Blog Archives - North Florida Writer

A Holiday Prayer for America

11/30/2014

Won't you join me in a holiday prayer for America?

Dear Lord: We thank you for the wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday we have just completed with the wonderful food, friends and fellowship and we especially thank you for making America the most wonderful nation on earth. And we ask that you would make us always aware of what our forefathers did for us and the struggles they endured to give us such a wonderful nation to call home.

And now we turn our attention to the upcoming Christmas season. With the onset of Advent today, help us to use all of our anticipation, excitement and joy to make this a holiday to remember, not for the gifts and material things, but for the memories of our Lord, Christ Jesus, who was born in the most humble of beginnings and yet grew to be a Man-God, the King of Kings. Help us to never forget what you did for us, unselfishly and with such great love, by offering up your only Son so that sinners like us can have the opportunity to spend eternity with you and Jesus at your table in Heaven above. What a glorious time it will be.

But also help us to remember that with our faith comes responsibility, responsibility for helping others find you and to provide assistance to those in need, both spiritually and physically. Always remind us of our responsibility to supplement our faith with good works for, as James so aptly said, what is faith without works.

Keep us safe and secure, protect us from all evil, and keep us humble and pure with you in our hearts always. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, who died so that we might live. Amen.

It's Advent: The First Season of the New Church Year

11/29/2014

Remember how you felt as a child once Thanksgiving was over? Your thoughts quickly switched from Pilgrims to Christmas as you made sure that your folks knew what those special somethings were that you desperately wanted for Christmas. I don't know about the sugar plums dancing in my head, but I do remember dreaming of that new bike or the basketball set that I wanted. And it just seemed like Christmas would never arrive; the anticipation nearly killed me.

But now that we are all grown up and have put most childish thoughts aside, we have every reason to be just as excited, in fact more so, than we were during Christmas long ago. Tomorrow marks the first Sunday of Advent, the first season of the new church year and the beginning of a period when we anticipate the upcoming birth of the Christ Child. Just think about it. In just over four weeks we will celebrate that birth of the Prince of Peace, the Son of God who came to earth in human form to live and die for us and thereby offer us the ultimate gift, the gift of eternal life.

In the weeks ahead we will be busy getting things ready for the Holidays. And I know that it is easy to get so wrapped up in the preparations with the shopping, the planning of special foods for upcoming meals and the parties and gatherings with families and friends. But I hope we will all pause, take time to remember what Advent is all about, and give thanks daily for the opportunity that the joy and hope of Christmas means to each of us and our lives. It is something that should never be taken for granted, for it is something so Divine and so Majestic that only a loving and giving Father could even think of providing such a wondrous gift for we mortal sinners.

So enjoy the upcoming season with its festivities, lights and sounds, and smells and tastes, but remember that without Jesus Christ at the center of it all it is really meaningless. Without Him in our heart it is just another day and another shallow time. Put his love and joy in your heart and smile like you've never smiled before, because the change He will bring to you will give you a peace and an understanding that will let you rest and be glad.

Get ready, folks. The celebration of the greatest birth in the history of the world, the birth of a young child in humble circumstances who is the King of Kings is nearly upon us. Praise His Holy Name.

Turkey Day Weekend Means Great College Football

11/28/2014

Well, we're all stuffed with turkey and all the trimmings and most of us have a long weekend. And while I know what the ladies want to do, for most of us guys this is one of the best weekends in college football. So, ladies, get together with your girl friends and go for it in the bedlam of stores but guys, it's game on. Great match-ups among many rivalries are on tap and we each have our favorites. I have two games I will be intently watching, one here in Florida and the other way out in Arizona, where I attended college years ago. Here's a quick look at my favorites.

Arizona State (9-2) #13 at the University of Arizona (9-2) #11. Things will be rocking at Arizona Stadium in Tucson at 3:30 (EST) as the Arizona Wildcats host their archrivals, the ASU Sun Devils in a game that has lots of meaning this year. Dubbed as the Territorial Bowl, with bragging rights for the State of Arizona, both teams have had outstanding records and both have a shot at the PAC-12 South division title. In any event, both squads are likely to receive good bowl bids and look for a wild game with a flurry of a finish. You can throw out the odds on this one, these two go at each other tooth and nail and no one quits until the final gun.

Florida (6-4) at Florida State (11-0) #3. Down here in the Sunshine State in Tallahassee, The FSU Seminoles also host their archrival, the Florida Gators, at 3:30 (EST) in Doak Walker Stadium. The undefeated 'Noles are a big favorite but, again, this game usually carries with it a lot of surprises based on team spirit due to the strength of the rivalry. And the Gators would like nothing better than to spoil the FSU unbeaten record, plus they would like to wish their popular coach, Will Muschamp, bon voyage with an upset. But the 'Noles are playing at home before a rabid crowd so they should have all the incentive they need to give it their best.

And there are lots of other good games this weekend, so every fan should have a great selection to pick from. Maybe it's South Carolina-Clemson or USC-UCLA. Whichever you choose, it's a great time to see some good teams playing their hearts out, so grab a turkey sandwich and some cranberry sauce and tune in. And ladies, you don't have to worry about the guys getting in any trouble since they will be well occupied while you shop. It's just a great time to do what you want without worrying about all of the bad news and issues which trouble us so frequently. Let's take advantage of it.

Then on Monday we can turn our thoughts back to the issues of life and vow to do what we can to make things better. It will be a lot easier to face after a fun break. Enjoy the fun and may the best teams win, especially if one is Arizona. We'll see later how things turn out. Don't worry, be happy. See you later.

Happy Thanksgiving

11/27/2014

Today we celebrate one of the truly unique American holidays. It is a day when we gather with family and friends for a wonderful meal, usually the one time when nobody worries about their waistline for at least one day, with spirits and good cheer for all.

It is a day when we are thankful for the blessings that we have and especially for the gift of freedom which Divine Providence has blessed us with. We have it much easier than those before us, many of whom fought and died for our future, so it's important that we remember them and honor our God who made our very life and our wonderful family, friends and home possible.

And wherever you travel, or even if you are staying at home this day, take time to be thankful and appreciate all that you have. For even the least of us is far better off and healthier than most others in the world.

Have a wonderful day, enjoy the turkey and all the trimmings and, yes, even the football games that many of us will doze through. Be happy, be safe and celebrate this truly All American day.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

President Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

11/26/2014

Tomorrow being Thanksgiving Day, I thought it appropriate in preparation for the holiday to publish the entire text of President George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation. No one knew better how important the relationship with God was for the very existence of the new Republic. Sadly, many of us have forgotten that. I hope everyone will take the time to read and think about the words in this beautiful document. It has a very powerful message that all Americans should be exposed to.

If you ever had any doubts about the central role that God played in the Founders' plans for the new nation, this should put it fully to rest.

Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and—Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favor, able interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other trangressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

NO INDICTMENT: Lady Justice Rules

11/25/2014

The scales of justice remained balanced and true and Lady Justice shined. Officer Darren Wilson of the Ferguson Police Departments was cleared by the grand jury and no further action will be taken. He is a free man.

Despite all of the pressure applied by mobocracy, much of which was sadly fueled by the President's irresponsible statements and Eric Holder's bias without even knowing the truth, the jury held firm. They are to be thanked and congratulated for proving once again that our legal system, while not perfect, is still the best on earth.

Sadly, it took only minutes after the word of "no charges" that the troublemakers looking for a fight started their mischief. A number of small businesses were torched, a police car was set on fire and gunfire was heard in the area. Large crowds roamed the area, pelting news crews with rocks and using the F-bomb liberally, just looking for trouble. But through it all the police maintained restraint and at least no one has been killed, at least not yet.

Eric Holder's Justice Department is still looking for a civil rights violation, even after months of investigation have turned up nothing of note despite their efforts to capitalize on the tragedy. And from Obama's comments last night, mentioning first and foremost the responsibility for police to be restrained, it is obvious at least to this writer that the strong arm of the government is not on the side of the people. I find it sad that Obama is always quick to jump in and find fault with our officers in blue while making repeated excuses for the mob.

Let's be clear. The only people who really have the truth about what happened between Michael Brown and Officer Wilson in Ferguson are those who spent months on the grand jury. This group, made up of whites, blacks, men and women in accordance with the general St. Louis County population mix, could find no probable cause to charge Officer Wilson with any crime. Wilson, a 175 lb. officer was clearly attacked by the 6"4' nearly three hundred pound teen, with blood from the dead being found both inside the patrol car and on the officer's gun. Forensics showed that all shots were frontal, not from the rear and the officer was facing a full force running attack (akin to a diving tackle by a football linebacker) at the time of the fatal shot.

So now what is going to happen? Will the community calm down after last night's violence or will willful mayhem and violence continue? We really won't know until the hours pass and darkness comes again, but we do know that Al Sharpton, a man always looking for a situation to exploit, is on his way to Ferguson. Nothing good in the way of peace and tranquility ever follows this man.

Let's pray for calm to prevail, for citizens to be allowed to return to normal and for the agitator community to be stopped cold in it's tracks. Nothing good can come from continued strife and Americans need to honor and respect the legal system which worked appropriately in this case. It's time for the race hustlers to put down their signs and rid themselves of hate and instead work to rebuild a community they are trying so hard to destroy.

God bless and be with the good people of Ferguson who just want to be left alone and God bless America.

Thanksgiving Week is Here Already

11/24/2014

Today marks the start of perhaps the busiest week of the year. With Thanksgiving on Thursday, millions of Americans are trying to pack the work's week into two or three days so that they can travel to spend a long weekend with family, friends, good food and, yes, football.

I remember as a younger man going through all kinds of crazy iterations to make it home for Thanksgiving. Once I was stuck in Chicago for nearly eighteen hours due to snow, but I still made it home in time for turkey dinner. There was something special about walking into the older home I grew up in with all of the wonderful aromas drifting out of the kitchen and seeing family members that I hadn't seen in many months. And even though the weekend flew by, it left great memories that stick with me today.

But with all the fun, food, family and friends, I hope everyone will take time to remember the meaning for the day and the difficult struggle that earlier generations went through so that we could be warm and well fed on this Thanksgiving Day. It wasn't always that way. Many of the early colonists, both at Jamestown and Plymouth Rock, faced starvation and ravaging diseases as they labored on to found the land that came to be known as America. And the Continental Army under George Washington faced monumental odds with short supplies and a hostile environment, yet they overcame it to win a decisive victory against their British masters and set us free. Later, brothers fought brothers through three Thanksgiving periods as the Blue and the Gray fought over the future of this great land.

Through it all, the grace and goodness of an all-loving Father led the people of America to overcome monumental challenges and attain fantastic successes, yet many of us today forget about our humble beginnings and just think that all the things we have are just naturally here for us. We take so much for granted. And so I would ask that we all take some time this week to humble ourselves before Divine Providence and thank Him for his guiding light of inspiration that has allowed us to prosper. Without Him, none of it would be possible.

Dear Lord: Thank you for Thy love and grace and for giving us the opportunity to say thanks to you on one of the most American of holidays. Help us to remember the sacrifice and courage of those who came before us and sewed the seeds of freedom. Help us to honor them by standing for the cause that they represented, always devoting ourselves to doing what is necessary to maintain that and further that freedom. With devotion to you and following your guidance, we know that we might successfully do so. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Have a great trip, enjoy the Holiday, thank the Lord for allowing us the privilege of this great event, and return safely home when the weekend is done. And next week, when you are recovering from too much turkey and all the trimmings, call your "Turkey" in Washington and tell him or her to get up, speak up and stand for the America we love and honor. The time for excuses is over and silence which is nothing more than complicity will not be accepted.

The Solution to a Gray, Drab Sunday

11/23/2014

Morning storm clouds beckon

Today dawns gray and dreary, something that we don't experience too frequently down here in the Sunshine State. It's the kind of day when you are tempted to just roll over and sleep in for the gray skies can easily make you lazy. In fact, the only animals on the farm that aren't quite docile on a morning like this are our Sebastopol geese, anticipating the rain that is is coming and with it all of the puddles that they will enjoy in the barnyard.

So what is the solution to a gray, drab Sunday morning? The only thing that works well is a visit with God. Just being in his presence, communing with him and singing some of the good old uplifting hymns will do the trick, and the sunshine will spread into my heart and soul and envelope me. And when that happens it doesn't look gray and dreary around me anymore. It makes me appreciate the rain, the beauty that it helps to create and the critical ingredient for life that it replenishes.

So why not join me? C'mon, get out of bed, Sleepy Head, get dressed and visit the church nearest you. Use a place of reverence to open your heart, look at the Cross and just think about what He did for you and tell Him what's on your mind. You'll feel better, you'll look better and you'll live better, too. And listen to His words which will come to you once you have opened yourself to Him. He'll tell you what to do and show you what makes life truly a joy worth living.

Dear Lord: Thank you for all that you provide for us. Bless the rains we are receiving today that they may nourish our fields and crops and provide much needed sustenance for all living things. And help us to know that they are just one of the many wonders that you provide for us as we go through our journey of life. Keep us faithful, strong and always ready to beckon to your call for us in service to you. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great Sunday, everyone, and remember, rain or shine, there is always sunshine beaming down on us from the warmth and love of a most gracious Father.

So Where Did Our "Worthless" Congress Go?

11/22/2014

I'm sorry if my headline is intemperate today but after listening to a repeat of President Arrogance's comments this morning I'm rather disgusted with the American political scene. And as disgusted as I am with Obama, I also know tht he is just doing what we should have expected all along of him. After all, he was raised by two people who had no love for their native lands and his mother indoctrinated him in Communist thought. He clearly despises our system of government and is doing his utmost to eliminate the foundation upon which it was founded.

But my contempt for the leadership of the Republican Party is even greater today as I watch them talk and talk and talk some more while showing absolutely no backbone or willingness to stand strong for the Constitution. For four years we Conservatives have given John Boehner the opportunity to fill his dream job and yet he has spent that entire period stabbing us in the back time and time again. The man has no core, obviously limited intellect and the expectation that we good citizens will just bow in awe to his position while he allows the country to go up in smoke. No, sir, Mr. Boehner, we have had it with you and your leadership team and committee chairmen, most of whom are your clones and will do whatever you ask as long as they get to maintain the trappings of power. And nothing shows your antipathy to we, the people more than your lack of actions last night.

What do I mean? Well, yesterday afternoon around 2 p.m., Mr. Boehner adjourned the House and sent the body home to enjoy an early start on the Thanksgiving Holiday, knowing full well that last night at eight Obama was going to take a huge step to neuter the Constitution and in so doing continue the destruction of America. This body opened it's week on Monday afternoon and worked for two and one half days before going on another vacation. One would think that knowing what was about to happen Mr. Boehner would have had a very strong statement with some specifics on what the House would do ready to go but, no, he just decided to slink back off to Ohio for a great vacation while President Nero lights the fire to America.

The Senate is no better. Even though Mitch McConnell isn't the Majority Leader yet, he spent the entire campaign season telling us how he would squash the Tea Party, while at the same time saying he needed our help so that a Republican majority could effectively check Obama. So what did he do once the election was over? He laid his poker hand on the card table so that Obama knows just how weak his response will be. Oh, he will feign outrage and gnash his teeth when he returns to Washington, but in the end he will push for a clean Omnibus budget for the remainder of the fiscal year which will allow Obama to continue to rip our governing document to shreds. You can bet that the only way he will marshal any action against Obama's lawbreaking is if the Conservatives make life miserable for him, as they must.

Mr. Boehner and Mr. McConnell, I hope the folks back in Ohio and Kentucky give you both an earful, for by your timidity and passiveness you have shown that you have no idea of what leadership entails and what your oath of office means. And I hope your Conservative members hear the same and return to Washington after the holiday and rise up and demand action fitting for the Party of Lincoln. You gentlemen should be ashamed of yourselves, for you have shown that the only thing that matters to you is power and money as you have both become pawns of the Chamber of Commerce and K Street. Try acting like Patriots instead of descendants of Judas, for the thirty sheckels you will end up with will be of no consequence when your terms are up and you have to come personally face to face with the things you have failed to stand for when you had the chance.

I truly hope that you take some of your time off and think about the critical nature of where we find ourselves and what your role should be in changing things. And I also hope that you come back to Washington with a different outlook for if you stay your current and projected course, you won't have to worry about having a political war with Obama, you will be facing a war with your base and it is not one that, in the long run, you can win. America will prevail and we will bring America back to being the land of we, the people, not the land of political elitism. Do the right thing, gentlemen, or it will be game on and the game will be played at the election ballot box. The day of the old RINO will come to an inglorious close and the rise of the younger, more courageous and conviction based Conservative Republican will assume its rightful place. That's the real future of Republicanism.

November 22, 1963: Where Were You on That Fateful Afternoon?

11/22/2014

President and Mrs. Kennedy in motorcade

Fifty-one years ago today was one of those days that any American alive at the time will never forget. It is also likely that we will always remember where we were and exactly what we were doing.

At 1:30 pm Eastern time (12:30 pm in Dallas), President Kennedy's motorcade was passing through the Dealey Plaza in Dallas. The President was shot by a sniper hiding in the Texas Book Depository and he was rushed to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, dying within the hour. A President who was only two full years into his Presidency, a man who exuded energy and youth to the American scene, had his life snuffed out quickly in a situation about which we will probably never know the entire truth.

At the exact time of his shooting, I was attending a religious boarding school in Tidewater Virginia. It was a crisp Friday afternoon and I looked forward to a school football trip on Saturday to play a rival school in Alexandria. Being the typical mischievous teenager in a pristine and strict environment, I was sneaking a cigarette with friends behind the school canteen when we were caught by the Headmaster.

We thought we were in big trouble, for this giant of a man was absolutely no nonsense in his approach, yet this day it was obvious that his mind was elsewhere. He gathered us together without mentioning our transgression and informed us of what had just happened. I remember feeling like things were somewhat surreal, almost as if I was dreaming instead of awake. But gradually we all began to take in the fact that yes, it was real, and the country had just changed dramatically.

While not everyone was pleased with the direction that Kennedy was taking the country, there was no doubt on the part of any American that he loved his country. And to see the man who was the living symbol of what America stood for to be summarily executed was an outrage to us all. I think that all Americans remained glued to the TV all weekend as a form of reverence to the man and the office. Our football game was cancelled and we had a memorial service on Saturday at the school and it was just a very quiet and somber weekend.

Since that time America has changed dramatically and I frankly don't think it is for the better. The White House is no longer looked at with reverence and some of those who even occupy it treat it with disdain. We have become coarse and divided as a people and the divisions have made us petty and weak. And while the horrific thing that happened fifty-on years ago has faded somewhat in our memory, it was still a better time, a more quiet time for America back then.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a rebirth of the American Spirit and energy in honor of the fallen President? The truth is that we can, folks. All it takes is for Americans of all walks of life to band together and find the many areas where we have common ground instead of focusing on our differences. Let's use the memory of that day so many years ago to commit to rebuilding a nation that would make not only John Kennedy proud, but the Founders as well. That should keep us busy for quite some time.

America: love it, defend it, work for it or lose it. It's really just as simple as that. God bless the soul of the departed President Kennedy this day and may his memory be an inspiration to all of us to keep America free.