Today my family was off MacDill Air Force Base in a Yacht. No, I am not rich and famous, it was a cruise. We watched the annual air show from off-shore. These are some pictures I took with my HP Photosmart 735 camera. They are photos of the Canadian Air Force's "Snow Birds." Impressive demonstration.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission approved of the rulings. As some of my Canadian friends have told me, and posted about (Rand at A Form of Sound Words), Canada has chosen in large part to oppose God. I know that this type of ruling is a dream for liberals and so-called "libertarians" here in the United States.
May God send one last "Spiritual Awakening" to the United States and Canada before He sends judgment. Oh God, please send us a Josiah! Send one to the United States and another to Canada.
Scary, eh? Obama has no clue. He is about as bright as an egg plant. Cut defense? Does he really trust Vladimir's Pootin' to disarm his nuclear arsenal? He is joking, right? Maybe Barack Hussein Obama does want God to Damn America like his pastor does. Only thing is that Obama will have the power to make that happen if he is elected president. God forbid. As I said before, Barack Hussein Obama may well be the last president of the United States if he is elected.
With the stupidity being shown daily in Washington D.C. it is clear that the United States is a nation with suicidal tendencies. We have a bunch of pompous buffoons in congress grilling a bunch of baseball players and related persons who may or may not have used steroids. We have an unexperienced young man beating out a politically driven woman potentially slated run against a pseudo-conservative politician whose only claim to fame is that he was captured in Viet Nam. I totally respect the fact that McCain served in Viet Nam- he did not run to another country (Clinton the Mr.), nor did he lie his way out (Kerry). I just do not believe being in Viet Nam or being a former necessarily makes you good president material. After all, Benedict Arnold was also a soldier. They have the skill of telling people what they want to hear whether it is true or not, whether it is practical or not.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. -2 Timothy 4:2-4 (ESV)
I believe that, as things stand right now, Barack Obama will be the next president. I can see him being the last president of the United States. If the congress of the USA and the president are equally ignorant and unconcerned with the best interests of the nation as a whole how will we survive?
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. -James 3:13-16 (ESV)
The democRATS and republicans leave us no one to vote for. No third party stands a chance with the way the two main parties have tilted things. There are no statesmen left. There are few who stand for what is right and shun evil. What is wrong is considered right: murder of unborn children, homosexuality, promiscuity, gossip, greed, hatred... the list goes on.
It is a sad state. It may be the end of an era just ahead of us.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! -Isaiah 5.20 (ESV)
In the following video Newt Gingrich discusses his concern for the United States of America. I do not like some of his choices in life and I did not like his trilogy of books- a supposed alternative history of the War between the States.
I felt he had the North win in the books because he was considering a run for the White House and did not want to be tagged as a closet Confederate. I also did not like his characterization of Jefferson Davis as a devious, evil man- a man without honor- at the end of the last book in the trilogy. I did not feel that having the North win made for a good alternate history. A win for the South would have opened up so many questions to explore.
Anyway, I digress. The following video makes me wish Newt Gingrich was running for President. I could vote for him with enthusiasm. Please sit back for about five and a half minutes and hear what he has to say.
Today was a tough day. We were at the funeral of PFC Cody Grater at Spring Hill Baptist Church. I had the privilege of praying during the service. I also had the honor of meeting and observing several men from our nation's armed forces.
The funeral was very well attended. Even more overwhelming was the number of people lining the street holding American flags and showing support.
Upon arrival to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, the burial service commenced. The heat was oppressive, but I kept thinking about the soldiers performing the ceremony- they had to stay perfectly still and follow through with disciplined actions while in the direct sunlight and in their dress uniforms. I also thought about those soldiers Cody left behind. They face this heat and worse in Iraq. They also have to beware of the enemy- an enemy that is like a cockroach- hides under rocks and in crevasses.
Cody's two cousins, one in the Air Force, the other in the Army, were part of the ceremony. They were part of the group that folded the flag and carried the casket to the grave site. They were able to keep it together until Cody was lowered into the ground. During the service they had a 21-gun salute and played Taps. That was the most difficult part for me. Between the honor or the guns and the sadness of Taps- the finality- I could scarcely hold back the tears.
When Cody's body was lowered into the grave, his cousins lost their composure and were allowed by the Sergeant to be dismissed from their formation to join their family. It left a formation with only four men, but it was definitely the right thing to do. Cody's sister, Cheyanne, was so strong during the whole series of events- the wake and the service at the church as well as the cemetery, but when they lowered Cody's casket, she also was overwhelmed, as was her mother. I think it was the finality of it all.
The good thing is that it is final, but it is also temporary for those who know Christ. Cody was saved before he joined the Army and that means we can see him in heaven. For those who do not know Jesus, the only way to see Cody again is to place your faith in Christ. But it cannot be just to see Cody- it must be by placing your trust in Jesus as the only remedy for your sin. Realizing that He alone is able to bring you to salvation.
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." -James 1.12
***UPDATE: The St. Petersburg Times has an article entitled: "Fallen Soldier: 'No war where he is now'"- a title taken from a quote out of my prayer during the service. What an honor.
This photo by Daniel Hulshizer should remind us of what the War on Terrorism is all about. PFC Cody Grater died in a war to make sure this kind of thing never happens on United States' soil again. So have a couple thousand others.
Remember- Iraq may or may not have been involved in 9-11, but the old regime did support terrorism. They paid families of suicide bombers after the bomber murdered others in an attack. That is support of terrorism- blatant and undeniable. There were terrorist training camps in Northern Iraq. More proof. It is a war against terrorism, not solely 9-11 terrorists.
Our church family mourns the loss of one of our young members. PFC Cody Grater was killed in action in Iraq. He was one of several members of our church in the military.
We have been praying for him as we do for the others. The Lord saw fit to bring him home sooner than we preferred. It saddens us greatly. We currently continue to pray for Megan Sissum, Peter Bandoo, Caleb Roman, Marius Scott and Nicardo Hamilton.
SPRING HILL - A 20-year-old Bronze Star-winning paratrooper from Spring Hill died Sunday when his guard position was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near Baghdad.
Pfc. Cody C. Grater was a vehicle driver with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.
"Our son died doing what he was proud of," Larry L. Decker and Anita D. Lewis, his stepfather and mother, said in a statement. "It was his goal to make the Army his career, which he loved. He was proud of serving his country."
Grater has received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
His unit will hold a memorial service in Iraq on Friday. Grater, who joined the Army in April 2006, finished Motor Transport Operator Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., a month later.
He reported to his division in August 2006 and was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
"Pfc. Cody Grater was an exemplary soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division," said Lt. Jason Gardel, rear detachment commander of 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "He served his country honorably and will long be remembered by his leaders and fellow paratroopers.
"He was eager to learn and excelled at all aspects of his chosen profession. Pfc. Grater always went the extra mile to help out his comrades."
This leaves us a bit numb and regretting that we haven't done more for our troops. Especially the ones from our church. We do pray regularly for them, but we need to write them and send them reminders of home. I remember Cody wanted cereal one time. I also remember the Sunday before he left. We gathered around him for prayer.
I often joke that we bring people into the church, they get saved, and then they join the military. I joke, and it seems true at times, Megan and Caleb also joined and soon after left for the armed forces. I must add, we are honored to have them be a part of our church family.
***Note: Anyone who is anti-Iraq war or anti-troops, do not dare to comment, I will not allow stupidity. I will leave it at that since I really feel like saying more, but God's Spirit restrains me.
2nd photo CREDIT: U.S. Maritime Commission. "Bird's-eye view of landing craft, barrage balloons, and allied troops landing in Normandy, France on D-Day." June 6, 1944. New York World-Telegram and Sun Collection. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.
Name: pregador27 Home: My Heart is in, Northern, Brazil About Me: I will cover anything I am interested in from my Christian view. I will not always be right, but I will always be well right of center.
I was born in NY, but moved to the South when I was about 6 yrs old. I went on a mission to Brasil in 1995 and met the woman who I would marry 5 years later. We now have two wonderful daughters. Meu coração é verde e amarelo. See my complete profile
