Can you spare a tear Mr. President?

Dear Mr. President,

A couple of weeks ago I watched, along with the rest of the nation as you addressed the tragedy in Connecticut. I looked on in admiration as you quoted from scripture, paused to compose yourself, and even shed a tear for the victims. Mr president, there are those among us who have questioned your sincerity, but I am not one of them. I believe you. I believe you grieved for those children and teachers and the whole community, along with the rest of our nation. For me, imagining the pain of Christmas morning for those families is almost too much to bare, even not knowing any of them personally. I join you in continuing to pray for them.

The murder of defenseless children alone is enough to make any grown man cry. So while we are crying for the 20 children in Connecticut, Mr. president, will you join me in shedding at least one single tear for the millions of defenseless babies who are aborted in this country every year? This so called "choice" we have made has resulted in the genocide of more innocent children than Hitler's holocaust. I do not blame you, Mr president, for the abortion laws or their consequences, but knowing your concern for our children, I know you will do everything in your power to eliminate these senseless murders.

Mr president, you obviously feel guns are key in eliminating mass murder and, although I do not agree with your position, I will gladly assist you in moving your anti-gun agenda forward under the condition that we also eliminate all medical instruments and/or tools that are or may be used for abortions.

Mr president, in closing, I am sure I am joined by the rest of the citizens of this great nation in expressing our gratitude. Not so much for actually protecting our children, but at least for showing your genuine concern in doing so.

My Alternative to Gun Control

One of the biggest challenges in calculating the statistical advantage of gun ownership is the nearly impossible task of determining the total number of serious incidents that are averted due to the presence of a gun. Who would keep the records and how would they do it? Yet, even without these statistics, the correlation between the presence of guns and shooter deterrence is clearly illustrated in the non-existence of attacks on gun ranges.

When my son was in his early teens, there was a bully who insisted on trying to intimidate him. My initial response of imposing a fighting ban and putting my faith in local authorities did little to deter this bully. The only thing that got his attention was lifting the fighting ban. Presented with the possibility of a royal butt whooping, the bully's attitude changed and the issue was quickly resolved. Bullies, thugs, and shooters of defenseless people are simply cowards in search of victims.

Perhaps instead of trying to rid ourselves of guns and increasing the pool of unarmed victims, we should consider ways we can lift some of the bans and use our existing firearms to our advantage. A well armed, well trained presence in schools would serve as a much better deterrent than a buzzer and a door monitor or any threat posed by an unarmed teacher. If there is no funding for police or security guards, an offer of free tactical training, the right to carry a gun, and the opportunity to defend our children against cowards would surely be enough to attract an adequate number of able bodied, enthusiastic volunteers.

The expense saved in avoiding a costly war on guns could easily exceed the total amount of revenue gained by increasing the tax on millionaires.

Happy Holidays!

Are you offended by the words "Happy Holidays"? Neither am I. I believe most Christians are not. It is a perfectly pleasant salutation and appropriate for this time of the year. Since I was a little boy I remember people saying Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and even Seasons Greetings. I never once remember taking any offense to any of them. So why the big to do? There seems to be this conflict every year over the proper yuletide greeting, but where did it all begin?

There are those who would try to persuade you that it all began with with the beet red faces of angry Christians screaming a defiant MERRY CHRISTMAS at the top of their lungs in the faces of helpless check out girls. I don't remember it that way at all. It did start in the retail stores, at least that much is true. Clerks and cashiers at certain chains were told they could no longer say Merry Christmas to customers. Instead the brain trusts of certain retailers felt Happy Holidays was more appropriate, as Merry Christmas may be offensive, even if the profits from Christmas were not. As a Christian and an American this is what I found offensive.

So what started with retailers infringing on the free speech rights of their workers, has been twisted into a narrative about Christians simply hating the words Happy Holidays. Its is like someone used deception to manipulate the ignorant in order to turn an obviously poor position into a position of advantage in the midst of an otherwise reasonable debate. Sound familiar?

In the end I try not to take any of this very seriously lest I may be distracted from the true meaning of Christmas. Besides, Happy Holidays seems quite appropriate to me. Jesus is the reason for the holiday and that, my friend, makes me very happy!

A Christmas Message to atheist activists Everywhere

Dear Atheist Activist,

It seems during this festive time of year, you feel an increased need to protest everything from nativity scenes on public property, to taking school children to see A Charlie Brown Christmas. I certainly do not dispute your God given right to profess your disbelief in God. And God Bless you for standing up for what you believe in, even if what you believe in is nothing. I must say though, for someone who fights the representation of the birth of Christ in public venues in the name of protecting citizens against fictional doctrines, it seems just a little hypocritical that santa, elves, and Bart Simpson dressed up like santa get a pass.

If the Christ of Christmas were an evil prophet whose decrees called for the honor killings of one's family members or if its doctrine declared a holy war while is warriors strapped on suicide vests to kill masses of infidels, I might understand your opposition. Which brings me to the question: Why is there such a shortage of organized atheism  in the middle east? And why aren't you over there protesting their holidays? I guess you guys are cool with brother muhammad. But, seriously, considering all of the threats to our freedom and personal liberty, the threat of peace on earth and good will towards man doesn't seem so threatening.

Finally, for someone who believes this is all the time you will ever have, spending money on billboards protesting something you do not believe in and devoting so much time on an organized effort to debunk what you see as false seems like a foolish waste of time to me. But if it gives you a sense of purpose, have at it my friend. I am just a little confused as to why you would even need a sense of purpose in such a purposeless existence.

Anyway, I would wish you a Merry Christmas, but since you would likely find that offensive, here is wishing December 25, 2012 is merely an additional day to add to the total and final number of days you have left on this earth. Oh yeah, have fun opening your presents!

Merry Christmas! There I said it...again!

Every year Christmas comes along and every year there is controversy over the use of the word "Christmas". Why should this year be any different? Profanity, sex, alcohol, and violence on TV are rarely challenged, yet every year the headlines in the so called news are riddled with reports of politicians, cities, and/or municipalities "taking a stand" when it comes to Christmas. Just today I am reading that the governor of Rhode Island, Governor Lincoln Chafee, in a valiant attempt to to protect his state's reidents from the evils of the religious intolerance associated with the use of the word "Christmas", is officially referring to the tree at the state house as a "holiday" tree. The governor is quoted later in the article as saying:

“I would encourage all those engaged in this discussion – whatever their opinion on the matter – to use their energy and enthusiasm to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow Rhode Islanders,”

What a sweet Christmas, err...I mean, holiday sentiment. To give the governor his due, the whole "make a positive difference" thing is an honorable calling. It seems, however, Governor Chafee has stopped short of canceling Christmas in Rhode Island, most likely in lieu of the huge amounts of revenue the "holiday" generates. What the governor also fails to acknowledge with his carefully worded diversion is that the "holiday" for which a tree has been erected in the state house is Christmas, whether he chooses to acknowledge it by name or not. May I also point out to the good governor there is no better way known to man to make a positive difference in the life of his fellow Rhode Islanders, or anybody else, than to introduce them to Jesus Christ. So, this year, let us who know Him keep Christ in our Christmas and in all that we are and all that we do. In that spirit, please join me in wishing Governor Chafee a Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

It was originally my intent to write a nice upbeat piece about the origins of the word Christmas and how it all really centers on Christ. In an effort to keep my facts straight I decided to do a little internet research. Typing the phrase “origin of word Christmas” in Google brought me some interesting and unexpected results. Not so surprising was the online dictionary definition of the word Christmas derived from the Old English words Cristes moesse, 'the mass or festival of Christ'. What caught me off guard was the list of searches I found condemning the celebration of Christmas. Even more shocking; the articles condemning Christmas were written by “fundamentalist” Christians. I guess I should not be so surprised. Unfortunately, experience has shown me Christians can, at times, be poor witnesses for Christianity. Yet I do still find myself a bit taken back in my discovery. In an ironic twist of fate, these articles relate the struggle of Christians to unite in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ Himself; the central figure of our own faith. Seemingly, in an arrogant attempt at self gratification, the history books are meticulously searched in an effort to find every bit of information linking Christmas to pagan practices. Once linked, this information is used to denounce anyone and everyone celebrating Christmas as we now know it. This criticism is then directed towards what can be inferred as “so called” Christians. The heart intent of this research and inference is an obvious effort to elevate ones self far above all other professing believers.

The diversion of these articles combined with the lack of reliable information found on the internet have left me uncertain of what the word Christmas may have meant to the Romans five hundred years ago. Frankly, at this point, I no longer care. I am only certain of what Christmas means to me right here and now. Like most, in my depravity, I will find myself distracted from the true meaning of Christmas in the hustle and bustle of the season. Yet my depravity is the specific reason Jesus was born. Despite any negative connotations of the origin of the word Christmas and any links to pagan practices and despite any objections from atheists, secularists, agnostics, or even fundamentalist Christians, I can think of no better reason to celebrate than the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So there it is…Merry Christmas!

Lunch With God

Such a nice day, I decided to head to Oregon Ridge during my lunch break today. I got out of my car and it was still warm enough to leave my jacket in the trunk. Walking through the woods, the area looked much different than it had just a few weeks ago. Fallen leaves had covered the paths. Many of the trees were nearly bare allowing a better view of the woods. Reading some posted material regarding the reforesting effort, I happened to glance up the hill and noticed something I had not seen before.

The roof of a gazebo was barely visible high above the sparse patch of trees. The walk up to get a closer look was longer and steeper than I had anticipated, but I managed to get there without going into cardiac arrest. To my surprise the gazebo was actually new. I could tell by the condition of the pressure treated wood. As I sat in it on the nicely crafted bench, I admired the workmanship. It was probably not a cub scout project, perhaps an eagle scout, but most likely someone with a great deal of pride and experience. It was a well designed structure, tightly built, and even had some very nice accents along the supports and benches. I noticed it was mainly screwed together except for the floor where nails were used to secure all the floor boards with one exception. There was one screw in a floor board near the middle of the octagon. Curious? I am not even sure why or how I noticed it. I could not help but wonder if the builder had just ran out of nails, or if there was some other reason?

Anyway, back to my story. Sitting quietly, looking over the valley, I could see a line of older trees with many leaves still in place. The colors of the leaves were diverse and beautiful. It was warm, but there was a cool breeze coming gently from the direction in which I was gazing. Off in the distance I could see some houses; not condos or town houses, but mansions, or so it seemed. I could hear the traffic from Shawan Road, but from that distance it was only white noise. For a city boy who spent many nights falling asleep to that sound, it only added to the ambience.

In the midst of quiet and beauty, suddenly, there they were, my demons. Yes, I love the Lord and I am a devout follower of Jesus, but I still hear from my demons. They are there, partly because they are so persistent, but also , if I am honest, because I tend to invite them. Perhaps it is not an intentional invitation, but an invitation nonetheless. They know me well and I know them too. They are familiar, maybe even comfortable with the old man I was and maybe, just maybe there is a remnant of the old man who is still comfortable with them.

After a few moments of wrestling with my dark side and exercising my demons, I began to speak to God. I invited His presence and quieted my thoughts. Feeling the Holy Spirit wash over me through the coolness of the breeze in my face, I listened intently. I asked God to expel these demons; to not only forgive me for entertaining them, but to redeem me. Redemption was my prayer, but still, I was not sure exactly what redemption would mean or even look like. I assured God I was paying attention and I asked Him for a sign. Not a general sign, mind you, but a specific sign. I asked (as silly as it may sound) that I would see a deer in that woods as I sat there silently. This would be the confirmation, not only of God’s presence there in that gazebo, but also confirmation He had heard my prayer.

Of course, Oregon Ridge has a very large deer population, so seeing a deer would not seem so unusual. It certainly would not be considered a supernatural occurrence. Should I be foolish enough to make such a request, and expect, if I see a deer, it was God confirming He had heard my prayer? Even so, I have walked those woods many times over the past eight or ten years and never once have I seen a deer. The moment I was having with God was so awesome, I expected to look out from my seat in that gazebo and at any moment, see a deer. But it was not to be. I had a great view all around and I could hear for miles. There was the hawk flying silently overhead. I could hear a squirrel in a tree directly behind me. The leaves rustled with the breeze and perhaps there were some chipmunks scurrying around, but no deer. I sat and prayed and listened and enjoyed, but finally it was time to go. I decided my request was silly and I knew God did not have to do anything to confirm His presence. What was I thinking?

Despite not having seen any deer, I was very grateful for the time I had alone with God; satisfied with the beauty all around me and joyful to be blessed with a moment to recognize and appreciate it. I walked along the path back toward where I had parked. Gazing the path before me I thanked God for the moment, smiled as I reflected on my experience, and looked up to see a small doe frozen in the brush just beside my path. I could have literally reached out and touched her. “Praise God and Halleluiah” I whispered under my breath. We stood motionless, staring at one another intently. After a few seconds, she dipped her head to see if she could initiate any movement from me. I took a single step and she turned in a defensive posture, but to my surprise, did not run away; not even a flag. She just stood there peacefully, watching me over her shoulder as I continued down the path and disappeared from her sight.