Cornelius, What A Volunteer!

Volunteerism and community involvement is highly regarded in our communities throughout our nation. Many among us do good deeds. We use our vehicles to take people places. Perhaps we volunteer at a school, hospital or jail. Maybe some offer to take care of children, clean someone's house and/or yard or help feed the homeless. There are some who will paint or do repairs on a house or car for free or at a very low fee. Some give gifts of money and clothing to those in need. The Bible tells us about a devout man. He was a serious man of prayer. He is known for helping others. Would I call him a volunteer? Yes I would. He volunteered to share his time and money with others. He is an example for every Christian. The ironic aspect of his life is that he was an example for Christians everywhere, before he was ever a Christian. he was not a Jew, either. He was a Gentile. His name was Cornelius. Most of us are familiar with the story of the first Gentile convert to the Christian Church. It is related to us in the 10th chapter of the Book of Acts. What a gentleman he was, this respected officer of the Roman Army. And, depending on which version of the Bible one is reading, a centurion of the Italian band, regiment or cohort. It is believed he was in charge of 100 men, but perhaps more. Rome had conquered Judea, Galilee and Samaria 60 years before the birth of Jesus. From that time, Jews had ceased to be free. The Jews had never fully believed that they were a part of the Roman Empire, therefore, from time to time, they would resist Roman authority. For this reason, Rome had to constantly keep military troops in and around the Jewish nation to keep them from outright rebellion. Most Roman soldiers and their officers felt superior to the people they had conquered. They viewed most other people, and their ways of life as being inferior. Romans thought they were the superior civilization and they were extremely arrogant.

One of The Greatest Delusions

Government is not "everything" to me. I am well aware that I am not alone. I do not hate government, but I do not expect government to be my problem solver. Yes, there are situations that government needs to deal with. And yes, laws exist (supposedly) for the purpose of protecting people. I am of the opinion that one of the best things government can do is butt out. Perhaps it sounds crude. Nevertheless, we are aware that government does not know everything. Maybe it would like to know everything......but it cannot. Therefore it cannot cure everything. RD "One of the greatest delusions in the world is the hope that the evils in this world are to be cured by legislation." Thomas B. Reed 1886 (1839-1902) Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

"Fight The Good Fight"

Recently, there was an accident in a street in Detroit. A child was hit by a car. The driver stopped and got off the car. He was beaten by a group of men. A letter was written to a news outlet.regarding the incident. I was in agreement with the letter because the writer spoke of the need for God's intervention in these matters. Here is part of my response. "You are correct. Prayer has been taken out of schools. Ungodly conduct is rapidly making an effort to become the norm. The people of God have a big fight on their hands. They have a great responsibility. We must “fight the good fight.” It is detailed in Ephesians 6:10-18. Yes, thuggery can seriously be curtailed, but it will take seriously devoted men and women of God who are willing to make the effort. With God anything is possible. We have the goods. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. For now, we can pray for those young folks who attacked that man, as well as their victim. Also, I commend those Pastors and others who are making efforts to address these problems. The underlying problem is sin. John 3:16 is a good start."

The Greatest Lawyer

I am not an expert on law. Far from it. In the quote below, a very famous man calls a lawyer a "peacemaker." How interesting. Perhaps the statement he made does not qualify him to be the greatest lawyer. I understand. Nevertheless, because of the quote below, I am calling Abraham Lincoln the greatest lawyer. Since I already consider him the greatest President, I might as well add the other title as well. I just get the impression that he wanted to help people. He certainly did that. "Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser - in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough." Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th US President Source: The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume II, "Notes for a Law Lecture" (July 1, 1850?), p. 81.

My Favorite Quote about Government

I learned it a long, long time ago. I memorized it the instant I saw it. It just clicked. I have never forgotten it. I have tried to find it online. I have had difficulty. It is nothing but common sense, therefore others may have quoted something similar. When I taught school, I lectured on it. I based lesson plans on it. It can be secular. It can be religious. In my view, it is powerful. Here it is: "Justice without power is inefficient. Power without justice is tyranny. Justice without power is opposed because there are always wicked men. Justice and power must therefore be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful and whatever is powerful may be just." Blaise Pascal

Transgenders In The Military?

The following comment is a letter I wrote in response to some comments written about an article entitled "Transgenders in the Military." I did not agree with the article, and my comments confirm it. "Absolutely! Some of the decisions in life have already been made for us. I am a firm believer in freedom. However, gender selection is not under our purview......at least not in a serious manner. Does it really make sense to make a decision of this magnitude based on "how somebody feels"? Why is this happening? Is this not absurd? Is this truly done in the name of "liberty and justice for all"? It appears that truth, reality and decorum are being replaced by a "debauchery allowed" mentality. This must not happen. In addition, is it necessary for the United States military to do what other countries do in their respective militaries? Is the military a universal culture? The answer is yes and no. It is necessary to consider the main goals of the military. Is it combat ready? Can it defend the nation against invaders? Is it ready to move where it needs to be? However, the next question is critical. Is the military in line with the eccentricities and unreasonable demands of political leaders? No doubt, this has probably haunted every general or admiral (who was a true warrior) for centuries."

A Polite Society?

I do not necessarily believe the quote below with a great deal of enthusiasm, nevertheless, I think it can be true at times. A weapon displayed? Concealed carry? I do not own a gun, and I do not intend to acquire one. However, I do not want weapons taken away from citizens who have a right to own them. I am not an advocate for children to own or carry guns. I do not support the idea that mentally ill people own or carry guns. Like I implied before, I am not a zealot for gun ownership. I am a proponent of the 2nd Amendment. Does gun ownership settle problems? No. But at times, I think it can prevent them. "An armed society is a polite society." Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) American writer