What Would Jesus Do? Probably Not What You Think...

I turned 41 years old two days ago. Honestly I don’t think my parents thought I would make it this far. After catching me driving a motor cycle up and down a run way racing airplanes, my father said to me, “it would be a miracle if I made it through my teens.” I don’t know if he was implying that he was going to kill me or my stupid decisions would. But here I am at 41 feeling like I have already lived a life time full of experiences and I look forward to many more.

 I remember when I was growing up hearing guys in their late 30’s and early 40’s saying things like, “when you get to my age…” or “I have lived long enough to….” I never wanted to be one of those guys. It was like admitting you are old but I can say at this point in my life I have lived long enough to see things come into style, go out and come back again. I have seen history repeat itself. As a believer I’ve seen biblical doctrines come and go and lived long enough to see good and bad fruit come for those that adhered to the teachings or chose to take a different path.

 In my own life there are times that I have re-examined some of my own doctrinal beliefs and realized I had been steered the wrong way or that I was thankful for the direction that placed me on solid ground.

 The older I get the less tolerance I have for taking wrong paths. Mostly because of the realization that my time here on earth gets shorter with every day. You know the things we never thought about at 17 racing motorcycles because I thought I was bullet proof, but also because at this stage in my life I want to minimize as much hurt as possible for myself and for those around me.

 This past year has been one of my most challenging years as a Christian. In fact just 5 weeks ago I was sitting in the office of a Christian counselor whom I have great respect for and I told him I didn’t know if I even believe anymore. My mind was full of doubts and questions. Having grown up in a Christian home as a pastors kid I never really asked some of the questions that were cropping up in my mind and causing doubts. Was God even real? Was Christianity just some emotional crutch we use to deal with death or heart ache? How awful must death be for those that have no hope of seeing their child again or the very thought of an eternity of nothing once you die were some of the things I struggled with.

 The counselor, as he often does, just let me talk and then encouraged me to ask the questions that were causing doubt. I was encouraged by the green light to ask and seek answers but internally I was still struggling. How can a committed unwavering Christian suddenly be struggling with basic doctrinal beliefs? I mean I should be past this. Over the last 5 weeks I started searching, honestly not knowing what I would find or how things would turn out. This is what I found in my journey and I trust it will help someone else that finds themselves in the same place.

 My lack of faith and belief are the product of bad doctrine. Now I know some that read this will think I am directing this at either the leaders of my past or the pastor of the church I now attend. That is not the case. I have believed for many years that pastors are just men that have struggles and at times bad doctrine like the rest of us. 1 Corinthians 13:12 tells us, “We see through a glass darkly.” No one is perfect and bad doctrine can come from the most committed Bible believing pastor. It’s part of being human.

 In my earlier years of being a Christian I got a lot of really good foundational teaching but I also leaned towards doctrines that tended to be legalistic and harsh. The truth is my personality leaned that way. I am a person that must have justice. It permeates through every inch of my being. I hate injustice. In the world, in politics, in sports or in daily driving (Yeah I am a road rage guy), if you want to see me blow a gasket let me view something as unjust and you will have a fight on your hand. I mean after all God is just, so there was no convincing me I was wrong, there was no room for mercy. Don’t get me wrong there is a place for justice but the problem with people that always seek justice is they more often than not will error on the side of judgement or punishment. I always felt I had a green light to attack and judge others as if I had a complete understanding of God’s justice…how arrogant. My propensity for fighting and harshness was a great fit for a modern day Pharisee.

 When I started to realize this about myself and believers like me I began to recoil and as if on a pendulum swung to the other side. I heard teachings about God’s love and mercy in a different way and I wanted to be on the side of mercy and love because after all no one likes a hard guy. The problem was as the pendulum swung I found myself becoming confused and frustrated as I tried to view every situation through love and mercy with no justice. The farther I went with those that espoused to love and mercy at all costs the more frustrated and discouraged I became. There were always major inconsistencies in their messages and when I spoke up my opinions were shot down or disparaged because I was “legalistic” or “unloving.”

 As time went on I became less and less involved.  I literally told my friend, the counselor, “I don’t think there is a place for me in Christianity. I can’t reconcile the God who is Just and the merciful all loving Jesus that is being pushed from pulpits and conversations all over the country.” After a lifetime of Christianity I felt like I didn’t have the first clue about who Jesus was. This is probably right where I needed to be. This is when my eyes were opened to the false doctrine that is being peddled and believed all over this country and had me wanting to give up.

 The Bible is full of warnings against false teachers and doctrines. “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1) So what is this destructive heresy that I am speaking off?

 Sometime in the 1990’s a phrase started being used and took off in Christian settings, “What would Jesus Do?” WWJD was on t-shirts, bracelets and even tattoos. The questions itself had merit. What a great way to live, doing things the way Jesus would do them. I often asked myself that very question when situations arose. However, it didn’t take me long to realize where this could cause issues. Remember I was a hard, justice seeking Pharisee so as you can surmise all my interpretations of WWJD came through that lens. I had created a Jesus in my likeness and with a penchant for doing things that aligned with my desires and inclinations.

With any new paradigm change there is a lack of comfort. At first I figured I was just learning to conform to the new Jesus that I was being told about ad so desperately wanted to see. Then  suddenly I realized many of those I was looking to for guidance and inspiration had done the very same thing I had earlier in my walk, created a Jesus in their image. The deeper I got into this new doctrine I started to hear things like, “I love Jesus but I don’t know about anything else.” “I love the idea of Jesus just not sure about religion.” “I think Jesus is great but I don’t believe the Bible.”

 At this point I realized why I couldn’t find this Jesus that many were talking about. He doesn’t exist, except in the mind of those that created him. Recently while discussing some very basic Biblical doctrine with a person they literally said to me, “We don’t serve the same Jesus.” I realize now they are correct. They don’t serve Jesus at all. They serve an image of Jesus they have created in their mind. There are leaders that use their Jesus to manipulate and control you. I mean who wants to do something that a leader is stating Jesus wouldn’t do and what better way to gain the approval of man but to “know” what Jesus would do in every circumstance.

 Over the last 6 months I have seen and read spiritual leaders use Jesus to tell you who to vote for or not vote for. I have read and been told by individuals, “Jesus wouldn’t build a wall.”(Referencing the possible wall on the Mexican Border) “Jesus would take in all the Syrian refugees.” “Jesus would march with BLM.” “Jesus wouldn’t vote for Trump.” “Jesus would support gay marriage because it is true love.” I literally had a person tell me, “Jesus would understand why some women have abortions.” Now I don’t know where you stand on any of these issues but I would be very careful vouching for Jesus’ support without His approval.

 The issue is not necessarily whether he would support these issues but that fact men are interpreting what He would and wouldn’t approve of. Unfortunately His support tends to fall in line with our desires and not the other way around. So let me ask you. Who is really God in your life? If you are calling the shots and pigeon holing Jesus into your mold the answer is clear. You are the God of your own life, hence the reason I or any other person will be unable to see Jesus in you. Unless of course they agree with your ideological leanings then you can start a whole movement in Jesus name when in reality he is nowhere to be found.

 We have created a Jesus in our image and with our agendas. We have exalted humanism and works once again. Several weeks ago I started to realize that what I had been pursuing doctrinally was really the same as what I had come out of, just in a sweeter, kinder and dare I say more cunning package. Because Jesus is now in our likeness our worship, programs and ministries are striving to be more culturally relevant. We have to manipulate a Holy God to fit our generation and its needs as opposed to allowing him to mold and makes us into his likeness and purposes. It is almost comical because this doctrine professes love as its core but those that don’t agree with this movement are ostracized and chastised as legalistic, and in a cruel irony those people become virtually unlovable. The great hypocrisy of this movement is they create a Jesus in their likeness then choose who is worthy of their or should I say His love and acceptance.

 Because Jesus has become our lap dog, personal time in His word and in prayer become secondary or non-existent. Hence those in positions of leadership are often immature and looked at more as something to be emulated socially as opposed to followed spiritually. They are cool, hip, but spiritual paper weights.

 The end of this doctrine is ultimately condoning sin under the guise of love. It will be a doctrine that eventually removes the concept of eternal damnation and judgement because once again no one likes a hard guy. Judgement and conviction will becoming terms of the past, you know for the legalistic people. Finally the circle will be complete when, just like the legalistic Pharisee eternal salvation will come through works and the blood of Jesus will be of little need and effect.

 It is interesting that a doctrine that started with love will finally falter because of a lack of love.

 As I meditated on this over the last few days I was struck by a glaring omission whenever I hear sermons on I Corinthians 13, otherwise known as the love chapter. “If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to be burned but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) As I read this scripture I am blown away by the fact Paul said, if I give my body to be burned without love I gain nothing. How is that possible?!

 One would think giving their body to be burned for a cause or giving all they had to the poor would certainly insinuate love. Who would do that if there isn’t love involved? Yet we do see this kind of love all over the world. It doesn’t take Christ to show love. There are many organizations around the world doing good for others, sacrificing and even dying out of human love and compassion. So what was Paul referring too?

 We often think the love chapter deals with our relationship with one another and we can certainly glean much from it, but it also deals with our love for God. If you think I am reaching remember the discourse Jesus had in Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Our first and greatest love must be God, not our causes, churches, agendas and endeavors, even in those endeavors are given to us by Him. When we create a Jesus in our likeness we are really proving we love ourselves. Churches are full of people who declare their love for Jesus but fail to submit to his Lordship. How sad it will be on that day when those who have done so much and sacrificed so much for others have this exchange with God. “Lord, Lord we did so many works in your name…and He will say depart from me your lawless one I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:22-23)

 I think the Spirit of God is calling out like he did to the church of Ephesus in Revelations 2, “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write…. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance…You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”

 If you find yourself in the same boat as I was here are a few tips that will help you get back on track and see through the confusion.

 Get into the Word and study. The lack of Biblical context and understanding may be at its greatest point since common men were given the opportunity to read and believe for themselves. Pray for understanding to see who Jesus really is. “Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you.”(Matthew 7:7) Learn who Christ was in his entirety. It is astonishing to me to see how little air time God the father seems to get anymore. The reason is because it is easier to create a kinder, gentler Jesus then it is a Holy Father yet they are one in the same.

 Stop letting others perception of Jesus automatically become your reality. He will reveal himself to you if you let him. If someone is peddling a Jesus that does not line up with scripture or has constant bend to their advantage or ideology, it isn’t Jesus.

 Finally if you are struggling with questions about the balance between love and mercy you are not alone. Spend 5 minutes on Facebook discussing any world or political topic and you will find that almost everyone whether they admit it or not (They generally won’t) is struggling with that balance. Sadly our pride is a blinder that clouds our vision and causes dissension. The key to breaking through the confusion and hostility is found in Micah 6:8. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”  Justice and mercy can walk in perfect unity as long as there is humility. Justice without mercy will cause legalism and bondage. Mercy without justice will create carnality and lawlessness. Justice and mercy bridled by humility will bring peace and freedom.

 How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. (Psalms 133:1)

Thanks for reading.

Steve

Cops Almost Shot Me

I almost didn't go to church that evening. It was a hot August day and I had already worked 9 hours out in the brutal heat, doing construction. It wasn't going to be a traditional service but a work night where they prepared the building for the coming school season. I went anyway.

 After several hours of work I asked my cousin if he could give me a ride home because my wife and 11mo old daughter had left earlier. He told me he could. We were both talking and carrying tools to his truck, probably talking about the upcoming deer season. Although the church was only a few miles from Detroit, it was relatively rare to have any violence from the city come up that far. That was the last thing on our minds.

 As we loaded into his little Ford Ranger, five squad cars carrying two officers a peice, pulled up and blocked us in. What happened next was a blur. Officers, all yelling with weapons already drawn came rushing towards our vehicle. There was so much shouting and coomotion I couldn't really make out the commands they were shouting. One was telling me to "Roll down your window!!" and the other was saying "Let me see your hands!!" I decided to go with keeping my hands held high so they could at least see I had nothing dangerous in them.

 Everyone talks about your life flashing before your eyes in a moment like that but for me all it did was flash to the little life that had just started. I was going to be shot for who knows what and my little girl would have been fatherless at less then one year old. 

 The officer finally, quickly opened my door and told me to unbuckle my seat belt. If there was ever a time I was intently listening it was then. He kept asking me, "Do you have guns in the car?!" To which I replied, "I don't know!" This seemed to only infuriate him but the truth was I wasn't sure. It wasn't my vehicle and my cousin was a gun collector.

 I was yanked from the truck and slammed up against the hood. I remember wanting to fight at that point. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and I had done nothing wrong. All the pistols pointed at me and a inner trust that although the officers were in the wrong here they were good men and would shortly figure out there were no laws being broken here, kept me from reacting. My cousin was getting it a little rougher then I because it was his vehicle. They were not being gentle I can promise you that.

 After several minutes I was cuffed and thrown, not gently placed in a squad car where I sat for about 20 minutes.

 I was confident at this point I wasn't going to be shot but was still in shock of what had just transpired.By this time my uncle, the Pastor of the church came out with several other men to speak with the police and told them we had been working in the building for the last three hours and we couldn't have been involved in anything.

 At this point the officers told us that a neighbor had called and reported two grown men, one white and one black man carrying assault weapons through the alley way. We explained to the officers that we had walked out with long tools that were possibly incorrectly identified as weapons but we had no firearms of any kind, and clearly neither of us were black.

 I remember thinking, "when I find out who called they are going to need the police." How could you mistake a tool for a weapon and then throw the token black guy in there to make it more believable? I was still shaking from the adrenaline and fear but now I was getting angry.

 In the after math I started to get a little mouthy with the police. How could you pull up like that and come out with weapons drawn? What was the point of roughing us up and holding us for 30 minutes without letting us know what was going on? The officers graciously apologized and told us they were trying to keep everyone, themselves included safe. I wasn't pleased with the answers because I was the one the weapons were pointed at but in fairness I could tell they were genuinely apologetic. They got into their squad cars and left.

 Now the rest of the story.

 About five minutes after the officers left, my youngest cousin who was about 14-15 and the size of a grown man stepped out of one of the church buildings with is black friend that was as big or bigger. They were holding two BB guns and one looked identical to an M-16 assault weapon. If you were a boy growing up in the late 80s and early 90s you wanted that BB gun. They had went into the building to get a squirrel that had moved in and was doing damage to the building. The neighbors had been right in what they witnessed...

 There was no way of knowing the firearms the boys were carrying were not the real deal. The hadn't just thrown the "token black guy" into the mix to make the situation more inflammatory because there in front of me was a very large black young man who just happened to be from a wonderful black home in inner city Detroit. The cops reacted to this information correctly. They rolled up in force ready to possibly exchange fire with two armed suspects carrying "assault weapons." There adrenaline level was at 100 the second they showed up and rightfully so. So how did this not end in two men shot?

 The outcome of that evening laid in the hands of two men that literally had no business being involved, myself and my cousin who was giving me a ride home. We were just a couple of young dads looking to get home after a long day.

 First is we obeyed the cops. We were innocent and had done nothing wrong. If there was ever a time to be belligerent it was then. Yet we took the false accusation and temporary discomfort in stride. If I had done nothing wrong what did I have to fear. I know this is the point that some blacks would say it was because we were white, that we got off and didn't get shot. Remember the eye witness account. The officers thought one of us was black and there was no way of knowing we weren't until they were right on top of the vehicle.

 Second we didn't resist arrest. I can tell you I was as compliant as I could possibly be. I made no threatening movements and even though extremely angry kept it respectful. I got my chance to say my piece but once the inflammatory situation was under control.

 If two cops are required to hold you down you are resisting arrest, its really that simple. I have never been an officer but I have detained people over seas. When someone is compliant they will lay down on their stomach, kneel with their hands on their heads or whatever you ask. When they are not compliant they will fight. If two armed men have to hold you down then you are resisting and all bets are off as to what happens next.

 Try to put yourself in the position of an officer of the law. You are wrestling with a man that is possibly bigger and stronger then you so back up arrives. You are trying to hold his arm down to get him cuffed but in muggy sweaty Louisiana your hand slips and you lose control of his arm. How do you know he isn't going for the gun he is illegally carrying in his pocket? How do you know if the next thing you will feel is a slug ripping through you? Are you willing to take the chance? The truth is you can't answer that unless you are there so maybe refrain from bombastic, Monday morning quarterbacking on social media. Our peace officers are put in lose, lose situations everyday with attorneys and someone with a camera looking to bring them down, that is of course until they need them. Then at that point watch the critics complain about how long it took for an officer to show up and assist. It amazes me that anyone would want to protect and serve anymore.

 I am not implying that following these to points will stop all shootings because the truth is there are bad cops out there and some that could make a legitimate mistake. Remember my story. All the information that was witnessed and passed to the officers was correct. I can guarantee however, these two points will solve most of the "unnecessary shootings." I am genuinely sorry for those that will face racist or corrupt officers in the future. It is unfair and unjust. With that being said we have to stop the extremist mentality that all cops fit that bill.

 Stop focusing on the outliers. Yes there are bad cops. There are bad priests. There are bad mechanics. There are bad moms and dads. There are bad politicians. There are bad whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians and mixed races. There are bad...fill in the blank. This world is full of bad people but to automatically assume in any of these situations that any one side is wrong because cops are bad or blacks are thugs is foolishness and ignorant.

 I think it is very possible that the situation in Louisiana was a justifiable shooting where the shooting in Minnesota could possibly be racism, although it appears that it was a minority that was the shooter. However, blacks and whites aren't the only ones that can be racist so that is still very much on the table. It appears as of now it was, at a minimum bad policing and tragic. Can we not wait for all the facts before we demonize any one party?

 I am ready to march for officer safety and against police brutality alike. I would gladly march with blacks for reform in the judicial system that targets them unfairly as Sen Rand Paul has pointed out many times over the last year and I would march for stricter penalties for those that attack peace officers. It doesn't have to be one or the other it can be both.

 Steve

In Defense Of The Second Amendment

What do the shootings in San Bernardino (Work Place), Newton (School), Aurora (Theater) and Orlando (Night Club) all have in common? I am guessing that many will answer with the usual suspects, homegrown terrorism, radical Islam, there were no "good guys with guns" present or the crazy, wild eyed, privileged, white youth. Although the above suspects played a part in several or all of these shootings, the greatest common denominator was the weapon of choice. The guilty party is the Armalite Rifle built in the .223 caliber or better known as an AR-15. A military looking rifle that can handle high capacity magazines (Usually 30 rounds) and is beloved by combat soldiers that carried the military's version (M4) of this weapon overseas.

Before we get to deep into this debate let's dispel some of the lies and half truths that are used by both sides. First, the "AR" in AR-15 does not mean assault rifle. It stands for Armalite Rifle. Second, it is not a fully automatic weapon. Its is a semi-automatic weapon, which means it fires every time you pull the trigger. It does not shoot multiple rounds when the trigger is pulled. Third, it will not give you temporary PTSD or bruises when firing as was recently reported by New York Daily News reporter Gersh Kuntzman. Fourth, the AR-15 is a killing machine. It was designed for combat and all related endeavors. It is was not made for hunting. It was not made for casual shooting. That doesn't mean it can not be used for those purposes but that was not the intent for the design. Fifth, and most important is that my support for this weapon and the 2nd Amendment does not mean I am calloused to the pain and suffering of the victims of mass shootings or that I am indifferent to those still fighting to recover from their physical and emotional wounds.

 As soon as news started breaking of the barbarous shooting in Orlando, liberal and even some conservative media outlets launched attacks on the AR-15 and the 2nd Amendment. Surprisingly homegrown terrorism was quickly swept under the rug. We were told not to jump to conclusions about the shooters ethnicity and motive even after it was reported the shooter was of Middle Eastern decent, had pledged devotion to the leader of ISIS and was yelling "allah akbar" during the shooting. The DC talking heads and politicians attacked the "evil weapon" and the 2nd Amendment.

 Having spent the better part of the last four years working towards a degree in legal studies, I have had my fair share of Constitutional Law classes. To be honest they are my favorite but also the most frustrating as I see the government shredding this document. The public is being twisted into believing the fallacy that more restrictions and government control will keep us safe. We have traded our liberty for personal safety. I think Benjamin Franklin said it best when he stated, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." It is astounding to watch this once great country allow fear of evil to dictate our actions even if those fears destroy the Constitution.

 I am now old enough to remember the efforts used by the left in the late 80's and early 90's as they sought more gun control. Back in those times the liberal agenda was to attack all guns. This meant handguns, hunting rifles, shotguns and of course assault rifles. The goal then was to remove firearms from this countries DNA. This agenda under the Clinton Administration achieved passage of the Assault Weapons Ban in 1994. This ten year Ban was allowed to expire in 2004 under the Bush Administration. Why did the liberals finally settle their hatred for firearms on assault weapons? The answer is simple, money.

 Billions of dollars are spent by sportsman and sportswomen around the country every year. As state and federal budgets get tighter, easy revenue is a harder to part with. Sportsman's firearms were saved, because states and the federal government needed that money. At this point the lefts angst turned towards assault weapons. In the last 7 years gun owners have endured the Obama Administration and the narrative has changed. President Obama and Vice-President Biden have both declared they, "don't want your hunting rifle or recreational firearms." They want to take assault weapons off the streets. It sounds noble and responsible.

 I am sure there are well intention-ed people that are truly wondering why anyone would need an assault weapon and why can't gun enthusiasts and the NRA be happy with keeping hunting and recreational firearms? The answer is because the 2nd Amendment gives us the right to own them.

 The Constitution is a document that has very few if any equals around the world. It is a guide that sets limits to how our government treats its citizens. The first ten amendments, The Bill of Rights, protect us from an over reaching government. I don't think any constitutional scholar would argue this. The 1st Amendment protects are freedom of religion, speech and of the press. Freedom from whom? A government that would look to control those freedoms. The 4th Amendment protects us against unconstitutional searches and seizures. Whom is doing the searching and seizing? The government. The 5th Amendment demands that due process be in place during prosecution. Whom must provide the due process? The government. All of the amendments making up our Bill of Rights are guidelines, outlining how we are to be treated by our government, well all except the 2nd Amendment which is about being able to go hunting or recreational shooting if you believe the narrative of the day.

 The 2nd Amendment of the Constitution states, "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

 Try to put your preconceived ideas of this amendment aside for a minute, whether pro or con. Try and take yourself back to 1787 when the Constitution was written in Philadelphia. The Constitutional Convention was opened on May 25th 1787 and ended on September 17th, 1787. Imagine you are at that convention with the founding fathers. You have just seen this nation go through a brutal war for independence with an enemy that was far superior to you in weaponry and training. Many of the men  that had signed the Declaration of Independence were killed or lost their fortunes. Those that were still alive had cheated the death of a traitor, all for freedom and independence.

 It was summer and Philadelphia is hot and humid, especially in the apparel of that time. After maybe weeks of discussion and intense arguing the 1st Amendment has been written and most are satisfied with its wording. It is now time to begin discussion on the 2nd Amendment. James Madison is at the desk ready to write. The other founding fathers are delighted in the 1st Amendment and humbled by the gravity of what was just written and how it would steer our new nation forward. Out of the crowd John Adams a man who would become our second president breaks the silence and says, "Gentleman before we move much further in this gravely important undertaking I would like to present an idea for the 2nd Amendment. I want to make sure that my grandfathers musket can be handed down to my son for the purpose of hunting and recreational shooting."

 He was immediately tarred and feathered.

 Obviously I am being facetious but this is exactly how we are told the 2nd Amendment is to be interpreted today. Hunting was a necessity of that day and it is doubtful that very many citizens shot for recreational purposes. The idea that a hunting rifle would need protected would have been laughed out of the building. I can just see Alexander Hamilton now. "I second that motion. I want my firearms to be handed down to my children as well. Wow... the 2nd Amendment was easy now lets write eight more amendments that protect citizens from the government." Can you imagine this?

 The founding fathers put the 2nd Amendment in there as a protection from our government. We the people have the right to bear arms because we are the guardians of our Republic. Not the military that can be controlled by the government but revolutionary power of citizens that enables us to fight for our freedoms and our Constitution. Abraham Lincoln says it this way, "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it."


 Anyone that tells you there is no constitutional right to own an AR-15 fundamentally misunderstands the Constitution and the intent for which it was written. There are good people that believe this and it is our duty to educate all that will hear. Any government that tries to take your right to own an AR-15 is corrupted and should be overthrown, peaceably if possible but with bloodshed if necessary.


 Some may say that is extreme but let me close with something I witnessed first hand. During my second deployment to Iraq in 2007 I witnessed the 2nd Amendment at work in a Muslim country (yes there are many great Muslims) no less. We were instructed that when we raided a home to allow the house hold to maintain an AK-47 (which is more powerful then an AR-15 and can be fully automatic) and a high capacity magazine with ammunition. Why would our government that was locked in a bloody insurgency where the enemy didn't wear a uniform, allow these weapons to be in the hands of citizens? The people in charge at the time understood the right of citizens to protect themselves and their families and they should at least be armed with something comparable to their attackers.

 This was the 2nd Amendment at work in another country. Military leaders will tell you the surge of US troops into the area in 2007 was what calmed the region down during that insurgency and that certainly helped. Those of us that were there would tell you it was the decision to bring in the local citizens to combat the uprising that swung the tide in our favor. Local farmers armed with AK-47s manning checkpoints and outposts in their communities to protect their families and what they held dear. This was only possible because we didn't disarm them and take their assault weapons. 


 This is not to say there weren't those who abused this and put our lives at risk but there will always be the people that seek to do evil on the innocent, like those in Orlando, Sandy Hook, Aurora and San Bernardino. For all those that drink responsibly there will always be someone who drinks and drives and kills innocent people. It is tragic, disgusting and heart breaking but we don't line up to turn over car keys to prevent drunk driving, especially when driving is a privilege and not a right. Why then would we allow our government to take away a right that was so important to the founding fathers that they put it #2? Do not let the emotions of these awful tragedies weaken your resolve to stand with the 2nd Amendment. It is the amendment that gives teeth to all the others. Without it we have no Constitution.


Thanks For Reading


Steve




 

Why I Say No to Syrian Refugees.

In the spring of 2008 I signed a form and walked off the base at Ft. Drum, once again a civilian. Truth is I missed it almost immediately. But after 5yrs and two deployments I felt it was the best thing for my family that had sacrificed so much along with me.

 In the months that followed I started to experience signs of PTSD. They were relatively mild compared to others but certainly struggled with a heightened sense of alertness, nightmares and rage. The rage was hard for me...I had to watch the look in my families eyes when I, "went off." For the record I never even came close to hurting one of them and the rage was never directed at them. These rage events were more then just an emotional outburst these events were also accompanied by physical symptoms, heart racing, blurred vision and shortness of breath.

 Near the end of 2008 I was also dealing with a serious back injury and uncontrollable pain. After dealing with the VA, which can be frustrating, the "events" became more common until one day I really lost it. I was at the VA clinic trying to get answers for my back and I was forced to deal with a less then friendly Physicians Assistant, who treated me very rudely. This was the breaking point for me. As I walked out of the office she made a smart comment and I calmly but sarcastically shot back a comment to her. Things escalated and soon we were standing there shouting at each other. One of the VA Reps grabbed my arm and took me to the front of the lobby to talk to me. He was trying to be kind I should add. When he asked what was wrong I started to explain and then it happened. The rage came out. I don't remember much about the conversation until I had an almost out of body experience. All I remember is the gentleman asking me, "Have you been tested for PTSD?" I remember standing in the lobby yelling to the top of my lungs, "I DONT HAVE F$@*& PTSD!!!!!!!" I knew at that moment with all these people standing around looking, I needed help.

 Shortly there after I entered a new program that used writing as a way to deal with PTSD. I don't know if the program ever took off but it sure helped me. I was one of the first case studies. So today I am going to use writing again to express my feelings and hopefully bring me some healing and maybe some others as well. This will be the most open and detailed I have ever been about some of the things I have seen over seas, some of which I have not even told my family. It will be real. It will be raw but I am just baring my soul and giving you a peak into what men and women like me have seen and what we feel even after all these years.

 The recent attacks on Paris opened many wounds for me. When I turned on the TV and started to watch the news a "rage event" started to boil. After throwing out some choice words and looking at my shocked children's faces (profanity isn't allowed in our home), I realized I needed to leave the room and calm down. Over the coming days the shock of the attack changed from how to deal with ISIS to what to do with all the Syrian refugees. I have seen every side of the spectrum from bomb the Middle East back to the stone age to people reciting the quote from the Statue of Liberty...."bring me your tired....". Anything from I wouldn't even take a 3yr old orphan to your not a Christian if you don't just open your doors to everyone.

 Not surprisingly, I had an opinion that rankled the feeling of some and was lauded by others. My wife and I disagreed as I did with friends and family alike. I tried to strike a middle ground where we vetted the men thoroughly while bringing in the women and children. Some people said the vetting process was too long and could take up to two years. I thought that was ridiculous when you realize the average American soldier that has served the last 10 years has probably come close to double that away from family. Then a female suicide bomber blew herself up while resisting arrest as one of the conspirators. So clearly we can't just let all the women in. How do we go about doing this? Well I have changed my stance. I realize it won't be popular. I will probably be considered Islamaphobic, un-Christian and uncaring. That is fine I will live with those but before you stop reading, listen to someone who has a perspective that most will not have and see if there is any wisdom in what I write.

 I love kids. I hate to see them suffer. When we first got into Iraq I wanted to give them all candy. food, soccer balls and money. It didn't take long for me realize this new opportunity to mingle with children would bring me some of my greatest heartbreaks.

 On one of my first patrols a young man came up to my truck and communicated through broken English he had Pepsi for sale. I quickly grabbed a couple of bucks from my wallet and gave them to him and he ran away excited by his sale. Two days later we came back and I had my eyes open for this little boy. I finally saw him standing far off and he had casts on both arms. We found out later his arms were broken for selling US Soldiers, Pepsi's.

 My unit quickly transitioned to Abu Gharib a place you may remember because of the well documented abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of their American captors. Those worthless soldiers cost the life of many good soldiers by inciting the region against us. They should have been given much harsher punishments than they received. While patrolling this region we were under constant attack from IED's. Our mission was to prevent IED's and capture or kill those placing or making them.

 During our time in that region we traveled down this one road past many little family farms. We would stop and talk to the locals often in front of this one particular farm. Kids would always gather to get candy and toys that were sent from home. It was amazing to me even at the young ages how awful the boys would be to the young girls. There were two sisters that lived at the farm and they were about the age of my daughter back home. The first time I tried to give them something they ran away and I laughed thinking they were shy or afraid of me. The next time I realized why they ran away. The boys would immediately descend upon them and hit them and steal whatever they had been given. The older sister would try to defend her younger sister but to no avail. They would end up running for their safety dodging fists and stones the whole way. I finally got smart to this and would throw candy in a place the boys would all run to and while they were busy fighting each other I would give the girls an MRE and tell them to run and eat it before the boys found out. This went on for several weeks.

 One night while laying in my bed we got a notice to come to the headquarters for a briefing on that nights raid. As I looked at the map I realized we would be raiding the home of the little girls I had tried to look out for. I remember pulling up to the house and being one of the first soldiers through the door. At that point training just kicks in. Smash down or through the door, clear the fatal funnel,  take up your position, depending on where you were in the stack going in, and under no circumstances do you ever stop in the fatal funnel! When I got through the door one of the first things I witnessed was that little girl staring at me terrified as I came in and pointed my weapon and yelled at her father to get on the floor. The look on her face of broken trust, confusion and then terror as we dragged her father outside will never leave me.

 As the rest of the soldiers searched the farm for evidence of IED's I went and sat down under a palm tree to pull security and cry. I am not ashamed to say I tried not to bawl.

 A few weeks later while on patrol a mother walked up to me and tried to express that her baby was sick. This child was more then sick, it was blind and deaf. It would just lay there in her arms and moan. I called over our medic, Doc Jackson, and he tried to act like there was something he could do but I am pretty sure all he did was give the baby something to make it sleep and give the mother a little bit of peace. Once again I stood near my truck doing my best to not bawl as the mother walked away. I will never forget the moaning of that child that would never see, never hear and was headed for an almost unimaginable life in that part of he world with no resources for the handicapped.

 When I left for my first deployment I prayed and asked God, not for my safety but, "if I must die please don't let it be on a Holiday, so that day will be ruined for my children forever and please don't let me kill any children or women." That was a really the prayer I prayed as the 747 left Ft. Drum.

 On Dec 24th 2004 I was part of a group of soldiers that was guarding a communications tower in Baghdad. Around 9:30PM a shot rang out and, as it turned out it was an accidental discharge by an Iraqi soldier. My good friend Ryan Decker was standing near the Iraqi soldier and immediately started to read him the riot act. When he was done he came down and I remember saying to him, "I am not nearly as worried about getting killed by an insurgent as I am these idiots." We laughed neither of us knowing what would happen just 25 minutes later.

 At 9:55PM a large fuel tanker pulled onto the road adjacent to the facility we were guarding. I want to say the road was about 75 yards from where we were standing. Ryan turned to me and said, "that is unusual to see a tanker out this late." There was a 10PM curfew and no one was allowed on the road. I will never forget the face of the man as he looked out the window at what was probably 18 American and Iraqi soldiers. I knew in my heart something was wrong but I just had nothing that I could positively identify as a threat. I wish to God now I had shot. I could make that shot from that distance any day of the week but I didn't... Less then a minute later there was a loud explosion and the instant heat and light almost blinded you. I turned to look in the direction of the explosion to see a fireball rolling towards me. I turned to find cover and when I did my shirt came up and I could feel the intense heat from the explosion probably 500yds away. The suicide bomber had detonated his truck in front of the Jordanian Embassy. The embassy was badly burned but no lives lost, the other side of the road was very different.

 In the house across the road lived a man with a wife and 6 daughters. I don't know their ages but I know one was an infant. The man of the house was not home at the time but I am sure he wished he had been. His wife and 6 daughters burned alive in that fire and there was nothing we could do. I remember myself and two other soldiers were the first ones on the seen. It was heart breaking and devastation. Although I personally didn't hear it, other soldiers reported you could hear the screams and cry of a little baby in the rubble. When the husband and father came home he was inconsolable. I remember walking back to the relative security of our post and all I could say was. "why didn't you shoot? And F@#*& this place!! From that day on the sound of a crying baby is almost more then I can handle. Several years later while laying in the ER due to a kidney stone a baby in the next space over started to cry in pain. She just kept crying. The nurse came in and saw me sobbing and figured I must be in severe pain. She left to get me more drugs. The pain of the kidney stone didn't compare to what I was feeling in my heart.

 Christmas Eve has never been the same for me. I always think back to that night. I wish I would have taken the shot even though I realize it would have probably cost me my life, had the truck detonated when it was close. I may have been badly burned and wished I had died. I would have given my life for those 6 girls and God knows it is true. For several years I couldn't sleep the night before Christmas but it wasn't excitement. When ignorant, not always bad, people ask, "Did you kill anyone over there?" These are the first people I think of.

 Why am I telling you all this and how does it apply to the Syrian refugees?

 The first reason is because I have seen many, not surprisingly, soldiers saying don't let the Syrian refugees in. At a minimum serious vetting needs to take place but it is more then that. We have seen this culture up close and personal. We have also seen those that are "extremist" and what they are capable of and are willing to do. I have seen people post its our, "Christian duty" to take in the refugees. When I hear someone say, "you don't care about the children I want to read them the stories I wrote above, ones that I had to stop at least 4 times while writing to wipe away tears, and then I want to tell them your misguided human compassion is what will ultimately bring death to many innocent children. I have read and heard from those that have never seen the true face of war, telling us, "I am not afraid," as they type from their smart phone or laptop in their comfortable home, while their children sit safely in a school or around their feet. It may be time for people to start listening to what those of us have seen and experienced in that culture. Lets be honest if politicians had listened to the military ISIS wouldn't even have gotten off the ground.

 I understand that not all Muslims or followers of Islam are bad. I have worked beside and even lived beside some that are as true blue American as any of us. I have seen some die fighting for their country and its new found freedoms. I had several Muslims in Michigan that I would consider friends. We often hear of two categories, the extremist and the moderates. I would argue there is a third category and that would be the back-slidden. We use this term in Christianity for people that have effectively walked away from the faith, but still consider themselves a follower of Islam. I would consider them to be like a Catholic that goes to church on Easter and Christmas but faith means little to them apart from recognizing it in their past, nor does it have effect on their everyday lives. I would argue the US can not afford to bring in Extremists or Moderate followers of Islam. This may seem harsh but let me explain from a few perspectives.

 Our culture is not compatible with theirs nor will they ever be. I have yet to talk to someone who is advocating for the acceptance of Syrian Refugees, that has been able to answer this one simple question. Will the refugees assimilate to our culture or will they be allowed to continue theirs? Of course that is almost blaspheme in the United States and the answer is usually something like this. "It would be un-American to not allow them to practice their culture here and force them to change to ours." If you find yourself thinking this way please pay close attention to what I say next.

 One of the heinous aspects of the Muslim culture is its treatment of women. I would argue that moderate Muslims still espouse to the teachings of the Koran that allow honor killings, stoning's and even rape. If you think I am crazy I personally know soldiers that have listened to women, little girls and boys being raped but were not able to do anything about it. In the past few months there was a case of a US Green Beret that tried to assist a little boy that was being repeatedly raped. SFC Charles Martland was potentially facing disciplinary measures for beating up the pedophile. My one experience with even "moderate Muslims" has shown me a serious lack of respect of even common decency for Muslim women.

 In November 2004 I had one of my more terrifying situations during my deployment. With the new found freedom in the country more and more citizens were able to afford vehicles thus putting a strain on their fuel supplies. There would be long lines and waits for gas because of so many new cars. For about a week we had to police these lines because, big surprise they would turn violent. Instead of being excited and appreciative of their new found freedom they would fight and quarrel to get gas first. I can tell you it is nothing like what you see in America and Europe when there are catastrophes that bring people together.

 The fuel lines were not working that day and nerves were tense. Once the fuel delivery came and the pumps were working we began to allow the people to come forward to fill up their tanks and 5 gal jugs. There were 4 of us directing the fuel disbursement and the rest of the platoon was pulling security. I motioned to the ladies to come forward first and it started an all most immediate riot. Men started to push the woman and hit them. Men forced women they didn't even know to carry two or three 5 gallon jugs for them. The men finally got so mad they started to push forward and I was certain this would be it. I figured I was either going to die for trying to show the women respect or I was going to end up on the news for gunning down a mob. I was back to back with 3 other soldiers. At one point they had pressed in so hard that I could barely raise my weapon. At that point I told Lieutenant Calderon I was about to open fire. I switched my selector switch to fire and at the very last moment SFC Bass brought the rest of the platoon in to break things up. To this day I hate being in a crowd and started a twitch that has never went away. Now its kind of a joke and my son Jason will do it just to get a rise out of me. To this day if you walk up and touch me on the back and I don't see you coming I will jump. Then after I know your there I will jump every time you touch my back. We laugh about it now but it wasn't funny then.

 My point is that massive violence almost broke out over treating women with dignity and respect. Why do you think you see so many pictures of single able bodied men as refugees? Its because they don't care about the women. I know pictures can be deceiving as each side tries to show their side of the case but think about this.

 When the Titanic went down the rule was women and children first to be saved off the ship. In America and other countries, that value women, they and children are the first to be saved. Ask yourself this. Why are any men coming as refugees? If there are 30,000 refugees coming to the US, and 8,000 of them are men I can't think of anything more disgusting. Those 8,000 men represent 8,000 women or children that could be saved. So again I ask you. If we are allowing these refugees in are they going to assimilate to our way of treating women or not? The answer is no and that doesn't even address the fact of how many are coming here with evil intentions.

 Some will try to use the argument I am afraid and this is letting the terrorist actually win. That is preposterous and may I add disingenuous to those that have already faced moderate and extremists on their turf. Is it fear or wisdom that causes me to lock my door at night if I live in an area with high crime? Is it fear or wisdom to pay for insurance for my vehicle in case of an accident? Is it fear or wisdom to put additional security at our schools because of the rash of violence we have suffered there? Is it fear or wisdom to put safe guards in many areas of our lives so as not to reap great harm? The idea that fear is winning is laughable and only ignorant people would actually say that. When it is your children laying on the floor of the restaurant or being mercilessly murdered or blown up let me know how your fear theory works out for you. Our cultures without assimilation can not and will never blend. The fact is they can't even blend with themselves over seas.

 Finally its not that the financial costs are to great, we just don't have the money. I know I will get hung the most for mentioning money but hear me out. Can you in good conscience give money to refugees when you have children starving in your own country? Can you give money when you have countless homeless veterans? How can you slash the budget for our military veterans by $1.4 Billion and to spend billions on refugees? Even more confusing is how do you pay for this when the country is borrowing $4 billion dollars a day.

 The idea that we are a rich country is a fallacy. We may have what appears to be wealth but we are teetering on the brink of collapse. We are servants to our masters the Chinese, that to this point, ironically haven't taken any refugees. What we are doing by taking in refugees is giving money that we don't even have. How do you commit billions of dollars when you will have to go borrow it? For those of you that are Christians and believe in paying tithe that would be like living it up during the week and still borrowing for your fun and needs then borrowing more to pay your 10%. When will we wake up in this country and realize if we continue down this road we will no longer be great and a help to anyone. If non profit organizations want to take the lead and respond to these needs then by all means raise as much as you can but expecting our government to give out more handouts is fiscally and morally irresponsible. Maybe that is what some want a nation that is no longer great. For me I know the world is better off when the US is truly great. I believe in helping and frankly we do. We are the most generous nation in the history of the world but at some point we must strengthen ourselves, even if that means we have to say no at times.

 We often hear talk about the other nations in the Middle East bringing stability and taking responsibility for that region. Now is the time for the powers in the Middle East to step up and if they won't take their own doesn't that alone say something about that culture and religion.

Turning the Other Cheek

 I grew up in a home that taught the Bible and believed the Bible. My parents did their best to teach me the scriptures and many of their teachings stay with me to this day.

 One teaching was the Biblical teaching of turning the other cheek. You can find this teaching in Matthew 5:39 "But I tell you, do not resist and evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."

 This teaching has been taught in Bible believing churches for centuries. Many have used it as a reason to avoid any kind of violence, including protecting themselves and their families. Conscientious objectors have used this as one of the main reasons for avoiding combat. They simply could not harm their enemy.

 Although I respect those that have used this scripture in that manner, I have to say I strongly disagree. Not just with the thought of avoiding combat but with the idea in general that Christians should just let people run all over them and their beliefs. I have seen it in an even greater way with how we react to political attacks, make no mistake there is a war on Christians in the US, and attacks from the media.

 Today Phil Robertson, patriarch of Duck Dynasty, was skewered for sharing his beliefs about homosexuality. Although I personally believe he went too far by using explicit details, I believe in the core of his message, that homosexuality is indeed wrong and a sin. This does not mean I hate homosexuals or that their sin is in any worse then my own, it just means it made the list of sins against God.

 I make no apologies for my belief in God but what I will apologize for is that as a Christian I took the "turn the other cheek doctrine" to the extreme, I let is silence me. I believed that being a peace maker meant being nonconfrontational, unless of course I was arguing with other Christians.

 Sadly many Christians of my parents generation and before allowed the same thing to happen to them as well. They sat back and watched God be taken out of school, Roe V Wade get passed and a general eroding of ethics and morality. Why we turned the other cheek humanist and the godless started to decay the moral fabric of society. Now we are getting all our cheeks kicked.

 I can tell you for me the time has come to be like my name sake from the Bible, hopefully minus the stoning. Stephen was a man that spoke with such clarity and passion that his enemies could not even answer him because they were so befuddled. It's time to speak up Christians. Not with arrogance or hatred but with conviction and passion. Gods ways are not outdated or old fashioned, regardless of what the politically correct in society say.

Thanks For Reading,

Steve

Failure Is The Stepping Stone To Greatness

We both sat back in our tree stand disappointed and defeated. I had been waiting for this chance all season and my daughter had waited for five years to get her chance at a buck. He came in just like I had envisioned he would. Everything was going perfectly then suddenly everything went wrong.

 The buck would not turn and give my daughter a ethical clean shot. Then the battery on the video camera I was using showed signs of dying. The buck turned and started walking the wrong way and my daughter was having a hard time getting into position. Up to this point everything was moving in almost slow motion but then in an instant went into warp speed. The buck appeared out of the thick brush again and a hasty shot was taken and I wasn't even able to get the camera on it. It was a clean miss. All that hard work and effort gone in a millisecond. There was nothing left to do but deal with the disappointment and try and learn from our mistakes.

 About a year ago I was talking to the woman who became my wife and we were discussing how I viewed failures, Lord knows I have had plenty and I should be an expert on the subject. I used to beat myself up over failures. They would drive me into times of depression and anxiety. However, over the last ten years I have started to view them differently. Failures are nothing more then a stepping stone, they are used to set us up for success the next time around.

 So often in life people do what I often did and let their attitude towards failure drive them in the wrong direction. We sulk, we cry and we throw a pity party when the realty is we are closer then we were before the mistake. We took that next step. Failure can teach us things that easy success never will.

 Two nights ago I was sitting in another stand with my daughter. Armed with the lessons we had learned from two weeks earlier. This time the buck was not a small buck but a giant mature whitetail. The pressure was intense. The battery was dying again (apparently I didn't learn all the lessons of the previous hunt) and the buck we were trying to get was one of the biggest I had ever seen while hunting. When the moment of truth came we were faced with many of the same scenarios as the last time; quick shot, camera problems, rough angle and ridiculous amounts of adrenaline. Ashley performed with tremendous poise and I was able to hold it together and get enough battery life out of the camera. We had succeeded.

 There is no doubt in my mind that had we not faced the adversity and failure of the previous hunt we would not have gotten the much bigger buck the other night. Ashley and my disappointment was very real two weeks ago but now is a distant memory to the sweet success we had this weekend. Had we not failed that opportunity would not have materialized.

 Don't fret the failure it is just a stepping stone to something better...

Thanks For Reading
Steve

Sitting Under the Tent

 The humidity was not normal for Northern New York and the suit and tie I was wearing was not helping the situation at all, I was uncomfortable. I was inclined to start grumbling but the event I was attending demanded that I look my best. I am sure I wasn't alone in my discomfort because everyone around me was dressed up and most of them were in Class A's or Dress Blues. To be quite honest I was feeling a little under dressed and a little jealous that I wasn't wearing the same uniform.

 When I got out of the car with the family we were greeted by a officer who escorted us to where the event was to take place. Along the way our escort asked us if we needed or would like anything, he was very eager to meet the needs of seven strangers. He ushered us to our seats under a large tent and we sat down. This was first class treatment to say the least.

 When I sat down I looked out at the other soldiers and their families that were sitting in the bleachers, uncovered from the glaring sun and thought to myself how uncomfortable they must be in the heat and humidity.

  To an uninformed bystander it would appear that the place to be on this day was under the tent. There was shade, a good view and escorts to care for your every need. But today that couldn't be farther from the truth.

 The tent was set up for Gold Star Family members on Ft. Drum. Becoming a Gold Star Family Member is not what it sounds like. It means that you have lost a family member in the wars our nation has been fighting for the last decade. I was honored to sit with my wife and three step children as they came to honor the lose of a husband and father.

 As I sat among such great loss and sacrifice I was immediately humbled by a question? Are you willing to pay the price to sit under the tent? There is no doubt that the tent for this event was the place to be for comfort, but the price to get their was very high. Everyone under that tent had paid a price for their comfort at that memorial, and all will do so for years to come.

 I couldn't help but think about how easy it has been for me at times to look at someone that is successful or prospering; someone that in appearance is sitting in the comfort of the tent we call life. It is an entirely different matter when you start to find out what they paid to get their. The hard work, the sleepless nights, the time away from family and most importantly the times they failed and had to get back up. I walked away from the Remembrance Ceremony with a lot to think about but no thought was bigger then what price are you willing to pay to sit under the tent?

 This can carry into so many areas of life; relationships, finances, raising children, work, and the list could go on and on. Everyone has a proverbial tent they are working towards. Maybe it is retirement or another level in education, financial freedom or some other form of success. But let me tell you about a tent, that if you are reading this in the United States you have already been blessed to sit under.

 I am talking about the freedom we have as Americans. Yesterday I was moved by the sacrifice of the people that have paid the ultimate price so we can remain under that tent. We have a solemn obligation to never forget that sacrifice but we must do more then just remember. We need to continually be willing to offer ourselves to keep this nation free as it was intended.

 Our country is entering the darkest times that I can remember in my life; the country is deeply in debt, there are monumental issues to address like immigration, terrorism and the level of governmental control in our lives as citizens. If you believe the news we are more deeply divided then anytime in our nations history. I have never seen greater attacks or questioning of our fundamental freedoms. Washington D.C. is full of politicians that are so lost, that menial decisions take months to be made while major decision like Obamacare are rushed through in days.

 It is my firm belief that without major involvement by the citizens of this country our way of life is doomed. I am not speaking solely about voting but greater political involvement. Call your local, state and federal politicians, write letters, attend rally's and most importantly discuss with other citizens the issues so you are informed. What price are you willing to pay to sit under the tent?

 I recently started a Face Book page for political discussions. I welcome any one reading this, regardless of political leanings to join the discussion. The link is https://www.facebook.com/CommonSensePolitics.

Thanks For Reading

Steve