Good
Wednesday morning and I bid you welcome on this
May 4, 2011. Don't say that I didn't tell you. The Osama bin Laden story continues unabated from just about every conceivable viewpoint, spin, and agenda one can imagine. Justice has been served but the death of this one mass murderer will not alleviate the pain and suffering that continues for survivors, nor will it make a dent in reducing the evil that lurks all over the world. This is, after all, a fallen world, and we all stand guilty before a Holy and Righteous God. I commend our troops and those who trained them. I commend those in the intelligence field, especially those on the ground, who risk their lives daily to help protect our way of life. I commend our commanders, including our President, for taking the decisions that culminated in justice being served. I don't know what level of thankfulness is appropriate in terms of the response to this man's death, however, I do know that I have been reminded that Jesus the Christ came to die for the sins of all humanity, and that it only takes one sin to make us unworthy of His presence. Osama bin Laden joins the long line of despicable killers like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and many others that have gone on to meet their judgment. I believe in the death penalty only because God has decreed it in certain situations. As for the international legal issues involving sovereignty and all the other technicalities, they will be sorted out and debated for years. I do not join in the gloating but I can see where this act of justice may bring some comfort and closure to so many who have been devastated by this man's evil deeds. For that I am thankful, and may we all see our need to deal with the evil in our own heart by seeking God while we still have time. Why? Because death is stalking us just like those Navy SEALS and it may not catch up with us today, or next week, but it is relentless in its pursuit, and what we have done with Jesus is all that matters when death finally gets hold of us. Is this my version of hell, fire, and brimstone? I don't see it that way. But, you have your view. I have mine. That's why I call it:
The View From Here.
What is almost comic is to see the political pundits spinning this mission to gain points. It's happening on all sides. Some who are promoting President Obama in his reelection bid are attempting to make his decision to go forward with this mission to be somehow compatible with Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb. On the other side, we have those who minimize and even attempt to trivialize the President's role in all of this. This is why we likely will never become unified, but at the same time there is one theme from all sides that is clear. This one death does not end the war on terror. While I don't doubt for one second the veracity of that statement, we all have to know that fighting wars of any kind is a hugely profitable enterprise. This means there are special interests who would not want to see any reductions in funding. No. I am not being cynical here. It's just the way it is within our system. Take for instance the billions we have given to Pakistan. It is fairly obvious that Osama bin Laden was being aided by officials within the Pakistani government. He was actually living in the shadow of a huge military compound and only a short distance from Pakistan's capital. Billions to a country that does not appreciate our way of life and our form of government, but only the billions they receive. Last week I read where Pakistani officials are trying to convince Afghanistan to join up with the Chinese and Russians for aid and assistance, after the Americans have left. You had Secretary of State Clinton trying to cover by saying we appreciate the help from Pakistan. But, probably closer to the truth, you had the head of our National Security Agency who said we dared not tell the Pakistani government anything at all because it would have no doubt compromised the mission. These are our supposed allies? I just remind one and all to interpret things with a fair amount of skepticism realizing the corruption that permeates much of our policies. Not Democrat or Republican, Libertarian, or Independent, it is sheer power and its use and misuse that we should focus on.
Sounds pretty hopeless doesn't it? No. Not at all. Go back and read the first paragraph because while some trust in the modes of power and war, we join the Psalmist in saying that instead, we will trust in the Lord our God. (See the 20th Division of the Psalms, Verse 7) You didn't know that I did international affairs also? Here's the deal: If you blog you can be an expert on anything you choose. And, just so you know, there have been no phone calls directed towards me asking for my advice or input on any of these matters. You knew that already? I must say you are a well informed group. When it comes down to it there can be wars and rumors of wars but typically the bread and butter issues are those that mean the most to people. Take for instance the price of coffee. I just read that coffee prices have hit a 34 year high. Hello? Can you spell p-a-n-i-c? Man cannot live by bread alone because everyone deserves a little Louisiana Community coffee now and then. Don't write me about misrepresenting that verse. It's a joke. But coffee prices are no joking matter. Just yesterday we had that unbelievable morning, on my mom's birthday, May 3, and we were sitting at 46 degrees. Let me paint this picture for you. A light breeze, a little mist of rain, and a smoking hot cup of Community. Now I ask you one more time:
Do we live in a great country or what? Pray for our men and women who wear the uniform of our country. Pray for those who make decisions that impact our lives. And, let us pray for one another that we will be all that God has called us to be.
Amen. .......More later.
What is almost comic is to see the political pundits spinning this mission to gain points. It's happening on all sides. Some who are promoting President Obama in his reelection bid are attempting to make his decision to go forward with this mission to be somehow compatible with Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb. On the other side, we have those who minimize and even attempt to trivialize the President's role in all of this. This is why we likely will never become unified, but at the same time there is one theme from all sides that is clear. This one death does not end the war on terror. While I don't doubt for one second the veracity of that statement, we all have to know that fighting wars of any kind is a hugely profitable enterprise. This means there are special interests who would not want to see any reductions in funding. No. I am not being cynical here. It's just the way it is within our system. Take for instance the billions we have given to Pakistan. It is fairly obvious that Osama bin Laden was being aided by officials within the Pakistani government. He was actually living in the shadow of a huge military compound and only a short distance from Pakistan's capital. Billions to a country that does not appreciate our way of life and our form of government, but only the billions they receive. Last week I read where Pakistani officials are trying to convince Afghanistan to join up with the Chinese and Russians for aid and assistance, after the Americans have left. You had Secretary of State Clinton trying to cover by saying we appreciate the help from Pakistan. But, probably closer to the truth, you had the head of our National Security Agency who said we dared not tell the Pakistani government anything at all because it would have no doubt compromised the mission. These are our supposed allies? I just remind one and all to interpret things with a fair amount of skepticism realizing the corruption that permeates much of our policies. Not Democrat or Republican, Libertarian, or Independent, it is sheer power and its use and misuse that we should focus on.
Sounds pretty hopeless doesn't it? No. Not at all. Go back and read the first paragraph because while some trust in the modes of power and war, we join the Psalmist in saying that instead, we will trust in the Lord our God. (See the 20th Division of the Psalms, Verse 7) You didn't know that I did international affairs also? Here's the deal: If you blog you can be an expert on anything you choose. And, just so you know, there have been no phone calls directed towards me asking for my advice or input on any of these matters. You knew that already? I must say you are a well informed group. When it comes down to it there can be wars and rumors of wars but typically the bread and butter issues are those that mean the most to people. Take for instance the price of coffee. I just read that coffee prices have hit a 34 year high. Hello? Can you spell p-a-n-i-c? Man cannot live by bread alone because everyone deserves a little Louisiana Community coffee now and then. Don't write me about misrepresenting that verse. It's a joke. But coffee prices are no joking matter. Just yesterday we had that unbelievable morning, on my mom's birthday, May 3, and we were sitting at 46 degrees. Let me paint this picture for you. A light breeze, a little mist of rain, and a smoking hot cup of Community. Now I ask you one more time: Do we live in a great country or what? Pray for our men and women who wear the uniform of our country. Pray for those who make decisions that impact our lives. And, let us pray for one another that we will be all that God has called us to be. Amen. .......More later.
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