In Defense of Paula Deen

     I know that even my headline will draw the ire of many across this land.  But at least it grabbed your attention, right?  And I'm hoping it will make you want to read more, and find out exactly what I mean.
     Let me start by saying that I am, in no way, supporting the derogatory term Paula Deen used; you know the one ... that depending on what race you are, can either be a sign of brotherhood, or a hateful and abusive term.  Simply stated: no one in the 21st century can claim ignorance over how this word will be perceived; especially if you are a white woman from the South.  BUT, I am amazed that this is the only thing people are focused on!
     Everyone in the media seems to have forgotten the facts of this situation: namely, that she admits to using the word in a court deposition to "describe the man who held her up at gunpoint when she worked as a bank teller in the 1980s."  Does that make it right?  No!  But how many of us could say that we wouldn't perceive someone who held a gun to our head in the most negative light imaginable? I don't care what your race is, where you come from, your gender or what color your eyes are --- we would despise that person and you're going to describe them in the most despicable manner you can; it's a natural release of your emotions.  That is called being human; in all our sinful, shameful ways.

     And how is it different than someone of another race deliberately referring to George Zimmerman in the most insulting way she could think of ... as a "cracker"?  I don't hear America screaming that this is discrimination!  But I have heard murmurings that Paula Deen's sin is greater because it is just another manifestation of "white privilege".  Hogwash!  A sin is a sin is a sin!  If you have wronged another person, either by word or deed, there should be consequences.  Once the error of your ways has been pointed out, you have apologized for the hateful remark, and society has exacted its proper "punishment", you should be forgiven.  Whether you continue to display offensive actions will determine if, and how quickly, you can reclaim your place in a magnanimous society.
     But that is exactly the problem.  We are no longer magnanimous.  We are no longer generous or compassionate towards those who fall from grace.  Paula Deen's pound of flesh has turned into a banquet for the vultures who are just itching to devour every ounce of her soul.  It's not enough that she has been humiliated and portrayed as a bigot and rascist.  It's not enough that her successful business has been destroyed, and her future looks nonexistent.  
     I've heard no mention of her efforts, along with Smithfield Foods, to deliver 25,000 pounds of protein to Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless, an Atlanta-area hunger relief organization.  And what about her Bag Lady Foundation, which she started specifically to assist “women and families in need”, in part by “aid[ing] individuals, communities and like-minded organizations to empower those facing a range of challenges resulting from poverty.”  Do you not think that many of those who have benefitted from these poverty programs in the South might be a member of the race she has been judged to have offended?  As far as I'm concerned, her actions speak louder than her words.
     And shame on Smithfield Foods for terminating their partnership; and how cowardly.  They could have stepped up and worked with her to show the nation that she is more than one careless, ignorant remark.  They could have shown another side of Paula Deen and helped a human being redeem herself.  Instead, corporate greed won the day.
     And I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I believe that there is a segment of this country who so hate what she stands for, that they will stop at nothing to vilify her reputation and put her "in her place".  The arrogant, insolent Elites of this country, cannot abide a simple, "countryfied" woman from the South who through hard work, persistence, and a faith in God, is able to build a dynamic and hugely successful business.  She couldn't have possibly "built that herself"!  And because she did, they are gleefully and delightfully tearing it all down.
     What a sad and disgusting society we've become when we will not give someone forgiveness when they ask for it.  Whether you believe in God or not, there is a place and a need for forgiveness.  For me, it comes down to this:  how can I expect God to forgive me for all the wrong things I've done or said, if I cannot forgive another?  And if you need to take God out of the equation, then ask yourself this:  If you cannot find it in your heart to give Paula Deen another chance, are you willing to accept the same ruthless and intolerant treatment the next time you step outside the line?  Think about it, my friend.  It's only a matter of time before you offend someone, and which reaction do you want ... mercy or callous cruelty?

Isaiah 44:22     "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you."

   

Success Based On Failure: What I Learned From Travis Haley & Ron Avery

     As I settled into my spot under the tent on that first morning of Adaptive Handgun One, I looked around at who my fellow classmates would be.  We ranged from active-duty military and law enforcement, to college students, businessmen, two artists and a princess (you know who you are and you know I love you!) and a handful of women students.  Our age range began in the early twenties, and I'm proud to say ended with me, at nearly 60.  But age, rank and position in the business world didn't matter here.  We were all there to become our personal best.  Then the men we had come to learn from arrived, and we began a three-day journey that would expand our minds and our skills.

Travis (left) and Ron

     But first, just in case you aren't aware of who our instructors were, let's get that out of the way by listing their official creds.
     Travis Haley is a veteran Force Reconnaissance Marine with 15 years of dedicated real world experience including: combat tours in the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. He also served as a special operations and security contractor before partnering with Magpul as founder and CEO of their training division, Magpul Dynamics; and as CEO of the parent company, Magpul Industries.  Travis then left the company and developed his own enterprise, Haley Strategic Partners.
     Ron Avery has consistently ranked among the best shooters in the world, winning events in national, international, and world championship competitions; he is currently USPSA Grand Master in Open and Limited divisions.  But he is so much more; he is a veteran deputy sheriff, police officer and  valedictorian of two police academies, along with having spent 30 years as a professional trainer and consultant to all branches of the military, select government agencies, hundreds of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies and countless clients in the private sector.

My husband with Travis

     So to say that our instructors are the best in their field, is quite an understatement.  If you have ever taken a gun training class from Travis Haley, then you know it's more than just learning how to point and shoot correctly.  You will not only learn more than you thought you ever could about how to handle your gun, but also how to handle your life.  So as I recount the high points of my three-day voyage towards becoming a more accurate shooter, think about how these exercises can apply to your total life experience.  And I say "high points", because this post would be endless if I discussed everything I absorbed.

     To begin with, you will notice that our class was titled "Adaptive Handgun".  Travis was able to combine his three fundamental principles of handgun shooting (Feel, Eyes, and Finger) with Ron's scientific principles of biomechanics to give us a whole new perspective on how to properly shoot a pistol.  I have taken several pistol training classes over the last few years, but for the first time ever, I was introduced to the concept that shooting my pistol is a process of reactive responses to the shooting cycle.  Everyone in the class knew the basic principles of shooting:  Get your grip; see your target; get sight alignment and sight picture; when you're ready to take your shot, squeeze the trigger consistently; let the gun go off.  But the genius of this class was the breakdown of those processes into specific steps, and then assessing and adapting our failure points in order to get the success we want.  Doesn't that work in life, too?  No matter what your path is in life, doesn't success come from adapting our procedures/methods/systems, as we prioritize our risks?

      If I try to describe to you the steps we took to break down the shooting cycle, it will sound far too simplistic.  But that was the beauty of this class... we were taught how to break down the cycle, discover our failure points, and modify them until we could successfully repeat them. 

     We had to develop a plan in our mind on how we were going to accomplish our goal, be able to identify where our cycle broke down and fix it.  All this was achieved with deliberate practice. 

     And practice we did!  Each step was repeated twenty-five, fifty, a hundred times; as we were reminded that "repetition ... mindful and purposeful repetition ... builds good habits, which encourages problem-solving."

     Are you able to see the benefits of applying these principles to your entire life?  It's about assessment and moving forward.  As you assess the point at which you failed (whether on the shooting range or in your life), you can make adjustments, gain control of each situation, and move on to the next step (and the next) until you are able to calmly and consistently achieve your objective with precision and accuracy.  

     We didn't do anything fancy or aggressive or dynamic; it was all fundamentals -- stance, proper grip, sight alignment/picture, trigger control, accepting the recoil, picturing where the sight settled after the shot, and follow through (let the bullet leave the gun and hold).  We built a good solid foundation on which to improve our skills through mindful and deliberate practice.
     At the end of our class, we were asked to assess ourselves, and I have to say that after listening to 24 of my fellow classmates, it pretty much came down to grip (which was related to recoil management) and trigger control (which correlated to accuracy).  It may sound like a cliché, but after three days in the sweltering heat, and countless repetitive drills, I now know that "practice will make perfect" .... if you just dedicate the time and develop the mindset.

     As I told you in Friday's post, those three days had a profound effect on me.  I not only look at the art of shooting from a different perspective, but my attitude about life has advanced to a new level. Travis and Ron showed me how to look at things differently.  They encouraged us to apply these principles to every facet of our existence.  This life is short and we are responsible for making it what we want it to be ... no excuses and no giving up.  We need to go about our lives intentionally and with purpose.  We need to listen, pay attention and figure out where and why our processes are failing; and then be tenacious in fixing the problem.  We need to always be willing to learn something new.  Remaining static and institutionalized, rather than open and imaginative, is the fastest way to being passed by in life.  They warned us to never become complacent; to always reach for the next rung.  With an ability to assess, modify and repeat until successful, we can count on accomplishing any goal.  

     Re-read that last paragraph ... these two men transferred a lot of knowledge to us in three short days; knowledge that was derived from their life experiences.  Travis developed a little catch-phrase during our class time on the range; one that sums up the results of putting our training to use .... when you are able to assess and adapt, success will follow.  And I don't think I'll ever forget his voice in my head:  "If you will do these things ... It's like magic!"

Isaiah 42:16    "And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them." 

      

       

     

Matthew 10:34

Because I am a Christian, I choose to dedicate my Sunday posts to the worship of my God.  I love to explore the Bible and listen to what God is trying to tell me about how to live this earthly life.  I hope you can glean some Truth from my words and apply it to your own life.  Blessings!

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.

 I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

     This is one of the more disputed verses in the Bible.  Those who see Jesus as the embodiment of grace, love and mercy find it difficult to imagine that our Lord could ever condone warfare or violence of any kind.  They interpret the "sword" as the Word of God.  As the disciple John tells us, In the beginning was the Word .... and the Word was God.   Jesus's gospel of the Kingdom will come as a sword, piercing our hearts, and killing (if you will) our sinful nature. 

     Those who study eschatology prefer to interpret this verse as a precursor to the revelation John was given on the island of Patmos.  He was introduced to Jesus as He who has the sharp two-edged sword ... In this book of the End Times, Jesus is given all authority to judge mankind.  He will still be merciful, loving and full of grace; but He will return to punish the wicked and those who have rejected Him.

     I do not think that this verse implies that Jesus or God despise war.  In fact, the Old Testament has numerous examples of God initiating and controlling war in order to further His plan.  He supported His people as they engaged in war.  He told them to go to war in order to destroy evil that had come upon the earth.  In the New Testament, Jesus admonished His disciples that wars and rumors of wars must take place.

    Which brings me to a little side note.  This country that I love so much has been engaged in a continuous war for nearly 12 years.  There has been lots of death and dying, and I am sure there are those who say that what members of our military have done is wrong and unforgivable; that our God is about love and peace, and cannot abide all the killing.  

     Whether these wars are justified or not, is something I am not qualified to criticize or condemn.  But I know that my God abhors Evil and God can use our soldiers to execute His judgment today, the same as he did thousands of years ago in the land of Canaan.  Please don't make the mistake of thinking that I believe the last 12 years have been a holy war ... my eyes are open to the machinations of men in power.  It is simply my belief that the peace and the sword Jesus talks about in this verse are His to administer; and He is able to use the peace-makers and the warriors to His benefit.  It is in His character to be both Shepherd and Judge, and it would bode well for the world to keep the warning of Matthew 10:34 in mind.

Part One: Smaller Isn't Always Better

     It's been awhile since I've discussed my proud membership in Gun Culture 2.0.  This past week I spent three unforgettably informative days on the shooting range with Travis Haley and Ron Avery.  On Monday's post, I will give you an in-depth account of how mind-blowing that event was.  As part of a growing segment of America who have discovered a never-before-experienced passion and respect for gun ownership, it was probably the most significant time period I've ever spent.  But you'll have to check back on Monday to find out why I feel this way.
     Today, I just want to talk to all the women who, like me, have been traversing this new universe of gun ownership, and often feeling tossed by the prevailing winds.  If you are like me, you start off owning a larger frame firearm (such as a Glock 19, 9mm), because you were told it would be easier to manage.  Or maybe, you are like others I have come across in my training, whose boyfriend, husband or father talked them into a .38 revolver for its simplicity.
     As I began shooting more, and becoming more proficient with my weapon, I felt comfortable enough to get my CHL license and seriously consider carrying a firearm for protection.  But I know you will identify with the problem of how to actually conceal it.  Those bigger framed guns just don't work for us women and how we dress.  So I began to move from owning range guns, like the Glock 19 or 17, to Carry guns, like the Glock 26 and the M&P Shield.

    I knew that these three days of training were going to be intense; applied pressure with lots of shots down range.   For me, taking the Shield to the class didn't make sense, since mag capacity is only 7 or 8, meaning lots more loading of mags.  (CAVEAT:  This line of reasoning does not necessarily hold true for everyone.  Another woman friend of mine took the class with her small M&P Shield and was able to perform really well.)  I felt I needed more experience/training to really concentrate on the fundamentals, and I would gain the most from taking the class with my Glock 26.  While I knew that it was considered a small pistol (and used by lots of men for carry), I thought it would be an adequate range gun and give me more advantages to learn the principles we would be taught.  But I learned something else, too.  My Glock 26 just doesn't qualify as a range gun for me.  ( I repeat:  For me).  To get the true benefits of training, I need to go back to a Glock 19; possibly even a 17.  Here's a comparison chart of the few reasons that explain my thoughts:

Range Guns                                                                         Carry Guns

1.  Longer barrel, longer sight radius                                     Short barrel, short sight radius
Consequence:  It is harder for that bullet to stay on track out of a short barrel if you are shooting long distances; more difficulty in calling my shot and hitting where I want to on the target.

2.  Longer Grip                                                                       Shorter grip
Consequence:  You can get a firmer grip when you have more real estate to hold on to.  The larger guns offer a more substantial grip.

3.  Larger magazine capacity (15-17)                                      Smaller mag capacity (7-8)
Consequence:  If the bad guys are shooting at you, how many bullets would you want at your disposal?  Shooting larger capacity mags on the range gives me a better practice and training experience.

4.  Easier to manipulate                                                            Harder to handle
Consequence:  The tighter springs in the Carry guns make it much more difficult for a woman's hand to do a chamber check or lock the slide.  I want to learn how to handle the gun quicker and more efficiently.  Why make it harder on myself?

5.  Recoil is less                                                                        Recoil is more pronounced
Consequence:  If the recoil is more severe in the carry gun, trigger reset and follow-up shots occur slower.  The range gun delivers faster follow-up shots.

     So here's my new way of thinking:  We women are an important new component of the gun culture.  We are learning to defend ourselves and getting the proper training.  Weapons manufacturers are catering to our needs with smaller guns that fit more comfortably in our hands and are easier to wear concealed.  And, yes, that meets the concealed carry aspect of our needs.  BUT, after these last few days, I have come to realize that a smaller gun DOES NOT meet my needs on the training range.
     The object of training is to acquire proficient skills through practice.  Why would I want to handicap myself with a gun that is harder to manipulate, recoils more, and makes it more difficult for me to achieve my desired goal?  The reality is that I'm paying serious money for 3 days of training, so I want a gun that will maximize my training.  I don't want to suffer the stress of learning new gun handling skills while battling the stumbling blocks of a smaller carry gun. Why not take as many problems out of the equation as possible, so I can get the results I want?
     Does that mean that I will have less ability with my actual carry gun?  No.  Not if I transfer the knowledge I learned with the range gun to the smaller gun.  This means time and dedication.  Lesson learned:  Range guns maximize training time; skills transfer to carry gun on my own time.  There are different purposes for different guns.  There are definite benefits to choosing the correct range gun, and this is just one of the lessons I learned this past week.
     Travis Haley and Ron Avery are intense dudes, and standing in 100 degree heat while receiving pearls of wisdom simply added to the sizzle.  Tune in on Monday for the details!

Luke 6:40    "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher."

The Middle East On Fire!

     I have chosen not to comment on the Middle East of late, because it is so volatile and so many issues going on at once that I literally didn't know what to concentrate on.  But in my limited knowledge of world history and cultures, I think it is becoming clearer to me.  PLW has educated me, and I will admit that it still baffles me, but it appears that underneath all the violence and power struggles, there lies a simple truth .... at the center of the hostilities and threats of war is the age-old battle between the Shi'ites and the Sunnis.
     An article in the Times of Israel further helped elucidate the issue for me.  Here's the history:  The Sunni-Shi’ite conflict is rooted in the question of who should succeed Muhammad in leading Muslims after his death in 632. Shi’ites say the prophet’s cousin and son-in-law Ali was his rightful successor but was cheated when authority went to those the Sunnis call the four “Rightfully Guided Caliphs” — Abu Bakr, Omar and Othman and, finally, Ali.
     Sunnis are the majority across the Islamic world. In the Middle East, Shi’ites have strong majorities in Iran, Iraq and Bahrain, with significant communities in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other parts of the Gulf.
     Centuries have passed, but the bitter disputes of early Islam still resonate among the modern nations in the Middle East.  To be honest, from what I've read, it appears as if we, the U.S., helped ignite the ancient hatred when we helped topple Suddam Hussein in 2003.  The long-oppressed Shi’ite majority there saw a chance to take power.  Sunnis feared the repression would flip onto them. The result was vicious sectarian fighting that lasted until 2008: Sunni extremists pulled Shi’ite pilgrims from buses and gunned them down; Shi’ite militiamen kidnapped Sunnis, dumping their tortured bodies later.
     Advance a few years to the Arab Spring, and the hopes for democracy in the Middle East.  There was a lot of talk about the desire for democratic ideals, but as a local businessman in Iraq explains, "Democracy needs open-mindedness, forgiveness and an ability to understand the other," something that has not been realized because of the deep sectarian feuds.
     These partisan feelings have spilled over to surrounding nations, including Lebanon and Syria.  In fact, Syria’s civil war has fueled those tensions. Lebanon’s Sunnis largely back the mainly Sunni rebellion, while Shi’ites support President Bashar Assad’s regime, which is dominated by his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi’ism. Hezbollah sent fighters to help Assad fight the rebels, enraging Sunnis region-wide.  Throw Hezbollah and Al-Queda into that mix, and you have a tinderbox.

     Then there's Iran.  This Shi’ite powerhouse of the Middle East is home to a government led by Shi’ite clerics with lots of oil wealth and a powerful Revolutionary Guard. Tehran has extended its influence in the Arab world, mainly through its alliance with Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Iran has presented that alliance not as sectarian but as the center of “resistance” against Israel.  This puts them in direct conflict with the House of Saud.  Sunni Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies have been trying to stem Iran’s influence, in part by warning of the spread of Shi’ism. Saudi Arabia’s hard-line Wahhabi interpretation of Sunni Islam views Shi’ism as heresy.
     As if all these varying governments, alliances and sectarian differences aren't confusing enough, we still haven't considered where Egypt fits into this mess.  In Egypt, the Muslim population is overwhelmingly Sunni, and many Egyptians know little about Shi’ites. The Shi’ite population is tiny and largely hidden — so secretive that its numbers are not really known.  And can you blame them?  The rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, who are Sunni, has caused the Shi'ite population to stay in the shadows.  And ultraconservative Salafis, many of whom view Shi’ites as infidels, have become more politically powerful and more vocal since the 2011 fall of Hosni Mubarak. They often preach against Shi’ism, warning it will spread to Egypt.
     Finally, let's not forget the Palestinian territories, who are predominantly Sunnis.  Their main connection to the Shi’ite world was Hamas’ alliance with Iran. But those ties were strained when Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, broke its connections with Syria because of the civil war.  Confused yet?  It seems to me that allegiances change often and dramatically.  In fact, the participants can't even agree whether the violence and fighting is religious or political.  There are those who think that the Middle East conflict is at its core a religious conflict.  They think that the Shi’ites want to destroy Islam.  They accuse the Lebanese Shi'ites of controlling the situation, and the ones who are causing the sectarian strife.
     Then there are others who say that politics, not religion, is driving sectarian tensions.  One Palestinian refugee in Gaza’s Shati camp, had this to say: “In Gaza, Iran used to support the resistance with weapons. Now they support Assad. … In Iraq, they (Shi’ites) executed Saddam Hussein, who was a Sunni, and they took over the country with the help of the Americans. Now they are working against America in Iran and Syria.”
     So with all this back-and-forth, how can there ever be a solution or a lasting peace?  And it seems that the powder keg has been lit and is on the verge of exploding.  The two sects worship the same God, yet they hate each other.  The only thing they seem to be able to agree on is the mutual desire to annihilate Israel.  So how do we traverse this minefield?  I firmly believe that God will decide the outcome and is actually in control of these events.   Our eyes may be centered on the unrest in all the afore-mentioned countries, but never forget that God's attention is focused on His chosen people.  
     Scripture seems to be playing out nightly on our computer and TV screens.  It looks like it is getting out of hand, and World War III is just around the corner.  But never fear.  In reality, God's hand is firmly on the situation, and His will will be done!

Zechariah 12:2-3    "Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it."

Pay Attention To The Words!

     At a town hall meeting in Belfast, Ireland last week, the President of the United States made what I thought was a strange comparison.  He equated religious schools with the issue of segregation.  Just how did he come up with that analogy, you might ask?  In his mind, religious schools, such as those of the Catholic and Protestant persuasion in Ireland, are much like the school segregation policies over 50 years ago in the American South.  During that time period, black students were educated in separate schools and forced to use separate facilities.  And both systems, Mr. Obama asserts, causes division.
     "If towns remain divided--if Catholics have their schools and buildings, and Protestants have theirs--if we can’t see ourselves in one another, if fear or resentment are allowed to harden, that encourages division. It discourages cooperation."  For him, it's all about peace .... and religious schools, just like segregation, don't promote peace (at least in his mind).  "Ultimately, peace is just not about politics," he said. "It’s about attitudes; about a sense of empathy; about breaking down the  divisions that we create for ourselves in our own minds and our own hearts that don’t exist in any objective reality, but that we carry with us generation after generation."
     Now, I wholeheartedly agree that segregation was wrong; it was divisive and isolating.  But I sense something more than an appeal for "peace" in this kind of rhetoric.  There is an underlying connotation that religious schools -- and more pointedly -- the Christian faith are somehow at fault for promoting and encouraging the continuation of "unfairness" and "injustice".  It's really just the "social justice" argument wrapped up in new language.
     It's no secret that the Administration is actively pursuing a regulation in the Affordable Health Care Act that would force Catholic individuals, business owners and institutions to provide health care plans that cover sterilizations, contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs. The Catholic bishops of the United States have unanimously declared this regulation an "unjust and illegal mandate" that violates the constitutionally guaranteed right to free exercise of religion.

     It's also no secret that private Christian religious schools, across all denominations, teach children reading, writing, arithmetic, history and other academic subjects, but also teach them the theology and moral views of their faith, and train their characters in keeping with those moral views.  I have personally seen the results of this kind of moral training in the character development of my nieces and nephews.  My oldest nephew, Matt, came home from attending third grade at his Catholic school, visibly upset over the poor treatment by fellow students of a young friend of a different race.  He struggled with what his proper reaction should be, and at the tender age of 8, he decided he had to call attention to the bullying and stand up for his friend.  This moral sense of right and wrong was a part of his everyday schooling, and now, I am proud to say that he still defends the citizens of his state and has risen through the ranks of the State Police to become a Special Investigator.  He still has a strong sense of right and wrong.
     I have seen my nieces, who attended a private religious school, make some difficult decisions that resulted in them being ostracized and shunned by their peers because they did the right thing.  It is painful to observe their hurt feelings, but when asked if they would make the same decision again, they have agreed that one must always take the moral high ground and make those hard decisions.  And it is faith that helps you get through the backlash.
     I guess I am simply offended that our President would use the abhorrent issues of slavery and segregation to insinuate that a religious education is a continuation of these divisive practices.  If you can paint a picture in people's minds using the evils of slavery, then connect the dots to a modern religious educational system, then I guess you can convince the sheeple that a religious education is as unfair, unjust and oppressive to a modern society.  After all, we are just trying to make everything equal, right?
     So does it take much imagination to move to the next step?  If religious schools are somehow discriminatory by being divisive, then surely they should be outlawed, right?  Does anyone else besides me concede that this is a real possibility?  First, let's diminish morality by forcing religious institutions to go against their faith by adopting all the provisions and regulations in the new health care plan.  Once we've chipped away at those moral safeguards, then let's get rid of private, religious educational institutions.  After all, all kids should be taught the same thing, and the new Common Core standards will equalize the educational standards to reflect a more secular and godless society.  No more of these Christian kids setting a higher moral standard!  That's so divisive!
     I know I sound cynical and derogatory.  But words have their consequences, and this speech made in Ireland last week has profound implications for the future of our educational system.  So be forewarned, and prepared, to defend the rights of parents and children who seek an education that is not only open to all, but provides valuable life lessons that will truly bring peace and unity to our society.

2 Corinthians 2:4-5       "... and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

What's In A Zip Code?

     Have you started noticing the increased request for your zip code as you complete a credit card sale?  At first I barely noticed it.  It seemed to make sense.  At the gas pump, I just thought it was verifying that my credit card hadn't been stolen.  If somehow my card had been obtained through criminal means, it could not be activated if the thief couldn't verify the zip code.  It was a safeguard for me, the consumer, right?  Then I assumed that different businesses were simply monitoring how far their customers were traveling to purchase their products. I could understand wanting to know how far their advertising dollar was reaching.  Oh, how naive could I be?!
     With all the concern over privacy issues and data mining these days, I am now highly suspicious about giving that information out at the cash register.  One sporting goods outlet in my area asks for my zip code during the checkout process, but there is an option to hit the cancel button if I don't want to comply.  I always decline.  Why the sudden paranoia?  Because I've come to realize that my zip code is the key that can unlock a lot of information about me.

     For instance, if the sales employee happens to take note of my name as I swipe my credit card and then I supply my zip code, that combined bit of information can be used to search databases for my address and phone number.  And if the employee swipes the card themselves, I have indicated on the back that they are to ask for my ID as a protection against a stolen card.  Then I've made it even easier to obtain my name!
     Other information can be obtained by paying a few dollars to those "Find People" websites.  With a name and zip code you can discover financial information, public records, criminal and tax records, and possibly even email addresses and cell phone numbers.  Are you comfortable with anyone gaining access to that kind of private information?  I know I'm not!  And I guess my natural mistrust is burgeoning because I don't think our information will be limited to the local department or grocery store.  There is coercion by federal authorities these days, and a sizable increase in inter-agency cooperation -- so much so that I'm inclined to think that obtaining my zip code starts the chain of information-gathering that could end up with a full profile at the Utah Data Center.
     According to Wikipedia, the purpose of this Data Center is (allegedly) to be able to process "all forms of communication, including the complete contents of private emails, cell phone calls, and Internet searches, as well as all sorts of personal data trails—parking receipts, travel itineraries, bookstore purchases, and other digital 'pocket litter'." In response to claims that the data center would be used to illegally monitor emails of U.S. citizens, a NSA spokesperson said, "Many unfounded allegations have been made about the planned activities of the Utah Data Center, ... one of the biggest misconceptions about NSA is that we are unlawfully listening in on, or reading emails of, U.S. citizens. This is simply not the case."  
     Well now, I think recent revelations by the IRS, various journalists and Mr. Ed Snowden have cast doubt on that statement, don't you?  So, by now you may think I'm crazy, but follow this chain of thought ....
     I buy a box of ammunition to do some fun target practice with my husband.  I supply my zip code, which when combined with my name, provides my address and phone number.  All this information is fed into a computer that ends up at the Data Center.  The simple act of buying a legal box of ammo may now be used to monitor phone calls and emails.  Who knows what could trigger further scrutiny?  Who knows what the NSA finds notable?  Does the fact that I google a lot of Christian sites put me in a category that offends someone?
     I guess the bottom line is that we have no way of knowing what, or how much, information is being gathered.  I am a very private person, and while I know that none of my actions warrant inspection or observation, I don't really get to make that decision.  So for as long as I am able, I will continue to try and protect my privacy as best as I can.  But I'm no longer naive; I know that in these days of corrupt and shameless exploitation, it will become harder and harder.

2 Thessalonians 3:3    "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

Warning: First, The Boy Scouts, Now The Girls Mock God

     I guess I should not be surprised, but I still read the announcement with a sense of sorrow and yes, anger.  The Girl Guides of Great Britain, which is the equivalent of America's Girl Scouts, have decided to be true to "myself" and develop "my beliefs," in place of their prior pledge to "love God."  Why, when it has been their motto for the last 103 years?  In their own words: Because they would rather appear more attractive to the secular world than remain faithful to the God of the Universe.

     That's in England, you say; why should we care?  Because in this day of "global awareness" and "mutual identity", how long before an anti-God activist in this country decides to grab hold of this trend and run with it?  And you might also be thinking, what difference does it make?  Will this new oath really transform their effectiveness?  I would answer that whenever you turn your focus away from God and towards yourself, you diminish the service you provide others.  Let me explain.
     When one loves God, the inevitable outcome is a desire to serve, love others, humble ourselves and give.  When you remove the motivation to love God, you are left with a desire to please yourself; it becomes "all about me".  You see that in the new pledge of the Girl Guides ... "myself" .... "my beliefs".
     Let me ask you a question.  Which group is likely to take up the causes of visiting the elderly in nursing homes; delivering food to the needy; or tutoring children in an illiteracy program?  A group who recognizes the love of God and seeks to put others first .... OR .... the group that is interested in exploring their inner selves and developing their own personal views and opinions?  Because that is exactly what being true to yourself and developing your own beliefs is!  Without God front and center of any cause, you are left with selfishness.... I feel good about helping these people; Look at what we've done for them; They are better off because we helped them ... You are doing it for yourself, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise.  The very definition of selfishness implies a lack of consideration for others, which is the exact opposite of the purpose of the Girl Guides, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and any other service organization!
     Britain's Chief Guide, Gill Slocombe, stated that the organization consulted 40,000 people before it made the change. She said that using God in the pledge “discouraged some girls and volunteers from joining,” and now the Guides could “reach out to girls and women who might not have considered guiding before, so that even more girls can benefit from everything guiding can offer.”   My response to that?  If loving God discourages you from being a part of an organization whose purpose is to help others, then I don't think you are joining for the right reasons.
     But after reading a comment by Julie Bentley, the new CEO of the Guides, I think I understand what is going on.  She has called the Girl Guides the “ultimate feminist organization.”  Right there, you can see what is at the heart of this organization.  Wouldn't it have been better if she could have identified the Girl Guides as the ultimate SERVICE organization?  It's apparent to me that the Girl Guides are not so much about serving others as they are about promoting and advocating for women's rights across political, social and economic levels.
   

In America the Girl Scout oath still reads as follows:  

On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

      So what is the Girl Scout Law?  And what is the purpose behind this 101-year-old institution?

I will do my best to be honest and fair,

friendly and helpful, considerate and caring,

courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do,

and to respect myself and others, respect authority,

use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and

be a sister to every Girl Scout.

     The official website of the Girl Scouts of America states that Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.  At least for now, the long tradition of putting God and country first, followed by helping others, and then focusing on developing strong character traits (instead of their "beliefs") still mirrors founder Juliette Low's original vision.  Let's hope they can resist pandering to the secularists and the PC Police.  I would hate to see another God-based tradition wiped from our national landscape.

Galatians 1:10     "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Those That Touch Us

   

   

I have been reminded this past week that while life can be so short and unpredictable, it can also be amazingly enriching.  PLW was saddened by the loss of a man who was an inspiration to him, and who possessed a talent that came straight from God.  Western artist, Bill Owen, died unexpectedly on a historic Arizona ranch.  I suspect that it was the perfect way for him to exit this world ... among the cowboy subjects that he painted with such respect and honor.
   

Cowboss Scattering The Hands by Bill Owen

     Bill was one of those unparalleled men who possessed a talent that was both rare and remarkable, but who never assumed the arrogance or high and mighty attitude that often accompanies such blessings.  He was a humble man; a man who cherished the American West and chose to dedicate his life to painting the modern cowboy.  He achieved great success and notoriety, but always seemed embarrassed to be in the spotlight.  Instead he quietly pursued his craft, offered sage advice to up-and-coming artists, and gave back to the lifestyle he cherished through his foundation that supported educational scholarships for ranch kids.  Bill was passionate about his art, his causes and the American West.  There was no sacrifice too great to "get it right." I guess you could say that the time for men like Bill Owen has come and gone; and that is a sad commentary on the future of this country.

     Last week also saw the loss of the talented and imaginative author, Vince Flynn.  I've never met Mr. Flynn, but I know his immense love and regard for this nation; it was evident in every page of his novels.  Through his character, Mitch Rapp, everyday Americans could revel in his victories over Middle Eastern terrorists.  Mitch was no PC operative.  He did whatever it took to protect the Homeland from the enemy.  And while he may have operated outside the conventional anti-terrorist system, he was always guided by a strong sense of right and wrong; good and evil.  I guess I enjoyed his books so much because Vince Flynn wrote the way most Americans think.  He put his country first and focused on killing the bad guys.  It's a story that is as old as time, but I, for one, have recognized that the fiction of Vince Flynn was, in many ways, more honest, truthful and reasonable, than what we see acted out by our elected officials.  Mr. Flynn was only 47 when he succumbed to prostate cancer.  His voice and his talent will be sorely missed.

      And as I write this post, one of my most beloved places in this country, Prescott, Arizona, is threatened with fiery flames.  This is one of the last of the real Western towns.  They have strived hard to maintain their Western roots and heritage; fighting the march of progress towards urbanization and contending for the preservation of our true Western culture.  Friends are tweeting and emailing that they are trying to rescue and move horses, help their neighbors with livestock, and are packed and waiting for evacuation.  You have to know and understand the Western mindset to appreciate what these folks are going through.  They are practical, down-to-earth, and just a touch hardheaded.  They are also matter-of-fact and sensible.  Their horses take precedence over their possessions.  They have all gathered a handful of personal belongings and leaving the rest behind.
     When I think of the private collections ... precious art, Indian artifacts, and historical relics that will be lost .... well, it makes me heartsick.  But like so many times in the past, when hardship comes calling, the people of our American West don't waste time on tears and whining.  And they never look back.  They just pick up the pieces and stoically start anew.  They are made of strong pioneer stock; their ancestors crossed the Southern plains and steep mountain ranges to settle in some of the most majestic valleys on God's green earth.  Their values aren't centered around their "stuff"; they're survivors and they'll handle whatever life or the elements throws at them.  I'm proud to know them and call them friends.
     So this past week, I've seen a lot of loss.  But I've also been reminded of what is unique and special and distinctive about this wonderful country that I call my own.  I count my blessings and thank God that I have been given the opportunity to know such humble and talented men; whether through personal contact or simply through their words.  Heaven has called both a painter and a writer home.  I can only imagine that the Creator is well-pleased with how Bill and Vince used the creative talents He gave them.  And I am thankful that God has taken PLW and myself down a path that introduced us to the remarkable people of Prescott, Arizona.  They inspire me while they continue to embody the American spirit.
     Yes, loss is a part of this life.  But with that emptiness comes the understanding that I have been given the opportunity to witness and savor the presence of extraordinary people.  Far from being sad, I will add their stories to my memory vault and put a checkmark in the plus column of my life experiences.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4     "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

1 Chronicles 29:17

 I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.

     I can almost see King David in his prayer closet, having this most private and intimate conversation with God.  They are discussing the plans for building the temple, and that David will give out of his storehouse to honor His faithful Father.  He will give all he has and give it joyfully, knowing that it pleases God.  

     From his personal relationship with the Lord, David knows that God has tested his heart many times.  And he knows that there have been times he has disappointed the Lord.  But he is remembering those times that he was upright [righteous; virtuous; followed God's will and ways] and how he felt God's pleasure.  It is out of that desire to please God that his willingness and the joy of giving flows.

     David has also urged his subjects to seek the pleasure of God.  It is not only to benefit the building of the Temple that he wants them to donate, but so that they, too, can experience the joy of giving for all the right reasons.  And the ultimate reason to give from the heart is that it pleases our Father in heaven.

     I can remember the first time that my husband and I committed our business and our finances to the Lord; when we realized that He was the source of all our provision.  The Spirit created such a desire to steward whatever our allotment might be in a manner that glorified God.  Once you make the connection that it is not your money, but God's, it becomes a serious matter as to how you spend it. 

     We listen for how He wants us to disperse it in honor of Him.  For David and the Israelites, God directed them to build His temple.  For our family, God tells us to use his provision in varying ways.  It might be for His church, or the mission field, or a service organization that is meeting the needs of hurting human beings.  It might also be directly to an individual, whose situation gives us the opportunity to say that God is sending them financial help through us; to let them know He loves them.

     Whatever circumstance God orchestrates, He is in control, and it is ultimately to result in His glory.  And you know what?  Not only does it please God to see our obedience, but our hearts are filled with joy at partnering with Him to glorify His kingdom on earth.  Isn't it amazing, how our Father manages to couple our joy with His pleasure?  What a loving, giving God we serve!