will prove or disprove my expectations, but I think all good
God fearing Americans need to open their hearts and put their faith in Him in these trying times. Things might get much worse and the government might become much more tyrannical, but each of us, if we do have Christ in our heart, will ultimate win the battle the really matters: the battle for Salvation.

God bless you all.

So How Do Our Marines Get to a "Hot Spot"?

6/25/2015

Do you remember this picture with the President disrespecting his Marine guards by returning their salute with a coffee cup in his hand? They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I think this one showed the country just how little regard the man who is supposed to be the Commander-in-Chief has for America's finest.

I put this picture up this morning because yesterday I saw a story about just how seriously Obama has degraded our military defense capability. It seems that the Marine Corps has a serious transportation problem. We no longer have enough operational ships in the Navy to allow them to travel to combat by Naval ship. So the Corps is now looking for foreign vessel companies to contract for delivery of Marines to combat requirements. Our Defense Establishment, meek and mild under the tyrant masquerading as President, is scrambling to find a way to get "America's 911 Force" to places it is needed. And this has happened at a time when our enemies are ramping up dramatically and we know it.

This is an absolute disgrace and all military brass in any service should speak up regardless of the consequences to their personal careers. Have they no shame and even less dedication to the duties they are entrusted with?

To sacrifice the safety of our nation and in so doing humiliate those who are required to go in harm's way is an affront to all Americans and particularly those who have served in uniform. And where is our illustrious Republican leadership while all this is going on? Probably either getting chewed out by Boehner or McConnell for not following their voting orders or, in the case of the "yes men", going belly up to the bar to curry favor with these two cowardly men.

America is not in good hands, friends, and with a wide open border, an influx of illegals from heaven knows where and now a Marine Corps with no transportation, it is time for Obama to once and for all be held accountable. His primary duty as President is the defense of our country and he has absolutely no concern for it. But then again, what should we expect from a man who isn't qualified to lead anything. After all, unless it's putting American down, he can't handle it.

Heaven help us all. We need to pray that America wakes up, turns to God for inspiration and guidance, and never again elects someone to the highest office of the land who is both unqualified and for whom we know so little. Let's just pray that we make it to January 2017 without disaster striking.

So Which Flag Do YOU Find Offensive?

6/24/2015

Tonight at nine on North Florida Writer Live we're going to discuss flags. I included the picture to the left to show how people with hate and rage often use the flag as a way of displaying their animosity. And what's even more disturbing about the burning of our flag is the fact that the young man who is so pleased with himself was doing so to protest long lines at the DMV office, a state agency, not operated by the United States.

And of course we now have a large group of liberals, even some wimpy Republicans, who are now showing outrage at the Confederate battle flag which has flown on the grounds of the South Carolina State Capitol. South Carolinians certainly have the right to remove it if they wish, but the flag has actually been used to shift the subject from the murderer of nine to something else to attract our attention and take it away from the real problem in America which is growing hate. Gun control is also brought up again, even though taking guns from law abiding citizens never solves anything.

But if we're going to be so stupid as to think that moving a historical symbol of the history of a state, no matter how much it might bother some, is the answer to our problem why not remove all flags that offend anyone? Why not ban Mexican flags in parades in America by illegals? Why not take down all rainbow flags that the government is now flying on so many government buildings, including a number of VA facilities?

Oh, I forgot, it's okay to rub salt in the wounds of millions of Christians who abhor what the rainbow flag stands for while we as a society also seem to give more credence to the needs of illegals than we do for legal American citizens? If you don't believe me, ask a veteran waiting for an overdue health appointment at the VA and compare his plight to the walk-in welcome received by illegals needing medical care courtesy of the American taxpayer.

So tonight, let's talk about flags. Let's address the truth of the issue and why we are so easily led to wasting time on matters created just to take our mind off the real problems of America today. I sometimes think we have lost our collective minds or is it just that anything goes today. Maybe we'll never find the real answer.

I hope you'll join me at nine. Here's the link:

tobtr.com/s/7723759

God bless you all and have a great day.

The Spirit is Alive and Well in Charleston: Hallelujah!

6/24/2015

Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC

When you look at the imposing exterior of this beautiful old Southern church, you would never expect it to be the scene of a horrible crime committed by a mad man filled with hate. Yet just a few days ago a troubled young man, Dylann Roof, walked into the Wednesday night prayer meeting, sat with the small group and their minister, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, for about an hour and then rose, pulled out a weapon and killed nine good Christian men and women including the pastor.

I wrote about the mourning of Charleston, a city which has grown and prospered over the years, several days ago and at that time everyone was fearful that more hate from agitators and those trying to capitalize on this tragedy would emerge. After all, we've all seen the carnage in Ferguson, Missouri and in Baltimore, two far distant cities of greatly divergent size and all Americans are worried about anything that might light another fuse. And yes, there have been a few in Charleston looking for blood and revenge but surprisingly the city has come together in a way that is something to cause the singing of praise.

When Roof was arraigned, the relatives of those slain were allowed to be present and even speak to Roof via closed circuit television. And the words stated, truly words of forgiveness, represented the true Spirit of God that is so needed in this country.

One woman who was distraught said through her tears that despite her grief and her despair, "I forgive you. Even though you have caused great pain, I forgive you."

And the good people of Charleston have come together in Christian love and forgiveness. They are dealing with their pain and sorrow in Christian love, and it is a scene that all of America needs to see. We have had everyone from the President and the headlines thirsty media try to point out the evil and find a way to capitalize on it for politics and/or profit, but Charleston can be proud for being above that. It is an example for all and maybe, just maybe, it will create a spark to quell the violence and hate that is growing ever present in America.

Good Americans outnumber bad by huge numbers, yet they have normally remained quiet and fearful of speaking out. Maybe the example of Charleston will change that. Maybe Christians and all other Americans of decency and kindness will stand up and speak out against the agitation and violence that can do nothing but destroy this great country of ours.

Speaking with truth, openly and honesty and without hostility is the way that things can be made different. The problem isn't with flags and guns in the hands of good honest citizens, the problem is in the heart. And the only way the heart can be changed is to open it to the light of the real Truth. And the real truth, in the personage of Jesus Christ our Savior, can heal any wound and solve any problem. All we need to do is ask.

I think the good people at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and their good neighbors, both black and white, know this and that's why they have come together. So out of sorrow, they may create a new joy: the joy of a reborn community in God.

God bless them. Let them mourn and heal in peace and let the hucksters, the politicians, and the agitators and mischief makers be gone. They deserve their quiet time to get their families and their city back in order. May God stay with them as they do just that.

And for young Dylann Roof, his day in court will come and he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as it should be. It is quite likely that he may face the death penalty for his actions which is certainly appropriate in such case. But may God have mercy on his soul and help him to feel the sorrow for the pain he has caused. And may he come to grips with his crime and ask the Almighty for forgiveness before his permanent fate is sealed.

It's never too late to ask for God's grace, but it's up to each of us to ask Him. After all, we were all forgiven for all of our transgressions at the moment He died on the Cross for us, but we must humble ourselves before Him and accept that forgiveness by truly following Him. And yes, that opportunity is open to even a Dylann Roof if he sincerely accepts His terms.

And may God bless and keep the nine who died last Wednesday, now safely at home with their Lord and Savior. What a truly loving God we have. Amen.

You might enjoy my broadcast tonight about the Spirit of Charleston. It airs live at 9 ET on North Florida Writer Live. Here's the link:

tobtr.com/s/7716951

Another "Bonehead" Position by Jeb

6/23/2015

So Jeb Bush has once again trashed a major Conservative position and in so doing has shown once more why the Republican base won't support him. When asked about his position on climate change, he stated that he supports an active carbon emission control program which we all know means surrendering our freedom to higher taxes that will accomplish absolutely nothing but feeding the insatiable appetite of government.

And while I am opposed since all of the data that the religion of climate change uses is based upon modeling, there is even a greater issue. Even if climate change is impacted by man (it probably is to a miniscule amount, far less than natural forces such as the sun), how will America be able to compete in a world where most of the other big players don't follow the same rules. Emerging economies in India, the growth of China and even the Russians "pooh, pooh" the West as Europe and America dig themselves an ever deeper hole. Fossil fuels are and will continue to be the principal source of energy for a significant period of time, yet Obama and many others in Washington are hellbent on tying our production up in knots with the result to come being massively big increases in the cost of energy at at time when so many are either unemployed or underemployed. But the elites don't care and meanwhile China is opening a new coal fired plant every two weeks while America is shuttering many, even some which are state of the art and doing a good job of cutting pollution.

A case in point is the Seminole Electric Plant in North Florida, a coal-fired facility, the principal source of energy for fueling rural homes in a large area, now gradually being subjected to ever increasing fuel surcharges which many will have trouble paying for. Of course, to elitists like Jeb who lives in cushy digs, the cost of electricity is no problem so who cares about the little people. And don't tell me about the massive strides we've made in renewables as solar panels enriched a number of political donors before their government supported plants went belly up and even John Kerry and his minions at Martha's Vineyard object to the sight of windmills in their bay. You see, they are special and deserve different treatment, or at least that's how they operate.

Folks, we have climate change four times a year and the cycles of the sun have more impact on our climate than all other aspects combined. They told us back in 1960 that the Outer Banks of North Carolina would be under water by 2000, yet now in 2015 my old family cottage stands just as high and no closer to the water line than ever.

Meanwhile thousands of Al Gore types jet around the world, frightening people by proclaiming the world will end soon if we don't drop our standard of living. By that, they mean us, not them as they wine and dine in Davos and other places for the rich and famous. The sham of the century is making a large group of undeserving people very wealthy.

And there's one other point to make. If models are so effective, how come we can't even predict the weather over the next twenty four hours with anything close to precision. Here in my area we were told yesterday that any rain would be to our west and spotty, yet just before dark we received nearly five inches in a threatening thunderstorm of hurricane proportions. Let's face it, they don't know what they are talking about. It's all about money and control, that's the real purpose and Americans need to stand up against such nonsense. Try a little common sense for a change, it might work wonders.

And what about Jeb? He needs to look deeply in his heart and find out what he truly believes, not what he thinks is politically expedient with the Left. Pandering will never get you anywhere with the media, Jeb, but it sure will lose your support from the base. In fact it's already lost as have you your election chances.

Have a great day today, folks, whatever the climate models might bring you. God bless.

Father's Day 2015

6/22/2015

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

The passage from Proverbs tells a lot about what God expects from fathers as they raise theirs children. We Christians are expected to firmly implaint His guidance in their hearts and souls as it will stick with them throughout their life.

And the picture is important because it shows a young father, a soldier preparing to depart for World War I from England, standing with his proud young son who is dressed in copy cat fashion, not knowing if he will return from war to watch his son grow into a man. But he can take comfort in knowing that those early memories of him will live on and that our Loving Father above will always be there for him to guide his actions.

Yes, it's Father's Day and it's sad that so many Americans have opted for following a lifestyle that has in many ways rejected the traditional family structure and entered into uncharted living arrangements which are not godly in nature. But for those of us who follow His way, we know that the optimum arrangement for raising children is with a father and mother and even if for some reason that is not possible, honoring His guidance about the true manner of childrearing is what is expected of us.

So honor Father's Day, visit your father and tell him you love him and appreciate him. If he is departed, do something to honor him that the whole family can participate in, for we can change social mores and ways of living, but we can't change the truth of the way God made us and how we were constructed. Thank you, Lord, for such a magnificent creation as a loving father. And help those lost souls who follow a different course to find the true way to salvation and redemption through Thy loving grace.

Happy Father's Day, America.

Charleston Mourns

6/20/2015

The Battery, Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina is a proud and beautifully restored old Southern city. Dating back to Revolutionary War history and the earliest days of America, this coastal town is noted for being able to retain its history and beauty in a time when most cities look alike. And the city has done a good job of improving and maintaining race relations as much has been done over the years to bring the city together as a town where people of all races can peacefully solve their differences as they make their city better and stronger.

The perpetrator of these awful crimes, Dylann Roof, a young man filled with hate, racial animosity and venom, should in no way be used to judge the social climate of this beautiful city and her people. All good people mourned the death of the Reverend Clementa Pinckney, also a state legislator and his eight parishioners who were gathered Wednesday night for a Bible study. They even welcomed Roof, a white man, to their predominantly black church to join with them. He did so, quietly, for an hour before opening fire on the unsuspecting victims.

As if on queue, and operating on his usual style of "never letting a crisis go to waste", President Obama immediately came out and said this is another reason why we need gun control. He didn't take a trip to Charleston to console the victims and try and bring America together, no, he made his statement and then departed for another one of his junkets at taxpayer expense. This would be shocking in itself except it is so characteristic of Obama that it is routinely expected. The community organizer aspect of the man can never rest; it always has to speak out and usually without sufficient knowledge to do so intelligently.

President Obama needs to open his biased and ideologically incorrect mind and face the facts. There are evil people in the world and they will find ways to get guns or any other weapon they want when their minds are filled with hate. All it would have taken was one parishioner with a legal carry permit and the carnage could have very well been limited to the perpetrator alone or possibly avoided altogether. But South Carolina law makes churches a gun free zone and therein a prime target for a maniac like Mr. Roof.

So the people of Charleston mourn the tragic loss of life by a maniac and they need to be left quietly alone to do so. The press needs to leave them alone and the President needs to eliminate his shameful hucksterism, for it is obvious by his demeanor and travels that he is just, as always, creating a show.

God be with the families of the victims and may God bless the souls of the departed. And may he also help Dylann Roof to seek forgiveness for his evil doings as he faces his judgment for these heinous acts. Leave them alone, Mr. President, and try to work to unite this land instead of your constant striving to sow division.

God bless America and may she ever be free.